Thank you for taking your time to read this, I'm quite interested to see where I can take this at the moment. Any feedback is welcome (:
I had to sit under Jace's legs for at least 3 episodes. Unfortunately, Jace and Jon seemed to enjoy it as much as Simon did, so they were in it for the long haul. After some time had passed, Jace started to let his guard slip, until his legs were finally loose enough for me to make my escape. I quickly pushed them up, ducking underneath them and out. Gasping for a drink, I scanned the room. Simon's eyes were glued to the TV, his facial expression changing in sync with the characters themselves. Jon was asleep in the corner, his limbs all over the place. And Jace was watching me. Out of the corner of his eye, but I could still see him doing it. Making my way into the kitchen, I started my hunt for glasses. I didn't hear him sneak up behind me, his footsteps silent.
"What you looking for?" He muttered in my ear. I span around again.
"What is it with sneaking up on people? You're lucky I didn't have a knife in my hand! I could have stabbed you or anything!" I growled.
"Is that wishful thinking?" I tried to pull my most menacing face but he just laughed at me. Not wanting to ask Jace to help me find the glasses in my own home, I decided to get myself a bottle of water instead. Simon was packing up his stuff when I wandered back into the living room, Jace on my tail like he had been all day.
"What? Where you going?" I asked Simon, pouting.
"My mum's just text me. She wants me home for school starting tomorrow." Simon smiled sympathetically. I nodded, it had hardly seemed like two minutes since he had come over. But on the plus side – at least it probably meant Jace would be leaving as well. At least I could hope. I walked Simon to the door.
"I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?" He smiled, giving me a quick hug.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." He was off walking down the street at his brisk pace. "Text me!" I shouted after him before closing the door. Mum and Dad must have decided to just go to bed, because I couldn't hear anything from upstairs. I wandered back into the living room to see if Jon was still asleep, Jace cut my off in the door way.
"He's still asleep." He commented. "Now what to do?"
"Maybe go home?"
"Not what I had in mind, Red." He grinned down at me and I made a gagging noise.
"Definitely go home." I remarked, trying to make my way up the stairs.
"Didn't Jon tell you? I'm staying the night. You wouldn't want me to get bored would you?" Jace tried to play it cute, but I was having none of it.
"Do you like war films?" I tried to play equally as cute.
"Yeah, I'm quite partial to a good war movie."
"Good, there's plenty in the living room. Set yourself away. Goodnight!" I smiled as enthusiastically as I could manage before heading off towards my room. Tomorrow was going to be a strange day.
When my alarm went off, I could have cried. I wasn't ready for this. I knew I had to get myself out of bed, otherwise my mum would be in here trying to drag me out. As if on cue, a knock echoed through my door.
"Clarissa? Are you awake honey?" My mum called through the door.
"Yes." I moaned, throwing my covers back, sticking a foot out to test the temperature of the room. It was now or never. Once I was up, I had a shower, dried my hair and applied minimal makeup before trying to figure out which clothes I wanted to wear. Unsurprisingly, I decided upon a pair of jeans, a vest top and a flannel shirt open over the top. No doubt I had a pair of converse somewhere that would tie this all together. It was weird seeing a full breakfast bar, I was so used to it just being my mum and me. The only seat left at the table was the one next to Jace – how convenient. I managed to get onto the stool with ease, which I was thankful for. I didn't need to give Jace another reason to pick up on how short I was.
"Here Clarissa, have some toast." My dad passed me the plate over, and I picked up a single slice.
"Thanks dad." I smiled. "How am I getting to school then?" I queried.
"Well your mum has some job interviews she has to attend, and I have work. Jon will take you." My dad decided on the spot. Jon looked like he was going to protest, but my dad shot him a look and he was instantly silent. I smiled at Jon, before realised Jace would most likely be in the same car. Just what I needed, more time with Jace. I was so thankful that he wasn't going to be in any of my classes.
As we were leaving, my mum fussed over me, making sure that I had everything and that I was ready to go. The fussing was making me worse, making me anxious. Finally we were allowed to make our way to the car.
"Shit. I've forgotten my phone." Jon grumbled, unlocking the car. "Get in, I'll be two seconds." He ran back into the house. I made my way around to the back, ready to climb in. Jace was hot on my tail again as we approached Jon's SUV.
"You dare ask me if I want a boost, and I will take your face clean off." I muttered through a forced smile.
"Ooh, tell me more about what you want to do with my face." Jace purred at me.
"I could think of a few things." I growled at him before climbing into the back seat.
"Oh believe me, I can think of a few things too." He was looking at me over the back of the passenger seat, his golden eyes burning into my own.
"Why don't you just keep those things to yourself, hmm?" I'd just gotten the words out of my mouth when Jon climbed into the car. Jace didn't act himself in front of Jon, he was relatively well behaved, and his comments few and far between and nowhere near as lewd.
