HELLO MY FAITHFULS! I have been away for a long time, and I am sooooo sorry. To be honest, I hit a huge writer's block and lost all inspiration for the story. A few nights ago, the idea struck, but I've been so busy and writing whenever I could. It was to the point of where today, I was dress shopping with a friend, and I was typing on my phone while she was trying stuff on. AND I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED THANK EVERYTHING HOLY. Anyways, after a many months wait...On with the story...
CLARY POV
I nodded my head slightly to the beat of the music currently playing in my ear buds, barely containing the urge to burst out singing. If I was home, I'd be belting the words at the top of my lungs, but I had a feeling that the Central Park wasn't exactly the setting for an impromptu concert. Even though I really wanted to sing.
Suddenly, my eardrums practically exploded when a loud chime rang out, and I jumped slightly, startled. I made a mental note to turn my phone on vibrate while blasting my favorite songs. Then, I debated whether or not checking my phone would be worth setting my pencil down. I was lazy, so the answer was easy. However, I'd forgotten that my phone would alert me again after two minutes, so when it did, I flinched.
I grumbled a few curses, happy that no one seemed to be around my spot at the moment. Well, I was happy that no one was around until I read the text on my screen.
From: Unknown Number:
I'm watching you, Clarissa
My head snapped up, swiveling around to find whoever it was. If it had just been the first part, I would've written it off as some idiot pranking a random person, but my name was there at the end. There was no one in sight, and I swallowed hard, imagining some creep in all black staring at me with a camera.
Needless to say, the serene solitude soon turned into the intro to a season 1 Supernatural episode. As in, the first five minutes where the unfortunate victim is brutally murdered. It may not be a wendigo, but a human could do a lot of damage. At least, a human could do a lot of damage to a five-foot-nothing girl who's only arm exercise was lifting the Cheetos from the bag to my mouth. Pathetic, I know.
My phone beeped again.
From: Unknown Number
Do you want to play a game, My Pretty?
I kept myself from chucking my phone as far as possible and running, trying to run possibilities through my head. There were two that stood out. Number one was that it was a stalker was watching my clearly uneventful life. Number two was that Jace had somehow gotten my number. Granted, it being Jace was a smaller possibility in my twisted mind, but I decided to take the chance anyways.
I opened up the Messaging app.
To: Unknown Number
Seriously, Jace? You can do better than this.
My hands were shaking slightly as I hit send, and I stared at the screen, waiting for the typing bubble to appear. A second later, it did.
And then it disappeared.
And then it came back.
And then it disappeared.
I let out the breath I'd been holding, relief flooding through me. Technically, I didn't have a stalker, but by doing that, Jace was getting pretty close. The typing bubble didn't return, so I assumed Jace was miffed that I'd figured out his little trick. I decided that it would probably be best to add him as a contact, because I'd rather avoid future Supernatural season 1 situations. "Goldilocks" seemed like the fitting name, so I programed it and set my phone down, ready to resume drawing.
What I didn't expect was for someone to whisper in my ear.
"Boo." A soft voice said, and I jumped to my feet, smacking my assailant with my sketchbook as if it would actually protect me. When I realized who it was, I frowned, then hit him with the sketchbook again for good measure.
"A pencil is a better weapon, Chili Pepper." Jace smirked, and I grabbed one, raising it threateningly. He rolled his eyes, then sat down next to where I had been before he so kindly ripped me from my creative bliss. I realized that even if I tried to stab him, he would catch my arm before the sharp point would graze him. It was no use.
I huffed out a sigh, plopping down in my previous spot.
"What do you want?" I grumbled, trying to sound angrier than I actually was. He saw right through me, smiling as he ruffled my hair. Slapping his hand was basically pointless, but I did it anyways, just for my own peace of mind.
"Is it a crime for me to-"
"Stalk a poor, innocent girl?" I cut him off, "Actually, it is." A chuckle escaped him, but he didn't say anything, instead staring out ahead at the scene I'd been sketching. He wouldn't speak until he wanted to, so I grabbed the semi-weapon again, going back to recreating the picture before me.
"That's really good." Jace murmured, and my head snapped up. Despite our budding friendship, he had never actually complimented my art. Then again, he had never really been allowed to see it, so I couldn't blame him. My heart seemed to skip a beat for some odd reason. That was when our closeness hit me. His face wasn't even six inches from mine, seeing as he'd been leaning over to look at the paper.
Something struck me as I tilted my head, looking into his eyes.
"I would love to draw you." I hadn't permitted the words to leave my mouth, but studying his features, I didn't care. Unconsciously, I brought my hand up, gently brushing the angle of his cheekbone, already seeing it in my mind. His eyes widened a fraction, and I saw his adam's apple bob.
