Eighty Third One Shot:
Mechanic
Jace POV:
I was on my way to school when my car broke down. Of all the things that could happen, this was the last thing I wanted. It was raining, and I was late, and I didn't know what was wrong. I was looking under the hood, and trying to start the car but it wouldn't work. I take off my stupid blazer that I hated so much and got out of the car and looked back under the hood.
"Excuse me." I heard and I looked up and there stood the most beautiful redhead I've ever seen. "Do you need any help?" She asked.
"My car won't start and I don't know why." I said.
"Do you want some help?" She asked.
"No disrespect sweetheart, but I doubt you could help." I said and she crossed her arms over her chest.
"You don't even know me." She said and I looked at her.
"Look, I don't want to play any games." I said. "I need to get to school, and my car won't start." I said. "I don't need some girl coming here trying to impress me with her knowledge of cars, but in realty her not knowing shit about cars." She clearly didn't like that answer because she walked over and pushed me out of the way. She looked under the hood, and after about 5 minutes she looked at me.
"Your fuel filter is clogged." She said. "It needs to be taken out, cleaned with carburetor cleaner." She said. "After that, tap it against a hard surface to knock all the shit out. Let it dry, and in an hour reinstall it."
"I don't know what that means." I said and she laughed. She looked me up and down and than back at my face.
"You rich?" She asked. "I mean, you're wearing a uniform from Alicante Prep, so I'm assuming you're rich."
"I got to Alicante Prep." I answered. She took out a pen and paper and wrote something down and handed it to me.
"Meet me here when you get a tow truck. I'll show you how to fix this so that if it happens again, you aren't a shit out of luck." She said and I looked at the piece of paper.
"You got to Idris?" I asked.
"Yup." She said. "In the mornings I work on cars, in the afternoon I attend class."
"Aren't you late than?" I asked.
"I might get credit for this." She said as she opened her car door. "If you come by, tell Hodge you're looking for Clary." She said and I nodded and she drove away. I took my phone out and called Maryse.
"What's up Jace?" She said.
"My car broke down." I said. "I just wanted to let you know in case the school calls and wonders where I am."
"Thanks. Look I have to go, talk later." She said and I hung up. I than called the tow company.
"Hello?" He said.
"Hey Michael. I need a lift." I said.
"Sure thing Jace. Where are you?" He asked.
"Off of Angel Ave." I said.
"Be there soon." He said and he hung up. I got back into the car and waited for Michael to get here and hooked my car up to his tow and I gave him the address. He was confused at first, but I told him I'd explain later and he took me to the place. They took my car in and I got out and waved goodbye to Michael before walking into the shop. I saw an older gentleman amongst younger ones, and I figured that was Hodge. I walked over and cleared my throat and he looked at me.
"I'm looking for Clary." I said and he nodded.
"Yo Fray, you got a customer!" He shouted and her head popped up from under the hood of another car. I walked over and she smiled at me as she wiped grease on her forehead.
"You came pretty boy." She said with a smile and got down from the truck.
"You told me you could fix it." I said. "And it's either learn or pay for it to be fixed." I said and she laughed.
"You go to Alicante Prep, and that's a BMW." She said. "I doubt fixing a clogged fuel filter would put a dent in your wallet." She said as she grabbed a rag and started walking towards my car. She opened the hood and than looked at me. "So, your parents upset you aren't in school?" She asked.
"I called my adopted mom. She didn't really seem phased." I said and I don't know why I just spilled such vital information about my home life.
"Adopted huh?" She said as she dug around under the hood. "That must have been hard."
"It's kinda personal." I said because I already opened the can of worms, and I didn't feel like spilling it as well.
"Totally cool. I don't like talking about my personal life either." She said and I nodded.
She showed me what to do, and than she let the piece sit for an hour. I was leaning against my car on my phone, avoiding Kaelie, telling Alec and Izzy what happened, ignoring Sebastian when I heard something crash. I looked up and Clary is caught under the hood of the car. I run over and lift it off of her and pull her out.
"Thanks." She said a little breathlessly.
"What the hell happened?" I asked.
"I think I kicked the rod that holds the hood up." She said. "Trucks aren't meant for small girls." She said and I laughed.
"What are you even doing to it?" I asked.
"Fixing the engine." She said. "It's a dummy car. It has every problem in the book, and if you can solve it, you get a prize."
"What kind of prize?" I asked.
"No idea. Nobody has ever won it." She said. "I've been working on it since freshman year. Most kids get too fed up that they don't make it past the first week, but I'm finding out what that prize it." She said and I laughed.
"What if it's a lame prize?" I asked.
"Than I get the satisfaction of fixing the impossible." She said with a smile.
"Yo Fray, throw me the monkey wrench!" I heard a man call. Clary dug in her toolbox, picked up a wrench and threw it at he guy. "Thanks."
"Are you the only girl here?' I asked as we made our way back to my car.
"Yea. Most girls do co-op with the cosmetology school, but I have no interest in hair or make up." She said.
"Clearly." I said without thinking and when I looked at her she was glaring at me. "I mean, not that you need it." I tried to recover. "I – I didn't mean for it to sound harsh." I said. "The girls I'm used to cake their make up on. It's refreshing to see a girl naturally pretty without it." I said and she blushed
"Thank you. I think." She said and I laughed.
"It was a compliment. Really." I said and she nodded.
"Okay, let's get you out of here and on your way to school." She said and she showed me how to reinstall the piece. I went to the front seat and started it up and it purred like the beauty it is. When I got out Clary had the biggest smile on her face.
"I can't thank you enough." I said and she smiled.
"Don't mention it. Except to your friends. We are always looking for cars to fix around here, and we might be students but we're all pretty good here." She said and I nodded.
"In that case I might just keep you my little secret." I said with a wink and she laughed. "That way my car gets the best treatment."
"Whatever you want pretty boy." She said.
"Jace." I said. "My name is Jace."
"Well Jace, it was nice meeting you, but I have an engine to fix, and you have school to get too." She said and I nodded.
"Maybe I'll see you around." I said.
"Unlikely." She said and a part of me dreaded that she thought we wouldn't see each other again. "But have a good day."
"Hard to have a good day when it started so poorly, plus it's raining." I said and she laughed.
"Rain is a blessing." She said. "It's one of my favorite things." She added and I nodded. I got in my car and drove out of the garage thinking about Clary. She could easily become one of my favorite things, and something about that felt so right.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
I was still working on this engine, and I felt like I was so close to getting this car running. I refused to graduate without getting this thing working. I didn't care how long it took me. This was going to run. Most of the guys were already gone, but I was in the middle of fixing a part and I knew Hodge would call the school and tell them that I was hung up and I'd be there as soon as I was done. I heard footsteps and thought it was Hodge coming to kick me out.
"Hodge, I promise I'm almost done." I yelled from underneath the hood.
"I'm wounded." Someone said and I knew it wasn't Hodge. I looked up and there stood Jace with two other people.
"Pretty boy, what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked as I got off the truck and wiped my hands off. He smiled and man was it a gorgeous smile.
"My sisters car won't stop, and since you're like a master at the engine with that hunk of junk, I figured you'd know the reason." He said.
"First, she is not a hunk of junk. She's just struggling right now." I said and he laughed. "Second, is the car here?" I asked.
"Yea. It's outside." Jace said and I nodded. I made my way outside and there sat a beautiful Range Rover. Yup, these people were plenty rich.
"Has it had problems before?" I asked as I lifted the hood.
"This is like her 5th car." The black haired boy said.
"Shut up." The girl said.
"No. You can't keep a car longer than 7 months." The boy said. "I just can't believe mom and dad keep buying you another one."
"Would you two just chill?" Jace said and I couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" The girl asked in a condescending tone.
"You guys are really fighting over cars." I said. I looked up from the hood and looked at the trio. "You drive a Range Rover." I stated. "And who knows what other cars before this one." I said as I pointed to it. "I would kill for a nice car, and you guys treat them like a pile of shit." I said with a laugh. "I guess it is true what they say. Rich people don't care about material objects because money can replace everything."
"You don't know a thing about us." The girl said.
"And I don't need too." I said. "You need to jump start your car." I said. "It will work after that." I said and I started walking away.
"Aren't you going to do it?" The girl asked.
"Why should I?" I said.
"Jace said you would." She said and I looked at Jace.
"He did, did he?" I asked and Jace just smiled.
"You're really good, and you said you always needed more cars to practice on." He said and I shook my head.
"I'm gonna need one of your cars." I said and the other boy nodded before walking to another car and bringing it over to where I was. "Alright, just stay back." I said and they all took a couple steps back. I got everything ready and than asked the boy to start his engine. Once he did that for a few minutes I asked the girl to start hers, and it started right up. I took the cables off the engine and shut both hoods.
