Thanks again for all your great reviews, I appreciate them so much. This next instalment of Idris Academy is probably the turning point in several relationships, so please enjoy. Will Jace explain what happened with Will at the zoo? Do Jace and Clary stay together? Will Magnus break up with Will and end up with someone else? What is Imogen's next move? Is wealth the most powerful weapon? And is Jocelyn hiding a secret talent? Find out in the next instalment. All the rights belong to Cassandra Clare and Yoko Tomio, I am just using them for my own story :)
Chapter Sixteen: When You Are Gone
Clary barely noticed the door bell ringing as she lay on her bed that night. Her mind was spinning in a thousand different directions, a mix of confusion, annoyance and worry. What had gone wrong in those five minutes Will and Jace had been gone? She had been so proud of Jace, the boy that had faced Will's endless torments with dignity and resilience, without throwing a single punch, the boy who had stayed to support Magnus rather than go into a sulk. He was so different to the asshole she had first encountered at Idris.
Yet that guy had come out again. Angry, violent, cold, isolated. It made her wonder exactly how much Jace had changed. Which side was she suppose to believe? The guy who punched people for no reason? Or the guy who was constantly proving he was changing? Or was supposedly changing?
"Clarissaher brother's voice broke through her revery, urgent and fierce. She sat up, so suddenly the blood rushed to her head and she felt her vision blur suddenly. As she recovered, she felt her brother leap onto her bed and hiss
"Hurry up. It's urgent. You have a visitor
She allowed him to pull her off the bed, sliding on the floor boards in her socks, vaguely wondering what was so urgent about this mysterious visitor. She doubted it was Jace, her parents would probably be doing a flamenco dance of some sort. They liked Jace and they were happy that she had 都coreda rich bloke. Well Luke was ecstatic and when he had said that, he had spent another night on the couch. Jocelyn was pleased as well but was slightly more subtle about it. Slightly. In the sense, she didn't say the word scored. She said 吐ound a nice boy
Clary was almost firmly set on Madame Dorothea, discussing the merits of tarots and Satanism, when she entered the living room and froze.
"I apologise for dropping in so late
It was Imogen Herondale. Her face was plastered over every business newspaper in the world, the woman behind Wayland Pty Ltd. She had taken the ailing company, after her husband's death and brought it back to life, cementing it as one of the cornerstones of American society. Clary didn't count their first encounter as a meeting, especially since she had been referred to as that but she was determined to make a better impression on Jace's mother.
She held out her hand and said
"Hello Mrs Wayland. I'm Clarissa Fray
Imogen raised an eyebrow, high up her forehead and said disdainfully and quietly
"Ms Herondale... I never took my husband's name
She sat regally on the one chair that wasn't broken, a look of disdain spreading across her face, as she gazed around their poky flat. At the broken table, the dirty walls, the semi unwashed dishes in the sink, before wrinkling her nose in disgust. Clary retracted her hand and gazed over at her parents, who were staring in a stunned silence at the elegantly dressed woman in front of them. Imogen sniffed and said
"I apologise for dropping in so late
She sounded anything but apologetic. She motioned to her bodyguards, who stepped forward, carrying several briefcases.
"Malachi' she said, 'show them
He nodded and said
"Green, Davidsonand the two bodyguards placed the briefcases onto the floor in front of Clary and her parents. Clary stared at them, unable to work out what Imogen was doing. The bodyguards opened the latches and when Clary saw the contents, her stomach did a strange clunk. She heard her brother's hissing noise, his excitement unable to be concealed and her parent's intake of breath. Within the briefcases, was a pile of money, the shiny and clean 100 dollar bills, neatly stacked to the top. Imogen gave a glacial smile and said
"I apologise for my directness. There is 1 million dollars in here
"1 millionrepeated both her parents, their shock and excitement evident in their voices.
Imogen developed a knowing look and her smile grew warmer.
"In exchange, I would like Clarissa to terminate her relationship with Jace
"Huh?said Clary, her confusion turning to shock. Was this woman trying to...buy her? No wonder Jace had been so messed up, trying to buy her friendship, he had learnt this valuable skill from his mother. Before she could say anything else to her silent parents, Imogen said
"Excuse my frankness but it seems that your family is in financial trouble. Surely this will more than compensate for your cooperation
"Yes' said Luke, softly, his face flushing, 'that's correct
Imogen looked Clary straight in the eye, an amused look flashing across her face. Oh the joy of the poor, it seemed to say, easily bought out by money. However she must have seen something on Clary's face, maybe her silence or anger flickered across her own face, because Imogen said
"Perhaps a further sum could be arranged if Clarissa was prepared to transfer to another companion school. I have many connections within the school community as well as with other boards. I am certain something could be arranged
"Dad, noClary hissed but Imogen continued as if she hadn't heard anything.
