Chapter Two:

Clary POV:

Since I was graduating this year and going to college I was waiting patiently for the colleges to get back to me. My top choice the University of Florida College of the Arts. I was hoping that I would get enough money that would cover most of the tuition because I know my mom wouldn't help me out. Plus any excuse to get out of New York was worth it.

I make it home and check the mail immediately. I had a letter from UF. I run upstairs and jump on my bed. I take a deep breath and open the letter. I got in, and they want to offer me a full ride for my art. I couldn't be happier. To bad I have no one to share this with. I sigh and make my way downstairs. Jon had a game today and my mom went, so I'm home alone, which I don't mind at all. I make myself dinner and work on my homework for the rest of the night. I pass out around 9:30, but it didn't last long when I hear a huge commotion going on downstairs. I get up and before I can even process anything I walk downstairs.

When I enter the living room there looks like there is a party going on. Jon, Alec, and Jace are all in their baseball uniforms, which Jace looks incredibly hot in, and the rest of the Lightwoods are there as well.

"Clarissa, what in the hell are you wearing?" My mom yells and I look down. I'm wearing a sports bra and a pair of booty shorts. "You look like a hooker."

"I just woke up. I forgot what I was wearing."

"It's 9:45 Clary, why were you asleep?"

"I was tired."

"From what? It doesn't look like you did anything today. This house is filthy." My mom states and I can tell the Lightwoods look uncomfortable.

"I just came down to see what was going on. I'll leave now." I turn to make my way back upstairs when I am called, and when I turn around Max is standing there. I smile at him and sit on the stairs. "Hey Max, how was the game?"

"It was really fun! We won!"

"That's great. I'm glad you had a good time." We talk for a couple minutes before he mom calls him to leave. "Bye Max, it was great seeing you again.

"You too Clary!" He runs back to his mom and I look up to see Jace staring at me. I smile and make my way upstairs. I lay back on my bed and stare at the ceiling thinking about how I can finally get out of this hellhole. I drift off to sleep knowing that my time in this house as finally come to an end. In 6 months I would be in Florida, and I would be done with my abusive mother and my asshole of a brother.

Jace POV:

We made our way home after being at the Fray's. And let me tell you, I could feel the tension. Her mother doesn't even try to hide how painstakingly horrible she is to Clary. And I wasn't the only one who noticed it.

"Did anyone else find that odd?" Izzy asks on our walk back.

"I think we all did dear." Mayrse says. "It's like her mother can't stand her."

"I like her. She's nice." Max interrupts.

"How do you know Max?" Mayrse asks, and we all look at him in confusion.

"She helps me with my reading. I meet her outside every Thursday after school."

"How long has that been going on?"

"Since the beginning of school. I was trying to read one of my comic books, but I couldn't figure out how, she saw me and offered to help. Every since then we do it every Thursday! She's really nice. And pretty!" I chuckle because he isn't wrong. From what I've observed she is a very pretty girl, her red hair and bright green eyes are enough to make me go weak in the knees.

"Yea well her mother doesn't seem to like her and her brother isn't to fond of her either." Alec chimes in.

"Jon is so cool though." Izzy says.

"He called her a bitch the other day. I was shocked." Everyone looked back at Alec and I nodded to confirm what he just said. We got home and made our way upstairs.

"Did Jon really say that about her?" Izzy asked Alec and I once we were alone.

"Yea, and I saw something the other day when I went to get a glass of water from the kitchen."

"What did you see?"

"Her mom had her pinned up against the wall grabbing her collar of her shirt, and she slammed her against it again before letting go. When I walked in though she acted like it was an everyday thing."

"How come you didn't tell me that day?"

"I was in shock. Like, she had her pinned, and I just stood there watching."

"Damn, well at least she only has 6 more months there."

"She's only 16 though."

"She's graduating 2 years early."

"Damn. Lucky her." We talk for a couple more minutes before we all went to our rooms and called it a night. I couldn't believe that just across the street Clary was going through all of that. We decided that we would all try to make some sort of an effort to get to know Clary better. I personally couldn't wait, I've been wanting to get to know her since we moved her, but it never seemed like she wanted anyone in her life, and now I understand why.