"You're good." The girl said once she got out of her car.
"Jumping a car is one of the simplest things to do." I said. They nodded and I made my way back into the garage.
"Hey." I heard and Jace was behind me.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I'm sorry about them." He said. "They grew up around money, and they don't really know what it feels like to not have it." He explained. "That's why they come off as snobby."
"And you don't because…..?" I asked.
"Adopted remember." He said and I nodded. "I was fortunate enough to be adopted into their family, but I know what it feels like to have nothing." He said.
"Well, don't worry about it." I said. "I started her car, so she doesn't have to hang around with us poor folks anymore." I said and he smiled.
"It was good seeing you again." He said with a smile and I couldn't help but smile back. "Hopefully Alec has a problem next."
"You know, you don't just have to have car trouble to come around here." I said.
"But won't it look suspicious?" He asked. "A rich kid, hanging out at a public school co-op?" He asked.
"That depends." I said.
"On what?" He asked.
"Whether you really care or not." I said and he nodded.
"Well, than I guess maybe I'll see you around." He said and I smiled.
"Have a good day." I said and he smiled.
"It's already a good one." He said before walking out of the garage. I went back to my truck and continued working on it, but this time I couldn't get the smile off my face.
Time Jump – One Month Later
Jace POV:
I decided to just bite the bullet and go see Clary. I didn't know what it was about her, but there was something about her that was drawing me to her, and having these hiatus's from her was actually killing me. Every girl that went to Alicante Prep was meaningless to me now. She was so down to earth, and her smile made me smile.
When I pulled up to garage, there were people walking in an out, and working on all types of cars. I'm not going to lie, this was intimidating. She was a girl who knew so much about something I knew nothing about. I got out of my car, took a deep breath and walked into the garage. I didn't see Hodge or Clary anywhere so I found another kid, and decided to ask him.
"Excuse me." I said and he looked up at me. "Do you know where Clary is?" I asked.
"Yo Fray!" He called and her head popped up from under a hood. "There you go man." He said and I nodded. I made my way over to her and she climbed off the car and wiped grease on her head.
"What are you doing here?" She asked. "Don't tell me your car is in more trouble." She said with a laugh.
"No." I said. "You told me my car didn't need to be broken in order for me to hang out with you."
"Wow. I didn't think you had it in you." She said with a smirk.
"Don't judge book by its cover." I said and she laughed. "I'm really not that shallow."
"I'll just take your word for it." She said. "So, how have you been?" She asked as she made her way back to the car.
"I've been good." I said. "And you?" I asked.
"I could complain, but it would get me nowhere." She said as she grabbed a wrench. "Just trying to get through each day as they come."
"Wanna talk about it?" I offered as I leaned against the car.
"I don't know." She said and I put my hand over hers and she stopped twisting the wrench, and something jolted through my body.
"I promise, whatever you say to me, will stay between us." I told her and she looked at me with those vibrant green eyes.
"My dad is back in my life." She said. "He left when I was 9, and has come around before but only for short stints." She explained. "This time he doesn't seem to be leaving, and it's causing a lot of tension in my house."
"Are they still married?" I asked.
"No. They got divorced when he left." She said. "My mom got remarried a couple years ago. My fathers reappearance is causing quite the rift between my mom and stepdad."
"How so?" I asked.
"They just keep fighting." She said. "Luke is pissed that she won't get a restraining order. My mom is pissed that Luke doesn't trust her enough to let her do what she thinks is right. My dad is getting a lot of pleasure to see them fighting."
"And you?" I asked.
"And I spend most of my time at the garage or with Simon so that I don't have to deal with their shit." She said. "It wasn't my fault they couldn't make their marriage work."
"And Simon is your boyfriend?" I asked trying not to sound disappointed, and she just laughed.
"Oh god no." She said. "Simon and I have been best friend since we were little." She explained. "Love the kid, and we tried dating freshman year of high school, but it was too weird. He's like my brother."
"Oh." I said and she looked at me and smiled.
"Jealous?" She asked and it caught off guard.
"What – me – jealous?" I stammered and she just giggled. "I don't get jealous." I tried to convince her but I was failing miserably.
"Sure pretty boy." She said. "It's kinda cute seeing you jealous." She said and I smiled at her. "People don't get jealous over me, it's kinda flattering."
"Are the boys at your school blind?" I asked and she blushed but continued to work on the engine.
"No. They all have the capability of sight." She said. "Most guys just don't like girls who know more about cars than them." She explained.
"That's a stupid reason. They should be happy to know that if you broke down somewhere, you could most likely fix the problem and not have to pay hundreds of dollars in towing fees." I said and she smiled and shrugged.
"I can't change the males mind. They are complex creatures." She said and I laughed.
"I'm not that complex." I said and she looked at me. "I'm not."
"I wouldn't know. I don't know much about you except that you're adopted." She said and I nodded.
"My parents died when I was 12." I said.
"You don't have to tell me." She said. "I get if it's too personal."
"You shared something personal with me. I want to return the favor." I said and she nodded. "I was in foster care for a year before I met the Lightwoods." I explained. "The first night in their house I was pretty much stunned silent. It got to a point that they thought I couldn't talk." I said and she laughed.
"It clearly worked out for you." She said and I nodded.
"I bonded with Alec. The boy I was in here with last month." I said and she nodded. "There was something about him that drew me to him."
"What was it?" She asked.
"We were both suffering." I said.
"How was he suffering?" She asked.
"He's gay." I said. "And he was keeping it to himself because he didn't want to disappoint his family." I explained. "About a year ago he came out, and I could just tell he felt lighter."
"How did his parents take it?" She asked.
"Robert seems to be ignoring it, and Maryse just doesn't address it." I said. "It sucks, I mean they should accept Alec for who he is because he's there son. It doesn't matter if he's gay or not, but I know Alec is happy it's out in the public."
"How did you find out?" She asked.
"That's actually a funny story." I said with a laugh. "He had a crush on me."
"Really?" She asked and I smiled.
"Don't sound too surprised. I'm a hot commodity." I said and she laughed. "When I confronted him about it he was super embarrassed, and I told him not to worry about it. He thought he liked me because I was the safe option."
"Did he get over it?" She asked.
"Once I kissed him, and he realized how weird it was, he was over it faster than a speeding bullet." I said and her eyes widened.
"You kissed him?" She asked.
"He needed to be sure, and I'm secure in my sexuality to help him out." I said and she nodded.
"That's really cool of you." She said.
"He's my best friend, and I refused to lose that because he thought that he was in love with me." I said and she nodded. "Plus, he helped me a lot as well. We could confide in each other about our sufferings, and help each other through it."
"What else were you suffering from?" She asked. "I can't imagine it was just the adoption."
"It wasn't." I said. "I saw my parents die." I explained. "They were murdered right in front of me."
"That's awful." She said and I nodded.
"It wasn't pleasant, I'll tell you that much." I said. "But time heals all wounds." I said. She looked up from the engine and put her hand on top of mine and I felt that feeling again.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you got a happy ending." She said and I smiled. I was about to say something when her phone started ringing. " One sec." she said and she picked up her phone and groaned. "Hey mom." She said. "I'm at the garage." She said and than hung her head. "I'm not doing it." She said a little angrier. "I don't care mom. I'm 18 years old. I can refuse to go to court and testify against my own father." She said. "No, I won't do it. You should have taken care of this problem a long time ago." She said and than hung up.
"Everything okay?" I asked and she looked at me and gave me a sad smile.
"Same old shit." She said as she started to fix the engine a little too aggressively. I grabbed the wrench from her hand and she looked at me confused.
"Come with me." I said.
"But I'm working on this engine." She said and I laughed.
"Look around Clary." I said and she did. "People left long ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked.
"We were having a good conversation." I said and she nodded. "Come with me, I'll get your mind off everything."
"What do you have in mind?" She asked as she stepped down from the truck.
"Lunch?" I asked and she smiled.
"Sounds good. Let me just change out of these overalls." She said and I nodded.
"I'll be at my car." I said and she nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. I went out to my car and waited for her. Thankfully she was out in 5 minutes, which was nice. We got in my car and I looked at her.
"What? Is there still grease on my face?" She asked and I laughed.
"No. I'm just not used to it taking a girl less than an hour to get ready." I said.
"An hour?" She asked and I nodded and started my car up. "Who needs that long to get ready?"
"Izzy." I said. "My sister. And an hour is short for her."
"What could she possibly be doing for that long?" She asked.
"Making sure everything is perfect. Her outfit, her hair, her outfit." I said. "Even with the uniform at Alicante Prep, she still takes forever to get ready."
"I couldn't even imagine. I roll out of bed and put on jeans and a hoodie, and I'm ready for the day." She said and I smiled.
