"So, explain to me why I have to lift all the heavy bags again while you two get to relax?" Simon asked as he stormed into the room for the last time. His shirt was an old gamer T, adding nothing to his looks with his hair being a mess of brown and his glasses falling off his nose. He looked tired and aggravated yet energetic, glaring at Isabelle as he reached the last set of bags.

Isabelle was sitting on the bed, examining her nails with a smile on her face. Everything about her was perfect, yet again. Her hair was straightened and braided. Her jeans looked tight and uncomfortable, along with her tank top but she still looked amazing. At least she probably felt amazing too, while Clary's headache was just getting worse and worse. Thank the lord it was the weekend.

"Because," Isabelle said. "Clary has a headache. I wouldn't dare do it and break a nail. And since you're here," she looked up and winked at him, "you can make yourself useful. Besides, you could use the exercise."

Simon strung the last of Isabelle's bags over his shoulder, shaking his head. His hair only got worse in the process. "You're wish be done, Your Majesty," he mumbled with a sarcastic bow, storming out and bumping the black bag against Isabelle's bed frame.

"You think like that and you might actually get a girlfriend one of these days!"

"Bite me, Isabelle!"

Isabelle laughed aloud, falling back against her bed and resuming her nail inspection.

Clary just stared at the ceiling, the same way she had been for the past few days. Ever since her encounter with Jace, she hadn't been able to get a hold of herself. Her mind was running around a track with no end at full speed, wondering, wishing, waiting, wanting. She felt like as soon as she got close to the edge for an explanation, she'd just get pushed back again. It was exhausting running laps that had no end.

He was just so… different. That wasn't even the best word to describe him with. She wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish, and that's what worried her. Was he just playing her? Did he really mean what he said? And if he meant it, what did that really mean? Those words he spoke not only hit her in the head, but it hit her like a sledgehammer to the temple, and the headache she'd had ever since was just worse and worse as the days went by. The same scene was tedious, tiresome, and yet she practically tortured herself every day with it. She had to because if it wasn't Jace, she was thinking of Sebastian.

Neither of them were good prospects. She hadn't spoken to either since that day, avoiding them at all costs. Isabelle even noticed and had yet to invite Jace over since, which Clary was extremely grateful for. She wasn't sure what she'd do if she saw him already.

Hell, she was even more unsure what she'd do with Sebastian. Were they over? She didn't know. Was that a bad way to end? Yes. Would he even care? Probably not. Does she care? She shouldn't. But does she? These thoughts plagued her every waking moment, flashing across the back of her eye lids like a Power Point. One after another until she was sure she was losing her mind.

It wasn't only affecting her emotionally but physically. Isabelle made it her mission to point out Clary's choice of clothing – sweatpants or yoga pants and a t-shirt with her hair in a bun – and tell her that it was unaccepted every moment she got. In the morning, at lunch, that afternoon, at dinner, that night. It was all the time, but Clary was too busy trying to keep her mind sane to deal with clothes. It didn't help that she looked paler, that her hair was always a rat's nest in a bun or ponytail, that her body just felt dead. She was too damn tired to care about her appearance. Besides, who did she have to impress? Two jackasses that like to play with her emotions? Yeah, no thanks.

She just hoped that this trip would finally get her back on her feet. A weekend in the mountains, with nothing but trees, lakes, and wildlife would be good for her. It'll help her get her head on straight, see the better things in life, hopefully forget those two pricks.

"We ready?" Simon asked, poking his head through the doorway one more time. "The car is fully loaded with Isabelle's shit, and if I'm not mistaken, we need to leave before she realizes she forgot something."

Isabelle glared at him, hopping off the bed too enthusiastically. "Yup! Let's go, Clary!"

Slowly but surely, Clary followed them down the stairs towards the parking lot, sliding in the backseat of the Rover Isabelle drove. Simon called shotgun, immediately grabbing the music and going into a five minute argument with Isabelle about what bands were better and why.

She was staring out the window, her chin in her hand when her name was suddenly said. "Huh, what?"

