Narrator's POV:

"I can't believe it's tonight." Clary said as she sat beside Isabelle.

"The show's twenty minutes away, you'll change in the car and do your hair and makeup there." Isabelle encouraged her as Clary went over the routine in her head.

"Remember to let him lead you. Clary I just want to say thank you." Isabelle smiled as Clary tried on the emerald green dress with red and gold crystals along the waist and trim of the dress, it fit like a glove.

"I have to go take care of one more thing. And thank you for having faith in me." Clary hugged Isabelle before changing and taking off to find Simon.

"Simon, you've got to cover for me." Clary begged.

"What, me cover for you?" He looked around nervously.

"Yea, just tell my parents that I don't feel well and am laying down." Clary pleaded with him as he felt himself reluctantly agree.

Jace and Clary go to their show as she changed in the back as Jace managed to keep his eyes on the road. When they arrived, they got to their dressing room in order to prepare, Clary's hands shook as time for the performance grew closer. She did a good job with her makeup, making sure to apply more than usual as Isabelle suggested. Her heart rate continued to increase as time grew shorter and they neared the stage. Suddenly the lights were out and it was their cue to go out on stage; Clary's entire being shook as the spotlight came on, they were introduced and their music began to play. Clary was exceedingly nervous as Jace told her to take a deep breath and follow his lead; he had all the faith in the world in her, though she didn't have so much in herself. Clary's body was a bit stiff as she did her best to remember the steps and look deeply into Jace's blue and brown eyes while trying to be as seductive and beautiful as Isabelle when she and Jace danced together. At one point, Clary noticed a familiar elderly couple and was concerned that they'd be recognized, though they didn't stay still for two long as the dance progressed. Clary accidentally tried to go right as Jace corrected her before doing so. Then it was time for the big lift when she stopped just short of it and began to improvise, though Jace knew he had to save the act as they managed to finish the dance gracefully, hearing the audience's approval as they took their final bows and ran out of the building (after Jace collected his check of course). On the way back, she changed as he praised her, whilst looking back at her,

"You know that elderly couple that were making their way into the audience?" Clary asked as she pulled her crop top down over her bra.

"Yea, when I saw them, I thought we were goners." He flushed when he noticed her half naked figure was more than intriguing to him.

"Me too!" Clary smiled as she had buttoned up her shorts and made her way to the front seat.

"You know; you did great out there tonight." Jace said earnestly as Clary blushed.

"Oh, but I didn't do the lift and-"

"No, no don't worry about all that, for the first time dancing like that . . . I was impressed. Really, you worked hard and it paid off." Jace smiled at her.

"Thank you Jace." Clary brushed her fingers across his arm.

"For what?" He looked at her as he raised a brow.

"For teaching me, being patient with me and never giving up on me." Clary smiled brilliantly as Jace felt breathless gazing at her. When they finally arrived back, Clary managed to sneak back in without her mother or Luke finding her.

The following morning, Clary awoke to a loud knocking at her door.

"Ugh, I could really use some sleep right now, not harassment." She stood and walked toward the door as she swore that if it were Simon she'd rat him out to Maia and Isabella. She was quite surprised to find her mother waiting who seemed to be very angry.

"Clary, where in god's name have you been lately?" She stormed in and began interrogating her.

"With friends." Clary shrugged.

"With Simon, or those dancing people?"

"They're not dancing people; I mean they are but-"

"Clary, I know what they do, I was young once. I know what it is to be young and carefree. They, they don't have goals for themselves, no future and you, you're not for them. You don't belong with them."

"But I belong with Simon, and other college-bound people right? People only you approve of." Clary crossed her arms defensively as she noticed her mother's skin was becoming slightly flushed.

"Yes! Is that so bad that I want you to hang around those that will encourage you rather than drag you down with them?" Her words were full of spite and rage.

"You can't control me like some puppet!" Clary fisted her hands at her side as her mother's temper rose.

"That's it! First you think you can go out whenever you like, lie about who you're with and you're not spending anytime with us! At least Simon tries to come to family meals and spend time with us! Until you learn to act like an adult, I'm going to treat you like a child! You're grounded young lady! And if I have to, I'll stay here and babysit if necessary!"

Clary was silent on the outside, but screaming on the inside as her mother gave her a final warning to stay inside her room for the remainder of their stay.