Chapter Four

Time Jump – Two Years Until Olympics

Clary POV:

"Jace, slow down, what happened?" I ask as I rub my eyes. I look at the clock and see that it's 1 am, so he's already at least an hour into practice.

"I think I broke my foot Clary." He said and I gasped.

"How?" I asked, and now I was fully awake.

"I was in the middle of a trick and I knew it was going south and when I hit the half pipe I just felt something snap. What if I don't heal in time, what if I can't compete? Clary, I have worked so hard to get back to the Olympics." He said and I could hear the worry in his voice. I knew how hard Jace worked, and I knew how much the Olympics meant to him, and hearing him sound so defeated was breaking my heart.

"Jace, are you at the hospital?" I ask.

"Yea. I'm waiting to be called back."

"Alright, I need you to take a deep breath. You need to just think in the moment at this point. Wait until the doctor tells you the prognosis, and go from there. You are an athlete Jace, and in incredible shape. You will heal faster than a normal person."

"I've just done everything right Clary. I've made my run more difficult, I've practically perfected every single trick I have, and I can't even imagine not making the Olympic team."

"Jace, you will make that Olympic team. I have nothing but absolute faith in you. Call me as soon as you have any news okay. I want to know." I said and I heard him gasp. "What?"

"Shit, I forgot we aren't in the same time zone. I'm so sorry I woke you up Clary." He said and I laughed.

"It seems to be our thing." I said and I heard him laugh, and I knew there was also a smile on his face. "Don't be afraid to call back when you find out the news. I'll be here, and I'll answer. Good luck Jace." I said.

"Thanks Clare. I don't know what I'd do without you." He said and I couldn't help the butterflies that formed in my stomach. We said goodbye and we hung up, and I wish I just had the courage to tell him how I really feel, but I have no idea how he feels, and I don't want to ruin our friendship, and I can't lose him, and if being friends is what I have to do, than that's what I'll do. He means too much to me, and I can't lose him.

Jace POV:

Waiting for the results were super nerve racking. I was bouncing my good leg and just waiting for the doctor to crush my Olympic dreams. After what felt like hours, the doctor finally walked back into the room.

"Alright Mr. Herondale, looks like you have a metatarsal fracture." He said and I had no idea what they actually meant.

"How long will I be out for?"

"It will take between 6 to 8 weeks to heal." I let out a sigh of relief because I could handle 6 to 8 weeks; I could come back from that.

"Thank you doctor." He had given me some pain medication, and crutches and I made my way back out to my father. He saw the crutches and just shook his head and walked out to the car. I followed behind him and after about 10 minutes he finally spook.

"So how long are you out?" He asked and I could hear the annoyance in his voice.

"6 to 8 weeks." I said and he looked at me and than back at the road.

"That's all?"

"Yea, I have a metatarsal fracture. Should be healed in that amount of time." I said and he nodded. When we got home, I went straight to my room and called Clary. I knew it might be a long shot, considering she could either still be sleeping, or just getting to practice but it was worth a shot. After the third ring she picked up.

"What's the news on your foot?" Was the first thing she asked, no hello, no what's up, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Metatarsal fracture. Should be healed in 6 to 8 weeks." I said and I could hear her smile.

"That's not bad at all! See, I told you it would all work out." She said and I just shook my head.

"I know, but still sucks, and my dad isn't too happy about it."

"I know, but in 6 to 8 weeks you'll be back on the half pipe kicking ass like you always do." She said and I heard her open a door. "I just arrived at the rink, I'm in for a brutal workout today. We'll talk later ya?"

"Of course. Good luck today."

"Bye Jace."

"Bye Clare." I said and she hung up. I sat on my bed and starred at the ceiling. I've never had a day off before and now I was going to have 6 to 8 weeks of doing nothing. All I know is that once I can get back on the half pipe, I was going to be in for a rude awakening.

Time Jump – Eight Weeks Later

Jace POV:

Today was the day that I was getting back on the half pipe. Even though the workouts were brutal and they wore me out day after day, I really missed them. I haven't had a break in years, but after sitting on my ass for 8 weeks, I was so ready to get back out there and start training again.

Putting on my gear again, felt so right. I grabbed my snowboard, and headed out to the half pipe. My father was already there and waiting for me to drop in. I took a deep breath, and put my goggles on and went. The feeling of flying down that half pipe was a feeling that I craved. I had missed it so much, and having that 8 week break was actually a blessing in disguise. It showed me that I truly loved this sport. It was who I was, and from this moment on, I was going to pour my heart and soul into snowboarding and make that Olympic team, and win my gold medal.