Jace dropped Jon and I at our house, and I was relatively surprised that he didn't come in. Maybe because he had Simon and Isabelle with him as well.
"So what do you think of that Sebastian and Jordan then? I didn't realise Isabelle had invited them." Jon said as we walked through the door. I shrugged.
"I'm not sure, I didn't really spend much time with them."
"I think they're alright guys actually." Jon said. "Did you not get to know them in your class?"
"Bits and pieces, but not properly." I tried to avoid the subject.
"We'll have to invite them along again sometime." Jon said and I nodded lightly. Simon was right. I was going to have to tell him. But I needed to talk to Jace about it first. As Jon's best friend, he would be able to give me advice on how best to approach it.
Making my way upstairs, I pulled out my phone.
Jace: Tomorrow then?
Clary: I'm free anytime
Jace: After school, I'll pick you up from Java Jones, seeing as you're so fond of the place.
Clary: Very kind of you. Do you not just want to go to Java's?
Jace: I don't think Java's is the right place for the conversation we're wanting to have.
Clary: Oh and what conversation is that?
Jace: Time will tell. Java Jones after school.
The next school day flew over without incident, mainly because we didn't have art. Simon caught me as I was leaving the school.
"Clary, why the rush?" He asked, holding his side, out of breath.
"Oh, I'm meeting someone." I said, vaguely.
"Not Sebastian?!" Simon shouted, making a couple in front of us turn around.
"Shh! Keep your voice down. No, I'm not meeting Sebastian." I muttered but Simon was looking at me questionably. "I'm meeting Jace ok. Jace."
"Jace? Why?" I couldn't tell Simon about the 'me and Jace' of recent. Not yet.
"Because I think you're right Simon. I think I need to tell Jon about all of this. Jace is his best friend so I want to test the water." Simon seemed appeased by what I said.
"Where are you meeting him?" He asked as we walked along.
"Java Jones, and then going elsewhere. It's a bit of a delicate topic as you know."
"Let me walk you there." He said. "Just in case a wild creep appears."
"It's a good job you're funny."
"It's just one of my many talents Clarissa, one of many." I linked his arm as we walked through the city. Jace was already waiting when we got to Java's. Was he always on time like this? "Be careful okay Clary. Text me if you need me." Simon gave me a quick hug before I headed towards Jace in his car.
"It feels strange getting in this car just the two of us." I laughed, buckling myself in.
"Whys that? Because last time we were in the car alone you attacked me without mercy?" Jace grinned at me,
"You have a strange way of reacting to being attacked if that's the case."
"What can I say? When I'm attacked, I attack back." He shrugged. "What is it you were wanting to talk about anyway? The thing I don't already know about that is?"
"Well. I was wanting your opinion on something."
"Go ahead."
"I think I should tell Jon about Sebastian." I said quietly.
"I don't think I quite heard that right. For a second I thought you said you were going to tell Jon about Sebastian." I looked at him annoyed. "You can't be serious Red?"
"I can't let it go on like it is. He was talking yesterday about arranging something with Sebastian and Jordan again. What if they become friends and then he finds out? He'd never forgive me for not telling him."
"Wouldn't it be better to just sort of tell him a rumour about Sebastian that would make him keep his distance?"
"I don't think so. Anyway – weren't you all for telling Jon at one point?"
"I never actually meant it though." Jace shook his head. "You'd have to seriously weigh up the repercussions."
"And what are those?" I asked.
"The fact that if you told Jon everything, he'd likely kill Sebastian. You're going to have to play it very clever."
"You're exaggerating."
"I'm not Red. If you're going to do it, you have to make Jon realise that it's going to be worse for you if he does act upon it. That's my advice anyway, don't rush into a decision. Which leads us nicely onto our next topic." Jace looked at me expectantly.
"Can we least talk about it outside of the car, I'm having flashbacks." I joked, placing the back of my hand against my forehead in mock disarray.
"I can do better than flashbacks." Jace looked at me, an eyebrow cocked.
"Don't push your luck." I said, catching sight of where we were. "You brought us to the beach?"
"Yeah, I thought it'd be a nice place to talk." He shrugged. I had to agree with him. There weren't many people around and the weather was just about right. We walked down to the beach, right to the waterline before walking along it.
"What do you want from me Red?" Jace asked, taking me aback.
"I haven't really thought about it." I admitted.
"Now's your chance too."
"Do you know what you want from me?" I asked.
"I'm not sure." Jace furrowed his brow. "But we need to make a decision about it, we can't just keep going like we are."
"See I thought it was quite fun." I smiled.
"I'm trying to be serious, Red." His eyes pleaded with me.
"Then tell me what you want." Jace turned to face me, his face serious.
"I want you. All of you. Sometimes so much that it pains me. Sometimes so much that I have to distance myself from you because I'm scared of what might happen. Sometimes so much that I resign myself to the fact that we can't be together because I don't know how I'd be. Relationships aren't exactly my forte." Jace's voice was lower than usual.
"Relationships aren't your forte?" I asked, kneading my hands together.
"Well its 'unexplored territory' shall we say."
"But what about that girl the other week?" I queried. Jace looked suddenly uncomfortable, laughing nervously.
"There's a difference between relationships and – uh – that." He settled on and I knew all too well what he meant.
"Ah." I said. "Well nobody is saying we have to go the relationship route."
"So what is it you're proposing?" He asked.
"Well, I don't think we should rush into a relationship especially considering your inexperience and my…previous experiences. I think we should date."
"Date? Isn't that the same as a relationship?"
