Hey guys! I know I've been posting a lot today, but I need to get this story out. I really enjoy writing it, it truly brings me joy to play with these characters. The song in this story is She Is Love by Parachute. Please read and review, lemme know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The cemetery was peaceful tonight. Jace's hand was holding mine tightly, the heat sending a jolt of electricity through my entire body. He probably didn't notice the effect he had on me, the way he made me feel just by being near me.

Since the cemetery wasn't far off from the coffee shop, we walked there, hand in hand. Jace didn't say much on the way, and I didn't say anything either. The silence was comfortable for us. I kept thinking how odd this was, to be holding his hand and going somewhere so personal for him, and I hardly knew him.

I didn't have long to dwell on that though, because we arrived at a beautiful marble headstone.

CELINE HERONDALE

Underneath her name, an inscription read that she was a loving mother, daughter, and friend. Jace's sharp intake of breath brought me back from my thoughts. I wrapped my arms around him in a sideways hug and rested my head on his arm. It didn't take him long to pull me to him in a complete hug, and I had never felt so alive in my life. I fit perfectly in his arms, like two puzzle pieces coming together.

We stayed like that, his chin resting atop my head, for what felt like forever. I knew he was staring at her headstone, and I imagined that he was speaking to her in his thoughts, like I did when I visited my own mother's gravesite.

Jace eventually pulled away, although he reached for my hand again when he did. "Thanks for coming with me," he whispered to me. If I hadn't been watching his mouth, I wouldn't have heard him speak at all.

I nodded at him. I really didn't know what to say. This was uncharted territory for me. But when he smiled down at me, I realized that I was so glad that I did come with him. Being in his presence was like being kissed by the sun, and I loved basking in the glow that was Jace.

The next night was supposed to be a chill day in for me and Simon, and I fully intended on staying in my pajamas and watching a series on Netflix. Relaxation was definitely something I needed, since I knew that tomorrow was Sunday, and all the assignments that I'd put off would need to be completed tomorrow.

I was definitely a procrastinator.

Simon, however, was not having any of it.

"Get up, Clary," he growled, ripping the blanket away from where it rested around me. I was sitting on the sofa, snuggled up with the TV remote in hand. My red hair was curly yet again, and in a messy bun, loose curls surrounding my face. I knew I was a mess, there was no denying that.

"Last time you said that, we went to a club for all of five minutes."

Simon huffed impatiently. "Only because you disappeared with that guy!" he exclaimed. "But this is important for me, Clare! You gotta come support your best friend!"

I'll be damned if he didn't make puppy-dog eyes at me. I sighed dramatically and flung myself off the couch.

Simon's band, which I honestly didn't know the name of because they changed it more frequently than they did their underwear, was performing at Java Jones tonight. The "band" basically consisted of Simon singing and playing guitar, and the other guys strumming along as backup. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice set up. Simon had an awesome voice, but I heard him sing all the time. This wasn't exactly exciting for me.

Not as exciting as Netflix was.

But since I was his best friend, I knew I had no choice. I picked out some light jeans and a navy blue V-neck shirt with my white Keds. I didn't bother with my hair. Although it looked messy, it looked like the stylish messy up-do that most girls wore.

Simon was picked up five minutes before me by his band, so I decided to walk to Java Jones. It wasn't very far from our apartment, and I needed the alone time to think. Jace had been on my mind all day long. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he was so open and vulnerable last night. Or the fact that he'd called me beautiful.

It was unbelievable.

My stomach was tied in knots at the thought of our class together on Monday. What if he went back to the silent, brooding Jace and ignored our time together completely? I would like to think I could remain unaffected, but I knew that wouldn't be the case. I couldn't forget. Didn't want to forget the time I had with him, or the sweet things he said.

I didn't really know Jace, but I did know that he was one of those popular guys on campus. Girls giggled and flirted with him all the time, and those girls were gorgeous. And he flirted back. How could I expect him to drop that act completely for me?

He didn't know me either. And he owed me nothing.

I sighed as I approached Java Jones, trying my best to clear my head before entering.

Fat chance of that happening, since Jace was sitting at a booth by himself, twirling a spoon in a cup of coffee lazily. I almost dropped my purse when I saw him. I quit breathing for a second before I regained my composer and opened the door. His eyes met mine when the wind blew through the open door as I entered. A smile broke out on his face, and I swear it lit the entire room on fire.

I grinned back and walked over to him. "Fancy seeing you here," was my lame ass line.

He laughed at that, his eyes lit up with a grin. "Yeah, I needed a break from homework. This seemed like a nice distraction for a while."

I sat across from him and threw my bag haphazardly on the spot next to me. "My roommate's band is playing here tonight," I glanced at my watch. "In a few minutes, actually."

As if on cue, Simon and his friends walked on the makeshift stage in the corner of the room. I waved at him when he met my eyes, and he grinned back at me widely as he set up his chair and mic. Jace followed my gaze, and his eyes widened a bit. "That's your roommate?" he asked.

I nodded, noticing how his posture stiffened a bit. "Yeah, Simon's my best friend."

Jace seemed to relax at that, and in the back of my mind, I wondered if he had been jealous for a second. I shook that thought off immediately though. Why would he be jealous? He barely knew me.

Jace looked back up at me through his lashes, "Did you want anything? I'll go order you a coffee," he pointed his thumb over his shoulder at the counter.

I shook head, "No, that's okay. I'm only here because Simon begged me to come 'support the band'." I shrugged.

Simon's voice sounded over Jace's reply. "Hey guys, how are you all doing tonight?"

Various murmurs of "good" and "great" reverberated throughout the coffee shop. I smirked a bit. Simon was really nervous around people, but when you handed him a mic, he was the calmest person in the room.

"Alright, this song is called She Is Love. I hope you guys like it." Simon began strumming his guitar, and the sound soothed my thoughts immediately as i watched him.

"I've been beaten down,

I've been kicked around.

But she takes it all for me.

And I lost my faith, in my darkest days.

She makes me want to believe."

Jace looked at me, "He's really good, Clary."

I nodded my agreement to him.

"They call her love, love, love, love, love.

They call her love, love, love, love, love.

She is love,

And she is all I need.

She's all I need."

I could feel Jace's gaze on my face, could feel it penetrating my soul, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes. That didn't stop the fiery feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. I bit my bottom lip.

"Well I had my ways.

They were all in vain, and she waited patiently.

It was all the same, all my pride and shame.

She put me on my feet."

I finally looked over at him. He didn't smile, didn't have any expression on his face at all. He just stared at me with a look of longing and something else that I couldn't quite place. I stared back, but I couldn't do it for long without looking down. His gaze was so strong, held so much emotion that it threatened to drown me, swallow me whole.

The chorus of Simon's song flowed throughout the room. I took in a shaky breath as I stared down at my hands. What was Jace thinking about right then? Why did he have to look at me that way? Like my soul was bare and he could see everything there was about me?

"She is love,

And she is all I need.

She is love,

And she is all I need."

I couldn't take it anymore and I finally met his gaze head on. "What are you thinking about?"

Jace's eyes crinkled around the edges as he thought. "I want to know you, Clary," he said, and I watched his lips as he spoke. "I want to know everything about you."

I gasped, although it was barely audible. "Why me?"

Jace gave me a confused look, "Why not you?" he asked.

My eyes raked over his face, trying to see something, anything, that might reveal his motives. There was nothing but wonder on his face. Wonder and longing and something else. "Okay."

Simon's guitar sounded through the café once again, but I couldn't hear, breathe, or see anything that wasn't Jace Herondale. "Okay," was all he said.