"Which is an amazing change of pace for me. Even my past girlfriends took forever to get ready." I said and she nodded.
"Clearly it didn't bother you that much if you dated them." She said.
"I'll admit, I'm used to a certain type of girl." I said as I parked in front of the diner. "Snobby, pampered, and dependent." I admitted. "But after my last girlfriend, I realized that I just couldn't take it anymore." I said.
"Was she a nightmare?" She asked as we entered the diner.
"Completely." I said as we took a seat in the booth.
"Jacey?" I heard and I hung my head. She wasn't supposed to be working today. "Why haven't you called me back?" She asked as she made her way over to me.
"We broke up Kaelie." I said.
"But we always get back together." She whined and I looked at Clary and she was hiding a smile.
"We got back together once. That hardly constitutes as 'always'. " I said and she started to pout.
"But Jacey…."
"You know I hate when you call me that." I cut her off and she looked over at Clary.
"So is this your newest conquest?" She asked and I looked over at Clary who didn't look pleased at being called that. "Listen here sweetheart, he'll always be mine. You're just his flavor of the week."
"Kaelie." I stopped her and she looked at me. "Leave."
"You'll come back to me Jace." She said. "We were meant to be." She said as she strutted away.
"You weren't kidding." Clary said and I looked at her. "Total nightmare."
"If I knew she was working today, I wouldn't have brought you here." I said.
"Isn't it a school day anyway for you?" She asked.
"In-service day." I said and she nodded.
"If she still works here, why do you come?" She asked.
"This place has the best food in New York." I said. "I normally try to come when I know she isn't working."
"Today was not your lucky day." She said and I laughed.
"Evidently not." I said. "You're not my latest conquest." I finally said. "I just want you to know that."
"But she said it for a reason." Clary said. "Is it normal for you to hook up with a lot of girls?"
"I wish I could tell you no." I said. "But I had a reputation before Kaelie and it's not the greatest." I said and she nodded. "But I left all of that in the past."
"How do I know you're not lying?" She asked.
"I'm not a liar." I said. "I have never cheated on a girlfriend, or even a girl who I hooked up with. I always made sure that they knew it was over before moving on."
"How noble of you." She said.
"Listen Clary." I said. "I like you." I said and her jaw dropped. "You're so incredibly different, and so easy to talk to. Hanging out with you today has been one of the best days I've had in awhile and all we did was talk and I watched you work on an engine." I said and she laughed. "It's a change of pace, and I like that."
"Jace." She said but I had to cut her off.
"When I touched your hand." I started. "Did you feel something?" I asked and her cheeks turned red. "You did." I said and she nodded. "I've never felt that before." I told her.
"Really?" She asked.
"Really." I said. "I wish I could sit here and tell you that I wasn't a player before. I wish I could sit here and tell you that I'm a novice when it comes to women, but I'm not. I've had my fair share of hook ups, and girlfriends." I said. "But I can sit here and tell you the way I feel about you is different than anything I've felt before."
"I believe you." She said and I couldn't help but smile.
"Does that mean you'll go out with me this weekend?" I asked and she laughed.
"I'd like that." She said. "But if I get burned, I will kill cut your brakes, and make it look like an accident."
"Wow." I said. "I've never been threatened by a girl before." I said and she laughed. "It was kinda hot."
"Having your brakes cut is a turn on for you?" She asked and I laughed.
"Not normally, but coming from you, hell yes." I said and she smiled.
"Glad threats about cars are a turn on for you." She said and I smirked at her.
"Only coming from you." I said and she laughed.
We spent another hour sitting there, eating and talking. Clary was incredibly different than any other girl I've ever met. Especially since she ordered a burger and fries, with a milkshake, and not a salad. She was real, and not afraid to show off her skills in the garage, or eat when she's hungry. When we were both finished I paid and we left the diner. We got into my car and I started driving. Her phone rang again and she looked at it, groaned and than shut it off.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Just my mom." She said. "I don't really want to go home and deal with her and my father, and my stepdad. I'm always being asked to take a side, and it's exhausting." She admitted and I nodded.
"Wanna go back to my place?" I asked.
"Uh, I don't know if that's a good idea." She said.
"Why not?" I asked.
"I don't fit into your world." She said.
"It's just a house." I said. "Albeit a big one, but a house nonetheless." I said as I looked at her.
"Okay." She finally said and I started making my way to my house. When we pulled into the driveway and I entered the passcode I looked at her and she looked in awe. "This place is insane."
"It is rather extravagant." I said as we got out of the car. "But it isn't as great as it looks."
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked.
"Just because we live in a nice house, doesn't mean it's all warm and fuzzy." I said and she nodded. I opened the door and the music was blaring. "That's Izzy."
"She sounds pissed off." She said and I laughed.
"This is her way of rebellion." I said. "She's currently getting ready for a date with some guy that her parents won't approve of."
"Does she do that often?" She asked.
"Every weekend." I said. I guided her into the living room where Alec was making out with some guy. "And there is another form of rebellion." I whispered to her and we walked out of the living room trying not to disturb them. "We'll just go to the basement." I said and she nodded. I led her to the basement where I heard a movie playing and there was Max sitting on the couch. "Max, why are you home?" I asked and he looked at me.
"I threw up this morning so mom said I could stay home." He said. "Who is that?" he said as he pointed to Clary.
"This is Clary." I said. "Clary, this is my younger brother Max."
"It's nice to meet you Max." Clary said and he smiled.
"Is she your girlfriend?" Max asked and I looked at Clary and she blushed.
"Not yet buddy." I said which caused Clary to blush even more.
"What's taking you so long?" He asked.
"We haven't had a proper first date yet." I said and he nodded.
"Do you want to watch this movie with me?" He asked. "I'm kinda lonely but Alec and Izzy were too busy."
"Of course." I said and Clary and I took our place on the couch. "What are we watching?" I asked.
"The Avengers." He said and I nodded. He was bundled under blankets, and I looked over at Clary and smiled. I put my hand around her shoulder and pulled her into me. She smiled and leaned into me as we watched the movie. When the movie was over I saw that Max was asleep. I looked back at Clary and noticed that she was slowly drifting off. It was the afternoon, and I didn't need to be anywhere. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes and drifted off myself holding a girl that meant more to me than any girl ever had before, and loving every minute of it.
Time Jump – Later That Night
Clary POV:
I didn't even know I fell asleep, but when I woke up, Jace was asleep next to me. I had to use the bathroom so I moved Jace's arm and started my journey around the house for a bathroom. Since this wasn't a public place, the bathrooms weren't labeled so I was on a hunt. The first couple doors I opened were closets, and it was amazing how much storage this house had. I was walking down a hallway when I heard someone crying. The door was cracked and when I looked in, Izzy was on her bed crying. My better judgment told me to walk away. It wasn't my place to pry into their lives, but me being me decided she needed someone. I knocked on the door and I heard her yell.
"Go away." She said and I knocked again. This time she didn't say anything but the door shot opened. "Oh. I wasn't expecting you." She said.
"I was looking for a bathroom when I heard you crying." I said and she wiped her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Why do you care?" She said. "You're just here to fuck my brother."
"Whoa." I said as I raised my hands. "Who said I wanted to fuck Jace?"
"Please. He's never brought a girl home." She said. "So you're either really making it a challenge, or he's serious about you, and Jace has never been serious about a girl in his life."
"Well, I didn't want to go home after we had lunch together, so he offered his." I said and she looked confused. "We were in the basement watching a movie with Max and we all ended up falling asleep." I confessed. "I woke up needing to pee, and now I'm here."
"Oh." She said. "So he really brought you back here just to hang out?" She asked.
"Yes." I said. Her door remained opened and she walked back to her bed, and I took that as an invitation to join. I walked in and closed her door behind me. "You wanna talk about what you were crying about?" I asked and she looked up at me.
"I don't know." She said. "You probably won't understand."
"Because I'm below you?" I said and she looked at me.
"No. Because you've never dated a dick." She said and I laughed.
"Oh, I have." I said and she looked at me. "Not all guys who are dicks go to private schools. Some of them do go to public school." I said and she nodded. "We can share stories." I said trying to get her to talk. I know how frustrating it is to keep something like that inside.
"This guy, Meliorn, he asked me out earlier this week, and I was pretty excited about it." She said. "Which is rare for me. Normally guys don't give me butterflies, but he did. Anyway, he picked me up, took me out to a restaurant and we took a walk in Central Park."
"Sounds romantic." I said and she smiled and nodded.
"It was. More romantic than any other date I've ever been on." She said. "We got to this beautiful spot in the park. You could see the stars, and you could smell fire burning. It was perfect." She said and I could tell she was so happy something did something that special for her.
"What happened?" I asked.
