Eighty Sixth One Shot:
Soccer
Clary POV:
Soccer has been the thing that Jon and I bonded over the most in this world. Since we are so close in age, we were always messing around on the soccer field together, and it was something that we were both super competitive over. At first people just thought it was a phase. Something I was doing because I wanted to prove that I was better than my brother, and something that my brother wanted to do to prove that he could beat me. But as we got older our competitiveness towards each other not only grew, but our competiveness against others grew as well. More often than not were we teaming up and playing a two on two game with kids from our street, and just annihilating them. Jon and I were good, and we just made each other better. Eventually, the kids in on our street stopped playing us because we were just too good. Until the Lightwoods moved in across the street. When I was in 7th grade, and Jon was in 8th, three kids moved in across from us. Alec and Jace were both Jon's age, and the girl Izzy was my age. Alec didn't play, but Jace and Izzy did. And damn were they good.
Since our street was divided between two school districts, we weren't in the same school. Jace, Alec and Izzy went to Alicante, and Jon, and I went to Idris. We were rivals, but we were also friends. My best friend Simon lived next to me, and he didn't play either, so when we got a pick up game of two on two going Simon and Alec were both the refs, and we would spend hours playing soccer at the field down the street from our house. Sometimes it would be Jon and me against Izzy and Jace. Other times it would be Izzy and I against Jon and Jace, and sometimes it would be Jace and I against Izzy and Jon. It made it interesting considering Jon and I knew each others every move, and Jace and Izzy were really good at reading each other as well. We always made impossible expectations, like the first one to 30 goals wins, although we played with an open net, it still took hours. But we were having fun, bonding, and kicking each others asses. Simon and Alec got to call all the fouls, but normally they didn't call much because we all liked to play dirty.
It was my junior year in high school, and we were facing Alicante today. Our rival, and it was on their turf. I was excited to play Izzy, and just excited in general to be playing. Playing soccer was one of my favorite things to do. It calmed me down, and cleared my mind. We got to their field and their stands were packed. We lived in an area where football wasn't the main sport, soccer was. Our high school didn't even have a football team, that's how much it wasn't favored. I strapped my cleats up, slipped the captain band on my arm and made my way over to the refs, and I looked across the field and Izzy was doing the same thing. When we got to the circle Izzy and I were eyeing each other up, but in a purely friendly competitive way.
"Alright ladies, we want a clean game today. I know you two are rivals, but I'd prefer no broken bones this time around." The first ref said. Izzy and I smiled because we knew what he was talking about. Last time we played each other, I broke my finger, and a girl on her team broke her leg. It got intense.
"Of course." Izzy and I answered in unison.
"Okay, Idris since you're the away team you call it." He said and He flipped a coin.
"Heads." I said and it landed in his hand and he flipped it into his other palm.
"Heads it is." The ref said.
"We'll stay." I said and he nodded.
"Shake hands." He said and Izzy and I both reach for each other.
"Good luck Clare." She said and I couldn't help but smile.
"We don't need luck." I said. "You might though." I said and she laughed and we walked back to our benches.
Every player made their way out to the field. I got to the ball and waited for Izzy to get there as well. We stood across from each other just staring waiting for the whistle to blow. Once it did, the game was on.
Time Jump – End of Game
We were tied: 2-2. There was only 3 minutes left plus whatever the ref decided to add on, and I've never been more stressed in my life. The crowed was going crazy, and I was sweating like I've never sweat before. I was exhausted, and I was sore, but I couldn't stop now. Winning on their turf would be huge for us and I wasn't going to let them just have it.
I had the ball, and I was making my way to the goal, I was passing every girl, they were tired as well. I got inside the 18 when I felt someone take out my legs. A second later I heard the whistle, I knew I got a penalty kick.
"What the hell Kaelie!" I heard Izzy yell.
"She was getting too close." The girl said. "I didn't want her to score.
"You just gave up a PK." Izzy shouted. "Are you fucking stupid?!" She yelled. She wasn't pleased, and I couldn't blame her. I'd be pissed too.
I got the ball situated and took my place behind it. I waited for the whistle to blow. I could hear some girls shit talking behind me, but I blocked it out as much as I could. I wasn't missing this goal, I couldn't. I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. The whistle blew, and did what I do best. I kicked the ball in the upper left, and the minute I saw the goalie go right, I knew it was a beautiful shot. It went in and I had never felt so light in my whole life. I celebrated a little because we lined back up for a kick off.
