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Disclaimer: I do not own anything regarding The Mortal Instrument series.

-Clary-

2 weeks.

14 days.

336 hours.

20,160 minutes.

That is how long it's been since the night of the dance.

That is how long I have been friends with Jace Lightwood.

That is how long I have been going slowly insane trying to just be friends with Jace when I want it to be so much more.

I cannot get the memory of that night out of my head. It's all I have been thinking about for two weeks. Every time I close my eyes I can see Jace, gold eyes shining, sitting across from me smiling like he doesn't have a care in the world.

I can hear his voice, his laugh, like it was happening right at that moment.

And I can feel his arms wrapped around me, holding me to him.

How could a night that a girl throws punch all over me share the same night with the best night of my life? I have no idea why Jace had pulled me away and carried me off into the bathrooms.

He was so… sweet.

It was like he knew exactly what I needed. We spent hours just talking in Taki's and stuffing our faces with pancakes. Talking. Just talking. And I don't think Jace minded in the least bit. He seemed happy.

And he opened up to me, told me things I don't think he has ever told anyone, and while he told me about the details of his life, my heart grew twice its size. Telling me about is parents and godfather meant the world to me, and I was touched that he felt he could open up to me.

That was the Jace Lightwood I knew was there somewhere inside. He just hides him away for whatever reason.

I found myself telling him things that I have hardly told anybody, if anybody at all, and it felt right. I even told him about my dad and the sketches. I could trust him and I was sure of that with every fiber of my being.

And then we danced, and I never wanted it to end. Such a simple thing had my heart racing triple its normal rate and my skin flushed and burning wherever he touched, a reaction that seems to be a common occurrence when it comes to Jace.

I couldn't tell you what song we danced to. I couldn't tell you how long we stood in that parking lot in each other's arms. I couldn't tell you how many songs played after the first.

What I can tell you is that I wanted to be as close to Jace as possible and held him closer and closer until there was no space between us. When I rested my head on his chest, his heart was beating just as fast as mine. When he placed his head on top of mine, he unconsciously let out a content sigh. When we finally let go of each other, I'd never felt the cold air around me so much in my life.

We didn't say anything as we drove the short distance to my apartment, but it was a nice kind of silence. When he parked the car, he turned to me and leaned forward, like he was going to say something important, or even… kiss me. But he leaned back and got out of the car, and walked me to the front door of the apartment and said goodbye before turning to leave.

"Hey Jace?" I had said to his retreating figure. He turned around and I walked over before my mind could catch up with my actions and stood on my tippy toes, placing a quick kiss to his cheek. My lips had that tingly feeling from touching his skin. "Thanks for everything," I told him with a small smile.

I couldn't really tell you what the reaction on his face was, but he snapped himself out of it and smiled at me warmly, and I thought I was going to melt then and there. "Anytime Clary," he said in a low voice. He turned around again and walked away, and I wanted to tell him to come back, but I didn't.

Why had I said we should be friends? Why had I wished so badly that he would say no? That he wanted it to be more?

Because you were trying to protect your heart from inevitably being broken.

But I don't think he would have, or will.

Jace Lightwood took me out. He told me his secrets. He brought me to a place that he only ever brings his family to, a fact Izzy informed me of.

Izzy.

If you want the definition of pissed, take a picture of Izzy as she was screaming through the phone at me after Jace dropped me off at my apartment. I had fifteen text messages, six missed calls, and four voicemails on my phone by the end of my night with Jace. I had ignored all of them, just wanting to savor the time with Jace, and boy did I get an earful when I had called her after going into the apartment.

I apologized profusely for worrying her and not answering any of the messages until now, and in the end, she was just happy I was okay. Jace on the other hand, wasn't getting off that easy. Izzy said he had sent her a chaste text message saying I was with him and then turned his phone off. I smiled at that, because in my mind, that translated to him wanting to spend the time with me too.

I told her vague details about the night. "He gave me an extra pair of your clothes. He brought me to Taki's. We ate pancakes. And then he brought me home." That was all she was going to get out of me. The details of our night would remain between me and him.

"Taki's?" She had asked with the smallest bit of shock in her voice, "He really took you to Taki's?"

I was left momentarily confused before I could think of responding. "Yeah Iz, why is that such a surprise?"

"It's just that, well, Taki's is kind of our place. Like, Alec, Jace, Max, and I only go with each other. We've never really ever brought other people, if that makes sense."