Isabelle gave her a strange look through the mirror. "Are you okay? You look like you're going to be sick."

"Probably you're driving," Simon mumbled. Isabelle answered him with a punch to the stomach, causing him to drop the iPod and double over, coughing and hacking. "Jesus, woman. Are you trying to kill me?"

"I'm fine," Clary finally answered, cutting Isabelle's final retort off. "I guess I'm just tired. It's been a long couple of days."

"Why don't you go to sleep then? There's a pillow and some blankets in the back." Isabelle pointed with her thumb as if Clary couldn't have figured it out on her own. "You've got about an hour before we get there."

"If we get there," Simon added. "Being alive upon arrival is the key."

Clary nodded slowly and ignored him, her head getting dizzy as she did. And when she was settled with the blanket and pillow, she instantly passed out.

The cabin wasn't the usual one they rented, which Clary was kind of upset about but too tired to actually complain. It was small: two bedrooms, one bathroom, one kitchen/living room area, and all on one floor. The wood on the outside was gorgeous, Clary noticed from her window. With just a few glances, her artistic eye caught the beauty of it, and she was glad that Isabelle picked this place instead of the last one in a matter of seconds. She slid out of the car to get a better look, taken away at the beauty of it.

The sun was shining beautifully as it set over the lake just behind the cabin, casting lights of every color across the water and through the trees. The breeze caused the shadows of the trees to come alive, dancing along the gravel path that led to the front door. Clary stood in awe, taking in the sight of something so alone and secluded but so beautiful. It was like it's beauty came within itself, that everything else just worked with it to create vision of awe. The porch, the windows, the chimney, it all just fit like puzzle pieces.

"What happened to the other place?" Simon complained, stepping out of the car.

Isabelle slid out, taking it in as she leaned against the hood of the car. "Frank said that it was full this weekend. So he gave me this one half off for two nights. I wasn't too happy, but I'll take it."

"For half off you better take it."

"It's not like you're paying for any of this, Simon," Isabelle shot back. "You're too broke to buy food at McDonald's, much less rent a cabin. So I don't want to hear it."

Simon shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Doesn't matter. I just feel better about it anyway."

Isabelle pushed off the head, heading around the front of the black Rover. "Just get the bags and get inside. I have to start making dinner."

"NO!" Clary and Simon both screamed before glancing at each other and laughing. It felt good to laugh.

Isabelle huffed. "Fine. Clary can cook. Don't everyone insult my cooking skills all at once."

Simon held his hand up. "Or we can just order pizza. We didn't exactly go to the grocery store. The only thing we'd be cooking is boiled water."

"Whatever," Isabelle sighed dramatically. "Cheese and pepperoni. I'll get my card. And," she pointed at Simon, "make sure you get the bags and make a grocery list."

"Wait grocery list? Why do I have to go?" Simon pointed to himself, looking annoyed and confused.

Isabelle smiled as she walked past him, patting his cheek lightly. "Because I said so."

"Geez," Simon mumbled once Isabelle was up the front steps and unlocking the door to the house. "You'd think she'd eventually realize the world doesn't revolve around her."

Clary shrugged, grabbing her single bag so Simon didn't have to and walked towards the door. "Don't argue. It'll only make it worse." And the last thing she wanted to deal with was anything getting worse. It was bad enough as it is.

The inside of the house was just as gorgeous as the outside. As soon as she entered, she was hit with the smell of smoke from the fireplace to the right. It was just on the opposite side of the kitchen table, adjacent to the stove, oven, and fridge. To the left were two doors, both bedroom doors and straight ahead was the bathroom. The whole house was decorated like rednecks would picture indoor décor: deer heads, fish plastered to plaques, a few paintings of the woods and lakes. Simple, quiet, peaceful. Clary needed this.

"Cozy," Simon said behind her, shutting the door and dropping the first set of bags on the floor. "Tiny, but cozy at least."

