Soooooo… new chapter! Is everyone liking it so far? We're sorry if it doesn't sound intriguing or anything. It's just the beginning though!
"Jace? Alec?" Izzy yelled throughout the Institute. No reply. "They're probably in the training room." Clary's eyes went wider at this. Jace… training… him shirtless… hot… NO! "Are you going to be okay with that?"
At least Izzy was considering her feelings.
"Yeah." NO! "I'll be fine."
"Ok! Let's go to my room and change first. I have some training clothes you can borrow."
"Thank you." Clary was grateful at first, but she didn't realize what Izzy meant by training 'clothes' at the time.
She struggled to get the 'clothes' to fit. Her breasts weren't as well developed and neither were her curves. She attempted to make herself feel more comfortable in the 'clothes' she was borrowing but that was a long shot.
"Stop fussing, you look fine. What are you so worried about anyway?"
"Your brothers." Clary made the =.= face.
"I thought you said you were fine with it?" Izzy questioned as she continued tying her hair up.
"I'm fine with training in the same area, but if they're looking over at us…" Clary looked at herself once over in the mirror. The sports bra she was wearing could pass as a s an oversized bikini, and her shorts were almost the same length as her underwear was. Izzy said she could take her underwear off because she did that too sometimes if she felt like it.
"Don't worry about it. We're just training, after all." Clary tied her hair up at last and did her best to get herself to fuller around her chest by sucking her stomach in. If she didn't, she was sure the sports bra was going to drop.
"Come on. Let's go."
Izzy and Clary walked through the Institute. The training area was close by, luckily. Clary had borrowed some shoes too. It was a good thing she wore thicker socks today.
The future parabatai's could hear Alec and Jace fighting each other with seraph blades. Once Isabelle and Clary stepped in, they also heard music coming from the stereo. Loud, fast, and adrenaline pumping music.
"We'll go on this side," said Isabelle, leading her to another space in the training room. The room was larger than her basement by hundreds. Clary wasn't sure how such a big room could fit in such a small church. Okay, it looked like a really puny church through the glamour.
"Take your pick," said Isabelle as she gestured to all the weapons available on the rack. She had trained with all of them at a point, and decided to take the one she was the most rusty with; the katana. "Clary, I've beaten you in every battle we've been in. Are you sure you want to use a weapon that you've never touched before?" Clary smirked.
"We were in my basement at the time and I didn't want to break anything so I held back."
"All right," sighed Izzy as she picked up a seraph blade. "If you say so." Clary felt slightly frustrated that her best friend had such little faith in her.
"Let's train."
Ignoring the clanging of blades behind them, the pair got within 5 metres apart to start.
They began circling each other, analyzing each others movements. Clary had learnt form previous experiences with Izzy that she shouldn't be the one to strike first. Izzy loved to stay in control, and that was her weakness.
"Not making the first move?" asked Clary, the katana held just above her shoulder. She was tempted to get the wakizashi in attempt at the Two Heavens technique of two swords at once but she hadn't trained that way for a while now.
"Hmph." Izzy scoffed and smirked. Her eyes glinted through the reflection of the crystal blade. Now.
They charged, but Clary wasn't going for a strike. Within the last second, she got down on her knees, twisted them so she was on her bum, and kicked as Izzy's straight attack had missed her and she was in mid-confusion.
Izzy rolled along the floor, landing on her chest. Clary quickly got up, twirling the katana with her pinky. It was heavy, but not as weighted as her personal blades. Her skinny arms were nothing to underestimate.
"Is that all you got?" Acting cocky in front of Izzy was one way to get her motivated. That was how she worked. Clary could tell from the whole week they trained together.
"Going for the defensive, huh?" her opponent spat as she got up. "We make a good team." Clary smirked back in reply.
"Kiai!" Clary ran and bent down slightly to get to Izzy's feet. She always kept them still during battle. She wouldn't run or manoeuvre unless she really had to. She jumped and aimed her crystal blade at Clary's side. In record time, Clary's katana had blocked the attack. It was a battle of strength right now.