My heart did a little leap knowing that. Jace had taken me some place special to him. "No, I get it. But it was actually fun, and the place is great."

After an extensive pause all Izzy could say was, "Let me get this straight. Jace took you out on a date?"

A date? I flushed at the thought. I mean, I had wanted it to be a date, but had Jace thought of it that way?

But my only response was, "No Iz, it was not a date. It was two friends eating coconut pancakes together."

"Wait. You shared a plate of pancakes? Or you each had your own plate?" She inquired with more than simple curiosity. What kind of question is that?

I sighed before saying, "Two plates, Iz. And before you ask, it was two forks too." She snorted into the phone as I rolled my eyes.

"So now you guys are friends?" She asked.

I took a moment before reluctantly responding "yes."

"You know, Jace doesn't have any girls that are friends. Or friends for that matter, just acquaintances."

"I know Iz," was all I could say. We talked for a little while longer and then I went to bed.

The next two weeks had been… different. Different and interesting.

Jace and I talked in art, often times getting sideways glances from the other students in the class. Kaelie constantly gave us death glares. We walked to Bio together. Sometimes he would hang by my locker as I grabbed my books. Typical things people do as friends.

He even started eating lunch with us, which was a little strange. Everyone kind of gave me weird looks inquiring why Jace had all of a sudden started eating with us. I just shrugged. It was no different than Simon or Jordan eating at the lunch table.

Jace was his typical self. Sarcastic and arrogant, and I didn't let it pass. I called him out when he got annoying and he teased me like any of my other friends do. Maia and Jordan constantly joked that we bickered like brother and sister. My god. That's not what I want. I don't want a brother/sister relationship with Jace.

I want an actual relationship with him.

But we both continue with the friendly banter. Teasing and joking. Jace actually fit in quite nicely with the group. Izzy even got used to having her brother around more often.

And then there was Simon.

Ever since Jace and I had been friendly toward each other, Simon had become, well, unfriendly. Not toward me of course, but he is everything short of hostile toward Jace and I have no clue why.

"How can you be friends with him Clary? He's a jerk," Simon had said to me last weekend when we hung out. This was a common topic lately, and the same thing was said over and over again.

"I don't know Si, he's not as bad as you think," I explained as I pressed a button on the controller and the words 'game over' came up on the screen. "Ha! I won! I actually beat the great Simon Lewis!" I cheered.

But Simon was distracted and hadn't even realized the loss. "Si? Are you okay?"

He looked up from staring blankly at the screen, "Yeah, I'm fine Clary. I'm just worried about you, you know?"

No I didn't know. "Why do you say that?" Simon bit his lip, like he was contemplating whether he should say what he wanted to say. "Come on Simon, spit it out."

"Well, you know Jace is a player, and well, I don't want you to get hurt." That's it? Nothing I didn't already know.

"Look Simon, I know that already, and," I swallowed before continuing, "we're just friends, so he can do whatever he wants." Even though it would hurt me in more ways than I could describe.

Simon's face looked troubled for a second. "Am I just a friend to you?"

I quirked my head to the side while looking at him. A smile spread across my face. "No Si, you're not just my friend. You're my best friend. You know me better than anybody and I trust you with absolutely anything."

And yet he still doesn't know about your dad and he's too considerate to push the issue.

"Jace is just a friend." Maybe if I said it enough times it would be what I want.

Simon let out a sigh. "Well that's good, since he seems to be up to his old ways again."

Woah.

I tried to keep my voice steady while asking, "Why do you say that?"

"I don't know, Izzy's been saying that he's been hanging out with a lot of random girls since the dance. You know, when he's not gracing us with his presence. One only knows what he does with them," Simon stated like it's nothing special. But inside I could feel my mood darkening.

Friends. We're just friends. And friends can do whatever they want with other girls. It's none of my business.

My mantra started repeating itself in my head.

Protect yourself. Protect your heart Clary.

Then a thought occurred to me. "Since when do you and Izzy have conversations together?"

Simon's cheeks turned red and he refused to make eye contact, "We were just- you know- talking one day. No big deal."

Hmm…

"Are you going to come back to Earth any time today Short Stuff?" I hear a familiar, arrogant voice break through my reverie.