"There was a blanket. He had set it up earlier, and there was a fire going. His friend set that up." She said with a sad smile. "We sat down and we started making out. His hand was trailing up my leg and made it to my waist and than up my shirt. Normally I wouldn't mind, but we were outside, so I stopped him." She said. "He didn't like that and tried to continue, but I stopped him again. He got upset and I asked him why he was so upset." She said and let out a humorless laugh. "You know why he asked me out?" She asked.
"Because you're beautiful?" I said and she smiled.
"No. There is a bet going around Alicante. 'Who can get to at least third base with Isabelle Lightwood in a public area' I mean, who makes that kind of thing?"
"Douchebags?" I said and she laughed.
"I mean, I'm not a slut, but I like to have fun." She said and I nodded.
"I totally get it. They were taking advantage of you're free spirit. It's fucked up." I said and she smiled.
"I didn't expect you to understand." She said.
"We aren't so different Isabelle." I said.
"Izzy. Call me Izzy." She said and I nodded. "So, what douchebags have you dated?" She asked.
"Ugh, his name was Raphael." I said. "He sweet talked me for a couple weeks, and took me out on dates." I explained. "He was really nice to me, and I thought I finally found someone who liked me."
"How could no one like you?" She interrupted. "You're hot."
"Thank you." I said and she laughed. "We had been talking for some time and I was wondering if we were ever going to define the relationship." I said. "We were in the middle of making out. I thought maybe kissing would distract him and he'd just ask me out."
"Makes sense." She said. "Guys tend to think with their other head." She said and I laughed.
"Well, that back fired." I said. "Now, I don't really announce it but I'm fluent in Spanish, and he happened to be Hispanic. So when I asked, he said 'nunca' which means never." I said. "Confused I pulled away and asked why. He tried to say it in Spanish to distract me and continue making out, but he didn't know I knew what he was saying."
"What was his reason?" She asked.
"He said to me 'Esto nunca iba a ser nada más que una conexión', which means 'this was never going to be anything but a hookup'." I said.
"Wow. What a dick." She said.
"So I asked him why he would lead me on for so long if it wasn't going to become anything." I said. "And he was surprised that I understood what he said."
"What did he do?" She asked.
"He told me that there was a bet going on about me." I said. "Everyone considered me prude. So they had a bet about who could deflower me first."
"On my god." She said. "That's sick."
"Yea. That was my sophomore year, and I kinda gave up dating after that." I said. "Trusting guys isn't really easy for me."
"I can't even imagine." She said. "I mean, taking someone virginity because of a bet is so much worse than just getting to third base." She said and I nodded. "So why are you pursing a relationship with Jace? I mean, I love the guy, but he's not a relationship kind of guy."
"He's different." I said and she laughed. "And I know what you're going to say, but he told me about his past, and everything and he told me he'd changed." I explained. "And he told me he wasn't a liar."
"That is true. Jace is many things, but a liar isn't one of them." She said and I nodded. "I like you. You could be good for Jace." She said and I smiled.
"Thanks. I think he could be good for me too." I said and she laughed.
"Have you two kissed yet?" She asked and I blushed.
"He just asked me out today." I said.
"So?" She asked.
"Well, the answer is no. We haven't kissed yet." I said.
"I've heard he's a pretty good kisser. I've always wanted to know, but he's my brother so I can't test out the hypothesis. You have to let me know how it is." She asked and I couldn't help but laugh and nod. I felt like I was going to enjoy hanging out with Izzy.
Jace POV:
When I woke up Clary was gone. I looked around but she wasn't in the basement. I looked over and Max was asleep so I figured that 'd take him upstairs. I picked him up and made my way upstairs and put him in bed. When I was walking down the hall I heard giggling coming from Izzy's room, and at first I just thought she brought her date back, but than came another giggle and it wasn't Izzy's. I made my way over to her door that was slightly cracked and looked in. Clary was sitting on her bed and they were laughing. Normally I don't eavesdrop, but I couldn't help it.
"Have you two kissed yet?" Izzy asked and I just shook my head and tried not to laugh.
"He just asked me out today." Clary said.
"So?" She said like it was uncommon, which for me it kinda was, but Clary was different.
"Well, the answer is no. We haven't kissed yet." She said.
"I've heard he's a pretty good kisser. I've always wanted to know, but he's my brother so I can't test out the hypothesis. You have to let me know how it is." She said and Clary broke into a fit of laughter, and Izzy soon followed. I decided that it was my time to knock. When I did the laughter stopped.
"Come in." I heard Izzy call. I opened the door and they both smiled at me.
"Hey." Clary said.
"Hey. Sorry to interrupt. I just didn't expect to lose you." I said and she laughed.
"Yea. I woke up needing to pee, and heard Izzy….." She trailed off and looked at Izzy. I looked at her closer, and I noticed that her mascara was running.
"Have you been crying?" I asked and she gave me a sad smile. "Just tell me who I need to beat up." I said and Clary and Izzy laughed.
"I'm fine. Clary and I talked about it, and I feel so much better." Izzy said and I looked at Clary and she smiled.
"Oh." I said. "I'm glad you're feeling better." I said and she smiled.
"Me too." Izzy said.
"I can leave you two alone if you want to continue talking." I said and Clary got up.
"Actually, I think I should be getting home." Clary said. "It's late, and I turned my phone off, so my mom is probably wondering where I am, and why I'm not answering."
"Oh yea. I'll give you a ride." I said and she nodded and turned back to Izzy.
"Thanks for the talk." She said and Izzy got up and hugged her.
"No, thank you." She said and Clary smiled. Clary walked over to me and smiled.
"I'll be down in a minute." I said and Clary nodded before heading towards the stairs. I watched her go and than felt Izzy put her arm around me. I looked at her and she smiled.
"I like her." She said and I laughed.
"Yea, I like her too." I said.
"Don't fuck it up." She said.
"I'll try my best not too." I said and she smiled. I made my way downstairs and found Clary standing by the door. She was looking at her phone. "How many missed calls?" I asked and she looked at me.
"75 missed called, and 120 texts." She said.
"Wow." I said and she laughed.
"Not all are from my mom. Some are from Luke." She clarified and I nodded.
"Well, I should get you home than." I said and she nodded. We got into my car and I let her direct me to her house. When we got there, I put the car in park and turned towards her. "I had a good time today."
"So did I." She said and I smiled.
"So, tomorrow I'll pick you up at 6?" I asked and she smiled.
"6 sounds great." She said. I leaned over and pressed my lips to her cheek and she smiled.
"See you tomorrow Clary." I said.
"Bye Jace." She said and she got out of my car. I watched her enter her house before driving away. I couldn't get the smile off my face.
Clary POV:
I walked into my house knowing that I was in for a yelling. I should have texted my mom and told her I was fine, but I was just so tired of the fighting that I just wanted it to stop. I closed the door behind me and when I turned around there stood my mother, and she did not look very happy.
"Where the hell have you been Clarissa Adele Fray!" She yelled and I covered my ears. "I called you how many times, and you didn't answer a single one!" She yelled. "You can't just disappear like that for hours! You scared me half to death Clarissa!"
"Well maybe I wouldn't have disappeared if you would just stop fighting with dad for 5 minutes!" I yelled back and her eyes widened. "I get that you hate him. I get that you regret marrying him. I get that him coming around all of the sudden is throwing you off." I said. "But I didn't do that! I didn't make you two get married, and I sure as hell didn't invite him back into our lives." I said. "I would like to come home and just relax, but you are making that impossible."
"You will not raise your voice at me Clarissa." She said.
"I have every right to raise my voice." I said. "If you aren't fighting with dad, you're fighting with Luke, and if you aren't fighting with Luke you're yelling at me." I said. "Do you know how terrible it is coming home just to be yelled at for something I can't control?" I asked. "No? Well, it's shit." I said. "Why don't you just listen to Luke and get that god damn restraining order and make our lives a little less hellish!" I yelled.
"I thought you wouldn't want me to get one." She said and I looked at her.
"Why would you think that?" I asked.
"He's your dad." She simply said.
"He left when I was 9 mom." I said. "Seeing him once every couple years doesn't make him my dad. As far as I'm concerned., he gave me some DNA, but that's about it."
"So, you wouldn't mind if he couldn't be within 500 feet of you?" She asked.
"I would prefer it." I said. "He's caused enough problems for us mom. I'm so tired of the yelling and the fighting."
"I'm so sorry Clary." She said. "I should have listened to Luke. I should have just gotten the restraining order when it started to affect us, but I just thought you shouldn't have to grow up without you dad." She said.
"I already grew up without him mom." I said. "I'm 18."
"And growing up too fast." She said as she opened her arms. I walked into them and she gave me a very tight hug. "I love you Clary."
"I love you too mom." I said and she released me. "Oh, and I have a date tomorrow night."
