Hey guys, I was just looking at all of your reviews and it means so much to me that you have enjoyed this story. I am pleased you have stuck with it, so here is the next instalment. Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy this. I acknowledge that all the rights belong to Cassandra Clare and Yoko Kamio.
Chapter Nineteen: When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Beat Up The Going
"Competition?' said Clary confused, 'as in...a beauty contest?"
"Not exactly' said Aline, as she sipped her tea daintily, 'your appearance is assessed. But your intelligence, talents, leadership and life skills are judged as well".
"It's called the Teen of New York' said Jace, sitting back in the restaurant chair, arms folded, 'it was Aline's idea".
"Yes, I get that part' said Clary, 'what I don't get is...why? Why do you want me to enter a competition that judges you based on your looks? No...how is that even going to help my situation?"
"Yes' said Aline, 'well once every 3 years, there is a contest to see who is the number one female high school student in New York. Initially it started in the 1920's where the daughters of blue bloods and wealth entered the competition as part of their debutante season. However as time progressed, it's become less about looks and more about future leaders and your introduction into the world of high-flyers. It gives you a lot of recognition in the business, political and legal fields if you come out in the ten highest positions. Also in the fashion and modelling industry as well, I guess but we don't really care about those".
"I do' said Jace to no one in particular but both Clary and Aline ignored him, 'anyway past winners have included Aline and Isabelle".
"Seriously?' said Clary, turning to Aline, 'that is awesome. And Isabelle as well?"
Aline gave a modest smile and said
"Ironically despite Isabelle entering the competition and getting recognised in the modelling circuit, this was what really started her thinking about law".
Clary sat back and then another thought occurred to her.
"I couldn't do that though, I'd.."
"The prize money for even getting into tenth place is $50,000".
"What the hell?" said Clary, her mouth opening slightly and Aline shrugged.
"Sponsors pay heaps for television coverage, especially since most of the elite enter the competition. They hope the parents will see their product and invest with them".
"The best part is' said Jace, 'past winners can make recommendations for entrants, so you have a guaranteed spot. Even Isabelle would probably back Aline up if you needed her to".
Clary nodded, almost everything was falling into place. She could feel doubts flickering across her mind, all the what ifs and maybe nots and what about? She had plenty of reservations, plenty of reasons to say no but at the same time, she had plenty of reasons to say yes as well.
"Our mother won one year" said Aline and Clary looked up so quickly, Aline raised an eyebrow. Clary flushed beetroot red and Aline laughed.
"It is pretty unbelievable. Yes, on the first or second year they changed the competition to a more serious tone, she won it. Dazzled them with her leadership abilities apparently. There were people queueing up to have her in their company".
"It was how she met our old man' said Jace, 'apparently he fell for her the second he saw her on the stage, discussing the merits of stakeholders and together, they built up the family business. All very interesting".
"Anyway' said Aline, staring pointedly at Jace, 'she'll have to accept you if you win or come close to it. Not only will you have followed in her footsteps but you will have beaten almost the entirety of the elite blue bloods. She isn't going to have any reasons to stop you and Jace then".
"That's why Jace is so excited" muttered Clary to herself and Jace grinned at her lazily.
"Don't worry, Clare' he said, 'I'll still think of you as a crazy, aggressive little person even when you do win".
If she won. Not when she did. She was going up against most of the New York socialites as well as plenty of other smarter middle class girls, who had been studying business or law as one of their subjects. Could she beat them?That was a very big if.
"Don't worry' said Aline, as if they were worrying about the same thing, 'I'll talk to our mother".
Imogen stared at Aline for ten seconds in utter silence before bursting in laughter. Aline just stood there, her face impassive, elegantly dressed and waited for her mother to realise she was serious.
"That girl?' scoffed Imogen, 'entering one of the most exclusive competitions in New York?"
"She's not only entering' said Aline, 'she's going to win first place".
"First place?' said Imogen, looking back down at her papers, 'don't make me laugh".
