Chapter 4: I'll Never Fall in Love Again

"Clary!" Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she swung around. It was Jace looking a tad flustered.

"I don't need a dance partner, thank you." She turned back around but his hand clutched her arm.

"No! It's Tessa! She's upstairs and unconscious." He insisted. She shook off his arm and took off up the stairs. She went into Jace's bedroom and there was Tessa lying on the bed, Will sat on the floor next to her.

"What happened?" Clary growled.

5 minutes earlier…

Tessa was dancing around with Will. He was very good, better than her. She felt lucky that she had paid attention to Nate and his instructions. Then I'll Never Fall in Love Again by Deacon Blue came on. Slow dance she could and Will evidently could too. She set her arms, and thanked the Angel that she had worn long sleeves, because as Will slid his hands down to the top of her hip she felt her skin prickle. They moved in unison and at the end, of course, Tessa had gotten uncomfortably yet comfortably close. She grinned as he pulled her up, looking impressed.

"Are you thirsty?" He grinned.

"Yeah." She tapped her hand against her chest. Will sashayed around the others to get some water for him and Tessa. Tessa moved closer to the wall, away from the other couples. She heard a little "Ahem" and saw Jessamine glaring at her.

"You have fun out there with Will? Here's some advice Princess, he's mine, not yours. Oh and you're off the squad." As Tessa thanked the heavens that she didn't have to quit herself she didn't notice Jessamine wind back and throw the punch.

Moments later Tessa felt arms around her as she floated in and out of consciousness.

Present

"She punched her?" Clary looked pissed. Jace was leaning against the far wall, behind the little redhead.

"Don't worry I took care of it." Jace spoke up.

"How so? Isn't she best buddies with your girlfriend?" Clary retorted with as much venom as she could muster.

"We aren't dating." Jace scoffed.

"Oh so you just grope everyone like that in the middle of class?" Clary stomped over to Will, wanting to get as far away from Jace as possible. "She didn't hit her head did she?" Clary turned to look at Will.

"No I don't think she did, but Jessamine knocked her hard enough to make her lose consciousness."

"Okay, I need a glass of water, a washcloth, and a flashlight." Clary instructed. As Jace and Will left to grab her instructed supplies, Clary stroked her sister/cousin's hair. Jace was first to come in with the flashlight and he awkwardly handed it to Clary. Moments later, Will came in with the washcloth and glass of water. Clary forced Tessa's eye open and sighed when her pupil reacted instantaneously. She took the washcloth and prodded Tessa's head with it. She cooed quietly.

"Tessa, hon, wake up. Tessa. Tessie." She smiled when her eyes fluttered open. "How do you feel?"

"Like someone ran over my face with a dump truck…what happened? Where's Will?" She looked around.

"I'm right here." He came and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Jessamine punched you in the face." Clary growled.

"That bitch." Tessa started to sit but fell back against the pillows. "Ouch! Head pandemonium!" She leaned back. Clary kicked her shoes off and scurried up to curl next to Tessa.

"So what actually happened?" Clary swung an arm around Tessa as the boys decided to excuse themselves.

"I was dancing with Will…"

"And you like him?"

"I don't really him that well. But, anyways, Jessamine saw and got all pissed that I was dancing with her 'man', and then she kicked me off the squad and punched me in the face." She smiled

"I'll tear that slut up, you know I will!" Clary announced.

"Sure Clary, you do that."

"So, what are you going to do now? Are you upset about the cheerleading thing?"

"No. I'm madder (A/N seriously a word, I wouldn't lie!) at Axel. He was making out with another girl."

"Oh yeah that was me…" Tessa glared at Clary and tried to push her off. "I'm just messing with you! It was probably Aline or Jessamine." Clary laughed off.

"Clarissa Adele! That was not even remotely funny."

"Lighten up, would you?"

"So are we staying the night or do you wish to move me in this condition."

"Which would you prefer?" Clary was silently begging it to be the latter. The last thing she'd want to do is sleep under the same roof as Jace Herondale. He was far from Clary's good graces.

"I'd prefer going home but I need help to the car." Thank God!

"Or you just want Will's strong arms around you!" Clary squealed and hugged herself making kissy faces.

"Are you drunk?"

"I don't know…was that punch spiked?"

"It most likely was. Isn't that the outcome of most parties? Spiked punch, shaved heads, roofies..."

"I suppose I shouldn't drive…plus I don't have a car. Do I dare call Nathaniel?" Clary grabbed her phone and started to scroll through it.

Jace leaned against the door, trying to listen in on Clary and Tessa's conversation. In all honesty, Jace was a tad shaken at what Clary had said. He knew she had been looking at him the other day in science, but she evidently saw everything. But it was true; he and Kaelie were anything but exclusive. Okay so maybe he didn't want to be exclusive with anyone but Clary. He couldn't tell her that though! That would very much dampen his reputation. Yes she was beautiful, not Kaelie fake beautiful, but real beauty. It must run in the family though because Jace couldn't help but notice that his dear cousin looked at Tessa the same way he looked at Clary. Jace was snapped out of his reverie as he heard the girls moving and almost didn't make it to the other side of the hallway before the door opened.

Clary stood in front of them looking a bit flustered. Her cheeks were lightly flushed and her hair was wild. Her green eyes skimmed over the boys. More so Will, seeing as how she did her best to avert her glance away from Jace.

"Tessa's brother is on his way. Would one of you mind to carry her down?" They both nodded. Will got to Tessa before Jace and as Will shimmied Tessa out the door Jace grabbed Clary's arm and pulled her back.

"What?" She sounded annoyed.

"You're good at English right?" So Jace was desperate to spend a little time alone with her.

"I suppose…" She looked lost.

"Did you get the weekend assignment?"

"Yes, I finished it."

"Would you mind helping me with it? I don't get it at all."

"Why don't you ask Isabelle?" She inquired. The annoyed voice had returned.

"Isabelle has never picked a book up in her life. Unless it was written by Lauren Conrad or Seventeen, but will you please help me? Please!" Very desperate.

"Fine. I'll come over tomorrow afternoon." She shook his hand off and left a smiling Jace in her wake.

Not only had Jace lied, which was extremely rare, but he was well on his way of winning over Clary. Yes the whole English thing was a lie, but she didn't know.

Eek! So I finally discovered how Jem became human again! It was the Heavenly Fire! You know when Jace shocked him? Yes that turned him human again! And yes I changed the title. I decided it would be a bit farfetched if I had included the tango… But now Will and Tessa are getting a bit closer as is Jace and Clary. I can't wait for the next chapter too! I will devote a chapter to whoever can guess what the English homework is. Joking aside though, this is actually my English subject for the next two quarters of school and I am nerding the hell out! Any who, HOORAY for Tessa! She hath joined the ranks of the Sweethearts! I shall update immediately (well… soon). I want to thank those who reviewed, you guys are great! And also the others who PMed me. And those who favorited and followed the story! You guys are awesome, really. By the way, I do read the followers/reviewers/favoriters/PMers stories. I'm off to thaw my toes and go to bed (it snowed last night! yay!)

Nighty- night! - Emma