CHAPTER 6

Hello my loves! I got good feedback on the last chapter! I was very nervous to upload it because I wasn't sure if my writing style had changed, and how it would be received but it seemed that it was enjoyed!

Give me feedback and suggestions for plot development in the review section! I do have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen but I'd love more ideas:)

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Clary POV

Hair stuck to my face. It had started to rain. The sun was still shining but the dark clouds over head were dumping water on me. I was blocks away from Takis and miles away from my house.

I called an Uber, and rested my head against the window. The driver looked back at me and we met eyes before I looked away.

"Rough day?" He said.

I just nodded. I wasn't ready for a taxi-driver therapy session.

He pulled up at my house, and with some difficulty, used my numb hands to force the key into the lock and stumbled in, closing the door behind me and leaning on it.

My mom came out from behind the wall that lead to the kitchen with a dishcloth in her hands. She put the dishcloth over her shoulder and hurried towards me, putting her hands on my shoulders and feeling the wet fabric. She looked into my eyes and probably saw the redness that skirted the green of my iris'. She asked me what was wrong and I just told her how I got into a fight with a friend.

The word friend felt weird. Because we weren't ever friends, were we?

She put on a big smile, and rubbed my shoulders. "It'll be alright," She said. "I've put some water on the stove. I'm making spaghetti tonight." I smiled back at her. Spaghetti was my favorite meal of all time.

My mom was a great cook, and a great mom. I have no idea how she does it all alone.

I started to head upstairs and looked back at her as she walked back into the kitchen. She and I were close, but I just couldn't tell her about this. I didn't feel like I could fell anyone.

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Jace POV

I had finished my meal in silence at Takis, and as I did, I decided to be angry. It was much easier than dwelling on the shortcomings that Clary had so aptly pointed out.

I just needed time. But I guess Clary didn't get that. Why would she when she didn't care as much as I did about her. Deep down I knew that she wasn't uncaring, she was hurt. I felt myself falling into a pit of anger and resentment, and I knew it was wrong, but as I said before, I'm a pessimist.

The next day I woke up bright and early and went for a run. I tried to shake off the feeling of dread that faced me- I would see Clary so much in school today because of all the classes we had together.

I forced myself into a sprint, and ended my run back at the house. Isabelle was coming outside. "I'm going to pick Clary up. She can't drive because of her concussion. But I guess you know that since you went out with her yesterday," she said smiling.

"Yeah, whatever." I snapped.

She was obviously confused. I guess Clary hadn't told anyone what happened. That's good news for me, it means I won't get killed by Isabelle just yet.

On the way to school I still hadn't decided how I was going to act. As I was pulling into the parking lot, I saw Seelie and Kaelie. I waved at them and threw them a charming smile. It was so easy with them. I didn't have to think. Clary was difficult, and I decided that she was more work than she was worth. But something hurt inside me when I was walking up to Seelie and Kaelie. I knew deep down Clary was worth all the work I'd have to do and more. I brushed it off and kissed Seelie on the cheek.

—

Clary POV

Iz picked me up for school. She and I talked the whole way there and decided to have a sleepover this Saturday after the art gala. I smiled internally. I was glad I was going to get closer to Isabelle. I was upset when Simon first started dating her, only because I no longer had a friend who was always free. But I warmed up to Izzy quickly.

We went to my locker, and she split off to go to class. Jace walked by me into our first class without a glance.

I don't know why I was surprised. Maybe the little girl inside of me was hoping for a big romantic gesture. I shook the disappointment out of my head and followed him in.

The week passed. I observed Jace flirt and mingle with Seelie and Kaelie. He would glide past me with his eyes. Only once did I see him staring at me from across our aisle of desks. I cracked my nuckles loudly and that snapped him out of his reverie. He didn't slip up and look at me again.

This weekend was the big fancy art gala. Isabelle's family was coming too, though I was pretty certain Jace wouldn't show up at something like an art showing. I can imagine him getting very bored and annoyed.

So for that I was relieved- and I was also pleased that Isabelle would be coming. It would be nice to have a friend.

We went shopping for dresses on Friday. I wasn't going to tell her what happened with Jace, but it just came out in a jumble as we were looking through gowns.

She was peeved at his actions, but didn't seem very surprised.

