A/N

1) I edited the summary btw.

2) I know none of you really read A/Ns and all. Lol I don't either. But I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about the late update. Due to circumstances, I have been having school for the past three weeks with only a one day weekend and school's been really hectic with two tests every single day. I know these excuses don't justify anything but u guys deserve a reason. I'm really sorry again (:

3) I cant promise to update regularly because this situation with my school will be going on for a long time and they even shortened our summer vacation. But I do promise that I will try my best and will not by no means give up on the story. Don't give up on me here either please.

4) A big hug to those who reviewed, favourited and followed. Trust me, it made my day, especially those reviews. I love you guys 3

Now back to the story. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Claryyyyyyy! Wake upppp!" Jon shouts into my ear. I take the pillow and smack him with it and then covered myself from head to toe with the blanket. Surprisingly, Jon doesn't say anything else and I hear him walk away. If I had been fully conscious I would've found that suspicious. But I was so tired, that I didn't think I had quite the energy to be suspicious even and went back to sleep. And then out of nowhere my blanket is being wrenched off me and I'm left shivering in my bed with ice-cold water dripping down my head.

"JONATHON MORGENSTORN, YOU FUCKTARD! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THIS" I shout as he ran out of the door. Oh, he was so in for it. I love my brother, but nobody gets away messing with me.

I quickly got showered and changed into a red blouse and black tights and put on a slight touch of mascara and eyeliner that brought out my green eyes. Once I deemed myself ready, I ran downstairs, concocting a plan to get back at my darling brother.

As I entered the kitchen, I saw my mom making pancakes. This was not strange sight – my mom, very much unlike me, liked to wake up at the crack of dawn and she would always have the most delicious breakfast ready for us in the morning. What was not routine though was how she was shaking. It did not take much for me to realize that she was crying. All thoughts of my revenge vanished as I turned to comfort my mother.

"Hey mom, please don't cry. Mom... come on let me do the pancakes." I said, taking the pan away from her. She had stopped crying, but her eyes were still puffy and red. It pained me to see how this whole thing was affecting her. I knew she didn't want this fight just as much as dad didn't either but I never realized how much this was having an impact on her. Guilt flooded me as I realized how selfish I was being, putting all the blame on them and not even thinking what they might be going through.

"Mom, why don't you go upstairs and rest, kay" I said, soothingly. "I'll take care of things around here". She grudgingly complied and left.

As I finished making my pancakes and devoured them, wanting to leave Jon to make his own breakfast, a brilliant idea struck me. Being the amazing sister I am, I finished Jon's pancakes just as he entered the kitchen.

Jon was surprised to see me cooking, since we were used to mom always making breakfast. Seeing his confused expression, I explained what happened and handed the pancakes over. Jon, being as guileless as he always is, took the pancakes without even suspecting me.

"AHHH. WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE ANGELS IS THIS SHIT!" Jon screamed like a fucking banshee and spit out the pancake.

I turned on my innocent, naïve face and asked, "Jon, are you trying to wake the whole house up? What's the matter with you, bro?"

"WHAT'S MATTER WITH ME? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH ME? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU. You'll pay for this, you… you fucking devil spawn!"

I couldn't keep up my innocent charade any longer and ended rolling on the floor laughing my ass off. And that's how my dad found us when he entered the kitchen, murmuring something like "Teenagers these days…".

When Jon started ranting to Dad about me, dad just told him to stop whining like a 5 year old and to grow up which caused me to snicker and earned me a glare from my sweet brother.

Through all this, I didn't notice till I was going to leave the kitchen Dad's worn-out eyes with bags as if he hadn't slept for months, his tired face and most striking was the lack of his lively aura. This brought back all my emotions from before and I remained gloomy through the entire ride.

Jon must have noticed the change in my mood and decided not to bring up my earlier actions, not wanting to upset me anymore.

As we got out of the car and were about to go to our separate classes, Jon grabbed me and turned me around.

"Clare, I know you're upset about what's going at home and all. So if you need anything – anything at all – I hope you know you I'm always here for you, kay".

At this, I broke out a smile. Jon always knew how to cheer me up.

"Thank you Jon. Your amazing, k. The best bro I could ever ask for. I love you"

"Now, now don't go all senti on me please. Run off you peasant"

"Haha very funny" I glared at him and walked away to the opposite side, but not before flashing him the finger.

I quickly ran to my first class, English Lit, not wanting to be late. Mr. Anderson was not the easiest of all the teachers. As I entered the class room, I realized that my favourite blonde (note the sarcasm) had decided to grace me with his oh so lovely presence.

I went over and smacked him on the head.

"Jesus Goldilocks, I always knew you were dumb and all. Have you also been losing your memories lately. That is my seat. Now get off?"

Did I forget to introduce Jace? I think I have. Jace was my brother's best friend. You could hardly see one without the other and so he was mostly always over at our house. He came over so much that you might as well say it was his house now. Now back to Jace himself. I'm not going deny it. He is frigging hot ok – with his golden hair, golden eyes and his panty-dropping smile. And don't forget his abs – damn that boy sure does have a good build. Now before you draw to conclusions, I only know because he is always over at our house and thus many a times I have been graced with the view. But that's where all his good qualities end. He has to be the most arrogant guy ever, even more than Jon and that's saying something. Saying Jace is full of himself is an understatement for his ego literally knows no boundaries. Surprisingly though, this somehow seems to attract girls and if you haven't guessed by now, yes Jace is the school player type of boy. I don't remember his girlfriends lasting more than a week unless "they're a good lay" – those are his own words. But I guess the good thing is he's not those type of guys that uses girls. His partners (if that's what you want to call them") are all well aware of Jace's style and he has never tricked a girl and then dumped her.

Jace looks up at me, raising an eyebrow. Damn, why can everybody do that except me. "My apologies, you highness. You see, it seems I have been hanging out too much with this dumb red-head friend of mine. She's been influencing me too much it seems".

I scowl at him and push him out of my sit, muttering "dickhead" under my breath, not having the energy to bicker with him after the morning's incidents. Jace being Jace just takes the seat next to me. Oh what this boy get from annoying me.

It seems Jace notices this and concern replaces his former smugness. "You alright there, Red?"

"Yeah, I'm fine Jace". I reply rather dejectedly, totally not up for conversation now.

Jace only becomes more concerned and I guess his concern is justified. I never call him Jace – always Goldilocks or Blondie or some other insulting name. Moreover, it isn't very Clary of me to not have a sarcastic comeback ready for him.

"Is it your parents again?" From being at our house always, he knows about our current situation. I just nod, not wanting to talk about it.

"Hey, I know we're not the best of friends. Not at all actually. I also know that I'm a huge asshole. But Clary, you can always talk to me you know. I'm there for you".

His sincerity, needless to say, takes me surprise. Jace and I never really get along. Ever. So seeing him not only calling Clary but also being so sweet really touches me.

"Thanks Jace. That means a lot". I smile at him and he smiles back and we turn back to the class as the teacher walks in.

A/N And Jace is here. I hope this long chapter made up for the late update at least partly :3 and constructive criticism is always helpful. Also I would love some ideas of how you want me to continue the story. So please review.

Jace: Yeah review if you wanna see me again quick flashes *panty-dropping smile*

Clary: Oh Jace. *rolls eyes*

Jace: What they love it okay. Ask them..

Clary: I bet they do . . Now say bye to the readers.

Jace: Bye to the readers!