"Knees bent," the instructor said. "Arms forward and push your opponent away."
Clary moved as she'd been told, and Zoey, the woman she'd been partnered with, took her shove with grace. Zoey had been Clary's partner since the class began, though Clary wasn't quite sure if they'd reached the status of friends during that time. Might have something to do with all the shoving?
"Good, now opponent's move closer again," the instructor continued. "With fist raised. Defenders need to turn their bodies to the side and out of the way as the attack comes."
Again, everyone in the class moved as one. Zoey now stood frozen, fist raised and forward, while Clary stood off to one side. Clary's hand was above Zoey's arm, palm open as they waited for more instructions.
"Okay good job everyone," the instructor enthused. "Reset to start."
Clary and Zoey both relaxed and went back to facing each other, arms slack at their sides.
"Now, this time when the defender pushes you away," the instructor continued. "Opponent's you need to act fast, and put your dominant hand on their arm." The group moved as one, then froze for more orders. It was moments like this that made Clary feel a bit like she was in a military drill. "Now defenders, it's your turn to move quick. Get your opposite hand over your opponent's wrist so you can pull their arm away from yourself." Clary tried, but messed the move up a little. She knew if this had been a real attacker she'd have lost, but Zoey was happy to help, and they were in position when the next orders came. "Defenders, your other arm should be stretched out straight across your opponent's neck, but not touching it. Palm opened."
"And reset," the instructed said. As Clary and Zoey went back to their starting positions, Clary checked the clock. She was glad she'd signed up for this class. It made her feel more independent, stronger; but it was also very tiring, and she was glad it was almost over.
"Again, your opponent's are going to grab your arm after the shove," the instructor said. "But this time defenders, you are going to grab their wrist, and twist your body down to lock their elbow, rather than pull away."
After one more exercise they switched, and Clary spent fifteen minutes being the opponent for Zoey so she could learn.
"Please practice these moves between lessons," the instructor said as the class ended. "Final practice is next week, so if you want your extra, credit show up for the evaluation."
Clary breathed a sigh of relief. She was sweaty and tired. It was time to go home. She smiled and waved a goodbye to Zoey before packing up her stuff and leaving.
As she walked out of class, Clary wondered what Jace was doing. It was the first Wednesday where she had plans and he didn't, since last week he'd finally learned what was up with Mason. Clary had to admit she felt sorry for the guy. Having a crush on Jace, without having Jace, was something she could empathize with. Though Clary had to admit, if Mason hadn't been a guy, she might have been less sorry and more jealous. As it was, she knew Jace was as straight as an arrow, so she wasn't worried.
"You must be in the defense class."
Clary looked up. It was a guy from her art history class. If she wasn't totally off, his name was Brett. Honestly, Clary was just happy she'd managed to recognize him at all. She was so bad with names and faces.
"What gave me away?" Clary laughed.
"The self confidence," Brett replied.
"Oh yeah sure," Clary chuckled. "Because the sweat and sports clothes weren't enough of a hint."
"Hey, what can I say," Brett continued. "There is nothing hotter than a woman who can defend herself."
"More like tired, messy, and gross," Clary counted. "Oh, did you finish the essay on Van Gogh?"
"Not yet," Brett said.
"Me neither," Clary grumbled. "It's art class, so why do we have essays anyway?"
"I couldn't agree more," Brett said laughing.
He was walking along side her as she headed home, but she was fairly sure he lived in the order direction. So why hadn't he turned around yet? They passed through the big front doors, and onto the grounds, still just talking about homework.
"Don't you live the other way?" Clary observed.
"Umm yeah right," Brett said. He sounded confused, but that made no sense. Surely, he knew where he lived better than she did.
"No, I'm going to visit a friend," Brett said.
"Oh okay," Clary smiled. "I was thinking of doing the essay on Van Gogh's blue period, because it seems to me like our teacher has a bias towards depressing things."
"Yeah, I think you're right there," Brett said laughing.
As they got closer to her place, Clary asked, "Where does this friend live?"
"Not far," he said.
"Okay, because I turn here," Clary said gesturing to her left.
"Right," Brett said. "Well then, I better go this way."
"Nice chatting with you," Clary smiled as she waved goodbye. "See you in class."
"Yeah, see you," Brett said. She turned and starting walking away, but curiosity got the better of her. Pausing for just a moment, Clary looked back to see him still standing there. Facing forward again, Clary continued her walk home, stumped as to what was up with Brett. He must be really stressed out about exams, or else a little low on sleep. Either way, she felt a bit better knowing he also hadn't finished the essay. She didn't have class tomorrow until mid afternoon, so Clary thought maybe she'd work in the little on campus coffee shop, and try and get that stupid essay done.