The sideline ref held up the sign that told us how much time was added on. 2 minutes. All we had to do was hold them off for 2 minutes and this game was ours. Thankfully our defense was as tight as leather pants. They were holding their offense off extremely well, and I was just waiting for the ref to call the game at this point. Our goalie kicked the ball down the field and than the whistle blew. We won the game, and my team stormed the field. We were celebrating like crazy, and when the put me down on the ground I went over to find Izzy.
"Great game." I said and she smiled.
"You had a better one." She said and I laughed.
"I did, didn't I?" I said and she playfully hit me.
"You won't get off so easily next time." She said.
"Easy? You guys are the toughest team we play all year. My legs are Jell-O and I can barely breath." I explained and she smiled and nodded.
"So are mine." She said.
"Can't wait to play you again." I said.
"You are so on." She said. We hugged and than made it back to our teams. Tonight turned out better than expected and I was super proud of my team.
When I grabbed my stuff and got off the field Jon was waiting there for me. He pulled me in a giant hug and I couldn't help but laugh. He grabbed my stuff for me and we headed towards his car.
"Great game sis." He said and I smiled.
"It was pretty intense." I said and he laughed.
"That it was. You're lucky that girl gave up the PK." He said.
"Seriously, but you should have heard Izzy on the field. She was pissed." I said.
"I could tell from the sidelines. That girl made a stupid play." He said and I nodded in agreement. We made it home and I couldn't wait to get a shower. When we walked in the house my mom and Luke were sitting on the couch.
"How are you feeling guys?" I asked as I put my bag down. Her and Luke got food poisoning from a really strange restaurant the other night and they looked rough.
"Terrible." My mom said. "Luke is getting better faster than I am."
"You ate more than me." Luke said and Jon and I laughed.
"Want me to make you something? Hot tea? Chicken broth?" I asked.
"Hot tea sounds perfect." My mom said and I nodded. I went into the kitchen and started the water and got their mugs ready. When they were finished I brought them out to the pair. "How was your game?" She asked.
"Great. We won." I said and she smiled.
"That's wonderful. You score any goals?" She asked.
"A PK." I said. "Their one defender completely took me out. Izzy wasn't happy."
"I bet she wasn't. I didn't think I'd find a girl as competitive as you, but she comes close." My mom said and I laughed.
"I'm going to go take a shower." I said.
"Thank you for the tea sweetie." My mom said and I nodded and made my way upstairs. This year was turning out to be better than I expected, and I couldn't wait to see what else was in store for me.
Time Jump – Spring Semester
Jace POV:
Baseball season was in full swing. I loved soccer more, but I loved being able to get out on that field and play with Alec. It sucked that he didn't play soccer with me, but he just didn't enjoy it and I respected that. We just got done practice and we were getting our gear out of the truck when I heard a door slam and shouting. Alec and I looked up and Clary was running out of her house, and Simon was following.
"Don't you dare get in that fucking car Clarissa!" Simon yelled, and Alec and I both looked at each other. This was not how they normally acted.
"What are you going to do about it Simon?" She yelled back. She sounded hurt, and broken.
"I'll pop your tires!" He yelled and Clary just laughed. "I'm not fucking around Clary. Don't get in that car."
"Why not?" She asked.
"Because you're not stable enough. You're hurt, and sad, and acting on your emotions. You aren't thinking rationally." He said.
"I'm done thinking rationally. Nothing makes any fucking sense anymore." She yelled. She got in her car and sped away. Simon screamed and kicked the mailbox.
"Motherfucker!" He shouted and Alec and I decided to investigate. This wasn't like them, and I couldn't even imagine what happened that made them act so out of character.
"Simon." I called and he looked in our direction. He looked tired, and upset. "What's going on man?" I asked.
"You didn't hear?" Simon asked almost shocked.
"We heard the yelling." Alec said. "But the whole street probably heard that."
"Jon died last night." Simon said and my jaw hit the ground.
"What the fuck. How?" I asked.
"He was at a friends house doing a project, and he stayed until he finished it. It was late and he was stopped at a red light. Once it turned green he started driving." Simon explained. "An 18 wheeler decided to run his red light and t-boned Jon's car. He flipped a couple times before the car burst into flames. There was nothing the paramedics could do."
