Clary bolted awake, her chest heaving as she took huge gulps of air in. Her hair stuck to her face and it was heavy with sweat. She ran her hands shakily over her face, momentarily forgetting where she was. Her surroundings were the same calm blue walls. Taking one large inhale and then plopping into her pillows again, she hugged herself in an effort to calm down.
Her dreams had always been strange before, but now they were torturous. This was the third time she had awoken to a violent nightmare. She thanked God that she was not the type to scream, years of practice on smothering that instinct had paid off. She would've hated waking up the other tenants of the house with her wailing.
Seeing the sun just start to peak over the mountains, she figured that four AM could not possibly be too early to be up and about on a farm. She got up and exited the room, cringing at the groan from the door when she opened it. The house was quiet, but everything squeaked and moaned from the walls to the wooden floor boards under the weight of her feet.
She took care to tread lightly past Luke's room, which was at the end of the hallway. There was no light under the door, and she assumed that he was still asleep.
She surveyed the kitchen before entering and then began searching the cabinets for some type of tea. She found a box of green tea packets and began preparing it herself. She turned the heat on the stove, and set the water to boil. She thought of her mother when she made tea, the swirling heat from boiling water in the kettle, and the way the brown color seeped into the clear liquid from the bobbing tea bag. She found a mug and began pouring the contents into it.
"I didn't expect you to be up this early." A gravelly voice behind her caused her to jog the tea kettle from the mug, and then pour scalding water on her hand. She then dropped both the mug and it shattered on the floor. With cry of pain, she quickly set the kettle back on the stove. Biting her lip, she waved her hand around trying to shake off the sting.
Suddenly a strong hand clamped around her wrist and dragged her to the sink. She instinctively try to pull from the grasp, yelling out in terror. Luke's steady blue eyes met with her panicked green ones. She flinched at the intensity of his gaze.
"Clary, we need to get your hand under water." He said urgently, then reached to the sink and turned it on. He tugged her hand under, the edge of her sleeve getting wet. He rolled it up, hissing at the blistering redness of her skin.
He let go of her arm and pointed at her nose, "Keep that under there, I'm getting the first aid kit." Clary could only nod, her heart still beating up in her throat. The water ran over her hands, she felt relief as the sting started to dull. After a minute, Luke was back with the kit, and he guided her to a chair. She wanted to stay under the water longer, as the sting returned back full force.
Luke put the kit on the ground and knelt down, gently holding her hands by the fingers. His body was tense, and he didn't say a word. Roughly, he pulled the burn salve out of the box and opened it, applied a massive glob to her hand.
His mouth was set in a grim straight line, and his eyebrows furrowed. She wished that he would say something.
"I can do that, you don't have to." She offered. He must be getting tired of always trying to patch her up. Luke hummed, or more like grumbled, in response but continued on.
Clary glanced to the shattered green mug, and then looked at Luke, still applying copious amount of salve to her hand
She opened her mouth, and closed it, then opened again, "I'm sorry about the mug." She apologized and Luke paused, his face getting tighter.
"I don't care about the mug." He said gruffly, and pulled out some bandage, extending it out and cutting it with his teeth. He continued in silence, carefully wrapping the bandage around her limp hand. Clary bit at her nail on her other hand. "I should've asked you if I could make tea."
"Clary." His voice was sharp, and she pulled her hand away. She turned her head, as if she was bracing herself for his reaction. She heard him exhale slowly, and then pull her hand towards him, "Clary." He began much calmer, "Stop apologizing." Clary hesitantly looked at him as he finished the bandaging patting the ends tightly on. "I already feel horrible scaring you like that." He muttered.
Clary could tell he felt terrible about startling her and in turn causing her to burn herself, but she knew that no matter what she was always a klutz. She caused problems wherever she went, and she wanted to reassure him that it wasn't his fault. She could also thank him for bandaging her arm, but her tongue felt heavy as his serious eyes examined her face.
"I'll have Magnus look at it later."
"I'm fine." She mumbled.
Luke shook his head, "Of course you are." He put everything back in the box, and then clicked it shut. He stood up, groaning a bit, and straightened his back with a crack. He placed the box on the table and grabbed a broom and began sweeping the glass in a pile.
Clary got up but he glared at her, "Sit, I can do this."
Clary sighed and sat down, "I'll buy you a new one." Luke just snorted.
"I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't care. I have too many anyways." He scooped up the glass and discarded it in the trash. "Now, let's see if I can pour this tea without causing second degree burns."