Clary wasn't at all surprised to find Alec at her place when she arrived home. She was starting to wonder if Jace lived alone. Clary had been half expecting Magnus to announce that Alec was moving in for a while now. The fact that it hadn't happened, told her there was more to it than just where they were sleeping. She knew Magnus was starting to get worried he wouldn't find a job after graduation, and she couldn't blame him. She was glad she had two more years before she had to worry about that. What she had to deal with now was exams, and then what to do with her four months of summer.
After a glorious shower, Clary climbed into bed and did a little of the reading she hadn't done last week before falling asleep. The next morning, she saw Magnus and Alec curled up on the couch together, Magnus stroking Alec's hair. From what Clary had learned about Alexander since he started dating her best friend, Alec wasn't much of a morning person. Magnus was almost always awake before his better half, and in the early hours, Alec could often be found half asleep in Magnus's lap.
Leaving the love birds to their own devices, Clary followed her own advice, and brought her homework to the coffee shop. Getting a coffee before sitting in her favourite chair, Clary started her essay. And yes she meant start. It was due in two days, and she hadn't even began. So was the life of a second year university student. It was going to be a long morning.
She'd been working for an hour when her energy dwindled. Clary got up and ordered herself another coffee. This time she noticed the guy making the coffee. He was tall with brown hair, and very personable when he took her order. He even remembered her name. Clary was starting to wonder if she came here too often as she collected her drink off the bar. Clary went back to her laptop, and sat down with a sigh. She needed a break. Opening a new tab, she indulged in a few YouTube videos before getting back to work. After a few videos, Clary was about to start working again when her phone went off.
'Hey,' it read. Clary looked at the sender and felt her heart swell.
'Simon!' she texted back. 'Hi! How are you?'
'I'm good,' Simon replied. 'How's my favourite redhead?'
'Trying to do boring homework,' Clary texted back. She was so excited. Simon hadn't initiated anything with her since their break up. Did this mean he was ready to be friends again?
'Do you want a study buddy?' Simon texted back.
'If it's you,' Clary texted back, probably too quickly. Simon texted back a smiley face, and Clary told him where she was.
'Be right there,' Simon texted. Clary could barely contain her excitement as watched the door. She had totally given up on her essay. It felt like she hadn't seen her best friend in a lifetime. It was like her whole body was alert, waiting and watching.
"SIMON!" Clary called, grinning from ear to ear as she saw him. Rather than wait for him to walk the few steps to her, she got up to meet him, abandoning her half finished coffee, textbooks, and laptop in her eagerness.
"Hi Clary," Simon smiled back at her.
"It's so good to see you!" Clary exclaimed. She wanted to fling herself into his arms and hug him until neither of them could breath, but she didn't want to make Simon uncomfortable. To her great surprise, Simon moved forward to hug her, and it was like a part of her had been missing until that hug. If Jace was her soulmate, then Simon was her soul's brother.
"You too," Simon said. Clary could feel the hope rising in her, and she couldn't help but ask the question.
"Does this mean we can be friends again?"
"Yeah," Simon smiled back. "Thanks for giving me some space there for a while, but I think I can do this now. After all, we were friends first, right?"
"Right," Clary beamed. She couldn't believe how happy she was at the moment. If someone had asked her to fly, she would have asked how high. It took all she had not to jump up in the air and squeal. As it was, the two of them walked back to her table and sat down. Clary closed her laptop, totally giving up on getting more of her essay finished with Simon here.
"What's this?" Simon asked lifting her coffee cup and turning it around
"What's what?" Clary asked, confused. "Did you want some coffee?"
"Have you really not noticed this?" Simon asked, turning the cup and showing her something written on the side. Clary actually looked at it this time, and noticed the series of numbers written in pen on the side of her coffee. Clary turned back to Simon who was laughing. It was so wonderful to hear him laugh again, a loud happy noise she'd deeply missed.
"You never did notice it when guys hit on you," Simon chuckled, putting her coffee cup down.
"What do you mean?" Clary asked.
"This," Simon pointed to the number on her cup. "Is some guy giving you his number, hoping you are single and will call him."
"No," Clary scoffed. "That can't be right. It must have been meant for someone else. I probably grabbed the wrong coffee."
"I promise you, you're wrong," Simon smiled.
"No you're wrong," Clary said grinning. It was so great to be talking to Simon again, she almost didn't care what the topic was.
"I am so not wrong," Simon said, then added pointing to himself. "Ex-boyfriend remember. I am the leading authority on knowing if guys are hitting on you. If you want to make Jace go crazy, show him your coffee cup."
Clary waved his remark aside, "As if Jace would care about this. He isn't the jealous kind, never has been."
"He's just a good faker," Simon grinned. "But trust me, he's perfectly capable of being jealous."
"Of what?" Clary asked. "My homework?"
"Still the definition of clueless, I see," Simon laughed. "I have to admit, it's refreshing not to be the one keeping tabs on the guys who notice you."
