Clary had tried not to think about the woman warning her against Jace, and all the other woman hitting on Jace since they'd arrived at his mother's house. Every time Jace arrived home from work, and took her in his arms like she was the single most important thing in his world, it became easier and easier to not think about it.
"I have never seen my son happier," Celine told Clary, grinning widely one morning as Jace kissed Clary before leaving for work.
"Yeah?" Clary replied.
"Yes," Celine confirmed. This more than anything, helped Clary to relax. After all, who knew Jace better than his own mother? And despite everything else, Jace hadn't flirted back with those girls at the bar, right?
Celine and Clary spent most of their days together. Celine was a school teacher, and thus had her summers free to spend the way she wished. Clary was glad to have company while Jace was at work, and Celine was a lot like Jace in many ways. They were both blonde, and there was something of her in the shape of Jace's eyes, but also Celine had the same open heart as Jace. The difference is that Celine hadn't spent so long trying to hide it. Clary didn't think anyone else could see Jace's good side the way she could, except Celine.
"He was the cutest baby in the whole world," Celine gushed one day when they were looking at Jace's baby albums. "Those little blonde curls, and bright eyes captured the heart of every person who laid eyes on them. I used to bring him to school with me, and he wouldn't even cry when he was passed around, he just loved the attention I think."
Clary turned the page of the album, and saw two blonde babies. Her stomach twisted as she understood who that was.
"They were about two in this. First photo I have of Sebastian and Jace together," Celine said, happily. Then she sighed, downcast at the thought. "I don't know what happened. I thought they'd be friends for life."
Clary almost voiced the fact it was all her fault, but she didn't say a word. Not only did she want to stay on good terms with Jace's mother, but Clary also wasn't sure she wanted to be asked why it was her fault. The photos were making Clary all too aware of how long Jace and Sebastian had known each other. Of course, she'd known it had been a while, but seeing photos of them in diapers together was quite something else. In one instance, she had ruined their friendship, and though she was glad of it, she was also feeling guilty.
Jace arrived home, and they enjoyed more of Celine's home cooking while Jace talked about the crazy customer's he'd dealt with that day. Celine didn't bring up Sebastian in front of Jace, and Clary wondered if he'd warned her not to. They ate dessert while watching tv, then Clary fell asleep in Jace's arms.
Though she missed home and her brother, Clary had to admit it wasn't a bad way to spend the holidays, or at least half of them. Her mother had insisted on at least seeing her daughter at little over the four months. Really why was post-secondary summer vacation so much longer than high school?
One afternoon, Clary held knitting needles carefully in her hands as she watched Celine's instruction. She was an excellent teacher, though that was to be expected as she was an actual teacher. Before long, Clary had a half a scarf on the other end of her knitting needle, however her tension of the yarn wasn't as good as Celine.
"You just need practice," Celine smiled. "That's a great start!"
"Thanks," Clary replied.
"Clary?" Jace's voice called through the house.
"Jace?" Clary called back, confused. He wasn't due to return home for hours. Putting down her needle Clary got up and went to the door. Celine remained seating on her comfortable couch with her knitting, likely assuming the couple wanted alone time.
"What are you doing home so early?" Clary asked, as she approached. "Your mother is teaching me to knit."
"That's great," Jace gasped. He looked like he'd just run a mile without stopping. Jace was panting, his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
"Are you okay?" Clary asked, looking up at him with concern.
"Sebastian visited me at work today," Jace said. "And I might have been so mad, I accidentally let it slip that you were in town too. He threatened to come swing by and see you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." The second Jace said Sebastian's name, Clary felt all the blood drain from her face.
"Please tell me if you want to go back home," Jace said. "I would totally understand."
Clary could do that. She could run, and leave Jace here to be pulled by in by his old friend, likely ending up in a bar being hit on by hotter woman than her. She could leave ,and never face her fears, letting them control her forever. The mixture of jealousy and courage within Clary, fueled her resolve.
"You should get back to work," Clary said, kissing him briefly. "And I have knitting to learn. I'll see you tonight."
"Yeah," Jace smiled at her. "As long as you're okay." Clary nodded, trying to show him how strong her resolve was.