Clary put her full concentration on tracing the grains on the table. She shifted, uncomfortable in the room that was gradually feeling stuffy. Luke set a new mug of tea in front of her, and she quietly thanked him.
"Sugar?" He asked, and she took the proffered sugar from his hands, spilling more than she should in the cup. She remembered her mother always scolding her about cavities because of her insatiable sweet tooth.
"Jace mentioned he wanted to take you to town, to show you around."
She took a sip of her tea and looked to Luke, who was focused on stirring his own mug of tea. His hair was in every which way. He was wearing a rumpled white t-shirt and red checkered pajama pants.
His face was unreadable. He was acting like nothing happened, and Clary inwardly cringed at all her stupid reactions to him trying to help him. She could be so stupid sometimes.
"Clary?" Luke asked, and Clary blinked.
"Oh, yeah – I guess." She answered, before realizing she just agreed to spend the day with that egotistical guy from the corn field. Luke quirked a smile, looking pleased or maybe relieved that she was going to town.
Clary swallowed a sigh; she could not take it back now. Luke probably just wanted the house to himself for a change.
He took a large gulp from his tea, finishing it off and then stood up. "I'm happy that you and Jace are getting a long." He smiled again, and Clary struggled keep her face straight because she was definitely not friends with Jace.
"He's been here for almost six months, good worker, good kid." Luke's voice was oddly tinged with pride and Clary felt a twinge of jealousy for Jace. If she were honest, she wished someone would be proud of her.
Clary got up, and placed her mug gingerly in the sink, "I'm going to get ready." She said before hurriedly exiting the room.
Clary heard a knock on her door, and it swung opened, "You ready?" Jace appeared in the doorway. His hair pulled in a short pony tailed. Today, he was wearing a T-shirt with what she assumed was band name emblazoned on the front. He was wearing dark black jeans, and his fingers were linked in the pockets.
Clary, who had been lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, turned to glare at him, "What's the point of knocking if you're going just going to open the door?" Getting up, she pulled her hair quickly in a ponytail.
Jace smiled charmingly, and leaned against the door frame, "Trying to hide something?"
Clary felt her face turning red at the insinuation, "Let's just go." She muttered, shouldering him out of the door way. She trudged outside and saw a red truck parked in front of the house.
It looked older, but it relatively good condition. The ends of the car were covered in mud, and there crates stack in the back. Clary realized that she had not been driven anywhere in almost a year. She bit at her nail, looking out to the road anxiously.
"Like my ride?" Jace walked over to the driver's side, and patted the top of his car, "Runs great, just replaced a belt the other day with Luke."
Clary opened the door and hopped in, not saying a word. She never really had much interest in cars.
Jace got in and started the car, he paused and turned to her. "Seat belts." He said while pulling his over his chest. Clary complied, silently, hearing the click in the quiet truck made her feel claustrophobic. She pulled at the edge of the seatbelt, trying to loosen it.
From the corner of her eye she could see Jace, raising his eyebrows in confusion, "You don't have to go, if you don't want to."
"I don't want to." She paused, "But that's not true, I have to go."
Jace was starting to look frustrated, a frown formed on his face. "What?"
"Luke needs a break." She stared at the dashboard, daring not to look at Jace. She heard Jace shift, the engine rumbled as he started the car.
"I don't think Luke minds." He pulled out of the driveway, the gravel crackling under the tires. His voice was lower, and rolled his shoulders.
"Luke likes you." Clary pointed out, the dirt road fed into a paved one that curved around the forest. Clary quietly took note of this, wondering the best direction she could escape.
"What's not to like?" He said innocently, and Clary snorted. There was a pregnant pause, as they drove past the corn and alfalfa fields. It was pretty, seeing it from here – Clary could imagine sitting on the top of the hill, just looking out, with the sun beating on her face.
She wondered what it'd be like, to be idle, and not have anyone care. Whenever she was home, she felt as if she had to be doing something. With good reason, her father didn't take kindly seeing her lounging around.
"You don't seem to like me, what did I ever do to you?" Jace asked.
Clary turned to him. Jace gripped the steering wheel, a muscle twitching in his jaw.
"Nothing." She paused, rolling the word on her tongue. She didn't fully understand why she was always particularly harsh with him. He just seemed to bother her for some reason. "I don't like anyone." Jace looked at her, and she put her nail in her mouth, nibbling at it.