"Tiny is the right word." Isabelle emerged from the girl's bedroom, her hands on her phone. She tossed it to Simon, who stumbled and almost dropped it. "Now, order the pizza. I'm starving."

"Me too," Clary agreed.

Simon sighed, dialing the number and putting it up to his ear. "I pity the man who betroths you. He's going to have one hell of a ride keeping your ass happy," he said to Isabelle, grabbing her card from her hand and heading out the door. Clary didn't miss the look in his eyes when he said it though. She knew that Simon hid his feelings well, but it was there that he secretly wanted to be that guy.

"He'll be lucky as hell!" Isabelle shouted after him, causing Clary to put her hands over her ears and tear her out of her thoughts. "Oh, shit. Sorry. Forgot your head was hurting."

"It's fine," Clary said. "Well, what are we going to do before dinner gets here?"

Isabelle smiled. "I have an idea."

The rest of the night was just as simple as the house itself. Isabelle was smart enough to bring a couple board games, a few decks of cards, and some popcorn and movies. All packed away in one of the four bags she felt necessary to bring. Clary was thankful that her friend actually had the brilliance to think ahead, where she and Simon were the types to just wing it and go with the flow. They'd be bored out of their mind. And the best thing was that this time, Simon didn't complain. Clary was laughing and smiling with her friends again, not feeling like she was being suffocated in the college that she used to love. She could be free. She could smile. She could laugh. And finally, Jace and Sebastian were out of her head for a while. It was like a genie finally granted her wish and gave her a chance to live a little.

The relief was indescribable as well. Just sitting around a round table, playing games and eating pizza was more calming than any kind of medicine for misery. She gradually felt herself feel lighter, freer, drifting away from the burden that had been bearing on her for days. She was just being herself, laughing with her friends and joking about stupid things that Simon did. And it happened a lot throughout the night as the sun faded and disappeared, until finally they were surrounded by the cool moonlight shining through the open windows.

"Bullshit!" Simon called, reaching forward and grabbing the cards in the middle pile. He flipped them over so they faced up, the top three being kings, and he groaned. "Dammit."

Isabelle made an evil laugh. She shoved the cards towards him, gesturing for him to pick them up. "The game is to call Bullshit when you think they're lying, Simon. You suck at this."

He glared at her over his massive hand of cards he'd been able to collect in the past ten minutes. By now, he had about half the deck and was losing tremendously. He scanned his cards, grabbing four and throwing them in the center of the table. "Four Aces. You're up, Clary."

She immediately grabbed a nine, one of the few number cards she had, and placed them face down in the middle of the table confidently. "One two."

Isabelle slid her cards in. "Two threes."

"Four fours."

"Two fives."

"BULLSHIT! HA!" Simon yelled, reaching forward and grabbing the cards as Clary grimaced. "Finally!" He flipped the cards over with a smug smile on his face. On the table were a queen and an ace, so Clary just reached forward and grabbed her designated cards. "Loser!"

Clary rolled her eyes, organizing her hand casually. "You're one to talk. You haven't won at a game all night."

Isabelle laughed, smiling brightly. "Let's see. He lost at Phase Ten," she began, holding her hand up and flipping her fingers up as she counted. "Go Fish. Fast Track. Speed. Spoons."

"Slap Jack," Clary added with a smile.

Isabelle nodded. "Oh, Monopoly."

Simon shook his head. "We didn't finish that one. It doesn't count."

"You still lost at Scrabble. And you're supposed to be the nerd out of the group."

Simon glared at both the girls across the table, his glasses falling down his nose until he finally seemed to give up. He dropped his cards. "I hate all of you."

The girls laughed, Clary leaning back in her chair casually. "No you don't," she smiled, blowing Simon a kiss just to annoy him.

He slid his chair back, the wood brushing the hardwood with more noise than necessary. "Yes. I do."

"Aww, don't leave," Isabelle teased, giving him the puppy dog eyes.

Clary for a moment thought she noticed Simon falter for a split second. He was always careful about how he acted around Isabelle, but she saw the flash of emotion across his eyes. It was there, and she wondered if Isabelle had seen it. But by the smirk on her face, it was hard to tell.