"Now go," Clary repeated. She kissed him again quickly ,before literally shoveling him until he was out the front door. Clary stood in the open doorway as she watched her boyfriend run back to work. He shouldn't ditch employment for her. She was safe with Celine.
They got back to their knitting, and Clary had quite put the whole thing from her mind until Celine got up to search for a pattern on her phone.
"Did something happen with you and Sebastian?" Celine asked as she looked down at her phone. Clary froze. "Why did Jace come to check on you during his shift today?"
"What makes you ask?" Clary managed to say shakely.
"This," Celine replied turning her phone so Clary could read the text there.
'If Sebastian shows up you are NOT to let him in,' Jace's message to Celine read. 'Don't let him near Clary, no matter what!'
And Clary realized how worried Jace had been that Sebastian would try something today. Clary told half truths, and shrugged the whole thing off as unimportant while she tried to turn the topic back to knitting. She wasn't ready to talk about this with anyone, least of all, the woman who'd half raised Sebastian like a step-son. Clary could tell Celine knew she was hiding something, but didn't push the matter.
The next day they went out sightseeing, not that there were a lot of sights to see, but Clary still enjoyed the walk in the park, and visiting the art gallery. She tried not to think about how many women in his town teenaged Jace had been with, and focused on the clear blue sky and beautiful art.
After another week, Clary had to admit she was a little home sick. During Jace's days off, they spent the whole day together, but those five days in between were getting rather dull. She started calling her mother more, and was thinking of moving up her timeline, maybe going home early when there was a knock on the door. Jace wasn't due home for hours. Clary heard Celine answer it, and then her least favourite sound in the world.
"Hey Celine," Sebastian's voice echoed through the house. "Been a while. How are you?"
"Sebastian," Celine said stunned. Clary stood frozen in the hallway just out of sight. Her breathing getting more and more erratic, as her mind was suddenly reliving the events of that night she'd tried to forget. Sebastian's hands pulling at her clothes, his breath on her face.
"I don't think Jace would be happy knowing you are here," Celine said, but Clary could tell from her voice that Celine didn't want this to be true.
"Yeah I know," Sebastian sighed. Clary heard footsteps, and knew he'd walked into the house uninvited. "We've had a bit of a falling out, but I am optimistic that he will come round."
"You think so?" Celine asked. The hope in her voice made Clary want to throw up. They were moving into the house, and any second they'd catch sight of her, but Clary couldn't move.
Footsteps… left… right… closer…
"I know so," Sebastian replied confidently. "Ultimate Wingman is forever, and will not be ruined by some girl."
"I still don't understand," Celine stated.
"Ah so Jace didn't tell you," Sebastian whispered. Clary wasn't sure if Celine heard it or not. Clary also had a feeling Celine had no idea that the 'girl' Sebastian was speaking of stood just two feet away, standing pale as a ghost frozen in the hallway.
That is until they turned the corner and saw her.
"Speak of the devil," Sebastian sneered.
"Clary dear are you alright?" Celine asked, moving quickly to Clary's side. Clary couldn't speak. Her mind was stuck in that moment last January, stuck remembering what would have happened if Jace hadn't shown up.
"She's just excited to see me," Sebastian said. "Aren't you Clary." And somehow, just by his using her name, Clary's terror shifted to rage. She was suddenly so angry. How dare he come here to scare her! How dare he be the horrible manipulating foul mouth beast that he was. Clary pushed Celine away, and took a step closer to Sebastian.
"See I told you," Sebastian said. "Old friend."
"Get out," Clary's voice quivered, but out of rage rather than fear. "Leave now."
"So dramatic," Sebastian quibed. "Did you and Jace both go to the same overreaction school?"
Clary had never hit anyone in her life. She'd never so much as pushed her brother over on the trampoline when he was being an idiot, but her hands were balled into fists, and Clary pulled her arm back, before she punched Sebastian squarely in the nose.
"Get out!" Clary yelled again. Celine stood a little back, staring in total shock at the scene before her, and Clary realized what that had looked like. Celine probably thought Clary was insane, but she didn't care. Her hand was throbbing, but she didn't regret that punch.
