Clary stepped out into the warm, morning air, breathing it in. The smell of lake water, trees, and outdoors was one that she loved since she was little. That's the reason she wanted to go to Idris College to begin with. The small campus, the mountainous terrain, the isolation, the fresh air, it was so different from the city yet perfect all the same. Nothing fit her better than a college in the mountains.

The time alone was something she always craved. Not necessarily being completely by herself, but isolating herself from everyone but her closest friends gave her a new perspective, a new light that people alone couldn't show her. Only the trees, the water, the calm could really open her eyes. And it relaxed her, made her feel at peace. And with the current person on the phone adding only positives for once, she was enjoying it more than possible.

"How is the lake?" Jace asked, the sound of him grunting like he was moving something in the background. "Simon hasn't slipped and his hit head on a rock yet? No drowning?"

Clary, of all things she could've done, giggled. "No," she smiled.

"Eh, too bad."

She causally leaned against the railing on the front porch, enjoying the fresh air and breathing it in. "Jace. He's my best friend. Insulting him isn't a good way to get on my good side."

"Right. Sorry. I guess it's just habit now."

Clary rolled her eyes, stepping down the steps and heading towards the bank of the water. "Habit. Yeah."

"Kind of like it's a habit for you to hate me," he said. Clary could tell that he was teasing, but she felt a twinge of guilt when he said it. Mainly because she wanted that to be true, because it would be easier. The sad truth was that it wasn't.

She knew that she couldn't even if she wanted to. And sometimes, she really wanted to. Unfortunately, deep down she wanted to be on good terms with Jace. It would make things so much different when he was around if both of them got along, if they didn't fight all the time. The confrontation was exhausting. She wanted to get on better terms. Hell, who was she kidding? She wanted to be on the best of terms.

That was too difficult though. A relationship shouldn't be that hard. Yes, it takes work, but it shouldn't feel like it's impossible. Yes, she was seriously attracted to Jace, but they were too different people. The feelings she had were nothing but physical, and she couldn't let those control her.

Even with all that though, she couldn't stop herself from saying, "I don't hate you, Jace. Not like that."

He was quiet for a moment. "You know you have every reason to. I haven't exactly been anything but an ass. Actually, we've both been shitty towards each other most of the time, and you've made it more than obvious that I'm not your favorite person in the world."

Clary kicked out at the rocks at her feet. "Yeah, but I don't actually hate you." She paused at the edge of the bank, looking out over the lake. "Isabelle told me something last night. Something about you."

"Like what?"

Clary took a deep breath. "Something… something pretty confusing."

"I can't help you if you don't tell me what she said."

"Fine," she breathed out, kicking another rock into the water, causing the ripples to form and spread from the origin spot. She watched them for another moment, taking her time so she didn't waver when she said, "She said that you liked me."

"I do," he answered with conviction and without hesitation.

"Why?" It was a stupid question, but she was just curious. Out of everything she'd done, why would he have those feelings towards her?

Jace took a deep breath, the momentary silence making Clary's hair stand on it. A soft breeze blew through, throwing her hair in her face but she couldn't be bothered to fix it. She was too focused on waiting for his answer.

"You've done a lot to piss me off, and I can honestly say that it worked, but something about you is intriguing to me," Jace said. "You're–"

A horn honked behind Clary, causing her to jump. She spun quickly, catching sight of Isabelle's black Rover pulling up to the house. Dust rose and expanded in the air behind the wheels, a cloud of brown following it until it stopped in front of the house. Her heart was racing under her palm for more than one reason. Deep breaths weren't coming to her easily either. Getting scared shitless does that to people.

"Clary? Everything okay?" Jace asked with concern. "You alright?"

She nodded, and then slapped herself when she realized he couldn't see her. "Um, yeah. Isabelle and Simon just got back from the store and scared me."

"Oh." He sounded genuinely upset, and she felt her chest tighten. "Um, I guess you should go then, huh?"

"Wait, didn't you want to talk to Isabelle? You called her phone for a reason."

"No." She could feel his smile through the phone. "I'm glad I got to talk to you though. Even if we probably shouldn't do it again."

Even though she shouldn't feel hurt, she did. "Wait, why not?"

"Certain reasons."

"Like?"

Jace let out an exasperated breath. "Clary, people aren't going to like the fact that we might actually be having a decent conversation."