He shook the emotion away unsuccessfully, standing from the table. "You two gals have fun. I'll see you in the morning."

And then he was gone, shutting his momentary bedroom door behind him.

"What a party pooper," Isabelle complained as she stood from her chair. Clary helped her gather the cards, attempting to put them away in their case but not succeeding. "He's such a sore loser."

"Like you aren't?"

"That's different," Isabelle shot back. "I don't get upset because someone killed me in Gears Of War. I get pissed when my team loses the game because they give up. There's a difference."

Clary held her hands up defensively. "I'm just saying that you're both competitive, okay? Nothing personal. Just because its different things you're competing for doesn't make it any less important."

Isabelle waved her comment off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

With the cards all stacked and put away, the girls put away all their clothes in their room, getting settled in. Clary slipped on a pair of sweatpants and her sports bra before climbing into the queen bed. It was softer than the one at school, the linen sheets feeling cold and smooth underneath her exposed skin. She lied on her stomach, her face buried in the pillow when Isabelle arrived a while later.

The lights were suddenly turned off, encasing the room in darkness except for the bit of moonlight. Isabelle turned on the lamp by the bed, sliding in the sheets. "So are you ever going to tell me what happened a few days ago?" she asked, turning to face Clary with her head propped up on her arm. Her gaze was strong, interested, and Clary knew that this was about to be a bad conversation.

"I don't really want to talk about it."

Isabelle sighed with annoyance. "I think I've waited long enough. I haven't asked since that night, and I think I deserve to know as your best friend. I want to help."

Clary sighed, rolling over to her side so Isabelle and she faced each other. Her friend's dark eyes were studying her under a microscope. It was a bit intimidating since the lack of light made her irises even darker, and Clary took a few moments to gather her thoughts. "The short version: Seb tried to convince me to have sex with him after he fought Jace and I ended up fighting with him, leaving, running into Jace, and only getting more confused after he said some stuff that didn't make sense."

"Like what?"

"That's all you have to say about that? Nothing about Sebastian? Just curious what Jace said?"

Isabelle ran her hand through her hair. Clary could see the frustration in her friend's eyes. "Look, it doesn't surprise me that Sebastian would force you into that. He's always been that guy that needs more than the girl is willing to give. But what I care about it was Jace told you."

Clary faked her surprise. "You mean he didn't tell you?"

Isabelle shook her head. "He refused to tell me. He said if you wanted me to know that you would tell me yourself. It was kind of considerate actually."

So… did that mean Jace actually respected her for once? Why wouldn't he just tell Isabelle and keep her on his side? Any normal asshole would've gotten word in with Isabelle to get to Clary, right? "What is going on with this kid?" She turned and groaned into the pillow, her hands going to her hair. "This is the reason I've been having headaches. He's one person one minute, and the next minute he's actually sweet, caring, kind, and I hate it."

Isabelle chuckled and touched Clary's shoulder reassuringly. "No you don't."

"Can't he either just be nice or a jerk? Going in between makes this complicated."

"Clary, look at me." She did, lifting her head and glancing at her best friend. "I know you don't think it, but Jace has reasons for the stuff he's done."

"Like what?"

Isabelle paused for a moment. Clary could see the questions in her eyes, the gears in her head rolling and rolling. "I don't really know."

"Just tell me."

"It's not that simple," Isabelle sighed. She rolled over to her back, staring up at the ceiling with her hands on her stomach. "He hasn't really told me. It just has something to do with his Dad. I don't know anything else."

Clary's brows pulled together. "He didn't tell you, but you felt like you could tell him everything about me, huh?"

Isabelle looked taken aback. "What?"

"Jace told me that you pretty much told him whatever you wanted to about me." Clary propped herself up on her elbows, looking down at her friend with a struggle inside. "I want to know what you told him."

"It was nothing."

"I don't care how important or trivial it was. I want to know."

