Chapter Three

Clary POV:

When the medal ceremony rolled around I was fourth, and didn't make it on the podium. To say I was crushed would be an understatement, but the fall I had in my short program, was enough to keep me from medaling. My mom didn't even look at me for a week. After the results were announced she booked us the first plan that was leaving and that was that.

When I got home, I decided to text Jace and see how his final run went. I was hoping his was better than mine. He said that he finished third, but it wasn't good enough for his father. I was really proud of him though. He must have had a kickass run if he had a fall and still managed to get a bronze medal. We both still wanted gold, and the next four years were going to be one hell of a ride, but it would all pay off when we were standing on top of the podium listening to our national anthems blasting in the background. There was nothing stopping me from getting that gold, and I was going to pour my heart and soul into everything in these next four years.

Time Jump – One Year Later

Clary POV:

"I'm gonna quit Jace. I can't do this anymore." I said through the phone after a terrible practice. We still kept in touch. Over the past year we had become really good friends, although I wish we could be more. We were often the soul supporters of one another. Our friends didn't understand what we were feeling and why we were putting ourselves through so much work, and heartbreak, but we understood, so it was easier to talk to one another.

"No you aren't Clary. You've worked too damn hard to quit now."

"The Olympics are in three years, I'm just going to get worse, and old." I said and I heard him laugh.

"Clary, how old are you?" He asked.

"17." I said and I could hear him smile.

"Exactly. You aren't old. You had a bad practice. I understand that. I landed on my face today, and it totally sucked." I couldn't help but laugh. He always knew what to say when I was having a bad day. "You will nail that routine Clare, I know you will. We will both be kicking ass at the Olympics in three years."

"Ugh. I hate it when you're right." I said and he laughed. I looked over at my clock and realized that it was 7:30 pm and I mentally cursed. "Shit, did I wake you up?" I asked and he laughed.

"Yea, but don't worry about it." He said and I felt really bad.

"I really should know about the time difference by now. I'm so sorry. You probably have to get up super early for practice."

"Honestly Clary, don't worry about it. He pushed it back to 7 am tomorrow, so I get to sleep in." He said and I laughed.

"I'm still sorry. I'll let you go. Good luck at practice. Kick some ass." I said and he laughed.

"Have a good night Clary."

"Goodnight Jace." I said and he hung up. Mentally I added an 'I love you' because stupid me fell in love with a guy who lives on another continent. I grabbed my dinner and ate in my room while watching my practice from earlier. I was getting better, but the one jump I have was causing me a lot of problems and my mom was so determined that I could get it, that I was getting frustrated. I shut my computer off, and plopped on my bed. I knew I wasn't going to quit but man did it suck to be so close to something, yet so far away.

Jace POV:

The next morning I woke up and headed out to the half pipe that my father had built on our property. I couldn't get Clary off my mind. Over the past year, I've really gotten to know her, and I love everything about her. I loved her constant positivity, and her bright smile. I loved how her eyes sparkled when she was excited about something. I loved how upset she got when she was not doing well with her routine because it showed me how much she loves the sport and how much it means to her. I loved her constant support and encouraging words. She made the hard days bearable, and she turned the constant criticism from my father into great advice that I would apply to my next practice. I had fallen in love with her, and it killed me that we didn't live in the same country.

After about an hour on the half pipe my father finally showed up. I knew today wasn't going to be a good day, because of how yesterday went but I had to bite the bullet and take whatever he was going to dish out.

Our workout had been absolutely brutal. He pushed me farther than he's ever pushed me before. I was completely numb when 2:30 rolled around, and he could tell I was losing my energy so he told me to rest for the rest of the day. He went into his office, probably scheduling tomorrows workout and I didn't see him for the rest of the day. Since I did have the rest of the day I decided to catch up with Izzy and Alec. I haven't seen them in a while due to my practice schedule so I was excited to see them.

"Well look who the cat dragged in." Alec said when he opened the door, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Mind if I come in for a little?" I asked as he gestured for me to go in.

"How did you get away from Dictator Daddy?" I heard Izzy say as she walked down the stairs.

"He worked me extra hard today, and he saw that my energy was very low and told me to take the rest of the day to rest. I decided to take the time to visit my best friend." I said as I looked at Alec, and she laughed as we all walked into the living room.

"So, how have you been?" Izzy asked.

"I'm good. Practicing every single day, and trying my hardest to make the Olympic team again."

"I'm so excited the Olympics are going to be in London this time. We can finally come and watch you!" Izzy said and I smiled.

"Yea, should be fun." I said and I felt my phone start buzzing. I was dreading that it would be my father telling me I needed to practice more today but when I looked to see who it was, it was Clary requesting a FaceTime with me. "Do you guys mind if I take this?" I asked and Izzy's eyes lite up.