"I would let you." The model joke a part of me had been expecting didn't come, and I felt a soft smile touch my lips. My fingers skimmed down his face and over his lips. I was in full-blown artist mode, but I didn't miss the way his breath caught for a fraction of a second. It was actually what made me snap out of it.
I moved back, dropping my hand and putting space between us, cheeks on fire.
"So what was the point of creeping me the hell out?" I aimed for normalcy, and to my relief, he smirked, letting the subject change go. He opened his mouth, but I quickly added, "The truth." He pouted like a baby, but I didn't cave.
"I'm bored and alone." He stated, and I raised my eyebrows. Judging by the look on his face, he was about to tease me, but luckily, he showed me mercy, "Come to the house. No one else is there." My eyebrows climbed higher, and mild disbelief coursed through me. I mean, we had been alone before if you counted no one else being in the room, but having an entire house to ourselves was uncharted territory. Then again, he didn't have feelings for me, so it wouldn't matter in the end.
"Are you propositioning me, Jonathan Christopher?" I couldn't pass up the joke, and he snorted with a roll of his eyes.
"Yes, Shortstack." He deadpanned, "I'm propositioning you." A grin tugged at the corners of my lips, and I shook my head. And then that little part of me flared up. It was the part that supplied possibilities of what we could do in a house alone. I mentally kicked myself, because I wasn't the kind of person who had a dirty mind. I should leave that to Jace.
"You're paying for the cab." I tried to push the thoughts out of my head.
"Of course." Jace smiled, obviously pleased with my decision. Then, he rose to his feet, and to my great surprise, he offered me a hand. I took it with a bit of wariness, because I half expected him to lift me halfway then drop me. It didn't happen. Instead, once I was up, he went ever further, grabbing my art supplies off of the grass.
"Did someone take a lesson on chivalry?" I asked, and he laughed lightly. Apparently, he didn't feel the need to justify my question with an answer. He just started walking away. Even though hsi strides were much longer, I managed to keep up with him as we walked out of the park and to the street. There was silence between us, but it wasn't the uncomfortable kind. It was just two friends walking and enjoying the scenery.
When we were standing on the curb, I anticipated the eternal wait for a cab to be actually empty. Apparently, I didn't have to, because the second Jace raised his arm, a yellow car pulled up in front of us. For a minute, I just stared, because it was nearly impossible to get a taxi that fast. I must've taken too long, because Jace grabbed my hand, pulling me inside when I hadn't even realized he was sitting.
A moment after I sat down, I noticed that he hadn't let go of my hand. Granted, he was already looking out of the window. That just gave me free reign to stare at where we were connected. And then I remembered that I had to buckle my seatbelt, so I reluctantly released him. He seemed too distracted to even think about it, so I just took a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart.
I couldn't get over the fact that Jace and I would have the entire house to ourselves.
Just us.
Alone.
Together.
Those last four words played in my mind like a broken record until we stopped in front of The Institute.
"Chili Pepper." Jace snapped his fingers in front of my face, pulling me from my thoughts, "We're here." I tried to slow my rushing mind, but I had a feeling that it wouldn't work. Nevertheless, I scooted out of the taxi, smiling at the driver and giving him a polite goodbye. Jace walked up to the gate, typing in the code and letting it slide open. We entered the yard, and with each step closer to the door, the tugging of my heart got stronger.
Again, nothing would happen, but that didn't help stop my imagination from running wild.
As soon as we were in the house and the door clicked shot, my thoughts rose to a crescendo. It lessened slightly when Jace turned to me with a curious expression. I offered a smile, and he narrowed his eyes, but took it as a genuine gesture.
"So what are we-"
The question died on my lips when we arrived in the living room. The coffee table was filled with candy-both Jace's favorites and mine-and my jaw dropped once again. I turned to him, only to find a light dusting of pink on his cheek. Jace was blushing, as in actual blushing, and it stunned me a tiny bit.
Okay, it stunned me a lot.
He'd set it up without even knowing for sure I was coming, and warmth flooded into my heart. Jace stared at me, obviously waiting for a reaction. It took a second for one to come, but when it did, it was subtle. I sent him a soft smile, and the tension I had seen in his body lessened. Before he even had the chance to tell me, I plopped down on the couch, reaching forward and snatching my chocolate.
"So what are we gonna do?" I finished my earlier question around a mouthful of heaven. Jace shrugged, sitting down next to me. Normally, I would've made fun of him for not planning past food, but I was way too distracted by aforementioned food. Because it was chocolate and candy, and my sweet tooth was really showing. But it was Jace, so I didn't really care.
