CHAPTER 4:
The Countdown
December 31st
7;04pm
"Magnus I'm not too sure about this dress… It's really beautiful, and I'd hate to be overdressed, maybe you could let out the hem slightly…?" Clary says gingerly, in her head she is telling a different story I look like an A grade hooker, wow! Magnus chuckles to himself, and coaxes Clary in front of the mirror. "Now, Clarissa. I think you look absolutely flaming hot, and that was the exact intention, you look ready to handle any party Isabelle Lightwood can throw at you. It's truly perfect." Together they stare at the dress, it hugs Clary's curves and stops just below her butt. Clary tugs on the emerald sequins to give herself a bit more modesty… The long sleeves add a touch of elegance, but then the plunging v-neck drops down almost to her navel. Clary looks at her boobs, for the first time in a while, looking at the way they are almost falling out of the dress.
"Now Isabelle said you were a dancer, so… I made a bandeau top that you can wear, so you don't accidentally flash anyone. I just wanted to see you in the dress before we put that on, admire my handiwork…." Magnus hands Clary a black bandeau top, simple, but not exactly modest either. Clary turns away and slides the dress off, pulling on the top, then pulling the dress again. She turns back around and Magnus smiles lazily. Clary turns back to the mirror and pulls on the top a bit. she walks back to the bed and slides on the pre-decided sneakers. Clary looks at herself again and remembers the fight over shoes. Magnus was very tough when he thought he should be. He struts over and hands Clary a few Black cuff bracelets, and a pair of emerald and silver dangly earrings. "Now to Izzy for make-up… Good Luck!" Magnus struts around the bedroom, picking up hangers and throwing them back into Isabelle's closet. "ISABELLE LIGHTWOOD!" Magnus yells in a teasing tone, "I'LL DO IT INSTEAD!"
In less than five seconds, Isabelle is in the room, Simon trailing behind her, his lips puffy. What is with everyone coupling off, I'm such a loner! Clary thinks to herself. Before she can think anything else for herself Isabelle has pushed her into the ensuite bathroom, sitting her down on the toilet. She turns back and rummages in her drawers for silver and black and red. Isabelle furiously looks for highlighter and eyelash curlers and soon enough the floor of the bathroom is littered with the many products about to be painted onto Clary's face. Clary looks a bit scared, and begins to speak, "Now, Izzy just what we agreed on this morning, okay, no foundation, no contour, natural, natural…" Isabelle whines, like a child who just found out they're not allowed to go to their best friends party. "But Clary, pl-eeeeeeeeeeee-se!" Clary sighs, and mumbles out "Okay, maybe some contour, just no foundation!" Isabelle jumps up and down and squeals.. "Ohhh Clary you're the best, I promise I wont make you unrecognisable." Clary sighs again and her eyelids flutter closed as Isabelle begins to work her magic. Magnus watches on proudly.
Clary offers to help Izzy out with her makeup, but it looks like the Lightwood had it all sorted. She strips down to her bra and panties and runs to the walk in robe. She brings out three outfits. A black minidress, almost identical to Clary's, A royal blue sleeveless jumpsuit, or a white bell sleeved dress with intricate ivory embroidery on the bodice and hem. Clary studies each outfit, and thinks the blue jumpsuit would be beautiful. Isabelle tosses it on, and turns back to Clary. It looked perfect, the tight bodice accentuating her waist, and then the bigger more loose legs stick to her legs in some places, giving a hint of toned thigh or sculpted ass. Isabelle throws a leather jacket over her shoulders and a small silver cuff bracelet, in the shape of a snake. Her blue eyes pop behind silver white lids, and her cheeks have a healthy glow to them. Her lips glisten and look absolutely delectable under a coat of shimmery gloss. Clary smiles at her friends outfit, almost jealous she didn't have the extra foot of height. She feels like a little dwarf, next to Isabelle in heels, but doesn't care all too much, because she knows they both look absolutely hot.
TIME JUMP
Clary and Isabelle stand by the door as more and more people arrive at Idris Manor. Alec is handling the gate for now and Simon and Magnus are preparing drinks. Mayrse left in the morning, saying something about shifting responsibility and letting kids be kids, and Robert is holed up in the gardeners cottage with Max and Jon, organising fireworks. Clary is surprised to see there are no old people at the party, she had assumed a party for the town, would be the whole town, not just the high school. In a way she is relieved, at least she doesn't have to worry about being leered at by someone twice her age. All she has to worry about is having a good time and the countdown. Isabelle gave her this lecture before, and after the countdown "you have to kiss the closest person and you need to find someone nice to kiss, because you will most probably end up in bed with them" Clary was only slightly worried about this, she saw a couple of guys that caught her fancy. Isabelle was fretting about Jace, not turning up in time, when Clary offered to get some drinks. She walks away to the bar and Simon hands her a cup, Clary suggests that Simon go talk to Isabelle and takes his place at the bar. Magnus hands her the cocktail shaker and she sets to work, laughing and chatting with Magnus throughout the night.