"Is this the girl you met at the Olympics last time?" She asked and I simply nodded. "Connect it to the blue tooth and project it on the TV, I'd love to see her." I hesitated for a moment but did it. When she popped up on the screen she was still at the rink.

"Jace!" She shouted with a smile and I couldn't help but smile back. "And company! I can call back later if you're busy. I don't mind." She said and before I could reply Izzy jumped in.

"Don't be ridiculous! I wanted to finally see the girl that he's been hooked on for the past year!" She said and I couldn't tell if Clary blushed or if her cheeks were rosy from being on the ice, but I guess Izzy just let the cat out of the bag.

"Well, it's nice to meet you both. I'm assuming your Alec and Izzy?" She says and Izzy nods. "He talks about you two often. It's nice to finally put faces to the names!"

"So, what's up Clary? Shouldn't you be at practice now? It's only 9:30 there." I said and Izzy gave me a smile and I could tell I was never going to hear the end of this.

"Yea, well I pissed off my mom, and she stormed out. She made me get to the rink at 4 this morning, and after about 4 hours she couldn't take it anymore, and she drove me here, so I'm kinda stranded until she comes back, otherwise I have to walk home, and I really don't want to do that. So I decided to get some extra practice in."

"That's pretty harsh. What did you do that made her so mad?" Izzy asked.

"I haven't been landing my triple axle and she is not happy with me. I think I've landed it maybe three times today, and that isn't enough for her."

"So where do I come into play?" I asked and she laughed.

"This might sound weird, but I was hoping you'd watch and see how it looks. There is absolutely nobody in this rink, and I would call my other friends but they wouldn't tell me the truth, and I knew you would."

"Sure thing. Let's see it."

"Cool, just give me a minute, I'm gonna hook my phone up to the camera so you can see the whole rink." She said and a moment later the whole rink was projected on the TV. Her music started and we sat there and watched her whole routine. Sure enough, on her triple axle she fell, but other than that her routine was flawless. She looked like an angel floating out on that ice. Izzy looked like she was enchanted by her routine but Izzy loves everything girly and glamorous and that what figure skating was in a lot of aspects. When she was done, the rink disappeared and she was back in the screen. "So, how was it?" She asked breathlessly and yet again Izzy spoke before me.

"Amazing! You are so talented. I wish I could do that." She said and Clary smiled.

"Thank you so much. How was it Jace? Better or worse than last time?" I saw Izzy eye me up again, yup definitely not hearing the end of this any time soon.

"Definitely better. Other than your triple axle, your routine is flawless Clare. All you have to do is get that triple down, and that gold medal will be yours." She opened her mouth to say something when someone beat her to it.

"CLARISSA!" Someone yelled and from the background and she groaned.

"That would be my mother. Thanks for the feed back Jace, and it was really nice meeting you Izzy and Alec. We'll talk later Jace?" She asked.

"Of course. Good luck." I said and she giggled. Man was she cute.

"Bye guys." She blew us all a kiss before hanging up. Once the phone call ended Izzy squealed.

"Oh my god she'd adorable." Izzy said and I laughed. "She is beautiful, and she is super nice. No wonder you are completely in love with her." She said and my eyes widened and she laughed. "Oh please, you are terrible at hiding your feelings. Every time you get a text from her, or a phone call you practically glow. Where is she from again?"

"America." I said and she nodded. I spent a couple more hours with them until I had to get home. I walked into my house and tomorrows workout was posed on the outside of my door. He wanted me out o the half pipe at 5 in the morning. I looked at my phone and it was only 7:45, but if I was going to get anything accomplished tomorrow, I needed to get some serious sleep tonight. I got a quick shower, and got ready for bed. When I finally laid down I plugged my phone in and not a moment later I got a text from Clary.

Clary – I really appreciate your feedback today, and Izzy's as well. She seems like such a sweet girl! Maybe one day I'll get to meet her :) Any way, I have no idea what your practice schedule is like, but have a great night, and I know you'll kick some serious ass on the half pipe tomorrow! Sweet dreams Jace!

I couldn't help but smile at her message. I couldn't wait to see her again. Because we were so busy with practice and competitions and qualifications on our minds, it sucked that I had to wait four years before I had to see her again, but I knew the moment that I did, it would be an amazing feeling.

Jace – I'm always here to help Clare! You know that, and Izzy seemed to like you as well. And with the Olympics being in London in three years, there is a strong possibility that you'll meet her! I have an early morning tomorrow, so I'm getting some sleep, but we'll talk soon. Sweet dreams Clare :)

I put my phone down and closed my eyes and let the images of Clary fill my head, and hopefully in four years I'm man enough to tell her how I feel. All I know is that, I need Clary in my life, and no matter what, I knew she was always going to be important.

Authors Note:

So this is how far I've gotten on this story as of right now, but I plan on getting more done this week, but I got back to school this weekend and updates will be slow, so let me know how you guys like it! I would really appreciate it! :)