Isabelle sat on a barstool, her legs crossed, one atop the other, as she tapped impatiently on the counter. "Alec, I don't know what to do," she said, running a hand through her waterfall of hair. "Sebastian is interested in her, and I think she's interested in him, too. And after what Jace pulled today, I just-I don't know what to do."

Alec didn't answer for several beats, which seemed like an eternity passing. "I know you wanted this to happen, Iz," Alec soothed. "But things don't always work out like you want them to." Isabelle looked up at him, her eyes worried, as she brushed the hair away from her face, only to have it fall back to the same spot moments later. "I just want to see her happy," Isabelle felt tears threatening to spill over the floodgates. "She's never been happy-not truly, genuinely happy, not since her dad and Jonathan died."

Alec pulled her into him, and her arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly. She pulled away from him a moment later, looking as composed as ever, and if you hadn't seen, you wouldn't have known she was only seconds from crying a minute earlier. "Where is Clary?" Isabelle asked, standing up from the barstool. Alec shrugged. "I saw her go outside earlier, she was holding her sketch book," he offered. Isabelle began walking to the front door, Alec in tow. "I'm going to see if she wants to order something to eat."

Isabelle opened the front door, and felt all the colour drain from her face. She looked incredulously at the sight unfolding before her. "Why are you just standing there?" Alec asked, slightly annoyed, as he pushed Isabelle to the side, so he could stand beside her. His face drained of all colour, as he saw the same thing that had his sister standing dumbfounded on the landing.

Isabelle was animated, a second later, jumping up and down, squealing in excitement. "I knew it!" She shouted excitedly. "I knew it would happen!" She hugged her brother tightly, as Clary and Jace sprang apart, looking around. Clary caught the excited gleam in Isabelle's eyes, and her face turned redder than her hair. Isabelle was down the steps in less than two seconds. "I called it! I so called it!" She squealed excitedly. Magnus came rushing out of the house, to stand beside a still-frozen Alec. "What?" Magnus asked, looking around wildly. His eyes came to a rest on Clary and Jace; she was as red a fire truck, while he was rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Isabelle!" Clary shouted finally. "Shut up already!"

But that didn't stop Isabelle from jumping around in glee. Magnus was down the stairs in less time than Isabelle had been, and he grabbed Clary by the shoulders, bending down lightly to look her in the eyes. "Clarissa," he said slowly. "Please tell me you didn't kiss Satan Jr. over there," he motioned with his head to Jace, who Isabelle was dancing around. Clary remained silent, looking anywhere but Magnus' green-gold eyes. "You did," Magnus said, and he almost gagged. "Oh my," he said, his expression turning to one of worry. He looked desperately to Isabelle, and then Alec, who was slowly beginning to re-animate. "I think she's sick," he put his hand to Clary's forehead.

Clary swatted Magnus' hand away, and scowled at him, crossing her arms over her chest. " I am not sick," she spat, somewhat angrily. "It's worse than I thought," Magnus said, grabbing her face in both hands, and moving from side to side, looking into her eyes at different angles. "I think she's possessed!" Magnus shouted, as Isabelle started calming down.

Isabelle skipped over happily, and swatted Magnus' hands away from Clary. "She is not possessed," Isabelle said. "You just don't want to admit that you lost the bet," Isabelle put her hands on her hips, giving Magnus a superior look. Clary's eyes shot up. "Bet?" She demanded, looking between Magnus and Isabelle for an answer. "You bet on me?" Clary fumed. Alec was walking down the stairs slowly, as if trying to let everything soak in.

Isabelle had stopped jumping around, and was taking a few steps away from Clary, who was still red-but from anger rather than embarrassment. Magnus stood his ground, though, and looked down at Clary. "We did," he said simply. Clary looked at him expectantly. "I said that you wouldn't end up dating Satan's off-spring by the end of the summer," Magnus explained. "While Miss jumpy over there said you would." He nodded his head in the direction of Isabelle, who was bouncing on her heels slightly.

"Well," Clary said, her tone somewhat angry. "We're not dating."

This, caught the attention of everyone, except Jace, who was trying to avoid making eye contact with Clary. "W-what?" Isabelle asked, her arms dropping to her sides, looking between Clary and Jace, a confused, yet disappointed expression. "We kissed, Isabelle," Clary said. "That does not mean dating."

