One Hundred and Eighteen:

Trial

Jace POV:

Growing up in a semi-small town came with a lot of disadvantages. Not a lot of women to pick from, you can't run away from a crazy ex, your picking of friends isn't ideal, of and if something happens, everyone knows about it.

That's the position I'm in, and have been in since I was young. You see, what happened with my family is known all over town, but it's considered quite taboo. You know the story and the details if you were around when it happened, but if you move to my town, which rarely happens, you'd never know about it. People liked to keep town secrets to themselves, so naturally, if you're around when it happens, everyone knows about it.

Which is why, when a new girl showed up after the winter break, everyone was fascinated. It was the middle of the school year, so why was she just now transferring? And why to our small town? We didn't have much to offer, so it was unheard of to get a new girl, and a new family, but that's what happened.

It was a normal day and we were all sitting at lunch. I was naturally sitting with all the guys from the football team, and I noticed that the new girl had made some interesting friends. Simon, the school nerd. Magnus, the school glitter boy. Jordan, the school investigator (mainly just the editor of the school newspaper). His girlfriend Maia, who was the head of the scholastic decathlon team. They all normally sat together at lunch, but this time, the fiery redhead joined them. She was rather quiet but there was something about her that captivated me.

"Yo Jace, why are you staring at that table?" Sebastian asked me.

"Do any of you know about the new girl?" I asked.

"Just that her name is Clary, and she moved here from New York." Alec said. "Why?"

"Because nobody moves here willingly." I said and they all chuckled.

"It is rather odd." Raphael said. "We haven't had a new kid since Meliorn joined us, and that was in 6th grade."

"What's she like in class?" I asked Alec.

"Quiet. She seemed like she didn't want to talk, or socialize at all." He said. "I mean, not that I blame her. Oh and she was drawing the entire class. The girl didn't take a single note."

"Interesting." I said.

"Why? You going to make her your next conquest?" Sebastian asked.

"No." I said honestly. "Just simply trying to figure her out is all." Apparently that didn't please Sebastian because he scoffed before turning back to Raphael and finishing his conversation. Clary looked up and our eyes locked for a split second before she looked away. There was definitely something about her.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Jace POV:

I had to stay late after school one day to have a meeting with the principal. I didn't do anything wrong, they just understand my situation. I was walked out when I caught a flash of red in the art room. I backtracked and looked inside the room to see Clary sitting at an easel painting. Curious, I went in and watched her paint. She was actually really good, and I was pretty intrigued by what she was doing. Once she put the paintbrush down, I got a look at the whole thing.

"You're really good." I said and she nearly jumped three feet in the air. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Than don't sneak up on people." She said back.

"I didn't want to disturb you." I said honestly. "I'm Jace by the way."

"I know who you are." She said back rather aggressively.

"I'm that popular huh?" I laughed and she just glared at me.

"Not among the female population." She said. "I've been given the 'stay away from him he's mine' speech at least 7 times in the week I've been at this school."

"Ah. I see you've met the cheerleaders." I said and she nodded.

"I don't think I've met a single girl here who you haven't hooked up with." She said.

"Small town, not a lot of girls to pick from." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"Well, I'm not fresh meat if that's what you're thinking." She said and I had to admit, I was slightly taken aback by that comment.

"I wasn't." I said truthfully.

"Than why is it that I constantly find you watching me?" She asked. I thought I was being more discreet.

"You intrigue me." I said. "Not many people move into this town. In fact, we haven't gotten a new student here since the 6th grade."

"Is it that hard to believe people might actually want to live in a small town like this one?" She asked.

"No, but this town isn't normally peoples first choice." I admitted.

"Why is that?" She asked.

"There are better options out there." I said trying to stay away from the obvious fact. "But yet you moved here. Why?"

"That's a littler personal don't you think?" She asked.

"Everyone knows everything in this town. There are no secrets." I told her.

"Well, that's about to change. I like to keep my private life private. Like normal people." She said.

"It won't stay private long." I said.

"It will if I don't tell anyone." She said. "Which is exactly why you probably want to get it out of me."

"I wouldn't go spreading your secrets around town. I'm just saying, once one person finds out, everyone else will know within the hour." I told her honestly.

"Thanks, but I don't need your help." She grabbed her stuff and started leaving.

"What about your painting?" I called after her.

"Leave it." She said before continuing to walk away. There was something about her that sounded so angry, and I didn't understand why.

Time Jump – Three Days Later

Jace POV:

I was leaving class a little late, when I spotted Clary in the hallway. After our last 'friendly' conversation I was about to just walk right by her, but I saw Sebastian lurking in the hallways as well, and if she didn't like me, she sure as hell wasn't going to like him. So I made a split second decision and went over to her.

