Twentieth One Shot:
Bullies
Clary POV:
"Mom, why do I have to be here?" I said as she handed me another box.
"Because your brother is leaving and we won't see him for awhile."
"But he'll be home in November."
"Come on Clary, help us out." Jon says and I roll my eyes. I walk into the room completely ignoring his roommate and put the box on his bed.
"This is not how I wanted to spend my birthday." I said and they all just smiled.
"We'll go out to dinner another night sweetie."
"Just forget it. It's not that big of a deal anyway."
"Clarissa." My mom starts but I cut her off.
"I'm fine. I'll go grab the last box." I said and I'm surprised with what happens next.
"I'll help." His roommate says and I finally look at him and he is completely gorgeous.
"Uh, thanks." I say and we both make our way outside. It's quiet for a little until he breaks the silence.
"I'm Jace by the way."
"Clary."
"I'm sorry you had to give up your birthday moving your brother in."
"My birthdays never really been a big thing for me anyway. I don't know why it's been bothering me lately." We get to the car and I grab the box and my sketchbook falls out and Jace picks it up.
"Is this his too?"
"No, that's my sketchbook." I said a little nervously. I didn't like to share my work. It always felt incomplete.
"You're an artist?"
"Kinda. I'm not that good." I said and he opened my book and I could feel my stomach tighten.
"Not good? These are amazing."
"Not really."
"Why don't you think so?"
"They are so incomplete. They could be so much better."
"I think you're extremely talented." He said as he put the book back into the car. I shut the door and we walked back to their room. I put the last box on the floor and said our final goodbyes before walking back to the car. I picked up my sketchbook and looked at one of the sketches and started adding an angel to it, maybe it was on the verge of being good.
Time Jump - Thanksgiving
Clary POV:
I was sitting in my first period class waiting for the day to be over to start thanksgiving break. I was excited to get home and see Jon, and Jace was spending time with us because his parents were traveling and my parents thought it was absurd to spend the holiday alone. I was walking to my locker when someone stuck their foot out in front of me and tripped me making me spill all my books.
"Klutzy Clary is back. You poor little thing. Maybe if you were more attractive and less of a prude you'd have friends." Aline said and her posse laughed. I rolled my eyes and picked up my books and made it to my next class.
The rest of the day went on like this. When I got home nobody was there, so I went up to my room and blasted my music. I took an empty canvas and started painting.
Jon POV:
Jace and I had gone out to grab something for dinner. Apparently Jace is an excellent cook and he wanted to make dinner tonight as a thank you to my parents. When we got home we could feel the house vibrating. I knew Clary was pissed, and channeling all her anger into her painting.
"What the hell is that?" Jace asked. "Not that I'm complaining, it's good music, but why is it so loud?"
"It's Clary. When she's pissed she blasts her music and let's all her anger out on a canvas."
"Does she always do that?"
"Ever since freshman year. One day she came home, stomped upstairs, turned on her music, and didn't stop for four hours. When she finally turned off the music I went to check on her. Probably the most disturbing piece of artwork I've ever seen."
"What was it?"
"It was a picture of a little girl. She was wearing a white gown that was covered in blood and standing on top a pile of decapitated heads."
"Holy shit."
"When she's this pissed her artwork is something that should be in a psych ward. It's terrifying."
"Why does she get so pissed?"
"That's the thing. We don't know. She won't tell us."
"How often does this happen?"
"A couple times a month. My mom hides all her work in a vault in the basement."
"Why?"
"Well, for one they are actually amazing paintings. They should be up in an art gallery somewhere. Clary has a natural talent for it. Two, she doesn't want anyone to see them just laying around our house. They'd give you nightmares."
"But what's she going to do with them?"
"One day when Clary makes it big she'll bring them out and give them back to Clary. And than its up to her to decide what she wants to do with them." Jace nods and finally the music stops. I sigh and look at Jace.
"I have to call my mom and tell her to pick up a few more canvases on her way home. Can you go check on her?" I ask and Jace nods and starts for the stairs. I pull out my phone and dial moms number.