I look over at gold eyes. "You know, day dreaming is actually a healthy thing. It's a way of escape. And I don't like Short Stuff as a nickname"

Jace props his head on his arm, "Yes, but why would you want to escape when you have this," he waves his other hand in front of him, "sitting right next to you? And I think Short Stuff has a nice ring to it."

I roll my eyes at him, an action I've been doing about a thousand times a day for two weeks. I keep what Simon had said in the back of my head, but I try to forget about it. Of course Jace would want to do things with other girls. I'm not his girlfriend or anything. He can do whatever, or whoever, he wants. That's what I keep telling myself so that I don't ruin this new friendship. That, and I repeat my mantra every ten minutes.

"So what were ya doing before you left the planet?" He asks while leaning over to look at the papers in front of me.

"These," I gesture to the packets of paper, "are college applications." Don't think I have forgotten about my set plan. "And this is what you should be doing as well. You need to start applying."

Jace picks up one of the packets and turns a few pages before tossing it back down on our desk. "I told you, can't apply when you don't know what you want to do."

I shake my head at him. "No, you can apply undecided. Quit being stubborn," I say as I knock our shoulders together.

He gives me a smirk, "You, by far, are the more stubborn one."

"I won't deny that, but you are just as stubborn. I can help if you want," I add without thinking. I mean, yeah, I'll help him. But can I really spend any amount of time alone with him without me staring at his lips and imagining other things we could be doing than filling out applications? We haven't been alone since Taki's. We're always with Izzy, Aline, Maia, or Jordan. I've seen less and less of Simon whenever Jace is around.

"We'll see Short Stuff," is all he says on the matter.

I shove the packets into my bag and take out my sketch book since we have free time for the entire art class. I can't remember the last time I drew in it in art class. Jace doesn't look at me, but I can see a smile stretch across his face. "What are you all smiley about?"

"Oh nothing," he says as he shakes his head. I choose to ignore it and start sketching, but that smile does not leave Jace's face until the bell rings.

The morning goes by as usual. The smallest of changes is that Simon doesn't really say much of anything in Bio, or during lunch. Lunch goes by smoothly with Jace and Jordan discussing something about football or some other sport and Izzy going on about Meliorn. He doesn't eat with us, but I guess they had a great time together at Pandemonium. Although, the comment Simon had made about them talking together still sticks in the back of my mind.

As the bell rings, everybody gets up to head to class. I head in the opposite direction toward my locker to grab a book I forgot and need for class. The halls are all but empty as I head down the hall when I feel cold hands grab my elbow and whip me around.

I come face to face with black, emotionless eyes.

"How ya doing Clary?" Sebastian drawls, still holding tightly to my elbow. The same feelings I had the night of the dance creep under my skin as I try to yank my elbow away. Nobody else is in the hallway.

"I'm fine Sebastian. Please let me go," I say sternly while gesturing to his hand with my eyes.

He lets out a cold laugh. "Don't be like that babe," he comments as he slides his hand up the length of my arm, "you know, we never got to finish our dance. Or have that good time. I've been itching to get you alone and show you how it's done." My skin is crawling and chills run down my spine. My lessons come back to me again, but I don't want to cause a scene and draw attention from the neighboring classrooms.

"Let her go Verlac." We both turn our heads to look at Jace, who is making his way down the hallway in record speed. I can feel relief rush through me, though Sebastian doesn't let go.

"Don't concern yourself with things that don't involve you Golden Boy," Sebastian spits out and they glare at each other, neither willing to look away.

"I said," Jace whispers in a deadly voice, "let go of her." Jace reaches out and takes a grip on Sebastian's wrist and jerks his hand free of my arm. Sebastian backs away, looking enraged.

Jace looks away from him and meets my eyes, searching for the distress that is not there, because he is. He puts his hands on my shoulders asking, "Are you okay?" I nod my head, not wanting to speak for fear of my voice shaking. He nods his head as well. "Let's get to class then."

We both turn to walk away from Sebastian when I feel his grip on my shoulder and he jerks me back. "Come on Clary, don't let Wayland ruin the fun." And that's when the anger comes flooding back into me, washing away any previous nervousness and agitation. I told him never to touch me again.

And now he's done it twice.

So keeping my lessons in mind, I swing my right hand around and punch him right in the face.

Sebastian stumbles back stunned, his hands flying to his face where it looks like blood is pouring from his nose. Good.

