Please don't hate me! I am sooooo sorry I haven't updated in so long, and I feel HORRIBLE. It's just that we just moved housed, so my computer was lost in the boxes, and I turn it on to find that my chapters have been deleted! I was really really mad, and I'm so so so so sorry. I will NEVER have a gap this long again, and the story is FAR from finished. As for last chapter's challenge... Alicella Ivashkov was the first to turn in one answer, and LittleLily99 was the first to answer both, but seeing as the chapters were DELETED (Stupid computer) I have a different prize. I will PM you both a perfectly awkward Simon proposal, and either a Malec proposal or Izzy making her first (edible) grilled cheese. You choose the second one ;)
To : I have four siblings (Two of them are not technically related to me, I just call them my siblings cause we're such close friends)
Clary will have a good sibling ;)
And I honestly do. I mean, even now, Clary and him do seem like they might just... fit
To xxCalixx: Thank you for being an awesome hundreth review!
To Green Kangaroo: I love the poem, and I read it so many times that it's sometimes stuck in my head :D
I want to thank all of my reviewers and followers so much, but there is one person in particular.
To ClaraJoy: Thank you. I don't think you know how awesome that review was to get. I think my entire family has seen it several times, and it is what inspired me to churn out this chapter in one day when I got my computer back.
This time, when we got back in the car, Jace slid in next to me.
"Are you okay?" He whispered softly.
"Yeah," I nodded, telling the truth. I was only bothered when the road bent, "Thank you, though, Jace." I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest, but was extremely surprised when Jace wrapped an arm around me, setting his head on top of mine.
"Jace, I don't think you should be doing that." I whispered.
"Oh relax," he scoffed "I've done this with the other girls too, you're nothing special."
It felt like the breath was stolen from my lungs. I couldn't believe myself. That I had clearly blown the morning case way out of proportion. It clearly meant nothing to him. Hell, he probably done that with half the girls on the show too. He was right, I was not social. I pulled away none too gently.
"You should talk with the other girls." The ones who might actually be special. Of course, the last part was only in my head. He opened his mouth, and I knew his next words would be, "Tell me what's wrong." Well, at least that's what his words to someone "special" would be.
Luckily, the car slowed to a halt, so whatever Jace was going to say was cut off. We got out, I had to turn away when Seelie wrapped an arm around Jace, whispering into his ear. I turned back, only to find the two in the same position, and I couldn't control the sharp "Ahem" that rose from my throat.
Jace seemed to snap out of his daze, and Seelie turned an evil glare on me for "interrupting" her.
"Well, we're here for dinner," I cringed at Jace's obviously hoarse voice, "I mean, it's more of a cocktial party, but anyways, you all can go out onto the patio. Talk, eat, drink. Seelie, why don't you come with me?"
I clenched my fists at the triumphant smile said girl shot me as her and the Bachelor himself walked somewhere else. The rest of us ambled over to the patio, as instructed, and I sat down in the middle of a wicker couch.
I stared off at a random point in the distance, scolding myself for the jealousy roaring inside of me. I knew this would happen. I came to the competition knowing full and well he would get married. That he-
"Hey, Clary." A voice shook me from my thoughts, "Are you okay?" Aline stood over me, eyes wide with concern, and Helen came to join her.
"I'm fine." I mentally cringed at hearing how weak my voice sounded.
"No, you're not," Helen said as her and Aline lowered themselves on either side of me, "Now tell us what's wrong."
"Just..." I sighed, "It's some drama with my friend back at home." The two girls gave me sympathetic smiles, and it made me feel better, despite the fact that they didn't know the half of it. Aline opened her mouth to say something, but stopped as her attention was drawn upwards.
I followed her line of sight to see Jace himself approaching with a giggling Seelie. She finally detatched herself from him and sat down. My heart beat a tiny bit faster when Jace made his way over, but it quickly plumetted as I realized that I wasn't who he came for.
"Aline," he offered her his arm, not even sparing me a glance. Aline giggled, taking it, and the two walked off, Aline tossing a quick wave over her shoulder. I stared at the spot they'd occupied long after they were gone, until I felt someone nudge me.
"It's okay, Clare." Helen reassured me, "We'll all get our chance."
"It's not that," I replied, "It's just... Jace reminds me a lot of my best friend back home..."
"But it's just not him." Helen finished.
"Believe me," my voice was strained, "I know."
After a while, everyone but me had gotten their alone time with the Bachelor. He'd just now returned with Helen.
"Clary?" He stuck out a hand.
"Ah," I took it, letting him pull me to my feet, "I see you remembered my name this time."
To others, my tone sounded joking, but I knew Jace would detect the biting note. As predicted, he did, and turned to me with a raised eyebrow. His hand dropped mine, instead placing itself on the small of my back, forcing us closer. Cue the fireworks... again.
"Of course I did." He answered, most likely fot the benefit of the camera. The blonde boy guided me away from the group and to a patio setting that was lit by candles. He pulled my down on the couch, wrapping a blanket around me without a word.
"Tell me." His soft voice shattered the silence, and I waited for him to continue, but he remained quiet.
"Tell you what?" I took the bait. He gave me an 'Are you serious?' look, and I rolled my eyes.
"What's wrong?" He clarified, "And before you say nothing, I know that one, you were crying on the stairs today, and two, you were pissed at me in the car."
"Thanks for asking, but I'm just wondering why you're wasting your time on 'no one special'." This time, the venom and hurt in my voice went undisguised, and his eyes widened in realization.
