Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series.


"Would you stop, come on now, you know I have to go" Isabelle whined as she put on her heels, trying and failing to ignore the raven haired boy peppering soft kisses to her neck, making her giggle as a delightful shiver passed by her. She got off the bed when she was sure the boy wasn't going to stop and she got to her height -plus six inches- looking down at him on the bed, only in boxers gazing up at her with a teasing gleam, such a tempting offer.

"Raphael" Izzy whined teasingly, she wasn't exactly upset about the kisses, not at all.

"Alright fine, go see your friends, just leave me here thinking and wanting you" Raphael said with an overdramatic sigh.

A shiver passed by Isabelle's body but she had to stop herself from going towards another round with Raphael now because she was already late, she and her friends had agreed to meet up at the diner half an hour ago, "I'll be thinking about you thinking about me" she said with a flirting grin.

"Dios mio, chica" Raphael cursed under his breath "Tu me vuelves loco".

"Aguanta lo loco hasta más tarde" she winked and heard him curse again as he flopped back on his back, hitting the bed mattress with a thud as if she had just shot him dead. She took her black Jacket from off the chair where she had flung it, putting it on over her red tank top, matching her black jeans. She started to head out when a hand on her wrist stopped her.

"Wait, can I ask you a question before you go?" Raphael asked.

There was hesitance in his eyes, which was strange because Raphael always seemed composed and confident, she grew worried as she sat back down, waiting for him to talk. "Look, I've been having a lot of fun with you lately and I was wondering if you would like to make this official" Raphael said, his confident charisma back.

"Official?" Isabelle asked as her eyebrows furrowed, seemingly confused.

"Like boyfriend and girlfriend?" Raphael suggested, his eyes widened then, "Unless you don't want that and I have been reading this all wrong".

"No, no actually" Iz rushed to deny, losing her composure for a second, "I think you're reading this right".

"Is that a yes?" Raphael asked, a smile shot to his lips and Isabelle nodded. Raphael beamed up as he leaned over for a quick kiss, "How about I take you to dinner to celebrate? Tomorrow?" He asked, playing with the strand of hair covering her face and pulling it back behind her ear.

"Actually my friends and I are going to Pandemonium tomorrow night, what about the day after?" Isabelle suggested nervously.

"That would be great" Raphael said, he leaned over for a kiss but Isabelle beat him to it, giving him a quick kiss on the side of his lips and heading out quickly. She got into her car and started driving letting her thoughts consume her with what just happened.

She was a little bit freaking out, boyfriend and girlfriend was something so official, so exclusive and as soon as Raphael had suggested it she just said yes, without thinking. It was like her brain had shut out in that moment and she could only hear herself say yes as if it was the only choice in front of her. She panicked, okay? It was all very sudden and she had no time to think.

But now that she did have time, her mind was bruning with questions. Was she ready for such a commitment? Isn't this a little too soon for them? Is there such a thing as too soon? Did she make the right choice?

She couldn't help it but her thoughts wandered over to her previous unsuccessful relationships, mainly her last "boyfriend", Meliorn and it was clear how that turned out.

Horribly, that was the word for it. Undeniably and indisputably horrible.

She hated that she was having doubts about Raphael, but it was just who she was. She tried to calm her beating heart but all she could feel was overwhelmed and she had brought that all on herself with her overthinking and doubting.

It should be so simple, she likes Raphael, doesn't she? Yes, she does. Does she like spending time with him? Yes, very fun times. Was he good to her? Too good actually.

So what was the problem? What was the matter with her? Will she ever get over this baseless phobia of commitment?

She couldn't help how her mind wandered to Sebastian. It was just a brief moment but she shut it down immediately. No, no. She should not be thinking about Sebastian right now, he had nothing to do with this, that door is certainly and permenantly shut, they had both agreed they would never ever go there, what they had was purely physical and that was it. Even if it never actually feels like that was it.

She shook her head violently when she realized she missed the turn and sighed.

Her mind was clear now, it had to be, Raphael was a great guy, amazing in fact and he could be great for her. Yes, that was it.

She finally shut off all her thoughts on the subject as she corrected and found her way to the diner, parking the car a few spots away from Jace's car which she had caught with the corner of her eye. She walked inside noticing everyone was there already, she could have sworn her heart skipped a beat when she caught a glimpse of Sebastian and she would rather die before admitting it.