Clary turned back to the lake as Isabelle and Simon stepped out of the car. She probably looked distressed and didn't want them asking questions. The past thirty minutes talking with Jace had been great. She felt different talking to him like this, actually having a civilized conversation where they didn't fight. But Clary knew what he was doing, and she didn't want it to happen. Maia and Simon didn't like him, but that wouldn't stop him from doing what he wanted. He was too stubborn for that. Only one person could make him stop.

Clary closed her eyes, tilting her face up to the sky. "You wouldn't be talking about Sebastian, would you?" She already knew the answer, but she asked the question anyway for no good reason.

"I don't want him to hurt you." Jace sounded as bad as she felt. "You said you like to deal with him better when he's in a good mood, and I'm pretty sure he'd be pissed if he found out about this."

"Jace–"

"I have a game so I have to go. The team will be here soon. Have a fun weekend Clary."

"Wait, Jace–" All she got was the dial tone, the buzzing in her ear indicating that she lost him. Slowly, she lowered the phone to her side. It was at that moment she realized she missed his voice already. That wasn't good.

"Clary!" She took a moment to gather her bearings before turning. By that time, Isabelle was right behind her. Her bathing suit was visible through the tank top and around her neck, her shorts revealing more than necessary with her hair up in a bun. Naturally, she was gorgeous. Isabelle's eyes scanned Clary quickly. "What are you doing out here without a shirt?"

Clary looked down, realizing that the sun felt so good because she was still in nothing but her sports bra, sweatpants, and some flip flops. "Oh, uh, I was just–" She didn't really know how to answer. Instead, she thrust Isabelle's phone out. "This is yours, by the way."

She glanced down at it with her brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you doing with it?"

"Jace called while you were gone. I – I kind of answered."

Isabelle yanked it out of her hand, scanning through the latest called before her dark eyes widened. "Clary, this is a forty-two minute conversation." She showed Clary the phone, but she just shrugged in answer. It wasn't like she didn't know how long they talked for. "What did you two talk about?"

"Just… stuff."

"Hey! Women who are too good to lift anything!" They both turned to Simon, bags in his hands by the trunk of the vehicle. "Am I going to be forced to do this by myself again?"

Isabelle man an annoyed noise that wasn't so attractive. "Simon, just do it."

"But–"

"Please?" Isabelle asked almost desperately. Clary eyed her from the side. Desperate isn't a word associated with Isabelle often, if at all.

Simon noticed too, studying them for a moment before sighing and heading into the house with four or five grocery bags in each hand.

This was the part that Clary was worried about. She wasn't even sure what she was going to tell Isabelle. Honestly, except for the last bit, all she and Jace talked about were the most nonchalant and trivial things on the planet. How her drawing was going and what her next project would be, how his soccer was going, about the game today, what she and her friends did last night. It was that simple.

"So are you going to tell me?" Isabelle asked.

Clary looked at the floor. "It was nothing. His call woke me up. You and Simon were gone. What was I supposed to do?"

"Well?"

Clary sighed, looking at her friend in the eyes before a smile broke across her face. "Yes, it was nice before you start this freak out of yours."

The reaction Clary got was exactly what she expected. One second she was standing and talking with her friend and the next her feet were off the floor and she was being suffocated in a bear hug. "YES! YES! YES! So it went great? Yeah? Tell me!"

Clary patted Isabelle's back, her air sucked out of her lungs. "You'll have to – let me down… I – I can't breathe…"

"Oh, yeah, sorry." Isabelle dropped her, the smile still plastered to her face like it was ironed on. "So?"

Clary staggered to gain her equilibrium again, breathing deeply. "Well, we talked."

"And?"

Clary straightened herself, avoiding Isabelle's gaze at all possible and staring out after the fish jumping out of the water. "He was different."

"Different how?"

"He wasn't an ass." Clary wrapped her arms around herself, trying her best to say it without too much emotion. "But he said it can't happen again."

Isabelle jumped in front of her instantly. "What? Why?"

Clary shrugged. "There's too much standing in the way. And he's busy, and I'm busy, and–"

"And that's total bullshit."

Somehow, she knew that Isabelle would act this way. "It is what it is."

"That's not the whole story. This isn't because you're busy. Why can't you just accept that you and Jace have something?"

"Hey, Beauty and the Beast?" Simon called from the front door, interrupting Clary's answer. "Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast or my famous French toast?"