"I am now approaching." I said as I walked over to her, and she turned her head in my direction. "Better warning this time around?"

"What do you want Jace?" She asked. I made my way over to her so that Sebastian couldn't listen in.

"Sebastian has been staring at you since I turned the corner, and if you don't like my reputation, you are going to absolutely despise his." I said truthfully.

"So what? You're acting like my knight in shining armor?" She asked.

"I wouldn't put it like that." I said. "Just trying to help you out."

"Well, I didn't ask for your help." She said bitterly. She slammed her locker and practically ran away. I shook my head as I headed towards my class. Sebastian had taken off the other way the moment she slammed her locker, and although Clary didn't seem too pleased with me, at least Sebastian wasn't going to bother her anymore.

Time Jump – Two Days Later

Jace POV:

It was lunch time, and I was walking into the caf when I saw Kaelie stick her leg out and trip Clary. Her books went flying all over the place and she landed on the ground hard.

"Oops. Sorry freak." Kaelie said and her posse started laughing. I went over and started cleaning up her books for her. When I handed them to her, she rolled her eyes at me.

"Jesus, why are you always around?" She practically yelled.

"Small school? We all eat lunch together." I said.

"Oh please. You know what I mean. First you try to pry into my personal life, than you try and swoop in like I'm a damsel in distress, and now you're acting chivalrous?" She asked and the whole cafeteria is looking now. "News flash Jace, I don't need anyone to help me. I'm perfectly fine on my own. I don't need some arrogant, man whore, asshole coming to my rescue when he wants to prove his masculinity to the world." She yelled. "Just leave me the hell alone!"

"Fine. I won't try and help anymore." I simply said before walking out of the cafeteria. I knew there was a reason I was always so cold and distant since it happened, this was the reason.

Clary POV:

After Jace left the cafeteria I felt like I would be rewarded with a standing ovation for some reason, like what happens in the movies. But the entire cafeteria was dead silent. I looked around and some people seemed completely shocked, and others just had a look of pure disgust on their faces. I grabbed the rest of my things and headed towards the table. When I sat down, I saw those same looks on everyone's faces.

"Why do I feel like I'm in some alternate universe? Doesn't the girl who stands up to the arrogant popular bully always get a round of applause?" I asked and they all looked at me.

"Oh biscuit. This isn't a normal high school." Magnus said. "You don't know what you just did." I scoffed at that.

"Oh come on. He's a player. Every single girl at this school has hooked up with him. I have class with him, he's sarcastic, and arrogant, and thinks he can charm his way through life." I said. "Does nobody see the problem with that?" I asked and everyone looked away. "Do you all just bow at his feet as well? Is everyone at this school a bunch of kiss asses?"

"Things are the way they are around here for a certain reason Clary." Jordan finally spoke up. "One day you'll see why." I didn't understand what he meant by that, but at the moment I didn't care. I said what I needed to say about Jace, and I'm glad that I did.

Time Jump – Two Weeks Later

Clary POV:

Since the incident with Jace in the cafeteria, he hasn't tried to talk to me, which I was happy about. But I do have a bunch of classes with him after lunch, and I noticed that he's been talking to all the teachers and they've been signing something for him. I had no idea what was going on, but I figured it had to be for some sports thing.

I was running late today, so I was practically running to my second period class when I saw Jace talking with a teacher out of the corner of my eye. He was signing something for Jace yet again, and that's when I realized it couldn't be for sports. It definitely made me curious. So when I got to lunch today, I simply had to ask.

"What has Jace been doing for the past couple days?" I asked curiously.

"He has to go testify this week so he won't be in school." Magnus said nonchalantly.

"You say that like it's normal." I said and everyone at the table looked at me.

"He's been testifying since he was 13. It is normal for us." Jordan said.

"For what?" I asked.

"His father murdered his mother and he was the star witness." Simon said like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"You're serious?" I asked because I just couldn't believe it.

"Why the hell would be lie about that?" Magnus asked. "The kid has had a shit life. He lives with his grandmother, who is a miserable old lady, and his father was an abusive asshole. Jace may be pretty cocky and arrogant but everyone understands why. It's why we never call him out on it." Magnus said and I nodded. "You're the first person to call him out since it happened. It's also why you didn't get the backing you thought you deserved. Jace may be full of himself, but he's been through some shit." He finished and every simply nodded in agreement before going back to their normal conversations. I didn't realize why Jace was the way he was, and I didn't understand why nobody else saw what I did. But they did, they just understood it, and they let him do it because it was his coping mechanism. And now I felt like the biggest bitch in the world because of it.