"He doesn't change easily. It took a long time for him to warm up to me and Alec when my parents took him in," she said, then looking at me and seeing the curiosity on my face, added "maybe sometime he'll tell you about why he lives with us, if he ever stops being such an ass."

We went up and down rows of dresses until we finally found ones we liked. I chose a long white and cream dress, with thin fabric, that was off the shoulder and moved with me well as I walked. It got very tight at my waist and my chest, and made my figure look good. Izzy's was strapless and red.

The next night, Isabelle came over to help me with my makeup. She straightened my hair, applying an oil that made it look shiny. She did natural makeup, but with a bold set of fake eyelashes that made everything just pull together. I was in awe.

"Izzy you're amazing at this," I said.

"Well I have a good model," she replied, smiling, obviously pleased with herself. (AN: if you want to see what I think Clary would look like, search "Lily Collins Cannes Film Festival" in google images. Idk it's just awesome, thought y'all would be interested:))

We all rode together. When I had asked if Isabelle wouldn't rather go with her own family, she rolled her eyes and said "my mom and dad won't stop fighting. I'm already preparing them to argue about what art piece they like, I don't need to hear them quip about how my mom speeds."

I laughed, and told my mom she'd be riding with us.

We arrived at the museum, and ascended the beautiful steps to the lobby. My mom was glowing. People started to greet her, and she tried to act like she had always been recognized as a great artist. In reality it was only in the past month that her art blew up.

Isabelle and I were chatting, laughing at some of the more pompous art critics that were rattling on to their bored companions about the "feeling" of a painting.

We had almost made a full circle around the room when I saw Jace and Alec walking down the stairs into the main room. They were stopped, obviously looking for something. Alec sported Izzy and I, and motioned to Jace.

(I recommend playing "dead in the water" by Ellie Goulding during this)

Jace met my eyes. My breath hitched. He was wearing a very well fitted dark navy blue suit, with a gold tie. His hair was so golden in the light. I leaned over to Izzy, muttering, "you didn't mention the golden boy was coming."

She followed my gaze, and said "I didn't know, I thought he was too cool for these types of things."

I looked back at Jace, and found that he and Alec were striding across the floor towards us. Jace had his eyes locked on mine. I hadn't felt the heat of his gaze in so long.

Somehow over the past week I had managed to convince myself that I didn't have feelings for him. Everything flooded back, the good and the bad. The amount he said he cared about me floated in my mind, and crashed into the recollection that his actions proved otherwise. I looked down.

They reached us, and Alec mentioned how his boyfriend, Magnus, was going to be there soon. I acted very interested in what he was saying, but snuck a glance at Jace. He was already looking into my eyes. Isabelle and Alec launched into conversation about their parents, and the golden boy and I entered our own bubble.

"Dance with me," he said, looking down, then back into my eyes.

I nodded slowly, unsure of how this would turn out, but not caring in that moment.

He took my waist and one of my hands, and we started to dance around the room. (Imagine that classical music is playing, but if it was a movie, Lights by Ellie Goulding would be playing over it. Ya get me?)

His eyes traced my jawline, lips and collarbone.

"You look very beautiful." He said, eyes locked on mine again.

I made an effort to look past him, and thanked him.

"You don't look bad yourself," I said, running my eyes over his blue suit. His lips curled into a smile. "I know I do," he replied. I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"You have a nice laugh, Red."

"Red? Really? You almost got on my good side there." I didn't know what I was saying. Was I flirting with him? I made an urgent mental note to get away from him and his intoxicating cologne.

He must've seen my slight distress, and leaned into my ear, whispering "give me a chance."

I straightened a bit, faltering. "It's hard to do that when it seems like you don't care as much as your smart mouth says you do."

He thought about this. "My actions at Takis we're obscene, I agree. You did a great job pointing that out."

"I'll always speak my mind."

"I like that."

He pulled me a bit closer as the music changed to a slower tempo. He suddenly took both of my hands and said "we're getting out of this stuffy ballroom for a while."

I looked at him curiously.

"Give me a chance, Clary,"

"Okay," I said slowly, "Let's get out of here."

Grinning, he dropped one of my hands from his and pulled me toward a hallway at the end of the ballroom.

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YALL LIKE THAT CLIFF HANGER?

Xoxo Sophie!