She sat down in the only empty seat, next to Alec who was conversing with Magnus on his side and chuckling. It made her so happy to hear that again, Alec chuckling. And to her right was Clary at the edge of the table and Jace sitting next to her, meaning across from Isabelle, perfect. Isabelle kicked Jace's knee under the table.

"Ow" Jace whined, looking at Isabelle.

She grinned, "Oops".

"What's got you on edge?" Clary said.

Isabelle would have cursed outloud if everyone weren't staring at her now. Was it that obvious or did her friends just pick the worst moment possible to become more attentive? Luckily she was quick on her heels, "Thinking about shopping for Winter Dance" she said.

"Oh yes, we have to go shopping tomorrow" Aline agreed quickly.

"We also have to go to Pandemonium" Izzy said.

"Why?" Alec asked.

"Because I said so" Izzy said with a screech.

"Geez, don't bite my head, okay" Alec said backing off.

"I could go for shopping" Clary said.

"Do my ears decieve me?" Izzy asked, hopeful as she turned her full attention to Clary, "Do I get to dress you up?"

Clary thought it over, "Only if it isn't... slutty".

"Now why put restrictions on Izzy's work?" Jace argued as he leaned forward, propping his weight on the table, Clary blushed and punched his arm lightly.

"Not slutty" Clary said looking back at Izzy.

Jace shook his head quietly looking at Izzy who rolled her eyes at the two. People in relationships were so weird.

She suddenly remembered that now she was one of those weird people again. Does this mean she will go to the dance with Raphael?

Jordan showed up to the table with a pad and a pen, smiling at Maia, "Hey guys".

"Yo Jordan" Sebastian got up and shake his hand, followed by Alec and then Jace.

"Good to see you guys again" Jordan grinned. They had surprisingly gotten along famously after their interrogation routine at the party, well after Alec and Sebastian's various interrogation tactics, Jace had shown up and the two hit it off well and then he was quick to make friends with the other two guys. He was thankful for that actually, since it seemed to have made Maia happy he was on good terms with her friends.

"So did you guys pick out what you are going to eat?" he asked after exchanging pleasantries.

Everyone listed off their usual orders which Jordan jotted down quickly, before he left he kissed Maia on the cheek unexpectantly and she blushed furiously while he only grinned as he walked away.

"What a dick move" Aline grunted.

"I think it's sweet" Clary argued.

"Wuss" Aline mumbled under her breath.

"I think it is too" Maia agreed, having not heard Aline, "I'm gonna ask him to the winter dance formal".

"Go for it" Clary was the first one to cheer her on while Aline discreetly tried to roll her eyes.

"Oh yeah" the guys seemed to agree quickly afterwards.

"Can I just say I am so glad you guys made friends with him?" Maia said.

"You can stay and mention it more" Jace joked, "Also it wouldn't hurt to show your appreciation with gifts or food".

"Just go ask him" Izzy edged.

"What? Right now? No way" Maia said.

"Why not?" Magnus asked.

"It's so public in here" Maia answered horrified.

"That's what makes it grand" Magnus said then grinned, "In fact..."

Music immediately started playing as strings of confetti propped through the air, Magnus taking that as his cue stood up, putting his arms out as he looked at Alec, who has shut down from shock, "Alexander Gideon Lightwood, would you like to accompany me to the winter dance?"

"Say yes" Clary yelled out teasingly.

Alec stood up to reach Magnus' height, his face not displaying any emotion as he slowly walked closer towards him, until only a few feet seperated them, "It would be my pleasure".

"Woaho" their friends cheered as people in the diner started clapping as the two shared a kiss.

When the music dialed back down and the two sat, Magnus looked at Jordan with a smile and a nod that said 'Thank you', Jordan made a gesture with his hand that said 'Anytime'. "You are so over the top" Alec said.

"You love that about me" Magnus said with a grin.

"I love everything about you" Alec admitted in a lower softer voice, looking Magnus in the eye, who stood silently for a moment, having not expected that answer.

Alec, he thought with a smile, my Alec, so not like everyone else. He just keeps surprising me at every turn.

"You are full of surprises, aren't you?" Magnus asked.

"Hey I am not the one who pulled out a confetti canon out of no where" Alec protested, "Seriously, my heart stopped for a minute. I thought we were being invaded and yeah I should have known better since if we were invaded, this diner would not be first on the hit list, unless the invaders have a strange taste for good hamburgers".

