Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series.

Disclaimer #2: My laptop has like a billion problems and some of the keys on the left side of the keyboard cooperate and protest randomly so if there are some letters that are missing from some words just bare with me.

On with the show...


"Hey guys" Jace said with a relaxed smile as he took his rightful place, next to Izzy on their usual cafeteria table and right across from Clary's seat, where she sat down eagerly, despite the still pounding headache she felt thumping in her head like it was the drum set to a Bon Jovi concert, and the blinding white light still flickered in her eyes irritatingly through the sunglasses.

She had noticed Izzy was wearing hers too, Aline was just shielding her eyes, burying them in the palms of her hands, her elbows resting on the table as she groaned hearing Jace's voice, whimpering muffled cries behind her shield "Everyone keeps yelling".

Maia had her face in the table as Clary suspected she was sleeping, possibly snoring lowly too, obviously all of them feeling last night's aftermath greatly.

And yet all of that couldn't damper Clary's mood. Having made up with Jace and him sitting in front of her smiling and chuckling has increasingly brightened her day, in a way she hadn't imagined. It was like this heavy weight lifted from her shoulders and she could finally stretch her neck as she desperately wanted.

Jace had felt lighter too, he had been in a sour mood for the past two days, just glaring and growling at everything. He found irritation in the fact that Clary could muster this reaction out of him until he saw that she was in the same bad shape as he was. It wasn't seeing her upset, but the fact that she was as upset about not talking to him as he was about her.

The fact that he had the same effect on her as she did him was a relief he hadn't imagined. If someone had told him a few months ago that he would be this rattled by a girl, he would have probably laughed them off or possibly physically injured them.

However the mood struck then and there.

But then Clary happened.

And he hadn't known how to explain anything he had done since then except for with that statement. Something about her pulled him in, intrigued him. Hell, it called out to him like nothing else. He didn't know what that was but like hell was he going to ignore that when everything inside of him told him to go for it.

He had always been impulsive, he always said what was on his mind and he never apologized for that. It was who he is. And that's what he did with Clary. But she was the first one to ever treat him the way she did. Who rolled her eyes at his comment or turned it into a wit match that he enjoyed too much.

She had tried to convince him that she doesn't feel the same way. But the way she blushed whenever he looked at her or the way she would shiver whenever he touched her or the way she looked at him that night they almost kissed before they were interrupted by Izzy's car honking told him something different.

She was hiding something, he could tell. The way she freaked out when she saw her door open just proved that further. He wasn't an idiot. He just didn't know what it was yet. And it was driving him half mad, she was like this mystery that he wanted to solve, to know.

What had happened to him? If Sebastian or Alec would hear his thoughts, they would have a field day. Hell if he himself from a few months ago would hear his thoughts today, he would have a field day.

His mood had changed since making up with Clary, even if it meant just being her friend for now. But he knew, that it wouldn't last. Maybe it was something about him, maybe it was something about Clary, maybe it was something about them together that was different, that was something beyond friendship. He just knows it.

"I'm sorry!" Jace yelled loudly, intentionally and all three awake girls flinched back.

"I will literal murder you in your sleep if you do that again" Iz said, shielding her ears with her palms as she rubbed her head in soothing circle motions.

The two smiling figures walking in together, after a week of both of them being a pain in her arse, didn't go unnoticed by Izzy as she cast the two dirty looks behind her thick dark sunglasses, unbeknownst to the two of them. Something was going on between those two that she didn't know about and she didn't know how she felt about that.

Jace was her brother and Clary was becoming someone very dear to her, both of these people were and if there was something there, it makes her grow weary. Of course she had noticed the lingering stares and the over the top flirting but she doesn't know how deep or real this thing between them is. She only hopes whatever happens would be for the best for all of them, she knows how relationships could ruin friendships.

She looked instinctively to Sebastian and a tightness formed in her chest. No, they were different, there would be no relationship or anything of the sort between them, it would only ever be sex, unattached and purely physical. That is different, it can't ruin their friendship, it just can't. She couldn't bare to lose Seb, so even if friends with benefits is all they could be.. is all he wants from her, then so be it.

