Thank you for your continued support with this story. It really makes my day! A lot of people want to know how Sebastian feels about Clary. I just feel like it's important that I point out that Sebastian is absolutely infatuated with Clary. She is the only one he can see himself being with in the future and he would do anything to have her back. I am tempted to do a Sebastian PoV in the near future depending on where I take the plot.
The lesson passed by in silence and I was relieved that I had two days of freedom before I had to endure another lesson of art. Heading out of the classroom, I made a beeline for Jace's locker, excited to see what he planned for our date night. It was a short while before I saw him. When I did catch sight of him he was walking through the hallway, Lana at his side. She disappeared down another corridor as Jace headed in my direction. His face was stoic until he caught sight of me, a smile brimming to the surface.
"Everything okay?" I asked, resting against his locker. He nodded, kissing my cheek lightly.
"Yeah, grand." He smiled before his brow furrowed. "Can we rearrange date night to tomorrow night? My parents need me to run an errand tonight."
"Yeah, that's fine." I agreed, a little disappointed. "I can't do tomorrow though. I've promised Si that I'll have dinner at his house. Thursday?" We agreed on a day before parting ways. I thought nothing of it.
When I got home, I headed straight into the kitchen. Ever since I had gotten out of hospital, I'd had a serious case of dehydration going on. I was drinking like a horse. Jon was already in the kitchen in a pair of jogging bottoms with no shirt on. He had a pair of earphones in and was dancing around to what sounded like rap music. It was a good ten minutes before he even realised I was there.
"Sup sis!" He smiled, taking out one earphone.
"Not an awful lot actually. I actually have one of those days to myself again. You know how much I enjoy them." I smiled sarcastically. Ever since I'd been ill, I hated spending time by myself unless I'd planned to do so.
"Is Jace not free?" Jon said with a funny smile on his face. He loved winding me up about Jace.
"He's running an errand for his parents." I said, finishing my drink off. Jon pulled his face momentarily before bursting into a grin.
"You know what this calls for!" Jon smiled, pulling out the remaining earphone.
"What?" I asked, refilling my glass.
"We're going to do something together. Just the two of us. Now what to do." He was tapping his chin as he retrieved his t-shirt from the chair at the breakfast bar.
"Nothing too strenuous I hope." I added, tapping my ribs.
"I've got a good idea." He smiled, gesturing for me to follow him. I finished off the rest of my drink before accompanying him to the car.
"And that idea is?" I asked as I trailed behind him.
"You'll spoil the surprise." He commented, opening the car door for me to hop in.
"You have no idea what we're going to do, have you?" I asked him once he climbed into the driver's seat. He gave me a smile before turning the engine on.
"I'll figure something out." I joined him in laughter as I buckled myself in.
We eventually came to a stop at a pet shop.
"A pet shop?" I questioned him as we pulled up outside.
"Well I thought we might look at animals. Zoos will be closing soon. This was really the best I could do! We'll go for a coffee afterwards though. There's a nice one just down this street." Jon immediately regretted taking me into the pet shop because I wanted everything I saw. We nearly left with a handful of animals. On our way along to the café, Jon stopped to have a chat with a man I didn't recognise in the street. I continued along to the café, buying our coffees and ordering desserts. Jon followed me in about five minutes after I'd sat down. He had a confused expression on his face.
"That's Jace's dad." Jon commented as he sat down, poking his dessert with his fork.
"Oh really?" I said simply, I spooned a piece of cheesecake into my mouth.
"He asked if Jace was with me." Jon said with a furrowed brow.
"Oh." I commented.
"Apparently he has no errands to do tonight as his parents are flying to England later this evening." Jon shrugged, eating his own cake. "Maybe he's planning a surprise for you?"
"Maybe." I muttered, suddenly not all that interested in my own. It sat abandoned until we left the coffee shop and headed home. As soon as I was over the threshold, I headed upstairs to find my phone.
Simon: Are we still on for tomorrow missus?
Clary: Of course we are. Stir-fry?
Simon: Yes! Stir-fry! I'll be here too remember!
Clary: Eh, I suppose that'll do.
Simon: Hey now!
Clary: You know I love you Si.
Simon: That's more like it.
The only other person I had messages from was Sebastian.
Sebastian: I can't take this Clary. Please talk to me.
Clary: Focus on Isabelle. This isn't getting you anywhere.
I decided to pen a message to Jace. Not accusing, just to see if our wires had gotten crossed somewhere.
Clary: Hey, did you get your errand done?
It took a while for him to respond. While I was waiting, I managed to have a shower, draw half a picture and eat my dinner.
Jace: Yeah, it took a while. All done now though. I'm free, if you want to do something?
Clary: It's getting a bit late. I'll see you tomorrow at school.
I had to talk to Simon about this. It was all a little bit strange. I couldn't put my finger on it, something just didn't seem right.
I barely saw Jace at all the next day at school. As soon as the day was over, I grabbed Simon and dragged him to his house in silence, only stopping to breathe once we were on the other side of the door.
"What on earth was that all about?" Simon protested, straightening out his shirt.
"I need to talk to you about something."
"What is it?" He asked, sitting himself down at the table.
"Jace. He told me he was running an errand for his parents last night but his parents said he wasn't. Lana has been hanging around his locker for the better part of the week. She was even there today! I don't want to sound like an idiot Si, but what if he's cheating on me?" I said, pacing in his kitchen, getting myself all flustered.
"Clary. He'd be an idiot. After everything that the pair of you have been through as well, he'd be crazy. Plus! He's Jon's best friend. You're Jon's sister. Jon would tear his head off. His life wouldn't be worth living." I had to agree with Simon. Jace had never shown himself to be this type of person before. Maybe I was just reading into it all wrong. Maybe he was running an errand for Alec and got himself confused? Maybe he was doing something for his parents without them knowing? A nice gesture? Maybe I was the idiot.