"When you say invade..."

"My first thoughts were Aliens or Australia" Alec said.

"I understand aliens, but Australia?" Magnus questioned amused, "What did they ever do to you?"

"They have kangaroos, we should be as worried about them as aliens" Alec said, "Which now that I say it out loud, I sense how stupid it was and you're just standing there, looking like you are about to laugh at me".

"Not at you, Alexander, never" Magnus said shaking his head, "And if it wasn't clear, I love everything about you as well".

Back at the other side of the table Jace leaned forward, putting his arm around Clary's shoulder as he grinned "I am so happy I don't have to make a big confetti surprise to ask someone to the dance".

"You don't" Clary agreed calculating, "So who are you taking?"

Jace stopped in his place, looking at her shocked, "Wasn't it obvious?"

"Oh, Jace" Clary started in a soft tone as she placed a hand to his cheek and one holding the hand he had around her shoulders and Jace smiled at that, "If that's your idea of an invitation, you'll be dancing with yourself". Clary patted Jace's now shocked face as she pulled his hand off of her and stood up, walking away to the bathroom with a chuckle echoing in her wake.

Jace captured Jordan's attention, "Do you have another confetti canon or do I have to pick these off the ground?"


Clary hadn't planned to ruin her hands with paint this late at night, she really didn't. But Izzy had wanted to talk to her dad who was working a night shift at the hospital -that was across from the diner- and give him his car keys or something like that so they had accompanied her, purely out of politeness as well as to give Maia the chance to ask Jordan to the dance. She had seen a couple kids finger painting while she was left alone and one thing lead to another and now she was elbow deep in paint.

"No, Clary, you have to put the yellow first" the little girl in the hospital gown, Anna, said with a giggle.

"Like this?" Clary asked as she closed one eye and squinted with the other, while she poured red on her still wet with green paint hands, mixing them by rubbing her hands together and she started putting hand prints on the paper.

Anna gasped, "How did you do that?"

"Clary are you a wizard?" the little boy, barely seven years old, Jason, asked.

"Yes" Clary answered dropping her voice to a whisper, "But shsh you can't tell anyone. I'm a coloring wizard".

"That is so cool" another girl, Rebecca, said.

"Clary you are awesome" Jason said, "You're very pretty too".

"Woaho there buddy" Jace's voice suddenly pierced the atmosphere as he walked into the room, squatting down to be eye level with Jason, "That's my girl".

"I'll fight you for her" Jason said confidently, narrowing his eyes at Jace.

Clary was torn between laughing and looking impressed as Jason squared up to Jace, who looked back at her with a grin, "Looks like I have some competition".

"Come on guys" Isabelle's voice shot from the corridor outside and Clary sighed as she got up to wash her hands.

"Clary do you have to go?" Anna asked.

Clary felt a tug to her heart, "Yes, I'm sorry".

"Will you be back?" Rebecca asked hopeful.

"Yes, I will be back before you know it" Clary said grinning down at the kids as she hugged them goodbye. The two left after Izzy called for them one more time, this time sounding like she will make them regret it if they don't come out right this second.

Clary's hand held Jace's as they walked out, noticing the sparks that errupted as soon as they touched. It seemed so natural for her to put her hand in Jace's now. Natural and yet somehow it felt a thousand times more nerving.

When she headed to Jace's car she could see the outside of the hospital and it seemed so.. dull. White and blank, it was annoying and depressing, it bothered her that it was so hollow.

She didn't have much time to think about it when Jace opened the passenger side door of his car to her, she got in waving her friends goodbye as she saw Isabelle getting in the backseat of Alec's car, "I'll see you tomorrow".

"Goodbye, Clary" Izzy waved as she continued to shout "goodbye" and "I'll miss you" out of her window, just to annoy Alec as he drove off. Clary was chuckling when Jace got into his seat.

"Is she drunk?" Clary asked.

"Drunk on life" Jace said sarcastically as he started the car and started driving home.

"Have you been hanging out with Magnus?" Clary asked suspiciously.

"Is it that obvious?" Jace asked, "Now that he and Alec are official, they are like constantly together all the time and more often than not, they are home".

