So, a little background here: My school does senior crowns. We get a plain white crown, and we get to decorate it. And then there's a day where we all get to wear them. Mine was awesome. It had pink and blue turquoise strips, and I put the words Fearless & Senior in sparkly silver letters. And also in silver & black letters, I have M.R. 2019 (2019 being my grad year), like Taylor Swift's 1989 album (T.S. 1989). And I have fairy lights that switch between blue/purple & amber. So I thought it might be fun to include that in here. Okay, that's all. Enjoy! :-) -Megan
Chapter Song(s):
Wicked Game – Chris Issac
Superman (It's Not Easy) – Five For Fighting (Stair, kiss, and hair scene)
Panic Cord – Gabrielle Aplin
My, My, My – Troye Sivan
Wildest Dreams (Grammy Hall Of Fame Acoustic Version) – Taylor Swift
Rats – Rainy Milo
Next week came around, and it looked like a kingdom overthrown had flooded out school's hallways. Yearbooks were also released today. I'd raised an eyebrow at Jace's quote. "Really?" I had asked.
He had just grinned.
Jace Herondale
Responds to 'Jace' or 'Hot Stuff'.
And then Jon's:
Jonathan Morgenstern
People have told me to go to hell, but I've been here for four years already.
Idiots, the both of them. But they were my idiots, and I loved them. I looked down at Jace, studying his crown. I'd help design both his and Jonathan's. His was gold with many scrawling designs. A lion was painted on it, a little thing I'd done. From the moment I had seen Jace grow up from the twelve year old friend of my brothers, full of gangly limbs and height like his friend, into a well-built, tall teenager, he had had started to remind me of a lion. I know it sounds strange, but with his golden curls, golden eyes, looming height...it just made sense. Speaking of height...
"Are you sure you don't want me to do it?"
I looked down the ladder at Jace, who was holding it steady.
I pointed the tape gun I held at him in warning. He just laughed and shook his head. I was five foot two. I wasn't an ant.
I was currently taping up a banner the art department had made that advertised the last minute price of prom tickets. Technically this whole thing should have been student council's job, but...well.
I reached forward, standing on the tips of my toes as I tried to tape the final corner. Almost there...without warning, I lost my footing, and gravity took it from there. I was barely able to gasp as the falling sensation over took me. I braced myself for the feeling of slamming into the linoleum below, but it never came. After a moment, I opened my eyes to find them mirroring two wide, gold ones.
After a moment where I registered that I wasn't going to crack my skull open, I reached forward and flicked his crown.
"My Prince Charming." I said shakily.
He smiled. "I can't take you anywhere." he joked.
I grinned, laughing as he set me down.
"Okay, now I'm really going to do it."
"Suddenly, I have no objections to that."
I held the ladder for him this time, and soon we were finished.
X
After we had finished returning the ladder and tape gun, and started walking back out into the classmate filled hallways, I bumped his hip. "So, about that prom thing..."
"Shit, I know I forgot something." He joked.
I elbowed him in the sides. "Come on."
"Okay, okay. Sorry." He took hold of my hands as he stopped walking, turning me to face him.
"Clary?"
"Yes?"
"Will you go to prom with me?"
I grinned, gripping his sides and leaning up on my tiptoes.
"Yes." I said, touching a small kiss to his lips. Instead of it being a quick kiss, his hands tightened on my hips and pulled me closer. The pressure of his lips on mine increased, and leaned towards him, deepening the kiss further.
"Okay, kids, break it up." My brother hollered. Jace groaned, touching his forehead to mine.
"I'm going to kill him." He said, breathing heavy. I sighed, pulling away from him regretfully.
"I will put Nair in your shampoo." I threatened my brother.
He shook his head. "Naw, because you know I would get you back just as bad."
"Something you wanted?" I asked.
He nodded towards Jace. "Came to get you. Dad wants to talk to you."
Jace sighed, releasing my hand. "See you." He said, tugging on a curl lovingly.