Clary stormed up the stairs, past a frozen Alec, and into the house. She didn't bother shutting the door behind her, either, because she didn't really see a point. Clary sped up the stairs, and into her bedroom, that time, she did slam the door.

She couldn't believe she had kissed him. Again. Clary started pacing around the room, trying to figure out what to do. But she had no clue what she could do. She could always go back up on the roof, but then she'd have to risk Isabelle scaring her and making her fall off. So, that one was crossed off.

The door creaked open, to reveal Magnus. She peered behind him, looking for Isabelle-who she had no desire to see at the moment. "Biscuit," Magnus started. Clary held up a hand to stop him, the words dying on his lips. "Don't." Clary said coldly. "Just don't talk to me."

Magnus slumped, his posture sagging. Clary continued her pacing, as Magnus sat down on the edge of her unmade bed. He stared down at his feet, as if ashamed to meet Clary's gaze head on. She couldn't blame him, she wouldn't want to, either.

Finally, after pacing for a long while, Clary slumped against the wall, sliding down, until she was sitting on the floor. She let out a lengthy sigh. "I'm loosing it, Magnus," Clary finally choked out. He looked up, cautiously, to see Clary, slumped, her head resting on her knees, her arms laced around her knees. "What on earth are you talking about?" Magnus asked, his tone gentle but firm, as he slumped down beside her.

She looked over at him, lifting her head up slightly. "I kissed him," Clary said simply. She didn't have to say more; it explained everything, more than anything else could have. Magnus pulled her against him, and she buried her face in his side, not even thinking about the mass of glitter that would cover her. Magnus rubbed circles on her back.

Magnus pulled away from her, forcing her to look up at him. "Why does kissing him mean you're loosing it?" Magnus asked. Clary frowned at the question, as if it hovered in the air before her. "I-I don't know?" Clary said, but it came out as more of a squeaky question. Magnus chuckled softly beside her, and she could feel him moving. "I think you know."

Clary thought hard about her answer; she knew it well and surely, but would Magnus think she was stupid for saying it aloud? Taking a deep breath, she decided to spill her guts to Magnus. "I'm supposed to hate him," Clary said, still frowning at the air. "But now, I'm not sure."

Magnus laughed, and Clary scowled at him. "Biscuit," Magnus snaked his arm around her shoulders. "All that time, you were hating him, you didn't see how he looks at you when he thinks you aren't looking," Clary stopped dead, her heart flat-lining. Words died on her lips, every time she attempted a response. But he hates me, doesn't he? A nasty little voice reminded her. "What do I do?" She said, so quietly she almost didn't hear it. "That's up to you, biscuit," Magnus said.

"Clary? What's wrong?" Simon's voice rang through the phone, a sense of relief so intense washing over Clary, she felt the tears pricking at the back of her eyes. "Nothing, I just-I needed to talk to you."

Simon makes a noise, like he doesn't believe a syllable that has come out of Clary's mouth. "I know that tone, Clarissa," Simon said. "What happened?" Clary closed her eyes tightly, and bit down on her lip. "You can't get mad at me. Promise you won't get mad," Clary said, keeping her eyes screwed shut. "Fine. I promise, now spill it."

Clary inhaled deeply, before she spilled all her bloody guts out to Simon, who no doubt, would be sick afterwards. "I kissed someone," Clary said. "So?" Simon asked, his tone expectant. "Who was it?" Clary swallowed, her throat dry as parchment. "Um, well," Clary stuttered. "Jace."

The line went silent, and Clary thought Simon had hung up on her, or dropped dead on the spot. "Simon?" Clary asked, hesitantly. "Simon? Are you alive? Did you hang up on me?" Clary rambled. "Yeah," a soft reply rang through her head. "I'm here."

Clary breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt the stress over her, like ice water being poured over her head. "You're mad," Clary said. "Aren't you?" There was another moment of silence, before Simon spoke again. "Why would I be mad?"

Clary's eyes shot open, her mouth dropping open a little. "I-I don't know-I just thought-" Clary stopped herself, knowing full and well there was no reason for Simon to be mad at her. "Clary, I have no reason to be mad-sure, you kissed my sworn enemy, but if it-if he-makes you happy, I'm all for it."

