Well Jesus isn't this a blast from the past? New Phone who dis? Lol sorry I'm so sleep deprived I'm making old jokes. Hi there any/all stragglers who have held out hope of an update, your time to claim a prize has come (am I even making sense?)
Very sorry I haven't updated in a YEAR! Funny how life throws you curveballs and expects you to be able to handle them. No excuses to be had, just life got in the way and probably will always be like that. Going to be real honest I don't know when the next update will be, because I don't have the same motivation I used to have, but hey I'll update when inspiration hits.
If this is terrible tell me (I'll probably agree) if you think this is the best thing since BTS decided to do a world tour (I didn't get tickets either you're not alone pal) let me know (I'll probs cry) all grammar mistakes are Trumps, and hey you're doing great lads keep going! 3
Clary's POV:
I hate this. You know that feeling when you're in a room filled with people you barely know, and you're trying to keep up with the conversation, but no matter how many times you add something to the group it doesn't seem good enough and you just get pity laughed? well that's what I'm feeling right now and I can't even just walk away like I could if this was just some random person's party (however you'd have to be invited to a party, or have actual friend's for that to happen).
In that situation, I could simply crinkle my red cup up find some excuse to walk away from the conversation, muttering a silent "Fuck you" as I leave, as they continue on the topic about how how some women are just not good enough for a particular course, and people actually agree with them (like seriously? are we just there to serve men and have kids?). This however is different and so much closer to home that if I even tried to move an inch right now I'd have eight pair of eyes on me, and a lifetime of guilt tripping and teasing on my hands.
God when did life get so messed up? why can't we just do the basic stuff a wedding involves and not all this fancy crap I think hopping from foot to foot, my palms slightly sweaty and my mind going a mile a minute trying to come up with a plan that gets me out of doing "The one thing I never got to do with your father Clary." Now there's a lie if I ever saw one, my father always danced with my mother, it's some of the fondest memories I have of the pair, and yet because of some knee injury my father sustained before the wedding, and me being a literal infant, my mother never got her first dance.
Which is why myself choosing to be alone because there's no way I'm letting Fletch meet my family under these conditions, Jace and his dance partner (surprise surprise) Kalie who is both jumping off the walls with excitement (about what I've no idea) and clinging onto Jace like he might run if she lets go (I would). Jon and Aline who is a lot more calm about this albeit a little nervous and the rest of the family are in this small dance studio after school and work about to take three week waltz classes.
"Can I for the record once again state how dumb I think this is?" I state looking directly at my mother and Valentine, who are mid conversation with Charlotte and Tereasa. My mother looks up and frowns at me "You've stated that when we brought it up the first time, you stated it when we purchased the classes and you whined the whole way here that you'd rather be at the gym than here with your family" her voice getting shriller the more she goes on. Cringing I say; "I just mean your first dance is supposed to signify unity, love. How is a bunch of teenagers and aunts supposed to solidify that unity?"
My mother frowns at me again and opens her mouth again but Valentine beats her to it simply saying; "Clary this is what your mother wants, it's her day and we want her to love it. And if by learning some "stupid old stuffy dance" as you call it is part of her loving the night then you'll do it" How long do you think mum won't talk to me if I slap the ever loving hell out of her fiancé? About to test out my theory I take a step forward to be stopped by Kalie deciding to join the conversation. "Yeah come on Clary this will be fun! won't it be wonderfully romantic to have the lights dimmed a light focused on you and dance with someone you love?" grabbing Jace's arm even more, sparkles in her eyes as she speaks up.
Startled I turn my eyes to Jace who is looking more and more uncomfortable as time passes. Good. You've made your bed now sleep in it you twat. Everyone goes silent for a minute digesting what Kalie just said, wondering if Jace feels the way Kalie does, and if he does then why hasn't he said anything by now?. "Well I'm absolutely terrified." Aline says a bit of red tinting her checks. Smiling at her, because really she's done nothing wrong to me, and if she makes my brother who as annoying as he is, is still my brother happy then I'll get used to her.
Turning to my mother who looks just confused now, I say; "See! you're torturing the poor girl. Why can't we just go see if this Bernadette women will give us a refun-" I'm cut off with the women herself striding into the room a pungent smell of cat and rose perfume following behind her. At five four, in her late fifties Bernadette looks like the kind of women who cares deeply for those she considers friends, but cross her and she won't hesitate to cut you into tiny pieces.
"There will be no discounts, refunds or special offers given for my class. This class is not to be taken lightly, it's there for you' looking directly at me when she says this "to finally master something else beside being lazy lay about's and sponging off those who seek only to help" Jesus she must be great fun to hang out with after class. Staring at all of us in turn she simply says to get into your pairs and to start following the music, stating she needs to see what she is working with before she properly starts. Raising my hand I point out the obvious. "Hi yes, sponge here. I don't have a dance partner, they couldn't make it and I wasn't going to make them drop everything and come to this"
Bernadette simply blinks and says; "I'll be your dance partner"
2hrs later.