Sebastian's eyes caught her own and she quickly turned away from their intensity even through the sunglasses, or was that only in her head?

"Hey Jace, so good to see you buddy" Sebastian yelled out unnecessarily loud, just to annoy the girls further.

"I bet I can kill you with this" Aline said as she picked off her plastic knife from the tray and showed it proudly.

Sebastian rolled his eyes, "You wouldn't know how to".

Izzy groaned, "I'll teach her".

Sebastian didn't need to see Isabelle's eyes to know she was glaring at him or for confirmation that she could do it. He just knew and intellectually backed off.

"Why are you guys in such a bad shape, anyways?" Alec asked.

"Alcohol milkshakes" Clary answered.

"Too much alcohol, not enough milkshake" Aline groaned.

"Should teach you a lesson" Alec muttered.

"When, where and why did this happen?" Sebastian asked.

"My place, last night, sleepover" Clary said.

Sebastian frowned, "And you didn't invite me? I can't believe I missed naked pillow fights".

Jace looked at Clary in shock, "You had naked pillow fights?"

"Dude, that's my sister, gross" Alec said as he pointed to Izzy then stopped to add, his head turned to Sebastian as he gestured to Aline "And your cousin".

"For the seventh billion time, Seb" Is started with a groan of annoyance, cutting off everyone "We do not have naked pillow fights".

Izzy raised her voice, slightly higher than she should which shocked Maia out of her sleep, waking up with a startle before her mind regained calmness as she embraced her surroundings, her eyes puffy red and the dark circles under her eyes making them pop brighter, "I hate everyone at this table. Let a poor girl sleep".

With that she turned her head to face the other side, away from the table and tried to fall asleep again while Izzy said with sarcasm dripping of her tone "Sorry, we'll try to tear each other's heads off more quietly".

"That's all I ask" came out Maia's muffled words that made Clary chuckle.

"Don't lie to me Iz," Sebastian joked, "I heard the rumors".

"Well there was this one time," Iz started and peaked everyone's interest, whether excited interest like Sebastian or horrified interest like Alec's, "Where we all danced around a campfire naked as we sacrificed the bones of a 100 children we dug up from their graves to appease the new Gods".

"Hot" Sebastian said with an infuriating grin, obviously picking up on Is's humor and preferring to anger her further, he evidently succeeded when a tight line formed on her forehead, her eyebrows pinching together, barely noticeable behind her glasses, as she threw bits of her food on him with her spoon.

"I know you are joking," Clary started before licking her lips, "And yet that was terrifyingly specific".

"I'm not even discussing this anymore" Jace said, shaking his head.

Alec hissed horrified, "Agreed".

"Anyways, why were you two so late?" Izzy asked Jace and Clary.

"Principal" they both answered at the same time.

"You started another fight didn't you?" Izzy asked Clary with a knowing grin.

Clary frowned, "Why does everyone immediately think that?"

"Because you are way too angry for a creature your size" Alec surprisingly answered and Clary threw daggers at him with her eyes.

"Yeah well I hope you hit your head on every door frame you walk through, how is being a billion feet tall going to help you then?" Clary growled annoyed. She was not too angry. And why does everyone have a comment about her size?

"It's not a billion, just a couple hundred millions" Alec argued.

Jace leaned forward, "For the record I think this is what Alec meant" he said gesturing at her. Clary turned to Jace with the same glare and he leaned back away from her, making a gesture that he was backing off.

"But you got in a fight, right?" Sebastian asked, propping his weight on his arms as he leaned forward to get a better look at her.

Clary looked over everyone, all looking at her with a knowing look and she rolled her eyes, "Well yes".

"And you?" Izzy asked Jace.

"I was walking around with no Hall Pass for looking this perfect, principal straightened me out, though. From now on, I will always have the Too Perfect Hall Pass" Jace explained and Clary rolled her eyes.

"Does the word 'perfect' have a different meaning in Idris?" Clary joked.