"Hey Jon, what's up?"
"She's at it again." I say knowing she'll know what I mean.
"How many should I grab this time?"
"I'd pick up at most 5."
"Alright. I'll be home around six. Any thoughts on dinner?"
"Jace is making dinner."
"Why?"
"As a thank you."
"Tell him I say thank you for making it. I'll be home later."
"Bye mom."
"Bye." She says and we hang up. I start unpacking all the food and imagine what disturbing image Clary painted this time.
Jace POV:
I walk up the stairs and make my way to the orange door that I'm assuming is Clary's. I knock and I hear a faint 'come in' and I open the door. Clary is standing in front of a the canvas so I can't see. I make my way over to her and what I see is disturbing.
"Wow." I say and she looks up at me. She has paint all over her face, which actually makes her look very cute.
"Too much?" She asks and I laugh.
"Uh, if you're going for the whole serial murder vibe, not really." I said and she laughs. "What is it?"
"Well, the theme is clearly murder. But not in the traditional sense."
"How is this not traditional? There are dead bodies everywhere."
"They weren't killed because of weapons. They were killed by words. They all have words carved into their bodies, and it eventually lead them to death." She said and I look closer. "See, the one girl was called a whore so many times that there was actually no more skin that could be cut so she ended up bleeding out. This one over here was called stupid, and the one in the far corner was called ugly. Eventually the words cut so deep it was too much."
"So who is the girl in the middle?"
"The angel of death coming to collect the wounded souls of those who were killed."
"And does she represent something?"
"She represents how people can find peace in the afterlife. See how pure she is? She takes those injured souls and repairs them. So they can live in peace again."
"That's pretty deep."
"I just paint whatever pops into my head. Mostly gory stuff since I'm normally in a bad mood when I do it."
"Are you okay?"
"I am now." She says but I don't totally believe her, but I let it go.
"Well, Jon asked me to check on you, and now that I know you're okay, I'll leave you alone." I said and she smiled. "I'm making dinner tonight, and I hope you like chicken."
"I love chicken." She says and I smiled.
"See you at dinner." She smiles and I walk out of her room and close the door. Something felt off about Clary today, and not just because of the painting. I was going to get to the bottom of it one way or another.
Time Jump - Christmas Break
Clary POV:
It was last period of the day and I couldn't wait to go home and not have to be back in this hell hole for two weeks. I was sitting at my desk sketching when suddenly it was snatched out from under me. I looked up and Aline took it.
"Give that back." I yelled as I stood up.
"Drawing your imaginary boyfriend Clary?" She asked as she stares at a picture of Jace. "I have to say, you do have high expectations. I mean, for someone so ugly, fat and stupid you'd think you'd be satisfied with your own brother showing you a little bit of love."
"That's private." I say as I try to snatch it away from her.
"It's rude to snatch Clarissa. Didn't your parents ever teach you any manners? It's not nice to try and steal from your superiors."
"You are not my superior." I hissed and her eyes narrowed in on me.
"What did you say you freak?" She yelled and I just looked at her. "That's what I thought. Face it Clary, nobody wants you. Nobody needs you. Nobody will ever love you. This world would be so much better without you." She spat as she tossed my sketchbook on the floor. Her posse laughed and the final bell rang and I grabbed my sketchbook and ran out of there faster than I could even explain.
Jace POV:
Jon and I were sitting in his living room playing some video games. They had been really accommodating towards me with my parents traveling and all. I was grateful I didn't have to spend the holidays alone. Suddenly the front door bursts open and Clary stands there shivering and panting.
"You okay?" Jon asks and it seems to snap her back to reality.
"I'm fine." She says but she's not convincing.
"Clary." Jon starts but she cuts him off.
"I said I'm fine Jonathan." She says and she runs upstairs. Jon hangs his head, clearly waiting for the music to start but nothing happens. He looks up at me confused.