Aline ignored her comment and said
"Then if she wins, you must accept her and Jace's relationship. And you'll stop harassing her family, okay?"
"That's not even worth wagering on" said Imogen bored already.
"What?' said Aline slyly, 'are you scared of a little commoner? Worried she might actually prove you wrong?"
"Teen of New York?' said Sebastian, 'Clary?"
"Are you serious?" asked Alec, who looked much brighter than he had been in weeks.
"Yep' said Jace, 'that's why you guys are gonna help".
"I am so glad you asked my permission to devote my skills to Clarissa' said Sebastian, 'of course Jace I would love to help. Thank you so much for helping".
"Are you serious?" asked Alec again.
"No matter what' said Sebastian, 'she can't win".
"Thanks for that vote of confidence' snarled Jace, 'anyway have you forgotten already? Clary is a girl who stood up to all four of us and MY mother. And every one in this freaking place".
There was a silence before Sebastian said
"I hadn't forgotten. She punched your face. That is etched across my memory".
"Anyway' said Jace standing up hastily, 'she has the ability to win this. And when she does.."
"If" said Sebastian.
"My old lady will have to accept her as her equal.."
"Depends on her mood" said Alec.
"And not only will New York society have been shown her skills and abilities but so will my mother".
There was a long silence as the other three considered his words.
"Sounds fun" said Simon, grinning up at him and Sebastian sighed.
"Well for what's it worth. Let's bring it on".
"Great' said Jace, 'she's gonna be at my place taking crash courses. Shall we go?"
"One thing' said Alec, 'what exactly is it we are going to be teaching her?"
"What exactly are her talents?' asked Sebastian, curiously, 'aside from self-defence and study?"
None of them noticed Cecilia as she stood underneath them, listening in.
"So' said Aline, 'there are five categories. Appearance. Intelligence. Talents. Leadership. And Life Skills".
"Right' said Clary slowly, 'that sounds...easy. Ish".
"Outward looks are important but these days the judges also assess personality. Confidence. The way a person carries themselves. Sometimes even fashion".
She eyed Clary's second hand jeans and jumper and said
"We will probably have to find you a different outfit. Anyway the next is intelligence. In my contest, they went over things like accounting, governance, language and law. It will probably be the same topics but different and more relevant questions. Probably study up more on those topics. Get a good grip of basic knowledge. Do you know a language?"
Clary screwed up her face and moved her head in a way that could have meant yes or no. Finally under Aline's gaze, she said
"I know...some Japanese. I can hold a general conversation. Probably couldn't go into anything deep and meaningful".
"Hmm' said Aline, thoughtfully, 'we may need to change that. The next is talents, so you need to prepare a talent. You know, a dance routine, singing, playing an instrument. Art. Pottery. Conversing in a language again is a talent. Sport. You know".
"Right' said Clary, trying to remember the last time she had danced, 'a talent. Definitely".
Aline glanced at her again and said
"Leadership. You will be given a task and asked to work in a team to complete it. When I was there, it was construct a business proposal for a tender that was up for grabs. Other years it has been a computer program, debates, mock law cases. It is very unpredictable but you are marked a) on your work as a group, b) on your work as a leader and c) on where you place in the task".
She gazed at Clary who was still in thought and said
"Finally. Life skills. This could be anything, Clary. The possibilities are endless. There are so many choices; safety, health, computer skills, telephone conversations, interpersonal skills, parenting, financial literacy, therapy, anything. Don't go in expecting something. You never know what the judges are thinking. You can't win if you don't go in with an open mind".
"Right" said Clary quietly.
"Well that just about covers it' said Aline, 'now. Clary. Tell me, what sections do you think are your strongest?"
Clary looked up and said
"Well, I get okay grades at school. I mean, I'm not excellent. But I do well enough so that my scholarship isn't revoked. I guess intelligence is a good one for me".
"Yeah?' said Aline, 'whats your experience with horizontal fiscal imbalance? The Westminster system? Inflation? Civil law? All possible examples of what you will need to know".