"Those two are so cute together" Clary said with a smile. The car ride went by quietly after that, mostly as Clary started to close her eyes, leaning her head on the chair back. She hadn't noticed when she fell asleep, only waking up by the sound of a creak of wood.

She opened her eyes tiredly and noticed she was being held up bridal style by Jace who walking up the stairs to her front door, "What? How?"

"Sh it's okay" Jace said in a whisper.

"I can walk" Clary said tiredly as she tried to get to her feet.

"No need" Jace argued, not letting her down and she settled into his arms, given up on fighting him before she even started, she realized she liked being carried and she was tired, being carried to her bed doesn't sound so bad right now. "Can I come in? The house is dark".

"My mom is asleep, probably" Clary said against Jace's shoulder. He has such strong shoulders, she wondered how could he carry her with such ease and look so elegant doing it as well, he doesn't even look like he is breaking a sweat.

"She didn't wait up for you to come home?" Jace asked shocked, from what he has heard of Miranda until now had pinned her as over protective and falling asleep before your daughter comes home, doesn't border line on his impression of her.

Clary shivered in his arms, not sure if it was the cold weather or the mention of her mom, "We are not exactly on speaking terms right now" she said as he opened the door and entered her house, cautiously, and light footed as to not wake up anyone.

Jace nodded, not knowing what to say as he made his way up the stairs by Clary's command as she guided him through her house to her bedroom. Jace's foot hit something placed under the bed as he was slowly placing Clary down on the bed, but he didn't lose his footing and carefully put her down. Clary had immediately on contact with her matress shuffled herself over to get more comfortable.

"That's two nights in a row I carried you to bed" Jace noted in a whispered tone.

"Get out" Clary suddenly said.

"Relax I was only kidding" Jace joked.

"Great, get out" Clary mumbled. She felt nervous about Jace being in her room, not because her mom was down the hall and could wake up any minute and scandalize them both for this -not because that wasn't nerve wrecking, it was- but because it made her self conscious. Everything in her room was private, she had never had someone other than her mother here, not even Luke.

She eyed her drawing notebook, still open on the desk from earlier, Jace's jacket on her chair, which he had given her when they were in Pandemonium that one time and Isabelle had drowned her in the sink to try to sober her up, she knew she should have given it back, but she couldn't bare parting with it, it was a nice gesture from him and it smelled like him.

Most importantly as well was her box of, shall she say souvenirs from all her different lives, IDs and wigs that are surely to leave him burning with questions she cannot and will not answer.

He got up looking over her room, a smirk spreading over his features "Why? Am I gonna find something embarrassing here?"

Yes. "No" Clary answered with a hint of annoyance.

He grinned now looking at her, "I always could tell when you're lying" he told her satisfaction written across his face.

She refused to acknowledge him with an answer, and to her horror, she caught him looking at his jacket on her chair, no doubt recognizing it in an instant. She blushed, "I meant to give it back to you". She really didn't in fact, she had a few days to do so and didn't. He had known this as well, she could tell he was smiling, even if he had his back to her as his fingers caressed the jacket.

"Keep it" he said simply, "I would like to say that it looks better on you".

"Then say it" Clary teased.

He looked back at her, starring blankly at her for a moment, looking as if he was struggling with himself before finally sighing "I can't".

"You'll get there" Clary grinned, "Someday".

"Hey, what is your middle name?" Jace asked all of a sudden.

Clary felt her heart beat wildly, she answered quickly "Bertha".

"Bertha?" Jace asked horrified and she just nodded. He walked closer to her squatting by the bed as he started "Clary Bertha Fray".

She would have almost laughed at the name.

"Will you do me the great honor of being my date to the winter dance formal?" Jace asked, a gleam in his eyes.

"Is that conditioned with picking out a slutty dress?" Clary joked, recalling their earlier conversation at the diner.

Jace laughed and she found herself liking the sound of it, "No, it's not".

"Then I would love to" Clary grinned up at him, he leaned over to kiss her lips, it sent tingles all over her body, a rush of emotions passed her at his touch, lightning, that's how she would describe it, everytime their lips touched it felt like she was shot by lightning, a burning sensation rumbling inside her, bringing her to life as her heart beat faster.

Jace's hand raised to cup her cheek, caressing it with his thumb, feeling the soft skin shiver under his touch as he brought her closer to him, he liked the effect he had on her, it was like a confirmation that he drives her just as crazy as she drives him, and she does drive him very crazy. By the angel, her taste was sinful, he couldn't get enough of her, so he bruised her lips passionately until they were both out of breath and they parted panting.

