Thank you to anyone who followed, faved or reviewed, it means a lot to me and I hope you guys like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series.


Clary had stared out to the window the entire ride, completely oblivious to the conversations in the car around her. Her mind kept going back to Jace, while avoiding looking at him in the seat in front of her. Which was a difficult combination.

The moment they shared, for a second she would have thought it was.. intimate, the look in his eyes when he pulled her close was teasing and yet intrigued and dangerous that for a moment she thought he would kiss her, she felt a serge of disappointment and loss as he pulled back but then he whispered that sinful line in her ear and she was frozen in place.

Her mind kept going back to Izzy's words, she warned her that Jace is not the type of person to commit or be in a relationship and she was even more disappointed.

And she was angry at herself, she knows better than getting attached, no matter how much Jace fascinates her, she knew better, she should stay away. Being in her life was only chaotic, she lost people just for being in her life.

She had to promise herself, no more Jace Herondale, she needed, to put a stop to it.

The car pulling up into a parking lot pulled her out of her daze and she looked around as she noticed the others stepping out of the car and she took in her surroundings. The parking lot had a small children's park next to it on one side which was covered with green, the grass all around and there were so many small colorful slides and children were playing.

Clary's eyes wandered over the children and she noticed a little girl with a shaved head, as she looked more at the children she could see some were visibly tired and pale and one kid with a big smile but small, almost invisible eyes, down syndrome she realized. Come to think about it, all the kids looked to be in some medical condition or the other.

Jace noticed her staring and he gave her a little push with his shoulder to hers, gesturing with his head to a spot behind them. Clary turned abruptly and saw a big white building with lots of windows on each floor but the building looked too ordinary, almost bland, even as sh tried looking inside through the windows all she saw was white rooms.

"Hospital" Jace said in her ear.

Clary nodded, realization dawning on her, "My mom works here".

"Really?" Jace asked.

"Yup she got a new job as a secretary" Clary said.

"Then she must know Robert" Clary looked back at Jace as he explained, "Izzy and Alec's dad, he is a doctor".

"Oh" Clary could only nod as they followed the rest of the girls who were already inside the restaurant which was more like a small two story diner, black from the outside but with a big sign on the front of a cartoon guy eating a hamburger. The complete opposite of the place inside which was very vibrant with colors red, blue and yellow, the chairs, the walls and the tables all had some designs with the colors on them and Clary found herself admiring the place's interior design.

"So is he your dad too?" Clary asked genuinely curious and yet unsure, studying his expression to make sure she wasn't stepping on any lines, "You say Izzy is your sister but your last name is Herondale and you call her dad by his name".

Clary saw his face harden and backed away, "I'm sorry, it's really personal, you don't have to-"

"Don't apologize" Jace said before explaining and Clary was glad he did, because she wanted to know more about him, "My dad died when I was young, about ten years old and my mom.. she had problems, mental problems and.. killed herself soon after. I only had one living relative, my grandmother but a judge found her unfit to raise a child on her own, her job has her always traveling so she couldn't exactly take care of me.

The Lightwoods were family friends, ever since I can remember and Maryse.. Izzy's mom, fought nail and tooth to adopt me and I've been living with them ever since" Jace finished talking, his expression hard and yet so cold and distant.

Clary understood to a degree his loss, losing someone can always tear you apart and she hadn't thought about what to do or say before an involuntary move came over her body and she found herself reaching out for his hand and holding it in hers, "I'm sorry for your loss"

"I never understood why people apologized for things that weren't their fault" Jace said with a shrug and Clary could see he was trying to act tough like it doesn't bother him. Like nothing ever bothers him.

"I know you are tired of hearing people say they are sorry but for what it's worth, I still am sorry that you lost someone and I hope someday it won't hurt as much".

"No more 'I'm sorry's" Jace said. Clary looked up at his face which betrayed nothing except for a little shock and she instantly regretted her actions. He doesn't want you to hold his hand or talk to him about his family. She felt stupid and cased her eyes away as she let go of the hold on his hand but as she did, right when the tips of her fingers would lose their contact with his, she felt his hand take hold of hers again and squeeze it in his.

She looked back at him shocked when he smiled at her, for the first time a genuine smile not a teasing grin or a dirty smirk as he said "And maybe someday" he raised their interlocked hands as he brushed a stray hair away from her face with his thump, his touch on her cheek leaving a trail of goosebumps, "you'll tell me who you lost too".

Clary held in a gasp, how had he known? Clary was left agape at Jace and everything he does.