A gut feeling of worry fell over Clary. Was this a question she really wanted the answer to? The more she had thought about it, the more she talked herself out of asking Isabelle. Knowing what Jace had on her would make her a bit worried for more than one reason. First, she hated opening up to people. It wasn't easy for her, and she still struggled with Isabelle sometimes. Second, this was Jace. He didn't deserve to know it. Third, he was the last person that she wanted him to know.

"It's hard to explain," Isabelle started. "He's been curious about you since he met you. Something about you intrigued him Clary, no matter how annoying or rude you were."

"Me?" Clary pointed at herself incredulously. "I'm the one that's annoying and rude?"

Isabelle chuckled. She tucked her hands behind her head casually. "Not like that. The fact that you kept running back to Sebastian bothered him. It annoyed him that you choose Sebastian over Jace every time."

Clary dropped to the bed, rolling over to stare at the ceiling, taking Isabelle's earlier position. "You know, Jace never really gave me a choice. He practically encouraged me to go the other way."

"Yeah, but he still likes you though."

The blush wasn't anything Clary could stop. "He – he does?"

"Yup," Isabelle said, popping the 'p'. "And he would kill me if he found out I told you, so don't you say a word."

Clary bit her lip, not sure how to take it. Everything Jace did contradicted with what Isabelle just said. He had pretty much made her life a living hell, messing with her every chance he got and playing with her emotions like it was a game to him. And yet, he liked her? Why? How? Or a better question: What?

"When you say he likes me," Clary said slowly, "what do you mean?"

Isabelle took a moment to think about it, taking a few breaths in. "I'll let you figure that out." With that, she rolled over and turned the light out, encasing the room with darkness and leaving Clary to her thoughts.

No sleep for her tonight.

Jace sat quietly in the middle of the locker room, his head down and his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. His chest was aching with the speed he just ran his morning mile and a half. It heaved up and down as he tried to catch his breath, breathing as calmly as possible while the sweat dripped from his hair to his face and down to the floor.

He was exhausted. No doubt about it. Physically, that much was obvious. He'd been working out extra every day, running before practice, lifting weights after it, and doing abs and pushups before bed. Jordan had asked what got into him lately, but he didn't talk to anyone about it. Not his roommate, not Isabelle, not his coach, and definitely not Michael when he called. He'd get nothing but a lecture and a bunch of shit about women. How he was being stupid. How he needed to man up. How he needed to get over it and stop being such a pussy about it. Seriously, since Michael had his heart broken it had turned into nothing but black stone.

It would help if he even knew what it was about her that drove him mad. Clary acted like she hated him, but the way she looked at him was like he was precious and angelic. Her eyes said one thing, and her mouth said something completely different and offensive as hell.

That wasn't what had him as such a mess lately. It was the look on her face when she burst out of Sebastian's room. She looked like she was going to be sick, like the worst thing that could've happened had actually happened. All he wanted was to beat the hell out of Sebastian in that moment, but he knew that it would only make things worse. Clary would kill him if he tried that again, so he pushed all his anger to working out. He'd done everything he can not to let his anger get the best of him, and so far it had worked.

"Yo! Wayland!" There was a knock at the door and then it swung open, Jordan stepping in with his bag over his shoulder. "There you are, man. I've been looking for your ass."

Jace raised his hand, nodded to his roommate, and then dropped his head again.

"The game isn't for three hours. Some of us were heading to eat breakfast at Taki's and you wouldn't answer your phone. Wanna go?"

Jace shook his head. "Nah, I'm good."

Jordan sighed. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Jace waved him off, hoping he would get the hint and leave. "I'll just grab something in the cafeteria."

"Alright." Jordan didn't sound too convinced, but he left Jace to his thoughts anyway, which the golden boy was more than happy about.

He sat up once he was alone again with the door shut, his body protesting his every move. All the extra work has made his arms and legs ache uncontrollably. Now that there was a game today, God knows what he was about to get into. His coach was going to kill him if he couldn't perform right. His soreness made him a bit slowly, but he was good enough that he shouldn't have a problem with it.