If this hag slaps me one more time with the stick of death I'm grabbing it and snapping it right before her eyes. How hard is it to learn the fucking waltz? Hard apparently, because after seeing our dancing skills, or lack of in my department, it was hell from then on. "Young lady if you step on my foot one more time you'll be staying behind and helping the cleaner's clean my entire studio" Bernadette snaps, who already informed us that her method of teaching was not "sugary sweet, and unrealistic" like her competitors. No instead she hit you with what I have christened the 'stick of death' which has left my arms, legs and occasion my shoulder bruised.
"I'm trying." I grit through my teeth trying hard to remember the steps she had taught us, all while not thinking how loudly Kalie was laughing as Jace twirled her around the room in what Bernadette called "A true show of how a gentleman should act" or the fact this women was constantly criticizing me on little things like "Your shoulders are too stiff." whack "You have two left girlie, come on move" whack. Surely this class must be over soon? this feels like it's gone on for a god damn century.
Stepping on her foot again, I cringe as she hisses and whacks me again twirling me around near my mother who seems to be having a much easier time with all this if her warm smile is anything to go by. Turning to address the whole group she says "Don't forgot to be close to your partner, waltz is all about intimacy and connections" before turning back to my mother correcting her stance slightly, then turning back to me, a frown forming on her face.
Jokingly I lean in towards Bernadette, wriggle my eyebrows slightly and say;"If you wanted to be close to me Bernie you should've just asked. I'm always happy to form a 'connection' with you" winking at the end. Aghast Bernadette whacks me hard on the arm letting me stumble back slightly trying very hard not to break down laughing at how horrified her face looks. Collecting myself I shrug at my mother's concerned look and then back at Bernadette who is now full on glaring at me. Ohhh evolution. Clary you went from tolerable, to down right hated. Congrats.
Turning once again to the group Bernadette claps her hands and says; "That's all the time I have for you today. Couples please continue to practice, it'll come in handy for our next class. Others" she says turning to me and staring "Need to first learn the basics, and find some common manners. good night" before striding out of the room. Unable to hold it in any longer I fall to the floor in uncontrollable laughter, tears streaming down my sweaty face, gasping for breath. "What was that about?" Aline asks looking utterly confused with the others nodding along.
Still laughing I sit up the laughter ebbing away and the pain creeping in I simply shake my head saying; "We had a connection" before standing up and going to find a shower.
Jace's POV:
I'd like to point out that I didn't want Kalie to come. I know I know it doesn't always seem that way but this time it was true. I was going to come alone, stay for half an hour then make an excuse to leave. Course I didn't tell this to Jon who simply said that I was going with them as part of the groomsmen, how could I say no when he sprung it on me two days before it happened and the classes were already booked. So I simply nodded along, said I'd be there and then cursed myself out for putting myself into a situation where Clary and her new friend would be there, sharing jokes having a laugh all the while I stand there looking like an absolute idiot.
I mean you don't deserve Clary to speak or look at you so what did you expect to happen? you'd both show up to these dance classes and realise that both of you were single, and BAM she'd forgive all the shitty things you've done and life would maybe get better? no that's not going to happen, and I'd do well to remember I put myself into this corner and it's getting smaller and smaller the more we interact.
Which is admittedly was what I thought would happen but no life had other plans for me, plans in the form of Kalie who seemed to be becoming more and more attached to me after the whole car incident. Waiting for me after class she latches onto me and starts nattering on about something I really don't care about, but at this point I just zone out and let her talk on because it's so much easier than telling her she looks desperate when she digs her nails into me and quickly glares at everyone who glances at us. Not that she gives a shit, laughing at her own joke as we walk towards next class and you'll continue to feel too guilty to grow a pair and go apologise to the person who actually needs your attention but if she was in her right mind wouldn't give you even a scrap.
Continuing this line of thought as we near the next class I see a familiar figure walking towards me bag bouncing behind them, a constant burrow of the brow etched onto their face yet ready to give everyone and anyone a smile. "Jace! dude over here!" Jon yells fast approaching waving his hands to catch my attention. Stopping in front of me he looks worried, and I wonder if I have contributed to that worry and if there's a way I can tell him I'll be ok. "Dude are you listening to me?" he asks shaking his hand in front of my face, startled I blink and look at him with a sheepish look on my face. Sighing Jon repeats; "I said are you ready for tonight? I'm going to drop you off, go home to get changed and then I'll come back to pick you up"
Realising what he just said and who is with us I try get Jon to shut up. Shut up you idiot. Please please please please don't tell her what we're doing. However he doesn't get it or Kalie is faster because she digs her nails in harder and says in a sickly sweet voice "What's going on tonight Jace" turning to me and it's like the floor has opened below me and I'm being transported to the coldest part of hell where I'll have to listen to 'Baby Shark' for the rest of my horrible existence. Glaring at Jon who is slowly coming to terms with what he has just set us up for I turn and say something along of the lines of "Wedding planning. Valentine wants myself and Jon in the groomsmen so we have to go do these..." I pause. I could come up with some excuse but knowing Kalie and her FBI skills she'll figure it out and I'll never have another restful moment.