So by the end of the day, I was waiting on the school steps hoping that I would see Jace. I felt like I was waiting there for hours since it was so cold outside, and when he finally emerged from the school, he practically ran towards his car.

"Jace!" I called out to him and he turned around but didn't stop walking.

"I'm not in the mood Clary." He said rather angrily.

"I'm not here to pick a fight." I told him, but even that didn't seem to work. "I'm here to apologize."

"I don't need your apology. You wanted me to leave you alone, and that's what I'm doing. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be late." He said as he got into his car and sped off. I hung my head wondering if there was any possible way for me to mend the bridges that I burned down. I know he didn't know it, but what we're going through isn't so different, and maybe if he knew he wasn't alone, it would really help him out.

Time Jump – Four Days Later

Clary POV:

I didn't hear a thing about the trial that Jace was testifying at. Normally when a murder trial is being held, it's all anyone can talk about, but I have come to realize that this town is a lot different than a normal town. Every single kid was acting like it was a normal day of the week. Lunch was being eaten, classes were being held, and not a single word has been breathed about Jace. It was the oddest thing to me. This should be strange, but I guess this town has been living like this forever, and I would have to get used to that.

Time Jump – Four Days Later

Clary POV:

When Monday rolled around and Jace was back in school, he seamlessly fit back into the school atmosphere like he never left. This type of behavior was so incredibly abnormal that it was starting to worry me. People shouldn't be so silent about a death, and a kid shouldn't have to act like it's the most normal thing to go testify against your own father. Hell, I have to testify against my own father and every single moment I thought about it, I got sick to my stomach.

At lunch though, I noticed that Jace seemed distant. He was simply rolling the green apple he eats every day around on the table. Not that I've noticed that he always eats green apples, but he looked kind of lost, not just in thought, but in general. His eyes looked lifeless, and he looked incredibly tired. When the bell rang, he got up as fast as he could and walked out of the caf. I sighed and got my things and headed to class.

"Regretting those words already?" I heard and when I turned around there stood Simon.

"It's not normal. For his entire life to be put on blast like that. I mean, does every single person in this town know what happened?" I asked him.

"Yea. Every single detail, and the night it happened, there was a crowd outside his house." Simon explained.

"It's not right. He was what? 12 when it happened?" I asked.

"10 actually. They just wouldn't let him testify until he was 13." He said and my heart broke.

"How can he be so indifferent towards it?" I asked. "I mean, the entire town knows his business."

"He's not indifferent towards it. He's a cocky and arrogant asshole for a reason." Simon said. "Look, things in this town might be a little backwards, but we function, and you'll have to get used to that."

"It just doesn't seem right." I said.

"Losing both your parents is never right. And being stuck with an old hag for a guardian isn't right either. But people get dealt a shit hand in life sometimes. Some more than others, but we all cope differently. And this is how he copes." Simon said and the warning bell rang. "See you around Fray." He walked towards his class and I walked towards mine. When I got in there, Jace was already seated. I took my seat next to him, but unlike what he used to do, he doesn't look up.

"Jace?" I asked and when he looked at me, I got a better look at his face. He had bags under his eyes, like he hasn't slept in weeks, and his eyes were dull.

"Yes Clary?" He asked and even his voice was different. It was tired, and monotone.

"How are you?" I asked. Stupid Clary. What an idiotic question. I reprimanded myself mentally.

"I'm wonderful. How are you?" He asked, the sarcasm was evident in his voice.

"I'd be better if you let me apologize." I said honestly.

"Go for it." He simply said.

"I'm very sorry for the harsh words I said to you." I started. "I was informed what happened a couple days after, and I've felt terrible ever since."

"Alright." He said.

"That's it?" I asked. "You aren't going to yell at me?"

"If I yelled at every woman who thought I was a cocky asshole, I would never stop yelling. You said what you said, and I get it. I'm not everyone's favorite person. But at least I don't pretend to be something I'm not." He slightly hissed and I'm not going to lie, it kinda scared me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You come to this town and put this front up that you don't need anyone." He said. "Well guess what, I can see a victim from a mile away. Something happened to you as well Clary. We can pick our own kind out of a crowd." He said and I gulped. "I chose this front from an early age because it suited me, but it doesn't suit you." I was about to say something when the teacher walked in and started talking. I had no idea how to respond to what he just said. He always knew something was up with me, and in his own weird way, he tried to help me, and what did I do? I completely called him out on what was his way of dealing with the most traumatic thing to ever happen to him? Way to go Fray, way to go.

Time Jump – One Month Later

Jace POV:

This day just kept getting worse and worse. The trial mistrialed yet again. They took almost 2 weeks to deliberate, and since I found out, I don't even know what to do with myself. I don't know how many times I have to tell my side of the story until a complete jury realizes that it happened. This whole entire town knows what happened, they should just call everyone to the stand one by one.

