A/N: Hey all!
So, this is it, the final update of Lesson Learned, no sequel, no nothing, this is it. *sigh*
Yes, Clary left, yes they are not together and yes this is the one you have been waiting for, this is how it all ends.
Oh, but I need a Beta for my new one, Guitar Strings, if anyone is interested send me a message please!
Oh, one more thing, according to anonymous twilightforever this story (and I quote): "This sucks why are thye not together you didn't even warn people in the
summary."
Okay, I appreciate CONSTRUCIVE criticism, but there is a HUGE gap between constructive criticism and being out right rude, now just to refresh this reviewer here is the summary for this story; Clary is a 24 year old high school English teacher, Jace is a 17 year old English student, what happens when they meet and unknown feelings make themself known? AH AU M for later dirty dreams and lemons!
I am sorry if this wasn't clear but I assumed that the bold parts would have given away the fact that they were not together at this point
I don't mean to be rude, but if someone outright reviews telling me this sucks because of something that WAS specified, I am not going to sit there and take it.
Other than this, thanks for reviewing all!
Enjoy!
R&R
Xoxo
5 years later
CLARY SAT IN THE BACK OF THE SLEEK LEATHER INTERIORED ROLLS ROYCE. She had been given little warning about a get together at the Lightwood's, Clary didn't know what kind of 'get together' it was, but she doubted it was some drunken dance that she would be able to slip out of after half an hour.
She sighed as the car pulled up a long driveway that led to a manor house, with high windows full of light and shrubbery surrounding the outside door, with a cemented block outside for cars to park. Clary had known that the Lightwood's were extremely rich; they were both lawyers with their own firm and were always on the news, always winning cases, but she hadn't known they could afford this massive house and this very expensive car.
The driver came around and opened her door for her and Clary straightened the hem of her dress, one that had been sent to her along with shoes, make up and the driver. The dress was long, black and elegant, it was made of silk and it came together on one shoulder with a bunch of bows, making it circular and layered, the dress was perfectly fitted for her figure. The shoes were made of chiffon with a T strap which had bunched up silk that came together at the toe of the shoe. Clary had her up in a chignon with a diamante clip in the side instead of a flower. Clary's make up consisted of a light powder foundation, smoky eye makeup and a little lip gloss to add a shine to her lips.
Clary wasn't surprised that she was invited to the Lightwoods, well she was, but then again she had seen an awful lot of Isabelle Lightwood since moving back to Idris six months ago, seeing as Clary had turned up at Simon's apartment, the one they used to share, as a surprise to see a half dressed Isabelle answer the door. Turns out that since she graduated Isabelle had seen Simon around and eventually asked him out, they had been dating for three years and Simon had plans to marry her, though he was twenty nine he had to be reminded that Izzy was only twenty three.
Clary had deduced that it was Isabelle who had planned this get together, got Clary the outfit and make up, seeing as she made it her mission to spice up Clary's wardrobe, and sent the car all because it was her stupid twenty ninth birthday. Clary could only think of one thing she wanted, but couldn't have and had been craving for five years.
Jace.
No matter how hard she tried she could not for the life of her get that golden, bubble headed boy out of her cranium, he was driving her crazy and whenever she was alone he was there in her thoughts whenever she was out he was there in her thoughts. She had been surprised not to have seen him yet, then again the only people she had seen that she had known before leaving was Simon and Isabelle, she hadn't even seen Izzy's brother Alec, and from what she had heard, Jace was still around, she knew Simon had seen him and resisted the urge to ask about him or to pass along messages. Jace hated her; he wouldn't want to hear from her, besides he probably had some twenty year old, boob job Barbie on his arm these days.
With another resented sigh, Clary climbed the stairs into the large foyer awaiting her.
The structure of the house reminded Clary of an old church back in New York.
The inside was a polished hardwood, light coloured wall a perfect picture of elegance and class. Clary felt out of place, considering her apartment was beige with second hand furniture and clothes all over the place. She really had to clean more.
"Clary!" Isabelle called before descending the staircase and giving her a once over. "I knew you'd look hot as hell in that dress!"
"Well that is why you are the stylist and I am the teacher." Clary replied, giving the girl a friendly hug. "So what's the occasion?" Clary asked, taking on a dumbfounded tone of voice.
"Your birthday, duh!" Izzy said, poking Clary in the forehead causing her to blink. "Everyone is in the 'entertaining' room."