"Nice try," said Clary. Her innocence was fading. She quickly brought her knee up to hit Izzy's stomach, then shifted her feet to knock on the black haired girls knees. They buckled and she was on the ground. The redhead stood in victory. The taller girl attempted to use her hands to punch Clary's feet or legs, but she moved to quickly.
"I didn't hurt you too bad, did I?" asked Clary, lending a hand.
"It's nothing I haven't felt before," assured Izzy as she took up the hand in front of her.
"Wanna go again?"
"Hell yeah. That was awesome!"
Quickly, the redhead ran to get the wakizashi. She twirled the blades quickly to get the right balance.
"Two Heavens Technique? That's…" Jace's voice trailed off to the side.
"A lost, hidden, forgotten, and in some cases, forbidden, technique," Clary finished.
"It's said that whoever battles someone with just the knowledge of the Two Heavens Technique is bound to lose!" Alec butt in.
"Let's see if you are correct, shall we, Izzy?" Clary suggested.
Izzy wiped off a little spit off the corner of her mouth and nodded.
They kept off to the edges of the yellow boundary lines on the ground.
"Be careful, Clarissa…" Clary heard a voice whisper. She knew who it was within a second. It made her heart skip a beat to hear her full name.
"Kiai!" She crossed the blades together, one coming from the side, one above. Izzy dodged, but not fast enough. A small paper like cut had formed on her forearm. Clary felt slightly guilty, but this was all a part of training.
"I thought you were going on defensive!" exclaimed her partner.
"Less talking, more fighting," she ordered. Izzy shut her mouth.
Clary didn't use her swords much after that. She used the point of her elbow to jab into Izzy's shoulder, but the female Lightwood wouldn't back down. Clary used the wakizashi to clang it with her seraph blade, then used the katana's flat side to hit her hipbone. After that, she stepped back.
"You ok?" she asked wholeheartedly.
"Whoever told you it was ok to leave your opponent in midst of battle?" Izzy spat again, holding her hipbone tenderly. She was always taught to finish off what was started.
"It's not about battle, it's learning about your mistakes," said Clary softly. "And you are not my opponent. You are my partner as well as my best friend. There's no point in training if you are injured or have no will to learn from your previous actions."
"Well said," complimented Jace. Clary tilted her head to the side and smirked. She felt wind by her side and Jace's eyes widen. Clary shook her head in disappointment, her eyes closed. She strongly punched her arm to the side, hitting Izzy right in the left chest area.
"You've got good aim even without your eyes," laughed Alec.
"Fucking HELL!" Izzy started to roll around the ground while crossing her arms above her chest. "THAT HURT!"
"I guess it's not only guys who have an obvious weak point," said Jace as he tapped his chin.
"I thought you'd already know that seeing how many girls you've slept with," said Clary with curiosity.
"That…" everyone raised an eyebrow. "Is quite true."
"Clary…" Izzy groaned and pointed at the redheads chest. The strap was falling and her cleavage was going too far. Her shorts were slightly ripped to the side from one of Izzy's attacks and if the rip were to rip even more, her underwear would show. She calmly fixed the strap but couldn't do anything about the cleavage or her underwear.
"Wanna keep training?" asked Clary as she helped Izzy up again.
"I'd like to see you against Jace," said Izzy. Clary's face reddened. She turned to the side to see Jace with a smirk on his face and… shirtless. His golden hair was tousled from battling with Alec who stood next to him. Yet he still looked stunning. No, stop. This is your best friends brother. No.
"Ok…" Clary shyly walked over to Jace and Alec's boundaries and stood at the corner. Jace was at the the opposite corner. The other two siblings stood to the side and watched as the redhead and golden figure circled each other.
