Hey guys!
So I feel like a lot of people are going to ask the following questions:
Is Oliver coming back?
Yes! He is definitely going to visit Clary and I know a lot of people want him to be a constant in her life, but he doesn't fit into my story. What I'm trying to say is, he is one of her closest friends but he's not going to go to school with her and live with her etc.
Is Clace ever gonna happen?
I really want Clace to happen but with the story I have, I mean, Jace was a DICK. As I said before, I want to incorporate Clace into the story, and I guess I'm still figuring out how? All I'm going to say is this: Clary is going to find someone else, but in the end, she always finds Jace :)
Will she forgive Simon, Jace, Alec, and the others?
I think that if anyone were to put themselves in Clary's shoes, it would be extremely difficult to forgive someone who caused immense pain and anguish in their lives. Again, I want her to forgive them but it will take some time and I really want this story to maintain its genuineness.
Also, side note! I've been thinking about this a lot and I may do it when I finish the story but I want an alternate ending where Clary dies from her injuries. Now, it sounds kinda iffy BUT it may be better when I write the chapter out?
Tell me what you think about it! ALSO...sorry I've been on hiatus for a lonnnnng time so I have a TON of things to say.
I just want to take the time and thank every reader who has stuck by this story and supported me. It means a lot to see how my readers care about this story and me finishing it. I am grateful for the support and I love you guys!
Anyways, enjoy the next chapter!
School started today, and Clary dreaded it with every bone in her body. Ever since Valentine injected her with his concoctions, it had gone viral...which meant every kid in school knew about her story.
She was always a private person, and only confided in people when she knew they were trustworthy. She only talked to Oliver about Valentine two months into living at the Institute, and even then she was racked with nerves.
Clary missed her best friend. Oliver connected with her on a level nobody else could, and she wished he could be by her side, supporting her through her crazy, fucked up life.
She woke up early. It was almost 5:00 am, a habit she had gotten into when she was with Valentine. His frequent beatings meant she would wake up earlier to get ready. Even the Institute couldn't cure this.
With a heavy sigh, she tried to sleep for some more time before the inevitable.
Clary woke up again at 6:40, and peeled herself off her bed. After showering and making her hair look presentable, she looked at the new clothes she bought with Magnus.
She slipped on the leggings she bought and her blue Hollister (I don't own Hollister) hoodie. She rummaged around for socks, and then threw on her somewhat tattered white Adidas (I also don't own Adidas heheheh) shoes.
Clary checked her phone: Jace had finally given up texting her, and Oliver had just texted her a few minutes ago. It was almost noon in London, so she decided to call him.
He picked up soon, and hearing his voice soothed her. "Clare!" he said excitedly. "How are you feeling? I know it's crazy to be back at your school but I know you're going to have an amazing day and if any of those bitches sa-"
Clary couldn't help but giggle. He was overprotective of her, even when he wasn't there. "Oli, calm down. I know, they won't give me trouble, not after everything that happened..at least I hope so."
She took a deep, shuddering breath. "I don't want to go because...if they're going to be there, I'll get hit with all those memories and bad thoughts. I don't want to go back to the old me. I'm happy again Oli. I want to stay that way."
Oliver mumbled in agreement. "Clare, I know, believe me, I do. You have to remember that their actions against you were pathetic. They did it because they are disgusting and have no objective in their lives. Don't let them get to you babes, you made so much progress at the Institute, and you can't let them unravel that."
Clary smiled. He always knew how to cheer her up. "I'll try my best Oli, and thanks for everything. I gotta go, breakfast is ready. I'll talk to you later, ok?"
"Of course Clary. I love you, don't ever forget that. I got your back no matter what."
"I love you too Oli. Have fun!"
With that, she cut the call, a little more satisfied with the situation she was in. She had some time to spare, so she put mascara and eyeliner on lightly.
Clary was happy with her appearance, and then proceeded to go downstairs, where Luke and Jocelyn were eating breakfast. She noticed that Joc-her mother tried her very best to start something with Luke again, but it seemed like he was holding himself back.
Luke noticed her first and beamed at her, with her mother doing the same.
"Good morning Clare!" he said joyfully. "I made you eggs, bacon and of course, coffee. Straight black, just the way you like it."
Clary giggled, something she hadn't done in forever, and it melted Luke's heart. She grabbed her plate and inhaled the delicious aroma. "You know me so well," she said adoringly.
She sat at the table and talked to her..parents. It was weird to think that, and it would probably be weirder to say it, but it was true.
