clary*
After Valentine was done teaching me to be obedient I went up to my room and started drawing and thinking about the people I had befriended. I started to draw the outline of the old bar and then my fellow fucked up people. when I was done I held a picture of us all laughing. Izzy had a bottle in hand and no shirt and alec was in his boxers and Simon had no shirt and a bird chest. we all looked like idiots but happy at the same time. I smile down at the drawing until I hear my brother banging on my door and screaming for me to get my ass up. I look at the clock seeing that its already lunch. shit. I leap from my bed and run past my brother and to the kitchen pulling out the prepped hamburgers from the fridge and assembling them and shoving them in the microwave. I grab two beers from the fridge and bring them to Jonathan and valentine. then I bring out their hamburgers and the ketchup. "why is lunch late?" asked Valentine "I'm sorry I lost track of time" I say timidly he throws the beer bottle at me and it barely misses me "next time it is late you and me are taking a trip upstairs you bitch. now get me another beer" he yells. I grab his beer and bring it to him then leave without a word. I grab my stuff for work and head out to my bike "where are you going baby" says Jonathan sweetly "work" I state then I straddle my Harley that I bought myself last year and drive to work at the bar and grill down the street from the old building. I drive by the building seeing Izzy I pull over "hey where you headed?" I ask "the bar and grill down the road" she says "im going there anyway if you want a ride" I tell her "she hops on and we go to the bar. "so you work here" she says as I get behind the bar. "yea and as far as anyone else is concerned I'm 18. "wait so you lied to get the job?" she asked as I fixed her a glass of water "no I know him and he knows what goes down at my house so he gave it to me so I had an excuse to leave" I say truthfully "oh thats nice" she said "yea he's great" I say smiling "oh well how great is he" Izzy's says suggestively "oh no he is more like my brother nothing like that" I say as I fix the patron down the bars usual. I take it to him and start on the next regular's drink. I love my regulars they are so nice and always give me a hand with newbies if they're showing their asses which is sometimes literal but not a lot. Bat was my next regular so I fixed his jager bomb while I watched him drool over another regular named Maia. I have seen her drool over bat some herself so as I bring him his drink I decide to give him a gift "look bat shes another regular, she's nice, pretty, and I know for a fact she thinks the same of you, so go talk to her" I say to him. "thanks, Clarissa" he says "call me clary" I say. he asks for her usual and I fix it quickly. I hand him the drink and send him over to her without another word. I see that everyone is satisfied for now so I decided to talk to Izzy. we talk about my work and sometimes crazy stories from hers and eventually, I let her behind the bar so I can work and talk. " I don't want to go to work," she says "well what time do you usually start?" I ask. "now," she says. "I have to go so I don't end up sleeping in a building that drops sheetrock on my head," she says. "well I can ask my manager if you can stay in one of our private rooms tonight if you want,"I say. "really that would be awesome if you don't mind" she says "my shift ends in a few ill ask then" I say "oh my god thank you so much" she shrieks and hugs me nun to gently. she loosens her grip and apologizes quickly. "its fine I promise" I tell her "let's go get you that room" I add. "ok" she says. we walk into Mr.Santiago's office and sit in the nice leather chairs. "hello Clarissa is there a problem?" he asks kindly "no, I came to ask you something" I say with a sweet smile "well what is it Ms.Morgenstern?" he asks "is it ok if my friend stays in one of the private rooms tonight. she has nowhere to stay and as you know I cant take her to my house" I say "yes but I need a worker to stay with her so I can be sure no one tries to steal. not that I don't trust you just a precaution" he says "Raf I told you I will be fine at home" I say dropping my professional act. rafael worked with my father on a project long ago and knows what he does to me and the boys. he doesn't know about Jonathan though. "well you don't have to convince me tonight because your friend cant stay unless you do" he says "fine" I say "I need to go get clothes first. I have school tomorrow. he will be asleep I promise" I tell him. "fine. if your not back in an hour I will come over there" he says "ok" I say "take her with you so she can make sure you don't die if he isn't asleep. I'll get a room ready for you guys" he rushes "she cant come with me" I say "she can and she will if she wants a free bed tonight" he says angrily. I tense at the anger but don't let him see it. "fine. let's go" I say and storm out with Izzy in my wake. when we reach my house I stop at the garage door. "stay here. if I'm not out in 10 then take my bike and tell Raf that he can have my next paycheck for your stay and that I won't be in for work tomorrow ok?" I ask. she nods and stays on my bike. I dart in the door quietly and tiptoe up to my room. I shove a set of PJs and a change of clothes in my duffle along with a charger my phone and sketchbook. I grab my duffel and bookbag then walk towards the garage door. suddenly I'm slammed into the wall by who I assume is my brother. when I open my eyes I feel the satisfaction of being right. "where you going sweetheart" he says trying to be seductive. gross. "work," I say "you already used that one you slut. you're probably going find some guy to suck on am I right?" he asks "no. I promise" I say