AN: So this time I am a day too late to update! ;( It's the first time I'm too late, but I'm still sorry even if it's just a day! School sucks, we've got a 'no tolerance' in class (That's when your behaviour is so bad that if you even do 1 thing wrong you'll get punished) And above that they punish us with a big pile of homework and tests so I've been busy this weekend with all of that. And don't even begin to speak about my internet connection! This week has been one big hell!

Little question: has anybody seen Vampire Academy: Blood sister yet? I can't wait till it comes out where I live! (It only comes out 5 March so I'm really doomed.)

Well on with the story! Warning: It's really sad in the end but next chapter will be pure friendship and fun! Special thanks to all the guests who reviewed! And to 4everclacefan and stelena-forever-and-okay and CherrySlushLover for reviewing almost every chapter

Disclaimer: Do not own the characters except for Levi and Matt of course ;)

Chapter 6: The gift of a friend: (1790 words)

When the three persons arrived at the institute they felt relieved. It was over, done, finally! They were about to enter the institute but Alec pulled Clary aside.

"Go ahead Mags! We'll come right after!" Magnus winked at Alec and headed inside. Alec blushed and looked at Clary.

"You two are cute together, really." Alec smiled at Clary.

"Thanks, I guess? But so are you and Jace or so were you and Jace. Clary, you should go talk to him, really." Clary looked at her feet. She had black heels on. She sometimes missed her Sketchers.

"I don't know. He has another girlfriend now. He seems happy with her. And Levi is such a nice girl, I don't want to be the one between them." Alec sighed.

"Listen, Clary. What Jace feels toward her is nothing more than friendship. She isn't the one he always talks about. Her name isn't the one he whispers in his sleep. That's yours. So don't give up." Clary looked up at Alec and gave him a small smile. She thought that it was sweet of him to say such things but that was true, why hadn't he broke up with Levi yet?

"I know, but maybe it's too late. We both have changed so much! And like I said, I don't want to come between them. If he still loves me, then he will have to come to that conclusion himself and break up with her." Clary was right, she knew that. Alec knew that too.

"I'll try to talk to him. To be honest, it's been awhile since I had a real private conversation with him. It's a bit my fault. I've been busy with everything except him lately." Clary smiled reassuring at him.

"It isn't your fault, Alec. Jace cares really much for you so he doesn't blame you for anything." Alec looked at Clary. She had become wiser when she was away. Alec knew something had happened to her at the Academy that his father had the blame for and he felt horrible about it.

"You know Clary? When we first met I was kind off an ass to you but you still gave me a chance anyway. You're one of the most amazing people I met in my whole life and it pains me to know that my father treated you badly." Clary sighed and shook her head.

"It's okay. What happened is the past now, it doesn't matter anymore and about your father, it's his fault. Not yours." Alec pulled her in a hug. The door of the institute opened, only to reveal a frowning golden haired angel.

"If I hadn't known better I would have said that you were cheating on Magnus, Alec." Clary raised her eyebrow at Jace and walked past him into the institute.

"Oh please! We both know Alec prefers guys, especially ones with a lot of glitter on. And there is no way I'll ever use that much glitter." Clary said as they walked into the library.

"So you didn't use the big pot of glitter I got you? I'm upset!" Alec laughed as Magnus had a half pouting expression on his face.

"Actually, I think she did. You used it for your bedroom in the academy, didn't you?" Clary blushed as Matt said that.

"It was amazing! Show them Clary!" She got out her phone and showed everyone a few pictures of her room back at the Academy. It was a picture of New York at night. She had used the glitter for the stars and some windows. Even if she said it herself, it was pretty awesome.

"Wow, Clary! That is so sweet! I'd thought you could use them on clothes but that can work too!" Magnus had tears in his eyes. Clary got over to him and hugged him.

"I know I said this many times already but I've really missed you. The things you do, Clary. They are amazing and you don't even know it. Today with Alec and Izzy's father and you standing up for us, it was amazing and you shrugged it off as if it's normal that people do that. It's been a long time ago that I had such friends as you guys, and I'll enjoy any moment I have with you!" Magnus said to the group. They all smiled at each other.

"Yeah Clary, I'm so happy I met you! We had our difficulties together but I love you sis! Magnus told us what happened this afternoon and I was so worried when Si noticed that you were gone! Now groups hug everybody!" Izzy exclaimed.

