"A Question"

Jace

Questions. They can be so simple and yet so complex. Some are deceiving and some are fairly straightforward. It all depends on who's asking the question and what their motive is for wishing to discover the answer to their question. For some, the motives aren't so kind but for others, there is no hidden agenda and they simply wish to know the answer for the sake of knowing.

There's this new girl at school. Her name is Clarissa Fray. She has red hair like fire and green eyes that resemble emeralds. Everyone has had nothing to talk about since she moved here last week and I've had nothing to think about since then either. I just can't comprehend how someone so tiny can be packed with so much fire.

It all started when she became my partner in art class and I asked her a question. It was a simple question but I had no idea how much it could change my view on the world.

She sits down in the chair beside me at the beginning of her first day and I immediately check her out. She's probably 5'3 at the most but she's gorgeous beyond belief. No one else looks like her in the entire school and she has a style that's uniquely her own. Of course, all things unique are eaten alive at this school so I try not to get used to her wearing clothes that actually cover her body in a way that's modest and yet fashionable.

"I'm sure you already know but I'm Jace Herondale." I say, all suave, waiting for her to swoon at my feet. "And you are?"

"Annoyed at your arrogance." She replies, looking me in the eye.

"Yes, I am arrogant, but I'm also unfathomably good-looking, charming, strikingly handsome, sarcastic, smoldering hot, and many more other great things that you and all the other girls of the world would just love to know." I say, secretly wondering why she isn't kissing the ground I walk on like all the other girls. I like the fact that she isn't. She's viewing me as a flawed human being rather than a creature sent from Heaven. Frankly I prefer how she's acting to how all those other girls behave. I don't think them throwing themselves at me is particularly attractive.

She glares at me. "Two things: I'm not like other girls and you aren't God's gift to humanity. Not everything's about you, you know."

I grin cockily at her. "Yes, but most things are, you'll find that out soon enough. Also, your two things were actually three things. You should probably consider getting a math tutor." I suggest.

She rolls her eyes at me. "Of course I get stuck with a jerk." She mutters, digging through her bag.

"And of course I get stuck with a red smurf." I comment.

"Really? That's the best you can do? Don't you think I've heard it all by now?" She retorts.

"Nah, you haven't had me for your partner. You'll have heard it all once I'm done with you." I reply.

"That sounds creepy. I might have to consider changing partners." She states.

I blink. I hadn't considered that and I actually don't want her to do that. I'm not sure why but I don't want her to leave.

"But then you wouldn't be partnered with me." I point out, trying to make it sound like it would be more of a tragedy for her than for me even though I worry it's the latter option.

"Exactly." She says.

"You know, there are countless people who would just love to be my partner and you have this wondrous opportunity right here for you to take. How could you possibly refuse?" I ask.

"Easily." She says, looking around the room. She scowls. "Unfortunately it looks like all the other people have partners so I guess I'm stuck with you."

"You'll learn to love it. If you don't then you're completely crazy." I tell her.

She shrugs. "Everyone's their own kind of crazy."

"That is a very big statement for such a small person."

"You still admitted that it was a big statement therefore it was an important statement so the insignificant hit on my diminutive height can be ignored because you unintentionally admitted that you agreed with me."

"That was an even bigger statement from a still very small person."

She stares at the ceiling, seeming to contemplate her bad luck and I stare at my desk, wondering how such a small thing as a question allowed me to meet someone who can actually keep up with my verbal games.