A/N You guys are the best, over 20 reviews on one chapter! That's incredible! Also, people have been asking for like memories of their pasts, they will come in coming chapters probably, none at the moment though. Enjoy!
Previously: Jon had been the only one able to soothe her.
But Clary could tell this wasn't Jon, her brother. She didn't know who but she felt more at peace with them than almost anyone. She pushed her head up slightly, looking up and noticing gold hair.
"Jace?"
"Clary, are you ok?"
"Yeah I uh. Thought it was Jon.." Clary said trailing off, lying, because she knew it wasn't Jon. But the person had comforted her and the thought had scared her; of everything changing again.
"Oh uh, sorry. Jon got held up in class and you ran passed me so I uh.." He cleared his throat."Followed you."
"Oh." Clary closed her eyes trying to think this through; why had Jace helped her? She sensed his intake of breath, and prepared herself for the inevitable question.
"Clary, what was uh." His voice cracked slightly, "What was or what happened in your past? I mean, Ive seen you uh."
Clary smiled. "You've seen me have panic attacks before? You want to know why?"
Jace nodded mutely. "Jace, its uh been great uh. Being teased by you but I don't like to talk about it. Especially to random people I barely know."
"Clary, it may help." He cleared his throat, the silence between them stretching out for a long time. "When I was 5. I was um, taken. From my family. Thrown somewhere that I didn't know anyone or anything, the only thing that got me through was."Jace swallowed thickly. "This little girl. But the point is that every night, that place comes back to haunt me. Panic attacks consume me regularly, but somehow I survive. By focusing on people that love me, and I care for. Clary, it could work for you too, like I know-" Jace trailed off upon seeing Clarys expression. She was staring at him with shock written all over her face. That surprised him, the few people he had ever told had moved straight to pity. To saying sorry and crying over him and for him. Jace hated that part, but seeing shock surprised him, quite a bit.
"Clary? Clary? Clare?"
Just after he said Clare, Clary shook her head.
"I cant do this now." She muttered, before jumping up and running across the school and out the front gate. Jace stared in shock after her, having no idea what had just happened. He heard noise from behind the shed, and looked around to see Jon running towards him, his white blond hair blowing across his face.
"Jace what the hell did you say to my sister?"
"Wh-what? Nothing?"
"What the hell did you say?" Jon said, his voice rising attracting the attention of a few stragglers walking a little further away.
"Nothing," Jace said with more conviction.
"Jace, what did you say causing her to run away? What were you talking about before she ran?"
"Nothing she had a panic attack, and I came out here and she kind of.I don't know, connected? With me? Maybe, and she kind of snuggled into me, and whatever. Anyway I asked her to talk about it, and she just went quiet, so I um. Talked about my past. She said I cant do this now and ran off."
Jon swore. "Jace I have freaking told you before, she had a terrible past so stop bringing it up!"
Jace pushed his friend away from him. "I didn't mean to do anything Jon. Im not going to fucking hurt your sister every time I go near her."
"No, you'll just flirt with her instead!" Jon said getting angry.
"Jon, calm down. We can fight later, but for now we need to find Clary."
Jon glared at his friend and stalked off towards his car, having already spoken to the principle when he saw her run off. He got in the drivers seat, and Jace wordlessly got in the passenger seat, Jon taking off with a bit more force than necessary.
"DO you know where she could have gone?"
"No, I guess she went home..I hope so at least."
Jace nodded and remained silent, until they pulled up in front of Jon's house, and immediately they both noticed the petite redhead passed out on the front lawn.
"Shit!" Jace cursed, rushing out to get her. Jon was already there though, having calmed down considerably.
"Jace, its ok when she gets to stressed or something, she has been prone to pass out. Its fine really."
Jace looked skeptically between the siblings, deciding not to comment for now.
"Jace can you open the front door?"
"Keys?"
"In the ignition idiot."