Pretty much my whole life has been dictated by this event, and I can't wait until the day that I was finally free of reliving the worst day of my life. But at this rate, I had a feeling that it was going to take forever to get there.

I was supposed to be in class right now, but I just couldn't find it in me to care enough to go. Pretty much since I found out the jury was a hung jury, I've been walking around like a living zombie. I barely sleep, and I barely eat. It's all consuming this feeling, and I was kinda scared that it would never go away.

I lit a cigarette as I sat under a tree. It was currently raining out, but I didn't care. Nothing really mattered anymore anyway. My life was just one testimony after another, and nothing I say will ever be enough.

Clary POV:

Since I had a study hall this period, I had asked my teacher if I could go to my car and get my sketchbook out so that I had something to do. He really didn't care what we did, so he wrote me a pass, and I started making my way to the car. When I got outside, I saw a figure standing under a tree. It confused me since it was raining outside, but when I squinted my eyes, I noticed that it was Jace.

My sketchbook forgotten, I decided to make my way over to him. I've been trying my hardest to make my harsh words up to him, but he wasn't giving me the time of day. I understood why though. But I knew what it felt like to be him, and if there was one thing in this world I knew, it was that feeling completely alone sucks.

"Those things will kill you." I said as I approached Jace.

"Good. Anything is better than this constant cycle of disappointment I live in." He bitterly replied as he took another hit of his cigarette.

"What constant cycle?" I asked trying to figure out what was wrong.

"The one where I go to testify, and after the jury deliberates for days, hell weeks, than they come back and it's a mistrial because it's a hung jury." Jace says spitefully.

"Does that happen often?" I asked.

"Every year since I started testifying." He said coldly. "And I know it's because some of them think I'm an unreliable witness, and that just makes it worse."

"Why would they think that?" I wondered.

"Because apparently a child can sometimes over exaggerate or make things up." He said with a humorless laugh. "But when you see your father murder your mother, right in front of your eyes, why would you make that up?"

"Look Jace, everyone goes through some shit. It's just how life is." I tried to make him feel better.

"You know what the second biggest scandal is in this town?" He asked angrily and I simply shook my head. "Mr. Lightwood having an affair, and Mrs. Lightwood kicking his ass out, and let me tell you: all the Lightwoods were infinitely more happy the moment he left." He said and I truly felt so sorry for him. "It doesn't come close to what I've been through."

"I wasn't talking about people from this town." I said softly. "I know what position you're in. It's the reason we moved here." I said and he looked at me. "My father is in jail too. After he attempted to murder me, he actually murdered my brother."

"Shit." He said as he stomped out his cigarette.

"And I know what the all consuming guilt feels like cause my brother was killed protecting me." I admitted. "I walk around every day wondering why I wasn't killed instead. He had so much to offer this world, and I don't. He should be alive, and I should have been killed."

"That's not true." He said as he looked into the distance. "I may be an only child, but if I had a little sister, there is nothing I wouldn't do to protect her, and if that meant dying so she could live, than so be it."

"I was almost there. His hands were around my neck, and I was so close to unconsciousness, and than my brother stepped in, and my father beat him to death with a candle stick." I said.

"Sounds like something straight out of Clue." He said and despite the horrible topic we were talking about, I actually laughed.

"I watched it. I saw his head being bashed in, and I saw the puddle of blood spill all over the floor." I said as I thought back to that night. "When the police showed up, my father was beating his dead body and laughing. He was fucking laughing." I said angrily as the tears spilled over my eyes. "So yea, I get how you're feeling. And you aren't alone."

"I've always known I wasn't alone." He simply said. "After it happened my grandmother sent me to this place for kids to deal with a traumatic event. I think it was mostly because she didn't want to raise me quite yet, but I met a lot of people who went through something traumatic like me." He explained.

"So why do you walk around with a chip on your shoulder?" I asked.

"Why do you?" He replied. "Why does anyone who has ever experienced a traumatic event?" He asked but I didn't have an answer so I didn't say anything. "Exactly. We do it because we know how incredibly cruel the world can be and the best way to cope with something traumatic is to pretend like it doesn't even bother you. And sometimes that means you walk around acting like an arrogant asshole to get through every day."

"I shouldn't have called you that." I admitted.

"It's over with now. You said what you said and I don't blame you one bit. I am an arrogant asshole, but it's how I survive. Just like you choose to be short tempered independent closed off loner."

"Is there anyway to shorten that title?" I asked with amusement.

