Hey guys! I'm so sorry I haven't been uploading much. I've been really, really stressed this week with tests and homework, and I 'm glad you guys understand.

That being said, as a treat for being wonderful human beings, by the end of this week, I'm pushing for reaching 20 chapters.

Enjoy!

When Clary left school that day, she knew something was off. As she pedaled to Luke's, she saw him. The one person she didn't want to see now or forever.

Her father.

Valentine was standing in the middle of her secret path, and he grinned at her. (K, so basically picture this in your head. This secret path leads from Clary's school to a MAIN road where she then goes to wherever she has to go. So she can still go to Luke's. Just clarifying that lol.)

"Clarissa," he said. "Do you really think I'm stupid? You think I would just let you run off without being punished? You deserve the pain bitch. You will be sorry for even TRYING to step out of line. We will deal with this at home. You will come with me willingly unless you refuse. Do I need to drag you home?"

She was terrified. No. No, no, no. This can't be happening. Just when life was gradually getting better, he pulled a stunt like this. She was frozen in place, until she saw Valentine slowly walking towards her.

Without hesitation, she turned her bike around and pedaled for her life. She heard his footsteps as he ran after her, but they slowly faded away until the only sound she heard was her heart thumping against her ribs.

She was happy. It might have been a small victory, running away from Valentine, but she was brave enough to do it. She didn't hesitate in taking the other path to Luke's house, her thoughts lying on the Lightwoods.

What was their deal? In her opinion, Jace faked his personality. During their conversation in class, he would occasionally let his real personality slip. He would genuinely smile. But within seconds, he would cover it all up, his eyes becoming hard and cold towards her all over again.

She remembered what Jace had said, that Valentine did something to his family. But what? Even if Valentine did something, why would Jace take it out on her?

Clary realized she was in front of Luke's house, and she opened the door, finding a very stressed out Luke. He saw her, and tackled her in a bear hug.

"Clary," he whispered. "Where were you? God, I was scared."

Clary stepped out of his embrace, but kept her hands on his shoulders. "Luke, you don't have to worry. I'm fine. I just had to work on a project at school. By the way, um..on Saturday I have to go to someone's house for my Hamlet project. So...can I go?"

She hated lying to him. But she couldn't keep dragging people into her battles.

Luke chuckled. "Of course Clare. You know I would do anything for you right? So, well, I wanted to talk to you about your jobs. Clary, you can't work three jobs. I think you should go to Taki's and quit. As for my store and the Auto Shop, it is completely up to you."

She thought about this for a moment. She knew he was right. Three jobs was too much. "Luke, I'll drop my job at Taki's, but I'm keeping my shift at your store and the Auto Shop. It's the least I can do to repay you, and I actually enjoy working there."

Luke smiled at her, and then hugged her lightly. "If you want, you can now. I'll drive you there. Whaddya say kiddo?"

She beamed up at him. "Sounds good."

"Clary, another thing. This is your choice, but Jonathan wanted to spend some time with you...if you're ready. I was thinking maybe you two can spend some time together in Taki's?"

Clary smiled. "I think I would like that. Tell him to meet me there."

When Clary went through the back door of Taki's, and headed straight into the manager's office. Luckily for her, she quit without any difficulties, and the manager was amicable about the whole thing.

Clary walked out, and waited in the front of the restaurant for Jonathan. She saw her brother standing there looking lost, and headed over to him. She stood behind him, and cleared her throat.

"Jonathan," she smiled. "Let's go inside. I'm starving"

He smiled at her, and opened the door, ushering her inside. Clary spotted the bitches in a booth, and Jace was with them. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw them looking at her, more specifically, her brother.

Unfortunately for Clary, there were only a couple of booths open, and both were near the bitches' booth. With a sigh, she grabbed Jonathan's hand a guided him to a booth. She noticed that Jace had tensed when she grabbed Jonathan's hand, and couldn't help but wonder why.

They opened their menu's, and Clary grinned when she saw her brother's confused face. "The food here has some crazy names. Just tell me what you want, and I'll order for you."

He grimaced. "Ok...I'll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. How about you?"

She thought about what she wanted. Clary never ate at Taki's, because she never wasted her hard earned money. "I'll take the same." Clary turned her head and found Kaelie sitting behind the counter, and beckoned for her to come over. Kaelie rolled her eyes, and took their orders.

It was when Kaelie left that the bitches started their torment. Aline and Seelie came over first, twirling their hair flirtatiously, hoping to catch her brother's attention.

"Clary, what the hell are you doing here?" asked Seelie, her voice rude and snotty. "Shouldn't you being working instead of being a slut? wow, never thought you would be THIS desperate to get a guy."

Jonathan stood up abruptly, his face contorted in anger. He faced Seelie, and Clary saw her take a small step back. "What did you say to my sister bitch?"

Aline and Seelie looked at each other in fear and ran back to their booth. Jonathan sat down, and he looked at Clary with undisguised sadness. "Clary...who are they? I have so many damn questions, I'm sorry. Also, please, call me Jon."

Clary sighed, and her shoulder's slumped forward. She didn't even bother trying to beat around the bush. "Look, Jon, I understand you want to help. I don't feel close enough to you in order to tell you everything. That group over there gives me hell at school."

Clary told him how she hated their guts, but she didn't tell him about the specific insults Jace would use. She told him about the people at the school affected by that group, how she helped them. Jon looked impressed, and his eyes held immense respect for her.

When the food came, Jonathan was shocked at how delicious it was. They made some more small talk, like what was their favorite book, and occasionally they would be more philosophical. Clary learned he was passionate about football, and that he was a freshman in college. He was going to a college that was 10 minutes away from her school.

As they were about to leave, Jace looked up, saw her, and his eyes held a great deal of sadness...and hope?

Clary shook her head. Everything was spiraling out of control, and she didn't know who was telling the truth anymore. Sometimes, she felt like Jace was still the jerk he always was, but there were glimpses of him being a better person.

At that moment, she remembered a quote by one of her favorite authors, J.K. Rowling.

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

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