Jace jumped, breaking the tension. Clary quickly took in his open spots and dodged then stroke with her katana to Jace's side. He ducked before the blade hit him and went for Clarys' feet. She jumped. She jumped high. Her fist came down on Jace's shoulder, an attack so fast even he couldn't dodge. When Jace was on his knees, Clary flattened her blade and knocked him on the head.
"That was fast," said Alec in amusement.
"It's not over yet," said Izzy.
"Get up," demanded Clary. "Fight like a man. Fight like a Shadowhunter. Or are you holding back because I'm a girl?"
"What is she doing?!" whisper shrieked Izzy. "She's gonna lose for sure now." Her brother nodded in agreement.
"You aren't just any girl," said Jace as he got up.
"Is that a compliment?" asked Clary, readying her weapons. Jace spat on the ground and got up from his weak position.
"You got that right." Jace went for a straight attack. Clary dropped her weapons in attempt to look scared. Alec could see right through her technique. She kept dodging her opponents strikes until he was close enough for her to attack. With moves so fast that regular eyes couldn't follow, Jace was kicked in the nuts, punched on the side, paralyzed by the neck, stepped on by the thigh, buckled at the knees, and whacked in the head.
"You…" Izzy was speechless. "How'd you paralyze him?"
"Two fingers," Clary demonstrated, "Right here." She showed her on Jace's neck as he had lost temporary consciousness. Alec was curious too and decided to follow.
"You've got really good eyes," Alec nodded with approval. "That's not an easy spot to aim at."
"Thank you," Clary smiled back.
"Could you um… could you teach me the um…"
"Two Heavens Technique?" She helped him finish.
"Yeah…" Alec rubbed the back of his neck. He's cute when he's shy, but he's not my type :P
"Sure. Just so you know, I don't bite. It's just how I appear to be when training or in battle."
"That explains the red hair. It fits you," said Alec. Clary giggled there. She had gotten all but compliments about her hair in Hong Kong. She couldn't help but love the Lightwood family.
After a nice shower and a change of clothes, Clary slowly walked home, enjoying Canada's fresh air.
"Hey, Clarissa, need a ride?" came a voice to her side. It was Jace in his new car.
"You gained consciousness?" she was glad.
"Yup. You brought a good fight. Wanna talk about it as I drive you home?" Clary sighed. The sun was setting and Jace's golden features were defined even more so. She couldn't turn the offer down.
Clary smiled and got into the front seat next to Jace. He had been to her house plenty of times for Jonathan so she didn't need to tell him the way.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" asked Jace.
"My dad. I'm still a little rusty though. I haven't had runes or even held a weapon for the past 3 to 4 years," Clary explained. She didn't understand why she was opening up so easily to Jace when they had just become 'acquaintances' earlier today.
"Jon never talks about your father. Do you know why?" Clary sighed and gave a lopsided, sad smile.
"I guess he sees our dad a little differently from the way I view him. I think of him as someone who had courage and believed in himself. Jonathan probably sees him as someone who went against his family and would do anything for power. Even if it meant his life. He did a lot of things which are unforgivable, that's true. But it's hard to hold a grudge against someone who's family."
"That is deeeeep."
Clary chuckled. "That's why we don't bring him up when the whole family is having a conversation. It just causes conflict and shit's gonna go down."
Jace was silent for a while. Clary was afraid she said something wrong until he spoke up.
"I didn't have the best time with my family either. They got into fights and I decided to run away. It wasn't long before I read the news and found out that both my parents had beaten each other up to death. But, I've got the Lightwoods now so I'm fine." Clary could tell that he wasn't. There was a glassy layer above his eye which he seemed to try and seal away, but Clary knew he had a scar that hadn't healed. Even so, she just opened up a healing wound.
"Jace, you know you didn't have to tell me that."
"I know," he sighed. "But I felt like I should."
Right then, Jace pulled into the driveway.
"Do you wanna come in…?" asked Clary. She didn't want to leave his side for some reason.