If looks could kill, Isabelle would've destroyed Simon. She was shooting daggers in his direction but personally, Clary couldn't have been happier for his intrusion. She turned without a word, heading towards the house after Simon. "Pancakes," she said with a smile, jumping up the stairs and into the house.

At least if Simon was around, Isabelle wouldn't ask about Jace. These few moments of precious silence would be heaven.

Jace lowered the phone to his stomach, staring up at the ceiling with a goofy smile plastered to his face. He couldn't help it. This morning, the past few days, they had all pretty much sucked but now it felt like none of that even happened. Now, he felt like he could fly. Like he could do anything.

If he knew anything, it was there was more to Clary Morgenstern than anyone knew about. Even Isabelle didn't know all the parts of that mystery girl. Sure, she told Isabelle a lot, but just from this one talk from her this morning, Jace knew that she kept a lot out of the conversations she shared with people. She wasn't an open book, and when you did open her up, there were pages missing. It was like there were parts blotted out that she didn't want people to see, that she was uncomfortable to let people see.

That's why he enjoyed it so much today, he guessed. It was simple things they talked about, and she didn't feel the need to hide anything from him. Not when it came to trivial matters. If he couldn't get the personal story completely, at least he got one hundred percent of the smaller things. It was the first step to becoming her friend. The first step to getting to her good side was slowly starting to progress, but Jace knew that wasn't it. He wouldn't be able to stop. He didn't want to stop.

Because he wanted her. God, did he want her. No just for the physical stuff. Something about her voice was always calming. Something about her laugh made him feel lighter inside. Her smile that he rarely got to see was quite the sight. Like a spider and a fly, she caught him in her web and he had no escape. She was going to destroy him, whether she left him alone or did what she wanted with him. And he'd let her if he'd just finally get over his damn guard that Michael put up.

And the other issue in the way.

"Damn you, Sebastian," Jace growled, pulling at his hair. If that bastard wasn't in the picture, things would be different. Maybe he and Clary wouldn't have gotten off on a bad start. Maybe they'd be at a different place, a better place.

What was he going to do?

There was a knock at the door, making Jace crane his neck towards the noise. "Yeah?" he called out.

"Wayland? Is that you?"

"Yeah. It's me."

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Jace slowly sat up, the pain lessening with each passing minute. If it kept this up, he'd at least be able to play. He'd just have to be careful, because one wrong hit to the stomach and it'd be all over.

The door swung open, Coach Starkweather stepping through and shutting it behind him. He was dressed in a suit, his grey hair slicked back in a not so attractive way. In his hand was a bag, a greasy, delicious looking back from none other than Chick-Fil-A. Jace felt his mouth watering at the sight of it, realizing he never did leave in order to get breakfast.

Coach Starkweather tossed it to him, making Jace have to awkwardly catch it to stop the food from hitting his face. "Jordan told me that you might not get out for breakfast. Can't have one of my stars passing out from a heat stroke or starving."

"That's the only reason you care? Good to know." Jace might have sounded sarcastic, but he was secretly grateful as he pulled out the chicken biscuit, biting into it. It tasted like heaven.

"So, what are you doing in here?"

Jace shrugged. "Soul searching?"

Starkweather sigh, taking a seat in one of the lockers opposite of Jace. "I'm serious. Everything okay?"

"Never better," Jace said with a mouthful of food.

They were both quiet for a moment. Jace stuffed his food quickly, devouring it like any other college kid, and before he knew it he was rolling up the trash and throwing it in the bin. His stomach at least wasn't in pain, but he couldn't say the same for the rest of his body. It was going to be a long day.

"Thanks for that," he said, looking back at his coach's keen eye.

Starkweather nodded. "So are you going to tell me how that happened?"

"How what happened?"

Starkweather moved forward, leaning with his elbows on his knees. It was kind of creepy how he was staring at Jace. He pointed with his finger toward's Jace's golden irises. "Your eye. It's starting to bruise."

Jace had almost completely forgotten that Sebastian decked him in the face. He reached up, touching the soft spot and flinching at the pain. "Oh, yeah. I got punched."

Coach chuckled, shaking his head. "You sure do have a way with people, Wayland."

"So I've been told."

"Just don't let it affect your game," Starkweather continued. "I don't care who did it or why. I just want to win today. This game is important and I don't need anything getting in the way." He paused. "Which is why I need to talk to you about Verlac."