"I never thought of that," Jace said sarcastically as he went to retrieve the keys and jammed it into the hole. The door opened and Jace assisted Jon in carrying Clary inside and setting her down on the couch. Jon immediately told Jace to go get blankets, water and food for her, as he went about calling his parents.
"Mum?"
"Yes Jon?" She responded impatiently. Jon sighed, his mum didn't like been interrupted in work; once she lost herself in a painting it was hard to pull her out.
"Clary collapsed today."
"What? When? Where is she now?"
"Shes at home on the couch. I told the principle, and I can stay with her for a while but I have to get back for football tryouts."
"Ok hon, Ill be back as soon as possible. Is anyone else there."
Jon scowled, not that his mum would see that. "Yep. Jace."
"Oh. Okay then, see you soon."
Jon hung up the phone and accepted the blanket from Jace, draping it over her small frame. Jace brought in an apple and glass of water, setting them both down on the table with a thud. Jon looked up and sighed.
"I sorry for flipping out on you man, its just whenever she has an episode I get stressed and lash out on someone. But thanks for caring for her when she had a panic attack.
"No problem. I should probably get back to school, but I'll see you at tryouts tonight."
"Yep bye."
Jace nodded and left the house, walking up the front path and towards the school. On the walk back, he contemplated why Clary reacted the way she did. He had never seen someone take the news like that. He wanted to calm her down by showing she wasn't alone in it all, but it had gone the completely wrong way. After what felt like a no time at all, he arrived back at the school, happy to see lunch was just finishing. He walked quickly to his locker; being that only the last few stragglers were in the hallways. He got out his art and music books, and hurried in the direction of the art rooms. Just as he was turning the last corridor, he was stopped.
"Mr. Lightwood, please accompany me to my office." Jace turned and cringed when he noticed the principle standing there. He reluctantly followed her to her office, where she ushered him in and closed the door behind him.
"Have a seat."
Jace sat down skeptically as he waited for the principle to speak.
"Mr. Lightwood, I am well aware that you have moved around a lot, but that does not give you an excuse to leave in the middle of a school day."
"But you see-"
"Mr. Lightwood, address me by my proper name if you insist on interrupting." Jace internally groaned. It was a harsh principle, one that you couldn't walk over.
"Ms. Maves, you see I believe Jon told you that Clary ran off?"
"Mr. Lightwood, they have different circumstances, and I am well aware that they left."
"No, I was with them. I was with Clary when she ran off, and I couldn't just leave her and not know if she'd run off and gotten hit by a bus or something, so I went with them but then Jon sent me back her."
Ms. Maves raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. "He sent you back here?"
"No, Im not his bitc-"
"Mr. Lightwood!"
"Im sorry, Ms. Maves, excuse my french but no he doesn't control me I just, well, he was with his sister, genuinely concerned and I didn't want to intrude."
"Smart decision."
"yes."
"Well, because you are new, I will exclude punishment for cutting just this once, but do not expect the same leniency next time. Jon and Clary have made an agreement with me, and tell me of their comings and goings, they do not cut class but may require a legitiment reason to leave the school. Their parents have been notified of this and are comfortable with this arrangement. SO do not cut school, at least make sure not to get caught, again." Ms. Maves finished with a wink Jace stood up, very confused. She had just said he could cut school didn't she, just as long as he didn't get caught. He shook his head, knowing if he listened to his head he would always cut school, but instead left to catch the last half hour of art.
Jace packed up his belongings from music, stifling a yawn. Without any friends in music, it wasn't quite as fun also considering that it was just a theory lesson with no practical work. Just as he was leaving the classroom he felt an arm pull him back. He turned, surprised at finding his sister.
"Iz?"
"Jace oh my god, have you seen Clary? I said something at lunch and she ran off, but I thought she was coming back but then the bell went and I couldn't go find her and I haven't seen her despite her meant to be in this class and I am freaking out and she has died in a drain somewhere and it will be my fault- friend of half a week and I didn't follow after her and-"
"Woah, woah Iz take a breath. Clam down. IN out, in, out." Izzy nodded absently. "First of all Iz, its ok, I went after her she just had a panic attack."
