Jace dragged me along to the kitchen once we had dried ourselves from our escapades in the pool. "I'm going to rock your world. Sit yourself down." He sat me down in the chair as I dried the tips of my hair. My phone vibrated in front of me as Jace started messing around with pots and pans.
Mum: That's fine honey. I'll see you at the weekend. Love you.
Clary: Love you too mum.
"Anything interesting?" Jace questioned as he was dicing peppers.
"My parents seem to be away until the weekend, so I'm allowed to stay." Jace beamed at me, dropping the knife and kissing me happily.
"We'll go pick you some clothes up after we've eaten. Can't have you going to school tomorrow in the same clothes – you'll be talked about. And we can't have that Red."
"The school might be talking about me anyway – if word about Lana trying to knock my block off circulates."
"It's a good job I'm there to shut them all up then isn't it?" I laughed at him. I didn't doubt it.
After we had eaten, we snuggled up together on a cuddle chair that Magnus and Alec had in a very well lit room. The walls of the room were made up by windows that looked out over the acres of forest that surrounded the mansion. I curled myself up into the shape of Jace's body, his arms pulling me in closer to him. His hands smoothed down my hair as I closed my eyes, basking in the light that was quickly dimming.
"Your hair looks wonderful in this light." Jace mused. I turned to face him, resting on my elbows.
"As does yours. Looks like you have a little sun on your head." He scrubbed my hair, making me giggle.
After we'd been to my house to pick up some clothes for the next day, we got straight into bed to watch some TV series or another. I watched Jace more than I watched the TV show. It was great seeing him laugh, enjoying the cheesy jokes that were being cracked. I settled in his arms, kissing his chest lightly. He tipped my head up to face him, his lips gently meeting mine in the sweetest of ways.
Simon caught up to me in the next day in form class, looking excited.
"What's got you in such a happy mood?" I smirked as he bounded up to me.
"You – me – party – tomorrow night?" He asked me, doing a little dance with his shoulders.
"I think I may have other plans." I said, furrowing my brows. "Whose party?"
"Well – remember how I got humped and dumped? Somehow I think I'm back in. It's some sort of frat party or something – I thought you'd like to go with me. For support and all that." Simon looked a bit dismayed.
"I'll think about it." I patted his shoulder as I headed off for the first lesson of the day.
I thought everything had been going perfectly. True to my luck, it all went spiralling downhill. When I was leaving school that day, heading across the grass to start my walk home, a firm hand grabbed my shoulder tightly, spinning me to face them. I'd been asked questions all day, my cheekbone having turned a lovely shade of purple and blue from where Lana had punched me the day before. Thankfully the ice had stopped the swelling. Sebastian was standing before me, a look of concern on his face.
"What the hell happened? Who did that to you?!" I could see his tell-tale signs. He was becoming agitated, his colour rising up his neck. I tried pulling myself away from him – of all the people to get like this. How dare he?
"It's nothing. I knocked myself at home." He grabbed my shoulder, pulling me away once more.
"Don't lie to me Clary – I know someone has hit you. Was it him? It was him, wasn't it? The bastard!"
"Sebastian, leave it. No one hit me." I moved myself away from him as footsteps approached down the grassy bank. It was Jace, Isabelle in tow. The both of them looked mighty confused. As soon as Jace saw Sebastian's hands on me, he picked up his pace until they were level with one another. Jace laid his hands on Sebastian, pulling him back from me as Isabelle watched on from the top of the hill.
"Don't touch her." Jace growled, throwing Sebastian back. Sebastian dropped his bag to the floor, as he pushed his hair back rounding on Jace.
"Getting jealous are we?" Sebastian spat, rolling his sleeves up. "Worried I'm taking over your role?"
"What are you even talking about?" Sebastian was up in Jace's face, taunting him.
"I've seen her face. You've hit her. Don't try and pretend you haven't." Sebastian shoved Jace back, sending him reeling. Jace was quick to make up the distance between them, shoving Sebastian back equally as hard.
"You would know wouldn't you?" Jace spat as Sebastian regained his footing. "I'm not like you though, I don't hit women. I'm fine with hitting you though." I winced as Sebastian's closed fist impacted with Jace's face. I looked at Isabelle but she was rooted to the spot, looking on tears in her eyes. I dropped my own bag – I had to break this up. A rage had taken over Jace like nothing I'd ever seen before. His fists were pummelling into Sebastian, Sebastian unable to retaliate. I could see the hate in his eyes – all of the frustrations of the last few weeks being taken out on Sebastian. Sebastian was finally back on his feet, pushing Jace away from him before punching him in the chest, the face. Jace didn't let him get much in before they were tussling once more. I threw myself between them best I could, trying to push them away from each other. I couldn't just stand idly by as they beat the crap out of one another.