"Well here it means Jace Herondale, what does it mean in America?" Jace teased.

Clary made a face that she finally understood, "Oh, then it means narcissistic asshat in America".

Jace smirked, "So all those times you called me an asshat, you were actually saying I was perfect?"

"You- It's not the same- ugh" Clary stumbled on her words, stammering, her cheeks blushing red. Why does he have to have something to say all the damn time? "Shut up".

He had smirked at her, knowing he won this round and she didn't take as much offense as she usually did when he gestured the score for her 3-1. She would have been more upset, should have been even. But she couldn't help but relish in the small joy that she and Jace were talking again and he was looking at her with that grin that she had come to associate him with.

"You know I get it now" Clary started, licking her lips as she leaned forward on the table, closer to Jace "You're pretty so no one ever told you to shut the hell up".

"You think I'm pretty?" Jace grinned.

"Shut the hell up" Clary said with a smirk as she saw his expression deflate.

"All I heard is you think I am pretty" Jace said.

"Pretty stupid that is" Clary argued, grinning when he had no response and with a little dance and shake of her shoulders, leaned farther closer to Jace, touching his fingers and raising another one on the hand that previously gestured one to now make it two, signaling their score now is 3-2.

When she touched his fingers she felt the immediate electricity, and it was gone as soon as it came when she pulled her hand back. Jace sent her an amused smirk while she grinned irritatingly, he didn't seem irritated.

Clary stomach growled then and she realized she hasn't eaten anything yet, "I'm gonna go get myself a sandwich. You guys need anything?"

They were courses of 'No's and 'thank you's and one distinctive murmur of 'Sleep, please' from a very tired Maia, laying head first at the table, muffling her words so that they were only barely understandable and Clary nodded as she got up to get herself something to eat.

When she got in line, she felt someone's eyes on her and she turned around sharply to see Kaelie, standing in line behind her. She almost wanted to slap the girl but with Seelie by her side, Kaelie had acted like a perfect little angel.

Clary had half the mind to expose Kaelie in front of her friend, just because she seemed so intent on not letting Seelie know she was a bitch. In fact she could see it in her eyes, that she was scared she would but she had settled on pretending she doesn't exist, hoping the two of them would follow her lead on this one.

"Clary, it's nice to see you again" Seelie had said, almost sounding excited as she saw her.

Guess not.

"Seelie, nice to see you too" Clary said with a tight smile as she looked back at the girl, then looked at Kaelie, "Kaelie", she said her name with such obvious disdain. She hadn't particularly cared about the girls but something about Seelie just rubbed her off the wrong way and Kaelie was...

Well, she was Kaelie. And if that could be a personality trait of its own, she would use it so.

"Clary" Kaelie matched her tone with a fake smile of her own.

Clary made sure to turn around before rolling her eyes. If Kaelie wanted to be a bitch, she should have at least had the balls to do it in front of her friend. Clary didn't know if she did it because she was scared that Seelie might see that side of her and not accept it or if Seelie had that much of a tight leash on her friend.

Funny enough, she couldn't tell who was worse between the two.

And she didn't care.

If she could just not see those two ever again, she wouldn't mind at all.

"So Clary" Seelie started the conversation again.

She wasn't that lucky, it would seem.

"I would assume you heard about the Winter Solstice party in two weeks right?" Seelie asked.

"Oh Seelie, if you wanted to ask me to be your date, I'm sorry to say I-"

"Not, my point" Seelie interrupted Clary's sarcastic response with a wave of her hand, "My point is that they announce Winter Solstice princesses in this party and the people who are chosen as princesses are usually the main candidates for Prom Queen".

"Well thanks for the offer but I am not really a princess" Clary said dryly, catching on to what Seelie meant but deciding to drag it out further just for the fun of it.

"I meant" Seelie said and Clary could tell she was getting annoyed by the way her brow twitched and her tone tightened, sharpening slightly. She vaguely wondered in the back of her head if she would have noticed these things if she didn't have an experience reading people as well as she did. "to ask if you were voting for me".