"So then where is she?"
"I must've said something and she ran off."
"Jace Lightwood, tell me where the hell she is, or so help me!"
"Iz, its ok. Shes at her house with Jon."
"Oh." Izzy looked confused, and the siblings started making their way out. " How did Jon get there."
"When she ran off, Jon got pissed at me, but then we both went after her and found her passed out at her house."
"Passed out! OH my gosh is she ok? What did I do, I didn't even know it would make her upset, oh my-"
"Iz. Chill. Jon stayed with her, and her parents were coming to care for her so Jon could come back for football try outs. Everything's fine. She was just stressed from somethings and Jon said when everything gets to much she passes out."
Iz looked at Jace strangely. "Oh yes, every things peachy, my best friends just passes out every now and then, nothing to worry about."
"Iz, that's not what I meant. Now I'm sorry, I have to go to football try-outs." Jace pushed around her, making his way to his new locker to throw his stuff inside and headed out to his car for his football gear.
Jon 'POV'
"Clary you sure your going to be ok?"
"Yes Jon," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Now go make that team one more time!"
"Yes Clary." Jon said mocking her. She rolled her eyes and started to sit up."Woah squirt, stay laying or I wont go." Clary glared at the old nickname.
"DO not call me that you dickhead, and before you ask just tell Jace the usual."
"You sure Clare?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, I don't know, you'll probably see him a lot, why don't you just tell him the truth."
"Jon. Don't you remember the last time I told someone the truth?"
"Yes true. Ok, bye, rest lots and don't get up from the couch till Im back!" Jon yelled walking out the door.
"No guarantees!" His sister yelled back with a grin. Jon rolled his eyes and got into his car, already changed and ready for try-outs. The truth was that he was worried about his sister. Although he had told Jace that they happened when she was stressed, it wasn't that frequent. It was stretching the truth by a mile.
The last time she had passed out from stress or trauma, was 2 years ago. Jon gnawed on his lip, thinking about how he wanted to protect her, but wasn't sure how much he could protect her from. He pulled into the school car park, reached behind him and grabbed his gym bag and made his way to the football field. We arrived just as the coach blew the whistle signalling for them all to come together. Jon fell into step beside Jace and Jordan. Jace leaned towards him.
"Jon, is Clary ok?"
"Yeah shes fine nothing to worry about." Jace nodded and the pair turned their attention to the coach who was explaining the drills, schedules and the selection process. Jon, having heard it all before let his mind wander. Finally the coach signalled for them to begin practise so Jon started on the first drill, making his way around. After 2 hours of fitness tess, drills, and playing a few games they all collapsed in a heap on the grass, the coach In front.
"Excellent job today. Teams will be posted Monday. You've all done a terrific job, there are no certain positions at the moment; it's a level playing field. Jon rolled his eyes, the coach always said that but the coach had practically told Jon and his friends from his year last year that they would make the team simply because they were seniors this year. The guys all hit the locker room, locker room talk initiating. Jon walked in beside Jace, and immediately one of the guys turned to Jace.
"Lucky bastard, Jessamine Lovelace said shes going to come on to you."
Jace grinned. "I wont stop her from coming." All the boys hooted in laughter at the double meaning. "But seriously dude, once you've finished with her put in a good word for some of us, bros before hoes yeah?"
"Sure thing." Jace said sarcastically, a smirk lighting up his face. The boys all continued to talk for a while, and after Jon had finished in the showers he was ready to get out.
"Jace, catch you later man."
"Oh. Yeah, Ill see you tomorrow."
"yep."
Jon said goodbye to a few others and high tailed it out of there, where he ran into a short kid with brown hair, and glasses.
"Sorry."
"That's ok. Max isn't it? Jaces brother?"
Maxes face lighted up. "Yeah! Hi!"
"Hey kid. Im Jon, pleasure to meet you."