"Why did the truck driver run the light?" Alec asked.
"He was asleep. He was in the middle of a long night. He should have stopped at a rest stop, but he just wanted to get through the night." Simon said.
"I can't believe it." Alec said and I nodded in agreement.
"How's Clary doing?" I asked.
"She won't show any emotion." Simon said. "She hasn't even cried yet."
"Clary has always been secretive with her emotions. I mean, she didn't even cry when she broke her wrist a couple years ago. She just pretended that it didn't hurt." I said.
"I know, but this is different than a broken wrist. She lost her brother." Simon said.
"Do you know where she went?" I asked.
"The last place her and Jon were together." Simon said. "The soccer field at Idris." I nodded and made my way back to the car and unlocked it.
"What are you doing?" Alec asked.
"I'm going to go talk to her." I said.
"I don't know man." Simon said. "She's pretty unstable."
"I know what it's like to lose someone." I said. "I just want to make sure she's okay." I explained. They nodded and I got in my car. I couldn't believe Jon was gone, but I needed to make sure Clary was okay.
Clary POV:
I was standing on the field just looking at the goal. I kept replaying the last moments of Jon and I together. I couldn't believe he was gone. It didn't feel real, and I didn't want to accept it. I saw the body, and I still didn't believe it.
"Clary?" I heard and when I turned around there stood Sebastian.
"What?" I asked not caring how angry I sounded.
"I just saw you here, and I wanted to make sure you were okay." He asked.
"I'm fine." I hissed back.
"Clary, Jon was one of my best friends." Sebastian said. "Its okay to be sad."
"You don't know what I fucking feel." I said back. I didn't really want to talk feelings with his dude.
"I know you feel angry." He said and I looked at him. "How about this weekend we go out, and I can get your mind off it." He said and my jaw dropped. Was he really doing this right now?
"Are you fucking serious?" I asked.
"Of course. I've wanted to ask you out for some time, but Jon is your brother, and he isn't a problem anymore…." He trialed off and I walked right up to him and slapped him across the face.
"How fucking dare you." I said. "My brother died last night and you're asking me out on a fucking date because Jon isn't in the way anymore." I said, I was livid at this point. "I asked Jon personally to keep the team away from me because I wasn't fucking interested. Jon wasn't the problem, it was always me. I wouldn't say yes when he was alive, and I sure as hell won't say yes in his death." I said by.
"Clary." He started. "Just think about it." He said and I just couldn't believe what he was saying right now.
"I will not fucking think about it." I yelled. "The answer is no. It will always be fucking NO!" I continued to yell. Sebastian started to back away but I just matched his steps. I was angry, and he was my target.
"Clary!" I heard someone yell and I turned around and there stood Jace.
"What are you fucking doing here?" Sebastian said and I turned back towards him.
"Who fucking cares what he's doing here." I yelled. I turned back towards Jace and for some reason, seeing him, I couldn't hold it in anymore. He walked up to me, he looked into my eyes and the tears welled.
"Oh Clary." He said and he scooped me into his arms. My arms went around his neck and my legs wrapped around his torso, and I just let it out. "Let's go somewhere more private." He whispered and I just nodded but he didn't let me go. He carried me to his car, which was parked right next to mine. He leaned against his hood and he continued to hold me. I don't know how long we were there, but when I pulled away, something in me felt lighter.
"How did you find me?" I finally asked.
"Alec and I just got home from baseball practice when you ran out of your house. We heard you and Simon. After you left we decided to investigate. We had no idea." He said.
"It's been kept under wraps. No names were given out in respect to us." I said and he nodded. "The school knows, but other than that it hasn't been on the news or in the paper."
"How are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm broken Jace." I said honestly. "He was my brother."
"I know how hard it is to lose someone." He said. "Not letting it affect you, and bottling it up isn't healthy. It'll drive you mad." He said and I just nodded. "How are your mom and Luke doing?"
"My mom hasn't spoken since." I said. "Luke and Simon have been planning his funeral, and everything. My mom and I just can't look at caskets and flowers and headstones. It makes it real."
"It is real Clary." He said. "The minute you accept that, the minute you can start to properly grieve."