trying to get him to calm down. I feel the dull ache and the sudden sting from him punching me in the face like someone would punch a grown man. "liar" he yells. I hear the roar of my motorcycle and it speeding away and I know that Raf is going to freak. "Raf asked me to pull a late shift and one from 5 to 6. I swear." I tell him "fine but you better be here tomorrow," he said suggestively. "ok I will" I stutter. I run out to the garage and rip my the tarp off Sebastian's bike that he left when he went to college. I straddle it then speed to the bar. I get there and find Izzy talking to Raf "thank god" he says upon seeing me "what happened?" he asked putting both hands on my shoulders "nothing I was just packing to slow" I say cooly. "liar" he says. I flinch involuntarily "your face says it all so what happened?" he asks "Jonathan" I whisper "what?!" he shouts. I flinch again "when did he start in on it?!" he yelled less loudly "when Seb left" I whisper with tears in my eyes "Clarissa he didn't do anything else did he?" he asked softly. I nod and the tears spill over. "you are not going back there" he tells me as he pulls me into a hug "even if I didn't they would find me wherever I went. valentine wouldn't care but Jonathan would raise hell and I have nowhere to stay" I sob "you can stay here and I won't let him find you," he says, "I cant ask you to do that Raf" I sob "your not asking I'm giving so you can stay here I'll clean out one of the old hotel suits upstairs and until I have it looking like your heaven you can stay in one of the private rooms. I'll even let your friend stay if she wants to stop working the streets" he says "for real?" me and Izzy both ask hopefully "yea but you'll have to work at the bar or as a waitress and no parties upstairs if I fix you a suit and I need your word that you won't sell yourself anymore" he says. Raf has never agreed with abuse against women or children and he won't hesitate to get a girl off the street who doesn't want to be there. "I promise. I swear on my life" Izzy says "oh my god Raf your awesome" I say hugging him "yea I know now go get settled because you need sleep. you too" he says to me and Izzy "and think about calling the decent brother, you know the one I don't want to butcher and serve to the regulars in a martini glass," he says "I'll think about it," I say "goodnight," I say to him then show Izzy to our room for the night. we shut the door to the small black and red room and start getting ready for bed I start to change and Izzy asks where the big scar from my accident came from "bike accident last year. when I turn 18 I plan to get it and the rest of them covered up by tattoos" I admit "well if you would like to I know a guy who will start on everything that's healed if you want them covered now" Izzy says "for real?" I ask "yea. want me to ask him but he only works Mondays and Thursdays so you'd have to skip school" she says "I'm fine with that," I say "ok we can go see him tomorrow and he can work on the healed areas and we can go back every week to start in other places" she says "alright" i say. we lay down on separate sides of the king size bed. "clary?" Izzy asks breaking the silence. "do they still hurt?" she asks "the scars I mean not the new ones that would be stupid" she adds "sometimes" I say honestly. sometimes I can feel it again like it is happening again. "which times?" she asks "when I think about it too much. I think it's my brain telling me to leave the past in the past" I say "I get it" she says "did anyone ever hurt you?" I ask "someone tried once but they never got the chance," she said, "how did you stop them?" I asked "I left," she said "good," I say lamely. "when Raphael asked if he did anything else, did he mean to ask if he raped you?" she asked. I pause, I don't know what to say but she knew what that meant. "how long?" she asked "three years" I say "then that's how many bullets we will put in his head if he tries again" she says "Izzy?" I ask "yea?" she questions "are we friends?" I ask. we both roll to face each other "until were underground" she says and sticks out her pinky. I take it with mine and kiss my thumb. she kisses her own and we push them together. we fall asleep talking about everything and for the first time in a while I feel safer. but not completely. I still dart awake from nightmares at 3:00 and get ready for the day. I pull on a black shirt and skinny jeans with my black converse. I cover up the bruise on my face with makeup and add a little mascara. the bar has just closed so I go downstairs and fix a coffee. I sip it listening to music on my phone until Rafael comes in from his office probably about to go to his apartment upstairs. "I told you to sleep not rest for two hours then drink coffee before school." he says "I slept and I'm not going to school today," I say "alright then. why not?" he asks "I'm going somewhere with Izzy," I tell him "where" he presses "to get tattoos," I say "really?!" he shouts "how are you even going to do that?" he presses "she knows a guy and, please don't freak. this is important to me if I'm going to leave I'm going to leave it all and that means covering up everything they did to me" I say sadly. "fine but I'm getting one to" he said "yea so am I" Izzy said announcing her presence "so let's get breakfast and then we can go get them together. does anyone know what they are getting yet?" she asks. I know what I'm getting as my start. I'm getting a rune. I drew a few a while back so I can show this guy what I want. rafael shakes his head while I hear my phone ping. I look at and see that Goldilocks texted me
'wyd today' -j
'why' -c
'i was wondering if you wanted to go out and do something with me' -j
my eyes widen some and I'm shocked. is he asking me on a date?