"Yeah its nice to meet you. Is Jace inside?"
"Yeah, its getting pretty dark outside, feel free to go in. Jace is directly on the left."
"Awesome, thanks Jon!"
"No problems Max, see you later."
Jon chuckled as he walked away, amazed at the uncanny resemblance to Simon. He chucked his stuff in the backseat of his car and drove out of the car park, speeding off down the road towards his house.
Jon sat down at the dinner table, Clary to his left and Luke to his right, his mum opposite him.
"Mum, I love you so much right now." Jon said as he bit into his lasagne.
"Ah Clary, a way to a mans heart is through his stomach, remember that."
Clary laughed, chowing down a bit of lasagne as she went. "But seriously mum, this stuff is incredible."
"Thanks hon." Jocelyn said with a smile, before turning to Luke. "How was work?"
Luke rolled his eyes. "Well I earnt some money and that's all that matters," he said with an eye roll. "I may have to go away this weekend for some conference in Miami." Jon rolled his eyes. Luke's job was constantly taking him all over the place. He was a property investor, and had made a tonne of money at one point, instantly earning him his right of passage into the big league. Jon had no idea what he actually did, but just knew he was always off at some conference, meeting or something else, also that he brought home good money.
"Oh well. Maybe we can all go, make a weekend of it?"
"Mum, no I said I'm going to Izzy's on Friday."
"Oh, uh yes. Sorry dear, I forgot."
"Of course you did."
"NO no its fine, you can still go. Jon are you going?'
Jon felt Clary turn to look at him. "Uh Im not sure yet."
"Oh. Okay. Luke honey, maybe it will be just the two of us, returning Sunday afternoon yes?"
"Of course darling, that's fine. What about Saturday night though?" He asked gesturing to Jon and Clary.
"Oh yes, would you kids be able to organise to stay at friends houses or something?"
"Probably. We could stay home."
"No. Definitely not, and I thought you knew better than to suggest that Clary." Jocelyn said with a pointed look.
'Yeah yeah. Um, mum, would I be able to go to Izzy's after dinner?"
"Why?"
"Just to…grab some work."
"Yeah sure." Jon looked curiously at Clary, and couldn't help but notice the guilty expression lining her face just for a moment, but he just ignored it and ate his dinner. When they had all finished and the plates had been cleared Jon stood up.
"Clary, do you want a lift to Izzy's?"
"Yeah, that'd be great!" Clary said brightly, the smile not quite reaching her eye. Jon thought she almost looked…nervous? But he wasn't sure. What would she be nervous about? He shook his head clear of thoughts and grabbed his keys off the side table, yelling out to Clary to say he'd be in the car. Jon turned the engine on and flicked through the stations until he arrived at one that had decent music on.
"So Clary, what time do you want me to pick you up?" Jon asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Oh uh, I don't know. In an hour?"
"Okay. Sure. Why are you so nervous, you are looking very pale-more so than normal that is. Are you ok Clare?"
"What? Yeah, I'm fine Jon. Okay, thanks ill see you soon!" Clary yelled as she jumped out of the car, waving goodbye.
Clary POV
Clary took a deep breath and made her way up the path, unable to believe she was finally doing it. She had finally found him, after 11 years or searching. She hoped she was right anyway, she had built her anticipation and excitement up far too much for her too be wrong. She carefully knocked on the door, afraid that in the big house the sound would have gotten lost in the space. Finally she heard soft footsteps approaching the door, and the door opened revealing Izzy.
"Oh hi Clary. Oh my gosh! I am so sorry about today, I didn't know and Im so sorry, I need to stop-"
Clary stopped her with a hug. "Iz. Its fine, honestly, I'm fine and its not your fault."
"Clary are you sure?"
"Absolutely. I am totally fine, don't freak out on me."
Izzy laughed, "Ok. Fine. Come up to my room! I cant wait to show you-"
"Actually Iz, I was wondering if Jace was around?"
