Hey guys, make sure to check out "Believe Me", which is TACWM in Jace's POV! :)

So, I had planned for this to happen in chapter 7, but that obviously didn't happen. Well, hopefully ya'll will like it. ~Megan

Chapter Song(s):

Just Like Heaven~The Cure

Nine In The Afternoon~Panic At The Disco

Can't Stop~One Republic

I woke up Christmas morning with a serious craving for cookies and milk. I grabbed the box of cookies and carton of milk and parked my ass on the couch. As I watched The Lampoon Family's Christmas vacation, I ate the cookies from the box and drank the milk from the carton because no one was there to stop me. Right when they discovered the squirrel in the Christmas tree, my phone rang. I paused the movie and answered. "Hello?"

"Why, don't sound like such a grumpy butt sis. I might decide not to tell you where your surprise is."

Holy shit. I'd forgotten.

Grinning, I bounced in my seat. "Oh, tell me! Tell me now!"

I heard him laugh over the phone. "Look in the liquor cabinet." It made sense that he had put it there—I only drank on special occasions, if that. I opened the wooden doors, pulling out the gift wrapped box inside. I set my phone down and put it on speaker. I tore off the green, red, and white wrapping and looked at what laid in my lap. Eyes the size of saucers, I opened the box to make sure it was really there. A red MacBook Air stared back at me. I screamed. I heard Jon's laughter on the other end. "I take it you like it."

I squealed again, hugging the box to my chest. "I could fricking hug you right now!"

"Ew, no. You probably smell like old catfish."

I laughed. "Jerk face."

"Love you too."

"Thank you so much. I love it." I wiped at the wetness gathering in my eyes.

"You deserve it. Look, dad's getting up, so we are going to get going soon."

"Jon?"

"Yeah?"

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, lil sis. Love you."

"Love you too." I said, and hung up the phone, still smiling.

{•}

6 Days Later: New Years Eve

I browsed the mall the next day, a wad of cash stuffed in my purse. I walked into Holister and grabbed a pair of skinny jeans that actually looked kinda good on me and black leather flats that had a leather bow at the top. I had been planning to wear a shirt I already had, but that wasn't what happened. I had been reading (and swooning over, thanks to Shane) Glass Houses by Rachel Caine when my door opened and Isabelle walked into my room. I screamed, clutching the book to my chest. She grinned. "Hey."

"Wh—h—how did you get in here?"

She shrugged. "I walked in."

"You know there's this awesome thing called a doorbell." I said, stuffing the book under my covers and sliding off my bed.

"I know. I just chose not to use it." She set a bag down on my vanity. "Now sit."

I raised and eyebrow. "Say what now?"

She pulled out the stool and pat it. "Sit."

A response formed on the form of my tongue, but I waved it away, because arguing with this girl was pointless. I hugged and sat down, starting at myself in the mirror. "Now. What were you planning to wear?" She asked, and I pointed to the bag on my bed. She pulled out the jeans, and then the shoes. "Cute, but where's your shirt."

I shrugged. " I was just gonna wear one I already own."

She shook her head, mouth slightly agape. "Oh, hell no."

My brows scrunched up as she walked over her bag and started digging through it. She produced a wad of black cloth and tossed it at me. I caught it before my face was assulted with gallons of glitter and perfume. "Put this on." She instructed, issuing me towards the bathroom. I rolled my eyes,closing the door and stripping my Stepping Razors tee off. I pulled the shirt on, gawking at myself in the mirror. Holy shit. The chick was insane. Glittering black spandex wrapped my torso, emphasizing my thin stomach. Silky crimson material stretched over my chest, fading into loose, sheer sleves that were a blend of crimson & black and fell a good few inches below my shoulders. I walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom, clutching my shirt with wide eyes. Isabelle squealed when she saw me. "It looks perfect!"

I looked at her like she had just sprouted an extra head.

"Oh, don't look at me that way." She said, handing me my jeans and shoes. I changed into the jeans and slipped the shoes on. I was completely comfortable with changing in front of Izzy, considering we had to do it practically every day for two years straight now. I sat back down on the vanity stool, resting my cheek in my palm as Isabelle messed with my hair. She eventually made me lift my head and began her work. She made me close my eyes, and I fought to keep them closed the entire time.