Clary: Will you please meet me outside of the school, please please please!
Simon: Sure-io! What's up buttercup?
Clary: I'll tell you when I see you. Talk soon
I could see Simon as we pulled up to the school, his Star Wars shirt giving him away. With a quick thanks, I was out of the car and hastily walking across the lawn to where Simon was stood.
"Thank god!" I sighed when I reached Simon.
"That bad, huh?" Simon laughed, rubbing my back reassuringly.
"He's just too much!"
"Who is?"
"Jace! He just won't leave me alone. He's just constantly on me, winding me up, trying to get under my skin."
"Seems like he's managed it." Simon muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing. Stay away from him?" Simon suggested.
"I'm going to have to try. I feel like I'm losing my mind!"
"Yeah, I've heard he has that effect on people."
"You didn't tell me that when I first asked." I said.
"Well I didn't realise you wanted like a detailed run down. I did say typical jock and what does a typical jock do? Gets girls and lots of them. Anyway, this is my form room, where's yours?" I showed him my schedule and he directed me down the corridor. I was relieved to see that I was early, so that I had my pick of the desks. A girl with long black hair followed me in. Out of all of the empty seats she could have chosen, she sat down in the one next to me, immediately extending her hand.
"Hi. I'm Isabelle Lightwood. I haven't seen you around here before?" She was quick to the point. I kind of liked her.
"Clarissa Morgenstern, just Clary is fine though." I was quick to take her hand.
"As in Jon Morgenstern?" She wasn't shy. "It's not a very common name, is it?"
"Yeah, that's my brother." The room was quickly filling up around us. "Do you have any siblings?" I asked, going down the same route.
"Two biological, one adopted – all brothers." Isabelle started but didn't get to finish as the teacher had finally sought out the classroom and was commanding the attention of everyone in it. When we had a moment, Isabelle and I compared timetables. It was hit and miss. Some lessons we had together, others we didn't. I made a mental note to compare timetables with Simon when I got a chance.
Jace's POV
It was surprising how much I had enjoyed last night and earlier today. Clary was an easy target and she bit so easily, it made teasing her so much more entertaining. I had to admit though, she was cute when she got all stroppy. I don't know if it was because she was my best friend's sister but for some reason, I felt oddly protective of her. Like I needed to watch over her. Although after what I'd seen of her, it seemed like she could handle herself – she'd threatened to beat me up enough times over the past 24 hours. I'd be a liar if I said it didn't interest me what was going on between her and that Simon kid. Was that her type? When first period was over, I was on my way towards History and that was the first time I saw her in the halls. With Isabelle. Interesting how these things work out.
Clary's POV
Isabelle met me after my first lesson, ready to help me to second period because we were in the same class. I could see Jace across the room, heading in our direction. Surely he wasn't coming to wind me up. When he reached us, he rested his elbow casually on Isabelle's shoulder and I was confused.
"Jace, this is Clary." Isabelle started but Jace cut over her.
"We've already met, Iz." He stopped leaning against her. "Isn't that right, Red?" He ruffled my hair as he went past, his eyes never leaving mine as he backed across the hallway.
"I should have known that you would have already met, silly me." Isabelle chirped, grabbing my arm and leading me towards my next class.
"I didn't realise you knew him."
"Oh I forgot we never got around to the specifics did we? That's my adopted brother, Jace." Isabelle smiled. How typical of me, to make friends with his sister.
"Is he always like that?"
"Most of the time."
I barely paid attention through most of my classes, sketching in my notepad. I missed art school. Well most of it. Some of it didn't deserve speaking about. The end of the school day was drawing near and my last period was shared with Isabelle – art, my favourite.
"I have the most fantastic idea." Isabelle spouted up as we were finishing up our sketches of a pineapple on the teachers desk. Basic stuff really. "Why don't you come home with me for tea?" Isabelle smiled and I felt bad saying no.
"That sounds great. I'll have to let my parents know though."
My parents were completely fine with the idea, probably just happy that I was making an effort to fit in. I hadn't seen Simon all day, so I dropped him a text.
Clary: Missed you today buddy, catch up later?
Simon: My answer is obviously yes. Where and when missus?
Clary: I'm going to Isabelle's for a bit after school, so after then. Can I let you know the details a bit later?
Simon: Woah woah woah! Who is this new friend of yours? Isabelle as in Lightwood?
Clary: Stop being nosy. See you later x
As we walked to Isabelle's house, I prayed in my head the whole way that Jace wouldn't be there. I'd only known him a day and I needed a break from him already. My worst fears were already confirmed once I stepped over the threshold of the house for who should be standing on the landing in nothing but a towel but my tormentor himself. Why oh why had I agreed to this.