"You're certainly a puzzle, Clary." Jace said, his lips curved into a smile, as if he was pleased with her. Clary felt her stomach flip-flop, and she looked at the dashboard.
She leaned forward and turned on the radio drowning out any sound that she could have made. The windows reverberated at the country music that was now blaring out of the speakers.
She eyed Jace who kept on driving; his hands tapped the steering wheel with the beat of the song.
It wasn't long till they started to see buildings; some of them looked old and some looked new. Even though it was a town, there were still plenty of trees. The leaves were starting to turn color and dropping to the sidewalks and the asphalt.
It was one hundred times prettier than Idris, which was primarily steel skyscrapers and concrete everything. He pulled into a parking lot that was adjacent to what look like a plain brown building.
Jace parked right next to an entrance with a big red-lettered sign over it labeled "Loading". He switched to park, and raised an eyebrow at her, "Here's the money making part." He exited the car and Clary followed him to the back of the truck.
There were large crates, most likely filled with the all of Luke's crops. Jace opened the truck and pulled the handcart out setting on the floor. He hoisted up the crates and started to stack them on the dolly.
"Do you need help?" Clary pulled at her sleeve. She hated standing still, and watching someone do all the work. Jace chuckled, "I'm under strict orders to prevent you from any manual labor."
Clary felt a rise of anger from this, knowing these orders were coming from Luke who had a tendency to baby her. He gives Jace a house and a job, and he makes her tea. It was infuriating.
"Because I'm a girl?!" Clary spat.
Jace dropped another crate down, and then folded his arms across his chest. "No, it's because you're practically half mummy, Cleopatra." He eye her bandaged hand, and Clary blushed.
He stepped on the back of the hand cart and tilted it, "Now would our budding feminist mind opening the door for me?"
Clary hurried to the door and opened it, while Jace rolled past her. His hair had dropped from his pony tail, framing his face. Clary couldn't help eyes gravitating to his straining muscles on his arms, and she felt her heart flutter a bit.
Clary scrunched up her nose. It was ridiculous that she kept on reacting this way. The more she knew him, the less attractive he got. At least, that is what she was trying to convince herself.
It took a few runs to load all the crates into the warehouse, when they finished – they walked to the other side of the warehouse to a hallway. The hallway led to an office area. There was an older woman with a desk right outside a wooden double-door office.
"Hey, Janice – is Mr. Santiago in?" Jace asked. The lady with short cropped gray hair, smiled her ruby red lips at Jace. "Oh, Hi, Hun! Yes, he's in – I'll just page his phone." She tapped at the phone with her long fake nail, also in the color of ruby red.
"Yes?" A voice that could only be described as caramel-y came over the intercom.
"Mr. Wayland is here to see you."
"Perfect, have him come right in."
The lady winked at Jace, and Jace smiled, "Thank you, Janice." He then entered Santiago's office. Clary followed him close; her arms were crossed across her chest. She wished she had stayed in the car.
The first thing that surprised her was Mr. Santiago. He looked a lot younger than she thought. He stood up and buttoned his expertly tailored charcoal suit. He wore a button up purple shirt under it, with the top two buttons unbuttoned. His black hair was stylishly slick back. Clary thought he looked a little like a shark.
Clary looked at her loose fit long-sleeved t-shirt and her baggy jeans, clothes that Luke had let her borrow. She felt tragically underdressed.
Jace handed him a clip board, and he signed it without looking at it, his whole attention on Clary. "You brought your girlfriend?" He didn't sound angry about it.
"I'm not his girlfriend." She said with such vehemence, that she gave an apologetic look to Jace.
"She's been helping out on Luke's farm the past few days." Jace said, he fiddled with the clipboard. Clary wondered at his vagueness, but was thankful for it. She didn't really want everyone to know she was a runaway.
Santiago approached her and held out his hand, "Raphael.' Clary shook it with her un-bandaged hand.
"Clary." She said in what she hoped was a neutral tone.
Raphael reach in his pocket inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope, a turned to Jace and handed it to him. Jace opened, and furrowed his brow. "Sir, this isn't the amount due for the shipment."
Raphael pursed his lips, "Yes, I took out a reduction for the last shipment. It was whole crate short."
"I counted, the number was right." Jace replied, shaking his envelope, "And this is whole grand short!"
"I've heard about you Jace, a thief." Raphael sat down, and steepled his hands, "But I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt because Luke trusted you. I'm not so sure anymore." Raphael's voice was hard, and Clary was reminded of her father. She took a few steps back, closer to the door.