It was almost time for school, and she gobbled the rest of her food and put her plate in the sink. She kissed Luke on the cheek, and hesitated, then quickly hugged her mother.
She saw Luke getting up, and then stopped him. "I'm going to bike there, Luke." Clary said nervously. "I think that...I need to maintain independence. I'll be fine, don't worry about me, ok?"
He looked at her with worry etched all over his face. "Be careful ok? You just got back and I can't lose you again."
She smiled at him. "I promise."
Clary knew going back to school would be painfully awkward, but she didn't expect how painful it would be.
The second she walked into the hallway, everybody froze and stared at her. Whispers surrounded her, both good and bad. She shoved her earbuds in, cranked the volume up, and walked to the office with her head down.
When she reached the office, Amatis, the secretary, saw her and sighed in relief. She hurriedly got up up and hugged Clary tightly.
"Clary," she whispered. "You have no idea how badly you scared us. I'm glad you're back sweetie. Tell me if anybody bothers you, ok?"
Clary smiled tentatively at her. "I will, don't worry. I'm glad to be back too."
That was a half truth. But Amatis didn't need to know that.
Clary gave her one last hug and got her schedule. While she was recovering in the Institute, they did make sure to get her up to speed with the curriculum for senior year, but she was still hesitant.
She had yet to run into "the bitches", which confused the hell out of her. They always knew where she was, no matter what.
Clary exited the office and went to her locker, and froze. They were all there.
Jace, Isabelle, Alec, and Simon were waiting for her.
This time, she couldn't escape.
Clary walked to her locker quietly, hoping they wouldn't notice. But of course, they did. The second they saw her approaching, the group shifted their focus to the redhead.
They noticed that she was healthier and vibrant. Simon ached to hug her, because in his eyes, his best friend was hurting and he wanted to comfort her. Jace on the other hand...was upset that she was ignoring him.
She cleared her throat and steeled her eyes. "What do you guys want?"
Clary noticed they all gave her space, except Jace, who was too close for comfort. "Clary," whispered Isabelle. "We want to talk to you. And before you do or say anything, please, hear us out."
Alec nodded his head in agreement. "We can't explain what we want to say because there are no words to describe what we did. We did a digusting thing with a baseless claim."
Simon interjected. "Everything we did was wrong, on so many levels." he begged. "You never deserved our abuse, any of it. I know we've asked you a thousand times but please, give us a chance. We changed Clary, please."
Jace stood there silently, and Clary noticed the other begging him silently to say something. He cleared his throat hesitantly, and said quietly, "We'll prove that we're better. But it's up to you. I know it's hard but-"
Clary cut him off and glared at them. Newfound anger coursed through her veins. "You know it's hard?" she hissed. "All the time you guys bullied and belittled me, I wanted to die. And you think that me giving you another chance will make me happy?"
She leaned against her locker, and sighed. "You get a chance, but honestly, what difference will it make? I know who you really are. You're just four people who have no concern for others you see beneath you."
Clary took a deep breath again, the confrontation making her more nervous than ever. "Jace, can I talk to you privately?"
The others left without another word, and Jace looked at her with hope in his eyes. That itself made her angrier.
"When you told me that you wanted me to forgive you, and that you wanted another chance, I wanted to give it to you. I thought that if I made amends with the person who had caused me so much pain, it could heal my wounds."
He took a step forward, and Clary took two back. He froze, unsure of what to do. "Jace, I will never forget what you did to me. But what you're trying to do now...I don't trust you or them. You texting me every day isn't going to solve that problem. When I gave you that chance, I wasn't in the right state of mind. I'm still not, but it's clear to me that there needs to be boundaries."
She looked at him unflinchingly, and he did the same. "I'm not your good friend, no matter how much we talked when I left. Seeing you hurts me, because all I think is you throwing my dad's abuse in my face like it was a joke."
Jace flinched at that, and his face fell, the first time he actually showed emotion to her. But she continued, knowing that she had to say what she was going to say next.
"This thing that you want between us, to me, you want it to be more intimate than a friendship. I am not comfortable with that. Please...if you want something even close to a friendship, you need to give me space and change."
Clary knew what she said was hurting him, but it was the truth. His face crumpled a bit, and he sighed. "I know Clary, I know. I won't deny anything you said because it's true. I'll do anything to even be friends with you, and I have changed. I'll prove it to you, I swear."
He looked at her wearily, but managed a small smile. "I don't regret saying any of what I said and did at the hospital. You're one of a kind Clary."
With that, he turned around and left, leaving Clary in shock.
So? How'd you like that? Review please and let me know :)