"I don't want to accept it." I said as I started crying again. Jace pulled me into his again and started to rub my back, which was incredibly calming. "I can't accept it."
"Yes you can." He said. "I know it's hard. I didn't want to accept my parents deaths either." He admitted. "I spent years with so much pent up anger, and eventually I just had to realize that it wasn't healthy, and that my parents wouldn't want me living my life angry." He explained. "Once I came to accept the truth, I felt a lot lighter, and I was finally able to grieve."
"He had so many plans." I said. "He was going to go to Florida State. He got his acceptance last week. He was so thrilled." I said. "He was going to study accounting there."
"His death can't stop you from living Clary." Jace said. "Do it for Jon. Make him proud." I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. He kissed my forehead and I leaned back into him. He continued to rub my back, and I felt so much better. Now that I wasn't holding it all inside, maybe I could lay to rest my amazing brother, and give him the proper send off.
"His funeral is next week." I eventually said as I pulled away from Jace. "Will you come?"
"You don't even have to ask Clare." Jace said. "Jon and I were friends. Great friends. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He said and I nodded. "Want me to call Alec, and have him bring Simon so you don't have to drive home. I don't want anything happening to you."
"Okay." I said. I got in the car and Jace called Alec. 15 minutes later Alec and Simon pulled up. I hugged Simon and Alec and gave Simon my keys. He got in my car and drove it back to my house and I got into Jace's car. When we started heading in the opposite direction of our houses I got confused. "Where are we going?" I asked.
"The place I go to on the anniversary of my parents death." He said, and I nodded. "Which actually happens to be today."
"Oh my god." I said. "I'm so sorry." Here he was dealing with my problems, when he has his own personal business to tend too.
"It's okay. It gets easier over the years, but it's the place I feel closest to them. I figured it was worth a shot to see if it does the same for you." He said and I nodded. When we got there, we walked in and I was blown away. It was a beautiful greenhouse with so many flowers, and colors.
"Wow." I said as I looked around.
"My mom and dad brought me here when I was little." Jace said and I looked at him. "I was so confused why they would bring me to a place with flowers. I mean we had a garden at home." He said with a laugh. "But we spent hours here." He said. "Looking and learning about all the different flowers. When it was time for it to close I didn't want to leave." He expressed. "We came back for the next 4 years. And I found myself at the door steps every year on their anniversary."
"How old were you?" I asked realizing I didn't know much about Jace's past.
"I was 12 when the were killed." He said. "Home invasion."
"Where were you?" I asked.
"With Alec." He said. "We had a game the next day and we always alternated houses so our parents could carpool."
"That was lucky for you and Alec." I said and he nodded.
"I was super happy that they decided to keep me." Jace said with a smile. "Maryse and Robert decided when I was in 8th grade that we couldn't stay in our town anymore because of all the pity I was receiving. They knew I didn't want it. So we moved across from you guys and the rest if history."
"I'm really sorry you went through all of that." I said.
"It was tough. You knew me back than." He said. "You knew how closed off I was and how terrible my attitude was." He said and I laughed. "It was sophomore year when I finally turned it all around."
"I did notice a difference, but I could never tell what it was." I said and he smiled.
"I come here on the day it happened, and I visit them their graves the day after." He said. "It's a tradition that I really enjoy having because it makes me feel like they're with me."
"I hope I get that." I said.
"I think you already found it." He said.
"How so?" I asked.
"You went back to the last place you were together." He said. "This was the last place my parents and I went too as a family, and I never once hesitated to come back after they were gone." He explained. "You went to the field, you went to get closer to your brother."
"I thought it would work." I admitted.
"Did it?" He asked.
"It made me miss him more." I said.
"I felt the same way." He said. "But eventually I started smiling as I remembered all the memories we made in here." He said as we looked around. "I fell in that rose bush over there." He said as he pointed and I laughed. "My mom spent 15 minutes getting thorns out of my arm, but to this day I can't help but smile at that memory." He said and I looked at him and he had the biggest smile on his face. "And over there is where my dad knocked over a pot and broke it, than was yelled at that he had to clean it up." He said and I laughed. "And over there…" He said as he pointed to some beautiful lilies. "Is where we made the promise to come back every year, no matter how old I got, no matter how busy things got, no matter how far away I went for college, we'd always come back here as a family."