"No." He said and I just nodded. "I have to go." He said soon after. "See you later." He walked away and I just stared after him. He got in his car and sped out of the school parking lot, and if I thought this conversation was a step in the right direction for Jace and I, I was clearly wrong. He wasn't over what I said, and I didn't blame him one bit.

I decided to just skip the rest of the day as well. It wasn't much, just last period, but I really didn't want to be there anymore. So I decided to go to my moms work and talk to her about what I should do. I needed all the advice I could get at this point. When I walked in, I noticed she wasn't in plain view, so she must be in her office. I walked back there, knocked, and opened the door.

"Clary? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in school?" She asked.

"I need advice." I said as I took a seat.

"This couldn't have waited until after school?" She asked and I shook my head. "Okay, what is it?" She asked.

"Do you know anything about the Herondale scandal of this town?" I asked.

"Such an unfortunate event." My mom said. "A woman a few months ago came in here talking about it."

"I go to school with Jace Herondale, the son, and I said some pretty nasty things to him, without realizing his situation, and I've been trying to apologize, but he won't let me." I confessed.

"What did you say to him?" She asked.

"I called him an arrogant asshole who only did things to prove his masculinity to the world, and how I didn't need him swooping in and helping me." I said and my mom sighed. "I may have also called him a man whore."

"Well I can see why he wouldn't want to forgive you." My mom said.

"But I'm incredibly sorry." I said.

"From what I've heard sweetie, that boy has had a very tough life. His grandmother is hardly a nurturer, and his father still hasn't been convicted of his crimes that he had to witness." She said. "You said some truly hurtful things, and he's probably not ready to forgive you for them yet."

"But how do I make it better?" I asked.

"Give him space." My mom said. "Just let him go about his every day life, and maybe one day he'll be ready to give you that forgiveness you're looking for." She said and I nodded.

"Thanks mom." I said as I stood up.

"I'm disappointed in you Clarissa. You of all people should know not to judge a book by its cover. Imagine if he said those hurtful things to you. Would you be so quick to forgive?" She asked and I sighed before walking out. She had a great point. I wouldn't forgive him. Not right away anyway. That didn't mean it didn't suck.

Time Jump – A Few Weeks Later

Clary POV:

I noticed that Jace was doing that teacher singing thing again, but from what I remembered, Jordan and Magnus said that it happened every year, not multiple times a year, so to see him doing it again was slightly confusing. And when I got to lunch today, apparently it was the talk of the school.

"I can't believe he's being called again." Magnus said.

"This hasn't happened since he was 14. I wonder why they are having the trials so close together." Jordan wondered.

"I can't imagine how hard that must be." Simon said. "Reliving that day over and over again. At least before he had an entire year to forget about it."

"I feel so sorry for him. My mother went over to his house and dropped off some mail that was accidentally delivered to our house for them, and she said Jace opened the front door looking tired, and completely void of life. Like a walking zombie, and Imogen was screaming in the background." Maia said and my heart truly broke for him. "She ran so far away from that house as fast as she could."

"I mean, I can't get that imagine out of the head even if I wanted to, and I didn't even see much." Magnus said.

"Wait, you were outside his house that night?" I asked and they all looked at me.

"The whole neighborhood was." Maia said. "I'm his neighbor, and the night it happened still rings in my head."

"Wait, he still lives in the house where it happened?" I asked.

"No, just on the same property." Simon said. "Imogen knocked that house down and built a new one."

"From what I've heard, that sounds uncharacteristically nice of her." I said and they all chuckled.

"Her only son is being convicted of murder. There isn't a person in this town who hates Stephen more than Imogen." Jordan said.

"So, what did you see that night?" I asked cautiously.

"Celine being wheeled out of the house in a body bag." Maia said. "Stephen being tased, and arrested while he continued to shout extremely harsh things to Jace." She continued. "And Jace, a 10 year old little boy, with blood socked clothes, tears streaming down his face, being questioned by every single cop that showed up that night."

"I can't imagine such a young boy going through that." I said honestly.

"Me either." Maia said. "He was shipped off for a year, and when he came back, that guard was up, and he's been that way ever since."

Learning more about the night of the incident really put things in perspective for me when it came to Jace. Not only did he have to live with the fact that he witnessed the worst night of his entire life, but he had to live with the fact that every single person in this town knew what happened as well. I couldn't imagine what I would do if I had to live through that.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Jace POV:

I was getting ready to go testify yet again. I couldn't believe that this was going to be happening twice within the same year. If it didn't suck enough, this just made it 10 times worse. I had packed all my things and was loading it into my car when my phone started ringing. When I looked to see who was calling, I was a little surprised to see that it was Hodge, my attorney.

"Hey Hodge, I'm just about to leave." I said.