"Clare..." Jace yanked me into his arm, forcing me to sit on his lap, which, if I'm being honest, wasn't the worst thing in the world, "I'm so sorry. I never meant it that way. Of course you're special to me. I can't even describe what how much you matter." Slowly, I snaked my arms around his neck as my first silent tear fell.
"I can't lose you, Jace." My voice was strangled and weak, "I just can't"
"You won't." Though my voice was weak, his was strong and unwavering, "You will never lose me. You couldn't if you tried. And, just to prove it, I had a little surprise planned, but first, you have to look at where we are."
I lifted my head and followed where Jace was pointing to be met with the sight of rolling waves hitting a soft, sandy beach.
"Now look at the time." Jace's breath tickled the shell of my ear. I looked at my watch. 9:58. I laughed despite my somber mood. Every time we'd been to a beach together, Jace and I had alwas taken a 10 o' clock swim. Suddenly, his hands were on my waist, and he lifted me to my feet, quickly following suit.
"Jace, where are we going?" I asked as he led me down a staircase that I hadn't seen before, but received no answer.
"Goldilocks!" I tried to no avail, "Honey head!" Finally, he acknowleged me as we reached the bottom.
"We can't break tradition," he said simply, pulling off his shirt, then following with his pants, leaving him in... swim trunks? My mouth dropped open as a cunning smile spread across his face.
"Jace, n-" my words were cut off by Jace scooping me up in his arms, then sprinting towards the water.
"Jace Wayland!" I shrieked, "Don't you dare!" He simply laughed, charging into the waves. The icy spray rose to meet us, soaking me completely. I clung tighter to the man holding me, as if the action could dry me off.
"What's that Fray?" He stopped, looking down at me with a quirked eyebrow, "You want me to put you down?" Without a second's delay, his arms released me, and my hold on his now wet neck slipped. All I could do was hold my breath as my body sunk into the murky water. I quickly powered to the surface, surprised at how deep we'd gone.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" I yelled over Jace's roaring laughter, "YOU ARE SO FREAKING LUCKY I LEFT MY PHONE WITH ALINE!" He was doubled over now, and I saw my opportunity, jumping up and shoving him down too. He fell silent, probably shocked by the water's tempurature, then he narrowed his eyes at me.
"Oh, it's on." He growled.
I had lost the water war. Plain and simple, and this was confirmed when I'd begged Jace for mercy as he'd attacked my vulnerable and unbelievabley ticklish sides.
Now, I stood in the knee deep water staring out at the horizon as I pictured how I would draw the scene. The soggy sand moved as I circled my bare foot around, having removed my shoes and thrown them on the shore.
"Clare," Jace said softly beside me.
"Hmm?" I mumbled absentmidedly, focused on the scenery.
"Clare." he repeated, this time using one hand to spin me to face him by my waist, and the other to tilt my chin to so that my eyes met his.
"I-I..." He closed his eyes, taking a breath, obviously trying to find the right words. The hand on my chin moved to cup my cheek, and his other pulled me against his chest before it started to stroke my hair.
YOU WHAT?! My mind began to race, You want to proclaim your undying love for me?! You want to marry me?! Hell, I'll take an "I maybe kinda like you as more than a friend".
"I can't believe," He continued, then swallowed hard, "I can't believe I made you think I didn't care. I never in a million years want you to think that. You are the most important girl in my life, and even when I do have to choose a girl, if it's between you and her, I will always pick you. You never, I repeat, never have to worry about me leaving you, Clarissa Adele Fray. I..." He trailed off, but I didn't care, because I saw an odd spark that I'd never witnessed before in his golden eyes.
He bit his lip, his thumb softly stroking my cheek. Slowly, carefully, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and his fell around my waist, now pulling me flush against him. I went into cardiac arrest territory when he rested his forehead on mine, only centimeters between our lips.
"Jace." I whispered softly, actually, it was more of a plea. That one word seemed to undo him, and I saw the intent in his expression. My eyes fluttered closed as I waited for the sweet bliss of his lips on mine.
"HEY!" The unfamiliar yell startled me, causing me to tear away from Jace as I jumped back in fear. Of course, being me, my foot got caught on something, and I fell flat on my ass into the water. I glared daggers at the person- a cameraman- that ran towards us for breaking the almost-kiss.
I was so close. Millimeters at that time. A back to normal, laughing Jace took my hand, helping me to my feet as we both jogged to meet the man at shore.
"We have to go." he said simply, then lapsed into silence as he stared at the two of us, waiting for us to move. I huffed a short breath, containing what I really wanted to say and plastering on a smile.
"Of course." I replied politely, "C'mon Jace, let's go."
The bastard was still laughing.
LOL NO! I bet you actually thought they were gonna kiss! :'D. Too fun faking you guys out... I have a feeling this is why I will die young. :P. But... There is a NEW CHALLENGE for this chapter. I want you guys to either create a playlist for this chapter or what you PREDICT will be the best for the next one (Hint: Week 2 (finally) and a Clace one-on-one date). The playlist needs at least five songs, and label which one it is (present or future). The best in each category wil get a (drumroll pleeeeease) CLACE WEDDING SCENE! I actually had to write it for an English assignment. Needless to say, it was my favorite assignment all year, I mean, I got to write fanfiction for a grade! :D... Anyways, the deadline is 7/25. May the odds be ever in your favor!
Addio miei fedeli
-Shadowhunter5801
PS I got a 50/50 on the assignment ;)