"I haven't really given it much thought" Clary admitted truthfully. She hadn't even known about the Winter Solstice party or the princess voting ceremony or whatever. She didn't really care either.

"Well you have two weeks" Seelie said smiling, "I would give it a thought if I were you".

Her innocent smile should have given Clary the sense of calmness or perhaps safety, but Seelie smiling just seemed to give Clary the impression of a wolf in sheep's clothing. She smiled tightly at the girl nodding as she turned around when the line moved and it was her turn now.

She paid for her food and decided to not think about Seelie. It seemed like the Prom Queen thing mattered to her a lot, Clary didn't know or care to know why, and maybe she should entertain the idea of being on Seelie's good side for now and vote for her, but she just for the life of her couldn't figure out why she doesn't trust that girl.

When she was walking back to the group, she caught snippet of their conversation. Her pace has slowed down as she caught their words and she realized none of them had seen her coming back.

"I think we should tell her" Izzy said.

"Are you crazy?" Alec said with the most annoyed expression she had ever seen on a human being before, "We can't trust her".

"I trust her" Is argued.

"So do I" Jace agreed.

Clary realized quickly they were talking about her. Trust her with what? Was this the secret they were taking about a while back?

"Are you so desperate to get laid that you'll just tell this girl all your secrets? You don't even know her" Alec growled at Jace and Clary immediately tensed at his words, both eager and paranoid of hearing Jace's response.

"There was so many things wrong with that sentence, I'm just gonna pretend I didn't hear that" Jace said and Clary sighed, in relief or worry, she wasn't sure. She knew Alec didn't trust her because of the whole wig thing but all in perspective she had kept him and Magnus a secret per his request long before he figured out she was hiding a secret too.

True she had used that to blackmail him.

But it still should have counted, right?

"Look I am not saying we tell her or we don't, but why do you not trust her Alec?" Sebastian asked.

Clary liked that despite not having much time with Sebastian, he had the decency to keep an open mind about telling her whatever secret the group was hiding. Even though she knew she shouldn't be spying or listening in on this conversation, she couldn't help it, she was curious. What was the group hiding? What is this big secret and why doesn't Alec want her to know?

And for freakin sake they were talking about her, doesn't that give a girl an eavesdropping pass?

And despite her curiosity, her pride was greater and would not let her ask them those question. Moreover, it wouldn't be fair to them if she insisted on knowing their secrets when she wouldn't share her own.

"She's like a ticking time bomb" Alec said.

"She's like five feet of anger management issues, what's the worse she could?" Jace asked.

Clary frowned, why does everyone seem so intent of focusing on her anger issues? It's not that bad. And she's five foot and two damn inches.

"I say we trust her with this" Aline said and Clary heard Maia murmur something of an agreement. She hadn't realized Maia had woken up even.

She decided she better get out of hiding before she was discovered so she walked closer, making sure to make as much noise with her feet as possible, to let them know she was coming and Sebastian had noticed her first, starting to cough to cut over the group's talk as he gestured with a nod of his head to the side to where she was.

Clary almost laughed as they all quieted down. Suckers, she thought proudly, she's had years of training.

"Hey Clary" Izzy said first with an overly cheerful and present voice and Clary pretended to be confused, giving Izzy a weird look, "Uuumm hey Iz?"

Iz looked over everyone at once then looked back at Clary with a determined look, "Hey Clary, can you hang out tonight?"

"Sure" Clary answered as she took a bite out of her sandwich.

"I mean late at night, like start at 11-ish? Would your mom approve?" Izzy asked, Clary saw in the corner of her eye Alec scowling. This guy is always angry at her for no apparent reason.

Clary seemed to think it over for a moment before nodding, "I'll think of something. What are we doing?"

Izzy opened her mouth but was interrupted by Jace who intervened quickly, "It's a surprise".

"What are we, going to fight some demons in the middle of the night?" Clary joked.

"Yes, so bring your leather jacket and your seraph blade" Jace teased back.