"Jace." He said in a mild tone.

"What is it Hodge?" I asked.

"You won't have to testify this week." He said.

"Why not?" I asked as I shut my car door.

"Your father killed himself last night. They found him in his cell this morning." He said and everything in me went numb. It wasn't from sadness though. I was just shocked. After all these years, and all these mistrials, he decided to kill himself. I didn't understand.

"How?" I asked.

"He hung himself." Hodge said. "I wanted you to hear it from me first so that you didn't hear it on the news. There was also a letter addressed to you. Would you like to meet somewhere so I can give it to you?" He asked.

"That'd be great. Thanks Hodge." I said. We discussed where to meet and than we hung up. I stood there for a moment before I got in my car and drove away. After I met with Hodge I knew I wasn't staying in this town, I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't want to stay in this town when everyone found out.

Clary POV:

I got really sick this weekend, so when Monday rolled around my mom let me stay home from school. I was currently cuddled on the couch watching whatever daytime TV show was on when it cut to some news report. I tried to change the channel, but it seemed to be what every station was covering.

"Breaking News." The reporter started. "The latest in the on going murder trial of Stephen Herondale has come to an end." She said and my eyes widened. Did they finally get a conviction? "Last night at around midnight, Stephen Herondale hung himself in his cell. When guards went to go get him from his cell to escort him to the courtroom, they found him." She said and I didn't even know when I started crying, but I was. Not for that man, but for Jace. "Let's go out to our field reporter as Stephen's mother gives a statement." She said and the camera cut to Imogen Herondale.

"Mrs. Herondale, how are you feeling?" The one guy asked.

"I'm glad it's over." She said in a bitter tone.

"Are you upset over your sons death?" Another reporter asked.

"He dug his own grave, now it's time for him to rot in it." She spit out. She clearly wasn't cut up about his suicide.

"What about Jace? How is he handling the news?" Another reported asked.

"Jace disappeared last night. I haven't seen him." She said before walking back into the house and slamming the door. Jace was missing?

I shut the TV off, and got off the couch. Sick or not, I wanted to go find Jace and see how he was doing. I grabbed my keys and ran out to my car and started driving. If there was one thing I knew about Jace was that he hated being around when people found out anything about the trial, which was mostly due to the fact that that's how I felt. So I decided to search outside of the town. He might not have gone far, but he certainly didn't want to be in the town.

I was driving for maybe an hour when I spotted the familiar car. It was parked at little park. I pulled up next to it, and got out. I looked around but I couldn't see Jace. I started walking when I found a little footpath in the woods. I decided that I would check it out. When I reached a clearing, I found Jace lying on the ground. He was on a blanket and I could hear music playing. I made my way over to him and joined him on the blanket. He didn't even acknowledge my presence, so I waited for him to be the first one to start the conversation.

"How did you find me?" He asked.

"I just drove straight." I said honestly. "I figured you would be out of town when the news dropped."

"How long ago?" He asked.

"Almost 2 hours." I said.

"The town is probably going crazy." He said.

"Your grandmother gave one hell of a press conference." I said.

"What did she say?" He asked.

"That Stephen dug his own grave, and that she hopes he rots in it now." I said.

"Sounds like sweet old Imogen." He said.

"How are you?" I asked.

"All these years of testifying, all for nothing." He said angrily. "I mean, if he was going to kill himself, why put me through the torture of testifying for 5 years?"

"For his own entertainment?" I guessed. "He's the only one who knows why he did it."

"He left me a letter." He said.

"Did you read it?" I asked.

"Yea." He said. "He was one fucked up man."

"If you don't mind me asking, what did it say?" I asked. He reached into his pocket and handed it to me. I hesitantly grabbed it and opened it up.

Dear Jonathan,

The past five years have been fun, but unfortunately I knew my time was running out. One of these days the jury will realize that your story is the absolute truth, and that will be the nail in the coffin for me. I much rather go out on my on time. Don't worry though, I know I'll always haunt your dreams, and there is nothing you can do about it. I should have killed you first. It would have been easier that way.

Your constant nightmare,

Stephen Herondale.

I finished reading it and I just couldn't believe his own father wrote this to him. I knew he was sick, but this was just something out of a horror book. I looked at Jace and he was still staring at the sky. No trace of emotion was on his face.

"Your name is Jonathan?" I asked because that was clearly the most important part of the letter. To my surprise though, he laughed.

"Yea. But when I was in elementary school I hated it. I felt like I was always getting in trouble. So I used my initials JC, and came up with the nickname. It stuck." He explained.

"It suits you." I said and he finally looked over at me. His golden eyes, which were absolutely beautiful, were dull and tired. And it was in this moment, that I knew that Jace was probably the strongest guy I've ever met. "How do you cope with it? Besides the cold front and arrogant asshole personality. How do you get through each day?" I asked.

