Hello you lovely bunch! I'm really getting into writing this story again after my somewhat unprompted break! Here's to updates and lots of them! Thank you for reading, reviewing, favourites and follows, you guys are amazing. Some of the reviews I've received since updating yesterday have honestly warmed my heart so much. I really do appreciate every single one of you.
Friday came around a bit quick for my liking and my bruises were still there in yellowish shades. Jon was taking Simon and me over to the party at 7, Jace had agreed to meet me there but we hadn't really had much contact other than that over the last few days since I'd failed to keep Isabelle away from Sebastian. I got home early from school and set about trying to make myself look somewhat decent for tonight. After my shower, I went through my wardrobe thrice looking for something to wear that would cover my stupid arms. Just as I was about to embark on a fourth trip through my wardrobe, a loud knock rang out on the door. Quickly draping my robe across my shoulders, I pulled the door open to see Jon, his hands behind his back.
"Can I come in a moment Clary?" He asked, looking sheepish. I nodded, gesturing for him to come forward. "I know you've had a hard time lately and I thought you deserved something nice. Mum helped me pick it out, so I hope you like it." He smiled, revealing a box from behind his back. I looked at it curiously, setting it down on the bed and taking a peek inside. The dress inside was purple, a beautiful dark shade. By pure luck it had full sleeves of sheer material. The skirt had a small petticoat underneath as well as sheer panels down the sides. It was stunning.
"Jon, I don't really know what to say. It's perfect. Thank you." I hugged Jon around his waist, careful that my robe didn't slip.
"You deserve it Clary. I really hope we have a good time tonight. I'll let you get dressed."
It took me forever to do my make-up and I couldn't help but get flashbacks of when I'd had to dress up for the Gallery evening with Sebastian. Pushing him from my mind, I started to pull on my dress, managing to get it on by myself completely which was a feat in itself. Once the dress was on, I found a pair of black laced up stiletto heels to pair with it. I quickly checked my phone, hoping to see something there from Jace but I didn't have any messages whatsoever.
Clary: Hi Si, head over now if you can.
I penned a quick message to Simon before popping my phone inside my clutch. Jon was waiting in the hall when I left my room.
"Look at you!" I commented, giving him the once over. Jon was fully suited up, looking quite dapper.
"Never mind me, look at you!" He laughed. "I'm surprised you didn't attempt to throw plaid in there somewhere. I'm kidding! I'm kidding!" He shouted as I swung for him almost losing my balance on my heels, thankfully he caught my arm keeping me standing. "Woah there, and this is before you've had a drink." Jon joked.
"I wasn't planning on drinking anyway." I said confused, I was underage so drinking wasn't really on my agenda.
"Well there's nothing wrong with a couple when I'm there. I mean we're all crashing there anyway, so it's not as though mum and dad will know any different." Jon shrugged, helping me down the stairs. Mum and Dad were both waiting at the bottom as though it was some sort of dance. Mum was getting all teary eyed like she had last time.
"It's so lovely seeing the both of you together, all grown up." She stifled a sob, fidgeting with the camera in her hands. Dad was about to open his mouth to add something when there was a knock at the door. Mum got me and Jon into position for her to take a picture as Dad let Simon into the house. Simon was wearing a similar suit to Jon, and he looked completely different. His suit was well tailored and brought out his shape, making him look really good.
"I hope you're not about to take a picture without your second favourite son!" Simon protested, shoving himself on the other side of me and into the picture. Dad took the camera, standing back to get us all in. Once the picture was taken, they started with their fussing, making sure that we knew where we were staying, that they would pick us up if needs be and making sure Jon was alright to drive. Once Jon had managed to convince them that everything was fine, we picked up our bags with our change of clothes inside and headed out to the car. Jon unlocked the car, grabbing my bags from me as Simon helped me into the back of the car before climbing into the passenger seat.
"You look – wow Clary. I don't think I've ever seen you in like a proper dress before." I could feel myself blushing.
"You look pretty good yourself." I commented as Jon climbed into the car.
"I know right." Simon looked down at himself. "I'm thinking about coming into school like this every day." I saw Jon roll his eyes in the rear view mirror and tried to stifle a giggle. The drive over was surprisingly long and I couldn't believe my eyes when we pulled up at what I can only describe as the biggest mansion I've ever seen in my life. The house was absolutely colossal, with grounds spilling out around it.
"To think I was worried that we would all have to crash on the floor…" I muttered under my breath, peering out of the window. Simon looked equally in shock, turning to look at me in the back.
"They've got a fountain…" He mouthed as Jon pulled his car around and into the garage that was around the back. There were a few people milling around already but most people were probably coming a little later. Simon helped me out of the car as I readjusted my dress as we followed Jon up to the house. The house was even more impressive on the inside, screaming personality.
"What is it Magnus and Alec do again?" I muttered to Simon.
"Magnus is some sort of organiser and planner and I think Alec helps him? I'm not sure. They're doing something right though." Simon commented.
"I wonder if he's hiring." I joked as Jon led us to what must have been the centre of the party. Drinks were lined up in rows on a table that seemed never-ending. Surprisingly, the room was already quite full. Alec and who I assumed was Magnus, were stood in the middle, both dressed in suit jackets with intricate patterns. As I was looking around the room, Jon had went to the drinks table and brought Simon and I a drink back.
"What's this?" I questioned, looking into the glass. Jon shrugged as Simon sipped it.
"Tastes good." Simon shrugged as I tasted it for myself. It tasted really sweet like nothing I'd ever had before. I finished it rather quickly.
"Woah there missus, it's not soda." Jon looked at me, an eyebrow cocked. I smiled coyly, before grabbing another glass for everyone from the table, promising to drink this one slower.