"I didn't steal anything." Jace's face was rapidly turning red and his jaw was clenched.
"I never agreed with Luke taking in hoodlums, I told him my reservations." Raphael looked at Jace with disgust, and then his eyes met Clary, "And now he's added another one, and she looked like she got in a fight, how un-ladylike."
"You don't know anything about her." Jace growled, looking like he was about to punch Raphael in the face. Clary move quickly and grabbed his arm.
"Come on, Jace. Let's go."
Jace looked to her, and then to Raphael's smug face. He exhaled loudly and then gave in, "Thank you, Mr. Santiago. I apologize for the confusion."
Raphael looked very happy with this admission, "Good boy. Make sure Luke is aware of the shortage, so he can add it to the next shipment as an apology."
Jace clenched his fist, crumpling the envelope. Clary tugged at his arm again. Jace gave a terse nod to Raphael and the both left.
Jace pulled his arm from Clary's grasp and quickly walked ahead. Clary could barely keep up with his quick pace. When they reached the car, Jace took his place in the driver's seat, and her in the passenger's. Jace was breathing heavily, and Clary looked at him apprehensively. She wasn't sure what to say.
Suddenly, Jace started slapping the steering wheel hard, yelling out. He looked like a mad man, and Clary felt herself pushing against the window, as far from his as possible.
After a few moments he stopped, practically wringing the steering wheel. "This was a pipe dream." Jace said, his voice so low that she could barely hear it.
"What do you mean?" She wanted to do something to comfort him, but she never had that type of practice. She and her family were always forced to just suck it up and move on.
"Living with Luke is great," He shook his head, "But I'm hurting his business. This would never have happened-,"
"Don't say that?!" Clary interrupted. She knew she had only known them for a day, but Luke and Jace were right. If that broke, then what could work? Clary had spent all morning idealizing their perfect relationship, and now he wanted to leave, was he stupid?
Jace looked at her, his eyes were red-rimmed and irritated but there were no tears. The amber color almost looked like bright yellow cat eyes. "I can't mess this up, Luke it too good of a person for some Kid to fuck it up."
Clary raised her eyebrows, "But you didn't steal the crate." It was a half question, half statement.
"Of course not." Jace rubbed the back of his neck, "But that's Luke's biggest client-,"
"Maybe Luke will work it out."
Jace gave her a confused look, "I distinctly remember a girl hobbling like a zombie through the field trying to escape the same place she is telling me to stay."
Clary scowled, "It's not the same thing." She hardly knew Luke, and Luke obviously cared about Jace for him to just run off. He wouldn't miss her if she left. She was just here to appease Luke's conscience.
"I'll talk to Luke." Jace said, his voice returning to its stronger self. He started the car up and exited the parking lot, "We have one more small shipment to a small grocer downtown. You'll like the Lightwoods."
Clary was pretty damn tired of meeting new people, especially if they were anything like Raphael. They reached the grocer in no time. The building was small, but very clean. Clary did her best to open doors, and help Jace out. He was as un-talkative as they come since leaving the warehouse.
A teenager about the same age as Jace walked from the register to meet them. He was dressed in jeans and a green polo with "Lightwood Grocers" stitched on the pocket.
"Hey." He said simply, glancing at Clary and then back at Jace, "You giving me work?"
Jace dropping the box in the kid's hands, and he grunted, "Jesus, Jace – what you put in here?"
"Alec, I put a few weights in there, just so you could bulk up a bit." Jace smirked.
Alec dropped the box at a nearby counter, "Not all of us can look like a freakin' model all the time."
Clary had to disagree because both Jace and Alex were typical look hot boys. Alec had dark black hair and stunning blue eyes. His face was angular, and he was about the same height as Jace, just a little bit lankier.
"Who's the chick?" Alec eyed her suspiciously.
"Clary, she's staying with Luke for a while." Jace answered, dropping clipboard on the counter. He didn't look at her, and Clary felt a little bit angry. He was acting broody, and different. It wasn't the same when he was angry after the visit with Raphael; it was like a devil-may-care attitude.
"Thought you picked up a hitchhiker." Alec said with a smile. Jace snorted, and Clary clenched both her hands to a fist.
"I'm right here." She said, her voice tight.
"Ignore them, they never grew up." A thankfully feminine voice echoed behind Clary. She turned around to see a beautiful girl with long brown hair, green eyes and full lips walking towards her. She were a shimmery blouse, tucked into a pencil skirt, with silvery stilettos.
