What? An update? This has been too long and I really suck :( but you guys are wonderful! beautiful! amazing! We got past 100 reviews! Also I combined two really short chapters so technically this is chapter nine.
These were the things that lingered in the back of my mind but I avoided. Things were moving very quickly with Jace and I knew I would have to see him tomorrow in English class. I felt a bit of dread because I didn't know what I would say to to him but underneath that I felt excitement. Yes, I said it, excitement. Jace was a mystery and exciting and he took an interest in me. Usually I only felt that excitement when I spoke to Sebastian. But things were new and unfamiliar, I wanted to figure Jace Lightwood out once and for all and I knew I would cross number five off of my list.
I hear the irritating ringing of my alarm clock going off, much too early for my taste and I sigh knowing I'll have to get up soon before my mother comes barging into my room. I sit up and see some sunlight filtering through my sheer curtains and making my orange walls look lighter. I rub at my eyelids, not wanting to actually get up but forcing myself to.
I walk into the bathroom and take one look at myself in the mirror before widening my eyes at how frizzy my red hair looks. I quickly take a shower before dressing casually and heading downstairs for breakfast.
I grab a piece of toast and I see mother standing in paint-splattered overalls, her hair in a messy bun and wonder how she could be so effortlessly beautiful. People often told me how much I resemble her, but other than the curled red hair and emerald eyes, I couldn't see many similarities.
"Clary", my mother calls looking at me, "I won't be home until late tonight because I'll going to an art gallery. I would offer for you to come but its a long drive and you have school tomorrow."
"It's okay, mom. I'll probably just stay home and finish some homework." I say giving her a tight smile.
"Alright, sweetheart. I feel bad for not spending anytime with you lately, but we'll definitely have time this weekend to go out. Oh! And Simon called and said he's sick so he won't be walking with you to school."
"Aw, well I better get going. See you mom, love you." I say while hugging her.
"Love you too. Have fun at school, don't do anything illegal!" She shouts as I'm walking out of room.
I chuckle lightly and reply "Well there goes my plans for the day."
The cold air hits me as I'm walking out of our building, only making me want to head back inside and curl up in my bed. The view is breathtaking though. The trees stand in two rows on either side of the road making me itch for my new pencils to draw the looming branches in hues of gold, red, and orange.
After about 10 minutes of walking on the cracked pavement, I finally reached my school bustling with students. I head to my first class, history, not really caring about what was going on. The next few classes pass by in a blur and without Simon I only had a few friends to talk to.
Finally I make my way to art class and feel that familiar stirring in my stomach as I approach my table with Sebastian already sitting there. My heart clenches slightly as he turns his head and grins at me showing a perfect row of teeth.
"Hello, little one." Sebastian says playfully.
I feel a small spark of anger in me at that. If there was one thing I hated it was comments on my size. I wanted Sebastian to see me as his equal, not like a little sister. I push my anger back down though as I take my seat, his presence having a soothing effect on me.
"Hey, Sebastian." I say casually, "Did you finish that assignment on linear perspective?" I mentally curse myself for bringing up homework, of course, as our discussion topic.
"Oh, not yet actually, but I did start it," he says. "Do you want to take a look and tell me what you think?"
"Sure!" I say enthusiastically. I feel a bit of embarrassment at my enthusiasm but I take pride in knowing that Sebastian actually cares about what I think.
He turns to pull the paper from his bag giving me a good look at his back lined with muscles. What I wouldn't do to just reach out a hand and-
My thoughts are cut short when he turns back around and I mentally chastise myself for being such a creep. Well, I really couldn't blame myself for admiring something so beautiful, I am an artist after all. I take the paper from his hands, trying to ignore the little tingle I felt when I brushed his hands. I study his drawing and honestly, it's quite good. It wasn't the finished product but seeing the effort he puts into his work only reminded me why I felt some connection to him.
"What do you think?" He says looking at me hopefully.
"This is really great, Sebastian." I say smiling and looking at him.
I look into his dark eyes, getting lost for a moment and he opens his mouth to say something else, but of course the teacher chooses that moment to speak up. He turns to face the front and I can't help but feel frustration about how small our progress is. I was quickly tiring of all these interruptions and the nerves that kept me from saying what I wanted to. But I knew his rejection would lay too heavy in my heart if I took that next step forward. And rejection was inevitable, because Sebastian would never feel the same. I shake my head, angry for sounding so pathetic over a boy who I've barely shared one conversation with.
I slug through the rest of the day, ready to just go home and repeat the routine I follow everyday.
Of course, why would I ever expect that to happen?
I make my way to my last class, hoping it will end faster by sheer force of mind. I almost forget that Jace is in this period when Isabelle takes her assigned seat next to me. Jace soon follows and of course, he doesn't even spare me a glance. Not that I'm surprised. Not that I wanted him to even acknowledge my presence.
The final bell rings and I pack up my stuff before realizing everyone has quickly filed out of class already. There are a few other people left and as fate would have it, him.
I hurriedly slip my bag over my shoulder not wanting to give him the satisfaction of waiting for him. But before I can fully leave the room, warm calloused fingers slip a piece of paper in my hand and just as I turn around, the familiar scent is gone and that tall gold head is nowhere to be seen.
I wait until I'm out the school and on my way home to open up the folded piece of notebook paper. Inside in scribbled handwriting was a statement, not a question.
My place. 9:00.
A rhythm is set. Not careful, not slow.
One heartbeat. Two, three, four.
A hot breath on my face brings me back to where I am. I'm suddenly aware of the sweat on both our bodies and the noises we both emit. The feel of him pushing inside and me reaching my end. I quickly look into the eyes staring, boring into me, and look away just as fast, scared by the intensity I see within the dark flecks. It's all over too soon.
I feel Jace heavily hit the mattress next to me and see a grin that of course, only good sex could bring onto his face. The same feeling of lightness is inside of me and for a minute I wonder if this is real or if I'm dreaming. When did this start? How could he want me? I look over again at his golden locks matted down with sweat, a chiseled chest and arms, and that breathtaking face that looks so different, lighter.
I quickly become aware of my own fragile body and slip my clothes on ready to leave.
"You don't have to go yet, you know," a soft voice says behind me. I'm startled for a second by both his words and his tone.
"You don't have to pretend we're friends, Jace. Looked fine not talking to me at all in public. Why pretend?" I say, surprised at my own hostility. I expect him to agree, to push me out of his bed, his strangely neat room. But he doesn't.
"I'm not pretending," he says with a laugh in his voice, "we could be friends if you want. I just always assumed you hated me." I say nothing.
"Where is everyone else in your family anyways?" I ask, quickly changing the subject.
He just shrugs. "Isabelle is who knows where. My older brother, Alec, is at university. Maryse, Robert, and the youngest, Max, are on vacation in Europe for another two months."
"So it's just you and Isabelle?" I ask, feeling a bit jealous of how big his family was, even though they weren't biologically related and half of them were missing. I've always wanted siblings, but Simon was the closest thing I had to a brother.
"Not really, Alec comes over every weekend since he's pretty close."
"Cool." I say and the conversation lulls. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you soon Jace."
"See ya, friend." When I look over he has a mocking grin on his face, but I know his words were serious.
I walk out of his room quietly, not knowing why I feel like I have to tiptoe out of there or something. I take the train home to avoid walking and feel something in my chest, almost like a laugh bubbling up. I touch a hand to my mouth, sure that I look like a maniac, and feel my lips stretched into a grin. Jace Lightwood had just become my friend.
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