"Everyone?" How many people did she know?
Clary walked into the room to see a crowd of over fifty people, some she knew, some she didn't, with loud music playing from huge speakers.
"Izzy..." Clary broke off, not knowing what to think. She saw Simon emerge from the crowd looking flabbergasted. Isabelle had obviously dressed him to match her. He was wearing a button down black dress shirt tucked out of cotton blend tuxedo pants with polished black dress shoes. His glasses and hair made him look geek sheek, something Isabelle loved about Simon. She was wearing a powder blue mid thigh length dress with a shoulder strap and a bow that diagonally crossed off to the other shoulder, her heels were at least four inches and they were black lace up chiffon peep toe heels. Isabelle had her black hair spilling down her shoulders, her blue eyes standing out in a light eyeliner mascara combo.
"You both look great." She said and then felt a weight on her shoulder and turned to see a black hair, crystal blue eyed Alec Lightwood. He was dressed in a black and white, more like a dark grey, cotton t-shirt with dark wash denim jeans and white, grey and turquoise Nike kicks.
"Hey Miss Fray," He smiled at her, but the lines around his mouth seemed tight, "long time no see."
Clary smiled back, but she seemed to have to force hers as well, she thought that Alec being here meant Jace would be too, but that was an idiotic idea because Jace would never come to something that had to do with her, especially something celebrating her, he probably would turn up to her funeral.
"Hey Alec," She replied, fighting off the disappointment she felt deep within her.
Clary shook her head and walked over to the snack table, seeing a giant punch bowl full of raspberry juice and vodka.
She sighed and took a sip, the juice was refreshing and the vodka was blissful, Clary needed a little alcohol buzz. She was looking around at the guests, her eyes sweeping the room and she almost missed the boy standing in amongst the crowd with Isabelle, Simon and Alec, wearing a white button down shirt, light jeans and dress shoes, his blonde hair still perfectly messy and golden eyes still calculating, yet there was no light remaining in them.
She had almost missed him and his smile with the chipped front tooth and pearly teeth.
Almost.
####
Jace didn't understand what was happening at the Lightwood's, no one would tell him, all he knew was there was a party and he was invited and he was to bring no date. Like he would. Jace was still the ladies man, but none satisfied him like one lady had.
Clary.
Even thinking her name caused his heart to beat erratically.
It had been five long years since she had left, five long years for Jace to accept that she wasn't coming back and five long years for Jace to finally get over her and in some ways, he had, in the sense that he had started dating again two years after she left, though it only took a week after she left for him to begin sleeping around again, he wasn't proud of that.
Jace had recently come to realise that he was getting older, he was twenty three after all, and that waiting around for someone who was probably married by now, was just a waste of a life, so he had begun to start dating seriously again that was after his trip to New York, to know that Clary was happy. From what he had seen, following Raphael, she was. He hadn't seen her face, but he saw the back of her head and recognised the red locks that was Clary and the giant diamond ring on her finger so he reasoned that she was happy, happier without him and she had moved on, it was his time to do the same, and he tried but not one girl had the same feel or appeal that Clary held for him. So for the most part, he was over her.
Then again, he missed her more than he thought he could ever miss one person.
Jace shook his head banishing thoughts of his former English teacher, no matter how much he missed her and wanted her, she had left him and she wasn't coming back. She had moved on, and though he had thought he had accepted it, he never fully understood it. So when he pulled up to the grand manor house if the Lightwoods, he knew, more than anything, that Clary was not a part of his life anymore and if he ever saw her again, he would not feel the overwhelming affection he had always felt for her.
Jace ascended the stairs and he walked into the house, seeing a big group of people, half of them he didn't know, half he did. Alec was there, dressed casually; Jace felt stupid for dressing so formally, but then he saw Isabelle and her boyfriend Simon, Clary's best friend. When Isabelle had first introduced him, Jace was over some with joy, thinking Clary would show up, but soon that joy fizzled into disappointment, anger and resentment towards Clary. How dare she leave him!
"Herondale," Someone called, Jace looked around and saw Magnus, he was walking up the stairs, to the upper level of the house and beckoned for Jace to follow. Jace waited a few seconds before following him up. They turned a corner and Magnus stopped, looking at Jace, beseeching him.
"I know you're a tormented soul and all and the woman you love left blah, blah, blah," Magnus said. "But do we have a surprise for you!"