After about two hours of working Clary is replaced by Simon again and Isabelle takes Magnus' place. Magnus quickly rushes off to go find his "Alice" and Clary gives him a knowing look. He pats her little head and grins, whispering in her ear, "Go talk to Mister Blonde hair over there, he's been staring at you half the night."
Clary looks in the direction Magnus is speaking of and is caught by a pair of golden eyes, she walks towards them, only to have them disappear into the crowd. Clary gasps and cranes her neck, but he is gone. She turns back to the bar and orders another drink from Simon. He looks at her warily and pours the margarita out, giving her his 'be careful' look.
Clary is in no way a lightweight, but running on only margaritas and an empty stomach she was feeling the effects. She stumbles away from the bar and towards the toilets, almost falling over her own feet. She is caught by a pair of strong hands and she turns around to than her saviour. It is a white haired boy with kind grey eyes, she smiles at him and he smiles. He reminds her of a friend from Berlin, Jem. In her drunken haze Clary hugs him and starts talking about all the times they spent together and the mysterious boys face turns guarded. Clary can't figure out whether its a look of anger or lust.
Before she knows it she is slammed into a wall and the boy shoves his tongue down her throat. Clary fights him and pulls away feeling sick to the bottom of her stomach. Clary knows she's going to throw up at any moment. She figures if the boy goes in again she'll use it to her advantage. Sure enough the boy lunges at her again, and this time Clary grabs his face. He grins and bites her tongue lightly, and it sends Clary over the edge, she starts retching and sure enough her drunken night comes up in one go. The boy spits and sputters, looking like he's about to throw up himself. He falls to his knees and starts retching, and Clary takes this opportunity to kick him as hard as she can over and over. She keeps kicking and kicking until he stops moving and she spits on him, as she walks away towards the bathroom she shouts back, "Never touch me ever again, don't you fucking dare you monster. Get out of this house and never come back freak!"
Clary slams the bathroom door closed and locks it, looking at herself in the mirror, and breaking down. She hasn't been touched in such a malicious way since she was 13 and the memories come flooding back. She heaves again, and looks around the bathroom for safety. She huddles into the bath-tub and pulls herself into a tight ball. She squeezes her eyes tight and rocks back and forth. Clary feels dirty and disgusting and violated. She decides to have a shower and wash the stench of vomit away. She strips down and turns the shower on, stepping into cold water. She relishes it, feeling alive, her senses suddenly jolted awake. The water turns warm and she grabs the bar of soap, scrubbing her body down. She almost instantly feels better. She steps out of the shower and brushes her teeth, washing the foreign tongue out of her mouth. She pulls her dress on again and huffs, brushing her hair quickly. She looks in the mirror once more and looks at her bare face. She no longer cares about the party, she just wants to sleep.
She opens the door and steps backs out into the throbbing bass and loud voices. She checks the hallway and sure enough the boy is gone. She runs down the corridor towards her bedroom, as she runs she cries and stumbles into her room.
Her tears clouding her vision, she stumbles towards the light switch. What greets her eyes could not even be described accurately. Clary gasps and so do the two people in her bed. "Get out of my room please." She says in an acidic voice, she's too tired for arguing. "Please leave. Of any of the rooms in this whole fucking house you had to choose mine?!" Clary is bordering on hysterical.