"Well not really, it just means we see more of each other, just the two of us and try and figure out what it is we want for sure." I shrugged. "Because I don't think I'm ready to give this up."
"I think that's something we can agree on." Jace said with a grin. "I just don't want to hurt you Clary, and I hurt people too easily." I laughed.
"Jace. You can't hurt me anymore than I already have been."
"I don't want to add to that."
"That's my decision Jace. I'll take the risk." Jace still looked unsure, his brow furrowed. "Take the plunge."
"I'm not sure Clary. What about your brother, my sister?"
"Questions for another day. I'm asking you to date me, not marry me."
"Somehow I think your brother would prefer the latter…"
"Can we stop talking about Jon? Talk about yourself Jace, do you want this?" We'd reached the end of the beach, and stopped walking, ready to turn back around.
"I've told you I want this but-"
"No buts."
"Are you sure?"
"I've never been surer."
"Will we tell people we're dating?"
"No. We'll only approach that if we decide to take it further."
"Only if you're sure."
"Stop asking me if I'm sure and kiss me, goddamnit!" I growled, prompting a grin from Jace.
"Are you sure?" He smirked and I thumped him in the chest. His hand clasped around my own as I went to turn, pulling me back into him. "Just kidding." He laughed moments before his lips gently came together with mine, his hand still holding mine firmly against his chest. The kiss was different to the last, gentle and sweet which I didn't think Jace was capable of. The walk back to the car was filled with these sweet little kisses, which were nice but left me hungry for more. Getting into the car, Jace leant over to kiss me once more, but this time I was ready for him. As his lips touched mine, I put my hand in his hair, keeping a firm grip. Jace smiled against my lips, one of his hands keeping him upright, the other stroking my hair. I bit his bottom lip lightly, smirking, Jace finally pulled away from me.
"You're asking for trouble, Red." He threatened.
"I quite like the sound of that." I laughed and he shook his head, laughing.
"All in good time, Red. Buckle up." I pouted, before putting my seatbelt on.
I kissed Jace goodbye as he dropped me at the corner of the road, agreeing that we would talk about a date for this weekend.
My mission when I got into the house was to find Jon. I knew I had to tell him because as much of a nightmare as it was telling him, it would be more of a nightmare if he became friends with Sebastian.
"Jon?" I shouted as I walked in the door.
"Up here." I checked the kitchen and the living room to make sure Mum and Dad weren't home before I ran upstairs into Jon's room. I knocked on the door, and was quickly beckoned inside. "Sup C?" I sat on the side of his bed, feeling anxious. He was playing on his games console, but quickly turned it off once I sat down. "Clary?" He sat himself up so that he was sat next to me, looking at me concerned.
"I need to tell you something." I managed. "It's important."
"You're worrying me here C." Jon said, trying to laugh it off. His laughter quickly died down when he caught sight of the look on my face.
"Well, I had a boyfriend before I came here as well you know."
"Is this the one you've been having issues with? The whole break up and everything?" I nodded.
"Yeah, that's not the whole story. Well, the breakup wasn't mutual. On his part." I tried to word it best I could.
"Ok…" Jon looked confused.
"Well he didn't take it well and it's become quite an issue so, that's why I've been acting odd lately."
"You're being very vague here Clary. What do you mean the breakup wasn't mutual? You finished it with him?" I nodded. "I'm assuming you had good reason to finish it?" I nodded again, a stray tear falling down my cheek. Jon looked at me seriously. "What was that reason?"
"He wasn't the person I thought he was." I tried to hold back my tears. Jon placed his arm around my shoulder. "If I tell you Jon, you can't tell Mum or Dad. You can't."
"Clary, what is it? I promise, I'll keep it between us."
"He hurt me Jon. More than once. I thought he would stop but he never did, he just got worse." The tears were streaming now, any control I had long gone.
"He laid hands on you?" I could feel him tense up next to me, his body rigid. I nodded, burying my face into his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me Clary? I would have made him pay for each and every time!"
"That's why I couldn't tell you Jon. You can't hurt him, not because I care for him but because I care for you. Don't get into trouble for him." Jon looked at me puzzled.
"You're talking like hurting him is still an option. What am I missing here?"
"I said he didn't take it well. He's been messaging me and calling me frequently…"
"Like when Jace picked up your phone…that was him." Jon cut over me. I nodded.
"I only realised about a week ago how serious he was about getting back together."
"I'm not following." Jon looked confused, his body language still tense.
"He came to New York but you can't go talk to him Jon, promise me you won't."
"Who is it Clary?"
"Jon, please. You have to promise."
"Tell me who it is."
"Jon, promise." Jon looked at me, his face full of anger, his eyes trained in on mine. "It's Sebastian."
"Sebastian who was at bowling today?" I nodded and Jon hugged me against him tightly. "Why didn't you say something sooner? I can't believe I spoke to that piece of shit. I can't believe I laughed with him!"
"I know Jon, I'm sorry it was because I was scared of what you'd do, don't get yourself into trouble for me."
"I won't get into trouble, but I am going to talk to him."
"Jon."
"I have to talk to him Clary. He can't think that it's acceptable to get away with this. I won't hurt him though, I promise. I'll take Jace with me, he'll keep me grounded but I promise you I won't hurt him. Regardless of how much I want too."
I wasn't filled with hope. Jace and Jon on their own with Sebastian? It sounded like a recipe for disaster.
Thank you to everyone who takes their time to read and review, you make writing this story so worthwhile and I'm thankful for each and everyone one of you! All of my love, until the next time. ~Sapph