"I could understand the blade but why the leather?" Clary asked.

"So we'd look good while killing demons" Jace said as if it was obvious and Clary chuckled.

Clary had so many questions and she knew Jace could tell that from looking at her but she nodded, trying not to lose her cool exterior pretense, even if it was nonexistent in actuality.

"Okay, great" Clary said. Not great. She really was impatient to know. She also had to think of a way to make her mother approve of this since she wasn't working tonight.

Her brain laughed hysterically at the idea, impossible.

Then she needed to think of a way so that she wouldn't know. A sudden idea formed in her head and she almost patted herself on the back for it. Little kids game but could work well in her situation.

"I'll pick you up" Jace said. Clary almost wanted to protest but she realized she couldn't since technically trying out this friends thing meant that she doesn't have any reason to protest to this idea and she just nodded instead. She doesn't trust herself alone with Jace. Wasn't it twenty minutes ago they were almost kissing again?

The bell rang then, putting an end to their conversation and the group was about ready to get up. Alec had tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for her and Clary wondered why he kept doing this when he was so clearly not a fan of her (impossible, right?) and was not shy about it in front of the group.

At first he did this because he had no excuse to tell Izzy on why he didn't want to take the little girl to class but since finding out she has a secret of her own, he had not been very subtle with not liking her. So why keep up the pretense of walking her to class?

She figured that talking to her alone gave him some sort or reassurance that she wouldn't blab about his secret, but according to Iz, the secret was out now, so it would not be that.

Perhaps he thought if he kept her talking, she would slip up and tell him her secret.

But upon noticing his impatience, Clary had taken extra pleasure in annoying him, being exceptionally slow and difficult each time. Annoying him just added another layer of amusement to her day.

They had walked in silence until they left the cafeteria and were alone when Alec said, "I know you heard our conversation earlier".

Clary pretended to baffled, "When I was sitting with you guys? Yeah I think it stemmed from the fact that I was sitting with you guys there".

"Don't act stupid" Alec narrowed his eyes at her.

Clary frowned, "I was actually going for innocent bewilderment".

"You just look stupid" Alec said.

"Well you just look like a jerk, so I am not sure who is supposed to be more insulted" Clary said, narrowing her eyes at him and matching his scowl and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I think it's very hypocritical of you to want to know our secret when you won't share yours" Alec said, looking around to make sure no one was listening in.

"How about," Clary licked her lips as she grinned, knowing that what she was gonna say was like pouring alcohol on the already flaming fire that is Alec's anger, "We braid each other's hair and make friendship bracelets and then I tell you my secret".

Alec's scowl deepened, if possible, as he said, "You and Jace are like two stupidly annoying peas in an equally stupidly annoying pod. You know that?"

"Well no, but it's always nice to be complimented" Clary said smiling with fake innocence at Alec as she fluttered her eyelashes at him and he just rolled his eyes. Clary had to admit that she couldn't get herself to blame Alec for the hostility between them... Actually she could but on some level she understood. His loyalty to his friends was refreshing, and he seemed to only worry for their safety and she could respect that.

Clary finally sighed, "Look, Alec why can't you just trust that I don't want to hurt you or your friends?"

Alec looked at her with a stupid expression and she almost cringed back at his harsh whispered response, "Well the wig for starters puts a big fucking damper on the trust thing".

"Yeah well," Clary cringed as she thought of a response, she had to admit he did have a point there. "Blondes have more fun?"

Alec just gave her an unimpressed look as they reach her class and she sighed with a shrug, "Well then I guess you will just have to deal with it. See you tonight, Alec".

She walked into her class and slammed the door in Alec's face, seeing Magnus as soon as she did, giving her an amused grin. She knew he had found joy in her and Alec's disagreements and she respected that he had the mind not to comment on it to her. She didn't want anyone to defend Alec to her, she understood where he was coming from but she also knew he was being just a bit too much of a douche than necessary.

She figured Magnus knew their spats weren't too much of a big deal that he hadn't asked about it, knowing that sooner or later they would find common ground. Or maybe he heard Alec's version of things and just decided to not ask about hers unless she initiated it.