"Are you chewing the candy or inhaling it?" Jace asked. I looked up long enough to send him a slight glare before turning back to the sugary goodness, "How are you so skinny?" I huffed, realizing then that Jace had invited me over, and when someone invited someone else to something, that generally implied social interaction. I was just swallowing my last bit when... "Your mouth could be put to much better use."
Luckily, the food went down before it could get caught, but I still started choking on my own spit. I expected Jace to laugh, but all he did was smirk, eyes warm yet calculating. It was almost like he was assessing my reaction, like it meant more than just a laugh. I shoved that little hope to the back of my mind. My cheeks were still burning, though. Then, I just had to remember what he'd said what seemed like forever ago.
That I look cute when I blush.
I decided to ignore that in favor of attempting retaliation.
"And what might that be?" I challenged, and an expression of surprise flitted across his face. He obviously hadn't expected me to play along, but it seemed like he adjusted pretty fast, because a grin spread across his face. He made direct eye contact, his irises a shining gold, and it took everything in me not to squirm or crack under his gaze.
"Well..." Jace trailed off, and a part of me thought that he would relent and give up. But it was Jonathan Christopher Lightwood, so that chance was about as small as an electron. All of a sudden, he popped my personal space bubble. He slid close enough for my thigh to be pressed against his.
"There are too many things to count." His voice was soft as he reached out a hand, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. I swallowed hard, and I almost sucked in a sharp breath. Luckily, I was able to hold myself back. Then, his fingers traveled down my face, much like mine had with his earlier. My heart was pounding in my chest so hard that I almost thought he could hear it.
"Have you ever even kissed a guy, Clary?" My blush deepened at his words, but that gave me the ability to at least nod my head. I mentally noted that he said 'Clary', not Shortstack or Chili Pepper or Clarissa. "Like real kiss?"
"What do you mean real?" My voice was quieter than it should have been, but at least it was there.
"Like my level kiss." Jace said, as if that would clarify anything.
"You can't be that good, Goldilocks." I teased, not even knowing if I believed what was coming out of my mouth, "I mean, you obviously exaggerate."
"Should I prove it?" He asked, his tone husky. My eyes widened, and all I could do was blink. My brain totally flatlined. He couldn't be thinking what I was thinking. He couldn't be thinking it, because Jace Lightwood would never willingly kiss Clary Fray. It just wasn't in the natural order of things, and I should not get my hopes up. Still, I couldn't speak.
My lips parted, but no words escaped.
Apparently, he took that as an answer, because he ever so slowly leaned in closer. It was like everything I wanted was being offered on a silver platter, but I didn't know what to do with it. Then, I processed his earlier words. He was trying to prove a point, not do something real. Right before his lips touched mine, I scooted back, resenting myself for every centimeter I put between us. He tilted his head, silently asking what had happened, but I just shook my head.
"I need to get some water." I managed the words before jumping to my feet and bolting to the kitchen. My breaths were still shaky, and I walked over to the sink and put my hands on the counter, dropping my head. I scolded myself for my momentary lapse in judgement, because it was a game. Jace didn't want anything more. I had to get that through my head.
The thing I should've realized was that Jace Lightwood didn't give up something he wanted that easily.
The arms around my waist didn't startle me for some reason. It was almost like I had been subcounsciously expecting it.
"What happened to drinking water?" He let out a rumbling chuckle that I could feel, seeing as his chest was pressed against my back. I worked on keeping my breathing at a normal pace, but when I felt his breath on the shell of my ear, I still shivered involuntarily. My mind wasn't even cursing my body for showing the reaction, because it was too caught up in Jace.
"Turn around." He murmured, and any semblance of resistance left me. I spun slowly to face him, and we were closer than we'd ever been before. One of his hands came up to cup my cheek, his other arm tightening around me. He leaned in so that our lips were millimeters apart, "Do you want this?" I could barely hear the words. All I could do was nod.
My eyes fluttered shut, and his lips brushed mine gently, then-
"JACE!" My eyes flew open and Jace jumped back, hearing the youngest Lightwood's voice approaching, "There's so much candy!" Max barreled into the kitchen, not seeing me as he attacked his older brother with a hug. Jace's gaze clashed with mine, and I was slightly shaking from what had almost happened.
My eyes lowered to the little ball of energy, and for the first time ever, I cursed his existence.
So, my Faithfuls...Do you feel the tension rising? Who knows when it's going to break ;). Writing this chapter, I'm realizing how much I miss this story along with messing with your heads. Evil, I know. But I take pleasure in it :)
Question of the Chapter: What is your absolute favorite memory summed up in twenty words or less?
I shall be back sooner than before (I hope)
With love to my Faithfuls,
-Shadowhunter5801