Always - A Clace Romance

by ScarredHearts3010

Jace and Clary. Clary and Jace. None of their friends seemed to know what to do with their flickering relationship. Best friends at one moment, and clawing at each other's throats the next. They hated each other, really, but they couldn't live without each other either. Because there is always a thin line between hate and love. Always.

1. Chapter 1: Go Figure

Chapter 1: Go Figure

Clary's POV

Entering through the double doors, I was too busy freaking out internally to bother gawking at the grandeur and enormity of Nephilim High, my new school. It was a great school, with all kinds of posh students walking the halls. I was honoured to have been admitted, of course, but that was the main problem. Between my mother dying years ago during childbirth and father being sent recently to jail for abusing me, I was pretty much orphaned and broke. No relatives to take me in, no savings so that I could fend for myself…yeah, these Nephilim dormitories were my only route of survival. These, or the streets.

Taking a deep breath, I ordered my brain to shut up. Sure, I had been through crap, but Clarissa Morgenstern does not wallow in self-pity. I had a new surname, a new identity and a new school I had gotten into purely based on talent. I should be proud, and look forward to a new start.

Unfortunately, my brain could be pretty damn stubborn. It kept firing questions at me as I walked to the reception – what if the students hated me? Looked down at me for being poorer? Scorned me for not having as much as they did? And, worst of all, WHAT IF ALL MY SECRETS GOT LEAKED? Groaning in frustration, I gritted out loud, "Shut up, brain!"

Ignoring the weirded-out look the receptionist was giving me, I collected my schedule and strolled away. Hey, everyone's allowed to be weird sometimes! I should probably just shout in my head next time…

Reaching the hallway, I willed my eyes to rove over everyone and everything. Football jocks conversing and shoving each other loudly (seriously, how do they survive in libraries?), cheerleaders leaning against lockers rolling their eyes (yeah, you are too good for the universe, aren't you?), nerds chatting excitedly about the latest video game update (people, get a life), and busty, fake-tanned wannabes doing their best to get the attention of the good-looking guys (might as well just pull your boobs out, it's more effective than squeaking in nasally voices). Sighing, I rolled my eyes as I realized that I didn't fit in anywhere. It looked like this year was going to be a long, lonely one. Go figure.