Jace was confused; all he could do was make a face that expressed that.
"Today, we are all gathered to celebrate someone's 29th birthday." Magnus winked, which just added to his confusion. Jace was about to speak up when Isabelle appeared behind him.
"The guest of honour is here, proceed to position B." She whispered, turning back to the stairs. Magnus grabbed Jace's arm and dragged him to a window which looked outside. Jace could see the silver paint job of a car.
"Magnus what the hell is going on?" Jace yelled.
"Shhh," he hushed him. "And look. 'What light through yonder window breaks?' " He quoted.
Jace looked out of the window, his nose pressed slightly against the class. He saw a pale leg exit the expensive car and then his heart stopped.
That red hair was all too familiar.
"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." And before he could be stopped, Jace rushed to the stairs, only to be pulled back by Magnus.
"No! She can't see you yet." He whisper yelled.
"What is going on?"
"Look, we all know that you and Clary had some great love and we hope you both still do, hence why you were to bring no date. Now, if she see's you, she'll run for it, or slip out, she has to see you when escape is impossible." Jace took all of this in.
"So I'm here, for a birthday, whose birthday?" Jace asked and Magnus had a wry smile.
Magnus swept his hand to the stairs and Jace watched, hiding behind the corner, his head half stuck out.
There he saw her; Izzy had just descended the stairs and the two girls hug, giving Jace a clear view of Clary's face.
So beautiful, how could he have forgotten?
Jace looked back at Magnus and then thought of some of the familiar faces downstairs. He got it now, they were all in on it, they all wanted Jace and Clary together. He smiled, thinking up a plan.
"I'll do it."
####
Clary couldn't breathe. Seeing Jace again, her heartbeat went up severely.
"Oh shit!" She whispered as Jace lifted his eyes. She turned away before they reached her face. She knew he would recognise her, but if she looked into his eyes, she would be lost forever.
"Miss Fray!" Magnus bellowed, coming up beside her and engulfing her in a huge hug. Out of all her ex students, Magnus was one that Clary knew would never change and she was right when she saw his attire. He wore a fluoro green collared short sleeved polo shirt with red skinny jeans and Adidas multi coloured wing sneakers. His eyelids he had obviously coloured with a glitter stick, which was basically eye shadow cream with glitter.
"Magnus, uh, how's everything?" Clary remembered when Magnus had opened up to her about being gay and when she stood up to his parents about it. She also remembered the time she walked in on him and Alec, getting cosy. But before Magnus could answer, Clary was interrupted yet again.
"Hey Miss Fray," Clary lifted her eyes to see Aline Penhallow standing there, her long dark hair swept up into a high ponytail. Aline was dressed in, what was classed as, casual dress, wearing a sequin silk thin strapped pastel coloured shirt, skinny light washed jeans and a pair of heels, with a ribbon that was bunched and separated from the ankle strap to the toes. Aline seemed different to Clary though, happy. That's when she noticed why.
Aline was holding hands with someone and Clary wondered what poor guy she had sunk her claws into now but as she looked up, seeing the figure whose hand was entwined with Aline's, she knew she couldn't be more wrong.
"Maia?"
The other girl smiled, looking at Aline in adoration. Clary shook of her shock.
"I see Aline has passed on her style to you."
Maia used to be the tomboy, Clary remembered, and she probably still was, in some ways, but looking at her outfit, Clary had her doubts.
Maia was wearing a dark grey Cardigan and t-shirt combo, with black skinny jeans and non heeled black studded ankle boots. Her hair was straight and out, with some light make up and a manicure?
"Good to see you too Miss Fray,"
"Okay, one thing, I'm not your teacher anymore, so please, call me Clary."
Aline, Maia and Magnus smiled, but there was something strange about it, like they were all conspiring against her, and then, ever so slightly, Magnus let his eyes slide to Jace and they made eye contact, Jace winked and then looked over at Clary who was looking back at Magnus. They all weren't here by coincidence; they all had a reason other than her birthday to be here.
They all knew about her and Jace.
Her eyes widened and she turned away, trying to find Simon. She left the group and wandered around the room, looking for her best friend, but her was nowhere to be found, neither was Isabelle. Clary left the room and ventured upstairs, whisper yelling Simon's name.
Clary stopped at a room with its door slightly ajar. She walked inside it seeing a grand piano and sitting by on the stool. Her fingers worked of their own accord as they began playing keys from a song she had written long ago.