"It's hard. I'm not going to lie. What nobody knows is that I rely on music to get me through it most days." He said.

"What kind of music?" I asked.

"Classical." He said and that surprised me. "One thing my father did for me was teaching me how to play the piano. It's always been an escape for me."

"I would have never guessed." I said and he gave me a small smile.

"Like I said, nobody knows." He said.

"So why tell me?" I questioned.

"Because you told me about why you moved here." He said. "I felt like I needed to reciprocate the sharing of secrets."

"Thank you by the way." I said. "For not telling the town."

"I know what it feels like to have the entire town know your business. It's not something I would wish upon anyone." He said. "If you killed someone, I still wouldn't tell a soul about it."

"So, why this park?" I finally asked.

"My mom used to bring me here." He said. "Give me something new to look at, other kids to play with." He said. "It's normally the place I like to go to when I need to get away."

"It's a nice park." I observed. "A little dead to be honest."

"It's the afternoon on a Monday Clary. Who would be here?" He asked and I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"So, what do you want to do?" I asked and he looked at me again.

"I just want to lay here." He said and I nodded.

"Okay." I said and we both went back to looking at the sky. There was something natural about lying next to Jace not speaking a single word. And I liked it a lot.

Jocelyn POV:

Clary was nowhere to be found and I was freaking out. Luke didn't know where she was either, and she didn't leave a note. She was sick all weekend, I have no idea where she would have gone.

"Maybe she just went for a walk Jocelyn." Luke said.

"She would have texted me. And she's not picking up her phone. I'm worried Luke." I said and he nodded, than something popped into my head. "Oh! I have her location on my phone!"

"That's a little stalkerish don't you think?" Luke asked. I rolled my eyes and looked up her location.

"She's an hour away, at a little park." I said. "Why would she be there?" I asked Luke.

"Why don't we go ask her?" Luke asked and I nodded. I knew he only suggested that because I was worried.

We got in the car and made our way to Clary's location. When we got there, I didn't see her anywhere, but her car wasn't alone. Luke and I started looking around when I saw a footpath in the woods. We made our way down it, when we came to a clearing where I saw the familiar red hair. She was curled up in the arms of a boy, both of them seemed to be sleeping. When we got closer, I noticed that it was Jace. I kneeled down and shook Clary a little and they both stirred.

"Mom?" She asked in a sleepy voice. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" I asked her.

"We didn't mean to fall asleep." She said. "How did you even find me?" She asked.

"She tracked your location." Luke said.

"Remind me to get rid of that. That's some stalker shit mom." Clary said and Luke laughed.

"This isn't funny. I thought something happened. You're supposed to be resting Clary." I told her.

"I was." She said sarcastically.

"Not what I meant." I said and she smiled.

"Give us a few moments and I'll come right home." She said and I nodded. Luke took my hand in his and we went back to the car.

"She's growing up Jocelyn." Luke reminded me.

"I already lost one child, I can't lose another." I said and he kissed my temple.

"You aren't losing her." He said and I simply nodded. I believed him, I really did. I just couldn't stomach going through that again.

Clary POV:

Once my mom and Luke left, Jace and I were left there, still slightly in a sleepy daze, but I couldn't lie, he looked good after just waking up from a nap, but I expecting nothing less from him.

"Who is that guy?" Jace asked.

"That's Luke." I said. "My mom's boyfriend."

"How long have they been together?" He asked.

"A few years." I said and he nodded.

"So, why were you supposed to be resting?" He asked as we stood up and he collected the blanket.

"I have a cold, and I've been practically sleeping all weekend. I was actually staying home from school today, but after I saw the news, I just got compelled to come find you." I explained as we walked towards out car.

"That explains the robe." He smirked and I looked down to realize that I was in fact still in my bathrobe.

"That's embarrassing." I said as I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Don't be embarrassed." He said with a warmness in his voice. "You look beautiful." He said and I stopped to look at him, and what I saw was the absolute truth. "Sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out. I just meant that you are clearly just being naturally you, and it suits you. Really well." He rambled and I got on my tippy toes and pressed my lips to his cheek.

"Thank you." I said and he smiled. I made my way to my car and unlocked it and was almost in, when Jace called after me.

"Hey, would you like to go out this weekend?" He asked and I had to admit, I was pretty shocked.

"You want to take me out on a date?" I asked and he smiled.

"Yea. If you want to that is." He said.

"I would actually really love that." I said and for the first time since I met him, I saw him genuinely smile.

"Great. Does Saturday night work for you?" He asked.

