Chapter NINE! I'm really, really sorry that I'm going to break up Chlerek in this story, but I'm going to blame it on you guys, because like two people told me whether Chloe or Zara should get Derek. And it was a tie. And Zara's based off of me, so… Can you blame me for wanting Derek? Really. Sorry for all of you Chlerek fans. I hope you like this. –Cari

TPOV

I went down to breakfast in the morning to see Zara with dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired, but as normal as ever otherwise. She had made breakfast and Jace and Derek were the only ones up eating. Derek left right as I got there, but Jace turned around to see me.

"Princess Tori got up early. It's the apocalypse!" He ran around in mock panic while we laughed at his antics. Zara left soon after, leaving us alone.

"Hey," I said, trying to be flirty, with a big smile. I got some breakfast from the oven, swaying my hips as I walked. "What's up?"

"Hmm," He began, looking thoughtful, "I believe it's a children's movie involving a flying house." He grinned and looked at me as I rolled my eyes.

"Let me rephrase that. How are you doing?"

"Good, good, and you?"

"I've been better. But generally, great." I didn't like living with twenty-six other people.

An awkward silence filled the room as we sat there and ate. I glanced at him now and then. He was quite good-looking, and he was funny and nice. I liked him, a lot.

Just then, Zara barged in. "First, if you don't want me to interfere, then keep your bloody thoughts to yourselves. I can't help hearing them if you guys are practically yelling inside your heads." What was she talking about? "Bloody hell, are you guys really that stupid? You guys like each other, now kiss already before your pathetic worries annoy me to insanity!" She barged out just as fast as she walked in.

We looked at each other, before I turned my face away, blushing. Jace lifted my chin up with one finger, a smirk on his face. "I think I'll take her advice, after all," and with that, he brought his lips to mine.

Kissing Jace was unlike anything I've experienced. The merest touch of his lips sent fire burning through my body. His hands were gently holding my waist, sending shivers through my body. My fingers laced together behind his neck, pulling him closer. We pulled apart for air, looking each other in the eyes, before bringing our lips back together.

We jumped apart when we heard whistles and laughter. Sam, Flame, Ani, Aqua and Chip were at the door, smiling.

"Get a room, lovebirds," said Sam as he got his breakfast, grinning.

"Fuck off." Jace gently tugged me to the living room, where I sat next to him, my head on his shoulder, as he ran his fingers through my hair. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"

I looked up at him. "No, since our relationship has only been official for about five minutes." The corners of his mouth turned up.

"Well, now you know." And with that he went back to stroking my hair. We sat there in warm, loving silence for a few minutes, impervious to the conversations going on around us.

I opened my eyes and saw people looking at us and smiling. I noticed that Chloe and Derek weren't sitting together though. Chloe was sitting next to Simon, who was chatting with her amiably. Derek had come in a few minutes ago, and returned now, after a shower. He sat in a corner next to Zara.

I looked at Zara. She seemed tired and depressed. She met my eyes, and I heard her voice inside my head. Sorry for snapping at you earlier, although I bet you're glad I did. Her eyes sparkled in amusement. I'm not at my best, right now. I gave a tiny nod to show that I understood, and she turned away.

A few minutes later, we heard a high pitched scream. We all froze, before hearing heavy footfalls on the stairs. David came in, dripping and dressed in only a towel. "WHO STOLE ALL MY FUCKING CLOTHES?"

A pause. Then everyone started laughing hysterically. David was big and had muscles, almost the equivalent of Derek's and he screamed like a girl to find his clothes missing. When everyone had calmed down, He glared at us furiously, while Zara softly chuckled, "Good one, Mason."

"MASON! THAT SON OF A FUCKING BITCH!" He ran off, dripping, and still in a towel, while everyone started laughing again.

A few seconds later, Mason ran in looking scared. He smiled for a fraction of a second at seeing Zara chuckle softly, but then looked terrified again. "Zara, hide me," he hissed.

Zara snorted, then turned him into a kitten, which she hid in her sweater, which lay on the couch next to her. David came in, in the same state as he was earlier, looking for Mason. "Where is he? I'm going to kill him." He obviously didn't notice Ella ogling him.

We all shrugged, but Zara said, "Upstairs, hiding."

He ran upstairs in a rage, while we were rolling on the floor laughing, as Zara was petting the kitten, which said, "Turn me back, Zara."

"I don't know, I like you better like this, and Xavier's always wanted a kitten." She smirked, thoroughly enjoying his plight.

"NO! Please, please, turn me back?" he begged. He was cute as a kitten, and how could she say no to that adorable little cat?

"Fine, but you owe me big time. And I suggest you give him his clothes back." She turned him back, and he stood before creeping upstairs. He seemed happy whenever Zara smiled. Why was that? I knew they were siblings, so he didn't like her that way, but… Oh, did he want to get her out of her depression? Yes, that was probably it.

I turned back to Jace, who seemed happy to have me in his arms and snuggled into his side. One by one, people left, to spend time with their friends, and occasionally asking Zara to borrow one of the cars. I stayed, and watched TV with Jace. I was happy.

DUH DUH DUH! I don't know if I want a DerekxChloe or a DerekxZara. Tell me, but it's probably going to be a DerekxZara. Sorry! But please review! Love -Cari