Jace sighed, knowing that this was coming. The tension between those two had gotten worse and worse the past few days. People noticed that weren't on the soccer team. Coach said he could feel it. They normally just avoided each other at all costs, but when they did have to communicate, it was never pretty. Everyone pretty much knew they hated each other, but very few knew why.

Jace sighed, closing his head and dropping his head. He pulled his knees painfully up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. "What about him?"

"Just keep it off the field today," Coach warned. "I don't want to see another fight. This game is important and is going to be hard enough as it is. When you two fight, argue, play shitty, the rest of the team follows. Just put whatever the problem is between you two behind so we can get through the next few hours."

Jace nodded. "Yes sir."

"Now, let's talk about what I really wanted to come and say."

That caught Jace off guard. "Which is?"

Starkweather looked down momentarily before lifting his head again. "This isn't going to be a normal game."

"How so?"

Hodge actually looked distressed now. The wrinkles in his face seemed to multiply by the second. "They know about you, Jace."

"They?"

"This game… it's basically going to decide who will be region champs this year. They've been doing their research on the team, who's our top scorer, who's the game changer. Their coach has contacted some of the coaches we've played."

Jace took a moment to think. "Okay, but what does that matter? Coaches get scouting reports all the time. It's nothing new."

"Yes, but this is different." Starkweather tugged at his tie nervously. "This coach and I go way back. He'd do anything to win. He's a dirty player, dirty coach, and all he wants is to win at all cost. He'll do anything, hurt anyone to win. Especially one of my star players."

Jace raised his hand, cutting anything else off. "You saying that he's going to have people come after me?"

He nodded. "They'll do it as cleanly as possible, but you need to watch your back. They'll try their best to take you out, and I want you to stay safe. We need you."

This was just great. Jace dropped his head, pulling at his hair for the fifth time that day. Of course, the day Sebastian decides to beat him to a pulp when he's already sore and tired out of his mind is the same day they play the dirties team in the league that was trying to take him out of the game. The timing was impeccable.

Starkweather stood, tapping Jace on the shoulder. "Just be careful, okay?"

With a nod from Jace, Coach dropped his hand and left, closing the door behind him until Jace was alone once again. If he survived this day, it would be a miracle.

The day could be described in one word: Fantastic.

This was what Clary was looking for when she asked to come. She wanted the freedom, the fun, the excitement, the worry free environment that her friends could provide. Most of all, she just wanted to feel like herself again. She was relaxed. She was having fun. She was enjoying her college life like she did last year.

Before she met Sebastian.

Clary leaned back in the lawn chair on the deck, dropping her sketchbook and stretching out. The sun was making her skin hot, a thin layer of sweat taking over as she drew her mind away. This was what it was like back before he started messing with her. She could watch Isabelle and Simon goof off and nearly drown each other with a smile on her face instead of the dread that took over her life for the past few months.

The problem was the loneliness. She hated it more than anything. And Sebastian wasn't all bad! People just brought out a bad side of him. He could be a good guy, especially in the beginning. It was worth it in the end if she had someone's arms around her. He really could be what she needed at times.

Before all the trouble, he was actually really sweet to Clary. He'd taken her out. He'd bought her flowers. He spent time with her other than pushing for the sex that he has still yet to get. Back then it was fun, exciting, but it wasn't pressuring. Now, she felt like she couldn't breathe around him, and it wasn't for the good feelings.

She didn't want to think about that right now. With her gaze on the water, she looked around for her distraction that was her best friends. Within seconds, she found them.

"Faster Simon! Turn it up and notch!" Isabelle yelled from her spot on the wakeboard. She had one hand in the air, screaming with a smile on her face as they flew by the dock. Clary couldn't make out the words Simon yelled back, and they were flying almost too fast when Isabelle lost balance and tumbled in the water a little too painfully.

Clary laughed, shaking her head. Her friends were crazy, but she loved them for that. She glanced back down at her sketchbook, drawing the landscape she'd been focused on.

It wasn't ten seconds before her attention was called back again.

"Simon! Give it back!"

"You should've tied it tighter, Isabelle. Apparently you couldn't handle the speed. It's not my fault you couldn't keep up!"

Clary looked up again, finding a very shocking scene. Simon, her nerdy, goofy, scared of women best friend was holding none other than Isabelle's top to her bikini on a fishing pole that he must have used to get it out of the water, simultaneously circling her with the speed boat. He was smiling a little too large for someone who probably wouldn't live through the night.