"A date? I wasn't aware you were seeing anyone. After what happened with Raphael you swore off dating?" She asked.
"I did, but this guy is different." I said.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"His name is Jace Herondale." I said.
"Does he go to your school?" She asked.
"No. She goes to Alicante Prep." I said and her eyes widened.
"Oh wow. How did you two even meet?" She asked.
"His car broke down, and I saw him on the side of the road a couple months ago." I explained. "I fixed his car, and than a couple weeks after his sisters car broke down and he brought it to the garage." I said. "He told me that he hopes that his brothers car breaks down so he could see me again, but I told him that he didn't have to wait, he could just come and visit. And that's what he did today."
"He seems very sweet." She said.
"He is. I went to his house after he took me out to lunch." I said. "I didn't want to deal with the fighting today, and I figured it was a break. We were watching a movie with his little brother, and fell asleep." I said and she nodded.
"I'm sorry about all this fighting Clary." She said.
"It's okay mom." I said and she nodded. "I'm kinda tired still, so I think I'm going to go to bed." I said and she smiled.
"Goodnight sweetie." She said.
"Night mom." I said and I went to my room. I got ready for bed thinking about Jace and I couldn't help but smile.
Time Jump – A Couple Months Later
Clary POV:
My first date with Jace lead to many others, and after the third one he asked me out, and I said yes before he was even finished asking the question. These past couple months have been amazing, and I honestly was happier than I've ever been before. I was getting in my car after school when my phone started ringing. I looked at it and saw that it was Jace.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey babe, I need your help." He said.
"What's up?" I asked.
"My car won't start." He said and I laughed. "Can you come check it out?"
"Of course. I'll be right there." I said.
"Thank you. You're the best." He said. I laughed and hung up and made my way to his school. Pulling up to the building was intimidating. It was huge, and very well maintained. You could tell kids with money went here. When I pulled into the parking lot there were lots of expensive cars, and mine stuck out like a sore thumb. I immediately spotted Jace, and made my way over to him. I parked next to Izzy and got out of the car.
"Hey." I said and before I even greeted Jace, Izzy pulled me into a hug.
"Hi!" She said enthusiastically. "I've missed you." She said.
"I've missed you too." I said and I turned to Jace who gave me a quick kiss. "So, what seems to be the problem?" I asked.
"I don't know, that's why I called the expert." He said and I laughed. I lifted the hood and started to look around.
"Yo Jace, who is that fine piece of ass you got looking under your hood?" I heard a guy say. "And when she's done, can she look under mine?" He said and I didn't even dignify that with my attention, I just kept looking for a problem, but Jace wasn't having it.
"Speak like that about her again, and you'll be sorry." Jace said in a rather calm and dangerous tone.
"Come on Jace, in a week or two you won't want her anymore." The guy said. "And than she's free game."
"Watch it Verlac." Jace said.
"Clam down Herondale, I'm just stating facts." He said.
"You know I can hear you." I finally said.
"Oh, so doll face talks?" The guy said and I looked up from the engine.
"Doll face?" I said. "Is that really a hit with the ladies?" I asked and he laughed.
"Normally. Why? Not working on you?" He asked with a smirk that was kinda revolting.
"Not even close." I said.
"Too bad." He said. "I'm way more entertaining than Herondale here. I could show you if you want." He said as he made his way closer to me before Jace stepped in the middle.
"She's not interested." Jace said through gritted teeth.
"Why don't you let her speak for herself." The guy said. "So what do you say sweetheart?"
"First, enough with the pet names." I said. "Second, I'm not interested, like he said." I said and his smile faltered as I rejected him.
"Whatever." He said and he walked away.
"Sorry about him." Jace said.
"Not your fault." I said.
"So, what's the problem?" He asked.
"Your engine is frozen." I said.
"Oh great. How do I fix that?" He asked.
"You need to store it in a shed or garage until it thaws." I said.
"Great." He said and I smiled.
"Sorry. I wish it was something I could fix." I said.
"Not your fault." He said. "I'll call Michael and have him tow it back to my house." He said as he pulled out his phone. I went back to my car and started it. It was pretty cold outside, and the warmer my car, the better.
"Clarissa." I heard and I froze myself. I turned around and there was my father.
"You're violating your restraining order." I said.
"I'm your father." He said. "I am allowed near you."
"Not according to the courts." I said. "You need to be 500 feet away from me." I said.
"How could you let her do this to our family Clarissa?" He asked.
"You're going to blame this on mom?" I nearly yelled and I knew that I now had an audience. I felt someone standing behind me and I just knew it was Jace. "You're the one that left us."
"You have no idea why I left." He said.
"And I don't care." I said. "You left. That's the problem."
"Clarissa." He said.
"No. 500 feet dad. You aren't allowed within 500 feet of me." I said. "I won't call the police this time, but next time your ass if going to jail." I said and he huffed and stormed away. Once he was gone I turned around and looked at Jace. He pulled me into him and I melted against him.
"You okay?" He asked and I simply nodded. "Good, Michael should be here soon."
"Wanna wait in my car? The heat is on." I said and he laughed and nodded. We got in the car and turned up the heat.
"You sure you're okay?" He asked and I looked at him.
"I'm fine." I said. "Not the first time he's been angry at me, and I kinda expected it. I mean, what sane person would be okay with a restraining order against them?" I said and he laughed.
"He doesn't seem too sane." He said.
"I guess not." I said.
When Michael showed up, he towed Jace's car to his house and I followed. When we got there, they put it in their garage, and Michael left. I was about to get back in my car when Jace stopped me.
"Wanna come in for a little?" He asked.
"Sure." I said. I texted my mom and told her that I was hanging with Jace and she was cool with it. Her and Luke were going out anyway.
Jace and I were in the living room watching TV and warming up. It was frigid outside, and I was a naturally cold person, and needed to be warmed. It was nearing dinnertime when my phone went off. I thought it was just my mom so I ignored it until it started again. I checked my phone and noticed it was Simon.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey." Simon said.
"Simon, what's wrong?" I asked because something was off.
"Can I come over?" He asked.
"I'm actually not home. I'm with Jace." I said.
"Oh. Okay." He said and I looked at Jace.
"Do you mind if he comes over? He seems really out of it." I whisper asked and he nodded. "Simon, I'm going to text you an address. Come to it."
"I don't know Clary." He said.
"Simon, something is wrong, and Jace said it was fine." I said.
"Alright." He said. We hung up and I texted him the address.
"Is he okay?" Jace asked.
"I don't know, but something sounds off." I said and he nodded.
We cuddled on the couch until the doorbell rang. Jace got up to answer it, and after a few moments Jace walked back in with Simon following him. Jace took his seat on the couch and Simon sat in the chair.
"What's up Simon?" I asked.
"You're going to think it's stupid." He said.
"You're upset Simon." I said. "That automatically makes it important."
"My mom has a date tonight." He said.
"Oh Simon." I said. "You knew this day was coming."
"Yea, but I didn't expect it to come so soon." He said. "I especially didn't think she'd meet him at a support group."
"Maybe that's a good thing. They know what each other is going through." I said.
"But it's too soon." Simon said.
"For who? You or her?" I asked him and he looked down at his hands. "Simon, I know you miss your dad." I said. "I was at his funeral. I know how much his death affected your family. But maybe your mom is ready to move on."
"She should have consulted with me." He said.
"She's an adult Si. She doesn't need to consult with you." I said. I moved close to him and took his hands in mine. "It's one date. They aren't getting married, and who knows, maybe your mom won't enjoy it and it'll be their only date." I said and he looked at me. "She deserves to be happy. Just like you and Rebecca do." I said. "Did she seem happy?"
"Yea." He said.
"Than why are you so upset?" I asked.
"I don't know. You think your parents are going to be together forever you know? You never think you'll see them with someone else." He said and Jace and I both laughed a little.
"You're preaching to the wrong choir here Si." I said and he looked at me and than at Jace.
"Your parents divorced?" He asked.
"Naw. Dead." Jace said.
"Oh god. I'm so sorry." Simon said.
"Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago." Jace said and Simon simply nodded.
"Look Si, you can either sulk around and be upset at your mom for moving on, or you can be happy for her." I said. "You've been through a lot. Happiness is something you all deserve."
"I guess you're right. I mean, you said it yourself, it's one date." Simon said. "Nothing serious will happen."
"That's the spirit." I said and he smiled.
"Thanks Fray. You always know what to say." Simon said.
"It's a gift." I said and he laughed.
"Jace! Clary! I'm going to order food you want something?" Izzy yelled as she made her way into the living room and her eyes stopped on Simon. "I didn't realize we had more company."
"Izzy, this is my best friend Simon. Simon this is Jace's sister, Izzy." I said and Simon was looking at her like she was the 8th wonder of the world.