The last thing he really wanted was to actually get up and move yet though, so he grabbed his iPod, taking a spot on the carpeted floor and lying on his back. He spread his body out, sighing at the stretching feeling in his abs, arms, and legs, and before he knew it he was out like a light, the music putting him to sleep.

Just as he was about to fall asleep for a good rest, he was suddenly yanked up by his shirt. His eyes flew open. His headphones were yanked out and he was pinned to the floor, face first, his arm getting twisted behind his back. It was painful and ironic. The same position he had Sebastian in days before reversed and had him in trouble. He refused to let the pain show, especially sense he caught a glimpse of the guy standing a few feet away.

"Look who it is." Sebastian Verlac. Jace felt his body tense and the anger coming flowing back in his blood like a tsunami at the sound of that bastard's voice. "I heard you were chilling in here. I felt like we need to talk." Sebastian squatted down in front of him and lifted Jace's chin. "Don't you, Jace?"

Jace struggled, trying to get out of the grip that was pinning him down, but his body was so tired that he couldn't. He pulled, yanked, and tried his best to break free, but the guy just shoved Jace's head to the floor, digging his cheek into the carpet.

Sebastian whistled and shook his head. "Now Jace, this will go smoothly if you'll just promise me something and be done with it. Otherwise, Duke and Raphael here might have to make you regret it."

Jace felt his arm getting twisted back, the pain getting worse and worse within the second. "Oh yeah? And what's this promise."

"Stay away from Clary. I don't know what's going on between you two, but it's fucking me over and I'm sick of it."

"Does it look like I care?"

He was suddenly picked up again and slammed into the floor. He rolled when released, and his body screamed in pain more as he took a kick to the ribs. Not a second later another kick came to his other side. He tried his best to conceal the pain inside, but he couldn't let the whimper out that escaped.

Sebastian's foot rolled him over none too kindly, and Jace was staring up at him as he gasped for breath. "You care now?"

Another kick was directed at Jace's lower stomach. His hands flew down to his injured abs as he glared at Raphael. "What the hell are you even doing here with him?" Jace glanced between him and Duke. "Why are you helping this asshole?"

Raphael and Duke exchanged looks. Then, Raphael reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a one hundred dollar bill. "Money talks."

"Yes it does," Sebastian smirked. "Now, back to the predicament." Jace groaned when Sebastian slammed his foot down on his chest, leaning against it to stare down at him. "Stay away from Clary."

Jace took in a sharp breath, the pressure making it hard to breathe. "I told you before that I like a challenge."

Sebastian smirked with an evil tent to his eyes. "You're going to wish you didn't say that."

For the next thirty seconds, Jace just took hit after hit. Raphael and Duke held him up by his arms in a standing position, but he was too tired from working out to stop them. Sebastian let the punches fly, one after another to every part of his stomach until he felt like he was going to puke. Jace was coughing, choking, groaning, and he swore up and down that one day, he'd get Sebastian back for this. He'd get him back tenfold.

The next thing he knew, he was thrown to the floor again. He rolled, curling in on himself. "Fucking pussies. Three against one. Really?" he groaned.

Sebastian laughed. "You'll be fine. Hell, you'll probably still be okay to play today."

"Oh, goodie." Jace closed his eyes, trying to focus on his pained breathing and attempting to push the pain away.

"Don't get sarcastic unless you want another beating."

Jace pushed himself up against the lockers, his back pressing against the cool metal. "You know, whenever I'm healthy again, I'm going to kick your ass."

Sebastian laughed, casually leaning against the lockers with his shoulder. "I'd love to see you try that."

"I've done it before," Jace pointed out. "Twice actually. You're not going to walk away the third time, Sebastian." He glanced around, the pain in his stomach almost excruciating as he twisted. "And you won't have your guard dogs with you either."

Sebastian stared at Jace for a moment, taking him in before looking at Raphael and Duke. "Leave us alone for a minute."

They looked shocked. "But–"

"Go!"