Clary raised her eyebrows in surprise and said
"Um...inflation is where the government prints more money?"
Aline waited expectantly before rolling her eyes and said
"Wrong. It's a general increase in prices and the fall in the purchasing value of money. What about federalism? Basic American politics. What is the role of the Vice President?"
"He is second in line to the President' said Clary slowly, 'and he...is an executive and..."
"Times up' said Aline, fidgeting a little, 'Clary, I thought you said you were good at this section?"
"I am good' said Clary, 'just not at the..the questions you are asking".
For the next two hours, Clary found herself under rapid interrogation from Aline as she asked questions from all of the five categories. Aline was a tough taskmaster and soon Clary began to feel as dumb as ever. The only question she was able to answer was how to perform CPR on an unconscious person, which she had learnt in swimming class. Finally Aline sat back in her chair, rubbing her temples and said
"Clary...this..you...would be kicked out. In the first round".
Clary didn't respond and Aline said her voice raised
"Don't you get it? My mother would have won. Your family is on the verge of bankruptcy, your relationship with Jace is being torn to tatters by her pathetic vendetta against you and pretty soon, you will be expelled from Idris either because you haven't shown up or my mother has convinced the board to do something. DON'T YOU CARE?"
Clary looked up and said
"Of course I care. I wouldn't be here if I didn't care".
Aline sighed heavily and without thinking said
"You really aren't competition material. All of the other girls have been trained from day one for this".
Then she froze and said
"Oh Clary...I'm sorry...I didn't mean".
Clary looked down at her feet before saying
"Is this entire competition going to revolve around people dismissing me because of my status in life? Because I can't afford expensive clothing, because I haven't learnt how to play polo or make tea correctly? Because if it is' she stood up, 'I think I will go. I am not going to pretend to be someone whom I'm not. I can't and I won't".
Aline looked startled and then said
"Clary. I didn't mean to offend you, I just.."
"It's not you' said Clary, 'I just don't want to be the pig with the apple in its mouth. I don't want to be up there to be slaughtered because I am not wealthy or influential or come from titles. I am just Clary Fray. And that's how I am going to make my way in life. But if I am expected to pretend to be someone else, to squash everything I am just to win this...I AM NOT".
She turned to go and Aline said
"Clary, I..."
"That's not like you" said Jace behind her.
Clary turned and she saw the four Shadowhunters behind her; Jace, Simon, Sebastian and Alec, all standing there. Jace stepped forward and said
"What's happened to your fighting spirit? Surely you don't want my mother to win? Are you arguing with my sister because you actually are mad or because you feel deep down you can't win? That there isn't any sort of hope, so you aren't going to try".
"No" said Clary slowly and Jace said
"Clary, I have everyone here at your disposal. All of them are ready to help train you for the competition. You don't have to do this. But are you really going to quit after just two hours? Is that really what you want?"
Clary looked from face to face, her resolve weakening. She wasn't a quitter. Storming out would only prove Imogen right and it wouldn't help her family at all. Simon came towards her and sat down on the arm of the chair.
"I said you could come to us anytime, didn't I?"
She looked and saw Sebastian grinning, Alec smiling, Simon watching her and Jace and Aline always there for her, always ready to help and she sat down.
"Alright' she said, 'where do I start?"
Clary lay down on her bed, completely exhausted and not in a good way. She had spent the last week in utter hell, demoralised, embarrassed, humiliated and feeling as if she hadn't achieved anything. All five of them had taken over her training with a seriousness that she had never seen them possess before and whilst she tried to keep up, they had been trained since birth in the skills she needed to learn in two weeks.
Sebastian had taken over her intelligence section, furiously teaching and testing her in all matters political, mathematical, legal and business. They spent hours in front of large textbooks and computer screens, Clary scribbling down notes on what Sebastian said. He also tried to improve her Japanese, refusing to speak to her if she spoke to him in English and bringing in different tutors.
When questioned on his prowess, he haughtily said that he actually cared about taking over his parent's company, however Alec had a different theory. He had learned Japanese to impress a girl, who had promptly rejected him, causing his aversion to younger females.