"So why bring me to your special spot?" I asked after a moment. "Why share such an intimate detail of your life with me?"
"One reason is because I wanted you to know you aren't alone." He said. "And another is because sharing intimate details of my life with you just feels right." He said and my jaw slightly dropped.
"Why?" I asked.
"I don't know." He admitted as he started looking at the flowers. "There has always been something different about you." He said as he started walking around, and after he disappeared but I still heard his voice, I figured I should follow. "You're athletic. Funny. Smart. Beautiful. Sarcastic. Down to earth." He rattled off. "Everything about you is absolutely perfect." He said. "It's been so hard to keep that to myself all these years."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I found myself asking.
"I liked our friendship." He said. "We always had a good time together, and I never wanted to ruin that with adding feelings. I didn't want to lose you because of them. Plus I was respecting Jon." He added. "He was a great friend. One of my best friends. I didn't want to over step my place in both of your lives."
"Is this the part where you tell me you can finally declare your love for me because he's no long in the way? Because Sebastian tried that, and I slapped him rather hard for it." I said a little annoyed and I heard him laugh. I didn't realize I stopped walking and he had continued.
"Not at all." He said. "I just confessed to Alec about two weeks ago about my feelings." He said. "I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure whether I should tell you or not, or ask Jon's permission to take you out." He said with a laugh. "I didn't know the proper protocol for that type of thing. I've never liked one of my friend's sisters before. It was new territory for me." He explained. "Alec kept telling me that I should just man up and tell you because I was dragging it out. And he was right, but baseball got so busy so fast, and I barely saw you around except for the occasional wave in the morning."
"Oh." I simply said and he laughed again. I looked up and he was nowhere to be found. I started walking when he came around the bend with a simple white rose.
"Do you know the meaning of a white rose?" He asked and I shook my head. "White roses are the purest of colors." He said. "They are often used in weddings as a symbol of new beginnings." He said and I reached up and took it in my hands. "A sign of remembrance." He said. I closed my eyes and they filled with tears yet again. I lifted the rose to my nose and sniffed and the tears escaped. When I opened them again Jace was gone. I looked around and started walking in a direction, not knowing where I was going. When I turned the corner he was standing there with three red roses in his hands. I made my way over to him and he handed one to me.
"What do res roses mean?" I asked.
"Love. Romance. Beauty. Perfection." He said and I just had no words I was completely speechless.
"Who are the other two for?" I asked.
"I have an idea." He said. "Are you in?" He asked.
"Uh…." I said and he smiled.
"It'll be worth it." He said.
"Okay." I said. He reached his hand out and I took it without a second thought. Our hands fit so perfectly together. We walked back to the door and an older man was standing there sweeping.
"Good evening Hodge." Jace said and the man looked up and smiled.
"Jace." He said. "I was wondering when you were coming in." He said.
"I was just showing my friend here your beautiful garden." Jace said.
"Ah." He smiled. "And how did this young lady like it?" He asked.
"Its absolutely beautiful." I said.
"I keep it together for my wife. May she rest in peace." He said and I smiled and nodded. "I see you got some flowers there." He said as he gestured to my hand. I smiled and nodded again. "My wife always loved the roses I grew." He said. "I think that's why this place is filled with them."
"They are really beautiful." I said and he smiled.
"My wife's favorite color rose was lavender." He said. "Do you know what lavender roses mean?" He asked and I shook my head. "Love at first sight." He said with a smile on his face. "I gave them to her on our first date, and that's what sealed the deal for us."
"That's really romantic." I said and he smiled.
"I put a dozen on her grave every year to let her know that my love hasn't faded since she's been gone." He said and I just couldn't get over how sweet it was. "Just because she's gone, doesn't mean my love died." He said.
"That's really sweet." I said and he smiled.
"You've got yourself a good one." He said as he gestured to Jace. "One of the best kids I've ever met in my life." He said and my cheeks started burning.
"It was good to see you Hodge." Jace said. "Same time next year?" He asked.
"I'm always here." He said and Jace laughed. I forgot for a second that we were holding hands until I felt him gently pull me towards the door.
We got to his car and he started driving. I didn't know where we were going until we pulled into a cemetery. He parked the car and we both got out. He reached his hand out again, and like before I took it without a second thought. He led us to a headstone. We stood in front of it and I read.