Her fingers moved gracefully across the keys, Clary didn't know why she was sitting here, playing the piano and singing, when anyone could walk in, but she didn't care, she felt her song had to be heard.
Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind, images
You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes, clever trick
Well, I'd never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do
We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me in the shade
And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you would never ever forget these images, no
Well, I'd never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do
I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot try the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy to walk
Right in and out of my life?
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Why can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do
Clary knew that this song had its inaccuracies, but Jace seemed so intent on hating her after that song, she could only think that he had hated her for leaving, she couldn't blame him, but she had wished that she had clued him in on her plans, and how much she had loved him, how much she still did.
"You know, that was quite moving." A voice from the door way said.
Clary didn't have to turn to see who had spoken, she knew that voice. It was the voice she heard in her sleep, the voice that helped her, the voice that broke her heart.
Jace Herondale.
####
Jace watched as Clary went upstairs, looking to be searching.
He sighed, this plan was utterly ridiculous, Clary and he were in the past, they had no future together, they had broken up, moved on, she was engaged. So then, why was she without a ring, a fiancée and why was everyone, even her best friend—who of all people would know if she was engaged—trying to get them together?
Jace looked up and spotted the small group of friends in amongst the crowd of people who were really here for a party celebrating a recent case win by Maryse. He sauntered over to them, his question ready.
"Jace, why are you still down here?" Isabelle asked, shaking her head.
"Because this is where the party is." He replied.
"Yes, but your 'party' just went upstairs."
Jace sighed once more. "I'm not doing this," before any could protest he went on. "Clary and I have a past and that's just it, a past, not a future, for me to intrude on her life now, five years after our initial romance, would be highly irresponsible. I can't go through that again and I can't make her go through it either. It's over; I've accepted it and you all should too." Jace turned to walk away before someone else spoke, causing him to turn back.
"If you knew Clary at all, you would know that it's not over, not to her it isn't."
Simon had finally spoken up, after many outings; Simon had never really talked directly to Jace.
"She hurts, everyday, and I know she wishes she could turn back the clock and never leave you, I know she went to see you before she left and was going to give in and hope you took her back, and I know that whatever she saw there broke her heart so much it probably could never be repaired. You may not know Clary as much as I do, but you can give her something I can't."
"And what's that?" Jace already knew the cliché answer that would come from Simon's mouth, but was surprised when he didn't say the word love.
"Her heart, not the jagged pieces it is, but her whole heart, pieced together again."
Jace shook his head, but looked at the stairs.
Was there really a chance for him and Clary?
"There's always a chance." Magnus whispered, as if hearing his thoughts.
Jace walked to the stairs and strode up them, his pace fast. He walked along the hallway until he heard the faint sounds of a piano and saw a room with the door ajar and saw Clary sitting there, playing and singing, he had forgotten how angelic her voice was and how perfectly her fingers moved across the keys as she sang.
The song she sang was meant for him, he knew it, and she sang it with such raw emotion the Jace nearly rushed to her side and kissed her there and then, but he couldn't, who really knew what Clary wanted besides her herself, she finished the melody and Jace couldn't stay silent.
"You know, that was quite moving."
Clary turned and it was as if everything froze as their eyes met, green and gold.
"Jace," she breathed his name, but he heard it, he could hear everything she said at that moment, they were the only two people in the world right now, all was silent. "What, uh, what are you doing here?" She asked, gaining back her composure.
Jace realized what he was looking for to convince himself to give Clary and he one more chance. Her initial reaction to seeing him; There was shock in her eyes, some fear, but instead of the resentment or anger he thought he would see, he saw what he had always seen with Clary, the unfathomable ability she had to render him speechless, the love in her eyes, it was still there.
"Well, it appears there is a very small reunion going on downstairs, and being one of the reun-ees, I was asked to come. But, I could ask you the same question now couldn't I?" Clary gave him a bewildered look, but there was a hint of smile in her eyes.
"Still a smartass I see, no woman controlled that yet?" She asked, teasing.
"No woman could ever tame me, you know that."
"Mmm," was all she said before standing up.
The dress she wore was a long black silk number with a one shoulder Greece goddess look; Jace thought that it was rather suited on her, considering that she was his goddess.
"What about you then?" He asked, trying to get one last thing straight before opening up.