"Hello everyone, glad you could make it." Alec had joined our group, and I started to feel really nervous, I'd never spoken to him before properly and I felt a little awkward to say the least. Jon and Alec launched into a conversation as Simon and I stood looking around the room. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Alec approached me.
"I don't think we've had a chance to speak properly. Do you mind if I steal her for a moment?" Alec asked as Jon and Simon looked confused but didn't protest. I was quite confused myself. I handed my drink to Simon before following Alec from the room and along the corridor. "I was hoping that you would come tonight. Jace would likely kill me if he knew I'd had this conversation with you, but I was kind of interested to get to know the girl who finally tamed him, so to speak. " I scoffed a little.
"I don't think Jace can ever be tamed."
"Poor choice of words maybe, but I have seen a change in him recently." Alec smiled, leading me along a corridor decorated with the most ornate paintings, all of which attracted my attention. "I guess I'm just being a little nosy in trying to scope out whether or not you are as into him as he is into you." I shrugged slightly.
"We're taking it slowly." I started. "Jace doesn't want to get on the wrong side of my brother unless it's something durable I guess. He has been a little distant this week though." I added, it was nice to have someone to talk about this with openly and honestly.
"Ah the Isabelle situation." Alec commented. "I hope you don't mind that Jace told me but I know that this Sebastian is an unsavoury character. Isabelle will figure it out for herself, we will all just have to be patient and cautious." I was silent for a moment, taking it in that Alec knew probably my biggest secret. I just hoped that Jace hadn't told him everything. "I really do think you'll be good for Jace though, from what I can gather. I'll let you get back to the party and I hope to speak to you a little more as the night goes on." Alec smiled as we had come full circle back to the room we started at which was now looking considerably fuller than it had earlier. Simon was stood in the middle of the room looking a little awkward, I headed over to join him, retrieving my glass from earlier.
"I'll take that." I smiled, pressing the glass to my lips, downing the contents. Simon looked at me surprised.
"What was that all about then?" He looked over at Alec as we ventured back to the drinks table for a refill.
"Just testing the water I think, about Jace." I said, shrugging. Simon furrowed his brow momentarily before regaining himself. "Speaking of which, are any of the others here yet?" I looked around the room, a little eager to see Jace.
"Not that I can see. Jon's over there talking to Magnus but I don't think – ah scratch that. Don't look now though." Simon said, his face falling a little. I was tempted to look around.
"What?" I said, sipping my drink.
"Sebastian and Jordan just walked in. No sign of Isabelle and Jace though." Simon muttered, barely opening his mouth. I stayed focused on my drink and on Simon, worrying that if I turned around that Sebastian and Jordan would make a beeline for us. Jordan I didn't mind, Sebastian was another story unto himself. I felt rooted to the spot and really nervous, now didn't feel like a fantastic time to be stood next to the drinks table.
"Jordan." Simon muttered under his breath just before Jordan joined us. He was dressed in a grey suit jacket with dark blue trousers and was attracting a lot of attention from the room. I finally caught sight of Sebastian on the other side of the room, dressed completely in grey, talking to someone I didn't recognise.
"Hey there." Jordan smiled at Simon before turning his attention to me. His eyes stayed on me for the longest time as Simon started to shuffle uncomfortably.
"I'm just going to uh – go see what Jon wants." Simon stumbled through an excuse before heading off into a crowd of people. I cursed him under my breath for leaving me in this awkward situation.
"I'm probably not the first to say it tonight and I doubt I'll be the last, but you look phenomenal." Jordan said, taking my empty glass from my hand and passing me a glass of something I hadn't tried yet. I had to go easy on these drinks, Jace wasn't even here yet and I'd already had more than I'd planned to have all night.
"Everyone looks really good." I said, trying to turn the attention away from myself. Jordan smirked, chiming his glass against my own before pressing it to his lips.
"Sebastian didn't want me to come tonight, I can't imagine why." Jordan mused, looking over to where Sebastian stood. I shrugged.
"He's a strange one."
"You might just be right about that." Jordan affirmed.
Jace's POV
I felt a bit strange about going to the party. I hadn't really spoken to Clary very much over the last few days, mainly because I was trying to figure out what to do with this whole Isabelle situation. I hadn't come up with very many answers. Straightening my jacket, I checked my watch. Isabelle was running really late, what was she doing up there?
"Iz, are you done yet? We're already late." I shouted up the stairs.
"One minute Jace. I'm nearly done." She called back. Leaning against the wall, I pulled out my phone and checked it.
Jon: We're here. You still coming, yeah?
Jace: On way now.
When I put my phone back in my pocket, Iz was standing at the top of the stairs making last minute touches to her make-up. What she was wearing made me nervous. Her dress was red and very tight fitting, cutting off at her mid-thigh.
"You sure you don't want a coat?" I questioned as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She shot me a look.
"No thank you." She grunted, reaching for her shoes.
"You might not want to bend over like that tonight – people might get to see what you had for lunch." I joked. She span around to look at me, her eyes narrowed. "I'm joking Iz. Have you got everything?" She nodded as we made our way to the car. The ride over was suffered in silence, my jokes with Isabelle earlier clearly not hitting her funny spot. As soon as the car was in the garage, she was out and heading into the main house. Either my jokes were really unfunny, or she was desperate to see Sebastian. Much to my annoyance. The room was packed to the brim when I finally got up there, Magnus and Alec standouts amongst the crowd. It didn't take me long to spot Clary, her hair a dead giveaway.
She looked out of this world and for the first time in my life my stomach was doing backflips, a queasy feeling inside my chest. Straightening up my jacket, I made my way over.
Thank you everyone for reading! I appreciate the whole lot of you, you lovely people! I will try to get this updated again tonight! All of my love, until next time. ~Sapph