Stephan and Celine Herondale
Beloved mother, father, son, daughter, husband, and wife
Ave Atque Vale
"What does it mean?" I asked as I looked at the headstone.
"Hail and farewell." He said. "My dad and I liked to learn Latin together." He explained. "When Maryse and Robert asked me if there was something I wanted to put on their headstone, I wanted something that was meaningful, and it really spoke to me."
"That's beautiful." I said. He bent down and put on rose on top of it. Kissed his fingertips and pressed it to the marble. He stood back next to me. I snaked my arm around his waist and he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him. I felt him press his lips to my head. I closed my eyes and soaked in the moment.
"Come on." He said and I was confused.
"Where are we going?" I asked. He took my hand in his and led me away from his parents grave.
"You'll see." He said. We got back in his car and started driving yet again. We got to stop light, and it was red. I didn't think anything of it until it turned green, and Jace went but soon pulled over to the side of the road. He got out and I followed.
"What are we doing here?" I asked.
"This is where it happened." He said and I looked around. My eyes instantly filled with tears. Jace walked over to me, wiped the ones that escaped and handed me the last red rose. "This is your turn." He said and I took it and nodded. There was a railing because the road ended and the forest began. I walked over to it, and placed the single red rose on top of it. I tried my hardest to be strong but I just broke. I felt an arm wrap about my waist and I leaned into Jace. We stood there, and I cried and Jace rubbed my back and held me up. When I noticed that the sun was starting to set I pulled away from Jace. He smiled at me and I smiled back. We made our way back to his car and without another word he drove us home. He parked his car in front of his house but neither of us moved. I finally turned towards him and leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you for today Jace." I said and he smiled.
"You can get through this Clary." He said. "I have nothing but faith in you." He said and I smiled.
"I'll see you around." I said and he nodded. I got out of his car and made my way to my house. I walked inside and my mom, Luke, and Simon were all sitting there.
"Oh Clary." My mom said when she saw me. She got up and pulled me into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry for running off mom." I said. "I just needed some time."
"I understand sweetheart." She said. "Where did you go?"
"I went to the school. I just stood on the field." I said and she nodded. "Sebastian tried asking me out and I flipped, but than Jace found me." I said.
"Simon told us he went after you." She said and I nodded.
"He calmed me down, and took me to this greenhouse. It was beautiful." I said.
"I was wondering where the roses came from." He said and I blushed as I looked down at my hands.
"Yea. He gave them to me." I said. "Than he told me a story about his parents." I said. "We went to their grave, and he placed a single rose on it, and than he took me to the place where Jon was hit." I said. "I placed a single red rose on the guard railing and just cried."
"Oh baby." My mom said.
"It's okay." I said. "I needed it." I told her and she nodded. "Plus, I had Jace with me. He really helped." I said and she smiled.
"We picked a day." She said. "His funeral will be on Tuesday." She said and I nodded.
"I know I've been gone all day, but I just really need sleep." I said.
"Oh of course sweetheart. I'm glad you'd okay." She said.
"I don't think I'll be okay for awhile, but I'll get there." I said and she smiled and nodded. I made my way up to my room and just laid in my bed in the clothes I was wearing. Today had been an emotionally exhausting day. But I had also learned a lot today. About m feelings, about Jace, and about life. And even though I didn't understand why Jon of all people had to leave, and I might never understand why, but I knew one thing for sure, I could over come it, and I could keep living.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Jace POV:
Today was a huge game, and not just because we were playing Idris, but because of something I had been planning for my team, and the team of Idris as well. Jon played baseball as well, and seeing all those people at the funeral for him, I just couldn't do nothing. I talked to Maryse and Robert about my idea, and both the athletic directors of the schools, and they thought it was a great way to honor Jon and that's something that I really wanted to do. Especially when I'm still in high school.
"Hey Iz." I said while I was about to leave for the game.
"Yea?" She asked.
"You remember what to do?" I asked and she rolled her eyes.
"I have to get her to the field. It's a pretty simple plan." She said and I laughed.
"I know, I'm just making sure." I said and she smiled.
"She'll be there." Izzy said and I nodded.
Alec and I got into the car and got to the field. The game was at Alicante today, so no need for a bus. When we pulled up, Alec and I grabbed out gear and the two boxes for each team. We made our way to the field where everyone was waiting. Alec and I put the boxes down and everyone gathered around.