Izzy raised an eyebrow. "Jace?"
"Yeah. I mean, I just have to ask him something. I'll come to your room after."
"Sure thing. Yeah I think he's in his room.."Izzy trailed off, a calculating look on her face.
"Ok, wheres his room?"
"Up the stairs, last door on the left."
"Ok thanks Iz. Oh and I love your house, its massive! And beautiful. Ok ill be back." Izzy rolled her eyes and followed Clary upstairs, stopping at her room.
"Come on in whenever your done." Clary nodded with a smile and slowly walked down the long hallway, which seemed to stretch on for miles. She finally paused in front of Jaces door, contemplating if she should ask or not. She finally figured; she had come all the way for this. She had passed out, stressing over this. She owed it to herself to find out. Tentatively and slowly Clary reached out a hand and knocked on the door, waiting for a response. She heard a groan and a rustling of clothes, and the door opened to show Jessamine Lovelace, peeking her head out, obviously wearing nothing more than an oversized, distinctly male tee-shirt.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was just uh, looking for Jace but he's obviously preoccupied so Ill come back."
"Yes, excellent decision." Jessamine said sarcastically. Clary turned, blinking back tears. She had finally found her Jonathan Herondale, and he was off sleeping with some slut. She slowly walked back down the hall, contemplating bypassing Izzy's room and just calling her brother to pick her up when she heard a door open and close. Clary whirled around to find Jace standing there in sweatpants, shirtless.
"Clary?" His voice came out husky, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. "What are you doing here?"
"I uh. I just wanted to talk to you."
"You didn't seem in a talking mood when you ran off today." Jace said bitterly. Clary swallowed.
"I had my reasons, they weren't to do with you."
"Were you about to run off just before I got there?"Clary looked down. "SO it was to do with me." Clary remained silent."Clary, what are you doing here?"
"Don't worry, you can get back to your slut of the week."
"Geez, just tell me what you want, its not like I'm in an important relationship."
"So your just using her?"
"TO heal old wounds or some crap like that. So tell me why are you here?"
"Don't even worry Jace. Im going to go."
Clary turned to leave, but was yanked back around by Jace. "What the hell was that for?"
"Clary you obviously came here for a reason, what the hell was it?"
"Jace, just forget it ok?"
"No."
"Jace forget it!" Clary exploded, majorly pissed now. "Just go have sex with that slut and then make your way through the rest of the girls at school okay? What were you expecting, sympathy today? Well IM sorry you chose the wrong girl to get that from!"
"It must be your time of the month, which would be the only reason as to why your so angry all of a sudden." Jace said, venom lacing his words. "Or, I guess it could be the fact that you came here to seduce me, but realised I was taken. Sorry Clary, no way in hell I would sleep with you. You get angry to quickly, it pissing me off, now I'm going to leave, and that is my way of telling you to fuck off. Go away, and think about talking to me when your not so damn angry okay?" Jace turned away, already regretting his words.
"You want to know why I'm angry Jace? Maybe its because after years of searching I finally found you," Clary paused, choking back tears. "And I would never have though that Jonathan herondale, who used to protect me would turn out to be such a dick."
Jace froze where he was, unable to process what she just said. He whirled around a moment later, to find her retreating back, down the stairs and out of the house, the door slamming behind her.
A/N Yes that just happened. And that,my dear friends is a cliff hanger. Sorry, I felt it needed it. So next chapter they will elaborate and talk properly, and sorry about the fight, just think Jace was tired, annoyed at her for running when he told her something so personal and was just interrupted during sex, so he snapped, and Clary's just a bit hot tempered anyway. Anyway the response last chapter was amazing! Over 20 reviews in one day for one chapter! I cant thank you guys enough! Next goal is 100 reviews, when we reach that I'll update within 2 days. Thanks so much for the continued support, and please continue to follow/fav/review!
Oh, and an important question- DO you want Clace dating or just friendship? Thanks guys! Xx
-Demonpoxjohnnyboy