He was sure his eyes had darkened looking at her and he realized he needed to leave now before he did something else, he cleared his throat getting up, "Goodnight, Clary" he said.

"Goodnight Jace" Clary whispered after him, she wasn't sure if he had heard her as he left. She had tried to embrace the sleep she had been craving before but ultimately failed as she realized Jace's kiss sobered her up, she would fail to close her eyes and surrender to sleep until three in the morning that night, but she didn't exactly mind.


Clary woke up late the next morning, very late. She woke up to many texts from Izzy saying she'll be by her house at three to take her shopping and it was one in the afternoon now, she hadn't expected to sleep this long, she must have been so tired after the last few days.

She yawned and stretched taking her sweet time, she will definitely be late to Iz's deadline and if she is gonna be late either way, she figured, might as well be really late.

She hoped in the shower, a full concert in the shower and two hours later she was making her way downstairs to make breakfast, she passed by her mom who was sitting on the couch, reading a book while the TV played, "Morning" Clary said, testing the waters.

"Morning" Miranda said in a cold tone as she flipped a page of her book, not looking away from her book.

Next to her, Luke sitting on the couch smiled uncomfortably at Clary, "Morning, kiddo".

Clary sent him back a small smile before sighed under her breath, guess this was the new phase of her mother's anger, she was cold and distant, she did not comment on how late Clary got in last night -or even asked how late- and she didn't wake her up this morning. Great, Clary thought sarcastically with a roll of her eyes. Just what she was missing from her life, more drama.

She had considered apologizing just because she wanted to make up with her but she was too prideful for that, and too stubborn as well.

She realized Luke had tried to stay out of it, and he was right to, neither of them would really appreciate his input now. This fight has been a long time coming and he knew that, he knew Clary and Jocelyn would have eventually clashed, their personalities were both too strong and they were both stubborn, he knows if he gets involved, even if he could actually solve their fight, it wouldn't help, it would just be delayed further and possibly have worse outcomes then.

By the time Isabelle had shown up to her doorstep, she had eaten and gotten dressed, ready for the shopping spree which considering she was going with Isabelle would be a battle. Isabelle honked impatiently, loudly and constantly, as Clary peaked out of the door to gesture she heard her, as Clary descended the stairs and as Clary opened the door to the passenger seat and sat beside her, she had one finger twirling strands of her hair as if bored and she glared at Clary as she got in.

"Must you?" Clary asked, a hint of annoyance in her tone as she referred to her honking.

"I must" Isabelle answered simply, seemingly self satisfied, "Call it getting even".

"Fine. I get it, sorry I was late" Clary said with a roll of her eyes.

"You don't sound sorry" Isabelle taunted, as her hand gripped the wheel while the other held the gear shift but still didn't move either.

Clary looked at Isabelle with big eyes, dramatic more than ever, "I am so incredibly sorry my dear for being late five freaking minutes, I am, and will forever be ashamed, you shouldn't forgive me. In fact you should drive off a cliff just to see me die because of my horrible mistake".

"I feel like that was said sarcastically" Isabelle said.

"No I would never" Clary said sarcastically.

"What was it? A few days into your relatinship with Jace and you both are acting alike?" Isabelle started driving then, hesitating for a moment as she wondered if she should tell Clary about her recent romantic status update. She felt like she needed to discuss it, which was weird since she never felt the need to talk about boys to Maia and Aline, she was always just dating whoever she was dating -mainly, Meliorn- and that was it. But this time she wanted to talk.

But she didn't know how to let the words out, which was stupid, how can she not know how to tell her friend that she was now in a committed relationship with someone wonderful? Wouldn't she want to tell her friend how happy she was. And she was, happy. It seemed almost too good to be true. Isabelle was always a skeptical person and her skepticism was feeding off on not finding anything about Raphael to be skeptical over.

Maybe she just needs to settle into her relationship more before she starts talking about it.

"Maia and Aline will meet us there" Isabelle said, "By the way have you noticed something weird about Aline lately?"

"Why?"

