"Are you serious? No milk." Jace grimaced from where he stood in between the door of the refrigerator. He glanced towards her, eyebrows raised. She was pouring some more raisin bran into her bowl. She stopped and turned to him.

"You're kidding. I thought you bought milk a week ago." He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"You forget how many times I empty the fridge." She laughed a little and sauntered away from him. He watched her put on her coat. She was only wearing too short pajama shorts and a Hello Kitty shirt. It was still fall and the weather outside was scattered with cold winds and floating leaves.

"Where are you going?" He asked, knowing full well what she would answer.

She pointed a finger to the door, twisting with the buttons of her green coat. "Walmart, idiot. I'm not eating cereal without milk." He sighed dramatically but shoved his shoes on lazily and followed her outside. Like he had suspected, the night was quiet and chilly with crows of crickets picking at their ears.

She got into the front seat and he didn't argue. He slid down his window and clicked on the radio, listening to the smooth melody of alternative sang along to a song he didn't recall but whose rhythm he recognized. She tapped her fingers against the wheel, nails drumming like actually musical sticks. Her hair was unfurled and let loose magnificently down her shoulders and back. The red color was eye catching but furious.

The local Walmart was nearby and Clary parked into a spot. He noticed her shiver and tuck her small hands into her pockets as they walked inside the store. They were lucky it was open. It was about one a.m. Passing the automatic doors, she turned to him. "What else do we need?"

He must have looked clueless because her lips cracked into a smile and she wearily shook her head, grabbing a cart before her. Upon her amusement, he pushed his shoulder so that it smacked onto hers. The store had a few people inside but it was mostly empty.

"Here. I got it." He took the cart and placed his feet on the bottom ledge, swinging the wheels forward childishly. Clary regarded him distastefully and lugged two gallons of milk into the cart.

"Hey. I got an idea." She glanced away from the chips section and over to him curiously.

"Hm?"

"Get in the cart."

"What?" Her eyes were wide. Wide and mischevious.

"I said get in. Come on." She checked their surroundings, only finding an old woman searching through her purse.

"What if-"

"You know you want to." He took matters into his own hands and brought his arms around her small waist. She didn't utter a yell or shout but he heard her take a sharp intake of breath. She smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. The bare skin of her legs was cold against his. He dropped her gently inside instantly.

Her cheeks were warm. She criss-crossed her legs noticing plenty of room in the cart. Afterall, she was pretty small. Jace pushed the screeching wheels along. "Wait! We need bagels." He sighed but turned to the aisle on the right and snatched a bag of bread.

"You can go faster than that." She was grinning at him and he couldn't help but comply with her request when there was practically no one beside them. He started at a jog then kicked his legs forward until he listened to her delightful giggles and yelps. Breathing a little ragged, he stopped near the ice cream section.

Her hands were clutching the sides of the cart protectively but she whirled to face him from her restricted position. "That was awesome." And getting kicked out for the night was worth it too, it seemed.

At least they had gotten to purchase their goods before leaving reluctantly. Clary was still beaming though and told him he was a dumbass in the car. They made it back to the apartment before two and Clary filled their bowls with milk dutifully before they both sat on the couch and ate, Family Feud slowly playing in the background.

"Jace?" Clary swallowed her mouthful.

He didn't need to answer. She would always continue. "I'm gonna miss you when you get drafted."

He blinked, a frown setting on his face. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing poured out.

She took over, not realizing his silence. "I mean..." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't want to be selfish. But I feel like-" She released a frustrated breath, angry she couldn't get the words to spill from her. "I'm being selfish. I want to keep you to myself."

He placed his untouched bowl on the table across from them. His fingers gave a small tremor and he curled his hands into hard fists. She looked at him then, her freckles brilliant and orange. She bit her bottom lip viciously. "I'll still be with you." It was difficult to say.

"I'm scared we won't be the same." She leaned as close to him as possible and he felt her breath stir his cheeks.

"What do you-"

"We're kids now, Jace." She placed her hands onto his chest.

"That has nothing to-"

"It has everything to do with how we'll be. You'll be a hockey player in less than a year. You know it. There's no doubt about it. And I'll still be stuck here. Waiting for you during breaks."

He shook his head but her statements made his throat close up. "I'll stay with you. You know it."

She exhaled and it was a sad sound. The kind of noise someone makes when they give up on trying and just accept something. A part of him deflated. "I swear. I won't change. I'll spend every minute with you. Who else could replace you?"

He twirled a curl of her hair and let it drop softly back to her head. "I think I might have cried if you hadn't said that."

She tucked her face into his shoulder. He felt every inch of her warm body then. The way she arched her back against his chest. How her hands tightly wrapped around her neck, afraid he would be the first to pull away. How her legs tightened atop his waist and lap. He inhaled her scent. Sweet and young and stupid.

They slept on the couch that night. Legs curled around one another. Hair mixing till the color was a mix of gold and crimson. Till his body was hers. And her sagging breaths were his. Till all that mattered was the space between them.