"Sure. I haven't seen Jonathan for the past week anyway." She felt somewhat hurt for that. She hoped that he would come in for her, not her brother.
They both got out of the car and entered the house. Jonathan was training with bows and arrows down in the basement. Jace gave her a small goodbye as he went down there and she went up to her art room/study.
There, on the easel, was her unfinished painting of Jace. There was something about him that was still off in that painting, but after a second, she realized what it was. She ran to the easel and sat down with her brushes and paints and started to work on the canvas before she forgot what she had to change. She defined his features, changed his skin tone a little, and brought out the scruffiness of his clothing. There wasn't anything wrong with him. It was how his personality was portrayed. It was all wrong. She never signed any of her artworks of Jace because she was never satisfied, but she could finish them off now. Before today, she didn't know much about Jace. She knew of his reputation as a player, but that was it. Now that she knew him, knew at least a little bit about his past, that he had a soft spot in him which made him human… she felt it was easier to create a finished piece of Jace.
"If Jonathan hadn't sent me up here, I wouldn't have thought you have an obsession with me."
Clary place her brush on the easel as the voice caused her to drop out of her art mode. Shed covered up whatever art piece she could with my body and attempt to look natural simultaneously.
"You're just… hard to… perfect," she said lamely. An awkward silence formed between them and she rocked back and forth on my feet. "Anyway, boys aren't allowed in any of my rooms so goodbye!" Clary's arm pushed back on his shoulder so he would step away at a safe distance form the door. His eyes were in shock and confusion whereas Clary's was going straight for the jackpot. She slammed the door as quietly as she could yet it still banged slightly against the hinges. Before she could hear Jace force her to let him in the room, she started to blast music from her phone speakers as loud as possible. Her ear was pressed against the door, listening to when Jace would get the hint and walk away. That took some time.
"Don't put me in anymore mental trouble than I already am in," sighed Clary to herself, gently turning down the volume of her cheesy Taylor Swift songs.
For the rest of the night, she stayed cooped up in her room, drawing multiple masterpieces which all resembled the same person. Jace.
"What was that yesterday?" asked Jonathan as Clarissa came down the stairs for breakfast the next morning.
"What was what?" she yawned, fixing the collar of her plaid shirt. She left the buttons open to reveal a black tank underneath. The tank was somewhat low, but not low enough to show any cleavage.
"You went to the Institute yesterday, trained there, almost flashed Jace in the eyes during training-"
"I did not flash anything." Clarissa had to confirm it.
"So, you weren't wearing a sports bra a few sizes too big and neither were you wearing a ripped pair of booty shorts that could pass for underwear?" Her face flushed red at the description. She stayed silent and started to braid her hair on the side while munching on a cookie.
"What about your slight obsession with creating art pieces of him?" Her face went darker and darker, spreading to her neck now.
"I'm going to school early," she muttered, bolting for the garage with her schoolbag.
"I thought I was driving!" Jonathan yelled as she pulled her converse shoes on.
"I'll bike," she answered, opening the door.
"It's too far to-" ding. The alarm signalled. She was out of the door in record time.
With her bag around her shoulders, she took out her bike and started pedalling down the hill towards the main streets. There, at the red light, was a bright red car, sparkling clean and new, and in that expensive car, was a man, one hand on the wheel, the other hanging outside of the car.
Random thoughts went through Clarissa's head. Unnecessary thoughts. I wonder if he would offer me a ride again? Is there another one of his bimbos in the car? Why am I getting all pissed because of that? It's just a thought…
Clary rode past the car, then heard a whistle and "Clarissa" come afterwards. She pulled the breaks and stopped the white bike.
"Nice lace you have there." Jace pointed to the little black and red lace lining coming out from the top of her jeans. Because she rode her bike, they seemed to have… risen.
"Pervert." Clary just got back to pedalling and headed for the school. It was still early so there wasn't any rush hour traffic yet. It was almost deserted.