"I know we're rivals, but I figured today we could put that past us." I said and everyone just stared at me. "As we all know, Idris lost a crucial member to their team a couple months ago." I said and I could tell that the Idris team was upset. "Jonathan Fray was more than just a rival to me. We were neighbors, and he was truly one of my best friends." I said. "I couldn't leave this school without honoring him in some way." I said. I reached in the box of jerseys for my team and lifted it up. "Today, we aren't rivals. Today we come together to celebrate a person who meant a lot to me, and a lot to so many other people." I held the jersey up. "Today we play for Jon." I said.
"Wow." The Idris coach said, emotions clearly in his voice. "This means a lot." He said.
"That box is yours." I said as I pointed to it. "Today we are all number 15, and we are all J. Fray." I said.
"Thank you." The coach said. "This is more than I could have ever done."
"Today is about Jon." I said. He nodded and handed the box of jerseys to his team and they started handing them out. Today was going to be a good game, I could feel it.
Clary POV:
I was sitting in my living room when I heard a knock on my front door. When I got up and opened it, there stood Izzy with a big smile on her face.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I'm getting you out of this house." She said.
"I don't really want to go anywhere Iz." I said.
"I know, but that's why you need too." She said. "Alicante is playing Idris in their rivalry baseball game. Come with me." She said.
"Izzy…." I said.
"No." She said. "Jon would want you to be there." She said and I sighed. "Come watch Jace and Alec with me. Watch them kick Sebastian's ass."
"Hey, that's my team!" I protested and she laughed.
"Please Clare." She said and I groaned.
"Okay." I said and she cheered. "Just let me change." I said and she nodded. She came in and I went to my room and put jeans and a t-shirt on. I got downstairs and motioned for Izzy to lead the way. We got to her car and we were off. We got to Alicante and we made our way to the field. The teams were warming up, but I noticed something strange. Every single player was wearing the same number. Number 15. Jon's old number. When we got even closer I noticed they all had names on the back on them, but not different names. The same name. J. Fray. I have become such a sap that I immediately started crying. When I felt a hand on my wrist, I looked up and there stood Jace.
"Surprised?" He asked.
"You did this?" I asked and he wiped the tears off my face and smiled.
"I wanted to do something for Jon." Jace explained. "Jon meant a lot to me, and a lot to Idris." He explained. "I wanted to honor him before I graduate."
"I don't know what to say." I told him and he laughed. he held up a jersey and I smiled.
"This is for you." He said. I grabbed it and put it over my t-shirt. In that moment, I could feel Jon with me.
"Thank you." I said.
"It was the least I could do." He said. And in that moment I knew what I needed to do. I pressed myself up on my tippy toes and pressed my lips to his. He was shocked but I felt him smile after a minute and he kissed me back. When we broke apart we were both smiling.
"You've done more than enough." I said and he smiled.
"I'll see you after?" He asked and I nodded. He jogged back towards his team and Izzy pulled me into a huge hug.
"You two are perfect together." She said and I laughed. "Now, which side do you want to sit on?" She asked.
"There are no sides today." I said as I looked at all the players wearing Jon's jersey. Izzy smiled and linked our arms and we made our way to the bleachers. We sat down and I locked eyes with Jace. She winked at me and I couldn't help but smile. Today was the perfect day.
Time Jump – Five Years Later
Clary POV:
I was now a senior in college, and I honestly couldn't tell you where the time went. It feels like just yesterday I was in high school, and now in a couple months I'm about to graduate. I've loved everything about college. I ended up going to NYU on a soccer scholarship. I made sure that I got number 15, in honor of Jon.
I don't know really what I expected to come out of me kissing Jace, but the outcome that happened was something that I couldn't be more thrilled about. Since he was a year older than I was, he left to go to college, and it was a pretty hard year for me. Not because we broke up or anything, but because not seeing him every day was tough. I still have Simon and Izzy, but not seeing him getting in his car every morning, or seeing him at my school when our teams played each other. It was something I was used too because now we weren't just friends, we were together and that just made it tougher.
