So this chapter is a bit longer but I've decided that instead of writing really long chapters I'm just going to update often. Reviews are always appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments or The Kooks' lyrics or Iron Man.

"So I guess we'll be getting to know each other quite well." said Clary, turning to Jace.

"I guess so." he replied, smiling slightly. Clary's heart jumped a little at his smirk, but she quickly dismissed it. She

turned back to the front where the teacher was explaining that the biographies would be done one at a time, rather

than both at the same time, and that the partners should spend the rest of the class picking who would go first and

then trading basic facts about themselves.

Clary and Jace decided that Jace would write his biography on Clary first, as she had lived in the town all her life and

could help Jace to get more familiar with his surroundings. They chatted about simple things, like taste in music,

which they found to be very similar, favorite foods and colors and so on. Clary was surprised at how comfortable

she felt around Jace and she loved hearing him laugh. They laughed quite often, as they also found they shared a

sarcastic sense of humor. When the bell rang, Clary took her time gathering her things and noticed that Jace did

too.

"Would you like to sit with my friends and me at lunch today? And if you want, I can show you where your next class

is." she asked hesitantly, trying not to sound as eager as she felt.

"That sounds great, thanks." he replied. Clary took his schedule and discovered that they shared three classes in

total, including the next class, math. They walked together, and while they didn't speak, Clary noticed that the

silence wasn't awkward, it was comfortable and easy. They took their seats and waited for class to begin.

They suffered through math, which neither of them enjoyed and then made their way to the cafeteria. Clary spotted

Izzy and Simon already sitting at a table and led Jace over to them. Simon shook his dark hair off his forehead and

adjusted his glasses. He had been friends with Clary since they were very young and she thought of him as a

brother. She introduced Jace to Simon and then left to buy her lunch. Upon her return, she found the three chatting

about Jace's music and Clary noted how uncomfortable he seemed. She quickly changed the subject to the

deteriorating quality of the caf food and Jace looked over at her and smiled in silent relief and thanks.

After lunch they parted, and Clary went to her art class. She was working on a large painting of a beach and she

wanted the waves to be perfect. She got out her favorite paint set and went to work. After a while she stopped to

put her headphones in and listened to The Kooks while she continued to add color and dimension to the waves. Her

favorite song by them came on and she laughed quietly to herself because it was called Seaside. She hummed and

swayed slightly to the music while she painted, completely in her own world.

Do you want to go to the seaside?

I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go,

I fell in love at the seaside,

I handled my charm with time and slight of hand.

Do you want to go to the seaside?

I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go,

I fell in love at the seaside,

She handled her charm with time and slight of hand.

But I'm just trying to love you,

In any kind of way.

But I find it hard to love you girl,

When you're far away,

Away.

Do you want to go to the seaside?

I'm not trying to say that everyone wants to go,

But I fell in love on the seaside,

On the seaside,

In the seaside.

She loved the way the singer rolled the lyrics off his tongue, his British accent slurring the words slightly. She got a

lot done during that class and was proud of her progress on the piece. She cleaner her work space and walked to

her last class of the day which she shared with Jace. For some reason her mind kept wandering to him. She couldn't

seem to get him out of her head. She shook it off as nothing and continued on her way to fourth period. Jace was

already seated, in the back of the class. Clary sat beside him and this time managed to do it without sending her

belongings flying. Jace had his notebook open and was writing in it. Clary couldn't make out the words, but noticed

that his writing was elegant, unlike most guy's writing. She watched as he finished what he was writing and smiled

when he looked up at her. He smiled back and put the notebook away.

"So how was your third period class?" she asked, trying to ignore the butterflies his smile had set loose in her belly.

"It was great, I just got to sit there and play guitar, no distractions or interruptions." he replied.

"Yeah all the arts teachers are really great, they just kind of let you do your own thing most of the time. So um, I

was wondering," she started, not really sure how to pose her question, "do you want to come to my house after

school so we can start on the project? Unless you have stuff to do...which I totally understand, or if you just don't

want to come, I understand that too...so just..you know...stop my rambling any time here."

"That sounds good." Clary still looked embarrassed and doubtful so he continued, "I'd love to come over. I have to

go home to talk to my dad real quick, but after that I'll be free for the rest of the evening. Here," he said, reaching

for her phone, "I'll put my number in and you can put yours in mine. I'll text you when I'm done with my dad and you

can give me your address okay?"

"Okay." she replied, internally giddy at his response, though she wasn't sure why. At that moment the teacher

finished with whatever lesson she had been giving and wrote the homework on the board. Clary quickly jotted it

down and put away her notebook as the bell rang.

"I'll text you okay?" said Jace as he walked out the door.

Clary just nodded in response. She went home and finished what little homework she had quickly, constantly

checking her phone to see if Jace has texted. She finally admitted to herself that she was really starting to like him,

even though she didn't know much about him. Sure, he was attractive, but it was something more than that,

something she couldn't put her finger on. She finally got a text from Jace and she replied with her address. She had

about twenty minutes before he got there so she went to change into comfy clothes, pulling her hair up into a

messy bun and putting on her sweat pants and a soft sweater. She popped some popcorn and was just setting on

the table in the living room when the doorbell rang. She ran to the door and almost fell as she yanked it open,

earning a chuckle from Jace. She straightened and immediately felt like a slob in her "comfy clothes". But Jace's eyes

traveled down her body and back up again and there was something in his eyes that made Clary's cheeks warm.