"You know, I'm a fan of black and red," came a voice to Clary's side as she stood up on the pedals of her bike.
"Why should I care?" Why am I acting so cold?
"Woah, didn't mean to piss you off there." Clary glared and pedalled faster. She knew she was no match for a sport car so new and expensive, but she had to try. Especially since he was about to be stopped by another red light. It was her chance to get the fuck out of there.
"You didn't do anything. It was just me." She forced a smile before crossing the red light while Jace had to stop. Clary let out the breath she held and pedalled along, still unaware that her lacey underwear was being gawked at.
At her locker, she decided to draw a few more runes along her arm and put up an extra glamour.
"What are you doing?" asked Izzy who stood next to her. "A sharpie?" Clary chuckled at how strong the glamour she marked herself with was. Even fellow Shadowhunters couldn't see them.
"Glamour," she smiled, putting the stele away in her back pocket. It really did look like a sharpie form the glamour.
"Why are you here so early?" Izzy questioned, reapplying some lipstick in her locker mirror.
"Jonathan was bugging me about some stuff with Jace," she replied. Shit. Why did I add 'with Jace'? It would have been fine if I just left it with 'about some stuff'.
"Jace?!" Izzy's voice was loud that a few bystanders were staring. She was popular too with the boys. Her looks were nothing to question. Clary was about the same level as her, but was more of the shy, pretty, soft type. Izzy was fierce. She capped her lipstick stiffly, ignoring the people around them. "I knew something was going on between you two! I demand to know whether he sexually harassed you in any way!"
"Iz, calm down. Please, people are staring," she said quietly, zipping up her Jansport bag. It was bright neon yellow-green. Something she didn't expect. Izzy straightened herself up before glaring at Clary, a black aura radiating off of her. "He didn't sexually harass me at all. He's acting like a normal friend."
"What happened yesterday? Tell me everything to the smallest detail." Clary sighed. Her best friend was terrifyingly demanding.
"After going to your place, I was walking home and he happened to pass by and offer me a ride. On the way, we had a simple conversation about our parents and that was it. When we got to my place, I asked whether he wanted to come inside and he said yes so he could see my brother, being in university and shit. Then he, for what reason I don't know, came up to my room and started to talk about my artworks of him and so I shoved him out afterwards. End of story." Clary closed her locker and slung her schoolbag over her shoulder.
"You two talked about your parents? You mean, Jace's biological parents?" She nodded. "I hope you realize that he has never once talked about his parents after my parents took him in, right?" The whispers around them increased.
"No…" Clary his her face behind a few strands of hair that fell from her braid.
"I don't think you understand what I'm trying to say." Izzy grabbed her friend by the shoulders. "Jace Herondale is opening up to Clarissa Morgenstern." She didn't look happy. Her eyes were blazing and the black aura around the beautiful teenager went darker by the second.
"Is that bad?" Clary asked uncertainly. Izzy instantly changed moods and tapper her chin.
"I'm not sure…"
"Sure of what?" Simon appeared behind the two girls with an innocent grin on his face. Izzy's cheeks blushed pink. Clary understood why now. Not only was he standing dangerously close to the Shadowhunter, he wasn't wearing his glasses and had contacts on instead. He also was wearing the tight shirt she bought him for his birthday, and the ripped pair of black jeans he got her for Christmas. Like that, he was the one guy that could compare to Jace Herondale.
"Whether Jace opening up to Clary is a good or a bad thing," Izzy rushed out. Clary stared at her in the eyes saying, 'calm down' and looked away.
"I say it's a good thing. He's got loads of friends but none that he can actually talk to so seriously. Or personally," shrugged Simon. Izzy instantly started to nod.
"I totally agree." Clary mentally rolled her eyes. Around guys, she was the complete chick magnet and always kept her cool. It was Simon she'd always lose control to. "Well, I'm going off to class. See you two later!" Izzy instantly ran off, her large heels clacking away.
"Did I scare her off?" asked Simon rubbing the back of his head.
