Guess who my partner was. Yes, none other than Jace Herondale walked through that damned door. At the sound of my very obnoxious and loud groan he halted mid step with a shocked expression on his face.
With an eyebrow waggle and a little step he leaned against the wall.
"What's the matter Red? Can't get enough of this?" He asked me. Casually indicating his body making the other girl in the class sigh and dissolve in poorly hidden giggle behind their sleeves. I roll my eyes shaking my head.
"NO. You're partner. That means I have to spend more time with you. "
A hurt expression came across his face as he slouched, Only enough for me to notice though. He quickly wiped the expression of his face and replaced it with a hard one. His golden eyes glaring at me with hurt and disappointment.
I guess he thought that we were now friends because I agreed to go to Pandemonium with him. That was definitely not the case. The only reason I said yes was because 1. I could get away from my father for a night and 2. Because Izzy would have dragged me along anyway.
"Jace, Clary you two are now partners in our project. Because we are running out of time today I must ask you two to meet outside of class today to get this done in time." She groans again and the look of hurt flashes through Jace's eyes again.
After class we met outside so we could discuss our meeting place.
"I can meet you at the Lightwood's house after school." I tell Jace.
"No! No, I already know where you live and I have to go over there anyway to get ready for pandemonium. I will just meet you over there. Here's my number, text me. Ok, Bye." With that Jace handed me a piece of paper and walked away in a hurry.
I fold the little paper and slide it into my pocket to program into my phone later.
What would Jace not want me to see? I don't understand. On the other hand I do not want him to come over to our place in case my father comes home drunk or something. I never ever, ever want him to see me that vulnerable. I already feel open to him and I don't need him to see into my personal life. I can't stand that.
"Jace is coming over after school tomorrow-"I was cut off by Jonathan.
"No shit, we have to rehearse before we go to pandemonium."
"We also have to work on a project before you rehearse." I whispered. Jonathan turns and I flinch just waiting for the first blow to hit me, wondering where he'll hit me today. He doesn't though, instead he turns; anger set into his face.
"What was that?! Did I just hear that you're taking our lead singer away from us, to work on a fucking project?!" Jonathan yelled angrily.
Because of the hideously angry look on my brother's face; his lips pursed in a scowl and his eyebrows tugged together in frustration. I dart up the stairs and into my room closing my door and locking it.
I sat down on my bed and went to pull out Jace's phone number. But it was gone. I quickly gave myself a pat down and discovered that it had disappeared. I quietly opened my door to see if it had fallen out of my pocket and landed on the floor. The second I opened my door I heard my brother screaming through the phone at someone.
"WHY DO I HEAR THAT YOU ARE MISSING PRACTICE TO WORK ON SOMETHING WITH MY LITTLE SHIT OF A SISTER?! THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE I EXPECTED BETTER THAN THIS!"
He goes silent for a few moments- probably listening to Jace- before resuming his yelling.
"I DON'T CARE THAT THIS A PROJECT! THIS IS IMPORTANT! IT'S PANDEMONIUM FOR FUCKS SAKE! THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST LIVE CROWDS YET! WE'VE ONLY EVER PLAYED ON TV TO A TINY AUDIENCE! THIS IS HUGE!"
He goes silent for another few seconds.
"WHY DOES SHE HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER BY THE WAY?! I JUST FOUND IT ON THE FLOOR! WHAT IS THIS?! ARE YOU JUST HOOKING UP WITH HER!? IS THIS PART OF OUR PLAN THAT I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT?!
Plan? What plan? Jace and my brother have a plan? Uh oh. This isn't good considering how much my brother hates me. That was all I want to hear. I sprint back to my room to collapse on my bed in panic. What are they planning? When is it going to take place? Does it have anything to do with Jace inviting me to Pandemonium?
I will just have to wait and see. But for some reason, the thought of him hurting me hurts more than one of my beatings. And that scares me, I can't let emotion start playing a part in this. Like my father says, I'm worthless
Jace POV-
Jonathan flipped a shit on me when he discovered that I was missing part of practice to work on this stupid project with Clary. When he discovered that I gave her my phone number, he was furious. So, I did the best thing I could think of. I told him that it was all part of the plan. But you were lying. A tiny voice says. Jace growls at it to shut up then goes to take a shower before the show.
*The next day*
Clary POV-
Today was finally Friday. I got through my first week back at hell. It wasn't too bad. I do have my 'date' with Jace tonight. Directly after school I was going to my house to meet with Jace for our project. Then, after we finished I was going to Izzy's to get ready for Pandemonium.
I walk into my art class again to see Jace, like he has for the past week, sitting in the desk directly beside mine with his backpack saving my seat.
I sat down with a blown out hello and got out my sketchbook to finish a drawing of a lily tht has been plaguing my thoughts begging to be drawn. I'm nearly done too just have to finish off the stalk, grabbing my green pencil I start drawing defined lines where the stalk begins and runs into the petals, when it's yanks out of my hand by none other than Jace.
"Wow, that's amazing Red." Jace muttered amazed. "I didn't know you could draw!"
"Ya" I said with a flush. Trying to grab the picture out of his hand, but he's taller than me and just lifts it out of my reach.
"You should draw our next album cover! That would be amazing!" He says with pure honesty in his voice.
"Oh no, no, no I could never." I say blushing probably redder than my hair.
"Yes!" Jace insisted.
"No! Drop it Jace!" I told him with a glare. Grabbing the picture an stuffing it in my bag.
"Ok, ok jeez. Calm down." He said throwing up his hands in mock surrender.
Other than that two second conversation I didn't talk to Jace again that day, he had ditched music again to practice with my brother.
"Hey Izzy can I come to your house around 6 to get ready?" I asked Isabelle.
"6?! No! You can come over at 4 to get ready!" Izzy exclaimed.
"4? That's early! I have to work on my project with Jace." I explained with a groan.
"He will understand! I'm going to make you look hot! You guys also have an hour and a half to get it done! That's plenty of time! Simon and I got it done in an hour!"
"Simon? I thought your partner was Maia." I asked her confused.
"Oh ya! Maia's boyfriend switched into this class, Jordan and he would have had to be partners with this guy Simon." At this, she blushed! Actually blushed! Something was going on she wasn't telling me. "And she wanted to be partners with him so I offered to switch partners!"
"Jordan Kyle? As in the Jordan in my brother's band?" I asked her.
"Yup." Isabelle's answer was unusually short. She was gazing behind me with pure adoration in her eyes. I turned around to see none other than my other best friend Simon walk through the door and look straight at Izzy.
With a blush he ducked his head down and walked over to us.
"Hey Fray long time no see." Simon said with a hurt tone in his voice.
"I'm sorry Simon, I've been having some troubles at home and have been extremely busy lately." I gave my sorry ass excuse to him. That was no reason to not talk to him and to flat out ignore him. "But Izzy and I are going to Pandemonium tonight if you want to come! You could be Izzy's date!" I said slyly. A quick glance at Izzy showed that she heard what I said. The blush and glare was enough for me to realize she was eavesdropping.
"S-su-sure I'll go." Simon stuttered. Jeez I've got to get them together and fast because this is just awkward.
After school I went directly home with a nervous fare well to Isabelle.
"I don't know why you're nervous it's just Jace." Isabelle said.
"I don't know why either! It's messing me up! I can't take these jitters anymore!" I tell Izzy. "I'm just going to go now and get this over with." With a huff I turned around and strolled home.
I don't know what these emotions are. I have to get them in check and fast. Jace is the biggest asshole and man whore apart from my very own brother. He's an arrogant jerk who thinks he's better than everyone else. Yet, I have these feelings towards him that I can't describe. Honestly, I'm so confused I can't think straight. One minute I think I like Jace and then the next he's an asshat that I can't stand. We shall see how the next hour with him goes and then I will decide.
I open my front door to a wall of sound hitting me full on in the chest. The boys are in the basement 'practicing'. With a roll of my eyes I pull out the sheet of questions only to discover that the only thing typed on it is:
Get to know your partner on a deeper level. I want to be able to recognize who you are talking about and to connect with them on a deeper level as you will when you write and perform this song.
Ugh, I have to come up with my own questions! At least, I will be able to get to know Jace better and then I can decide how I feel about him.
With that I get to working on my questions:
What's your favorite color?
What's your middle name?
What's your best childhood memory?
What's your darkest secret?
What should I know about you that no one else does?
What object best describes you?
What are 3 words that describe you?
I only got down these 7 questions when I noticed the time. It's already 3:00! I have to go in an hour!
I walked down into the basement to get Jace not even thinking about my brother.
The second I stepped down off the last stair my brother's eyes narrowed in on me from behind his drum set. His hair was plastered to his face in sweat form banging and hitting those drums for the past hour.
I tried to catch Jace's attention but my breath caught at the sight of him. He had his shirt off and his shaggy, curly blond hair was stuck to his forehead as he was wailing into the microphone with his beautiful haunting voice. I was absolutely mesmerized by his voice and his amazing body. He had chiseled abs that led up to sculpted biceps.
I quickly stopped staring when he opened his eyes and saw me. I waved and pointed to my wrist: the universal signal for time. He quickly looked at his phone and called off the band. The minute the band stopped playing my brother stormed up from behind his drum set. He grabbed my arm and reached back to slap me. This is going to bruise was my last thought before-.
"Wow guys that was amazing!" Jace exclaimed. Jace's excitement laced voice seemed to have gotten through to Jon because he dropped his arm and mine and, with a glare, walked back over to his band.
With a sigh of relief I looked over at Jace. He quickly grabbed his shirt, much to my surprising disappointment, and ran over to me. With a bye guys see ya later over his shoulder he disappeared with me up the stairs.
Jace POV-
What was that?! I have never seen Jon fly across the room like that. Nor, have I ever seen the pure hatred on his face like I did just then. He grabbed Clary's arm with more force necessary and then pulled his arm back as if to hit her. Clary shrunk back with fear clearly on her face. The way she flinched clearly showed that this is not the first time this has happened. I quickly snapped into action by shouting "Wow guys that was amazing!"
I wiped my face of any other emotion besides excitement. I saw Clary shoot me a look form my peripheral vision once her brother let her go, she sighed with relief as I turned my back to her, grabbed my shirt then ran upstairs with a good bye to our band.
Clary POV-
We walked up to the dining room table from the basement where we both got out or papers. I then explained to Jace about the questions to which he groaned.
"This is going to take forever." He groaned.
"Why don't I leave you alone for a bit to brainstorm?" I suggested.
Jace only shrugged in response. I sat there for a little bit then quickly realized I was not going to do anything so I decided to go and shower to save time while I was at Isabelle's I left Jace down at the table with a quick "I'll be in my room" over my shoulder.
I quickly showered but I also had to tame my mane of hair so I quickly grabbed my one tank top and pajama shorts. Yes, I only had one tank top because I couldn't wear them to school because of my scars and bruises. I looked down at my arm where Jonathan had grabbed me to see that bruises were already forming in the shape of his fingerprints.
I stood in front of my floor length mirror that was placed in my room against the wall with my dresser. There was a window to the left, my door to the right with my bed behind me. I also had little nightstand that had my song writing book and my sketchbook perched on top. I had clothes all over the place with none actually in my laundry basket.
I stood in the mirror examining my hideous body. I had many bruises and scars on my shins and feet. The first time they experimented with their new torture technique was on my ankle-the most sensitive part of your body. That jagged scar has been there for 5 years now. It reminds me of the 'better' days and how my thought of worst beating of my life has quickly escalated. Along my thighs were my self-inflicted scars from earlier this week, with many more bruises and fingerprints. On my arms were more bruises and fingers. With many, many more knarled and angry scars that had been burnt over. There were marks from where they burnt me so badly that I had to go into the ER only to have to be smuggled back out because my father was accused of abuse. Along my neck and jaw were more scars than actual skin.
Along with my many hideous scars and markings my father and brother rarely allow me to eat. So, I have a gigantic thigh gap that lead up to slender, slight hips. My bones protrude from my skin, which make a sharp, angular look. As I gaze up my arms to my shoulders I notice how they look sharp, as if I could stab you with them. Chuckling I mummer 'Look out Jonathan'
I finally lifted up my shirt to reveal the boney indents of my ribs and stomach. The marks and the words 'you are not worthy' carved into my stomach only a few days prior. It was becoming infected, the burns festering with pus. There are scabs surrounding the whole burn and scar itself.
"Red, I –"
I whip around staring at Jace shocked while he is staring wide eyed at me. I notice that I had not pulled down my shirt and glance down. Noticing my look Jace transfers his gaze downwards to stare at my stomach. I watched as his lips moved slightly mouthing the words back to me. I can only imagine how I looked, a skinny pixie with bruises and marks all over her body; wild, red hair untamed around my face. Staring wide- eyed and horrified.
I quickly pull down my shirt and run to the side of my bed to hide.
I hear Jace close the door and I sigh with relief as he left. But I am very wrong. I hear him slowly creep to my side of the bed.
"Clary, what happened?" Jace asked me bewildered. Bending down beside me trying to get me to look at him, not happening though I just look at the duvet instead.
"I don't want to talk about it." I answered.
I grabbed my comforter off of my bed to wrap it around myself. I slowly stand up, grab some clothes and walk to the bathroom; Jace staring at me the whole time.
Once I get into the bathroom I break. I can't believe Jace just saw me like that! Not only did he see me but he saw my vulnerabilities.
After I tame my hair back into a braid and pull on a large sweatshirt and yoga pants I wipe my eyes and walk back to the bedroom. I hoped that Jace had left and dropped the subject but I had no such luck.
As I glanced in the room I saw Jace looking around my room, my messy, messy room. I flushed, why was I thinking about what he thought about my room. Never mind that, why do I care what he thinks of me?
My bathroom door creaked as I tried to slip out of my room.
"Clary, wait!" Jace said.
"What Jace?" I asked shortly.
I could hear him audibly gulp before he said; "We need to do our project."
"Ok, Jace lets do this quickly." I told him.
We both sat on my floor in front of my bed, as I pulled out my questions to begin the project.
"What's your favorite color?" I asked Jace.
"Peh, Black." He scoffed. I was surprised to hear this, I thought a guy like him would say pink or something. But, at the same time I wasn't surprised he does wear black all the time.
"What's your favorite animal?"
"Lion"
"Really? I didn't see that coming." Jace muttered. I just glared at him.
"What's your favorite childhood memory?" I skipped the middle name as I thought that it was as important.
"Can we skip that one?" Jace asked, nervous.
"Sure." Hmmm that was interesting, what could Jace be hiding from me?
"Who did this to you?" At this, I snap my head up and stare at him.
"You didn't answer my question, don't expect to answer yours." I deadpanned.
"I will answer your question if you answer mine." He stated coolly. I just stared at him, what did he want me to say? Yes? I can't do that. "No judging allowed whatsoever."
"Fine." I said begrudgingly. "What is your favorite child hood memory?"
"When I was very young my father got me an eagle and told me to train it. So, I taught it to the best of my ability, I got it to come back to me when I called; to take food gently out of my hand. I came up to my father proud of what I had accomplished. After I finished showing him our act he took it and snapped its neck in front of me. He told me that I taught it to love me not listen, that I broke it. To love is to destroy and to be loved is to be destroyed."
I just stared at him, this perfect boy in front of me had a rocky past? I can't believe that.
"Who did this to you?" He asked me.
"Which one?"
"Which one? There's more than one?!" He asked me incredulous. I just nodded in response. Yes, and one of them is your best friend. I don't know what he wants me to say!
"Yes…. And one of them you know very well." I told him nervously.
"Who? Jonathan?! He would never do that! He has no reason! Why are you lying to me?!" Jace screamed in my face and ran out of my room. I'm left there staring at where he just was feeling numb and the thought "You're in for it now" running through my head.
A/N
Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a couple of days! I was trying to make my chapters longer! Do you guys like the POV changing? Tell me whatcha think!
I really love your reviews!
Xoxoox- Alexa