"Clary, Jace come on" they heard Izzy call from up the stairs, breaking their gaze and Jace looked up, moving first and leading her up with him. They climbed up the stairs and Clary saw that the second floor was just as colorful and had the same design as the other floor.

She noticed Izzy's eyes on her and Jace's interlocked hands and she quickly pulled away, the table that had six chairs, leaving one spot next to Maia empty on one side and two spots next to each other next to Izzy's and Clary sat down quickly at the seat next to Maia, not missing Izzy's side look.

The waiter came in quickly after, he was about their age with long black hair and a blue cap on that he put backwards, a gray Batman T-shirt and a jeans with a black apron hanging low on his hips and a smile on his face, he was welcoming them as he gave them all a menu on the hamburgers and left quickly.

"So anyways, I am totally failing math class" Aline said with a sigh.

"You? No way" Jace scuffed.

"I am and I can't help it, there is always so much homework and so many new things to learn and I am not keeping up" Aline said and Clary dozed off the conversation as she texted her mom.

Clary - Hey mom, you still at work?

The response was almost immediate, Yes, is everything okay?

Clary - Everything is okay, I am near the hospital at a diner, thought I would drop by and go home with you?

Mom- That would be great, my shift will be done in an hour.

Clary- Great, see you then. Love you.

Mom- Love you too.

The guy came back, asking if they decided what they wanted and they nodded, Jace shot up first "Yeah I'll make this easier for you five large burgers with the cheese sauce you have... and that would be for me what are you girls having?"

The group laughed, even the waiter chuckled slightly and Jace continued "Put an order of large fries each with that and five coke. Is everyone okay with that?"

The girls all nodded except for Maia who asked sheepish, "Isn't that a lot of food?"

"I'll eat what you don't finish" Jace joked with a wave of his hand and she rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry as soon as you taste the cheese you won't get enough of it" the waiter said as he rested a hand on the back of Maia's chair and Maia giggled as she looked up at him. Clary was shocked since that was the first time she heard Maia giggle, granted she hadn't known Maia for long so she looked around the group and saw they were as shocked as she was.

"I'll take your word for it then" Maia said smiling up at the waiter.

"You won't regret it, beautiful" the waiter said winking at her before looking up at the group and asking if they needed anything else. They shook their head no as they were still in shock to respond coherently and the waiter nodded walking away.

"Did I hear a freaking giggle?" Izzy was the first to ask.

"Maybe" Maia said with a smile.

"I never heard you giggle before" Aline said, and if Clary wasn't mistaken she detected a bit of annoyance in her tone.

"He's cute, you should definitely give him your number" Izzy claimed.

"No, no you shouldn't" Aline objected quickly.

"Why not?" Maia asked.

"Because" Aline started, almost panicking, "Because you don't know this guy".

"And my point is to get to know this guy" Maia said as if it was obvious.

Aline scratched a finger to the back of her head as she said "He could be a serial killer".

"Give him your number, if he calls you on the same day he is a creep, potentially a serial killer, if he calls you the next, a little eager maybe a bit into pleasing you more than necessary, probably overcompensating if you know what I mean. Second day you know he likes you, he wanted to wait till it was appropriate and he likes you, third day he likes you but wanted to play it cool, over three days he is a sleaze and you shouldn't answer him" Jace explained all in one go, leaving the group in silence at that and he just rolled his eyes.

"So you think I should give him my number?" Maia asked.

"Yes"

"Totally"

"Why not?"

"I say no" Aline argued again, "I just have a bad feeling about the guy".

"You have a bad feeling about all guys" Maia argued.

Aline jumped up in defense "Not true, I said I liked that one guy Izzy went out with".

Izzy scrunched her eyebrows as she said with annoyance "The one who turned out to have a wet feet fetish?"

"Then I am definitely not taking your word for it" Maia said with a chuckle.

"But" Aline started as she looked around the group then finally sighed, "Fine".

"So you excited for your game tomorrow?" Izzy asked Jace.

"Yeah, we still have like five games before the season ends but I am sure we can win" Jace said.

Clary's interest was peaked at that, she hadn't heard of any other high schools in Idris so she wondered, "Who are you competing against?"

"Some school from another country, Idris is a small country so we compete with a few schools from selected countries around us who don't have enough teams and stuff like that" Jace said.

"So sometimes you leave the country to play the game?" Clary asked.

"It depends on the year and who is competing, sometimes yeah but this year most of our competitions are here" Jace answered and Clary nodded.