I don't know who did it. I couldn't pinpoint whose fist it was. A sharp pain burst across my face as I tasted blood in my mouth as my bottom lip ripped. I held my hand up to it to stop the blood spilling down my shirt. Sebastian and Jace immediately broke apart. Sebastian's shirt was ripped down to his abdomen, his face bloody and starting to bruise. Jace didn't look much better, his lip bleeding and cheekbones red raw.
"Clary." Jace looked at me, not sure what to say. He looked mortified.
"Are you alright?" Sebastian was walking towards me, looking at me, eyes full of concern. I shrugged them off, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I could feel my tears hot on my face but I wiped them away as well.
"Just leave me alone." I gasped, as they both tried to come towards me. "Please." I added, grabbing my bag from the floor before I took off at a sprint. I reached my house out of breath, grasping my side. Jon emerged from the kitchen, horror on his face when he caught sight of me. He dropped the cereal bowl he was clutching on the kitchen counter. He was instantly at my side and I allowed myself to be cradled in his arms, tears stinging in my eyes.
"Who did this?" He finally said, cleaning my lip up with cotton wool. "Tell me who did it and I'll destroy them. I swear, I'll beat them to a pulp." He growled.
"Jon, I don't want any more violence." I shook my head, wincing as he swabbed at my lip. "Jace and Sebastian were fighting – I tried to break them up. Little good it was." I shrugged.
"So who did it?" Jon pushed for an answer.
"I don't know Jon. It could have been either of them." He sighed. "The point of it is, they shouldn't have been fighting in the first place. It's pretty simple. If they weren't throwing punches at one another in the first place, this never would have happened." Once Jon was sure that I was fine, he left the house. He promised me that he was only going to speak to Jace. I went to lay in the bath, feeling thoroughly drained. My phone vibrated on the side at least 4 times. I picked it up, looking at the messages.
Jace: We need to talk Clary – please, don't leave it like this. I am so sorry. I'm disgusted in myself. Please talk to me Clary. Please.
Jace: Clary. Can I come over? I need to see you – please.
Sebastian: I'm so sorry Clary. Can we talk? I can't believe I've let that happen again.
Sebastian: Please. I feel like a disgrace.
I decided to ignore them both. Let them stew. They needed to learn this lesson, that hitting people isn't the way to go about things, violence was never the acceptable answer. A few days of being in the dog house wouldn't hurt either of them. I instead opened my messages to another person. Simon.
Clary: So this party – what time are you picking me up?
Simon: Yes Clary! 7pm?
Clary: Sounds like a plan. See you then.
I'd kept true to my word, not speaking to either of the boys, no matter how many times they messaged me. Jon had tried to plead Jace's case to me about how he was a mess, how sorry he was. I shrugged him off. It wasn't the fact that I had been hurt – they had been hurting each other and would have continued to do so had I not gotten between them. That was the lesson I wanted them to learn. My bruising had diluted somewhat the next day and was easily concealed with make-up. I dressed myself in a baggy white t-shirt with ripped sides and a pair of tight fitting dark blue jeans. I was shoving my boots onto my feet when Simon turned up. He was dressed in a comical Star Wars t-shirt and a pain of dark jeans. Once I was dressed, I gave myself a final once over in the mirror before grabbing my bag.
"Clary?" Jon was poking his head out of the door, looking at me curiously. "Off out?"
"Yeah, me and Clary are going out for the night to cheer her up." Simon smiled. Jon nodded, watching me suspiciously.
"Be careful Clary. You watch her Si." Jon nodded his head.
My feet were aching already when we reached the Frat house. People were spilling out onto the grass, bottles already laying strewn about the floor. Simon let me up into the house as I looked at him. He had very little hope of finding his friend amongst this crowd. Scantily clad females ran about the house, more than often chased by topless football players. It was bizarre how much of a step up there was between school and college – how everything became suddenly sexualised. I think I would have much rather have been at one of Magnus' parties. Simon got us drinks and I kept myself close to his side, scared that we would get separated and that I would suddenly be so far out of my depth. A shriek echoed from behind Simon as a flash of colour flew into his arms, wrapping herself around him. I suddenly felt like a third wheel, they stood talking as I drifted on the edge, rocking back and forth on my heels, sipping my drink. I suddenly screamed loudly as someone lifted me around the waist, holding me up in the air for a few moments. Simon was laughing as I felt my heels touch the floor once more. I span around to see Jordan grinning at me, arms open wide. He pulled me into a hug before leading me away from Simon who was attempting to see how far he could shove his tongue down his friend's throat.