"Nope. Definitely not," Clary sighed, wondering if she should tell Simon about the huge crush her best friend had on him. She promised not to open her mouth but… those two weren't going to get anywhere like this.
"Then… what happened?" She sighed again.
"I promised not to say anything, so I'll hint at it." She tried to think of everything she could that would make Simon realize what Isabelle felt for him. "We hung out not too long ago and she said a few things about you."
"Like?"
"Compliments. All your good points."
"What does that have to do with her running away?" Clary knew that this wasn't getting her anywhere either so, she decided to act it out; pointing in the direction Izzy went, forming a heart with her hands, then pointing back at Simon.
"Lord…" He smacked his head against Clary's locker. "Are you serious?"
"I didn't say anything, I acted it out. Loophole," she muttered to herself to be clear. "Yes, I am. The past few years now, actually. And don't say you haven't felt the same way because I know that's not true."
"Fucking hell, of course I like her. Who wouldn't?"
"Can you tell me why you like her?"
"She's beautiful, has the best body anyone could ask for-"
"Anything that doesn't have to do with her appearance," Clary interrupted.
"Well… I like how she's always so sure of herself, confident, ya know? Not everyone has the independence she has. Um… there's how she always considers others. She doesn't look like she does, but it's true. It's always her friends and family before herself."
"Anything else?"
"I like how she likes me back." They both laughed.
"Why not ask her out? It's been… years!" Clary asked.
"I'm under her league. What else? And… aren't I too… under her league?" Clary did a literal face palm.
"Do you not see what you're wearing?" Simon smirked.
"Well, I do look good," he said as he flipped his hair to the side.
"Izzy hasn't said anything because she was afraid her reputation would blow."
"Wow. Um… so… do I or do I not ask her out?"
"I honestly don't think you don't have the guts to, but I'm not one to say," sighs Clary.
"I'll prove to you that I will."
"Don't ask her out because you want to prove me wrong. Ask her out with your own feelings. It wouldn't be fair to her."
Simon sighed and straightened up his look. "Fine. I'll ask her out… during lunch. Go with her to Starbucks for lunch. Then tell her you're going to the washroom so I ask her out. I'll be waiting behind the counter. I know one of the workers there. I'll text you other details later." Clary knew it was a well thought out plan. Like he had thought of it ages ago. And… he did.
"Do you know how long of a walk it is to Starbucks?" said Izzy, trying to knock some sense into Clary's head. Simon had texted Clary saying he was already on his way to Starbucks for lunch.
"We have an hour and 45 minutes. That's enough time to go there, eat, and come back. Besides, I never thought you'd be one to defy a happy hour drink… on me."
"You never said that. Come on, let's go. Before there's too many people."
As the two entered Starbucks, Clary could already see Simon peering behind the counters.
"You go find a spot first, I'm going to the washroom. Oh, and put our bags next to each other. I have something on my phone I want you to see and can't show you while we're facing each other." Izzy nodded and found a spot for 4 on the couches. She placed the bags opposite her and left an extra seat open next to hers. Clary meant for the seat to belong to Simon.
"Hey Iz," said Simon, approaching the surprised girl. Clary stood calmly behind a shelf of coffee's and spied on the two.
"Hey, Si. You came here too? I should have invited you too," she muttered the last part.
"Nah, I actually told Clary to help me get you here."
"Clary? What did you two talk about while I wasn't there?!" questioned the Shadowhunter.
"A lot of things. You in particular." Izzy's face went red. Simon noticed and smirked with pride.
"I'm not that interesting, psh. What could you possibly say about me?" His grin grew, knowing where the conversation was headed. Clary was filming the whole thing from the perfect angle.
"That you're beautiful, confident, that you have a crush on me, have the best appearance anyone would be jealous of-"
"Woah, woah, woah. Since when did I have a crush on you?" Clary mentally fist pumped the air. Everything was going to plan.
"As long as I have," he replied. Isabelle's eyes went wide and her mouth hung agape. Heat rose to her cheeks and she shyly looked away.
"You… You just like how I look. That's how every guy is," she stuttered. Simon sat next to her in the empty seat. Izzy shifted slightly, but Simon grabbed onto her hand making her gasp instead. He was gentle, yet firm.
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not 'every guy'. I've known you ever since the start of high school and never have I met someone as amazing as you; from what you look like, to who you are inside. Why do you doubt that?" Simon fully memorized his script, no words out of placed. Clary helped him fix a few things in what he had planned to say to get her to say 'yes' when he asked her out and it seemed to be working. It wasn't acting completely, though. He acted confident, yes, but inside, he was shaking like a child.
"B- because you…" Izzy couldn't think of anything to say- rendered speechless.
"I may not come to fit your standards, but I'm as sure as hell I can try. I mean, come on, look at me." Simon gestured to his clothes. "And it was all from you." Isabelle giggled cutely, then tightened her grip on his hand. She was beginning to find her voice again.
"You are the first guy who has ever said such compliments to me. I'll never forget it. But, you haven't exactly asked me out yet." Simon rolled his eyes, feelings his heart jump. Clary zoomed in just a little with her phone as she was recording the whole thing.
"Izzy, will you go out with me?" Just those few words increased the tension.
"Yes!" Izzy hugged Simon close to her and was about to suffocate him. Clary knew it was time for her to step in before he dies. Izzy's training has gotten her to be a lot stronger than she looked.
"Okay, okay, you asked her out, congrats. But Izzy, you're killing him."
"Did you get it?" asked Simon as he was released from Izzy's death grip.
"All here," she smiled, waving her phone at him.
"Send it to me later."
"Kay well, I'm gonna go and leave you two alone. I've got an art assignment I need to finish." Lies, she thought to herself. It's okay. Just this once.
"If you say so. Be careful when you cross the street!" called out Iz and she left Starbucks. In the end, she never treated Isabelle to lunch.
Clary calmly walked away from Starbucks. She didn't get a drink and neither did she grab lunch. She went just to help one of her best friends hook up with another one. It was worth it, but there was always that one fear she had. Third wheeling. She had experienced it multiple times in the past, she didn't want that to happen again. Then again, those people weren't her real friends. Izzy and Simon were. There was no doubting them.
"What are you doing all alone?" Clary looked to the side to find Jace coming out of a car shop with a can of coke and a turkey sausage burger.
"I want to ask the same thing," she replied.
"Just the weekly checkup on my car. Figured I'd come while I had time. And you?"
"Just walking back from Starbucks." Jace nodded and Clary rocked back and forth on her feet.
"Want a ride back?" he offered. Clary blushed. It wouldn't kill to have someone give her a ride back to school, right? And, she didn't have a crush on him… she just thought he had good looks… but after hearing that he was opening up to her… she couldn't help but feel slightly gushy inside.
"Sure."
Jace led the redhead over to his car and opened up the rooftop with the push of a button. It was nice out, not to sunny or cloudy and the wind wasn't too strong either. As Clary got to the passengers seat, Jace ran over to open the door for her.
"Thank you," she said quietly, a shy smile playing on her lips. He was being a rrreealll gentlemen now.
"Your welcome." He closed the door and went to the drivers seat.
On the ride back to school, the two of them had multiple conversations about different things. There were ones to do with the Shadow World and others about regular life. They talked about Drama and what they hoped would be their next unit. They agreed on scene studies where the actors would be paired up, given a script, and would present it to the class and on a parents night. Next, they talked about their favourite weapon, and why. Clary told him about her custom blades while Jace talked about wanting to learn the Two Heavens technique with Alec. She agreed to help them both. Though Hodge did help them out on occasion, he didn't know the Two Heavens Technique. After the whole weapon thing, they talked about Idris. Since Clary never even stepped foot in such a place, Jace offered to take her one day during the summer with the rest of the Lightwood family. Maryse and Robert knew about Clary. However, she introduced herself as Fairchild then. She only did so because she recognized Maryse and Robert from old photos of the Circle. She didn't want to scare them off or automatically lose their trust. No one questioned her introduction. They all knew the reason why.