"Can you check on her? She clearly doesn't want to talk to me." He says and I nod and start making my way upstairs. When I get to her door I can hear sobbing. I open it and Clary is curled up on her bed sobbing into her pillow. I look around and notice that there is a canvas set up with one word written on it. 'Worthless.' I look back at Clary and knew something was wrong. I walk over, pick her up, place her on my lap and rub circles on her back until she calms down.
Twenty minutes later her breathing is finally regular again, and she isn't sobbing anymore. She lays her head on my shoulder for a couple minutes before I start to talk.
"What happened Clary?"
"I don't want to talk about it." She says but I don't really care. She is going to talk. I shift her on my lap so that now she is straddling me and our faces are towards each other.
"I'm not taking that as a valid response. Something is clearly bothering you. What is it?" I ask and she looks away. I place my hand under her chin and direct her face back to mine. "Why did you write worthless on that canvas?"
"Cause I'm worthless."
"No you aren't Clary."
"That's not what they say."
"Who are 'they'?"
"This group of girls at school. They have been making high school hell for me since freshman year."
"What have they been doing?"
"Normal stuff. Tripping me in the hallway. Bumping me in the caf so my lunch flies everywhere. Spreading rumors about me. Stealing my stuff. Getting me in trouble. Anything they think of, they do."
"Why haven't you told anyone?"
"Do you know who my brother is? He'd be out for blood."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Yes. Jon was only a year above me. He was friends with everyone in high school, he even dated one of the girls who bullies me. High school was his kingdom. I wasn't going to take that away from him."
"So you let them beat you up?"
"There wasn't much of beating up. Only like three bloody lips."
"Clary, you shouldn't have to take their shit."
"I can't stop them Jace. I have absolutely no friends in high school. I keep to myself, I try and draw as little attention as I possibly can, and try and make it one day without something happening."
"You shouldn't have to go through that."
"Bullies will be bullies. Didn't you have any at your high school?"
"No. We had a strict no bullying policy. And I was a advocate for anti-bullying. No one was getting away with it if it was up to me."
"You're too good to be true." She mutters.
"I just really can't stand bullies. Demeaning people for their own sick and twisted pleasure? Not okay with me." I said and she rested her hands on my chest and my insides almost melted. She leaned forward and put her forehead to mine. I put my hands down and they rested on her thighs. I won't lie and say this wasn't turning me on, because it was but I wasn't going to be the one to make the first move. She's in a sad place right now, and I'm not taking advantage of that. She pulls away and our eyes lock. She bites her lower lip which drives me crazy and her eyes flicker to my lips. I minute later she leaning in and our lips brush each other. My hand immediately goes behind her head and pulls her closer. We stay like that, kissing and touching for a couple minutes before we break apart. We sat there for a moment before she spoke.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Kissing you."
"Why would you be sorry about that?"
"Because I just assumed you wanted to kiss me too."
"And what if I did?"
"Did you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Believe it or not Clary, I find you incredibly beautiful." I said and her cheeks turned rosy red. "I think you're funny, smart, talented, sarcastic, and there isn't anything in this world that I want to do more than protect you. Be your shoulder to cry on, your confidant, your friend, maybe be something more."
"I don't believe you." She said and I put my hands right above her ass and scooted her closer to me.
"You Clary Morgenstern, are without a doubt the most amazing person I've ever had the privilege of knowing. I didn't kiss you because I was waiting for you to make the first move."
"Why?"
"Cause you're vulnerable right now, and I wasn't going to take advantage of that. I don't know if you couldn't tell, but I enjoyed that kiss very much."
"I could tell." She said as she smiled and I placed one of my hand behind her head and pulled her lips down to mine. We were lost in our own world we didn't hear the door open.
"MY POOR VIRGIN EYES!" Jon yells and we break apart. Clary nearly falls off the bed but I catch her a place her down next to me. "You couldn't just keep your tongue in your mouth Jace? Seriously? She's my sister, and Clary, you are innocent, how do you know how to kiss?" He said and we both couldn't help but laugh. "When I asked you to check on her Jace I didn't mean make out with her."
"You aren't mad?" Clary asks and Jon shakes his head.