"I'm not playing. Give it to me before I rip your face off," she yelled from her spot treading the water.

He shook his head. He pulled the bikini top from the fishing pole, twirling it around his index finger. "You'd have to get out of the water for that."

"Ugh! You son of a bitch!" She slapped the water loudly, splashing some in Simon's direction. "Don't forget I know where you sleep at night."

He shrugged. "You couldn't hurt me."

She glared at him. "You really want to put that to the test."

There was silence for a moment, nothing but the small roar of the motor for noise before Simon tossed Isabelle's top back into the water, sitting down in his seat with a pout.

She smiled. "That's what I thought."

Clary couldn't help but laugh at the two of them. They really would be the cutest couple if Isabelle wasn't so damn blind. Granted, Simon wasn't really her type. He wasn't an athlete. He didn't come from a lot of money. He wasn't clever. In fact, he was scared of her too. But Isabelle needed to figure out that's what she needed. Clary could only hope that Isabelle would soon see reason.

Clary's eyes drifted down to Isabelle's bag again when her stupid ringtone started again. The caller I.D. said "Jacey", and Clary felt a weird feeling flood through her again. That stupid nickname pissed her off more than it should.

She answered anyway without much hesitation at all. "Hey, Jace."

He took in what sounded like a sharp, pained breath. "Oh, hey. You're not Isabelle."

"No, it's Clary again." There was a sharp hiss, like a sound that came from someone in pain. "Jace, are you–"

"Ah!" he screamed, slapping what sounded like a mattress. "Dammit! That hurt, Ryan!"

"I'm sorry, Jace. But it's going to be painful. You sprained it pretty bad, so–"

"What?" Clary's eyes widened. She was vaguely aware of Isabelle – a clothed Isabelle – getting back on the wake board and taking off for another round. "Jace, you're hurt?"

"I – Yeah. It's no big deal. I was just – Jesus! Yes! That hurts, Ryan. It fucking hurts!" He took a deep breath, probably trying to calm his nerves. After a few moments of silence and Jace's deep breathing that Clary found extremely comforting, he spoke again. "I was just calling Izzy to talk about… something."

"There you go Jace," Ryan said. "Now stop bitching about it and let the ice do its job."

"Fuck off," Jace growled back. There was something about the trainer being a jackass piece of shit when finally Jace seemed to get his act together. "Sorry you had to hear that."

Clary couldn't help but laugh a little. "So, are you okay?"

He sighed. "Just great. I'm ready to beat my trainer's ass, but I can't." There was so much in his voice that was raw, pained, and Clary felt her heart reach out to him. For some reason, she felt bad just because he did. What the hell was that?

"What happened?"

"You don't really want to hear about this."

Clary sat back, dropping her sketchbook and stretching out again to let the sun do its work on her skin. She slipped a pair of sunglasses on, closing her eyes and relaxing. "If I didn't want to talk, I would've hung up at the screaming and yelling."

Jace was quiet for a moment. "Hey, I wasn't screaming and yelling. Guys don't do that." He paused. "So, does this mean you want to talk?"

"For some reason… yeah. This morning was nice, Jace. It really was."

"Um, yeah. I guess it was but it's not a good idea…"

Her brows furrowed together. His tone, his voice, his attitude felt completely different to her. It was obvious he didn't want to talk about it. Maybe he never wanted to talk about it ever again. She could take the hint. "Sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

"It's okay. I'm just - it's not a good idea to bring it up, to talk about it."

Clary contemplated letting it stop at that and just hanging up. Her mouth wouldn't let her though. Instead… "So, you sprained something?"

"Huh?" He sounded shocked that she just let it go. "Oh yeah, among other things."

"Like?"

"It's nothing."

Clary sighed. "Jace, just tell me."

He didn't immediately. A bad feeling settled in the pit of Clary's stomach when he was quiet like this. This was the first time she had to deal with it, but somehow she knew that something was seriously wrong with him. It worried her.

"Jace?" She was being as cautious as possible, not sure what to say when he was like this. She was used to arguing with him, not talking with him. Especially when it's about him being hurt. "Um, do you want me to get Isabelle instead? I–"

"You don't have to do that," he said quickly. "There's no point in telling her I called anyway."