"She seems a little.. angrier than usual? Just not happy I guess"

"You mean the snide comments?" Clary questioned with a raised eyebrow. She has noticed in fact but she didn't know if it was just a phase Aline was going through or if it was more usual than she thought and the others have seen this side of her more often than to question it. It was weird to think that, in fact, she doesn't know all about them even though these people have become such an integral part of her life and her day-to-day routine but there were still so many unanswered questions she had about all of them.

"Yes the moodiness and remarks, I'm actually a little worried" Isabelle said, confiding in Clary.

"You could talk to her about it, maybe she's just having a tough time and hasn't had the chance to talk about it?" Clary suggested.

"That wouldn't work" Isabelle said, "She can get defensive pretty quickly and has a bad temper when she feels offended or cornered".

"Did she say anything to you?" Clary asked.

"No" Isabelle said, "It's just a feeling. Forget it".

"Look, I'm sure all will be alright" Clary said sympathetically.

"Yeah" Isabelle said absent minded as she parked the car in the mall parking lot, "Anyways, did Jace ask you to the dance yet?"

"Yeah" Clary answered as she got out of the car.

"What did you say?"

"What do you think?" Clary asked with sarcasm as she spotted both Aline and Maia at the entrance, waiting for them, with Aline leaning against the door and Maia sitting on the ground, she was talking actually to the security guard.

"Oh my friends are here, I have to go" Maia said getting off the floor as Isabelle and Clary reached them, "Have a nice day, Bat and good luck with your niece".

"What was that?" Clary asked as they were inside and out of earshot now.

"That's Bat, just met him. Nice guy but he is babysitting his niece for the weekend and she is being difficult" Maia said with a shrug as if it was the most natural thing for her to have made friends with the security guard.

"Okay whatever, did you ask Jordan to the dance?" Izzy asked as they started walking through the mall, looking at the stores from the outside.

"Yup, he said yes. Which means I have to get something very very hot for the dance" Maia said.

"I thought I would never see the day" Izzy muttered to herself but everyone had heard her.

"Hey, I care about looking good but sometimes simple is beautiful" Maia said.

"You mean those extra large video game shirts you have?" Izzy said scrunching her nose up teasingly.

"Yes, they happen to be very sexy" Maia said.

"How?" Isabelle sounded like she couldn't believe the concept even.

"When I wear the shirt and only the shirt" Maia said, a dirty smirk on her face. Isabelle nodded with a look that said now she understood, Clary chuckled unexpectedly and Aline just reddened, looking like she was scandalized by Maia's comment.

"Fine, no worries, we'll scower the whole mall if we have to, to find you the dress you want" Isabelle said, sounding like she was more than happy to do so.

"Oh I found it" Maia jumped up in excitement catching sight of a blue sparkling dress in the display window of one of the stores, it seemed to have a low cut from the front, not too much to scandalize people -and go against dress code- but just enough to drive Jordan undoubtedly crazy. As they strutted after Maia to the store, Clary could see the dress had an extremely low cut from behind as well, which didn't disuade Maia off it as she thought it would, the opposite actually.

"This is the one" Maia said.

"Are you sure? We haven't seen the entire mall yet" Isabelle said in a hint of disappointment in her tone. She had really wanted to scower the whole mall first.

"Positive" Maia said.

"Great" Isabelle said, a hint of sarcasm and a hint pride in her tone, "Now, Clary?"

"Great" Clary said her tone all sarcasm.


After a long shopping spree, somehow they ended up at Estelle's where Magnus was working a late shift and had immediately jumped at the idea of helping them choose dresses. He and Izzy fretting over clothes and matching up dresses and shoes looked freakish. Magnus had barely shown them a dress with such an overdramatic flare -which Clary refused- that Izzy liked and from then on, it was like they were both speaking at the speed of lightning and everyone else could catch only fifth or seventh word.

The two had flipped the store upside down and talked everyone's ears off, even worse was that when the girls were all done Isabelle and Magnus had agreed to "finish talking" later to which Clary yelled at them both "I am never going to be in the same room with you two ever again. EVER".

But admittedly Clary had found a perfect dress for the dance and she had left with Isabelle while Maia and Aline left together, they were all heading to Pandemonium as it was past dark now, Isabelle had said that Maia and Aline are competing tonight. The four of them had entered the club together, blasts of music burst through the doors as soon as they were by them, just like last time, flashes of light blinded her as they made their way through the sweaty bodies of people dancing.

