Chapter Seven:

Clary POV:

The week flies by and I have to leave for Florida tomorrow. My mom was still in the hospital when I was about to leave. The nerve of that woman I tell you. Jace was dropping me off that the airport like normal.

"I'm going to miss you Clary."

"I'm going to miss you too, but you'll be down here with me in no time." I smile up at him.

"I just wish I didn't have to wait that long though."

"We can do it!" He kisses me. "I'll see you in December Jace."

"I'll see you in December." He kisses me again and I make my way to the plane.

Jace POV:

After watching Clary bored the plane I headed back to my car and made my way home. The next time I would see Clary was when her winter break rolled around. Having her so far away was horrible. I was constantly missing her, and since I was friends with Jon I had to hear him constantly bash her and try not to rip his throat out. We were in the locker room getting ready for practice when Jon started talking again.

"Yo man, how's your mom doing?" One of the guys asked Jon.

"She's not doing well. I don't know how much longer she has left." He answered and looked down at his hands, I could see he was really torn up about this, but I couldn't bring myself to care because of how awful he treats Clary.

"That really sucks man. Sorry." He stopped but soon continued. "How's your sister holding up?" Well, this isn't going to be pretty.

"Who the hell cares. She left us." I could see the shock in the other guys face.

"I mean, she went to college Jon. You couldn't expect her to stick around forever."

"Listen man, I couldn't give two shits about my sister. I'm glad she's gone, makes everything easier and my mom and me." Before the dude could speak we were being called into the gym to work on some drills. It took everything in me not to punch Jon in the face, and by the time practice was over I ran out of the gym as fast as I could. In a couple weeks Clary would be back and I couldn't wait, hearing Jon talk about her made me furious but it also made me miss her like crazy. For now I just have to make it through the day and wait for Clary to come home.

Time Jump-Winter Break

Clary POV:

Today was the day I had to go back to New York. The only reason I'm not really upset about going back is because my mom can't push me around this time around, but I also don't plan on being around her. Jace offered his house to me for the break and I'm going to take him up on the offer. I got off the plane and made my way to the airport. Jace was still in school so I got a cab and went to his house. I knocked on the door and Max answered.

"Hey Max! Why aren't you in school?" I ask as he gives me a big hug.

"I have a stomach bug, I've been home since Tuesday!"

"You seem oddly excited to be sick." I laughed as I made my way inside.

"I get to miss school! Of course I'm excited!" We made our way into the living room where Mayrse was.

"Welcome back Clary. How was school?"

"It was good. Finished the semester with a 4.0 so I can't complain. Thank you so much for letting me stay here Mrs. Lightwood."

"Of course Clary, I wouldn't even dream of sending you back to that house." She moved over on the couch and patted the place next to her. "How are you doing Clary? I heard about your time in college last year."

"I'm better. Last year was a lot to process, but I'm doing a lot better."

"I'm glad to hear it sweetie. If you need anything at all, don't be afraid to ask. We're all here for you." She leaned over and hugged me.

"Thank you Mrs. Lightwood." I got up and made my way to the front door, I really needed a cigarette. I looked at my phone, Jace and the others should be home any minute. I walk outside and sit under a tree with my sketchbook. I light a cigarette and begin to sketch. I guess I got lost in my drawing because the next thing I know someone is talking to me.

"Those things will kill you." I look up and Jace is standing there with a smirk on his face.

"I'm trying to kick the habit. It's a lot harder than it looks." I put the cigarette out on the bottom of my foot and close my sketchbook.

"When did you get back?"

"About an hour ago." I got up and hugged him, and kissed his lips quickly.

"How close are you to quitting?"

"I have managed to get down to only a couple cigarettes a day. I'm so close. Does it bother you?"

"A little. I would just like to kiss my girlfriend without having to taste nicotine."

"I'm sorry. I promise, I'll quit as soon as I can. It's been really hard. It helps me relax."

"I know." He smiled and hugged me again, and we made our way inside. Staying with the Lightwoods was so different, but it was nice. I never knew what it was like to have a family dinner, or just hang out and talk to each other. It was like a breath of fresh air.

A week later Jace came home later than usual and he had a confused look on his face. He grabbed my hand and led me outside and back under the tree where I sit and sketch.

"Jace, what's wrong?"

"Your mom died this morning Clary." I didn't know how to feel. A part of me was sad, but a bigger part of me was relieved.

"Oh." Was the only response that I could come up with.

"Jon is planning the funeral for next week. I know you don't have a relationship with them anymore, but I thought you deserved to know."

"Thanks Jace."

"I'll be there. Jon wants me to go, but I don't want to pressure you into going. I know you guys had a really rough relationship."

"We'll see how I feel. I mean, there is a part of me that is sad because it do remember what it was like before she started beating me. But another part of me is so relieved that I don't ever have to see her again."