Clary frowned. "Why?"

"Just don't mention it to her. I have to go."

"Wait. Jace, hold on." She waited, hoping that the dial tone wouldn't come. Luckily, it didn't. And now that she had his attention, she didn't even know what to say. "I - I uh... never mind."

"Alright," he said. She thought there was a hint of disappointment. "Well, have a good day Clary."

She didn't get to reciprocate it until he was already gone. She opened her eyes, looking at the phone in astonishment. Jace mentioned that he didn't want Isabelle knowing so she immediately went to the recent calls, deleting the history of their talk altogether.

"Hey, Clary?" She sat up, her eyes moving to the end of the deck and finding Isabelle there. She pulled herself up, standing on the wooden dock and walking over, water dripping off her perfect body that Clary would kill for. "Who was on the phone?"

"Someone had the wrong number," she said quickly and confidently. "No big deal."

Jace woke the next morning in the worst way possible. His ankle screamed and throbbed him out of sleep, and he did his best to keep himself quiet as much as possible. All he wanted was to scream, but then against he was so tired he barely had the energy to even groan.

The pain suddenly shot through his leg again, causing his last bit of drowsiness to fade as he sat up. The sheets pulled around his lap, his bare chest shining with a bit of sleep from his last nightmare. It wasn't the first time. It wouldn't be the last. He'd suffered from plenty here and there, the same thing over and over again. It was tedious, stupid, and he had to learn to let it go. But right now, he had bigger issues as his ankle reminded him what the first problem of the day was.

"Jesus," he groaned, pulling the sheets off and standing from the bed. It made him dizzy, his headache coming back again and he almost stumbled out of bed.

He bit his lip when he finally stood, the pressure of his body sending more shocks of pain through his leg and ankle along with the pain already there. He hobbled over to the bathroom, grabbing anything stable to keep him upright as he moved.

After he made it, took his medicine, and used the bathroom, he headed back to the room. The movement alone was making his ankle feel better, and the blood was calming it down easily enough. He closed the door behind him quietly, leaning against it and taking deep breaths.

"Jace!"

"Wayland? You okay?"

"Hey, Wayland?" Someone clapped their hands in his face, and slowly opened his eyes from the pitch black darkness. "Come on back to us, buddy. Come on."

"I'm not a dog, Jordan," he groaned, weakly slapping Jordan's hand away from his face. "Stop yelling at me and clapping. Jesus."

He literally felt like someone was taking a hammer and banging it against the back of his skull. First his ankle. Now his head. This game had already been bad enough, but Coach was right. These players were out to get him. He was a target with a red dot on his forehead, and now he was pretty sure that he was down for the count.

There were voices and arguments going all around him, but he couldn't take it. It was making the pain worse and the only thing he could think of doing to fix it was passing out. He closed his eyes, hoping it would work.

It failed. The grass still brushed against his sweaty skin. The sun still beat down on him relentlessly. His jersey still stuck to him. For the first time in a long time, all he wanted was to be off the field.

"Jace? Look at me."

Slowly but surely, Jace opened his eyes. Ryan, his trainer, sat in front of him, blocking the sun and looking at him intently.

The worried look on Ryan's face indicated everything that was bad. "Jace, how bad is it?"

He took a moment. "There's a ringing in my right ear," he said with a hoarse voice. "And my vision is a bit blurry. The sun isn't really helping. And God, my head is pounding."

Ryan sighed, dropping his head. "That's what I was afraid of."

"How bad is it?" Starkweather asked. Jace looked behind him, only be restrained. Ryan had his hands on Jace's skull, holding him still and unmoving. "Is he going to be able to play?"

Ryan shook his head. "No way. The ankle was risky enough. I don't play around with concussions. He's going to be out for weeks with this thing."

Weeks? Jace cursed, tightening his hand in the turf grass just because that was the only way to let off some steam. Jesus. This game was huge! Coach had even warned him to be careful, but he managed to get his ass kicked anyway.

What was wrong with him? The Jace Wayland from Cali would never have done this. He would've been smarter about how he played, not letting his own teammates mess with him. If Sebastian hadn't been messing with him, giving him bad passes and shit, this wouldn't have happened. But no, this new Jace decided that pissing someone off would've been entertaining. God, he was such an idiot.

Jace was vaguely aware of the roar of the training kart being driven on the field.