The girl in bed slides out from under her lover and off out of the room, shooting Clary a dirty look. Then the boy turns over onto his front. His muscular chest draws Clary's attention but she snaps her eyes quickly away. Out of his mouth comes the most beautiful accent, soft and husky British. "Now, listen here Red. She was a great fuck if you don't mind. AND this is my room." Clary looks up at the man's face for the first time, and is met with blazing golden eyes, the same ones that seemed to burn a hole into her soul only an hour or so before. Her breath hitches and she sees surprise in his eyes, fuck he's delicious Clary thinks to herself. She stands there for what seems like an hour and finally gains the ability to speak. "Well, actually I'm staying here for the year and this is my room. Mayrse said so, third on the left" Clary said in her sassiest tone, avoiding his eyes. "Well, Red, I hate to break it to you but this is the right side of the corridor." The blonde chuckles and Clary feels her heart melt and her knees go weak. Then it hits her. She turns beet red and proceeds to verbally abuse herself. FUCK me blind Clarrisa Adele Morgenstern you fuckwit, how is that even possible to be so stupid! And in front of this godly man your fucked Clary, may as well be dead. Clary's brows are knitted and she begins to slink out the door when she hears the blonde talk. "Wait! Well, I know this isn't the best circumstances, but I saw you at the party right? Are you a friend of Isabelle's?" Clary looks back and sits on the edge of the bed, the blonde pulling the covers around himself for modesty, still leaving his abs distractingly on display. Clary begins speaking. "Well, I am Isabelle's friend, Clary, I'm from Berlin and I'm staying the year with my little brother Jonathon so we could see the Lightwoods again. It's been years." Clary looks at her hands as she talks careful not to disclose anything about her mother to this complete stranger. He looks at her with soft eyes and Clary feels very exposed. He begins to talk and Clary feels instantly comforted. "Well, I'm Jace Lightwood. I have heard a lot about you, Clary," Clary shivers when he says her name, it sounds so beautiful, "I am not a Lightwood biologically, I am sure you know, or have guessed… My parents are dead and Mayrse adopted me. I'm eighteen, but I still live at home, I feel like I'll just catching up on family time this coming year, I've finished school." Jace keeps talking, and Clary still slightly feeling the effects of Magnus' Margaritas, starts leaning towards him. Her eyes start fluttering closed and she has her head in his lap. He chuckles "Was it Magnus making drinks tonight?" Clary nods and smiles. "Sorry, I'm just a bit exhausted, I might just go to bed now." Clary snuggles further into his lap and then her eyes shoot open and she sits upright, shrinking away from Jace. She mumbles an apology and basically runs across the hallway, realising how close she was to his lap.
She mentally slaps herself and turns on the bedside lamp, illuminating a much more comforting room, colours everywhere, just how she left it years ago. Clary smiles to herself when she hears a knock on the door. The door opens before she can say anything and in comes Jace carrying Clary's easel and paints, he puts them down gingerly and leaves again. He re-appears with Clary's suitcase and some more of her clothes. Clary smiles sheepishly, "Thank you Jace." "Anytime.…..Clary? Why did you run?"
He sits down at the edge of her bed, roles reversed and puts a hand on her foot rubbing small circles. Clary shivers and draws the covers around herself, covering her chest. Jace is still shirtless, but he has some jeans on now. Clary just looks at him in appreciation for a second before snapping herself back to the question. "Well, I uh, uh, was very close to your lap and if you were doing what I think you were doing when I stormed in, well, uh…. You know why!" Jace chuckles at Clary's flustered face.
He leans back onto his hands and looks around Clary's room. "I always wondered who did this.." He says motioning to the tie-die curtains and mural covering two walls. Clary's face turns pink and she points to herself. "Twelve year old me….. Beautiful isn't it?" Jace nods slowly, "You're a very talented artist." Clary's heart is a puddle on the floor, the golden boy sitting in front of her seems to glow.
All of a sudden the floor shakes with shouting and Clary doesn't have to struggle to hear what they are saying, Counting down. 10… 9…. 8….7…6….5….4… Clary looks at Jace and his eyes dart to her lips, "Clary are you sure?" Jace asks warily, she flushes, and nods. 3…. they begin leaning towards each other. 2…. Jace groans, and pulls Clary closer. 1….. Their lips crash together and fireworks seem to fly behind Clary's eyelids, Jace deepens the kiss and the pair fall back into the bed. Clary is feverish, she pulls on Jace's curls and they tangle together. Suddenly Clary's room is illuminated and a loud bang sounds. Jace jumps away from Clary and pulls her to the window, the curtains are flung back and outside fireworks fly around. The lawn is covered in drunken teens, and they sit and stare at the display. Jace cheers and Clary laughs, searching the crowd for Alec, he sits underneath a tree with Magnus slung under his arm, Isabelle sits on Simon's lap, and Max and Jon sit with Robert lighting fuses. Clary stares back up at the sky, and sees gold in the corner of her eyes. Maybe it was pheromones or just the atmosphere, but Clary knew she was going to have sex tonight. She grabs Jace's face and pulls it to hers, he gladly obliges, and they stumble back to the bed. Clary whispers breathlessly to Jace "Happy New Year."