"You're right Simon. I think I'm just being paranoid."
"I can hardly blame you C. After everything Sebastian has done, it must be hard for you." He was right. As always.
"Thank you Simon, you've made me see sense again."
"It's my job. I've gotten good at it over the years." He smiled. "Now are you going to help me get this stir-fry going? Mum's been held back at work. So it's just me, you and this whole pan of stir-fry I'm afraid." Simon smiled.
"I can live with that." I smirked.
I didn't leave Simon's until late as we got a little bit carried away playing Super Mario. He offered to walk me home but I declined, it was only a few blocks away. As I was approaching my house, I saw that same car again parked quite close to my house. As soon as I got up close, it sped away once more. My immediate thought was Sebastian but it wasn't his car. It wouldn't hurt to message him anyway though, would it?
Clary: Have you taken to stalking me now?
He replied almost instantaneously.
Sebastian: No?! Do you need me over there? I can come now.
Clary: No, it's okay. I must be seeing things.
I regretted messaging him instantly but if it wasn't him, who else could it be? I went straight to bed that night as mum and dad were out on a theatre break for the next couple of days, leaving Jon to 'look after me'. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I opened the door to find Jace sitting on my bed. He looked a little dishevelled, but smiled nonetheless.
"I wasn't expecting visitors." I smiled as I shut the door. Jace jumped to his feet to join me at the door, helping me to take my bag off.
"Well I thought since I bailed on date night, I'd come make it up to you." His voice was slightly husky.
"That's kind of you. Have you been here long?" I questioned as I took my jacket off.
"About an hour, I sat with Jon for most of it though."
"Oh, did you see the car outside then?" I asked, not worried about questioning it now that I knew that it wasn't Sebastian. Jace's face fell slightly as he approached the window, twitching the blinds as he looked out into the night. "They're gone now. They went when I came in. I'm pretty sure I saw the same car the other day though, during the night." I commented, as I rummaged through my drawers looking for some pyjamas.
"Is it not Sebastian? Playing his games?" Jace asked, sounding unsure himself.
"I've asked him already." He shot me a look. "It's not him. Anyway, it's a different car."
"Do you need a hand?" Jace offered, as I headed into the bathroom.
"I can manage, thank you though." I emerged a few minutes later. My hair was tied back into a long ponytail, my vest top and short pyjama combo adorned with spots. Jace was waiting on the other side of the door. He grabbed me close to him for a long hug burying his nose into my hair. He moved away from me once he had hugged me, holding me at arms-length and just looking at me. "What was that all about?" I asked him, as snuggled myself back against his chest.
"Nothing, I just really love you Clary." He sighed against me. "I hope you know that."
"Of course I do." I smiled up at him. His eyes met with mine as his lips pressed against mine lightly but hungrily. I stepped onto my tiptoes to kiss him back, my hands resting on his shoulders. He stepped me backwards towards the bed before sitting on it himself. He opened his legs, allowing me to stand in front of him, never breaking the kiss. My hands found their way into his hair as his hands rested just above my bum. His hands kneaded against my skin, trying to pull me in closer. Giving into him, I climbed onto the bed, my knees hooking over her legs as I rested myself against him. His hands fell down to cup my bum as I tugged at his hair lightly. His lips slipped from my mouth, trailing down my jawline and throat and down to my collarbone. I giggled under his touch before climbing back to my feet. He looked up at me with a pout on his face.
"You ruined my fun." He pointed out as I headed to the mirror to sort my hair out.
"Treat them mean, keep them keen?" I joked as I looked at him through my mirror. He hopped off the bed, coming over in my direction. His hands fell to my hips as he kissed the back of my neck lightly, his fingertips niggling at my skin. His hand started to slip under my vest stop, rubbing my stomach and sides.
"Stop it." I muttered, as he rested his head on my shoulder.
"Why?" He breathed heavily as he reached the underwire of my bra.
"Jon's just down the hall." I said, finally catching his hands and pulling myself away from him. "Are you staying the night?" I asked Jace once the tension in the air had diluted a little. He was messing around on his phone, fingers typing quickly.
"Uh – I think I'll have to pass. I'm still up for date night tomorrow though." He smiled, kissing me lightly on the cheek before heading out of the room, all of the passion of before melting away. I dived straight for my phone, dialling up Simon.
"New York Fire Department, how may I help you?"
"Simon. I think I'm going crazy."
"What's up munchkin?"
I told him the full story about how Jace had been all over me and then suddenly, he wasn't interested. Was it my imagination?
"I don't really want to know what you and Mr Herondale get up to in private-"
"Give over Simon, I've seen you in worse states, remember?"
"Ah yes, let's forget I said that! Is he not just – on his period?"
"Seriously now Simon." I sighed. "Please. For the sake of my sanity."
"Why don't you just ask him if something is up?" Simon said.
"Cause he probably wouldn't tell me even if there was…"
"If there is something up I bet it's completely trivial. You'll be worrying about nothing."
"You're right." I mumbled. "I'm probably just getting myself worked up about nothing." A knock rang out downstairs. Jace had more than likely forgotten something. "Got to go Simon, someone's at the door. I'll speak to you later. Thanks again!"
I ran down the stairs but by the time I got there, there was no one there. I looked up and down the street but couldn't see anyone. Just as I was about to head back inside, I looked down to see a small piece of paper sat on the doorstep. Reaching down for it, I picked it up and read it quickly. But it filled me with more confusion than anything else.
STAY AWAY FROM JACE HERONDALE
Thank you all for reading! I appreciate every single one of you and love reading your reviews.
All of my love, until the next time!
~Sapph