Resigned to the fact that she's going to barge her way in I answer truthfully. Goodbye wistful dream, you were dumb but you were mine. "Jocelyn wants us and her bridesmaids to do Waltz classes so we can all do this first dance kinda thing..." I break off hoping that was enough but from the glint in her eye it isn't and I end up telling her what time the classes are and where the planned rendezvous is. "Thanks a bunch dude" I say punching Jon in the arm who has the decency to look shameful. Ugh two hours of listening to her babble on and on. Why did I get myself into this mess in the first place?.
Clary's POV:
Clary: How much money do you think you can claim if your dance teacher leaves you with multiple bruises?
New Guy: That seems oddly specific? Something you wanna share with the class here new girl? taken up line dancing while I wasn't looking?
Clary: Hilarious. No I had a dance lesson for my mother's wedding and the teacher seemed to have it out for me :( slapping me with the stick of death :(
New Guy: Dance lessons? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me about them, you just kept talking about that boy band you like. Are the bruises bad?
I smile down at the phone. Despite only knowing each other for a short while it feels like I've known Fletcher for years, talking all the time about inconsequential and serious matters all in the one conversation, teasing each other about little things like whether is should be a national crime if you put your milk in before your cereal, or how Fletcher only seems to know 80's music and nothing else, with him I feel safe, and ok maybe a bit loved but that's just me maybe he's just being a nice person.
New Guy: Your silence is worrying new girl, send me a picture of the worst one let me see and then we'll decide if we'll sue.
Clary: I'm sorry we? I'm the one injured and I don't remember you becoming a lawyer in the last three days :'D Also I'll show you tomorrow, someone's gonna think you're a weirdo with a picture of me in a Quality Street dress and then a picture of my arm!
New Guy: Who cares? Fine but first thing tomorrow you're showing me how bad it is, and lawyer or not I'll sue. Don't think I've forgotten about those dance lessons either New girl, I'll be expecting the time and place of the next one so I can make sure no one hurts you.
Blushing I quickly type: You've got it captain. I'll see you in school tomorrow with a full report. before throwing the phone down and nearly dying of embarrassment. Going to sleep with legs aching but a smile on my face, I miss the simple text that says' Night Clary x
A/N:
Christ on a bike lads, that may only be like 3'00 words but that took it out of me! I'm so not used to writing any more. I hope you like this update, and like I said at the top please remember I probably won't be updating until I want to cause this is hard to jump back into.
That being said, please leave a review because hey who knows? maybe if I get enough comments I might try to finish this before I'm 90 :D also here's last times reviews:
Aerwyna536: Thank you so much for your review, high five for being Irish! Thank you for loving my story, and for how Jocelyn will react well that may come soon :)
totally-anonymous-person: Ayyy~ I'm back again :D I don't have a good excuse for being away but thank you for your continued support it means a lot. I'll try my best to keep it good, *Happy dances with you*
BreWinchester: I have absolutely no idea where Alec is, it's been so long since I read my own writing your guess is as good as mine!
roseml57: Hello :) sorry it took so long. I hope you like this chapter and continue to support it :)
blehblahblehblah: Hey here you go.
Sal: Thank you so much for your review, I hope you like this chapter and have a good day :)
Kol: I'll try finish it, but I'm lazy as hell and not really inspired so hey let's see what happens.
Guest: What up! here ya go, enjoy pal.
Cherish Eaton: I didn't leave you till last on purpose, but you're review I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Seriously as someone who does this stuff for fun your review made this all worth it. First of the fact that you read all the chapters in one sitting is mind boggling to me, the fact someone is going to take the time to actually sit and enjoy all my content to the point of leaving such a nice review BLOWS MY EFFING MIND. Also dude I want to fly to the US and give you a fucking hug. YOU'RE PROUD OF ME :o I'm so chuffed and doesn't matter if we never know each other, I'm proud of you too. Lol I probs have done this through a private message or something, but jesus dude you've legit made a occasional writer so happy god damn. I've planned loads of this out and for some one to take notice of that makes me feel all warm inside so give yourself a pat on the back because you're a winne