They did, quickly and silently until the door shut behind them with a slam. Jace didn't miss the apologetic and sympathetic glance Raphael shot towards him. And all Jace wanted was to flick him off too. He was so going to kill him for this.

Sebastian took the seat by Jace, leaning back against the lockers. Both their legs were facing forward but Sebastian's looked way more casual than Jace's. The closeness had Jace on edge, especially since he was so weak.

"This can go two ways," Sebastian said.

"Neither are going to be good for me, am I right?"

"Exactly."

Although Jace already knew that he was going to refuse to do anything Sebastian said, he might as well hear him out. Just so he can have the satisfaction of cutting him down later. "What is it?"

"Well, first of all, you can still hang out with Clary. You can try your best to get with her using Isabelle, but as you do that, things aren't exactly going to look up well for her."

His anxiety started picking up. He took a chance and turned his head painfully to Sebastian. "What are you talking about?"

"Clary keeps coming back to me for whatever reason, not that I'm complaining, but if you keep this up I can make sure that she never leaves. She cares too much about other people, so throw a few threats out there and she'll do her best to protect her friends."

Jace clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. It made him sick how Sebastian could say it so nonchalantly. "Like who?"

Sebastian started naming people off, using his fingers to count. "Isabelle." Jace tensed. "Simon." Jace couldn't really argue with that, but he couldn't let that happen. "Maia. Aline. Helen. Maybe her brother when he comes to visit. The list can go on and on."

"You son of a–"

Jace didn't get the whole sentence out before a fist collided with the right side of his face, sending him sideways to the floor.

"It's your decision," Sebastian spat, rising to his feet. "You can make Clary's life a living hell on your own. In order not to, all you have to do is stay away." With that done and said he stormed out, slamming the locker room door behind him.

Jace just lied there for a while after that. He wasn't really sure what to do, and even if he did know, he was in too much pain to do it. His mind was racing with the possibilities.

All he wanted was for Clary to realize that Sebastian wasn't whoever she thought he was. He knew that the guy was bad, but he didn't realize he'd threaten people just to keep her. That was a line that should never ever be crossed, and Sebastian basically drew his own just to jump over it anyway. There was no point to the threats, to the big talk, to the fighting. Sure, Jace loved a good fight as much as the next testosterone filled asshole, but this was different.

He slowly found the strength to push himself up and crawled to his locker, slumping against it. In his bag he found some Aleve and popped four in his mouth, swallowing them easily. He just wanted the pain to fade, and there was no way to explain it to coach if he asked. All he needed was to get through the next few hours, finish the game, and he'd be home free for forty eight hours to sulk in his bed in pain and misery.

But that didn't solve the problem. What was he going to do to Clary? What was Jace supposed to do to help? He was already on her bad side – no her worst side – and doing what Sebastian said would make it worse. Then again, doing what he wanted would only hurt her.

He needed to talk to someone, anyone. No, he needed to talk to Clary but that wasn't going to help. That's what he needed in his head, but not what he needed to do now. The only other person that he could open up to was…

Jace reached for his bag, grabbing his phone and dialing Isabelle's number. He slumped against the ground, groaning when his stomach muscles shocked him in pain again and again.

"Hello?" A groggy voice answered. It was soft, light, yet sleeping and deeper than normal.

Jace shot up immediately, not even flinching at the pain in his body. "Cl – Clary?"

"Yeah," she answered sleepily. Unlike all the other times she'd talked to him, she actually sounded like she was interested in the conversation. Maybe she was just that tired that she didn't remember she practically hates him. "Uh," she paused, yawning in the phone "Isabelle isn't here right now, so–"

"No, that's okay. Actually," he answered immediately, running his hand through his hair. Suddenly, his pain was a lot easier to deal with. He knew he shouldn't say this, shouldn't do this, but he couldn't stop himself from saying, "I was wanting to talk to you."

Sebastian - 1 Jace - 2. Well, Sebastian kind of cheated, but I guess I have to count it.

Anyway, let me know what you think in the reviews and stay tuned for more coming in about a week or so :)