Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for Mary, and some other characters I made up. Besides them, all the other characters belong to the wonderful Cassandra Clare.
A/N: I'm sorry, but that was pretty much it for Clary's childhood. If you really want me to, I could write an outtake about Clary, and John when they are little. In this chapter Clary is thirteen, and Simon is twenty! I know he is pretty old, now. But he is still him. This chapter is pretty slow, nothing new really happens. I'm just trying to have you guys get to know the main characters better. Hope you guys enjoy it! I am sorry if there are any grammatical errors. My friend Hannah, and my beta couldn't edit my draft this week, so I might have not caught every mistake. If you see one, you can tell me, I'll be grateful!
*** To Anonymous1997: I'm so sorry that I disabled anonymous reviewers for a long period of time! Thank you so much for reviewing!
And to ButtercupluvsJACE: Thanks so much for your review! I agree cute little John is adorable! :) ***
Her hand and the pencil moved in unison as she drew in the sketchbook Gavin gave her for her tenth birthday. She sat by the windowsill studying a bird that was in the garden.
Knock, knock, knock.
Clary placed her sketchbook and pencil down by the windowsill, and got her basket before she answered the door. Behind the door stood Eric he was looking at the Lewis' new flower patch. He turned around when he heard the door open. Clary smiled when she saw him, recently he had come often to help Simon with things Mary couldn't.
"Hello, Eric. How are you this morning?"
"It has been good, thank you," replied Eric. He tapped his hat to block the sun. "Is Simon here?"
"Yes, he's down back fixing the roof. I'm sure you can find him," Clary said.
"He's never going to leave this place and get himself a wife, is he?" Eric said with a laugh. Cary laughed with him lightly, even though she was a little worried about Simon. She stopped laughing.
"Yeah, I guess so. He is just always worried about Mary, and I, you know," Clary said looking at the steps. "If his father hadn't died, I reckon he would have been different." They both fell in silence. After a few minutes, Clay spoke.
"What was Henry like?" Clary asked in a soft voice.
"From what I remember, he was a great man. He was one of those people you just had to admire. He was funny, and kind. I remember him making me laugh once after I scrapped my knee." He smiled at the memory. "Simon I weren't close back then though, so I can't tell you much. I'm sorry."
"No it's fine." Clary finally met his eyes, "I just been curios to know. I didn't exactly want to ask them."
"I understand." Clary gave him a small smile.
"Well enough with all this grief," said Clary. "How is your mistress? I heard she is expecting any day now. Can't say I could imagine you as a father though." Eric laughed.
"She's been good, thank you. Just have been complaining about the."
"Have you gotten her a midwife, yet?" Clary asked politely.
"Yes, she is actually with her right now," Eric looked up at the sky to notice that the sun was shinning above his head. "I best be on my way, and get to my lady as quick as I can." Eric concluded. Clary smiled.
"Yes, as shall I. Say hello to your mistress for me," said Clary as she went down the steps. "Have a good afternoon." Clary waved with her empty hand lightly.
"Good bye, Clary."
OoOoOoOoO
Clary turned from the gate to the main road. The sun was unusually hot on her forehead. It almost felt like summer. Clary was too lost in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her. She was humming a tune when she felt two large hands cover her eyes.
"Ahhhh!" The basket in her hand fell to the ground. She stumbled backwards but instead of falling, she smashed into someone. She finally grabbed the hands away from her eyes and turned to face an amused John. He was trying not to snicker. However when he saw the mixed expression of annoyance and surprise on Clary's face he couldn't help but laugh. Clary frowned at him, crossing her arms over her chest, as his whole body shook with laughter.
"John, that is not funny." John slowly recovered. Clary glared at him in his golden brown eyes.
"My dear, you should have seen your reaction." John laughed again remembering how she looked. He glanced into Clary's green eyes. "If you had seen it you would have thought otherwise." Clary picked up the basket on the ground, and dusted herself to get the dirt off her navy dress.
"I still do not understand why you find my annoyance entertaining," Clary said as she started walking away from John. He followed her. "It is rude, and not proper."
"Oh my Clary, if only you had my sense of humor," said John laughing. "You are as stubborn as a mule."
"Which I take no offense," Clary replied. She knew she was stubborn, she had accepted it a long time ago.
"Which-" John said with a smile, "-is why I want to ask your hand in marriage when I am old enough." Clary rolled her eyes. He had been saying he would marry her since they first meet at the age of four. He knew she only saw him as a friend, but he hadn't stopped showing his true affections toward her.
"John," Clary said as she turned around and glared at him. "Has anyone told you speak too frequently?" John grinned.
"Yes, I reckon to remember someone telling me that," he said playfully. They walked closer to the center. John grabbed her around her waist. "Let me think she was redheaded, she looked fragile, and…-" Clary turned around to look at him as they entered the center glaring at him in warning. "- and she was very short." Clary smacked him on his chest. She pulled away from his arms, and quickened her pace to the bakery. Some people curiously looked at them.
"How dare you say that, Jonathan Wayland," she spoke behind her. She knew how much he hated being called by his full name. Clary opened the door to the bakery, a bell chimed as she did. She heard movement behind her, knowing it was John. She turned around to see him standing right behind her. He outstretched one of his arms to hold the door.
"After you," he said as he gestured his other hand inside. Clary rolled her eyes once again. But couldn't help but laugh at his act.
"How kind of you, John," she said her voice thick with sarcasm. "I was starting to think you had no gentlemen–like manner in that large head of yours."
John put a hand over his heart as if he was offended from. "Your words hurt me."
Someone laughed in from inside. Gavin watched the two young adults interact with each other.
"Good." Clary finally stepped inside the bakery. John stepped inside after her. Clary saw Gavin looking at her behind the counter. She smiled at him. "Good afternoon, Gavin."
"Good afternoon, Clary," he said. His eyes glanced at John who stood right behind Clary. He was starting at her; Gavin smirked. "And to you too, John." John looked up when he heard Gavin say his name. He wore a confused expression.
"I was just saying good afternoon." Gavin's smirk grew wider, John's cheeks turned pink. " You know being the nice villager that I am. Not staring at some-"
"Good afternoon, too," John interrupted Gavin. "How have you been, Gavin?" he said changing the subject.
"I've been well thank you," Gavin smirked at him. Gavin look at Clary. "So what brings you here today, Clary?"
"Just the usual, we are out of bread."
"Alright, I'll be right out." Gavin went into backroom where he baked the bread. Clary often watched him make it when she was little. She still saw him make it sometimes. She even helped once in a while, not that she was any help. Baking wasn't one of her talents.
The bell on the door rang behind them, releasing Clary from thought. She felt John's body stiffen. She turned around to see a tall man by the door. His eyes meet hers. He smiled at her. His smile was almost sickening, making Clary shiver in discomfort. Clary turned around and longed for Gavin to come back. She looked at John's hands below her; they were formed into fists. She took his clenched hand behind her, and gave a squeeze. Immediately his hand relaxed. He intertwined his fingers into her hand and squeezed back. Clary felt his gratitude. They quickly let go before the man could see.
"Good afternoon, Clary."
"Good afternoon, sir." The room grew silent, expect for they rustling movement that was coming from backroom. The room felt uncomfortable and for a brief period of time Clary felt as if the air around her had vanished. She glanced back at John, he looked furious. His eyes were looking at the ground. The door opened, and Gavin came with Clary's loaf of bread.
"Here you are Clary," Gavin said as he handed her the bread. Clary muttered thank you and placed the bread in her basket. Gavin looked confused at Clary's sudden mood change. He saw something move in the back of his eye. He turned, and froze when he saw whom it was.
"Hello, Gavin."
"Hello, Michael." Gavin stopped himself from glaring at him. "I didn't know you were in town."
"Neither did I," John growled. He looked into his father's eyes. "You failed to mention that, Father. What happened? Thought you could finally pay a visit? Is that what-"
Clary grabbed John's arm. "John," she said soothingly. John fell in silence. He turned away form his father, and relaxed a little. Clary let go of his arm.
"Yes, I was close by and wanted to see you. I'm leaving before sunset." John was out the door in seconds. The door slammed shut making the bell ring vigorously. Everyone stayed quiet for a few seconds. Clary glanced at Gavin. He tilted his head toward the door.
"Go," he mouthed. Clary nodded.
"Well Gavin, I have to go. Good bye." She waved. She made no acknowledgement to Michael. She walked to the door when she heard him say.
