I sincerely apologize for the delay! I meant to get this up yesterday, but I was a tad bit busy. And I'm very sorry for not uploading last week. You know how it is: exams, work, sport = no free time! I hope to get back into my regular rhythm soon! Thanks for being patient! Furthermore, I am completely dissatisfied with this chapter, so sorry again!

anyways...

ENJOY! :D

The next day at school was… normal.

I walked down the hallway in a strangely good mood, despite the purple circle around my eyes and my throbbing ribs. Seb wasn't at school today, and no one else was making any trouble. I passed Simon and in the hallway, and we grinned at each other and slapped our hands together before moving on. Alec actually met my eyes as I walked past him, and the ghost of a smile seemed to tug at his lips. His girlfriend, Seelie, still clung to his hip and glared.

Of course, I was slightly embarrassed about how badly I had my ass kicked at the party. But it was hardly enough to ruin my mood. Especially when I spotted Clary's fiery red hair at the end of the hall. She was wearing a green knitted jumper with a pair of ripped jeans. I wasn't sure why, but the whole image seemed a little… off. Even though the sweater made her eyes glimmer magnificently.

When she spotted me, she grinned and wrapped her arms around my neck. She kissed my cheek and let go, leaving me smiling like a weirdo. I was baffled, to be honest. Were we a couple now? After last night, I sure hoped so.

"I was wondering," she chirped, "Would it be ok if I came over this afternoon?"

"W-why?" I exclaimed. I mentally slapped myself for sounding so perplexed. Was it weird that she wanted to come over? Surely it wasn't that weird. I used to do this sort of stuff all the time, right? It wasn't weird.

She giggled. "Don't worry, I'm not after sex, if that's what you're thinking. I do still have some honour, you know. We need to work on our biology assessment."

"Oh yeah…" I said, feeling relieved and disappointed at the same time. Maybe I was the weird one. "That's ok. Mum will be at home though."

"That's cool," she replied, "I think Imogen likes me. We got along quite well yesterday while you were passed out. You never told me you were such a cute baby!"

"W-what?" I spluttered.

"Didn't you know? She showed me all your baby photos."

"She didn't…" I could feel my face paling.

She just looked at me seriously for a moment, then her features cracked into a grin. "No! Have some faith in your mother. You're baby photos are out of my grasp… for now."

I laughed. I felt my spirits rising higher than they had even been. At least, since I had moved here.

As soon as the last bell of the day rang, my face cracked into an unstoppable grin. I speed-walked to the front gates, where Clary was somehow already waiting for me. Together, we set off for my place. I knew we had to start our biology assignment, but my veins were pulsing with excitement.

I unlocked the front door and led her inside. I started to give her the tour, but then I remembered that she'd already been here. Two mental slaps in one day.

I turned the corner into the kitchen and saw my mum sitting at the breakfast bar. She was flicking through a magazine and sipping a mug of coffee. I felt nervous but I said, "Mum, is it ok if Clary stays here for a bit this afternoon."

She continued to sip her coffee, but her eyes shifted upwards to meet my gaze. She had a way of making you feel as though she was staring into your soul. It was like she knew everything I was thinking just by looking at me. "That's fine, sweetie. Just make sure she's comfortable. And I don't want any funny business from you kids."

I hadn't realised that Clary had come into the kitchen to stand beside me, so when she spoke I jumped. "Thank you, Mrs Herondale. I feel very at home here, so don't you worry about my comfort. I'm sure Jace will be the perfect gentleman."

My mum smiled warmly. "Yes, I'm sure he will, won't you Jace?" her eyes turned icy and glared into my soul once more.

"Yes, mother," I squeaked, slightly terrified.

She smiled kindly once more at Clary. "Would you like to stay for dinner, sweetie?"

I tensed. Clary must have noticed because she giggled at my reaction and answered, "I would love to stay for dinner. Thank you very much."

Before things could get much worse, I blurted, "Thanks mum! We'll be in my room… Studying! That's what we're doing: homework!"

I managed to catch a glimpse of my mum shaking her head before I pulled Clary out of the kitchen and towards my room. I closed the door and fell backwards onto my bed, sighing in relief.

"Should you really be closing the door?" Clary asked.

"Hmm?" I sat up to look at her, "Oh yeah. Mum doesn't mind that much. Back in Washington…."

I trailed off, not wanting to finish my sentence. I didn't want to babble something about Camille while I was in this situation with Clary. Luckily, Clary just smiled and sat down on the bed next to me. I had a flash of de-ja-vu. She pulled a notebook and laptop out of her bag, and I rushed to do the same.

"Bodily systems and nerve reactions." Clary huffed.

"The better part of biology," I said, "But still a yawn."

Clary opened her mouth and let out a sigh of a yawn. I laughed.

We spent the next half an hour bouncing ideas on how to start the write-up off each other. Occasionally, one of us would say something stupid and the other would laugh. Clary took up the habit of poking me with her pen and saying it was 'research on how my nerves reacted'.

For the next half an hour, clary lay back against me and we just chatted about my old school and her parents. I learnt that she was an artist, and she learnt that I used to do karate when I was five. The conversation dulled at one point, and Clary sat back up to look at me. I could see an unmade decision tumbling through her mind, and slowly, she started to lean towards me.

There was a knock at the door and she quickly pulled back. My mum came in with a knowing look plastered over her face. "I'm going out to buy Chinese for dinner. Still keen to stay, Clary?"

"Chinese is my favourite," she beamed.

"Good," my mum said, "You two stay out of trouble while I'm gone. If you get her pregnant, you can go back to live with your dad."

"Mum!" I cried, my face turning red.

"Alright, alright. I'm going."

Once she was gone, Clary just giggled. "You guys are cute."

I smiled. "She's a pain."

"She cares about you."

I fell quiet. It was true. I just wished she was around more often. We fell back into our study for about ten minutes, before Clary threw her book away and turned to look at me. "We need to talk."

I swallowed. "About what?"

"About whether or not this is going to happen?"

My mouth went dry. I knew what she was talking about, but I still asked, "What's 'this'?"

She took a deep breath and said, "You and me. This." She gestured between herself and me.

"Well," I said, my hands shaking, "What's happening with you and Seb." She looked away, and I was scared that I had hit a sore spot. I quickly added, "It's fine if you don't want to talk about it just yet."

She smiled. "No it's ok. I'm done with him. I always knew he was nasty, but what he did last night was the last straw."

My breath hitched in my throat. She looked up at me, and I found myself getting lost in her emerald eyes. She looked almost scared. It was my turn to take a deep breath. I called upon my old self. I called upon the arrogant, cocky, sexy Jace from my old school.

I flashed a confident grin and caught her trembling hands in mine. I pulled her towards me and pressed my lips against hers. I let go, expecting her to pull away, but she wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned her head on my shoulder. "So, does that mean you like me?"

"No," I sighed sarcastically, "It means I hate you."

She pulled back momentarily to gape at me. "Jace!"

I smirked and added, "Most girls would swoon just to hear me say that."

She giggled. "Now this is a whole new Jace."

"It isn't," I whispered, "It's the old Jace. The Jace I prefer to be."

Sorry for a tiny bit of a filler chapter :/ I'm just a bit out of it at the moment. Bare with me! See you next week, hopefully!