"Open." She said. I opened my eyes, and had to press my lips together so my jaw didn't fall clean off. Izzy had changed my mess of red frizz into shiny red ringlets that framed my face. My eyes were coated with black eyeshadow and glitter, with a clean swipe of eyeliner and mascara work that made my eyelashes noticeable. The makeup made my eyes pop, emerald green blending with my shiny, red hair and glossed lips. I smiled, taking in the image. Isabelle grinned along with me. "Now." She said, putting her hands on her hips when I faced her. Her silver dress hugged her curves and showed off her long, tan legs. Her smoky eye makeup tied together her black pumps and sleek ponytail. "Let's party."

{•}

Mia's house was crowded and smelled of alcohol. I squeezed my way in, parting with Isabelle as Sebastian Verlac dragged her away. As she left, she sent me a wink over her shoulder, and I grinned. I made way over to the refreshments, looking out across the crowd. My eyes immediately found Jace. He was talking to Camille, and she was rubbing her finger in slow circles around his right pec as she leaned her body into him and laughed at something he said. I turned away, pretending that I didn't care that Camille was grinding against and apparently giving a breast exam to Jace. I grabbed a plastic red cup and the bottle of tequila, filling the cup to the top. I took a sip, ignoring the burn as it heated my stomach. It was probably a really bad decision, but I did it anyways, because I was an act first and ask questions later kinda girl. I sat on the couch, watching the Times Square celebration. A few minutes later, someone plopped next to me. I took a sip of my drink and looked at said person. Two things happened then: I wanted to punch him in the man parts, and I wanted to curl into his lap like a little puppy. Since neither seemed like a good idea, I settled on staring over his shoulder. I tried to look pissed, but I probably just looked like I was going to shit myself. Giving up, I settled back on the tv, sliding down with a huff. His soft chuckle made my already warm body heat up even more. "Are you drunk?" He asked.

I looked down at my cup, and upon finding it over half empty, took another sip. "No."

Laughing, he took the cup from me and set it on the coffee table.

"Yeah. You totally are."

I reached for the cup, but he held me back. "No, Clary." He said.

"Yes, Clary." I said.

"Am I going to have to hold you back the rest of the night?"

I actually really liked that idea, and I almost took him up on it, but then I remembered that I was supposed to be pissed at him. I smacked his wrist.

"Now what was that for?" He asked, apparently having a grand old time.

"Because you're stupid."

He grinned. "I'm stupid?"

"Uh-huh."

"Why do you say that?"

I snuggled up to his side.

"Because you are." I felt his body tense under mine, the muscles of his stomach hardening. And then he let out a breath, throwing an arm over me and relaxing into the couch.

"That's hardly logic."

"Your face."

"You have no idea what you're saying right now, do you?"

I think I grunted something to the affirmative, but I was asleep before I could be sure.

{•}

I woke up what felt like hours later, my head feeling like it had been dropped down a flight of stairs. I groaned and sat up. I was on the couch, but instead of it being 5:30, the clock read 11:40. I looked to my left, and Jace was there. He was asleep—at least he look like he was. I poked him in the side, feeling like a had poked a wall made of iron. When he didn't stir, I poked his cheek. The third time I did it, he grinned. I knew it! The little bastard had been awake! I smacked his shoulder, and he laughed, opening his eyes. "Sorry. I couldn't resist." He said.

I rolled my eyes, wincing as someone screamed "BEER PONG!".

"I wonder if she'll fall of stage." I commented, watching Iggy Azalea as she trotted around in 8-inch heels.

Jace shrugged. "Probably."

Amazingly, she didn't fall. But, she did teeter to the side as she walked off stage. People started to gather around the couch, and couples sent each other knowing looks. I looked at said couples, wishing I was as brave as them. I imagined being in that position, sitting on Jace's lap, leaning my head on his chest as his arms surrounded me.

I stared ahead, staring at the tv screen as I turned the thought over in my head. "10,9,8,7,6,5,4..." People started to chant. "3,2,1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" I stood up with everyone else, looking from the couples kissing to the tv screen, and then back. "Fuck it." I whispered. And then I turned to Jace and pulled his face down on mine, kissing him.

{•}

OOOOOOOHHHHH SHIT ~Mermaid12108