'i cant go today I'm getting tattoos with Izzy' -c
'ooh sounds fun mind if I join' -j
I'm shocked. "hey Iz can Jace join?" I ask "sure why not," she says "ok"
'sure meet us at the bar and grill on institute dr.' -c
I put my phone in my pocket and begin questioning Izzy about this guy "so who is this guy you know?" I ask "his names Julian," she says "ok is he you know safe like I'm not going to die of HIV from a needle?" I ask stupidly. she giggles "no he works in a shop he just does the underage stuff in the back," she says "ok just making sure," I say. we wait for Jace by talking to each other and at around 4:30 he gets there and we head out for breakfast.
magnus*
I peel myself out of bed and head out to my job at a tattoo parlor all the while texting Alexander. he seems rather shy but he's dingy sometimes and it's adorable. not to mention his looks. I set up at the front desk and continue texting Alexander. we've agreed to go out after we are both done with work. since he gets off before me he is coming to pick me up and I must say I am very excited. I'm so enthralled with the idea I don't even notice as my new friends pop in at around 6 in the godforsaken morning.
jace*
we all hop on motorcycles. clary tells Izzy to take her's and she'll use her brother's because she likes to ride alone. I watch as she hops on with no helmet "clary" says a man she told me was named Rafael "what?" she asks "helmet" he says "I don't have an extra, I'll be fine" she says "clary do you remember what happened last time" says Rafael "yes do you remember that my breaks were also faulty" she says. I pull my helmet from under my seat and go strap it over her beautiful red hair. "no you need a helmet" she says about to take it off "no I wasn't gonna wear it anyway" I say and straddle my bike again. clary huffs and revs her engine. I start my own followed by Rafael then Izzy. we ride down to a diner called The Hunter's Moon. we all order the wolfs breakfast plate and talk and joke throughout our meal then ride to the tattoo parlor but not before clary once again try to give back claiming I drive like a madman. I refuse by revving my engine after strapping it on her head. when we reach the parlor I notice a very familiar sparkly man at the desk "well hello my fellow fucked up people and another guy" he says
clary*
when we walk in Magnus greets us and I can't help but smile. Izzy asks if we can talk to Julian and Magnus disappears to the back. he comes back with a dark-haired man. "hey Iz. its been awhile" he greets "it sure has" she says hugging him. "guys this is Julian. Julian this is Jace Clary and Rafael" she says "we wanted to know if you wouldn't mind taking us to the backroom. clary wants to give you a huge project" she says "well then let's go get started. are you all getting tattooed today?" he asks "yep" she says popping the p "well this is going to be fun" he says with a grin. we go to the back room and Julian calls in some other guys to work on Izzy, Jace, and Rafael and we all talk to our artist about what we want. I see Jace drawing and Izzy and Rafael are just speaking while their artist does the art. Julian and I get started by him asking questions. "ok so when Izzy says huge is she exaggerating?" he asks "oh definitely not" I say with a slight laugh "ok so how huge?" he asks next "like Mount Everest" I say "alright then lets start with the obvious question what area are we starting with" I sigh and pull up my sleeve revealing the old self-harm scars. "oh ok are they all going to be scar cover-ups" he asks with a supportive grin "yea but if we have any room left then I want one thats not meant to cover something up" I say "alright then so do you only want one today or do you want to get started on others?" he asks "I cant start on anywhere else right now" I say sadly "can I ask why or do you do not want to talk about it?" he asks "maybe next time" I say "alright then why dont you tell me what you want today" he says "ok I want a healing rune do you want me to draw it?"I ask "yea," he says with a laugh "ok" he hands me a piece of paper and a pencil and I draw a rune for him he smiles and leads me to a chair while the other artists lead my friends to theirs. julian prints the rune then lays the purple ink out on my arm with the lines matching perfectly up with the scars. he pulled off the paper and then got straight to work. it felt like a million cat scratches but I didn't mind it. rafael is done before any of us then Jace, then me, then Izzy. rafael got a cross on his pec and Izzy got a rose on her shoulder and when I see Jace's I'm kind of shocked. his is a strength rune on his side covering a scar. I pull up my sleeve and I see his face split into a grin. "I thought I was the only normal person that knew about those," he says "Jace Harondale you should know that I am far from normal," I say as I hand Julian the money for my tattoo "well I wasn't gonna say anything but.," he says sucking his teeth as he hands his artist a wad of cash. I smack his shoulder playfully. "since the day is still not over how about I take you out" he says. I smile "well id love to but I have work to do. I told Rafael id help him with setting up a place for me above the bar" I say sadly "well what if I promise to come help this weekend " he says. I start to protest but Rafael buts in "that sounds fine" he says "are you sure?" I ask "definitely," he says. I'm shocked Rafael is usually not keen on people asking me out or flirting with me. "well then where are we going?" I ask "now that is a secret," he says smirking "that's what ax murderers say," I tell him as he pulls me outside to his bike " I don't have an ax" he points out as he straps his helmet on my head to my annoyance. "maybe you will throw me off your bike since you drive like a maniac" I say "or maybe ill drive like a maniac so you'll hold onto me tighter" he says flirtatiously. I roll my eyes and grin as he revs the engine to life then drives off down the road to a mystery spot. and I let a grin split my face for the whole ride.