The waiter then came with their orders, the melted cheese was slipping out of the burger and Clary's mouth watered, when has cheese ever looked so mouthwateringly delicious? Her stomach grumbled at the sight and she had remembered she has only eaten a snack bar and FuzeTea since breakfast.

She hadn't waited a second to dig into the hamburger, and as the taste touched her tongue she was on cloud nine, she always loved cheese but never has it tasted so good, she hadn't realized she moaned at the taste until she heard a chuckle from Izzy next to her.

"Good?" she asked.

"You weren't kidding, this is the best cheese in the world. I love it" Clary said. I would know, I've tasted it all around the world.

"Maybe a little too much there?" Jace joked and she looked at him then back at the burger.

"I am in love, nothing you say can ruin my mood now" Clary said.

"I bet if I try hard enough I can" Jace argued.

Clary looked him dead in the eyes before she said "Shut up".

They had chatted some more while they ate and before they were done Clary decided to order another hamburger as a takeout for her mom, she took out her card but was stopped as Jace handed him his own and said to count for it all.

"You didn't have to" Clary said.

"I know" Jace answered simply.

"Thank you" Clary said genuine.

Izzy took hold of Maia's hand and whispered "This is your chance go give him your number".

"Okay, okay, I am going. Wish me luck" Maia said as she got up and Aline glared after her as she went down the stairs. Izzy told the group not to move for a minute so Maia could flirt with ease before they all followed down just in time to see Maia giving the guy her number. Jace took his credit card and placed a handsome tip as Clary took her order.

When they walked out of the diner at a good distance Maia squeaked, "His name is Jordan, isn't that such a cool name?"

"That is the most bland name ever" Aline said with a disinterested expression as she climbed in the car but that didn't stop Maia's good mood.

"Hey uuumm thanks again guys for today and I don't wanna burden you more so I think I'll go home with my mom" Clary said.

"Your mom?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah she works in the hospital" Clary answered.

"Oh then she probably knows my dad, Robert Lightwood. If you see him, tell him you are friends with Jace and I and he'll tell you where to get the best coffee in the place" Izzy said excitedly as she went to hug Clary goodbye.

Maia and Aline waved goodbye from the car and Jace opened the trunk for her to get her stuff, "Do you need help with that?"

"No that's fine, I'll manage" Clary said with a smile, taking her bags as she looked up at Jace, "Thanks again".

He rolled his eyes, "Stop thanking me".

Clary chuckled nodding as she waved goodbye, crossing the street to get inside the hospital and watched Jace drive off.

As she came in she saw her mother behind some desk, while a male and a female doctors leaned across it from the other side and they were all laughing about something. Clary watched her mother laughing for a moment, she was so happy that Clary couldn't help but smile at that.

"Clary" Her mother said as she caught sight of her, she gestured her to come closer and she did.

"Hey mom" she hugged her mom and looked at the two doctors awkwardly.

"That's your daughter Miranda? She looks just like you, except for the hair" Clary smiled at the woman's compliment. She really hated that she had to wear a blonde wig when her mother didn't.

She had carrot red hair while her mother's hair color was more relaxed and dark and better. Two red heads travelling brought too much suspicion and apparently her hair even more.

"We've been told" her mother joked as she went to introduce them and Clary shook their hands, "Guys this is my daughter Clary, Clary this is Doctor Linda and Doctor Robert".

"Robert Lightwood?" Clary asked. Well that was easy.

"You know me?" Robert asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm friends with Isabelle and Jace" Clary said.

"You're friends with my kids? That would explain the hundred shopping bags you have, I know my Izzy's work when I see it. Since you're friends with my kids I'll tell you a secret. On the third floor on the right of the elevator at the end of the hallway next to the Hospital day care is the best coffee shack you'll find. Try it some time, it's the best coffee you'll have".

Clary chuckled, "Izzy said you would tell me that".

A proud smile broke on his face, "Ah my little girl knows me too well".

"Your kids sound wonderful, Dr. Robert but Clary and I should be going now" her mother cut off with a smile as she got up from her chair collecting her bag.

"I'll see you around then, Miranda, Clary, have a nice evening" Robert said with a smile as he walked away with Dr. Linda.

"So how was your day honey?" her mom asked as they walked out to the parking lot.

"Exhausting, I can't wait to get home and sit around doing nothing. Oh also I got you a cheesy burger from the diner across which is the best cheesy burger ever, believe me" Clary said as she got in the car.

"Thank you honey" her mother said as she started the car and drove out, "So who are Isabelle and Jace?"

"Some of my friends" Clary shrugged.

"Although Jace sounds like a boy's name" her mother said and Clary looked at her mother with her best 'You don't fool me' look.

