I know there is a couple of you wondering what Seb and Clary were arguing about but... sorry you don't get to find out until the next chapter ;P Sorry for being cruel! But I hope this chapter is good enough to make up for that!

ENJOY! :D

I watched with caution as Seb slowly slinked down the stairs like a cat approaching a cornered mouse. I was slightly terrified, but I did my best not to let it show on my face.

"Do you think you can get away with stealing my girlfriend?" he sneered, "I'm the most powerful guy at school! And you are nothing!"

I should have been scared, but the only emotion that bubbled up inside of me was anger. "I didn't steal her! You drove her away! And we're just friends!"

"I'll make sure you're just nothing before this night it over!" he was pissed. In more ways than one. I could feel the anger radiating off of him in waves. I was subconsciously aware that Simon had snaked behind me as Seb got closer and closer. Soon, his face was just inches from mine and his alcohol stained breath assaulted my nostrils.

"Back off, Seb," I tried in my most threatening voice.

It didn't work. Seb bared his teeth and slammed his hands into my shoulders, pushing me back. I fell into Simon, who was the only reason I didn't fall onto my butt. Even so, right after he had stabilized me, he scrambled off to a safe distance. Already a few people were filing out of the house and forming a loose circle around us.

I sized up Seb. He was slightly taller than me, but I was bulkier. It seemed like an even match. You can do this, I told myself, and you've been in a fight before. It's easy. This will be easy! You're better than him. You're better…

While I was psyching myself up, Seb took a few quick steps towards me and brought up his balled fist. I barely had time to brace for it before the impact rattled my brain in my skull. My vision flashed white momentarily, and I stumbled, but didn't fall. A cheer went up from the crowd.

I hurriedly blinked the stars away from my vision and was able to bring my arm up to block Seb's next blow. Seb barely cared. With his other hand he grabbed at my collar, pulling me right up close to him. I saw his fist coming and panicked. I could barely move while he was holding me like he was. I lashed out with my foot, hooking my ankle around his and pulling back with all my might.

Seb went toppling down, but then so did I. He sprawled on the top of me and my head hit the concrete with an audible crack. I could taste blood in my mouth and the right side of my jaw throbbed. I felt dizzy, but I kept my eyes open.

Unfortunately, Seb seemed to recover from the fall quicker than I did. His sneering face loomed up in my vision, and I felt his legs straddle my waist. He brought his fist up and pelted it down with enough force to send my head snapping back into the concrete. Again, he brought up his fist. I tried to roll my head away at the last second, but he still skimmed my cheek. The next time I wasn't so lucky.

It felt like I endured a million blows. Black crept up around the edges of my vision, and I willed it on. My whole face screamed with pain and my fingers and wrists were sore from trying to push Seb off of me. But I just wouldn't lose consciousness.

I processed the roaring cheers of the onlookers, although they were muffled by the constant ringing in my ears. I turned my head to the side and saw Simon's face. I couldn't hear him, but he was screaming, tears running down his face. Surely he didn't care for me that much. What a weird thing to think at a time like this…

I felt the pressure around my mid-section loosen, and I processed Seb rising off of me. I turned my head back upwards to see that he had finally stopped. I curled myself up into a ball. Everything ached. I watched, my vision blurry, as Seb looked at me over his shoulder. He turned and raised his foot, swinging it back into my gut.

I grunted at the blow and coughed. I saw red splatter the ground in front of me. When I next looked at Seb, he was prepping for another kick. I squeezed my eyes shut, readying myself for it.

It never came. When I opened my eyes, someone was in between me and Seb. I noticed the splay of fiery red hair that was unmistakably Clary's. She was cradling her side with one arm and holding the other out towards Seb.

Seb's face was a mask of pure rage. He brought his hand back menacingly, and I tried to cry out or somehow move in front of Clary. But I could barely get out a squeak and it was a challenge to even move my pinkie finger. Seb cracked his hand across Clary's cheek, and she fell sideways onto me.

I could still hear some of the crowd cheering, but some had stopped, some were now screaming in worry. There was one voice in particular that cut through all the commotion, one very familiar voice.

"Stop!" The voice cried, "Stop this right now or I am calling the police!"

It couldn't be.

"Jace?" Said the voice, "Jace! Are you ok?"

And that's when her face appeared in my vision. My mum. Imogen Herondale. She cupped my cheek in her palm and slowly helped me sit up. I vaguely noticed Simon fussing over Clary. I didn't know if he really knew her or not, but he sure as hell seemed worried.

My mother whirled around on Seb. "You, young man," she scolded, her voice full of rage, "You will be hearing from the police." She then scanned the front yard. Kids were still scattering, trying to keep out of the trouble they all knew they were in. Imogen screeched, "Don't think for a second I don't see you! I am good friends with the owners of this house and they will be notified of this. As will the school!"

If I was in any better condition, I would have been concerned about my mum embarrassing me. But as it was, I was on the very verge of unconsciousness, and I could very much so feel myself slipping.

I remained awake long enough for my mum to pull my arm around my shoulder and whisper, "I'm so sorry, Sweetie. So sorry…"

Thank you for reading! How were my fight writing skills? Let me know!

See you next week :D