Chapter 51

Clary's POV

The days after my movie day with Simon had been fairly average – the storm had disappeared, allowing the sun to come out again and I hadn't had much to do.

Isabelle had called yesterday to organise a beach day, since the weather was supposedly going to be nice.

When I woke up I saw sunlight filtering in through my window. I got out of bed and pulled the curtain aside to see that it was a sunny day – only a few white clouds could be seen.

I brushed my hair and pulled it up into a ponytail before heading downstairs to get some breakfast. I also had to wait for Isabelle to call to confirm that our beach day was still on. When she called yesterday, she still didn't know exactly where we would be going.

I was in the middle of eating my cereal when the phone rang. I finished chewing the mouthful I had and got up to race to the living room to answer the phone before it rang out. By the time I got to the living room though, Jonathan already had the phone in his hand.

"This is Jonathan," he said, pausing to allow the other person to talk.

"Yes, she's here," Jonathan said a moment later before he held the phone out to me. "It's Isabelle," he said as I took the phone.

"Hey Izzy," I said.

"Hey Clary... I decided we're going to head down to Brighton Beach," Isabelle said – I could almost hear her bouncing around; the excitement was clear in her voice.

"That's on the other side of Brooklyn, Isabelle... wasn't there somewhere closer you could have chosen?" I asked.

"Nope... come on Clary... it's not really that far. It will only take about an hour if we drive."

"And how much will a cab driver charge to take us there?" I said.

"Clary, please!" I could hear the pleading tone in her voice. "Alec offered to drive us and everyone else has agreed to go..."

"Fine... as long as we don't have to pay an expensive cab fee... where is everyone meeting up?" I asked.

"On the corner of 96th and Madison," Isabelle said. "At 8am... you've got half an hour."

"Alright... see you then Isabelle..." I said.

"Bye," Isabelle replied. "Oh! And tell Jonathan he can tag along if he wants," she added at the last second before she hung up the phone.

"Will do..." I said into the now dead line.

"What was that about?" Jonathan asked, reappearing in the living room.

"Were you listening to that?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"I guess you could say I was," Jonathan chuckled.

I shook my head. "Isabelle's organised a beach day and she wants us all to go to Brighton Beach which is on the other side of Brooklyn. Alec's offered to drive us and Izzy said you can tag along if you like," I said, returning to the kitchen so I could finish my breakfast.

"Sounds like it could be fun, I don't see why I shouldn't tag along... and I'll be heading off to college in a few weeks to settle in so I need to spend as much time with my little sister as I can," Jonathan said, ruffling my hair before he headed out of the kitchen, laughing slightly.

I rolled my eyes at him and finished my breakfast, washing the bowl and spoon before I walked up to my room to change for the day.

I put on my blue bikini and put a pair of jean shorts and a crop top on over it. I grabbed my backpack and put my sunscreen and other little bits and pieces I might need during the day in it before I picked up my hat and walked out of the room to head out.

Jonathan met me at the bottom of the stairs. "Ready to go?" he asked.

I nodded. "Izzy wants us to meet her at the corner of 96th and Madison," I said.

"Alright... and instead of taking my car and leaving it there, I think we'll just catch a cab to meet up with Isabelle and the rest of them," Jonathan replied.

I nodded once again and, after leaving a note for Mom and Luke who were out dealing with their wedding preparations, we headed out to catch a cab.

Luckily, it didn't take long to hail a cab. We were already a little late.

Jonathan and I quickly climbed into the back of the cab and asked the driver to take us to the corner of 96th and Madison.

The driver simply nodded and pulled away from the curb, heading to our destination.

We were heading down Lexington Avenue when I spotted the Starbucks shop on the corner ahead.

"Actually... could you stop at Starbucks please?" I asked the driver.

I heard him mumble something incoherent but as we neared the corner, he slowed down and pulled up to the curb.

"We'll just walk up the street," Jonathan said as he paid the driver and got out after me.

As soon as the door was shut the driver pulled away and drove off. I simply turned and walked towards Starbucks, pushing the door open and walking inside.

I had just ordered my coffee when Jonathan spoke. "We were already running a little late this morning... this stop is going to annoy Isabelle. You know what she's like," he said.

"I'll be able to calm her down. She's easy to please," I said with a shrug as I waited for my coffee.

A few minutes later, I had my cup in my hand and Jonathan and I were walking up the street towards Madison Avenue.

We weaved between the crowd on the sidewalk and finally found a break in the crowd near the corner.

I saw Alec's car parked across the street and I also noticed Isabelle pacing on the sidewalk.

I glanced both ways before jogging across the street with Jonathan behind me.

"There you are!" Isabelle exclaimed when she saw me. "We were going to leave without you... you stopped for coffee?" she continued, a slightly annoyed tone in her voice.

"Sorry... coffee is my weakness... anyway, we're here now so are we going to go or are we going to stand here and talk about how I'm late?" I asked, sipping at my coffee.

Isabelle sighed and stayed quiet for a moment, her dark eyes focused on me. "Let's go!" she said, bouncing on the spot for a second before she went around the car and opened the door.

Luckily, Alec had a seven-seater car so we all managed to fit in.

Once everyone was in the car Alec started it and we began our drive to Brighton Beach.

A/N: This is a bit of a filler chapter guys... the next chapter will be all about the beach trip... Review Please!