"As you all know, Jace has a future ahead of him' her voice grew cold again, 'now isn't the time for him to be..fraternising with...things that will only distract him
Clary was gazing at her parents, her fists clenching in anger. If either one of them even considered..
"Please accept the money' said Imogen, 'Clarissa, I would hate to think that your little crush would affect your family's and your own future. You have a bright future ahead of you, your academic prowess is evident in all your work. And wouldn't you want to support your own family, feel a great sense of pride in yourself that you helped pull them out of their financial burden? All you would have to do was to cease seeing Jace. Are you really going to pick a boy over your family and your future? It seems very medieval to me
Clary opened her mouth and found nothing came out. Did she value Jace over her family? If she continued to see him, would she be letting her family sink further into financial hardship? Was that really the type of person she wanted to be? No wonder Imogen had got so far ahead, she made very convincing arguments. She blushed, cursing herself, as the smile returned to Imogen's face. She had let a moment of weakness get to her, she had actually almost let herself be bought by an arrogant, self-centred woman, who thought the whole world revolved around her.
Imogen stood up and said
"I am glad that we are all..."
Jocelyn stood up, having been quiet for the entire time Imogen had been here. Everybody looked up at her and Malachi said
"Ma'am?"
Jocelyn walked over to the kitchen counter and took hold a jug of water. She then turned back to the group of people staring at her, before walking towards Imogen. Imogen opened her mouth but before she could speak, Jocelyn flipped the jug upside down and a crash of water hit Imogen on the head, soaking right through her clothing.
"What do you think you are doing?" shouted Malachi as Imogen stared at her clothes with distaste. Jocelyn flicked the remnants of the water out before saying
"I think you have wasted enough of our time. Take your money and leave
Imogen stared up at her, anger evident in every wrinkle on her face but Jocelyn stared at her, an eerie calm descended over her and said
"I suppose the rich would have no idea how parents feel when their children are insulted
Imogen took a deep breath and said
"Are you really sure about this? When I leave this room...my offer goes with me. As does my indulgence
Jocelyn leant right up to Imogen, their faces almost touching and she said in her calm voice
"Go to hell, Imogen Herondale. The devil himself, would welcome you
Imogen stood up, almost knocking Jocelyn over and hissed
"My apologies for dropping in so late
She stormed out the door, Malachi and the bodyguards picking up the briefcases and hurrying after her, leaving Clary, Luke and Jonathan staring at Jocelyn in shocked silence. Jocelyn was staring at the spot where Imogen had left, unmoving, her shoulders tense and raised.
"Mum?said Clary, dubiously
She still didn't move, the water jug in her hand, hanging next to her.
"Jo?asked Luke, taking a step towards her.
Suddenly the cold aura around their mother disappeared and her legs became shaky. She dropped into the chair Imogen had just vacated, wiped out from that moment of confrontation. Her family descended onto her and Clary couldn't help herself from smiling.
"I can't believe you said that to Imogen Herondale. By god, I bet nobody's ever told her that before
Jocelyn met Clary's eye and said
"Like hell would I let her treat my child like that
Luke patted her on the back and said
"I always wondered where that fiery girl had disappeared off to. I hope she stays.."
Clary and Jonathan groaned, not wanting to hear their parents discuss things like this. Jocelyn said
"Listen Clary. Make sure you marry Jace
That was clearly not what Clary had expected to here and she stared at her mother in stunned silence.
"You must marry him at all costs. Not only to wipe off that smug bitch's smirk but also to get your hands on all of the Wayland Pty Ltd's assets. 1 million dollars, I bet that's what Herondale gives her children to buy lunch
She turned back to Luke and said
"Well, shall we have dinner?"
Clary sat in the emergency fire escape, caught up in her thoughts. She had arranged to meet Jace in a couple of minutes but somehow she found herself unable to get up as her watch ticked closer to the time. What did she want to say to him? How would she say it without implying she had lost faith in him, just that she wanted a reasonable answer?
"Clary?"
Clary jumped as Simon came down the stairs towards her, having crept up on her.
"Seriously' she said, 'don't do that."
"What, come down the stairs that loudly? Would you like me to be quieter next time?"
"Oh shut up' she said, grinning, 'you are so full of yourself
"So what's up?"
"Nothingshe said hurriedly and he raised an eyebrow.
"Come on' he said, 'you only ever come out here when you want to vent. So tell me
"You aren't a counsellorshe said.