Alec had taken over her talent section. All of them agreed that Clary had some skill in the martial arts, so Alec had begun training her in the basics of self-defence. He had learned his skills from some of the world's best and Clary ached all over from the constant punches, kicks and throws she was receiving. She could feel bruises appearing all over her body.
Aline had taken obviously taken over Appearance, transforming Clary with an array of makeup and products before trying to teach Clary the skills. She had gone shopping in the stores Clary usually went in, wrinkling her nose at some of the looks but she had managed to find several outfits, which she demonstrated how to match together. She had also be strict on how Clary was meant to carry herself, eat, talk and act; forcing Clary to walk with a book on her head, learn different cutlery, speak softly and learn generally how upper class girls were suppose to act.
Simon and Jace had both taken over Leadership. Jace was the talker and knew all of the jargon you were suppose to use when presenting a plan or idea to a group of people. He made Clary watch hours of several different presentations by companies from all different corners of the business industry and when Clary got over seeing Imogen, she had to admit that she had a great skill at public speaking. He took her to debates, law conferences, mock trials and not once did he distract her.
He pointed out the flaws and the advantages of each speech and what the judges would look for. Clary couldn't help watching him sometimes, he seemed to radiate a type of intelligent charisma that he never normally displayed and one day, she thought, she could definitely see him leading a company.
Simon was much better at creating speeches or business proposals, so he taught her different strategies to writing or planning. He was soft-spoken and never yelled at her like the rest of them did but she could feel his disappointment every time she created a weak or basic plan. She had to analyse, examine, assess, explore, comment, compare, define, evaluate, review and prove in every one of her schemes and she could see how talented a lot of speechwriters and advisors were when they creating adequate ideas to present to various companies.
A message on her phone surprised her and she pulled out her phone. Her stomach dropped to the floor as she read it.
Hey C.
Camille says don't come in tomorrow.
Apparently she is having some trouble with the owners.
They are considering shutting her down.
She doesn't know why.
M.
Clary felt herself gasp, a strangle gargling noise in the back of her throat and she squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them, she checked her phone again but the message was still there, blindingly obvious. Why was this happening? Now Camille was losing her shop and she was going to lose her job. Everything was happening at once and she couldn't keep up. She considered texting Magnus or Camille back but she didn't know what to say. I'm sorry your shop has shut? It's all of your life's work but don't worry?
She stared at the ceiling and stayed like that until there was an almighty crash from the room next door and then a lot of shouting. Clary sprung out of bed, grabbing the baseball bat she kept by the door and slowly opening the door to the living room. The sight in the living room shocked. Bailiffs were taking all their furniture, moving in and out of the front door with calm efficiency. They didn't talk to her entire family who were just sitting there in shock.
"Hey' she said, 'what are you doing? That's OURS".
The bailiffs just pushed past her, without a second glance.
"Mum?' she said, turning to her family, 'Dad? What's going on?"
Her father said tightly
"The tax collector went back on his word. They are taking everything three weeks early".
Clary swung around and grabbed the shirt of a bailiff, taking the coffee table.
"HEY' she said, 'give it back".
"Stop' he said, 'I'm just following orders. You think you are the only ones who don't pay up? I do this everyday and each time, someone begs us for another chance. They promise to pay up, they promise it will all be sorted. Chances don't come along very often and guess what...most of the time, they aren't taken ".
He pulled away, taking the coffee machine with him and Clary stood in front of her parents.
"Why?' she asked, 'why are they taking this? Dad..did you?"
"I haven't done anything' he said slowly, 'they gave me a date and they've come early. Apparently the house is being repossessed tomorrow. I don't know why. I JUST DON'T KNOW".
He buried his head in his hands and Jocelyn comforted him, whilst Jonathan looked at his feet, struggling not to cry. Clary felt like crying herself but she couldn't. Swallowing, she followed the bailiffs out, dropping her bat at the front door and leaving the house. She walked down the street, shoving her hands in her pockets, feeling her eyes watering. She couldn't believe this was happening.
