So I'm trying to incorporate some suggestions into the story about formatting. Mostly I will be trying to stick to the first section being her time at WAFFLES all taking place in a day or so and with any scene changes noted. The second half will be devoted to a 'current day' type form. As I have stated before these first few chapters are mostly about establishing some background info before things start to go down, which will be happening real soon.

Please follow, favorite, and review as it really helps to encourage me as an author seeing other people read my stories.

Hope you enjoy!

October 31, 2016 - WAFFLES

"Thanks for the great day, Will" After the dance Will had asked me to go on a proper date with him the following Saturday. I promptly agreed. He took me to the biggest park in town, laying out a blanket and setting up the perfect picnic. We sat there and laughed for hours, learning about each other.

"I should be thanking you. Without you I would have no one to make fun of squirrels with." He smirked. Oh how I loved it when he smirked. We stood in silence.

"I guess I should go inside then…" I trailed off, not wanting to say goodbye.

"Clary," He bent his head down, meeting my lips. We broke apart as Tessa and Sebastian came down the hall.

May 21, New York, Clary's House

Clary didn't know how she'd ever slept in with the invasive sounds of the New York streets. Cars honking, people yelling, and trash clanking nonstop. The only sound at WAFFLES was Tessa's snoring. Waking up at 8 a.m. on a Saturday was unpleasant in itself, but waking up to find that she was alone with Jace made her stomach flip. Apparently everyone else had decided to get breakfast without altering either of them first.

"So what do you want for breakfast?" asked Jace. He'd been unusually nice to her since they talked last night.

"I'm going to make myself some eggs. Want any?" I walked over to get a pan. Luke must have put them on the top shelf while I was away, but now I couldn't reach them.

"Sit Clary." Jace grabbed the pan with ease and set it on the stove. He took my shoulders and guided me to the island stool. His touch lit up my skin. I shook away the thoughts. "Today I'm making breakfast."

I lacked the energy to fight him so instead, I sat watching. The way his muscles moved under his shirt. His graceful movements as he danced from the stove to the fridge and back again. I found myself wondering how it would be to wake up to this more often. I froze.

There's no way. I was not thinking about Jace Herondale, my brother's best friend and roommate, as if I liked him. Nope. I must be dreaming. Having a nightmare to be exact.

"Ta Da!" I looked up to see Jace beaming down and a plate of fresh eggs and bacon sitting on the island. "I am certainly the best cook in the house. No offence to Jocelyn." I laughed. Jace could always make me laugh.

Stop it Clary! I could not think of Jace like this.

We finished eating with comfortable chatter and went our separate ways to get ready for the day.

By the time I got back downstairs, Jace was already sitting on the couch playing Call of Duty.

"Hey Clary," Jace glanced up. "I'm just finishing up this match. It won't be long." He paused. "Unless you want to try?" If I didn't know better I'd think he sounded hopeful.

"Sure. If you want to teach me. I don't think I've picked up a controller since I left." That wasn't necessarily true. There was a time when Will and I played a lot of Overwatch.

"I'd love to. It's a shame. Your Madden skills were unmatched." He choked down a laugh. I suck at Madden.

"Hey!" I playfully thumped his head and sat down.

After he finished, he handed me the controller and quickly went over the basic movements. The explanation went right over my head.

By the end of the match we were both laughing to the point of tears. We had moved closer so Jace could help me with the controls, but somehow he ended with his arms around me. To my dismay, I found that I didn't mind.

"Clary," Jace stopped laughing. I turned toward him.

"Yeah?" He cupped my face and kissed me.