I feared what Dad would say to him. Probably pressure him to choose a school with a good sports program, an argument that he would get no where with. He had tried the same to Jonathan, but without success. He didn't know it, but neither planned to continue football in college. I couldn't wait to see him not get his way, but I also feared it. Last time he had not gotten his way, I'd ended up with a black and blue forearm.
X
I straightened Simons tie again, smoothing our the lapels of his jacket.
"Are you sure it's okay?"
The tux had been his father's, who had died when we were in seventh grade. I smiled up at him. "You look great, Si."
His mom had cried when we had left his house. She hadn't been the same ever since Simon and Rebecca's Dad had died. But she did everything she could for her children, something I couldn't say for my own father.
The doorbell rang, just then, knocking me out of the memory of earlier. "I got it." Jon called.
"Ready?" I asked my best friend.
He nodded. As we started to walk out the door, I suddenly remembered something. "Oh! Almost forgot something. Go on with out me." He nodded and walked out ahead of me. I grabbed my phone off of my desk, stuffing it in the clutch Isabelle had insisted I bring. I headed out, pulling the door closed behind me.
"Sorry, had to grab my phone." I said as I neared the stairs. I started to walk down them, looking up from adjusting my clutch's strap, and had my second princess moment in the span of a week. I looked up to find Jace looking at me, his face a mask of shock. His eyes were wide, mouth agape. I felt his eyes gaze up and down my body as if it were an actual touch. A blush spread up my cheeks, and I took in a deep breath. My heart pounded as my fingers grasped the banister. I kept my eyes on Jace as I walked down, trying to prevent my own expression of shock from overtaking my face. Boy could fill out a tux. Somehow, I made it down the stairs without tripping over myself.
I smiled up at Jace. "Hi." I said quietly.
Without a word, her took my face in his hands and leaned down, kissing me. I stood on the tips of my toes, taking my hand off the banister to settle it on his hip, the other raising to cup his cheek. I closed my eyes, losing myself in the kiss, in the feeling of his lips against mine, his hair tickling my forehead, his hands cupping my cheeks. My clutch slid from my wrist, landing on the floor with a dull thud, but I barely noticed it. I inhaled his unique scent, letting his body heat wrap around me and chase away the chill that had previously afflicted my bare arms. A bright flash of light and a noise brought me back to reality. As our lips parted, it took me another second before I felt that I could breath again. I meet Jace's burning eyes, brushing my hand over his flushed cheeks. He licked lips as swollen as I suspected that mine were. With a great amount of effort, we detangled from each other. Isabelle stood grinning, Simon had averted his eyes, and Jonathan looked as if he couldn't decide to whether to smile or be uncomfortable. "Yup, I'm showing this one to your kids, and your kid's kid's, and your kid's kid's kid's."
Still dazed, I simply blinked at her.
The group turned and headed toward the kitchen. I took a moment to shake myself out of my warm daze, and started after them. Jace stopped me, grabbing my arm. I looked back at him in question, and before I could process what he was doing, felt a spill of warm curls fall down my neck and back. He set my hairpin on a side table, fluffing the curls over my shoulders. "Much better." He said.
Oh, lord help me. If he kept up like this, he was going to have to take me to prom in a bag, because I was going to become a puddle at his feet.
X
In the kitchen, Isabelle was removing plastic containers from a nylon cooler and setting them on the counter as we neared. I looked curiously at the corsages as we neared, but Jace snagged one before I could get a close enough look. I turned to ask him why, but instead felt a cool ribbon of silk being slipped onto my right wrist. I looked down at it, my mouth parting slightly. The ribbon was a cream silk, and the flower that rested atop it was similar in color. It's white petals were soft to the touch, surrounded by bright green leaves. The center was a beautiful gold color, and though I knew it must have been the lighting, it almost looked like it glowed. "Alright party people, let's go!" Izzy called, leading everyone out the door. We followed, and got in to our respective cars. As Jace started up his car (which he had started calling Black Betty), I fingered the beautiful flower. "Thank you." I said, turning to look at him. "Where in the world did you get this?"
He shrugged. "Just some flower shop."
"It's beautiful." I said. It was a flower I had never seen before, unique in it's own way. It was clear that he had put a lot of thought into it.
