Chapter Seven

Time Jump-End of Freshman Year

Clary POV:

It was the week of finals and I only had one left. Freshman year was amazing and I was so excited to be able to spend my summer with Jace. My parents are spending the summer traveling, so I don't have to go to Mexico and I was so thrilled. My last final was history, and I wasn't a big fan of it so I knew it was probably going to take me the whole time to finish it. It was scheduled to go until 2:30 and Jace was planning on meeting me outside the building.

I took my seat and the final was handed out. After the first couple questions I knew this was going to take me awhile. Little by little I notice the classroom become more empty as student after student handed in their final. Before I knew it I was the last kid in the class. I looked at the clock and noticed that it was almost 2:30, and I sighed. I looked up at the teacher was gone. I waited about 15 seconds to see if he would come back until I felt his hot breath on my neck. His hands were on either side of me and flashbacks immediately began to flood my mind.

"Hello Clarissa." He said in a seductive voice, and I couldn't help but see the similarities he had of my uncle.

"What are you doing professor?"

"I'm no longer your professor Clarissa, and I've been waiting all semester so I could finally be able to touch you." He ran his fingers up my arm and I couldn't help but shiver. "I know you want me just as much. I saw the way you would look at me."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I stammered out trying to keep my cool.

"Don't pretend Clarissa, I know you want me."

"Professor Pangborn, what are you doing?" I say as he turns me around in my chair and licks his lips.

"I'm finally taking what I want Clarissa." He inches closer to me. "I thought that was obvious." I kicked him in the shin and he backs away and I take the opportunity to run. But before I can make it very far he grabs my arm and picks me up and slams me on the table. "I knew you'd be feisty. I like it." He started to slide my shirt up and I started to scream.

"Help! Someone help me!" I screamed and he clamped his hand over my mouth.

"Scream again and I swear you'll regret it." His hand was still sliding up my shirt and I couldn't help but cry. He kept his hand over my mouth so I wouldn't scream again. It felt like I was there forever feeling his hands roam my body when the door swung opened, and there stood Jace.

"Get your hands off of her." He said with so much venom in his voice that in any other situation I would have been frightened myself but I didn't care, he was there and I was saved.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm going to do nothing, but" he turned around and there stood campus security and the dean of students. "I'm sure they can find someway to handle it."

He immediately let me go and Jace rushed over to me and wrapped his arms around me as I cried into his shoulder. I've never felt more relieved in my life. We sat there for a couple minutes while I composed myself.

"How did you get them here?"

"I was waiting for you outside, and when you didn't come out at 2:30, I just thought your professor gave you a little more time. But after 10 minutes I realized something might be wrong and I found a couple of them sitting outside at a table in the middle of a meeting with the dean and asked them if they could help me find you. They thought I was weird but I said I didn't know my way around the building, and it is their job so they came with me."

"Thank you."

"Are you okay?"

"That brought back a lot of unwanted memories. He sounded just like him. I felt like a scared 6 year old girl again. I hated it."

"I'm so sorry Clare."

"Can I stay with you tonight. I'll drop all of my stuff off at home when I get back but I really don't think I can be alone tonight."

"Of course. How about I meet you at your house, and we have a movie night. Whatever you want to watch, with any food you want." I couldn't help but smile. I lean up and press a quick kiss to his cheek.

"I would really love that. Can you get some ice cream before you come over?" I smiled and he let out a little laugh.

"Of course. Strawberry?"

"You know me so well." He laughed and stood up and reached out his hand. I grabbed it and we made our way out of the classroom when the dean stopped us.

"I'm really sorry about this whole situation."

"Thank you."

"I don't know what else to do but pass you in this class for the semester, and just give you our deepest apologies."

"I really appreciate it." She nodded at me and we exited the building. My car was already packed to the max with all my things, so all I had to do was fill out my exit form and I was ready to go. Jace and I kissed goodbye and got into our separate cars and drove off. It took about 45 minutes to get home, and when I pulled up there were no cars in the driveway. My parents were probably already gone for the summer and I was kind of relieved. I didn't want to face them right now, especially after what went down with my professor today.

