Clary

I wanted to kiss him, I really did, but where's the fun in that? We went back to my house, and studied for the test we are going to have on Wednesday. Passing his house, Jace got mad all over again, so I decided to ask him something.

"Would you like to spend the night at my place?" I had inquired, as I took a bite of my apple.

"What?" he asked shyly yet shocked.

"You can stay here. Grab a set of clothes and sleepover. It could be fun!" I exclaim, trying to get him on board.

"Um, yeah. That would be fun. I would love that," he had replied. Then, he took the short walk to his now empty house for pajamas, and a fresh set of clothes.

When he got back, I suggested we go to the mall so I could get a book I had been looking to read. That's how we ended up in Barnes and Noble on a Sunday night.

Jace had gone to the music section, while I was in hunt for my book. Passing the abundant magazine racks, I heard two familiar voices.

"Clary? Clary!" dear lord.

"What are you doing here? We haven't seen or talked to you in forever!" the second voice chimed in. I could hear their muffled footsteps on the carpet. Slowly, I turned.

"Yeah, I've been busy," I replied venomously. In other words, I'd been avoiding them since my duff revelations. They both take a step back at my tone.

"Whoa, someone's in a mood," Maia mutters. Izzy looks at me worried.

"Well, how have you been?" she asks.

"Just peachy," I retort, walking away. I see Jace's blond head, and I head in that direction, my own book needs forgotten. I just want to get out of here. Seeing who I was walking to, Maia and Izzy gasp.

"Jace Wayland? Seriously? You ditched us for that meat-head?" Maia asks in disbelief. Jace looks up at his name, and looks back down again, trying to stay out of this.

"Well, at least he's honest with me," I yell back. They look at us confused, "Oh, come off it. Don't act like your little plan to make me a duff isn't true. Why else would super-hot girls want to be friends with me?! We have NOTHING in common!" I yell at them.

Izzy looks hurt by this, "Our duff? Why would you think that?" she asks. I just scoff.

"Please, at the party, everyone knew it. Sebastian did, at least Jace had the guts to tell me," now, their looks turn on him, and they harden.

"Well, this asshats has said crazy stuff before, and you don't believe him. Why now? WE are your friends," Maia tells me.

"Not anymore. I'm done being your Duff. Come on Jace," I grab his arm and begin dragging him away, "Oh, and we're raising a cat together!" They both gasp. Jace looks like he wants to laugh, but schools his features into a mask.

Well, now it's official. My only friend is Jace Wayland.

Jace

Clary drags me away, and I feel bad for the blow up that just happened. I had no idea she felt that way about Isabelle and Maia. I decide not to make any comments or small talk as we drive back to Clary's.

When we get inside, Clary mutters that she's going to take a shower and disappears upstairs. I go into her room to grab my shower stuff, then I go to the other bathroom, sadly not the one she's occupying.

After my shower, I walk into the spare room that Clary directed me to earlier. I enter in only my towel to see a pajama –clad Clary fussing over the bed. I clear my throat and she whips around, cheeks immediately flushing at the sight of my attire.

"Hey, um, no one usually sleeps in here, so I thought I'd change the sheets," she tells me, tucking the last corner of the comforter.

"Thank you," I reply, shuffling over to my duffel to grab some clothes. I toss them on the bed and Clary walks to the door.

"I'm gonna order a pizza, meet you downstairs," then she's gone.

Clary

The doorbell rings, so I grab the pizza money and walk over. When I open the door, Jace is standing there shirtless, holding a box of pizza.

"I heard a hot red-head wanted a pizza," he whispers. Before I can reply, he tosses the pizza box to the ground and captures my lips with his. I hear the change clatter to the ground as I weave my hands through his hair. He picks my up by my thighs and carries me up to my room.

I'm snapped out of my fantasy by the real pizza boy telling me how much I owe him.

"Oh, sorry, here," I hand him the money, and he smiles before walking off. I place the pizza box on the kitchen table and just stare at it. Where the heck did that thought come from? I shake my head and open the cardboard. Taking a slice, I hear Jace coming down the stairs. My cheeks flame.

"Hey," he notices my cheeks and smirks, "Was the delivery guy hot or something? Oh, wait, you must be thinking of my fabulous body," I just roll my eyes in an attempt to act nonchalant before walking into the living room.

If only he knew.

Friday (it was Sunday, now its Friday…)

Jace has been staying at my house all week. At first, mom was shocked, but now, she just expects it, even enjoys it. Our little plan worked, because after practice on Tuesday, Jon had asked me on a date. I pretended to be ecstatic, but my heart just wasn't in it. Jace didn't seem too thrilled either.

I haven't talked to Izzy or Maia since Sunday, and I just avoid them. I just am not ready to face them.

Then, there's Jace. He spends every waking moments by my side, and I miss him on the rare occasion he's not there. I have fallen hard for him, but currently, he's started hooking up with Kaelie again. That stings, really bad.

Tonight, I'm getting ready for my date while Jace watched his game tape downstairs. Suddenly, I hear pounding footsteps and Jace bursts into my room.

"Clary! The test grades are posted!" he exclaims, holding his phone out for me. Our science test was Wednesday, and Jace was nervous for the result. If he did well, he can play in the championship. Staring back at me is a big B+. I scream and grab Jace in a tight hug.

"You did it! You got a B+ Jace!" I yell, as his arms come around my waist.

"I know, only thanks to you," he whispers. I pull back slightly to see him smiling down at me. He slowly lets me go and I see his eyes darken. I look down at what I'm wearing and see only Jace's t-shirt.

A few days ago, he had packed a larger bag and gave me some shirts that were too tight or short. I sleep in one every night. This one comes to my mid-thigh and falls off my shoulder. I look up shyly.

He clears his throat, "it looks better on you than it ever did on me," he laughs. I do too.

"Well, maybe I should just wear this on my date," I laugh, but he goes quiet.

"Haha, no. Don't make it too hard for Jon to keep it in his pants," he says. I think it was meant to be a joke, but he sounds bitter and cold.

"Pinky promise," I hold out my pinky and Jace links his with it. He smiles then exits my room. I sigh and castoff the big shirt. I pull on a pair of skinny jeans and a crop top, simple. I brush through my tangles and apply some light makeup.

I walk downstairs to see Jace beaming at his phone.

"You really did a great job," I say. He nods and looks up at me," Well, I'll see you when I get home. Pick a movie," I tell him, as I grab my bag. He nods.

"Have fun Clary," he replies. I seriously doubt it.