"What about me?" She asked.
"Any man taken your heart, and contained that wit yet?" He asked and saw her face shut off of all emotion.
"Just one," she answered and Jace nodded, his jaw tightening.
"Well, tell Raphael I send my congratulations." Clary's brow furrowed as Jace began to turn.
"Jace, I wasn't talking about Raphael, I was talking about you."
####
Clary decided not to shut off with Jace, she decided to lay it all on the table, her feelings for Jace would probably never cease, she felt suck joy when he said that no girl had tamed him yet, she had not felt so happy in so long.
Jace's mouth twitched at the corner, as if he was trying to resist a grin.
Clary walked forward to him, placing her hand upon his cheek. He breathed in the scent of her perfume, the same one she wore back when she and Jace were, more or less, dating.
"Clary, I just have one question." He spoke, looking into her eyes.
"Ask away." She was about to pull her hand away when Jace covered with his own.
"Why did you leave?"
Clary stopped, he arm going slack, her hand slipping from his grasp.
"Jace..."
"No, no stalling, just a straight answer, I deserve that don't I?" Clary sighed.
"Originally, I was only doing accepting Raphael's offer of moving to New York so that I could quit at the school and then no longer be your teacher, we could be together then, but when I went to tell you this, I was too late, you had already started to resent me, so I did leave, but not with Raphael, I left for Seattle and only moved back six months ago, I was waiting for the day that I would see you, though I shouldn't have been, I knew you wouldn't want to see me." Clary breathed out another sigh, this one relieved. "That's why I left."
Jace studied her, grapping her hand again.
"The way I see it is you were scared, ashamed of what you felt for me."
"I wasn't ashamed, you have no idea how much I wanted—want—to tell the world that I love you." There, she had said it, she still loved him.
"Want?" He asked coming closer to her.
"Want." She agreed and locked eyes with his.
"Then do it." He said as a challenge.
Clary sucked in a breath and looked straight into his eyes and spoke loudly, not enough to be heard by the patrons down stairs but enough to let him know that had anyone been here they would have heard her say it.
"Jace Herondale, I love you with all my heart and soul."
She waited. For him to laugh, to run, to throw it back in her face, but he did none of those things, instead he drew her closer and had his lips so close to hers that if she moved a centimetre they would kiss, but she didn't.
Jace looked at her with an awed expression but said nothing, just held her close.
Clary smiled but made no move to kiss him she, instead, walked out of his embrace and smirked.
"Izzy said maybe you wouldn't be interested anymore. Now that it is not forbidden. Now that you could be with me if you wanted to. Is that true? Are you not...Interested?"
"Interested?" He asked gaining back his composure. "As if you were a-a book, or a piece of news? No, I'm not interested. I can't untie myself from you. Clary—not my heart or my blood or my mind or any other part of me. And I don't want to."
"You don't?" she whispered.
"I'm looking at you now, and you're asking me if I still want you, as if I could stop loving you. I never dared give much of myself to anyone before—bits of myself to my grandmother, to Izzy and Alec—but it took years to do it—but, Clary, since the first time I saw you, I have belonged to you completely. I still do. If you want me."
She looked at him, dumbfounded. If she still wanted him? Like she could stop!
"You still want this even though it isn't forbidden?"
"Well that teacher thing was a huge turn on," He grinned wickedly down at her. "But you know, if it's the lack of forbidden you're worried about, you could still forbid me to do things."
"What kinds of things?"
"Things like this," And Jace had Clary in his arms faster than ever before, pulling her to him. Their mouths met in love and passion, something they had both been craving for the last five years, something they could finally have.
He smiled against her lips and Clary smiled in response, thinking of everything that she could forbid him to do, Jace pulled away to kiss her once more before looking deep into her emerald green eyes, they were wet with unshed tears.
"I love you Clarissa Fray, I have for five years and I have no intentions of letting you go. I. Love. You."
"As I love you Jace Herondale," And they kissed again, not glancing at any movement or sounds, nor stirring. Nothing could tear them apart. Ever.
Clary smiled, it was devilish.
"I'll tame you yet,"
The End
Righto, yes cliché end, but as if I couldn't reunite them!
So, yes this is finished, no sequel, but if you want to write one or a one shot, let me know before-hand.
So, I hope you enjoyed that and hopefully you check out my other stories.
One last review?
Thanks for reading and following
Xoxo