"I'm better than a counsellor' he said seriously, 'I'm your friend. What's Jace done this time?"
Somehow she found herself telling him everything, about the trip to the zoo, Will, Magnus, her hopes and then her crashing realisation that Jace had failed her again and even about his mother coming over to her house. She told him more than she had told Jace and whilst a small voice was asking her, why, why aren't you telling Jace this, a larger one wanted to get a different perspective. Plus Simon had this quality about him that made her want to ask his advice?
When she had finally finished, he was staring at her, his eyes unreadable.
"What?" he asked and he said
"You are one of the most honest people I have ever met. You never lie to me, Clary. A lot of people in my life have lied to me...hurt me. You'd never do that to someone
Clary knew he was talking about Isabelle, she knew he hadn't come home because everything was fine.
"Simon?she said tentatively but he was hugging her. Clary was so surprised she just let him for a couple of seconds before she said
"Hey
"Just let me hold you' he said, 'I just need to...know someone cares
Clary felt her heart break for him. Both his parents gone, no siblings, now his long time love had probably broken his heart as well. She wrapped her arms around him and they stayed like that for a long time.
"Are you okay?she whispered and after a long pause, he said
"No, not really
Neither of them noticed Jace.
"You wanted to talk?"
Jace approached her in the empty cafeteria, his hands in his pockets and Clary felt her palms grow sweaty. She hadn't done anything wrong, she just wanted to ask him what had happened at the zoo. She had rushed into the cafeteria, about fifteen minutes later, apologies dying at her lips, when she had realised it was empty. Jace had arrived another fifteen minutes later, a cocky, arrogant air about him.
"What?he said, with an air of boredom about him. Clary took a deep breath and said
"I can't'...I can't be in..a relationship...if we aren't truthful. What happened with Will yesterday?"
Jace shrugged and said
"I don't wanna say it
Clary found herself angry again and said
"Do you hit people without having a reason?"
"Like I said' Jace said, angry as well, 'he pissed me off, so I kicked his ass. That's all it was
Clary found herself staring at him in shock, when had he become so..arrogant again?
"Well' she said, 'I guess you're that kind of person. You don't care about the happiness of others
"What?' said Jace, in mock surprise, 'they broke up? That's great
Clary slapped him, the sound echoing across the room, her hand stinging painfully. Jace touched where she had slapped him before roaring
"What the hell was that for?"
Clary shrugged insouciantly and said
"You pissed me off, so I slapped you
Realisation passed through Jace's eyes and he said softer this time
"Lookbut Clary was already shouting
"When you lose your temper, there are things you should and shouldn't do. Because of you, Magnus is really upset
Jace said
"Someday he's gonna thank me. I'll be waiting with open arms
He was already losing interest and Clary was struggling to associate him with the boy she had kissed before they had entered the zoo. Had she been swept up in the moment, had she romanticised him? What was his problem? She had given him the chance to explain and all she could conclude was he was an asshole. She said
"You haven't changed one bit. You are...you are
"What?' said Jace mockingly, 'going to ridicule me? Going to punch me? Going to make me see the better side in human nature? God Clarissa, you are so naive
Clary deflated, suddenly over this conversation. Sighing, she said
"You are a bully. Simon is ten times the person you are. And Magnus..you aren't fit to lick his feet
She started walking off and then stopped. She said
"Yesterday your mother came to our place
"Huh?said Jace turning around, his bored face changing into fear?
"She wanted to give us a huge sum of money. In exchange for not seeing you anymore. She told me to give up on you
Her voice was brittle and she hated herself for it. Jace was staring at her, unspeaking and she finally said, defeatedly
"Go tell your mother not to worry. I won't have anything to do with you anymore. It should thrill you
She walked off, leaving Jace staring at the ground. He took one step after her, before stopping. His fists were clenching and for once, he couldn't think of what to say.
Magnus sat in his bedroom, staring up at the ceiling. Will wasn't taking any of his calls, he wasn't in any of his usual hangouts and he never seemed to be at school. His friends just acted as if Magnus didn't exist anymore. He wanted to talk to Clary badly but there had to be a point in time, when he couldn't rely on her help anymore. And yet, as he subconsciously reached for his phone, he wanted to talk to someone, ask them something, get their advice. He wanted someone to tell him it would be alright. And his finger just happened to stop on A. He felt himself press down on the number and lift the phone up to his ear as it rang. And rang and rang and rang. Until he felt pathetic and useless and wondered what on Earth had possessed him to make this call. He went to press End before suddenly the phone was answered and he heard someone say
"Hello?"
And suddenly he felt okay.