"Naw. Jace is a good guy, and I will never get in the way of someone's happiness. It's weird, but I'll get over it." Jon says and Clary walks over and gives him a hug. "I came up her originally to tell you that mom won't be home for dinner and I was going to order a pizza. What do you want on it?"
"Just plain." Clary says and he looks at me.
"Plain is fine with me." Jon nods and closes the door behind him. Clary makes her way back over to the bed and I pull her into my lap. "So, would you like to be my girlfriend Clary?" I say and her eyes light up.
"I'd love too."
Time Jump - Clary Graduation
Jace POV:
Clary and I had been together for 7 months and I've never been happier. Being away from each other for the majority of our relationship was tough, but she's going to the same school as me next year and we're pumped. Jon had invited me to her graduation and I would never miss an opportunity to see Clary.
The ceremony was boring, but it was fairly short. We were all standing in the parking lot waiting for Clary to make her way over to us. There was a sea of cap and gowns walking around hugging their friends, and taking pictures. Jon and I were standing around talking when a girl walked up to me batting her eyelashes.
"I haven't seen your handsome face around here before. My names Aline, what's your?"
"I'm Jace." I said and smirked.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Jace. Did someone you know graduate today?"
"Yes. I don't make it a habit to crash graduation ceremonies." I say and she breaks out into an annoying laugh. Soon a blonde comes up and joins her.
"Who is the hottie Aline?" She asks and I try my hardest not to roll my eyes.
"His name is Jace and I called dibs." Aline said and I couldn't help but want to laugh in her face. I'm not property.
"Well Jace, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kaelie." She says and I smile. I notice a flash of red and when I look between the two girls I see Clary. She's doesn't look pleased. As she walks closer I see that she doesn't seem upset with me, but rather the girls who are in front of me. When she gets closer she mouths 'that's them' and I know immediately what she's talking about. The two girls who are in front of me clearly see my focus has shifted and turn to see what I'm staring at.
"Ugh, don't pay any attention to the bottom of the food chain. She's a nobody." Aline says and I can't believe Clary put up with this for four years.
"And your a somebody?" I ask and she smiles.
"I'm the only person who matters. Maybe one day, I can be the leading lady in your life. A queen perhaps." Now I didn't even care to hide it, I laughed. "What's so funny?" She asks clearly annoyed with my response.
"The fact that you assume you're my type." I said and she looks offended and the blonde laughs.
"I guess Asians aren't his type. I knew you were more into blondes. We have to stick together, right?" She winks and I shake my head.
"I can tell you aren't a real blonde. That color isn't real. And what's even funnier is you two automatically think I'm single."
"You have a girlfriend?"
"Yes. Who I'm here to see, who I love, and who I'm not breaking up with any time soon."
"Who is she?" The blonde one says. "Do I know her? I bet it's Maia, or maybe Helen, oh maybe it's Maureen."
"You just saw her. Turn around." I said and they turned around and saw Clary. She smiled and waved at them before they turned back towards me.
"You can't be serious? Klutzy Clary is your girlfriend?" Aline said and Clary made her way over to me. I pulled her close and kissed her quickly on the lips.
"Yes, now if you'll excuse me, we're going out to celebrate. It was lovely meeting you two ladies. I always wanted to meet the two girls who made my girlfriends high school career miserable." I said and I grab Clary's hand. I start pulling her away when she stops me and turns back to Aline and the blonde.
"I win bitches." She says and I honestly couldn't be more proud of her. We start walking hand in hand back over to her family. She gives them all hugs before we get in our cars and head to whatever restaurant we're going to. I got into my car and Clary got in the passenger seat. I pulled out of the parking lot and Clary immediately grabbed my hand. I smiled at her and gave her a quick squeeze. Everything was going to be alright, I was going to make sure of it.
Authors Note:
This one shot was requested by "Iszabellah-Smith" and I hope I have lived up to your expectations! I had a lot of fun writing this, and I'm sorry that I haven't been updating all that often, but I hope you all can bare with me while I balance writing and school work! Please let me know what you all think! If you have any more requests shoot me a message or leave a review! :)