"It's nice to meet you." Izzy said and Simon snapped out of it.
"You too." Simon said.
"Anyway, I was going to order food from Taki's. You want anything?" Izzy asked.
"You know my order." Jace said.
"I'll just have a burger and fries." I said.
"Simon, you want anything?" Izzy asked.
"Mind if I come with?" Simon asked. "I could use some fresh air to clear my head." He explained.
"Sure. I'd love some company." Izzy said and Simon stood up.
"Thanks for the talk Fray." He said.
"No problem." I said and Izzy and Simon left. I leaned back into Jace and smiled.
"He was looking at Izzy a little longer than I like." Jace said and I laughed.
"Simon is harmless." I said.
"Oh, I'm not worried about Izzy, I'm worried about Simon." Jace clarified. "Izzy is a heartbreaker."
"They will both be fine. They're picking up food, not going out on a date." I said.
"I don't know. The look in his eyes said a whole lot to me." Jace said.
"I guess we'll just wait and see." I said and I leaned in closer to him. Simon would be fine, at least I hoped.
Izzy POV:
We got to Taki's and we walked to the front door and Simon opened it for me. I wasn't used to guys being chivalrous, but it was a nice change. We walked up to the counter and I ordered the food and we stood off to the side and waited for my name to be called.
"Oh shit." I heard Simon say.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"There is a girl here who has been like stalking me for the past year." He said.
"Why?" I asked.
"I'm in a band with a couple friends from school." He explained. "His cousin is our biggest fame. And she's like in love with me."
"Is that so bad?" I asked.
"She's 14." He said.
"Oh wow." I said and he nodded.
"Yea. She comes to all our gigs, and stands in the front and just makes goo-goo eyes at me." He said and I laughed.
"Simon!" I heard.
"Oh god." Simon said as he turned around. "Maureen. What a surprise."
"That it is. What are you doing here?" She asked and my name was called. I went and got the food and made my way back to where he was and the girls eyes were sparkling, and Simon seemed to nice to reject her. I decided to help him out a little.
"Babe, it's time to go." I said as I walked up to Simon. He looked at me and I just smiled.
"Who are you?" The girl asked clearly not liking me being around Simon.
"My name is Isabelle Lightwood. Nice to meet you." I said as I extended my hand but she didn't take it. I put my arm down and linked it with Simons. "We should get home, everyone will be waiting for their food."
"Of course." Simon said. "It was nice seeing you Maureen." Simon said and we walked out of the restaurant and in my car. Once the doors were shut he laughed. "Thanks for that."
"I saw that you were in a jam." I said.
"She would have talked to me for hours if she could." He said and I laughed.
We got back to my house and yet again Simon opened the door for me. We walked in the house and I went into the living room to tell Jace and Clary the food was here and they were making out on the couch.
"Yuck." I said and they broke apart. "You heard the door open."
"No we didn't." Jace said.
"Right, too busy sucking face." I said and Simon laughed. "Food is here." I said as I went into the kitchen and put it all on the counter. Jace and Clary walked in a couple moments later.
"Ran into Maureen at Taki's." Simon said.
"How did you escape?" Clary asked with a laugh.
"Izzy actually helped me out." Simon said.
"How?" Jace asked.
"I called him babe, linked our arms, and we walked out." I said.
"Nice." Clary said and I nodded. Jace and Clary ended up taking their food out to the living room and Simon and I took a seat at the table. We ate in silence but it wasn't a weird silence, it was pretty comfortable.
"Izzy!" I heard and than Max came running into the room.
"Max, I thought you were at a friends house." I said.
"Nope. Mom said no." Max said.
"Why not?" I asked.
"I don't know." Max said. "I'm hungry." He said and I felt horrible that I didn't get him anything. I looked at my food and knew he wouldn't eat it.
"You can have the other half of mine." Simon said.
"Really?" Max asked.
"Of course." Simon said. Max took a seat and Simon slid his food over to Max and he started eating.
"Thank you." I mouthed to Simon and he nodded. When Max was done he skipped off and didn't even clean up. I shook my head and went to grab his trash when Simon stood.
"I'll clean that up." He said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Of course. It was half mine anywhere." He said and I smiled. He went and cleaned up the mess and I couldn't help but watch him. Being around Clary and Jace the past couple months really opened my eyes. I realized how a guy should treat a girl, and I realized that I just didn't choose guys who were like that, and I decided that I deserved that. So I've been just focusing on me the past couple months, but being around Simon was comforting, and easy. Something I've never experienced and I had only met him today. When he got back to the table he smiled. "I should probably head home." He said and I got a little sad.
"Oh. Okay." I said as I stood up.
"It's okay." He said. "I can walk myself out. Finish your dinner." He said and I sat down. "Thank you for helping me out, and being good company." He said and I smiled.
"Of course." I said. "Don't be stranger." He smiled and than left the kitchen. I heard the front door open and than close and it was just me. A few moments later Clary walked in.
"Did Simon leave?" She asked.
"Yea. He said he needed to get home." I said.
"You okay?" She asked as she got a drink from the fridge.
"Yea." I said and Clary walked over and took seat.
"Doesn't sound it." She said and I just shrugged. "Come on, what's bothering you?" She asked.
"Is Simon seeing anyone?" I asked bluntly and her eyes widened.
"Nerdy Simon? Simon who just walked out of here?" She asked and I laughed.
"Yea." I said.
"Uh, no." Clary said. "He's kinda awkward around girls. Why?"
"He just didn't respond when I called him babe, or linked our arms together. I mean, he opened doors for me, he gave half his food to my little brother, and he cleaned it up." I said.
"That's just how Simon is." Clary said. "He's a true gentleman." She said and I nodded. "Why? Do you like him?"
"I just met this kid, but he's really nice." I said. "And I feel comfortable around him."
"Simon has that affect on people." She said with a smile.
"How do I know if he's into me?" I asked.
"You want to pursue something with Simon?" She asked almost surprised.
"I think so." I said and she smiled.
"Simon won't outwardly say he's into you." Clary said. "He's a pretty shy guy around girls, but he's also too polite to be rude, or make thing uncomfortable."
"I noticed that tonight. He didn't want to talk to Maureen, but he did it anyway." I said and Clary laughed.
"Yea. He never wants to make anyone upset, or uncomfortable." Clary said. "I mean, you could literally talk to him about the most uncomfortable topic in the world, and he'd sit there and help you through it even if he had no idea what to say."
"He seems like a really nice guy." I said.
"He's the best. I'm lucky to have him as my best friend." Clary said and I smiled. "Look, if you want to start something with Simon, I'd make the first move."
"But that's so uncommon." I said and she laughed.
"You are a strong, beautiful, and independent woman." She said. "You can do anything."
"Thanks Clary." I said and she smiled and made her way back into the living room. I went to my room and laid on my bed and thought about Simon. There was something so natural about hanging out with him, and I owed it to myself to see where that went. I've always gone for the bad boys, and I always get burned. Maybe I need to reevaluate my taste in men, and Simon was the first guy in a long time who truly made me feel comfortable, and I wanted to see where that went.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
I was in the garage working on that engine when I heard the frantic yelling.
"Clary! Clary, where are you?" I heard and when I looked up Simon was running looking like chicken with his head cut off.
"Yo, over here." I said and he looked at me and ran towards me. "What is wrong?"
"Izzy just asked me out." He said through labored breaths.
"That's great!" I said and he looked at me. "Or not?" I questioned.
"Why in the world would she ask me out?" He asked.
"Because she likes you?" I questioned. I really didn't get why he was so confused.
"Isabelle Lightwood does NOT go for the Simon Lewis's of the world." He said and I laughed.
"You don't know that." I said as I put my wrench down.
"Yes I do." Simon said. "I'm a nerd. I'm in a shitty ass band, I have glasses. I read comic books." He stated. "Isabelle Lightwood drives a fancy car, she lives in a mansion, and she's drop dead gorgeous."
"I fail to see any of the problems here." I said with a laugh.
"The problem is, why the hell did she ask me out?" He asked.
"Look, Izzy's been burned in the past." I said. "After her last guy, she decided to just try and focus on herself because he really hurt her." I explained. "We talked a few months ago, and she was interested in you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" He yelled.
"Because it wasn't my news to tell." I said. "She likes you, take it and run!"
"I don't just want to be a fling for her." Simon admitted. "I could end up falling for her." He said. "And I don't think I could handle that heartbreak."
"What if it doesn't end in heartbreak?" I asked. "What if you two really hit it off, and have a great relationship."
"There are so many things that could go wrong." He said.
"That's how I felt with Jace." I said. "We are in two totally different social classes in life. But we work." I explained. "I really don't know how we do, but we work, and I've never been happier in my life. That could happen with you and Izzy."
