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"So baby pull me closer in the backseat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of the mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older.."

She made small talk to Oliver through the entire flight. He was a gentleman, and he was kind. They gave each other space, knowing none of them would be open to talking about their problems. She learned that the rest of the people on the flight all came from London, or somewhere close to it.

The six hour flight winded Clary. When she reached California, it was about 7:00 pm in New York, which made the time in Cali 4:00. She was in a taxi headed to the Institute. and Oliver was sitting next to her, his gaze on the view outside. She decided to call Luke, and let him know she was alright. He picked up on the first ring.

"Clary!" he said ecstatically. "Are you in Cali?"

Clary smiled at his happiness. "Yes Luke, I'm here in one piece. I just wanted to tell you I'm safe, and that we're almost at the Institute. I have to go know, we're almost here. Tell Raph, Jon and...mom that I'm here."

Luke sighed. "Of course Clare. Be careful." With that, Luke ended the call, and Clary sat in silence with Oliver.

Oliver cleared his throat. "So...who was that?" Clary tucked in a rogue strand of hair, and then fiddled with her fingers.

"He's...basically my father. It's complicated." Oliver nodded understandingly and dropped the topic. When they reached the Institute, Clary was taken aback.

Huge was an understatement. The place was gigantic. It looked like church, but from what the pamphlet said, it had been refurbished. There was a large sign in the front saying "The Institute of California".

"Wow," gaped Clary. "This place is gorgeous."

Oliver smiled at her. "That's an understatement."

Clary glanced at Oliver, and then returned her gaze to the Institute. Maybe the Institute wouldn't be so bad.

7 months later...

Clary sat in her bed sketching furiously. The Institute had done wonders for her. Clary stopped panicking when people came closer to her, and surprisingly, that only took one month to cure.

Her overall condition was better than what it was before. She had nightmares every month, but that was better than having nightmares daily. She had made countless friends, and Clary was glad she chose to come here.

She talked to Jace every day, and ended up telling him some personal things. She was close to him, and she discovered he was actually sweet when his walls were down.

But, she did confide in somebody about her life in New York. Oliver. He also had issues with his father, who was a psychopath. His father messed with his brain, making him believe things that weren't true. When Oliver told his father he was gay, his father laughed at him, thinking it was a joke. When he found out that Oliver was serious, he tried "beating the gay" out of him. One thing led to another and Oliver ended up going to the Institute.

Both of them comforted each other, and they were best friends.

The Institute changed her. Clary was a completely different person. She was snappy, sarcastic, sexy, and cocky. Gone was the skinny and frail girl, and in her place was the confident, athletic, and badass chick.

At the moment, Clary was furious because she only had a month left at the Institute. She would be leaving her friends behind, but a small part of her wanted to see Luke, Raph, Jon, and her mother.

That was a whole other story. Clary and her mom got closer, and they talked daily. Jon, Luke, and Raph talked to her once a week, and Clary was happy when she found out Luke and Jocelyn were repairing their relationship slowly.

Clary took a look at what she had drawn. The person that was imprinted upon her sketchbook was Oliver, his eyes filled with humor. Clary sighed, and leaned back into her bed. She didn't hear the door open, then close, and she definitely didn't see her best friend walking towards her.

Oliver gently pulled her off the bed, and she grinned at him before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him. He twirled her around lightly before twirling her around, and she let out a squeal of happiness.

"Oliver!" she said happily. "What brings you to my humble abode?" He beamed at her, then ruffled her hair affectionately.

Oliver pulled himself back from their embrace and looked into her eyes. "I have amazing news! The Institute thinks we've made remarkable progress...we can go back to our homes!"

Clary squeezed his cheeks. "Wittle Oli is growing up, aren't ya?" He sighed in annoyance, then grinned at her.

"Hurry up and pack Clare, we don't have much time. The flight is tomorrow!"

Clary was internally freaking out on the plane. She wondered how everybody back at home would take in her appearance. She was wearing a sleeveless, black crop top and grey skinny jeans. It was going to be cold in New York seeing as it was almost fall, so she had her green hooded utility jacket on. Clary decided to be bold, and had ankle boots on, opposed to some ratty sneakers.

Her makeup was light but mysterious. She had mascara and eyeliner on, making her look in Oliver's words, "hot as hell."

She was leaving Oliver that day. The flight was international, so the first stop was New York...then London. She hated leaving him because Oliver was an amazing friend...more like a brother. When the flight reached New York, Clary composed herself.

"Oliver," she said, her voice catching on his name. "You're like a brother to me. I love you, and you'd better find a boyfriend in London." They hugged for several minutes, and Clary forced herself to not cry.

"Clare, never forget that I'm only a phone call away. Got it?" asked Oliver.

"Got it." answered Clary.

When she reached Luke's house, it was almost 9:00 pm. Clary brought her luggage to the front, and knocked on the door.

The door opened, showing Luke. When he saw her, his eyes were wide with shock, and they filled with tears immediately. Clary flung herself at him, and he was taken aback by the affection, but hugged her back fiercely.

"Clary!" whispered Luke. "You're home baby girl, you're home."

Someone yelled Luke's name, and then Clary saw her mother walk into view and freeze. Jocelyn ran to Luke and Clary, and joined the hug. Clary untangled herself from the two, and couldn't help but feel like she belonged.

Clary smiled at the duo. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Before you say anything, I need some coffee."

They all laughed, remembering Clary's addiction to black coffee. Jocelyn rushed into the kitchen to prepare the beverage, and Luke stared at Clary. "You look really happy Clare." he whispered.

"That's because I am Luke."

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