"I heard about what happened at school, Sebastian is mortified." Jordan told me. I shook my head.
"No offence Jordan – I know that you're coming from a good place. But I just don't want to talk about it tonight. I came out to avoid it all." Jordan was nodding along.
"I get it. You won't hear another peep from me about it." He smiled toothily. "Would you like to dance?" He gestured to a room that had been set aside for that purpose.
"I haven't had nowhere near enough to drink." I laughed, Jordan answered me by handing me a red cup full of some liquid or other.
"Drink up." He joked. I sipped it a little as we walked around the house.
"So how come you're here anyway?" I questioned.
"Well, I know a couple of the guys who are in this fraternity." He shrugged, polishing his drink off. "And I'm an amazing party guest."
I finished my own drink, keeping an eye on Simon who was on the other side of the room, superglued.
"He's not going anywhere. Don't worry yourself so much." Jordan teased. "Plus, I'll make sure you're alright. Can't have anything jeopardising our art project." I laughed at him as we weaved through the crowd. After about half an hour, I found myself on the floor with Jordan, having a whale of a time. Jordan's dance moves were hilarious and I spent more time doubled over in laughter than I did actually dancing. I only moved myself from the floor when some strange character came sliding up behind me, dancing a little too closely for my liking. I looked back over for Simon to see that he had disappeared. Typical. Thanks Si.
My phone was ringing in my bag as I stepped away from the dancefloor to answer it. I found a relatively quiet corner, answering it. It was Jace.
"Clary – where are you?" I went to respond but he spoke over me. "Jon said you went out looking dressed up. You're at a party aren't you? I can hear the music, where are you?"
"I'm fine Jace. I'm with Simon and Jordan is here as well. I'm fine."
"Jordan? Really Clary?"
"He's a friend!"
"Speak to you later Clary." He grumbled. I looked at my phone frustrated, shoving it into my bag. I grabbed another drink from the table, trying to make Jordan out amongst the crowd but he seemed to be locking lips with some raven-haired girl on the dancefloor. I sat myself down on an inflatable chair that was nestled into the corner. I tapped my foot along to the music as I watched everyone in front of me. The whole chair wobbled as someone sat on the edge of it.
"Frat parties are so overrated." He muttered in a low tone. I could see him out of the side of my eye watching me. I nodded in agreement, holding my drink to my lips. "Cat got your tongue?" I looked at him. He had dark hair that lay in waves upon his head, his eyes were equally dark, and his build slender. I shrugged.
"Contemplating going home." I admitted, crossing my legs. His eyes were watching me in a way that made me feel uncomfortable.
"Where's the fun in that?"
"Where's the fun in Frat parties?" I retorted. He laughed.
"Let me get you a drink." He hopped up and headed over to the drinks table. He came back a few moments later, handing me a small cup. I finished my current drink, before placing the new one at my lips. I bit my lip painfully as someone knocked the cup from my hands from behind me. I turned around unimpressed to see Sebastian, eyes narrowed, squaring up against the guy who had been sat next to me.
"Seb, where on earth do you get off? Have you followed me here?" I got to my feet, pushing him backwards. I'd be damned if I let this escalate into violence again. Sebastian's hand fell protectively to my shoulder.
"I was here anyway Clary. I've kept my distance all night. Just watching you. When I happened to looking out for you, I saw a certain someone slip a certain something into a certain drink." I immediately turned my attention to the guy next to me, stepping back and closer to Sebastian. He laughed nervously, before giving me a sleazy grin.
"You can't blame a guy for trying." He shrugged before wandering off. Sebastian made to go after him but I held onto the back of his shirt.
"Can you just give it a rest, please? I've had just about enough of people fighting." Sebastian settled back, calming himself down.
"Sure Clary." He smiled. "Let me get you home. It's not really safe for you here."
I couldn't have agreed more.
Thank you for reading my stories!
All of my love,
Until the next time!
~Sapph