"His name," I speak with perfect clarity, "is Lightwood. Jace Lightwood."

By this time, students and teachers hear the raucous coming from the hallways and peek out of the doorways. I turn to Jace, who has a mixture of shock and pride on his face, which draws a smile to my face.

"Miss Fray!" I turn to see Madame Dorthea hustling toward me. "Explain yourself this instant young lady!"

I turn to her and tell her the truth. "That was for all of the girls he's ever so much as touched, including me. He's a creep."

I can see the understanding in her eyes. I know that she knows exactly what I am talking about, but I did just punch somebody, so the next words out of her mouth don't surprise me.

"Yes, well, I'm sorry dear, but I'm going to have to give you detention. You both as well, Mr. Lightwood and Mr. Verlac. You all caused a disturbance interrupting numerous classes. I don't know what happened, but it seems that Miss Fray is the one who ended it," she states while shooting me a smile that she hides before anybody else can see.

"Do what you gotta do Madame D, but the tool deserved it," Jace says as he shrugs his shoulders.

As the hallways start to clear, I feel someone behind me, and I know who it is from the uncomfortable chills that run through me. He whispers in my ear so that only I can hear. "You should have taken my offer while you had the chance Clary. Nobody wants that twelve year old body of yours. Why do you think Wayland's lost interest in you and has been screwing every girl he can get his hands on?"

I turn to look Sebastian straight in the eye, refusing to let him see the crushing humiliation going on inside of me. His face is covered in blood, and I get a sort of sick satisfaction out of it. "I warned you what would happen if you touched me again. Be happy you can walk."

He gives me a wicked smile and then turns and walks away. When he can't see me anymore, I let myself feel shame and embarrassment wash over me. Of course Jace wouldn't want me. I mean look at me, I'm nothing compared to so many other girls.

I feel my shoulders slump and all I want to do is run into the bathroom and cry.

Jace walks over in front of me, but I can't bring myself to look at his perfect face with my imperfect one. "Hey, you okay?" I just nod my head and he doesn't ask any other questions. He guides me down the hallway toward my next class and I head inside without saying a word to him.

After the last bell rings for the end of the school day I head to my locker, knowing I'm in no rush to meet Simon since I have detention. I close my locker door to have Jace leaning against the lockers. "Ready for detention you rebel?"

I give him a small smile before starting to walk toward the art room where detention is being held. Sebastian's words are still ringing in my head, but I will not allow him, or anyone else, the satisfaction of seeing me fall.

I have not cried. And I will not cry.

I know I'm plain. I know I'm short. I know I lack any sort of curves.

But I'm grateful for the friends I have, Jace included, and will not let myself get down on things I can't change. Now I know what Jace has been doing, which crushes me, but that's why we're just friends.

Protect yourself. Protect your heart Clary.

Sebastian and Madame Dorthea are already in the room as we walk in. Sebastian's face has blossomed into shades of purple and blue, but he still gives me that creepy smile. I head toward the opposite side of the room from him, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. Jace sits between Sebastian and I, making it a point to conceal as much of me as possible if Sebastian were to look to his right at me.

And that's how detention goes.

Sebastian looks over at us every once in a while. Jace glares at Sebastian. And I just stare forward, still not looking Jace in the eye. Madame Dorthea occasionally asks me to come look at something on her computer screen for the advanced art class, but aside from that, I don't speak.

After the hour is up, we don't leave until Sebastian walks out of the room. Madame Dorthea just gives us an understanding nod before turning her attention back to her computer.

We walk out into the parking lot, which has a very limited number of cars in it. "I'll see ya around," I mumble and start to head out onto the sidewalk to walk home.

Jace falls into step right beside me.

"You know, I think I'll take you up on that help with the applications. I'll walk you home."

I stop and meet his gaze, looking at his perfect face. "Is that the reason you want to walk me home?" I know him better than that.

He shrugs his shoulders with a smirk on his face. "No, not really."

"Then thanks, but I'm good," I say even though I want to stay with him, "you can head home."

He frowns and shakes his head as he puts his hands on my shoulders. "I just," he says with sincerity, "I just want to make sure you get home okay and that you're alright. Is that too much to ask as a friend?"

I let out a dramatic sigh, because it really isn't too much to ask. "Fine," I mutter out as I start walking again, "but we're walking."

He gives me one of those smiles I love.

"Fine by me."

And so we start walking home.

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