Clary's eyebrows shot up, nearly touching her hairline. "I know you haven't been yourself since Jon and Dad, but-" Simon stopped himself, when he heard Clary's breath hitch sharply. "Can we not talk about them?" Clary asked quietly. "Yeah, of course," Simon said quickly. "Listen, I have to go. But I'll call you back later?"

"Yeah, sure," Clary said, and the line went dead. She threw her phone down on the bed, watching it bounce around slightly, until it settled itself in the mess of sheets and blankets that was her bed. Magnus had left a while ago, and when Isabelle had come in and asked to talk, Clary had turned her away, as she nervously picked at the skin on her hands. There were marks from her nails digging in, every time tears threatened, but they would be gone in a few days at most.

Clary pulled on her hair, not sure how long she could stay sane inside the bedroom. She couldn't face Isabelle, or Alec, and even the thought of Jace made her nerves prickle, an her hands shake horribly. She didn't know what to do.

It was only a kiss, she reminded herself. But, it was so much more. At first she was angry at Isabelle and Magnus for betting on her, but now...she was confused and angry-at herself. Her feelings were a hurricane, and there was no way of stopping it long enough to figure out what was going on. Her head was spinning. Anything she tried to do, felt useless. And it was only a matter of time before Isabelle wasn't going to be polite about talking to her-or civil, for that matter-and strap her to a chair, giving her no choice but to talk to her.

But that never happened.

When Isabelle had wanted to retire to bed, Clary found herself sneaking out of the house, and just sitting outside. Isabelle had given Clary this look, one that looked so guilty, yet unregretful. She shook Isabelle, and Alec-who was still suffering from shock-from her mind. Along with Magnus, and Jace.

Clary stared up at the stars, as they shone down on her. There wasn't much light, so the idea of Clary being able to draw anything, was hopeless. She had no doubt in her mind that her clothes would be covered in sand-especially her cardigan, but she didn't really care. Not right now. The stars were so beautiful, in all their simplicity.

She found herself staring up at the stars, sitting on the piece of drift wood she'd dragged over from the beach, staring up at the stars. She stared, until pitch black skies, lit by bright white stars, turned to purple, to soft pink and orange as the sun rose. There was already people going for morning runs by the beach, Clary noted, as she yawned.

She sat there, still, watching the sun move around the sky, until the sky was it's regular, bright blue. Clary stood up, almost falling over, her legs numb from not moving for such a long period of time. Stretching out her arms, she let out another long yawn, that seemed to drag on, and on.

Clary reluctantly walked back into the house, to be immediately greeted by the smell of fresh coffee. She was walking to the kitchen, when Isabelle came bolting down the stairs, nearly steam rolling right over her. "Clary?" Isabelle asked, a slightly panicked look etched onto her features. "Where did you go?" Clary raised a hand, to silence her. "Coffee."

Isabelle looked furious. "You disappear, and the first thing you say is 'coffee'?" She demanded, her hair falling over her shoulders as she twisted her head to look at Clary, as she walked to the kitchen. Clary simply nodded, but then proceeded to rub the back of her neck. Magnus is leaning against the counter, while Alec is sat on a barstool, picking at his bowl of cereal, while he has his head bent slightly, in conversation with Jace, who sat beside him.

Magnus' head popped up, as he seen Clary, his eyes wide. "Where did you-" Clary pointed to the coffee pot, which sat, filled with delicious black coffee, steaming. "Coffee, Magnus. Coffee." Clary said, and proceeded to grab herself a mug from the cupboard, and pour some of the hot liquid into it. She took a good, long drink-maybe just to make Isabelle angrier. Isabelle was tapping her foot impatiently on the hard wood, her arms crossed over her chest as she waited for Clary to speak. "I was outside."

Isabelle looked at her incredulously. "All night?"

"All night." Clary confirmed, taking another drink from her ceramic mug.

"Did you fall asleep out there, or what?" Isabelle asked, her tone angry, yet somewhat annoyed. "Not for a second," Clary replied, leaning on the counter, beside Magnus. Isabelle groaned. "My God, Clarissa," she said, her head to the sky. "What are we going to do with you?" Alec and Jace's heads were still bent in conversation, which gave Clary the ability to breath, knowing she wouldn't have to talk to Jace. "Refill my cup?" Clary offered, holding out her mug. Isabelle laughed, as Magnus refilled the mug with coffee, steam rising out of it.