Jace stood watching from the side line when they hugged. He had felt his walls crack once again now Clary was back into his life but he was so careful for not to let it happen. She was a heroine and nobody had really noticed it before she left, but he had. He had noticed noticed that the day she came into their lives she was like a star that brightened them up. Or at least brightened him up.

"Let's throw a party, The high warlock of Brooklyn-style! My parties are awesome!" Magnus proposed. Everybody nodded, feeling excited. That was Jace's sign to leave. He didn't want to party. He didn't knew what he wanted anymore. Silently he walked to his room.

"Hi, what's up with you?" He hadn't even heard Alec come in, so caught up was he in his thoughts.

"Nothing. I was just thinking." Alec looked sad, as if he could imagine how Jace felt.

"Can I sit?" Jace nodded and Alec took the seat that stood next to Jace's bed. Jace sat on the bed. He was looking at his hands, his shoulders slightly giving the impression that he was upset.

"Look, Jace, I know we haven't talked much lately and I'm sorry for that but I want you to know that I'll always be here for you. Okay?" Jace looked up at Alec and gave him a small smile.

"I know you are, Alec. It's not your fault. Communication comes from both sides and the past year I haven't done it very well, have I?" Alec shook his head slightly while giving a sad smile.

"I came to talk to you about Clary, let's be honest. Do you still have feelings for her?" Jace sighed. Oh he wished he could tell Alec about how much he misses her. How much his heart ached every time he saw her and he knew she wasn't his.

But he couldn't. He couldn't because he was selfish. He knew that she would have to go away some day and he was afraid that if he let himself love her again, he would break. And it wasn't that she still loved him, right? It was obvious that she liked that Matt dude.

"I know I do, Alec. But right now, I really don't know what to do. Does she still loves me? What will happen in the future? Will she have to go back or will she stay? Does she has feelings for somebody else? It's all so confusing right now!" Alec looked sadly at Jace. He had never seen him so... so vulnerable. Like he could break down any moment.

"I did something stupid this morning. I put my arms around her waist and almost kissed her. But she pushed me away, Alec. She pushed me away! Doesn't that mean something?" Jace whispered. Alec shook his head.

"Look, Jace. It does mean something. Just not what you thinks it means. We both know Clary and she wouldn't hit on another girl's man. That's why she hasn't made her move yet. You have to choose, Jace, Clary or your girlfriend. But talk to Clary first, maybe that'll help. Just don't try to kiss her or hug her or have physical contact with her, alright?" Jace nodded. He would speak to her, just not at the party.

"The party's in two days from now so don't worry, you can talk to her tonight." He said as if he could read Jace's thoughts. "We're parabatai, we'll get through this together."

Jace smiled at his adoptive brother and gave him a man hug. "Thanks. I really needed this. I'll go talk to her now."

***
Clary was sitting on the balcony, thinking about what all had happened today.

"Hi! Is there place for another person here?" It was Matt. Without waiting for the answer he stood beside her leaning against the metal rails that kept somebody from falling.

"What are you thinking about?" Clary frowned at his question, as if she didn't even knew it herself. She was thinking about everything and yet nothing at the same time.

"Don't know. Everything and nothing actually. I'm thinking about today, what happened. And how much it'll change everything." Matt put his arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, today doesn't have to change our lives! I know you worry about what is happening at the Academy but they're strong, you can't keep going with saving the world, Clary. Sometimes it has to save itself." Clary giggled at that.

"I know but I can't help it! Every time I have to think about it. It keeps me from living the life I want to live! I feel like that since that night I lost myself a bit." Clary had a sad expression. She truly felt lost and everything going on with Jace wasn't really helping.

"You only let it influence your life yourself. It's time to get over it, Clare. You did good today. With everything you said I'm sure they'll stop doing it for a long time. The same with Jace. If you really think he isn't interested it's time to let go. You know something is keeping you from letting go but it's your turn to figure out what." Clary leaned on his arm that was around her shoulder.

"You know what? You're right. It's time to let him go! I'm barely 18, I still have a whole life ahead of me! I thought I needed him to find my old self back but, I'll do fine on my own. Actually this is something I have to do on my own." She laid her head on Matt's shoulder and that's how Jace found them ten minutes later. In each other's arms. It hurt Jace to see that. Knowing that he was too late, he took off again. Maybe it was time to let go. But the problem was that he didn't wanted to let go. And then he was back in his room, his only hiding place that he still got. Since all the other places reminded him to much of his one true love.

An/ Please review, favourite, follow, read! It means so much to me!

Song of this week:

I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over. (If you guess it right you'll get a sneak peak for next chapter! It's really worth it!)