Ryan stood, slowly and gently dropping Jace's head to the turf. "There's nothing you can do, Coach. I'm telling you that he's not playing. He's done."

Jace let out a noise of frustration, banging his hand against the wall. "God, I'm an idiot."

"It's too early for your self-hatred, Jace," Jordan complained into the pillow on his bed. "We lost because they were better. Not because you we're taken out of the game. You're not that good."

"There's plenty of people that would disagree with that statement." Jace pushed off the door, slowly making his way ungracefully to his bed again. "I'm not saying it's about that. Just go back to sleep, asshole."

Jordan nodded. "With pleasure." He turned his back to Jace, curling in on himself and snoring two seconds later.

Jace slid back onto his bed, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling. The pills were already doing their job, stopping the pain throughout his body and giving him a moment to actually think without making his headache worse.

After everything that happened at the game, he wasn't even sure what he needed to do, who he needed to talk to. Originally he called his dad, but Michael wasn't much help. He gave his sympathies, but Jace's life wasn't in danger so it was obvious that Michael's attention was torn. So after a while of talking and getting nowhere, feeling no better, and wishing the conversation would end, Jace hung up and let it go.

But Clary. He even hoped that she would answer that time and God finally answered his prayers for once. She sounded worried, like he wanted her to. She wanted to know if he was okay, like he wanted her to. If she was asking those questions, it meant she cared, right?

It almost meant that he was an idiot.

Out of everything he's ever known, he was still letting this girl get to him! Even if he didn't want to, he still wanted to. He called Isabelle just for the slight chance to talk to Clary. The slight, small, tiny possibility that she would answer instead of Isabelle was all he wanted, and he got it. Once he had it, he didn't want it but did. The feelings that spread when she spoke wasn't welcomed but wanted. This was the most contradictory as he'd ever been! As much as he hated it, that call yesterday morning did something to him. When he was in pain, all he wanted was to hear Clary's voice, and those two decent conversations had him like a fish on a hook now.

So what was he supposed to do now? He promised himself that he wouldn't let her in. That only leads to more pain and heartbreak. It isn't worth it at the end because love never lasts. Never. It fades and people end up hurt every damn time. It destroys people! Even if they think they're happy, they really aren't. Love is an illusion that blinds them to what they really want.

The sound of a ringtone started singing across the room. Jordan groaned, grabbed the phone out of Jace's peripheral vision, and rolled over. "What the hell do you want?"

Jace turned his head. "Who is it?"

"Shit!" Jordan exclaimed, sitting straight up. "Isabelle! Hi!" He paused. "Yeah, um, what time again? And where?" Another pause. "I can be there in thirty... No, I didn't sleep in," he said with his eyes going to Jace. "I had other complications. I'm still meeting you guys, yeah."

That caught Jace's attention. He slowly sat up. "Jordan, you're meeting them?"

He nodded, his eyes meeting Jace's and a small smile pulling over his lips. "Actually, we'll meet you there. I'll bring a friend. Two actually. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Who?" Jace heard Isabelle ask.

Jordan shrugged. "I think you can guess. I'll see you soon."

"What the hell are you doing?" Jace asked, sitting up against the pain.

Jordan hopped out of bed, grabbing his jeans and shirt. "We're going to lunch. Now get dressed. Actually," he looked Jace over, pointing to the shower, "Get in there. You need to shower since you were only allowed a little sleep. You look like hell."

"Like you don't?" Jace shot back. "You had to stay up with me."

"But I didn't and fell asleep anyway. Now get in there. Clary can't see you like that."

Jace didn't bother with a response. He just slowly got out of bed again and did as he was told, slapping Jordan in the back of the head in the process and dodging the punch his way, slipping into the bathroom. "Hey, Jordan!" he called.

"What?"

"Who's the third person going with us?"

Jordan laughed. "Your favorite person. Maia."

"Great," he mumbled, turning on the shower and washing his worries away. "Everyone together." He placed his hands on the counter, dropping his head fast enough to make him dizzy. He can barely handle all of them when he's healthy. How is he supposed to do it injured?

He looked up, staring at himself in the mirror. "Jace, my friend, you're going to have a long ass day."

Hope you liked it! Tell me what you're favorite parts are, what you like and dislike the most. I want to write what people are interested in, but I can only do that with your help, so don't keep your opinions to yourself! Let me know!

And stay tuned for more :) it's coming ASAP!