He smiled at me then. "I'm glad you like it."
Like it? I loved it. As he started to back out of the driveway, I put a hand on his arm to stop him, recalling a plan I had made with myself earlier.
"Wait. Can we...can we stop somewhere first?"
"Sure." His brow furrowed. "Where?"
X
Taking a deep breath, I pulled the chain and it's pendant from where it rested under my clothes, sitting against my breast bone. The key was warmed from my body heat and warmed my palm as I inserted it into the lock and twisted. I opened the door, walking in, pulling Jace in with me by our bound hands. "Mom? Luke?" I called as Jace shut the door behind us. Melodic music streamed out from somewhere in the house, filling the warm room with it's sweet sound. Mom walked out from the hallway, drying paint from her hands with a stained towel that was covered in various forms of pigments, clay, and adherents. Her eyes widened when she saw us. "Mom...this is Jace." I introduced, pulling him closer to me for strength. He squeezed my hand once in silent support, smoothing his thumb across the back of my hand soothingly.
"Today is his and Jonathan's senior prom. And I figured...new beginnings, right?"
She smiled. "Yes." She said softly.
X
After a small conversation between Mom, Luke, and Jace, we stood at the fireplace as Mom snapped picture after picture. Luke stood in the background, staring at her adoringly as she fussed with positioning and lighting.
"Okay, Jocelyn." He said after what felt like the millionth photo. He laid a hand on her shoulder, taking the camera from her.
"Jace," He said, motioning him over with a nod of his head. "Would you mind?" He asked, handing him the camera.
Jace shook his head. "Not at all."
Mom and Luke stood next to me, both of their arms around me as I stood in the middle.
"Is this okay?" Luke asked.
I looked at both him and my mother's hopeful expressions, and what little resistance I possessed dissipated.
"Yeah." I confirmed, giving him a small smile.
I gave the camera a big smile, blinking rapidly after the flash went off, trying to clear my eyes of the black dots.
I stepped forward and then turned to face Mom and Luke.
"I think we should probably go now." I said.
Luke smiled the caring smile he had given my brother and I since we were little.
"Have a good time." He said.
I offered him a return smile. "Thanks."
Mom stepped forward, opening her arms, but I stepped back. Hurt flashed across her face, and a sprout of guilt bloomed inside me. "I'm sorry. I'm just...not ready. Not yet."
The hug the day I'd visited her had been different. I wasn't going to pretend we were what we were all those years ago. And in the territory of our new relationship, I didn't feel ready. I couldn't let myself feel guilty for that. Instead she reached forward to give my arm a cautious squeeze, and I didn't object or stop her. After we said our goodbyes, we walked out to the car. Jace wrapped an arm around my waist, and I leaned my head against his shoulder.
"Thank you for coming with me."
"Of course."
"We're late for the dance." I said.
He shrugged. "So?"
"Somebody probably already spiked the punch."
"As long as it isn't tequila, I think we'll be okay."
"Hey!" I protested, lifting my head to smack his arm. "I wasn't that bad."
"You slept on me, fussed at me, and made out with me. Wait, why am I even protesting this? Go nuts, babe." I shoved him, and he pretended to stumble. But we were both grinning.
X
The school had kind of outdone themselves with the prom. The hotel event room it was held in was decorated with silver tinsel, and silver hanging stars. Dark blue curtains colored the room, and the dark blue table cloths were dusted with silver glitter and sequins, as well as a moon and star centerpiece. A disco ball spun lights around the room, and music pounded throughout the room. A camera station was set up, with a starry background. The theme had been 'Written In The Stars'. We ended up dancing in a group, jumping around to the fast-paced music like idiots. I joined hand's with Isabelle as we twirled and jumped around to Troye Sivan's 'My, My, My'. I turned and did the same to Simon. He rolled his eyes at me, but he twirled our joined arms with me and laughed as we did it anyways. The punch had indeed been spiked with what tasted like tequila, so we avoided it for the most part. The song ended and transitioned into a slow song. Those on the dance floor who weren't couples groaned, moving away from the dance floor and to their tables. Jace took my hand, guiding me over to him and putting a hand on the small of my back. We swayed back and forward as an acoustic version of Taylor Swift's 'Wildest Dreams' flowed out of the speakers. I leaned into his chest, closing my eyes and losing myself in the music and the feel of his arms around me, hand in mine. His hand unknotted from mine and threaded through my curls as he played with my hair soothingly. I smiled without opening my eyes. I never wanted this moment to end. It felt again that we were in our own bubble of a world, where no one could find us. And I knew then, with startling clarity, something that terrified me as much as it thrilled me. Someday, I was going to marry this man.
