WARNING - mentions of physical abuse, not detailed.
Jace drove us to McDonald's and we sat in his car, eating our fries and burgers and laughing.
"Hey, won't your mom be worried about you?" he asked me. "Um no. Remember my essay?" He nodded. "And remember how I told you that it didn't happen anymore? Well that's no longer true."
"Oh, Clary. Do you want to talk about it?" He looked at me sympathetically. "Sure, I suppose it'll be easier for you to advise me on my essay if you know the whole story. And besides, I need to rant." He laughed for a moment and then his face went solemn as I began my story.
"My dad is a…bad guy. He was abusive. My brother felt the brunt of it. He would verbally abuse my mom, and he wouldn't let her leave the house. If she refused, he'd put his hands on her." I looked over at Jace, he looked upset. "Jonathan, that's my brother, could do nothing wrong and he'd hit him. He constantly told him that he was a sorry excuse for a son. I was really young at the start so he didn't touch me. The only decent thing about him."
"But eventually, my mom and Jon weren't enough, and he turned on me. Jon jumped in the way to save me and my dad ended up pushing him over, breaking his arm. It worked though, my dad didn't hurt me. So, from then on, whenever my dad was in a mood, Jon would protect me. He would take my place. That's why he inspires me. He has an immense amount of courage, and he loves me so deeply."
"My mom would tell my dad to stop but he wouldn't listen. And she wouldn't go to the police because she was in love with him and believed he could change. Most of the time he was perfectly normal and then in a second he would turn into the devil."
"And then my mom fell in love with Luke, my dad's best friend. They didn't do anything, but he could tell. He came at her and she finally phoned the police. And then he fled. I've not seen him since."
"Oh, Clary." Jace pulled me into a hug and I felt tears run down my face. "But anyway, that's just the background." I wiped my tears away and continued, "After my dad left, my mom became really angry. She broke up with Luke, even though she was in love with him and she needed him. She turned to alcohol and would disappear for nights at a time. We never knew where she was or if she was coming back."
"Jonathan had to grow up really fast because he had to take care of me, even though I was only two years younger. He found jobs to do about the neighbourhood to earn some money, learned to cook and things like that. He was amazing. My mom would eventually come back, but she wasn't herself."
"A couple of years ago Jon saved up enough money and sent mom to rehab. She came back her old self again. She recognised that she'd made a mistake not ending things with my father and turning to drink. She reconnected with Luke and they started dating, and she became the mom we needed her to be. Jon turned the family around, and mom was doing great…until a couple nights ago, after we worked on my essay, actually. That's why she never picked me up, she never came home the night before. We're trying to figure out what set it off and hopefully fix it. It might have just been a one time thing."
"I hope so," Jace whispered, his hand moving the hair away from my face. His eyes moved slowly down from mine to my lips, and stayed there. I bit my lip, was he going to kiss me? He turned around, put his hands on the steering wheel and started driving. "I think it's time we get you home." I guess not.
I told him to park a street over from mine because Jon was probably waiting up for me and I didn't want him to see Jace and worry about me dating an older guy. "I know we're just friends but my brother's really protective and he'll think something more is going on." "It's fine, I completely understand." He hands me a McDonald's napkin with a number written on it. "In case you ever need to talk," he told me. "Text me anytime." We shared one last hug before I got out of the car, I shoved the napkin into my bag, and walked over to my street.
I walked through the door and Jon was on me immediately. "Clary! Are you okay? Where were you? Did Simon bring you home?" "Yes Jon, I'm fine. Sorry I should have texted. We went for food. Uh yeah, he did. Is mom home?" He shook his head at me. "Want to watch Friends?" "Always!" I laughed, running towards the living room.
Fifteen minutes into watching Friends with Jon, I decided to text Jace.
Clary: Hey, thanks for letting me hang with you tonight and for listening to me. I appreciate it more than you know. x
Should I add the kiss? Is that inappropriate? Who am I kidding, the whole situation is innapropriate! I send kisses to everyone, I'll just do it.
He replied almost instantly, as if he were waiting for me to text.
Jace: Hey, you're welcome. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to share that with me. What you up to? x
He added a kiss! Is that normal for guys? He's trying to keep the conversation going!
Clary: I did. Just watching Friends with Jon. You? x
Jace: About to get in the shower. Enjoy Friends, I love that show. Who's your favourite? x
The thought of him in the shower drives me more than a little crazy.
Clary: I love Joey! How about you? Go shower, we'll talk after. x
Jace: Me too! I like Chandler also. Though Rachel's pretty hot. But I want to talk to you now x
Why does the idea of him being attracted to somebody else bug me so much? He wants to talk to me!
Clary: Be quick then! x
Jace: I will be. x
Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed. I'd been waiting for it to since the last text.
Jace: I'm back! Did you miss me? x
Clary: I did. What do you want to talk about? x
Jace: Let's play 20 questions. We'll take it in turns. You ask me 10, I'll ask you 10. x
Clary: That's not how you're supposed to play that game but okay. You first. x
Jace: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Clary: Rome, maybe. Or just New York. Favourite childhood memory?
Jace: Bathing in a bath of spaghetti. Don't ask. What is the one thing you want to experience before you die?
Clary: Start a family. Husband, kids etc. Same question back at you.
Jace: I was going to say travel the world but you've made me rethink my idea. I would hate to die without experiencing that. Love or money?
Clary: Love. What do you think is your best feature?
Jace: My eyes. First kiss?
Clary: I agree. Some douche when I was 15 at a party. Felt like a washing-machine. Yours?
Jace: 12. The hottest girl in our year behind a tree. Broke up with her two days later. Too clingy. Have you ever had a crush on a friend's parent?
Clary: You're such a player! A friend's parent, no. But I've had a crush on people older than me. Biggest fear?
Hint, hint, Jace.
Jace: Ducks. Favourite hobby?
Clary: Ducks? Are you being serious? Drawing.
Jace: I'm being deadly serious. I never joke about ducks, Clary. Is that your question?
Clary: No. What made you want to become a teacher?
Jace: I want to help people. And the hours suit me. Holidays are great. What do you want to be?
Clary: I'd love to be an artist but realistically, an interior designer or something. Favourite holiday destination?
Jace: Hawaii. If we only had twenty-four hours together what do you think we'd do?
Clary: I don't know, skydive or something crazy like that. What do you think we'd do?
Jace: I'd kiss you.
Oh my god. Did he really mean that?
Jace: Crap, I shouldn't have said that. Forget about it. We'll just end the game here.
Clary: No, it's fine. We'll forget you said anything. x
I'll never forget.
Jace: I'll see you on Monday if we don't talk beforehand. Good luck with your exhibition tomorrow. Night x
Aww! He remembered!
Clary: Yeah. Thank you. Goodnight Jace. x
I put my phone down on my lap, and Jon stared at me. "Who were you texting?" he inquired. "Nobody, group chat with Simon and Izzy." "Oh okay. I'm going to bed. You coming?"
Jon and I walked up the stairs together and he waved before going into his room. I lay down on my bed and thought of Jace kissing me, of his arm around my waist and his hand on my face. Monday was going to be...interesting.
Last chapter for the night!
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