She knew exactly who was behind this but this time, she couldn't fight back. Too many people were getting hurt. She couldn't let her family continually get destroyed like this. As she walked towards Jace's house, she wondered for the first time, whether this had all been worth it. Whether she should have got mixed up with the Shadowhunters in the first place. None of her friends and family would have been affected, Imogen wouldn't have even known she had existed.
She could feel her world spiralling out of control, a headache was forming at the back of her head, brought on by stress and panic and she felt light-headed. She had no way to stop this hurricane she had brought down upon everyone..except if she conceded defeat. She needed to take this back to where it had all started. She needed to make everything alright again.
She opened the door to Jace's room and she saw him, sitting on the floor, listening to music. He looked up as she approached him and he took off his headphones, smiling.
"What's the matter?' he asked, 'you look like you ate a sock".
Clary avoided his gaze as she struggled to find words to describe what she was feeling. All of Simon's training had deserted her and she found that there was only one thing she could say.
"I...am quitting".
Jace's expression changed slightly, a little colder but he said
"What?"
Clary looked up and said
"I am conceding defeat. Too many of my friends and family are getting hurt...by your mother. I can't keep doing this. I can't keep letting them get hurt. If that means...going against what I believe in, well. Sometimes you have to back down".
Jace didn't say anything, he just kept staring at her. Clary sighed and said
"Please apologise to Aline and everyone else for me".
She turned and Jace said
"You are pathetic".
He stood up and Clary turned around. He said cockily
"I guess you have reached your limit. You aren't as tough as you think you are".
"What would you know?' said Clary coldly, 'you have ALL this money. You are comfortable. You have never had to SUFFER once in your life. What would you know?"
Jace laughed.
"Of course I wouldn't understand the feelings of a commoner like you".
Clary slapped him, her hand hitting him so hard, his face flew to the left. Her handprint left a mark on his face and her palm was ringing with pain. Jace touched his face before looking down at her. The only noise in the room was her heavy breathing and all she could do was stare at him, waiting for what he would say next. Didn't he understand that sometimes you had to quit? Sometimes you had to give in?
"The real Clary Fray' he said, 'wouldn't act like this. She wouldn't let some bully stomp all over her friends and family. No matter what the cost, she was prepared to fight for what was right. It's why I fell in love with her".
He smiled at her gently and Clary suddenly found herself crying. She could feel the tears dribbling down her face and for once she didn't wipe them away. She stood there for a couple of moments, her eyes streaming and then Jace's arm were around her. She sobbed into his shoulder and he stroked her head calmly, not saying anything, not asking anything, just being there for her. They stood in silence for what seemed like hours, his arms around her, her face buried in his shoulder. Finally she choked out
"It's all your mother's fault. Other lives are getting entangled in this".
Jace whispered.
"It's going to be fine once you win".
"But' she said, 'a lot of people are getting hurt. I really can't take it anymore. This is my limit".
Jace stroked her head some more and she buried herself deeper into his shoulder. He said
"For the time being, Simon is taking care of your family. He has made a deal with your father's previous boss to allow you guys to stay there until you find alternative living arrangements. He has also put in place security to make sure nobody working for my mother can harm you or them. And Sebastian and Alec have put in massive orders from your Camille's shop. Sales have gone through the ceiling so the owners aren't about to fire her when she is bringing them this much revenue".
Clary was silent, stunned by all their generosity and help. Before she could protest, he said
"They are all giving you their strength".
Clary grinned into his shoulder and he said
"With us on your side, you have nothing to fear. Nobody to push you to your limits. Nobody who can break you. We are all here for you".
Clary finally pulled away and looked into Jace's eyes. He said
"Just be yourself. I believe in you".
Clary couldn't help tears welling out of her eyes again and Jace laughed.
"Have some confidence' he said, 'I approved of you, didn't I? You must be awesome".
"I'll do my best' said Clary finally, 'I'll do my best to win".