"Those look comfortable." he said, as if reading her mind. She laughed nervously and led him into the kitchen where

she opened the fridge to get drinks.

"What do you want to drink? Coke? Sprite? Green Tea Gingerale?" she asked, shoving food out of the way to get to

the cans of pop.

"I'll have gingerale, thanks." she pulled out two cans and handed one to him. But when she took her hand away he

didn't have a good grip on the can and it fell to the floor. It broke open and started fizzing. Jace looked up at her, an

apology on his lips, but he was interrupted when she burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that she nearly fell

again when she reached for the paper towel. She crouched down to wipe up the pop and he joined her on the

kitchen floor also laughing, and helped to mop up the spill. When it was clean they both got up and Clary realized

just how close they were. Jace looked down at her, his eyes sparkling. She could feel his breath on her face, warm

and smelling of mint. They stood there silent, green looking into gold. Her gaze travelled to his lips and her

breathing speed up as he slowly leaned down. His lips were almost on hers when the front door opened, and they

quickly jumped apart.

"Clary? You home sweetie?" Clary's mother Jocelyn called.

"Yeah mom, I'm in the kitchen with a friend, he's here to do a project." said Clary, her voice slightly unsteady. Her

mother walked into the kitchen and smiled at Jace.

"I'm Jocelyn, Clary's mother, it's a pleasure to meet you." she said.

"The same to you Ms. Fray." Jace smiled back warmly and Clary marveled at how calm he was. He stepped forward

and shook Jocelyn's hand. Clary explained the project to her mother, who told them to take as long as they needed.

She walked off, probably to her room to read.

"We can work in the living room, there's popcorn in there." said Clary, still too flustered to look Jace in the eye. He

nodded and followed her to the couch. They sat down and Jace pulled out a notebook from his messenger bag. He

started asking Clary basic questions and she was relieved to find that is wasn't awkward.

"So if you don't mind me asking, where's your dad?" Clary took a deep breath before answering.

"My dad walked out on us when I was ten. My younger brother was only two. He and my mom had been fighting a

lot, about money, about my brother and I, about a lot of things. It seemed like they were yelling more than they

weren't. I would cry a lot and that always hurt my mom. My dad started drinking and it got worse. He would come

home late and yell even louder than the night before. He never hit my mom or us, but he was scary when he was

drunk. Eventually my mom told him that he had to leave or she was going to call the police. So he left. I haven't

heard from him since. My mom struggled at first, but she's a really talented artist and she was discovered by a big

art collector with tons of connections. Her art started selling like crazy and things got better. She's dating someone

now, a really nice guy named Luke. And I'm happy for her. That's pretty much it." Jace was silent for a while, just

looking at Clary. He looked like he wanted to say something and even opened his mouth, but then closed it again.

"I'm sorry." he finally said, reaching out to touch her hand. Clary stared at his hand, her skin tingling, until he

removed it. She immediately missed the contact.

"Hey it's okay, it was a long time ago. Seven years. I'm good. Lets watch something on tv okay? No more serious

stuff."

"Sounds good." he answered with a smile. Clary turned on the tv and they both agreed to watch Iron Man, which

had just started on some random channel. They had both seen it before and so they talked throughout the movie.

They had a lot in common and Clary couldn't help liking him more and more as she learned about his talents,

hobbies and habbits. She noticed that they had both been slowly moving and had ended up closer to each other.

Feeling bold, Clary reached out her hand and intertwined her fingers with his. He looked up at her and smiled,

squeezing her hand gently. They stayed like that for the rest of the movie, Jace's thumb occasionally brushing softly

back and forth against hers. The movie finished and he pulled his hand away. Clary suddenly worried that what had

happened in the kitchen was just a figment of her imagination and that she was crazy for liking him and for thinking

he would like her back. But he just got up and stood there smiling at her.

"I hate to say it, but I have to get home, my dad will start to worry." he said. Clary gave him a small smile and got

up too. She walked him to the door and waited for him to say something.

"Clary...I uh. I really want to ask you something but I don't know if I should." she couldn't help but think he was

adorable when he was unsure like that.

"Just ask." she replied, again feeling bold.

"I know I'm new here and that there's probably a hundred other boys at school pining after you, but I was

wondering if you would maybe like to uh...to go out with me." he looked down when he was finished, waiting for her

reply.

"I'd love to." she said, a smile on her face, stretching from ear to ear. Jace raised his hand and tentatively brought it

to her cheek. He leaned down slowly and she held her breath, waiting. His lips met hers and pressed down gently

and sweetly. He pulled away and smiled down at her.

"Goodnight Clary." he said, his voice low.

"Goodnight Jace."

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it. I already have the date scene mostly written so I might even update tonight.