As Jace pulled into the parking lot, he went for the spot he got early this morning. It was close to the front of the school, visible from almost every window of the school. Clary didn't think much of it. She was just in an expensive car with one of her friends. Not too close though, just frienddsss.
"Want a little bit? I know you haven't eaten yet." Jace asked as he opened up his fresh burger. Clary was honestly just planning to get out, thank him, and walk into the school cafeteria. Now, he was implying he wanted her company.
"Uh… sure." Clary stayed put and took the offered half of the burger.
"Want some fries?" he offered again. Clary thanked him again and took a small piece. "The way you eat is all fancy," he commented.
"How so?" she asked, after swallowing a bite down.
"Your pinkies stick up and you always say thank you. Not thanks." Clary giggled.
"I was brought up that way," she smiled.
"Hey," Jace held a small fry in his hand and was about to throw it into Clary's mouth. With her fast reflexes, she was able to catch it through the confusion. "You're good at that."
"How about you?" she challenged.
"I'm a pro, psh."
"Let's see…" In the end, fries were getting thrown out of the car, getting stuck between seats, and being caught with teeth.
"We're at a tie, and classes are going to start soon so this is the tie breaker," declared Jace, holding the french fry in his hands. "You've got to hold it too to make this fair," he encouraged, Clary sighed and shakily took his hand. The physical contact made her heart rush and her cheeks go red. Jace seemed to have noticed that.
"What? Never touched a guys hand before?" Clary embarrassingly shook her head. "Totally didn't expect that. Anyway, on three." She nodded and stared at the fry connecting both their hands.
"One…. two… three." Their hands moved in sync and they watched the fry fly upwards. It leaned somewhat onto her side so she dipped back while Jace leaned forward. He was totally into winning this thing. Clary would have let him. As the yellowish french fry was on its way down, Jace lost his balance from leaving over and ended up on top of Clary, his lips touching hers. Both their eyes were wide open in shock, and for a moment in time there, that was all Clary could see. Flashes of his true emotions, everything that was covered by an egotistical Jace was all in his golden eyes. Jace quickly sat back up, his face slightly red as well. He found the fry in the cup holders and ate it while Clary was still gaining back her senses.
"I win."
"Okay, congratulations. Gonna go now. Bye." Clary quick grabbed her schoolbag and slung it over her shoulder. Her hands slammed the car door shut and she was practically running away from the sports car. Until now did she not realize that everyone who had third period lunch had their eyes on her and Jace, the dramatic scene intensifying.
"Clarissa!" Jace called. It was only him that ever called her that in public. She had gotten use to it, but Izzy had always told her it was his special way of saying she was something to him. She never believed her. "Clarissa!" he kept calling, she pretended not to hear.
Her feet moved fast, so close to the school's entrance. The windows to the cafeteria were right there… in front of everyone to see. She went up three steps before a hand grabbed onto her arm and stopped her from moving.
"Why are you acting so weird?"
"If you don't let go, I'm going to be late."
"I don't give a fuck if you're late," he glared. "That win wasn't fair. We're doing it again." Jace held up a french fry in his hands. The last one.
"If we must…" she sighed, taking his hand and treasuring his touch. "One…"
"Two…"
"Three." The french fly flew up high in the air, even higher because of the wind. They both watched as it came down.
"Hey, Jace," Clary smirked. She leaned down to kiss him and he took the bait. Instead, she tilted her head upwards just as they were an inch away from touching at the lips. The fry dropped between her teeth and she gave a toothy grin.
"That's cheating," Jace complained, his face the colour of Clary's hair. Clary turned around and started to walk away.
"So says the player."