"Saturday is perfect." I said.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked.

"You bet." I said. We got in our cars and we headed home. One thing was for sure, I was going to enjoy getting to know this Jace a lot.

Time Jump – Summer Break

Jace POV:

I truly thought that I would never be happy again. There was just too much bad to ever uncover any of the good in life. At least that's what I thought until I met Clary. She was truly a light in my life, and so was her mom and Luke. They have been my escape when I just felt so alone most of the time. I was forever indebted to her, and I planned on making it up to her for the rest of my life.

Turns out we both applied for the same college and we both got in. WE both picked it for different reasons: I chose it because it was far enough away that I could use that as an excuse to stay during holidays, and Clary just loved the campus, and all it's opportunities. The University of Maine was where we would spend the next 4 years together, and I honestly couldn't wait. Up there I didn't have to pretend that nothing effected me, and I could be a normal person. Nobody knew my life, or the struggles I went through and that's how I liked it.

When we both decided that that's where we wanted to go, Jocelyn and Luke immediately moved to Maine as well. They didn't move right next to the campus, but they were almost a 2 hour drive out, but close enough for Clary and I to go there and spend weekends or birthdays, or whatever else we wanted to celebrate. They moved at the end of the summer, and I was just really excited to start my new life.

I was heading to Clary's today just to hang out. Jocelyn and Luke wanted to have a nice barbeque and I love barbeques so I was all in. I didn't even bother knocking when I got there, since I never had to anyway. Clary and Jocelyn were in the kitchen while Luke was outside. I walked over to Clary and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips.

"So Jace, my mom and I have been talking, and if you are up for it, how would you like to come on vacation with us?" Clary asked.

"Really?" I asked and Jocelyn smiled.

"Of course. It'll be fun. We're going to Disney World." She said with a smile.

"I've never been." I said honestly.

"Well now you have to come." Jocelyn said.

"Uh, sure. I'd love to come." I said and Clary wrapped her arm around my waist.

"Wonderful. Now we have an even number of riders!" She cheered and I couldn't help but laugh at how excited Jocelyn was. She ran out to talk to Luke so that just left Clary and I.

"She's really excited for this isn't she?" I asked and Clary smiled.

"We had originally planned this trip with my brother in mind." She said and I could see the sadness wash over her face. "My mom almost cancelled it after it happened, but I told her that we needed something good. Something fun to remember him by." She explained. "When we were talking about it, I made a joke about bringing you, but she was all for it. I don't even know if you like roller coasters or not, but I figured some time out of this town, after the year we both had, would be healthy."

"I completely agree with you." I said. "And I've never been on a roller coaster, so we'll see." I said and she laughed.

"Well, we're roller coaster junkies, so be prepared." She said and I couldn't help but smile. This would be interesting.

Time Jump – Disney

Clary POV:

We got to Disney and we were currently in Magic Kingdom. Jace was going on his first roller coaster today, and I'm not going to lie. It was pretty exciting. I remember my first roller coaster, and it just paved the way for me to want to experience them all, and I couldn't wait to see Jace experience that. That is if he likes roller coasters.

We stood on line for one for over 2 hours, but it wasn't a boring wait at all. We just talked about fun memories, and made fun of each other. The line went by quickly and when we were finally in the seats, I looked over at Jace and smiled.

"You ready?" I asked and I don't think he could talk, so he simply nodded.

The roller coaster went, and I was screaming the whole time, just like I always did. When it was over, I looked over at Jace to see how he felt about it. But like always, he was a tough one to read. When we got off, we stopped to look at the pictures, which weren't flattering at all, but they still made us smile.

"So, how was it?" I asked. Jace looked at me and he had the biggest smile on his face. Like a kid who just discovered what fun was.

"Let's do another one." He said and we got in line for the next coaster. I knew that our relationship was still new, but I could see it growing into something so much more, and I couldn't wait to experience it all with Jace. I mean, we've been through some pretty trying times already, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, am I right?

Authors Note:

Okay, so this one shot was thought of by me, and I hope that you all like it! I wanted to leave this one completely open so that you all could draw you own conclusions for what their future is like. Their relationship is still pretty new, so they have a lot of growing in love to do, but I thought this was a great little snippet into how their future was going to pan out. Let me know what you all think and leave a review!

Also, I added Disney World in there because that's where I'll be on Sunday! I absolutely can't wait, because like Clary, my family is a bunch of roller coaster junkies, and I haven't been to Disney in 4 years, so I'm pumped!

Also, this updating has been super frequent because I'm going away for almost 2 weeks and I wanted to give you more than enough to hold you over while I'm gone! Again, I have one in the works, so hopefully I get that one to you right after I get home from vacation! :)