"That's because it is, mom" Clary said like she was explaining it to a five year old.

"I don't know how I feel about you being friends with boys" her mom said her fingers tapping the steering wheel.

"Mom, you told me to make friends" Clary argued, "And what's wrong with guy friends?"

"There is nothing wrong with guy friends but I just hope none of these so called guy friends becomes a boy friend" her mother said with a slight worried tone.

Clary looked away from her mother but was pulled back by the sound of her mother stammering, "What- What- What was that look?"

"What look? There was no look" Clary argued quickly, "Mom, Jace is just a friend and I don't see him that way, besides yesterday you said you wanted me to have a boy friend, which I am not saying that Jace is that, but you didn't have a problem with that idea before".

"I know what I said but I thought if you have a boyfriend I would meet him first and it will be in at least a few weeks when we got actually settled" her mother said and Clary rolled her eyes.

"Mom you are being ridiculous, Jace is just a friend" Clary said.

"Alright but I reserve the right to worry I am your mother" her mother said.

"Okay Miranda" Clary said with a disbelieving tone and roll of her eyes.

Her mother sighed but decided not to mention it more, "Any other friends besides these two?"

Clary leaned her back and said, "Yeah, I was with Maia and Aline too, and they have two other guys in the group, Sebastian and Izzy's brother Alec, Oh and there is this one guy in Art class, Magnus he is so fun and funny and extravagant and-"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"MOM!" Clary yelled and her mother raised her hands up in surrender.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" her mother said before casting her a glance, "Well is he?"

"He's gay mom" Clary yelled once more and sighed, crossing her arms over her chest and slumping back.

"I'm kidding sweetie, be friends with whoever you like, just be careful okay?" her mother said.

"Aren't I always?" Clary joked as they pulled into the house and she picked up all of her bags as she climbed up the stairs to her room.


She spent the day as Izzy suggested trying to walk in her heels, so far it's been an hour and she has only fallen six times which was a big accomplishment for her. She found herself thinking of the outfit she was wearing to the party and unfortunately, couldn't help but think about Jace's reaction when he sees what she is wearing.

She was so dazed in thought that she didn't hear her mother come into her room, "My daughter in heels? I thought there was an earthquake".

Clary stifled a shriek, "Mom, what are you doing?"

"I was wondering what was with all the ruckus, turns out it's my daughter trying heels for the first time" her mother joked as she sat down at the edge of her bed, "Any special occasion?"

"Tomorrow there is a party after the soccer game" Clary said, anxious now because she forgot to ask her mom for permission.

"I don't remember agreeing to that" her mother said with almost an unsure expression.

"Mom I told you about it" Clary went for the full faced lie, "You said it was okay".

"I'm not sure I did" her mother wondered again and Clary wasn't sure if she actually knew or was teasing her.

"I could have sworn I asked and you said yes" Could. But she wouldn't.

"I don't remember but in any case, I don't mind. Now where is this party?" her mom asked.

"At the Lightwoods" Clary answered. Their father had a night shift and their mother was out of town on business Izzy told her.

Her mother sighed, "I knew this day would come, just be sure that whoever offers you alcohol you say no, you understand Clary?"

Clary rolled her eyes, "Mom you know me, I would never. Also can you drive me to the game tomorrow?"

Her mother nodded, "I have a late shift but I will be home by three but I expect you to give me a call at 12 from home."

"Mom" Clary whined, "The party won't even start before 11. 2 a.m.?"

"Absolutely not" her mother shook her head.

"1:45"

"Not a chance"

"1:30 that is as low as I'll go"

"Keep dreaming"

"Mom! You said it yourself I never go to these parties, please let me stay until 1:30, I'll still be leaving earlier than everyone else, please mom?" Clary tried her last resort, pleading, she looked at her mom with her best puppy dog eyes.

Her mother looked at her for a minute before finally sighing, "Fine, but you keep your phone with you on all times. Okay? And call me when you get home".

Yes! Clary hugged her mother as she thanked her, actually excited. She never went to parties, unless you count her classmate's 12th birthday in which she threw up that day and had to leave early.

"Don't get too excited and try to work on walking with heels more. You need the practice" her mother said with a scrunch of her nose, "You're awful at it".

"Geez, thanks" Clary said as she took off her wig and the bald cap to let her wild red curls free.

Her mother kissed the top of her head before walking out of the room, "No problem sweetie."

She looked back in the mirror and smiled, she was excited for tomorrow.


A/N: So guys tell me what you think if you liked or didn't like or anything you want to say.