"Hello biscuit" Magnus greeted smiling wildly.

"Hey Magnus" Clary said, her eyebrows pinching together as she looked him over, "What has gotten you in a good mood?"

"Can't it possibly be your bright face?" Magnus said with a charmed smile.

Clary looked him over with a scowl as an answer and he nodded, "Fair enough. I got the job at Estelle's".

"Magnus that is so great" Clary smiled happily, truly excited for her friend to start working at a job he would enjoy.

"Clary this is my dream job, I get to dress people up for money" Magnus said, "Lots of money".

"It suits you" Clary nodded agreeing.

"And you know what I am going to do with my first paycheck?" Magnus asked.

"Find a place to stay at?" Clary guessed.

"Well yes but no" Magnus said with a roll of his eyes, "Inviting my favorite biscuit to a fancy dinner, because none of this could have happened without you".

Clary crossed her arms over her chest, frowning as she asked with a dry face "How many biscuits do you have exactly?"

"Uuumm" Magnus stammered and stuttered over his words as Clary's growl rendered him speechless, "Honest answer or lie to you?"

Clary had reached out and smacked Magnus' arm to which he laughed at and she settled for an eye roll. "I'm just glad you're happy" Clary said honestly.

"Well I am glad I am happy as well" Magnus joked, "But the good news don't stop there".

Clary smiled, "Oh do tell".

"Alec and I are officially... a thing" Magnus said, Clary could see the little blush on Magnus' face as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"A thing?" Clary questioned.

"Yeah, as in he kissed me in front of his family" Magnus said.

Clary had to stifle her 'I know' and decided to try her best not to let him know she knew that already, "Oh my god, this is so huge. I can't believe this is finally happening, this is big, Magnus. I mean wow".

Magnus raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "You already know, don't you?"

Clary tightened her lips nodding, "Pretty much, yeah".

"Isabelle?" Magnus asked.

"Yeah she kinda told... everyone" Clary explained.

Magnus' eyes widened "Everyone?"

"Everyone" Clary confirmed nodding.

"Well that is wonderful" Magnus said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"Well you sound like it" Clary frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing" Magnus shook his head.

"Well obviously it is something" Clary said with a roll of her eyes, "If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine but if you do..."

"It's just" Magnus had started as he licked his lips and explained, "This thing is arguably new and I am worried that being thrown into a spotlight like that would terrify Alexander".

"Magnus" Clary cooed as she took his hand in hers, before sighing "Look I really doubt that Alec would do that, it's so obvious you two care about each other, but if you are worried, maybe you should talk to him about this? Who knows? Maybe he feels the same and you can't see it".

Magnus sighed with a sort of understanding nod before a smile formed on his face, "Yeah, you're right, of course".

Clary grinned teasingly, "Well I'm kinda right all the time so it's really no shock".

Magnus rolled his eyes as he lightly gave her arm a punch and she laughed. "Thank you Clary".

"Always" Clary smiled truthfully at Magnus.


Clary had bounced left and right, keeping her balance as she jumped from one squared box to the other, trying not to fall on her face. Despite the short distance between herself and the ground, she couldn't help but feel unsafe, but with Luke close by, she knew she could count on him.

"That's perfect Clary, we're done for today" Luke had said and she grinned triumphant as she jumped down and laid back on the training mattress on the ground beneath her.

"Oh come on kiddo, it wasn't so bad" Luke said as he took a seat next to her on one of the wooden boxes.

"It was worse" Clary said as she struggled to catch her breath.

"I highly doubt that" Luke said.

"I strongly believe that" Clary argued, she stopped for a moment as she thought of her plan again. Okay this is it, it's now or never. She has to do this so she can leave tonight with Jace. "So can I ask where are you and mom going tonight or is it a secret?"

Luke frowned as he looked at her, "What do you mean?"

Clary pinched her eyebrows together as she looked at Luke with the most fake confused expression, "What do you mean what do I mean? I thought you and mom were going out tonight?"