X
I didn't break eye contact with Jace as I walked backwards up the stairs, not falling by some miracle. Celine and Stephen were out of town for business again, so there was no one in the house but us. And here, it was just us. No responsibilities, no prying eyes, nothing but us. As we made it to his door, Jace backed me into it, leaning in and caging me in with his arms. I looked up at him as he leaned down and touched his lips to mine.
My head tilted towards his, as if following an invisible gravitational pole. We broke away from the soft kiss at the same time. His eyes didn't leave mine as he twisted the knob to his door and it swung open. This time wasn't like the other time. Then, it had been full of curiosity and hunger, and a desperate need to be close to one another. This time, it was a slow, simmering heat. It held none of the nervous energy that had existed before. Now was a desire to get to know each curve and dip, every inch of each other with a undiscovered intimacy. I sucked in a small breath as his fingers trailed down my back and found the zipper of my dress, pulling it down. He gingerly pushed the sleeves of my dress down my shoulders. He raised a brow at what I was wearing underneath.
Which was nothing but my underwear.
"I feel like I'm a little overdressed for this venture." He said.
"Shut up." I replied, taking his face in my hands and kissing him. He shed his tux jacket, and the shirt came next, thrown somewhere that didn't much matter at the moment. He pushed my dress the rest of the way off, touching his lips to the dip of my hip as the skin was exposed. I sucked in a small breath, threading my fingers through his curls. He kicked his slacks off as we backed up on the bed, the comforter whispering with the movement. We rose to our knees, and he kissed the spot between my neck and shoulder as we kicked back the blankets. I dug my fingers into his bare shoulder blades as he lightly nicked the skin in that same spot. We fell back onto the bed in a blur of sensations, my legs wrapped around his hips and his fingers on the ridges of my spine. I slid my hands under the band of his boxers, slipping them down and off of his hips. Somehow my own underwear were removed, and we spun under the warmth of the blanket so that I was on top of him. His fingers dug into my hair as I kissed him, fingers exploring the rigid panes of his stomach. We spun again, and I explored the hard muscles of his back, running my fingers across the warm skin. He sucked in a sharp breath as my fingers trailed across the sharp V of his hips. I bit my lip, deciding I very much wanted to hear that sound again. He jumped at my touch as I explored the skin at his sides, pressing my lips to every inch of tan skin I encountered, as I made my way up the dips and ridges of his stomach, peppering kisses across his jaw. His thumbs smoothed across the skin underneath my breasts, moving his nimble fingers across the sensitive skin of the area. As he pressed his lips onto the hollow of my chest and grasped my hips with a pleasurable pressure, I gasped. A mischievous look crossed his face, and I knew he had a similar thought to what I had earlier. He kissed me, nipping playfully at my bottom lip. And then he was inside me. I gasped into his mouth, gripping his arms as he shifted, thrusting his hips forward. A rush of sensations spread across my body, making my skin tingle. This time, when he thrust his hips in another motion, I matched his pace, shifting my hips in time with his. He groaned, and I smiled triumphantly. But I soon lost all expression as the bundle of sensations started to build in my belly. I quickened my pace to match with his, and before I knew it, release slammed into me. It was like popping a ballon. Warmth spilled through my body as I inhaled gasping breaths, riding through the wave of intense, white hot pleasure. My body jerked along with his against the wave of speeding sensations. We were both unable to speak afterwards, swimming in the after effects of what had just happened. Sweat prickled my skin, but I was swimming in an inexplicable warmth.
"Told you." He said, once he could talk. "Tequila does crazy things to you."
I laughed.
X
