The Choice

Chapter 12

Title: Back to Reality (Part 1)

"Jace! Come here!" I half whispered half yelled. He stood up and left the room without looking back at me, his camera hanging around his slim neck. I followed him down the stairs trying to be quiet as possible. The old staircase creaked under my weight. Jace didn't seem to have the same problem. He knew his way around.

I paused at the bottom of the stairs looking for signs of disturbance. None of the bedroom doors opened neither the lights came on. That was good. I sighed. I whipped my head around to find Jace gone and the back door in the kitchen open just slightly. I went after him.

I knew it was stupid going after him in the middle of the night with the possibility of being caught by Alec or even worse by his mother, but I couldn't help myself, and I was tired of having to feel guilty all the time. I wanted to be free to feel without having to look behind me for the consequences, to chose and do whatever I wanted. So I followed him.

We walked past the back yard and entered the line of trees, my vision darkening. "Jace? Where are you going?"

He flashed me a huge grin. "You'll see." And I really did.

Soon enough we ended up on the little pond I had come earlier in the morning that day. I had thought then that it was beautiful but now it was even more. It was breathtaking.

The surface of the water looked like liquid silver under the moon and for a moment I though it would turn solid just by how calm the water was. Jace stopped a couple of feet before the water and picked up his camera. I'd just noticed that he was barefoot wearing a pair of washout jeans and a white shirt while I was still with my pajamas-shorts. Thankfully I was wearing a robe because it was chilly outside.

"You know people just download photos from the Internet." I said to him.

"Yeah, but nothing compares with the real thing." He said his back facing me. Then he turned to me, his camera high.

"Don't you dare take-" I didn't have the chance to finish as he started taking some pictures of me. My cheeks got hot thinking of how I looked with the white robe hanging below my knees and hair perfect for any bird to nest in there. I aimed and charged toward him hoping what I'd seen about football on TV was enough for me to tackle him.

With a yelp he was down with me on top of him. I didn't allow myself to feel victorious since I hadn't taken the camera from him yet. "I could get used to that," he flashed me one of his arrogant smiles. My hands turned into fists. It was brutal.

We fought and laughed, and he even pulled my hair like any five year old would do and I like a nice lady that I am, pulled at his ears until the camera slipped from his hands. I smiled and looked at him all smugly.

My victory was sort though. I hadn't realized that it was still looped around his neck and as I went to get up I was pulled down on top of him, again.

"Damn it Jace! I don't want you taking my pictures." I said giving up and getting off him. I tried to look annoyed by the whole thing but the truth was I didn't mind.

He brushed himself laughing taking the camera and placing on a branch. There was no way I could reach it. "You really need to work your fists. Unless you haven't shown me everything." He winked at me. I shoved him down.

But then it happened. Jace tripped and fell into the pond, the water splashing on my face.

"Jace! Are you all right? I'm so sorry." I went near him watching my step. The last thing I wanted was to get myself into the water.

He glared at me. "Clary." His voice filled with angry.

"At least your camera is out of the water." I said with my small voice pointing at the branch.

He swam closer. "Come here," his voice a low growl.

I shook my head. "No way. You're going to pull me inside. Nope. No way."

He titled his head. "Clary," his voice calm now. "I'm not ten anymore. Come help me up. I think I'm stuck.

I went to the dock. "I think it's better if you come this side." I pointed to the other side of the dock where a robe led into the water. "You can start pulling yourself using the rope and I'll help you up." He did what I told him to.

He used the robe and barely lifted himself when I grabbed his hand and he gave me a hard pull, founding myself the next minute soaking wet glaring at Jace who was laughing so hard he had to support himself on the wood next to him.

Now it was my time to glare at him. "You are definitely ten."

After calming down a bit he managed to talk. "I just couldn't resist. Besides," he gave me a steady stare, "you're the one who started it."

My eyes bulged. "That was an accident!" Of course I knew he meant the struggle before for the camera.

"I guess we're equal now." I finally said swimming towards the rope. With any luck I won't catch a cold.

"Not yet," the tone in his voice made me turn. He was so close to me that I could sketch every little detail of his face and for the first time I noticed how easily my hand went and stroke his face, every time as if under a spell.

He bent down as to kiss me and I had just closed my eyes lips parted when he pushed me aside and grabbed the rope. "Now we are." He gave me a sad smile and left towards the house.

I just stood there in the water my mouth still hanging open looking after him. What the hell was that? Of course I knew what it was. He just said that this is over between us in his own words. I should be happy about this. Right? That was what I wanted right? But something tugged at me and emptied my insides. I should fill relieved I should…

I got out of the water and walked toward him my eyes never leaving him. If he heard me he didn't slow down or stop for me so I grabbed his arm and yanked him at me. His eyes held surprise.

"Clary," his husky voice said and he made a move to stop me.

I shook my head. I couldn't speak because if I did I wouldn't be able to do this. I wanted to show him that I cared about him. I did. I just didn't know what to do about this whole situation.

I didn't want to think. I wanted to jump.