"I know. I support whatever decision you make." He kissed me, and we sat there for a while and enjoyed the snowfall. It took me several days to actually process that she was gone but with the day of the funeral rolling around, the only thing I knew for sure was that I needed to be at the service. For some strange reason I felt obligated. Jace and Alec were both over with Jon helping him in any way that they could. I knew Jace hated Jon in a way but he was also his friend way before we even got close and I knew that Jon needed him, despite how awful he was to me. I respected Jace so much for putting aside the horrible feelings he had for Jon for what he let happen to me and help him plan the service. I got into a black dress, put on my make up and pulled my hair into a bun. I went downstairs and walked outside, I got into my car and made my way over to the church. I skipped the viewing knowing that Jon would kick me out.

The service had already started when I walked in. I stood in the back and listened to the pastor speak. There was a slideshow going in the background that was void of all memory of me. Soon Jon got up to the podium and began to speak.

"My mom was the best mother I could have ever asked for. She always supported me and encouraged me to dream big." I looked around the room, there were many people crying. I looked to where Jace would be, with the rest of the baseball team, they looked somber. "My mom always knew how to light up a room, and bring a smile to everyone's face. She never missed a baseball game, no matter what was going on, she always made it and she was the loudest person in the stands. I will miss her every single day. She was the only family that I had left, but I know that she would want me to keep going, and that's exactly what I am going to do…" I couldn't listen to anymore. I ducked out of the church and made my way over to the park across the street. I sat down on bench and lit a cigarette and watched the kids play. I don't remember how long I was sitting there until there was a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and Jace was there.

"Hey." He said and sat down with me. "You came."

"Yea. I felt like I had too." I flicked the cigarette and took another puff of it.

"How long did you stay for?"

"I left in the middle of Jon's speech. I tried but I just couldn't listen to the bullshit anymore."

"Yea, I noticed he completely erased you from their lives."

"I would expect nothing less from them." I took another puff of my cigarette. "God, I hate them. I don't know why I even bothered coming to this. They never wanted me."

"You came because something was telling you that you had to, and if you didn't come I know part of you would regret it. But it's over."

"What about going to the cemetery?"

"Jon wants to do that by himself." He looked down at the ground. "I think you should go and talk to him Clare."

"You saw how that turned out at the hospital. He hates me Jace."

"I think you two need to have a civil conversation and why not at your mothers grave. Leave it all on the table and if he still hates you, you can forget about him completely, but he is the only family you have left. Don't just throw that away. I'm not saying you have to love him, but I think for your own sanity, telling him how you feel will help you get over the hatred you have for him. Trust me babe, carrying that around for the rest of your life will kill you slowly."

"Ugh. I hate it when you're right. Do you know what cemetery he is going too?"

"I'll drive you. Alec left. I saw you and said I'd get a ride." He stood up and grabbed my hand. When we got to the car and took my keys and got in the drivers side. We made our way to the cemetery. We followed the pathway until we came across a plot of land that was recently dug up.

"I'll be right here if you need me." He leaned over and kissed me. I got out of the car and made my way over to Jon. He was standing in front of the casket waiting for them to lower it. I walked up and stood beside him. He didn't even have to look up before he started talking.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought we could talk."

"About what? I thought I had made my feelings very clear the last time you were around."

"You did, but you are my brother Jon, no matter how much you wish you weren't. We both lost a mom, not just you."

"You didn't even love her."

"Can you blame me? She hated me, she beat me, she was the reason I tried to kill myself. She was horrible to me Jon, and you know it. You just chose not to acknowledge it." I looked away trying not to cry. "Look, I want to talk to you because I was at the service Jon. You completely erased me from your life. You let that whole room believe you were completely alone in the world. You didn't even have the decency to include me. I found out that she died from Jace. I found out about the funeral from Jace. I'm here because of Jace. I mean, we used to be friends Jon. I remember those days. What changed?"

"A lot of things Clarissa." He put his hands in his pockets. "Look, I don't want you in my life. I thought that I made myself clear before, but I guess you're too stupid to understand. Will you please leave me to grieve my mother?"

"Alright. If that's what you want. I'll leave, and I won't come back. I'm sorry for your loss Jonathan. I'm sure she was a wonderful mother to you, but she was a monster to me, and I'm glad she's dead." Before I could see his face I turned around and walked back to the car.

"Clary, what's wrong?"

"Some things never change. Let's go home."

"I'm sorry if I caused this babe. I thought he'd have some heart left, especially after she died."

"He'll never change. And I don't need him. I never have." Jace started the car and pulled out of the cemetery. I looked out the review mirror and saw Jon's figure slowly disappearing leaving the only trace of family I had left in my past.