It seemed the same as it did last time, they made their way downstairs until they reached the same place, blue and white lights flashed around as they made their way to the table they sat at the last time as well and Clary briefly wondered if they reserve the same table beforehand or was it just concidence?

Her eyes immediately caught Jace's as he looked straight at her, almost as if he knew she was there. She could see the hint of a grin on his face as he kept his eyes on her but pretended to be focusing on whatever Sebastian was saying to him.

"Yo, Jace, you listening?" Clary heard Sebastian ask as he snapped his fingers, finally getting Jace's attention back to him.

"Hey" Clary greeted them, Sebastian then turned around as he heard her and his eyes glimmered in understand then turned back to Jace with disappointment.

"Oh" he said with sarcasm, "I get it now".

"Don't blame her, you couldn't hold my attention for more than three seconds anyways" Jace said.

"Is this because I am not showing enough clevage?" Sebastian asked.

"Well now that you mention it" Jace said as if he was thinking it over, Sebastian covered his chest with his arms, shielding it from Jace's gaze.

Clary chuckled while Isabelle only rolled her eyes, "Hey" Clary said as she smacked Sebastian lightly on the head.

"Don't worry he's still all yours" Sebastian said with a roll of his eyes as Clary found her way next to Jace on the couch, sitting next to him as it was unexpectedly empty, they leaned forward and kissed each other barely a peck on the lips before everyone started groaning in disgust and a mutter of "Get a room" was heard.

The two broke apart with annoyance at their friends, when they were suddenly interrupted, someone sneaking behind Isabelle who was still standing and leaning over, proping her weight on her arm at Sebastian's chair.

"Hey" Raphael said with a smile, putting his hands around Isabelle's waist, who seemed still frozen in shock.

She finally shook herself and said, "Raphael, hey, what are you doing here?"

"Well I was close by and you had said to put off celebrating because you would be here and I figured to just drop by and say hey" Raphael said, then stopped stepping back, his hands were just about to leave her waist when she stopped them and put them back there.

"No, no, sorry I was just... surprised" Isabelle said.

"Celebrating what?" Sebastian asked and Clary couldn't help but note how he looked like someone just ran over his favorite cat toy.

"You didn't tell them?" Raphael asked, seeming confused.

"I was just about to" Isabelle lied with a tight lipped smile, turning around to face her friend, with one of Raphael's arms around her waist now.

"Tell us what?" Alec asked.

"Raphael and I are official now, we are a couple" Isabelle said.

"Like boyfriend and girlfriend?" Clary asked.

"No like a couple of idiots" Jace whispered sarcastically in her ear, which Clary refused to acknowledge with a laugh even if she did find it funny.

Clary's eyes immediately widened as she jumped hugging Isabelle and congratulating the two, but as soon as she had her arms around Isabelle, she whispered in her ear "You are so getting an earful later", then sat back down again in her seat while Maia and Aline went to hug Is as well. Alec and Jace both nodded, not seeming quite happy and not quite upset over it but Sebastian...

Sebastian was another thing.

If he looked like someone ran over his favorite cat toy before, now he looks like his favortie cat was just ran over and dragged for eighteen blocks across Idris.

What Clary didn't know was that Sebastian felt as he looked, his stomach dropped and something sharp jabbed its way into his chest, forming a sharp tightness banging at his ribs, the sinking feeling in his stomach twisted it into knots and he felt like he was going to throw up. His only thought was What the actual fuck?

Isabelle on the other hand had accept the congratulations even if she didn't think it was anything worth congratulating one over, not that that had anything to do with her and Raphael's relationship specifically but just relationships in general, she never understood why people felt the need to congratulate others on reach the first milestone in a relationship. Congratulations, you are now officially not having sex with anyone else for now. It seemed stupid.

And through all those congratulations, her eyes never betrayed her and dared to look at Sebastian, not even for a second, she wouldn't let them. Good or bad, she didn't want to see the expression on his face.

"You guys ordered shots?" one of the waitresses had said as she put forth a tray full of shots, before she could even put it down on the table, Sebastian had took two shots, specifically the one Isabelle and Raphael were going for, dawning them both and sending the waitress a quick "Keep them coming".


A/N: Hey guys, thanks for everyone who follows, favs or reviews, I appreciate all the support and hope you guys enjoyed this chapter if you did or didn't tell me what you guys think and I'll see you in the next chap.