Alec had seemingly acknowledged Clary's presence, giving her a curious look, while Jace was avoiding her completely. Good, she thought. I don't want you to talk me, anyways.

-*#*-

"Clary," Isabelle said. "We're going swimming, and then for lunch. Care to join?"

Clary gave her a skeptical look. "Who is 'we'?" Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Alec and Magnus, that's who," Isabelle replied. Clary tried to raise an eyebrow, but raised both instead. "So you're telling me that Jace is just going to stay here? By himself, while we go out for lunch, and go swimming?"

Isabelle groaned. "Fine. Jace is coming, too. But, really Clary, this tension can only last so long." Clary turned her back to Isabelle, rummaging through the closet for a bathing suit. She decided on a bright green bikini, different from her other one, in a way that she felt like more was being covered. The top was longer, covering up more of her stomach. That she liked. "Hmm," Isabelle said, coming up behind her to asses the bathing suit. "I don't remember packing that one."

She shrugged, and turned back to her own clothes. Clary, meanwhile, pulled out tank top, with skinny straps, throwing her cardigan on her bed. It was too hot for that. On her way to the bathroom, Clary grabbed a pair of cut-off's.

-*#*-

Despite having bought water from the chip stand, they'd never actually tried the food. And Clary had to admit, it was pretty good. The fries she had eaten, were nice and crispy; just the way she liked them.

But, crispy French fries were no match for the tension between her and Jace. You could practically reach out and grab it-Clary had almost tried, too. The tension was just plain awkward, and neither of them knew how to deal with it. So, there they were, walking down the beach, towels draped over their arms, or in the boys' case, around their necks.

"Such a nice day," Isabelle murmured, pushing her sunglasses further up her nose. "Yeah," Alec replied. Clary was surprised he'd spoken; Alec had been quiet, even quieter than usual. Right then and there, Magnus stopped walking, and turned to face them all, forcing them to stop walking. "Okay," he pointed to Clary and Jace. "The tension here, is so not enjoyable. Fix it, you two," he turned on his heel, leaving a rather deep impression in the sand, as he walked away. Alec and Isabelle hot on his heels, as if they just knew what was going to happen. Leaving Clary and Jace, standing there, looking dumfounded at the other.

Clary looked away from him, out towards the water, where small waves crashed onto the shore, as Alec, Isabelle and Magnus laid out their towels. "Stop staring at me," Clary said, not looking at him. "No matter how much you might think it's romantic-spoiler alert-it's actually creepy."

Jace laughed, sounding a little nervous. "Are you going on a date with that guy?" Jace asked, after a moment of silence. Clary turned back to look at him, clutching her towel for dear life. "I haven't heard from him-not since yesterday," she said, shrugging. "I don't think I would go out with him, anyways," Jace gives her a curious look, but she could see the amusement dancing in his eyes like flames. "Why not?" Jace asked, his hair sparkling in the afternoon sun like pure gold. "Does it matter?"

"Pasty-skinned, black-haired boys aren't your thing?" Jace smirked. Clary rolled her eyes. "I don't have a type," she replied. "Really?" He asked, taking a step closer to her. "I thought it would be golden eyes, golden hair-?" Clary looked at him, long and hard, a million an one thoughts running through her head at hyper-speed. She walked up to him, taking him by surprise. She was looking up into his aureate eyes, and before she knew what was happening, Jace had pressed his lips to hers.

Clary found herself melting into the kiss completely, all of her resolve-if she had any-melting away like snow in summer. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Almost as soon as it had began, it was over. Clary pulled away from him, her cheeks heating up, as she looked down at her feet, and then back into Jace's golden eyes, where the flames had seemed to intensify to a wild fire. "We have an audience," Jace said. Clary looked over, to see Isabelle and Magnus, watching intensely, while Alec looked away sheepishly. "Evidently," Clary replied, pulling free of his grasp. She walked away from him, and over to Isabelle and Magnus, laying out her towel next to Isabelle's. "Did we fix it, Magnus?" Clary asked pointedly.

Magnus looked thoughtful for a moment before he replied. "I think he made it worse."

Sorry about the wait, I was going to finish up and post yesterday but life got in the way, and so here we are, me giving you an update. Late. Again.

Either way, leave me a review on what should happen next-what YOU think should happen next. I love exciting plot twists, remember that.

Until next time:)