But the next year Jace and I were reunited at NYU. And I know it may seem like I chose it because he was there, but the truth was, I always wanted to attend NYU, and so did Jace. It was close to home, which was something we both wanted. We were both offered scholarships for soccer, which again, we both wanted. It had exactly what we wanted to study, and we were both city kids. Leaving the city wasn't an option for either of us, and when looking at schools that had everything we both wanted, NYU was the perfect fit. It just so happened that it was what we chose, and we also got to stay together, not that we would have broke up if we went to different colleges, but going to the same one made it easier.
Now, as I stand here, with a singe red rose in my hand, and I looked down at my brothers headstone I think of everything I've accomplished and I don't think I would have been able to do it without Jace, or without Jon looking over me.
Jonathan Fray
Beloved brother, son, friend
Pulvis Et Umbra Sumas
As I stared at the stone, I felt an arm snake around my waist. I looked up and there stood Jace. He smiled down at me and pressed his lips to my forehead. I leaned into him and sighed.
"Can you believe it's been 5 years?" I said and I felt Jace laugh.
"No." He said. "Seems so much shorter."
"We are but dust and shadows." Jace said and I nodded. "It's a beautiful saying." He pointed out. "Where did you find it again?"
"English class freshman year." I told him. "I called my mom immediately and told her that I knew what I wanted to put on Jon's headstone." I explained. "We had been fighting over something to put on it for over a year and we both wanted it finalized, and when I saw it, it just stuck."
"Latin makes everything sound more romantic." He said and I smiled.
"It really does." I said. I stepped forward, put the rose on his headstone and than made my way back to Jace. He took my hand in his and we made our way back to his car. Since Jace had graduated, and I was a senior, we moved into an apartment together and it was absolutely perfect. I loved living with him, and it was the kick start to our future together after I graduated.
We got home, and Jace grabbed the mail. I made my way to the kitchen to start dinner and when Jace walked in he looked stunned. He was staring at something and I made my way over to him. He was silent. He took a seat at the table, and continued to stare at the mail.
"Jace?" I asked and he looked at me. "What is it?"
"It's from Hodge's attorney." He said.
"Why would his attorney be sending you something?" I asked.
"Hodge died a couple days ago." He said and I gasped.
"What does that have to do with his attorney?" I asked still a little confused, but also sad.
"He left his greenhouse to me." Jace said and my eyes widened. I looked over his shoulder at the mail to read it. "He said there wasn't a person on earth the he would rather have that greenhouse than me."
"That's beautiful." I said.
"I don't know how to garden Clary." He said frantically and I laughed.
"I do." I said. "I can teach you."
"I don't want to mess that greenhouse up." He admitted. "It means a lot to me."
"Which is why Hodge left it to you." I said. I took the mail and sat on his lap. "That greenhouse is apart of you. Hodge knew that. He wanted you to keep it."
"How am I possibly supposed to keep it running? I don't know how to do that." He said and I laughed.
"You do realize I am a business major right?" I asked and he looked at me. "I can run it for you."
"You'd do that for me?" He asked seeming like that was a surprise.
"I'd do anything for you." I said. "You should know that."
"I do. I just guess I'm still stunned that he left me the greenhouse." He said and I laughed.
"We'll call the lawyer tomorrow, and get everything together, and than take a look at it this weekend." I said and he nodded. "Now, what would you like for dinner?" I asked.
"Anything really." Jace said.
"Easy enough." I said and he smiled.
"I love you Clary." He said and I smiled.
"I love you too Jace." I said and he smiled before going back to opening the mail. I looked back and just smiled at Jace. Our life together was perfect. We had our fair share of fights, and shed tears, but at the end of the day, we were always there for each other, and nothing was ever going to change that. I started cooking before I took a deep breath and looked up to the ceiling. I closed my eyes and I felt Jon there with me. He's been my guardian angel since the day he left this earth, and I knew that no matter what happened in life, he was always going to look out for me. Just like Jace's parents were always going to be looking out for him. It wasn't ideal, but it was enough for us to know that we were always going to be taken care of, one way or another. Sometimes that's all you needed to know to get through.
Authors Note:
Okay, so this story was originally supposed to focus on soccer, and it started that way, but it seriously went into it's own story, and I liked the outcome and where it was going, so I didn't change it. I hope whoever requested a one shot about soccer is pleased with it, and I'm sorry it was very soccer oriented. I really tried but my fingers just went to town and this was the end result! Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)