"You foul bitch," Sebastian snapped, and Clary pictured the jaws of a crocodile. "I'll teach you." And then Sebastian was on her, hitting her across the face. Clary just had time to wonder absently, if he had more in mind than a beating, when suddenly he was gone. Clary blinked up at her surrounding, trying to understand. Someone had placed something between them.
"You will leave my house immediately, and never return," Celine's voice was cold and unwavering. It invoked no debate or question.
Sebastian turned from Clary to Celine, and a look of horror spread across his face. Clary knew in that moment Celine's opinion of him did actually matter to Sebastian. It seemed he'd forgotten about her presence once Clary had punched him. Celine was holding a baseball bat out in front of her, as a barrier between Clary and Sebastian.
"I don't know who you are," Celine said. "But you aren't the sweet boy I once knew. Maybe you never were."
For the first time since she'd met him, Sebastian looked truly lost, as if it were his own mother rejecting him. He staggered backward, like his legs weren't working, then ran from the house like the devil was at his heels.
Clary didn't move for a long time, as her breathing slowed. She heard the baseball bat fall to the ground, and then Celine was crying, her hands over her face as she slid down the wall. When Clary did finally move, it was to comfort Celine. She got the older woman to stand, guiding her to the couch, where they stayed until Jace walked in the front door.
He rushed to their side, wrapping his arms around them both as he asked what happened. Somehow it was all communicated. Clary told Celine what had happened back in January, and Celine explained to Jace what had gone down today. Jace apologized again and again for asking her to come here, for being foolish enough to think he could protect her. He'd just wanted Clary to meet his mother, and he hadn't meant for any of this to happen. Clary tried to assure Jace she wasn't mad at him, but she had so little energy with which to try, and Jace seemed determined to blame himself.
Before the day ended, Clary's flights were booked. She left the following morning, and upon getting off the plane Clary flung herself into her mother's arms. Luke wrapped his arms around the both of them, and Clary finally told her parents everything.
She spent the last months of the summer holidays at home. She texted Jace, and they called sometimes, but Clary needed space at the moment. She needed her parents, and her childhood bedroom. She needed to feel safe.
As August ended, Clary started to think about school again. She knew Jace and Alec were getting a place together off campus for their second year. Clary texted Helen to see if she wanted to do the same, but it seemed Aline and Helen had already got a place together.
'I am so happy for you,' Clary replied to her friends text, ignoring her disappointment. 'But I will miss living with you.'
'We will still hang out for sure,' Helen texted back. 'Maybe go on double dates with Jace and Aline!'
'Sounds like a plan,' Clary answered.
Clary thought of going back into the dorms, but she'd been so looking forward to leaving those silly things. The fire alarms at 3am alone were a good enough reason to live off campus. Wasn't the whole point of second year that you were spared dorm life?
Clary considers asking if she can live with Alec and Jace, but after everything that happened this summer, she wasn't sure what Jace would think of that. She wasn't sure what she thought of it. Either way, it was too soon for them to be living together.
So Clary texted Magnus. Maybe she could just crash on his couch since there it was only a two bedroom apartment.
'Actually,' Magnus texted her back. 'Tessa is moving out. I need a new roommate. You up for the task, Biscuit?'
It was like a gift from the gods. Clary replied she'd like nothing better than to live with Magnus, and the matter was settled.
My beta said that was a hard chapter to get through... sorry not sorry for the feelings of rage. She wanted Celine to hit Sebastian with the bat. lol. And yes I solved Magnus's problem in a Clary chapter because #InterwovenPlotline
The next chapter marks exactly a year for the characters since this story started. It is a mirror chapter for the first chapter of this story. If you go back and read the first few paragraphs of chapter one this sneak peek will seem rather familiar.
Sneak Peek Chapter 55
The room was plain and square, the twin beds in either corner, unwelcoming. There was a window, but the grey carpet rather detracted from any welcome the sunlight created.
With a grin she threw his bedazzled bag onto one of the beds and reminded herself she hadn't come for the decorations. University meant parties, no parents and freedom so long as she kept her grades up.
Humming to herself as she worked, Izzy started unpacking. No parents around to tell her she was making the bed wrong this time! Though Izzy was going to miss her in house chef, as well as teasing her little brother Max and sweet talking her way into anything she wanted from her father with just a smile. But Izzy was sure the University lifestyle would be worth it.