"Send my regards to Mary." That was when Clary saw red.
OoOoOoOoO
Clary walked out the door trying to calm down. Ever since Michael Wayland came to the village he had an unattractive obsession with Mary, which drove Clary mad. Worse than her was Simon and Gavin. They didn't believe he was good enough for Mary. Gavin almost wanted to punch him in the face.
She turned to see John on the floor next to the door. His elbows were on his knees. His hands were buried in his blond hair. He looked frustrated beyond belief. Clary gathered her dress, and sat next to him on the ground. She placed her basket on her lap. After a few moments, John finally spoke.
"He never understands." Clary put a hand on his shoulder trying to soothe him. He looked into Clary's face, "Am I like him?"
"Of course you are not, John. You are far better than him." She looked at the door next to them, then at John. "Let's go before we run into your father again." She grabbed her basket then stood up. She reached for John's hand. He slowly grabbed it and got up. They swiftly got out of the village center and back onto the main road. Clary thought of the perfect place to go. They dashed into the forest. Every once in a while Clary checked to see if the bread hadn't fell out of the basket. They followed no trail, but Clary knew exactly where they were.
"Clary?" John asked. "Clary, where are we going?"
"Don't worry John, I'm not leading you to your death," Clary said. "Yet." She smirked. John swallowed loudly. Clary laughed. As they got further into the woods, Clary found the familiar trail and went west. As they came closer, the forest grew lighter and lighter. Finally Clary stopped. John stopped behind her, taking in the scenery.
"Do you think this is a good place to talk?" Clary asked looking up at John. He looked down, genuinely smiling at her.
"Perfect," he said as he looked around the prairie. Green grass grew all over the place. The forest encircled around the open space. The sky looked bright blue, and the sun was shining lower in the sky. White puffs of clouds floated around sky. It was beautiful. Clary walked towards the middle and sat down on the long grass. She placed the basket in her hand beside her. She turned her head to John.
"You know, you look foolish just standing there," Clary said. John grinned.
"I guess so." He walked to where Clary was and laid down on the grass. Clary started to pull the grass with her hands. They stay like that for what was an hour. Clary started to wonder if she should go back. She knew Mary was down with all the chores by now, and would be wondering where she was.
"Thank you." John said breaking Clary from thought. She furrowed her eyebrows in confused.
"For what?"
"For bringing be here." John said, and took a deep breath. "Father never had shown interest in me. The minute I grew older, he traveled away from home more often and staying away longer. I think he blames me for my mother's death."
"But it isn't your fault John," Clary said. "It is common for women to die after childbirth. You know that."
"Yes, but I'm sure he regrets her ever having me. Just knowing that gets me frustrated. He doesn't even love me, or care for me."
"I am sure that's not true. He does love you in his own way, if he didn't you wouldn't have a place to sleep, or anything to eat."
"His type of love just isn't enough." He stared up at the sky in longing.
"You'll find her someday, you know. And she'll love you so much that you'll forget about him."
"Who?" John asked, confused.
"Your soul mate, of course," said Clary with a smile. She glanced at John to see him staring at her. There was an emotion in his eyes that Clary couldn't grasp.
"I hope so." John smiled. "I hope so."
OoOoOoOoO
They walked back in a comfortable silence to Clary's cottage. They finally left the prairie when Clary realize it was mid afternoon. She hoped that taking John to the prairie helped him. As annoying as he could be sometimes, John was one of Clary's only friends and she cared about him. He was the one who helped her get home if she got injured when she was little, and the one who made her feel better when she got into a fight with Mary or Simon which rarely happened.
Soon Clary realized they where back at her home. She looked at John. His head was down. Clary stopped walking. It took a second for John to realize she stopped.
"Well, I guess I will see you soon John," Clary said.
"Ah, yes. I hope you have a nice evening." John said softly looking at Clary's eyes. "Thank you again."
"Your welcome." A door opened behind John. Clary looked behind him to see Simon standing on the top step, angry. "I think you should go now before my brother pounces on you."
John looked behind him to see what Clary was looking at. "I believe you are right. Good bye, Clary."
"Good bye, John."
A/N: Hope you liked it. Sorry that it's a little short. Reviewers get teasers. If you are confused with anything, just ask!