"But what if it doesn't?" He asked.
"Don't think about the future." I said. "Do you want to take Isabelle Lightwood out on a date?"
"Yes." He said.
"Than focus on that, and worry about the future when it happens." I said. "Be happy Simon. You deserve that. And so does she."
"Okay." He said and I smiled. "Okay, I'll tell her yes." He said.
"Good." I said. I got back in the trust and continued working and Simon was still standing there. "What are you waiting for?" I asked.
"What if she's over it already?" He asked.
"Seriously you need to stop overthinking." I looked over him and saw Jace walking towards me and I couldn't help but smile. "Jace." I said and Simon turned to face him. "Tell Simon he's overthinking." I said.
"You're overthinking." Jace said and I smiled. I leaned down from the car and pressed my lips to his.
"You don't even know what I'm overthinking about." Simon said back to Jace.
"It's about Izzy isn't it?" Jace said and Simon's jaw dropped.
"How did you know?" Simon asked.
"Izzy is currently freaking out about it as well." Jace said.
"She is?" Simon asked.
"She took a leap of faith asking you out." Jace said. "She feels kinda rejected."
"But I didn't give her an answer." Simon said.
"But you didn't say yes." I said. "Izzy's going to assume you aren't interested."
"But…..I am." Simon said.
"Than go and tell her that." Jace said, and without another word Simon ran out of the garage. "Those two man." Jace said and I laughed.
"I think it's kinda cute." I said and Jace smiled.
"How's it coming?" He asked.
"I think I've almost cracked it." I said.
"That's my girl." He said as he leaned against the truck. "So, I was thinking." He said. "We've been together for almost 6 months." He said and I looked at him and smiled.
"We have." I said.
"And I want to do something extra special for it." He said.
"Why?" I asked.
"To be completely honest, this is my longest relationship." He said. "It's a milestone for me, and for our relationship, and I want to celebrate it right."
"That's so sweet." I said and he smiled.
"We have a cabin in the Poconos." He said. "I was thinking we go up there for a weekend."
"Oh. Wow." I said not expecting him to say that.
"You can say no if you aren't comfortable, but I thought it would be perfect." He said. "I was torn between that and our vacation home in Mexico, but that requires a passport, and I didn't know if you had one, plus its in another country and I didn't know if your mom was cool with you leaving the country for a weekend." He said and I laughed.
"The Poconos sounds great." I said and he got the biggest smile on his face.
"Really?" He asked.
"Of course." I said. "This is my longest relationship too." I added. "Not because I couldn't commit to someone before, but because no one wanted to commit to me." I said with a nervous laugh. "But it sounds nice."
"Great." He said. "How does this weekend sound?"
"Sounds perfect." I said.
"I was thinking we could go up Thursday after school and just skip Friday." He said.
"I actually don't have school Friday. So that works perfectly." I said.
"Cool." He said.
"I'll talk to my mom tonight." I said and he smiled.
"Perfect." He said. "I should probably get home." He said. "But text me and let me know what your mom says."
"I will." I said. He leaned up and pressed his lips against mine.
"Bye babe." He said and I smiled.
"Bye." I called after him and he walked out of the garage. I was going for a long weekend with Jace. To the Poconos. This was going to an experience.
When I got home I was actually really nervous to tell my mom about Jace's plans. She liked Jace. She thought he was really nice, and polite, and she knew how happy he made me, and that's something that was really important to her, but asking her if I could spend a weekend in the Poconos with my boyfriend was always going to be new territory.
"Mom?" I called when I got home.
"In the kitchen sweetie!" I heard and I walked into the kitchen. She was sitting at the kitchen table looking through a magazine.
"Hey." I said hesitantly. "Can we talk about something?" I asked.
"Of course." She said as she closed her magazine.
"So Jace stopped by the garage today, and he asked if we could do something special for our 6 month anniversary." I explained. "It's the longest relationship either of us have been in, and he wanted to do something special."
"That's really sweet of him." She said and I smiled.
"I thought so too." I said. "His family has a vacation home in the Poconos, and he asked if I'd like to go for a long weekend with him."
"When?" She asked and I wasn't expecting that to be her first question but I looked at that being a good sign.
"This weekend. We'd drive up there after school on Thursday." I said.
"Friday is a school day sweetheart." She said.
"In-service day." I said. "I don't have school."
"And it will be just the two of you?" She asked.
"As far as I know, yes." I said.
"I don't know Clary. Going away with your boyfriend for a long weekend. Makes a lot of temptations." She said.
"If you're worried about sex. We aren't having it." I said and her eyes widened.
"But being along in a cabin, cuddling by the fire to keep each other warm can really get you in the mood." She said.
"Ew mom." I said and she laughed.
"I'm just saying, there is another activity that can keep you warm while in a cabin covered in snow." She said.
"Okay, gross." I said. "And Jace and I aren't at that stage in our relationship." I said. "I mean, I always imagined I'd do it with someone I love, and Jace and I haven't told each other that yet."
"But do you feel it?" She asked and I looked down. "You do don't you?" She asked and I looked back at her.
"I think so." I said. She reached across the table and took my hands in hers.
"Loving someone isn't anything to be embarrassed about Clary." She said.
"But what if he doesn't feel it back?" I asked.
"Than he's a fool." She said and I laughed. "You've told me about Jace's history with women." She said and I nodded. "You told me that he said you were different." She said and I nodded again. "I've seen you two together. That boy, worships the ground you walk on, and treats you like a princess." She said and I couldn't help but smile. "If he treats you like that and doesn't love you, I'll have a few words to share with him."
"You think he feels it?" I asked.
"I'm sure he does." She said and I smiled. "Look, I trust you, and I trust him to take your feelings into consideration and respect your decisions." She said. "You can go away for the weekend."
"Thank you so much mom." I jumped up and gave her a huge hug.
"Just make sure you text me when you leave school, and when you get there, and when you're on your way home on Sunday." She said.
"Of course." I said. "Thank you so much mom." I said.
"And if you do…..engage in other activities besides snowboarding and snowball fights." She said. "Please be careful."
"I got it." I said trying to stop this conversation.
"Okay. Well, Luke and I are going out to dinner tonight. Our anniversary is coming up as well, and tonight is the first free night we've both had off in awhile, and we're taking advantage of it." She said and I laughed.
"Of course. Have fun." I said. She smiled and I went into my room and called Jace.
"Hey." He answered rather quickly.
"Hey, just talked to my mom." I said. "She said I could go."
"That's awesome." He said. I could tell he was really excited.
"Yea, and I was wondering, my mom and Luke are going out tonight to celebrate their own anniversary, and I'll be home alone." I said. "Would you mind keeping me company?" I asked and he laughed.
"Of course. Be there at 6?" He asked.
"6 is perfect. Oh and bring some dinner!" I said and he laughed.
"Of course. See you later." He said.
"Bye." I said and I hung up. I was going away with my boyfriend for the weekend, and I could barely contain my excitement.
Time Jump – Long Weekend
Clary POV:
Simon gave me a ride to school today because Jace was picking me up after to take me to the Poconos, and I couldn't stop fidgeting the whole day. I was nervous but anxious to go away with him, but I couldn't wait. When the final bell rang I could get to my locker fast enough. I grabbed my backpack and made my way out to Simon's van to grab my suitcase. I knew Jace was here because there was a flock of people hanging around him and his fancy car. I closed the door to Simon's van and he looked at me.
"Have a great time." He said and I smiled.
"Have a great time with Izzy." I said.
"I'm so nervous." He said and I laughed.
"Just be yourself." I said. "That's who she likes." I said and he nodded.
"I have band practice in 30. Safe trip." He said as he got in his van and drove away. I made my way over to the crowd of people and shoved my way through. When I finally got to the front and I saw him, I couldn't help but smile.
"Back of the line freak. I was here first." Aline said and I rolled my eyes.
"I don't need to go to the back of the line to see my own boyfriend." I said.
"He's your boyfriend?" She asked as she pointed to Jace.
"Yea." I simply said and I made my way over to him. He grabbed my bag and threw it in the back seat.
"You ready?" He asked.
"Yes." I said and he laughed I got in the passenger seat and he got in the driver side. The crowd just stood there. He honked his horn and they parted like the red sea, and we left.
"Wow. It's like they've never seen a BMW before." He said and I laughed.
"I think it has more to do with the driver." I said and he looked over at me and smirked.
"You think?" He said.
"Don't be so cocky." I said and he laughed. I took out my phone and texted my mom.
To Jocelyn:
Just left school. Headed towards the Poconos. I'll text you when we get there.
From Jocelyn:
Okay sweetie. Have a great weekend! And remember what I said. Be safe. Love you.
To Jocelyn:
Love you too.
I sighed and put my head against the headrest.