"Guys don't notice me," Clary replied. "You're crazy."
"Even in this outfit, yeah they do," Simon explained. "Imagine how jaw dropping you'd be if you dressed like Izzy?"
"Speaking of Izzy," Clary replied. "Jace tells me you broke things off with her?"
"How does Jace know that?" Simon asked surprised.
"Alec told him," Clary explained.
"And I'm guess Izzy told Alec," Simon said with a shake of his head. "Wow, the gossip chain in this university has really upped it's game lately. I mean, we went months without knowing Maia and Jordan were exes, and now I can't keep a secret for more than ten minutes."
"Was it a secret?" Clary asked.
"Technically no," Simon explained. "I just didn't expect it to be the stuff of gossip."
"I think people were just worried about you," Clary explained.
"No need to worry," Simon replied. "I'm fine."
"So why'd you break things off with Izzy then?"
"Casual sex isn't for me," Simon explained. "Whether or not dating is, remains to be seen." He laughed.
"Just because you've had a bit of bad luck, doesn't mean you should give up on dating," Clary tried to convince him. "Just look at Magnus! He almost missed out finding Alec because he was too busy giving up on love."
"I guess," Simon sighed. "Still seems ridiculous to me. I mean how many times can I stick out? Really?"
"Twice isn't so many times," Clary assured him. "Magnus had way more exes than that before Alec, and you said it yourself, Izzy was just casual." Clary shrugged.
"That is kinda why I broke it off," Simon replied slightly awkwardly. "I realized I wanted more."
"That's because you are totally the best," Clary smiled. Then she pointed to herself and added, "Ex-girlfriend. I am the authority on how awesome a guy you are."
"Touche," Simon chuckled. Then after a moment, he continued in a calm voice. "I feel kinda bad about how I did it though." Clary gave him one of her stern looks, and he added, "I ended our casual whatever it was over text message." He had the decency to look ashamed of himself.
"Simon!" Clary whined. "That's so tacky. Even for just a casual hook up. Wow."
"I just knew I couldn't do it face to face," Simon defended himself.
"Oh so by wanting more, you mean wanting more from Izzy specifically," Clary clarified. "Not from whoever you are dating in general."
"Yeah," Simon mumbled.
"Why didn't you just tell Izzy that you like her?"
"Because her one rule was that I wasn't to fall for her," Simon explained.
"What kind of a rule is that?" Clary exclaimed.
"I don't know," Simon replied. "A rule for a woman who doesn't want a relationship, I guess." Then he stood up and turned to her, "Do you want another coffee?"
"I'm good," Clary said. She'd had two already this morning.
When Simon returned a few moments later with a togo cup in his hand, their conversation picked up right where it left off. Time flew by as Clary reconnected with her oldest friend. She learned all about Simon's indecision about his major, and she assured him Alec was having the same problems. Simon told her about Maia, and how he'd technically struck out three times if he included their first date.
"I guess I should thank you for setting me up with her," Simon said. "Since I got a great friend out of the deal."
"You're welcome," Clary laughed.
And while she was learning about Simon's life, he was learning about hers. Clary confessed to her best friend the insecurities she'd had dating a guy with Jace's past, talking about how often girls checked him out or hit on him. And like the wonderful person he was, Simon reminded her of the number on her coffee cup, and assured her that she was a catch. Clary had the distinct impression by the time they parted ways, that if Simon had been around back then, the whole thing would have turned out very differently. With her best friend at her side, Clary was sure she could have done a better job at keeping her own insecurities in check.
Disclaimer - I know nothing about self defense class and all the references in this came from tutorials I found on youtube.
This chapter has been ready and waiting to be uploaded for the last 12 hours or so. (I woke up to it already edited by my wonderful beta while I was sleeping.) But I was trying to be good and not update, since I have 314 follows and only 192 people at the time had read the last chapter. Then I checked tonight and that number was only up to 206! Like come one, I gave you guys 12 extra hours! wtf! Read faster! If I can write this fast surely you guys can read faster than this? Or do you just like to ignore the chapter alerts for a while then read like 2-4 chapters at once? If so just tell me so I can stop obsessing about making myself slow down the updates.
Sigh... sorry I have no patience. I actively tried to write slow while I was updating only once a week and even then I was always like 4 chapters ahead and wow did I watch alot of television. Now here I am working full time and still I have two chapters with my beta reader and the next one half written and I'm updating right now. Ahh! That's FOUR CHAPTERS! AHHHHhhh and my cat is being super needy as I type this and trying to 'help.' -_- Okay that was a little off topic...
Anyway... how do people write slow? HUh! How do they do it! I had time today that I could have been writing but instead I was not writing because I've written so much these last few days that I was like wow I am way to ahead, time to find other things to do. Wait what does one do with time when one isn't writing? