"You know you really need to buy that shirt, it looks very pretty on you," Sebastian compliments me. We have been walking through the mall for a couple of hours now, and have made it to one of the final stores Mortal Instruments. Jordan had already texted him and told him that he couldn't make it to the mall because Maia wanted to go and see a movie with him. He didn't seem too put out about it.

I flush at the compliment, but shake my head, "It's too expensive."

Sebastian rolled his eyes and shook his head. "If you don't buy it, I'll buy it for you." I shake my head and turn around, about to go back into the changing station.

"I think I can take care of the shirt," a familiar voice said. I spin around and look at the new arrival with wide eyes. Jace is standing beside Sebastian with a smile…a completely fake smile. His eyes are a darker gold than I have ever seen and I am sure that I know why. My heart is beating frantically, and I feel nervous, as though I have been caught doing something that I had no business doing. Then I remember that Jace and I aren't really going out, and I can walk around with whoever I please.

"Hello, Jace," I say before turning back around and walking into the changing room and leaving both boys behind. My heart is doing jumping jacks and it won't let up for the world. I close my eyes for a moment before I look in the mirror at myself. My cheeks are bright red and my eyes are wide, making it perfectly clear for anyone that I am internally falling apart. I look down at the shirt, taking in the black bottom that slowly fades up to a mesh blue top. It is pretty, and I do like it, but neither boys are about to spend thirty dollars on me. Not the sweet and thoughtful one and not the one that I am mad at and don't even know why I'm angry.

I pull the shirt off, revealing my black tank top underneath. Being sure to take as much time as I can, I slowly bend down and grab my shirt that I discarded on the small bench beside me. I slowly turn it right-side-in and slide the black material over my head. I look back in the mirror, and straighten my now slightly disarrayed hair before looking back toward the exit door. I have already taken so much time, and now I am afraid that I have left them alone for too long and something bad is going to happen.

I rush out of the room without a second thought and find myself face-to-face with Jace and Sebastian. Both boys look at me with widened eyes and slightly parted mouths. I flush, realizing that I probably look completely insane…. Of course that thought melts from my head as Sebastian smiles warmly at me. Jace's expression goes from startled to neutral, carefully assessing me, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Where's the shirt, Clare?" Sebastian questions, a slight smile on his face. "I already told you that I was going to pay for it."

"And I already said that I could cover it," Jace said, frowning as he turned to look at his friend.

"I already said that I don't want you guys spending money on me," I informed them both, walking forward. "I think what I say should go." Both boys look at me funnily and I just roll my eyes. "I don't think that it is the end of the world. It's a shirt that I'm not prepared to spend that much on right now."

I feel my phone vibrate and am thankful for the excuse look away from them. I see that I have a text from Izzy. I swipe the screen and the phone flashes to my message page.

Izzy: Jace said that he was going to come over to the mall and hang out with you and Seb. Thought that I'd warn you so he doesn't surprise you too badly.

I sigh and shake my head as I reply.

Me: Too late for that now.

I shove my phone back into my back pocket and back over to the two boys that are looking at me in an almost scrutinizing way. I shuffle my feet slightly as I begin to feel more and more uncomfortable.

Sebastian suddenly curses and looks down at his wristwatch. "Thank god I'm not late! I've got to pick up Aline and take her to the airport." He looks at me apologetically before looking at Jace, "Can you drive Clare home for me?"

"Of course," Jace said easily, faking a smile yet again as Sebastian walks forward and gives me a quick hug. He claps Jace on the back in one of those I'm too manly to show affection to another dude sort of way before he half runs between the clothing racks and out of the store.

"Aline is his cousin, right?" I ask Jace, raising an eyebrow at him.

Jace answers with a mute nod, his neutral expression slowly morphing into a scowl. "Is he your new boyfriend too?"

I blink and raise an eyebrow at Jace. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me, Morgenstern," Jace snaps. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that you pissed me off by being angry at me for something that you won't really explain," I snap right back, "and that Sebastian was there and he was being nice to me, unlike you! It wasn't as though you were itching for my company!"

"That's why I drove all the way out to the mall then?" Jace demands. "Because I don't want to spend any time with you? Get a grip, Clary! Not everything revolves around you!"

"That's right it only revolves around you!" I exclaim quietly, realizing that quite a few people were stopping from around the store to look at us. Jace notices the same thing and grabs my forearm. He pulls me into the changing station and closes the door. I am only able to process two things as we stand in the small room. The first is that the room is so only built for one person and the second is that the store workers probably wouldn't appreciate the fact that a boy and a girl were using the same cubical…fully clothed or not.

"That's not what I was talking about, brat!" he snapped at me. We are so close that I can feel the vibrations from his chest as he attempts to scold me. "I mean that you walking around the mall with another guy is a very good way to mess up our little system, don't you think?"

"As I do recall," I snap coldly, "you're the one that told me that you weren't my boyfriend, and that if I wanted someone to act like a boyfriend toward me, I needed to find someone that I cared about!"

"So of all people, you choose my best friend?" Jace demanded weakly. "I can't believe you!"

"Why do you even care?" I snap. "It isn't as though you care anything about me, or my wellbeing, so you can take whatever mood swing that you're under and shove it up your—"

I feel a hand clamp over my mouth as Jace pushes me firmly but gently into the wall behind me. "You don't tell me what I care about," he growls at me through clenched teeth. "Do I make myself clear?"

I look at him with wide eyes and he stares back at me evenly, clearly waiting for me to nod or shake my head. I nod slowly and he removes his hand, but doesn't move away from me. I am still effectively caged into the wall, and Jace is nose to nose with me again…the only difference is that this time no one is watching.

He leans forward, and I feel the alien touch of his lips against mine. I gasp lightly but don't try and push him away. The kiss is chaste and is a soft and short peck. He pulls away and looks at me. I swallow and clench my hands into fists by my sides as I realize that I want to pull him against me and have him kiss me like he did in the hallway…except for maybe this time I'll find out how it feels to tangle my hands in his hair. It's as though he can read my mind. I see him lean forward again, and I am actually anticipating what is going to happen next…except it doesn't. He just abruptly pushes himself away from me, scowling again.

"That didn't happen," he snapped at me. "Got it?"

That is probably the most hurtful thing that he has ever said to me. I smile coldly up at him instead of letting him know how much it stung. "Of course it didn't. The only time a kiss means anything to me is when I'm kissing someone I care about, and clearly I don't give a damn about you."

Without another word, I turn and stalk out of the changing room, ignoring the looks that some of the other occupants were giving me as they saw Jace stumble out after me.

There are so many things that should be going through my mind as I stalk out of the mall and into the parking lot, completely ignoring my 'boyfriend,' who is shouting my name like an idiot maybe a hundred yards behind me. Most of my thoughts have something to do with me being angry at myself for wanting Jace to kiss me…especially when I don't even like him!

I scowl as I feel a hand on my shoulder. I know who it is, and for some reason, I cannot will him away from me. Stupid lack of telekinesis! "Let go of me, Herondale," I snap at him.

He complies quickly, and says, "You seem angry, Morgenstern," as conversationally as he would if he were commenting about the weather…the thought pisses me off.

"Do I?" I say, straining to keep my voice calm. "I never noticed."

"You should be more observant of your own emotions," he says, sounding as though he is actually trying to make me laugh.

I clench my jaw, and turn around to look at him for the first time. I am about to start one of the largest scenes in the history of couples-arguing-at-the-mall-and-causing-scenes. Then I the way that his eyes look and I falter, my jaw unclenching and my anger pushing itself to the back burner of my mind, waiting for a better opportunity to unleash itself. "What's wrong with you?"

He shakes his head, and looks out at the rows and rows of cars. "Nothing's wrong, I'm just tired."

"Did you sleep very well?" I question, my hand reaching out and touching a blackening bag under his eye. I rub it gently with my thumb. Jace grabs my wrist softly with and holds my hand to his face as he looks down at me. His tired eyes are widened, as though he is a child that is afraid of a scolding.

"No, I didn't. I've had a lot on my mind since yesterday. I'm sorry for being such an ass; I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"We can talk about all of that later," I say. "Let's get you home, and I'll hitch a ride from Isabelle."

"I can take you home, Clary," Jace rolls his eyes. "Besides, Jon's there right now, and he's probably wondering where you are."

"He knows I'm with you," I find myself saying, hypnotized by his beautiful golden eyes. "I don't think he'll worry."

Jace gives me a weak smile, followed closely by a yawn, "I think that might be his exact reason for worrying, Clary."

"Then you're taking a nap at my house," I say stubbornly. "I don't care what you or Jon says. As soon as we get there, you go to sleep."

"Yes ma'am," he mumbled before yawning loudly.

"And I'm driving," I announce. "I don't know who was dumb enough to let you go when you're this bad, but you're not endangering anyone's behind any wheel."

Hello! I am prepared for the spit-takes because of the long and early update! Don't start thinking this is going to be normal, or anything lol. I just realized that you all are the most amazing readers and reviewers in the freaking world, and I just had to reward you with this lovely piece of work. So far, I have only had one person firmly against any kind of Clary/Sebastian idea. If I promise to put just as much Clary/Jace along with it, could you all take that?

I love you all, I'm just saying, and happy 10th chapter!