"Everything okay?" Jace asked.
"Yea. When I asked my mom about this weekend she decided to give me the safe sex talk." I said and he laughed. "It's not funny. I was horrified."
"Why?" He asked.
"Because my mom was like setting the scene." I said as I shuttered as I remembered.
"How so?" He asked.
"She started talking about how we would be cuddling in front of the fire, and trying to keep each other warm." I said and he laughed. "Than she proceeded to tell me that there is another activity that would keep us warm."
"That does sound horrifying." He said through his laughs.
"It was." I said. "And than she told me to be safe."
"At least that's helpful advice." He said and my eyes widened and I think he saw my surprise. "I didn't mean that we would be having….." He trailed off. "I just meant, it's important, you know, to be safe."
"Oh." I said.
"I would never force you to do anything you weren't ready for Clary. Just know that." He said and I smiled.
"I know that." I said and he seemed to be relaxing.
The rest of the ride was filled with music and light conversation. I didn't realize how worried I was about the possibility of having sex, until we talked about it. It was nice knowing that he wasn't expecting anything from this weekend alone, and that was extremely calming, and made me more excited about these next couple days.
Time Jump – Saturday Night
Jace POV:
I had a masseuse brought in for Clary because I felt like she needed something relaxing. She was always on the go and someone like that would benefit from taking some time for themselves, and that's what I wanted Clary to do. It also gave me enough time to get the living room set up the way that I envisioned it. Tonight was a pretty nerve wracking night. I was finally going to tell Clary that I loved her, and I was so scared. It was the first time I've ever told a girl that before, and it was terrifying. She could not say it back, she could run, she could start crying, literally anything could happen, and not knowing was the scariest part.
I had put an outfit in the room we were staying at. She would go there to get changed and see it laid out on our bed. Tonight was all about her, and us, and she deserved to feel rested, relaxed, and sexy tonight, and that's what she would feel like. I looked at the time, and her massage was over, so I started getting the table set, and the food set up. Knowing Clary the way that I do, I knew she wasn't going to take forever to get ready, so she would be done shortly, and I was so ready to see her. I was putting the finishing touches on the table, when I heard the clicking of the heels. I turned around and I literally lost my breath. Clary was the most stunning woman I've ever met.
"Wow." I said. "You look incredible."
"Thanks." She said with a blush. "I think my boyfriend picked it out."
"With a little help." I said and she laughed. "But I did have a vision, and Izzy helped me, but I had the final say."
"You did a good job." She said.
"I'm glad you think so." I said. "Dinner is waiting." I said and she smiled and I led her towards the table.
"You weren't kidding about going all out." She said as I pulled her chair out and she sat.
"You deserve to be treated right." I said. "And this is how I treat people right."
"It's quite glamorous." She said and I smiled.
Dinner went by amazingly, but every moment I spend with Clary does. We talked, and laughed, and enjoyed each other's company just like we always did. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt that I loved this girl more than anything, and I couldn't wait to tell her. When dinner was finished, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the jewelry box. I reached across the table and set it in front of her and she gasped and our eyes locked.
"Jace." She said and I shook my head.
"Open it." I said. She smiled, picked it up and opened the lid. She pulled out a gold chain, with a gold 'C' dangling from it. It was simply, but when I saw it, I immediately thought of Clary and had to get it for her.
"It's beautiful." She said. "Can you help me put it on?" She asked and I nodded. I got up and made my way over to her. I took the necklace in my hands, and she lifted her hair. Once it was secure on her neck, she let her hair fall and she turned in her chair so that we could see each other. "I love it."
"I'm glad." I said. I kneeled down in front of her and rested my hands on her knees. "There's more." I said.
"What more could I possibly get?" She asked as she gestured to the cabin.
"Don't worry, I spent absolutely nothing on this gift." I said and she smiled. I took a deep breath, and looked into her eyes. "I love you." I said and her eyes went wide, and instantly filled with tears. I couldn't distinguish if they were happy or sad tears, so I waited. She put her hand on my face and pressed her lips to mine, and as much as I loved kissing her, and I really did, I wanted to know how she was taking the news. When she pulled apart, our eyes locked again and she smiled.
"I love you too." She said and I scooped her into my arms and she squealed. When I put her down I couldn't get the dopey grin off my face.
"God I could just sit here for hours and tell you how much I love you." I said and she giggled.
"So could I." She said and I just smiled even wider, and I didn't think that was possible. Forgetting our dirty dishes, I made a fire, and we sat in front of that thing for the rest of the night, kissed, and told each other hoe much we loved each other, and I couldn't picture a more perfect way to spend our 6 month anniversary. And the best part is, we get to spend many more anniversaries doing this, because I was never letting her go. That was a promise.
Time Jump – End Of Senior Year
Jace POV:
Graduation was about a week and a half away, and with Clary and I both being seniors, we barely had to go to school, but Clary spent most of the time in the garage trying ti fix that engine. She was so close, and I knew it was frustrating her that she hadn't solved it yet, but I knew she could do it.
I had been spending a majority of the time in the garage with her. I loved watching her work on cars, not only because it was a turn on, but because she was really passionate about it. And she was damn good at it, but also because I liked keeping her company. I walked in to the garage and there were some guys there working on cars, and I was looking for Clary when I saw her emerge from under the hood wearing nothing but some jean shorts and a cut off t-shirt. My jaw hit the floor, because damn could that girl, my girl, pull off any outfit she was in. I made my way over to her and whistled.
"Damn." I said and she looked at me. "Can I take you home with me?" I asked and she laughed.
"You know, if I didn't have a boyfriend, that might have worked on me." She said and I made my way over to her.
"Oh really?" I asked and with a smirk.
"Totally." She said and I pressed my lips to her. When we broke apart she grabbed another tool and made her way back to the truck. "Did you even go to school today?" She asked.
"No. There was no need." I said.
"But wasn't it like your yearbook day or something? I remember Simon telling me Izzy was going in to get her yearbook signed. It was like a day for all the seniors." She said.
"It was, but I didn't really care for people there. Plus, that would give Kaelie a reason to talk to me, and I'd rather avoid that as much as possible." I said and she laughed.
"Understandable." She said. It was quiet for a few moments. "Oh my god." I heard Clary said.
"What?" I asked.
"I did it." She said as she got out from under the hood. "I fucking did it." She said again and I laughed. "Hodge!" She yelled.
"Yes?" He said as he came around the truck.
"I did it." She said.
"Let's try and start her up." Hodge said as he pulled out a set of keys. He got in the car and started the car up and it sounded amazing.
"Oh my god!" Clary shouted. "I did it!" She said and I watched her jump up and down and couldn't even tell you how proud I was of her. The whole garage was cheering, and just seeing the look on her face, was so rewarding for me, I couldn't imagine how rewarding it was for her. "What's the prize?" Clary asked when she settled down a bit.
"This." Hodge said as he they the keys at her.
"I get the truck?" She asked.
"That tuck has been sitting here for year." Hodge said. "I thought it would never leave, but you fixed her, and she sounds great. You can do what you want with her. Use her, sell her, trade her in." Hodge said. "But she's yours."
"Thank you Hodge." Clary said. "For teaching me everything I needed to know about cars."
"You're a rare talent Clary. It was an honor to teach you." Hodge said before walking away. Clary turned towards me with the biggest smile on her face.
"I did it." She said again and I scooped her into a hug.
"I knew you could." I said.
"And I got the truck." She said and I laughed.
"You got the truck." I said.
"What am I going to do with it?" She asked.
"That's up to you." I said and she smiled. I pulled her into me and pressed my lips to hers. "You are truly talented Clary."
"You're only saying that because I fix your car for free." She said and I laughed.
"That's a bonus." I said. "You're a natural, and I couldn't be more proud of you." I said.
"I love you." She said and I kissed her again.
"I love you too my little grease monkey." I said as I ran a finger over the grease mark on her forehead. She smiled and laughed and I pulled her into me. I rested my check on the top of her head and smiled to myself. Life with Clary was always going to be an adventure, but no matter where life takes us, I know two things for sure. 1. I was going to love Clary until my very last breath. And 2. No matter where we were, I was always going to have a mechanic there to fix whatever problems we got into.
Authors Note:
Okay, another long one for you here! I was trying so hard to think of a good story for another one shot, and than a guest requested one where Clary repairs things, and this one shot just hit me in the face, and I had to write it. Now, I know nothing about cars, so I googled half of that shit, so I'm sorry if I got some things wrong, I'm a very uneducated person when it comes to cars. But I hope that this one shot lived up to that guests expectations, and I hope you all loved reading it because I enjoyed writing it. Hence why at 3:30 in the morning, I'm updating. I just had to finish it before I went to bed! Please let me know what you think, and leave a review! :)