"What? No we aren't, I mean I don't think so" Luke said obviously bewildered as he seemed to think it over.

"Are you sure? Because I am pretty sure she said so" Clary said, "Did you ask her and forget?"

"What? No! There is no way, I mean- I think I would- Did I?" The transitioning of Luke's expression going from denial to confusion to doubt was clear to Clary and she held back a smirk.

"Either that or she knows another Luke" Clary said with a shrug.

"There is no way" Luke shook his head, "By the Angel, did I forget? How can I forget? What do I do?"

"Just think of some place for dinner and like a walk in the park" Clary said with a shrug.

"Yeah, yeah right, I'll do that" Luke said, "Thanks Clare. You're a life saver".

"No problem" Clary said as she waved Luke away as he rushed out of her house. Clary walked up the stairs, ready for a shower, grinning wildly. Okay part A is done, Luke has been conquered. Now that leaves her to make her mom believe that lie too.

Surprisingly, lying to her mom felt scarier than lying to an FBI agent.

So she walked by her mother's door purposefully and smirked discreetly as her mother called for her, she popped her head inside her mother's room. "Luke left already?"

"Yeah he said he needed to start preparing for tonight" Clary said easily.

"What's tonight?" her mother asked offhandedly.

"You're kidding right?" Clary turned suddenly serious, "You don't remember?"

Her mother's expression turned fearful, "Remember what?"

"You're going out tonight, you and Luke" Clary said as if it was obvious. She had kept a neutral expression, despite the quickening in her heart and her stomach churning in distaste at the bitter taste of her lie in her mouth, but she reminded herself this was the only way.

Her mother chuckled nervously, "What are you talking about? No I am not".

Clary bit her bottom lip, "Are you sure? Because he just said that you two are going out tonight".

"Well we certainly aren't, he never asked me to" her mother said, but Clary could see the flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

"Are you sure? Because Luke seemed under the impression you two were doing this" Clary said, "Could you maybe have forgotten?"

"I couldn't- no, I mean- would I?" her mother wondered.

"Well you have been under a lot of stress lately" Clary said nodding reassuringly.

Her mother's face turned to a one of agreement, "Yeah, I have been under a lot of stress lately".

"It might have just slipped your mind since you are always working so hard" Clary provided.

"Yeah, you're right, it really could be like that" her mother said, "By the Angel, I can't believe I forgot. Did Luke tell you anything about tonight?"

"I think he mentioned something about dinner and a walk? Like at 10:30 or something" Clary said.

"Oh that is wonderful, good, I still have time to pick out what I am going to wear" her mother said, then suddenly grew serious, "Wait a minute".

Clary's heart beat faster as anxiety overtook her. Oh no, she knew it was too easy, she figured it out now. She was so dead.

"How did I agree to leave you here all alone? No, I'll call Luke to cancel" her mother said.

"What? Mom, no" Clary argued, "I'm seventeen now, I can take care of myself".

"I don't think this is a good idea" her mother said nervously.

Clary felt just a hint of guilt for lying but she pushed past it, "Seriously mom, nothing bad will happen. I'll lock the doors and just watch a movie until you get back".

Her mother looked conflicted for a moment and Clary pressed her hand to her mother's for reassurance, "I'll be fine. Trust me".

Her mother took a final moment before sighing with a nod and Clary grinned as she got up, quickly and discreetly texting Luke Mom seems to think you are picking her up at 10:30. "Thanks Clary. You're a life saver".

Life saver, yeah right. Clary thought sarcastically as she left the room, when she was finally alone, she jumped up and down in excitement. She couldn't believe she did it.

Now all is left is for her to find a killer outfit for... whatever tonight was for. She still had no clue about the 'Big secret' but she was excited and couldn't wait for night to arrive.


A/N: Hey guys what do you think?

First off, big thanks to everyone who follows, favs or reviews, it means the world to me. Now we are back on the Clace content, next chapters would be heavy on those. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this I'll see you in the next chapter.