I took all of my things up to my room, and when I got to the doorway I stopped. It felt weird to be back in my room. I hadn't been home since I left for college. My parents didn't want me home, and honestly I didn't want to be home but they couldn't keep me out all summer. I walked through my sitting room and went into my room and started to unpack my things. About 30 minutes later I hear the doorbell ring. I make my way downstairs and there stands Jace with strawberry ice cream, my favorite blanket of his, and one of his hoodies that I constantly stole at school. He honestly couldn't get more perfect. I grabbed the hoodie and slipped it on as I showed him the way to my room. When I opened the door he slightly gasped.

"Holy shit. You have a living room?"

"Technically it's a sitting room, but I had it modified because I wanted to spend as little time with my family as possible. The couch pulls out into a bed, so if you can get that ready, I'll get the movie set up." He nodded and started to unfold the bed. I was turned towards the TV but I could hear him laughing behind me. "What's so funny?"

"This pull out bed is like tempurpedic. Aren't these supposed to be like the most uncomfortable mattresses in the world?"

"Yes, but being the governors daughter does come with some perks. I told my parents that my nightmares were being caused from lack of sleep. So my dad got me a new bed, but I also said that if I wanted to have a sleep over I'd need to have a bed for my friends, and I didn't want to ever be put in the position of having to sleep on the extra bed and risk the nightmares coming back, so my father talked to the manager of the Sleepy's and got him to make me a customized pull out couch. I've never really used it, so I hope it's comfortable." He puts the sheets on and get the pillows from my bed and sets up the blanket and than gets himself situated. "So how is it?"

"Pretty comfy. Are we staying out here?"

"Yea. I figured it'd be easier because if we get tired during the movie we can just shut it off and go to bed."

"Works for me. Now, where did you put the ice cream?"

"In the fridge. It's in my actual room towards the bathroom." He nods and leaves and I continue to get the movie ready. After about 10 minutes I notice that he still isn't back so I go look for him. When I walk into my room I can see him look around with an awestruck look in his eyes. "Jace?"

"Your room is bigger than the whole upstairs of my house." He said and my mind immediately went back to the conversation I had with Izzy over thanksgiving break. "I can't believe you get to live here. I would do anything to be able to give Robert and Mayrse a house like this. Especially with everything that's going on."

"What do you mean?"

"College is pretty much sucking them dry, especially since Iz, Alec and I are all there at once, and Max needs to go to a private school and Mayrse is in between jobs right now so money is really tight. Robert is working almost 75 hour weeks just to keep the house. It sucks, which is why I tried so hard to get a scholarship, cause at least that would help with some of the money." I didn't realize that things were so hard for them. I guess since I never really had to worry about money because my father is pretty much guaranteed to be in office for the next 6 years it never crossed my mind.

We eventually made our way out to the living room and I put on the movie. Throughout the movie I couldn't get what Jace said out of my head. I mean, I have this whole house to myself for the summer and his family is packed like a can of worms in theirs and on the verge of losing it. I had to check in with my parents tomorrow and I figured that maybe I could ask if the Lightwoods would be able to stay in our house for a while while they get back on their feet.

It was a little after midnight when I noticed that Jace was already asleep. I was kind of scared to sleep tonight with the risk of more intense nightmares so I just put another movie on and started to watch. By the time 4 am rolled around I was fighting to stay awake. Finally sleep took me over and I guess I was so tired that my brain didn't get the chance to have a nightmare.

I woke up to an empty bed, and take a look around and can't see Jace anywhere. I get up and start to walk towards the door when I hear his voice, and he sounds pissed.

"What do you mean you're losing the house?" I hear him say. "They can't just take it, you have four kids that rely on that. Where are you supposed to live? Your life is in that town." There was a pause before he started talking again. "Mayrse, it's not fair, they can't kick us out." I couldn't listen anymore. I had lunch with my parents in 20 minutes and I had to get ready. When I walked out of my room Jace was sitting on the newly folded couch and his head was in his hands. I walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, I have lunch with my parents, but I will be back later. Feel free to explore the house, have the chef make you food. I shouldn't be too long." I gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." With that I walked outside and got into my car and made my way to the restaurant. After 10 minutes of driving I parked my car and walked into the restaurant and sat down with my parents. It was awkward at first but what else did I expect.