"Isabelle, nice to meet you." Clary took the girl's perfectly manicured hand and shook it, "Clary." She said softly, and the let go of her hand.
The girl gasped, "Oh, I love your hair! Is this natural?" She ran her hand down her hair and Clary blushed.
"Yes, it's my mother's hair color."
Isabelle shook her head regretfully, "The only time I get red hair is from a bottle." She peered at her close, "Are you new in town?"
"I'm staying with Luke."Clary wanted to add that it wasn't for long, but didn't want to give away even a hint of a plan to Jace.
"Oh, Luke, he's pretty handsome." She said with a laugh, "In roguish, older man kind of way."
"Isabelle!" Jace exclaimed, with a look of disgust.
Isabelle stuck her tongue out of his, "That's what you get for being a tool."
"I wasn't being a tool." Jace defended with a look to Clary, but she would have to agree with Isabelle. Jace sighed, "Raphael was being a dick."
Alec hopped up to sit on the counter and swung his legs, "What's new? He's like the Lex Luthor of the town."
"Geek." Isabelle muttered.
"Princess." Alec countered.
"Thank you." Isabelle flipped her hair, and Alec groaned, "Can you go away!"
"Not until Clary promises to go shopping with me this week." Isabelle looked expectantly to Clary. Clary adjusted her feet uncomfortably.
"I don't really care about clothes."
Isabelle raised an eyebrow, "You are in desperate need of a makeover, girl. Please, it's my calling." She begged.
Clary bit her lip. "I don't really have any money."
"Not a problem, think of it as a welcome gift!" Isabelle exclaimed and Clary shrugged.
"Perfect! I think we should meet tomorrow, I'll drop by Luke's around 11." Isabelle had her phone whipped out, muttering these plans while tapping it in her planner. Her silver bangles on her wrist were jingling at her excited typing.
Clary did not know what she just got herself into. She noticed Jace and Alec had walked to the produce section and were finished placing the stock out. They were talking too low for her to hear.
"Oh my God, I just got a text from Amy!" Isabelle had her hand over her mouth, "Sorry Clary, got to go, date emergency!"
Before Clary could respond, Isabelle was out the door. A hand rested on her should and she jumped.
"Woah, just me!" Jace said, and Clary stepped out of his way.
"Are we done?" She asked.
Jace looked calmer now, and was no longer acting like she wasn't there, which was relief. When she realized she was relieved, she frowned. Why did it matter if his attention was on her or not?
"Let's get out of here. See ya, Alec."
Alec gave a wave, but didn't acknowledge Clary. She could care less was he thought.
After a few stops at landmarks and shops, they had pretty much seen most of the small town. Jace and she had headed on the long winding road, and the sun started to set. Clary yawned feeling tired from all the stressful events.
They reached Luke's house a little bit after 7PM. Jace had gotten quieter as they approached the house. When they got inside, the fireplace was on and the place smelled like chili. They entered the kitchen to see Luke and Magnus eating bowls of chili at the table.
Clary sighed at the sight. She forgot that Luke was going to call Magnus about her hand. She walked to the Chili pot and grabbed a bowl.
"Let me get that for you." Luke materialized beside her and grabbed the bowl from her hand.
"I'm not an invalid." Clary said grumpily. Luke smiled at her, "Go have Magnus check your burn."
Clary wanted to argue, but felt too exhausted to have any more confrontations today. She sat next to Magnus.
"Let's have a look." Magnus took her hand, and carefully unwrapped the bandage. He moved tilted her arm in several directions, "Hmmm, looks like it's healing well. Just keep it bandaged for the next few days, and it should be fine."
"I know." Clary answered rudely, her face twisting in disgust. What a waste of time, Luke should of listened to her. Magnus raised an eyebrow, "Sassy aren't you." He had a light reproach in his tone.
Clary ducked her head, mortified of forgetting her place, "Sorry." She tensed up and glanced at Luke, who was grabbing a spoon from the drawer. Otherwise, he had not reaction to her rudeness.
Magnus laughed, "No, none of that." He shook her on the shoulder, loosening her up. "It's comforting to see you act your age for once." He took a bite of his chili as Luke set a bowl in front of her.
"How was Hollendale?" Luke smiled but it did not reach his eyes, there was a noticeable strain to his politeness. Clary licked her lips, suddenly feeling anxious.
She glanced at Jace, who was pouring himself chili, and then looked back at Luke, "It was alright."
Luke looked suddenly suspicious, he lifted his chin. He glanced at Clary then Jace over his glasses, and then took a seat. Jace seated himself on the opposite side of Luke, across from Clary.
"Did you meet any of the kids in the town?" There was a forced nonchalance to Luke's tone, but Clary knew an interrogation when she saw one.
Clary pulled a face at the word "kids" but nodded, "Yeah, Isabelle Lightwood was nice."
Magnus chuckled, "Of course you met Isabelle already. Does she still have a crush on Luke?"
Clary paused, her spoon in midair.
"Magnus, really?" Luke sputtered, looking very embarrassed, "How was Raphael?" he asked in order to change the subject. Clary took a bite of her chili in order to stall. Jace didn't answer, and Clary glared at him. Wasn't he going to tell Luke what happened? He was making her do all the talking, little bastard.
Jace didn't meet her eyes, staring at his bowl with a stubborn determination.
Luke narrowed his eyes, "What happened, now?"
Clary shrugged, and pushed her food around.
"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Luke's question caught her by surprise, and she nearly laughed at the ridiculousness of the question. She could handle herself.
"I'm fine." She bit out.
Luke threw his spoon down, his face twisted to a sour expression. "What is that supposed to mean, all the times you said you were fine, you weren't."
Clary waved her bandaged hand around, "I said I was fine with this, and look no need for a doctor!" She returned to her food and poked violently at some ground beef, "I'm not a fucking little girl."
Luke growled but Magnus interrupted his tirade, "Luke she's fine. She's not Amartis, she is not Joc-,"
"Magnus, stay out of this." He glared at Jace, "What happened?"
Jace shifted, and looked at Luke, "Can I talk to you in the living room?" He said quietly. Luke pressed his lips tightly together, and nodded. Clary almost sighed with relief, not used to seeing Luke so on edge. He was usually more calm, and less frenzied.
They both got up and exited the room.
Magnus looked unconcerned, and looked to Clary, "Raphael is definitely a handsome man, but he's like Lucifer himself."
Clary nodded, "He shortchanged Luke because of Jace." She stated, it was easier telling Magnus this. It didn't really affect him. She was never good at breaking the news to anyone.
Magnus shook his head, "Bastard."
Clary could hear whispering, but the words were indistinct. Her heart was beating fast, she wondered if Jace was telling the whole story. Would Luke think that Jace stole a crate, or would he believe Jace? She looked at her chili and felt her stomach turned, suddenly not feeling hungry any longer.
She pushed her bowl forward, and began biting her nail with renewed vigor.
"As much as I believe that keratin is a great source of vitamins for your body, you really should eat your whole dinner." Magnus said pointedly to Clary.
"I'm not hungry." Clary played with a loose thread of her sleeve.
"No, that is a terrible idea!" Luke's voice bellowed through the house and Clary jumped. Her eyes darted to the direction of the living room like a scared rabbit.
"Luke, I have to." She could hear Jace's sigh, a resigned defeat in his tone.
"No. I'll take care of it."
"If you defend me, it'll make it worse."
"I really don't give a damn. You're more important than all this shit, you understand me?"
There was a loud sigh of frustration, and heavy footfalls. The front door creaked opened and then slammed shut. Clary let go of her breath, not realizing she hadn't been breathing.
Magnus got up, "I think that's my cue to leave." He pointed at her, "Finish you dinner, and good night." He winked and grabbed his medical bag. He went to the living room, said his good bye and left.
Clary stared at her bowl for a few minutes, feeling tense and agitated. She hated when people were fighting and upset. She didn't know how she had gotten emotionally invested in a few short days.
She took her bowl and dumped its contents into the trash, then dropped the bowl in the sink. She tentatively approached the living room, to see Luke staring blankly into leather bound "A Tale of Two Cities." His eyes weren't moving back and forth, and he obviously wasn't reading it.
He looked like he hadn't been sleeping, dark smudges at the bottom of his eyes.
Clary looked at the bookshelves, and pulled out "Pride and Preudice" before sitting in the chair next to him. She slipped off her sneakers and brought her feet on the chair, curling up next to the fire.
Luke didn't say a word, obviously still upset, but he appeared to have relaxed incrementally at Clary sitting in the chair beside him. Clary opened her book, readying herself to get lost in Jane Austen's world.
A/N: Thank you for all your reviews and kind words! You all are awesome. If you have any questions or characters you would like to see, feel free to let me know. Thank you! Please read and review!