"Clarissa. How are you?"

"I'm fine. When do you leave for your world wide vacation?"

"Tomorrow. I won't be back until September but your father will be making trips back for work, but he'll be staying in the house in the city. So you probably won't see him all that often."

"So I'm going to be home alone all summer?"

"Yes, and the chef is only employed for the summer. We don't really have use for that huge house without kids so it'll just be sitting there."

"I have a favor to ask you guys, and before you turn me down, can you just hear me out?" They nod and I continue. "You remember my boyfriend Jace right?" They nod. "Well his family is struggling right now, they have three kids in college and one who needs to go to the a private school and his mom is in between jobs and the father is working his ass off just to try and keep their house.."

"Clarissa, please get to the point." My mother said in a annoyed tone.

"Since you clearly aren't using the house this summer, and I overheard Jace talking to his parents and I think they're losing their house."

"And?"

"Can they move into our house for at least the summer until they can figure out their money situation."

"It's still our house Clarissa."

"But there are enough rooms to house 15 people, and nobody but me will be home, and think about it, with a whole family I won't be home alone so there won't be any more problems. You won't have to worry about me destroying our family name. I'll be around people all the time." I can see both of their minds spinning with possibilities and I knew the last part was probably going to sell them on the idea. After a 7 minute hushed conversation between my parents they finally look back at me.

"Alright Clarissa, you have yourself a deal. They can move in for the summer, and figure out their money situation." I don't think I've ever been so happy that I actually got up and hugged them both. Lunch was alright, but I was just waiting to get back to my house and tell Jace. After about 45 minutes I was on my way back home. When I got inside I was so happy. I skipped right up to my room to find Jace sitting there looking at his phone.

"Hey. What are you doing?" I ask as I sit down next to him.

"Looking for anything that can help my parents out. They called earlier and said that they are losing the house. I can't let that happen. They've done so much for me and I feel like I have to do something to repay the favor."

"I've already thought two steps ahead of you."

"What do you mean?"

"I over heard you on the phone this morning."

"Oh."

"And I have a solution."

"You do?"

"Yes, I talked to my parents, and they won't be around all summer, so I'd be stuck here alone. BUT I convinced them to let your family move in here for the summer until they figure everything out."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I just told them that if I was surrounded by you guys that I couldn't possibly destroy the family name and I think that sold it for them."

"So they can move in for the summer?"

"They can move in as soon as they can." Jace nearly jumped out of his skin and scooped me up into a hug and gave me the biggest kiss of my life. "Why don't we go over and let them know?"

"Okay." We left and made it to the Lightwood house in 10 minutes and Jace practically ran inside. I ran inside after him and his family looked incredibly sad. "Everyone, I have amazing news."

"Unless you have a new house for us, nothing could help."

"Well, that's exactly what I came here to tell you. Clary's parents have agreed to let you guys move into their house for the summer until you figure out what to do."

"Are you kidding me? How the hell did you pull that off?" Alec asked.

"I told them that if I was surrounded by other people I wouldn't have the opportunity to destroy the family name, and they were completely sold on that."

"Are you completely serious?"

"Yes, you can move in whenever you want."

"Is tonight alright?"

"Totally, I'll let the chef know and there will be dinner waiting for you all when you get there." Before I could even blink I was being bear hugged by his entire family.

"Clary, this means absolutely everything to us. I thought my family was going to have to live on the streets, and it was tearing me apart. Thank you for all of this." Robert said, and I could hear the strain in his voice. I knew he really meant it.

"You guys have been absolutely amazing to me. Letting me stay with you guys for thanksgiving and Christmas, and every other break. For treating me like I matter and allowing me to become part of your family. I can't thank you guys enough for that. This is just the beginning of my thanks." Jace put his arm around me and pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head.

Jace and I got home and I immediately told the chef that there was going to be 7 of us for dinner tonight and he got cooking. A couple hours later there was a knock on the door and the Lightwoods were there. I showed them to the rooms where they would be staying and allowed them to get settled. Everything seemed to be going great, the Lightwoods seemed happy in the first time in awhile and knowing that I brought that happiness was an amazing feeling.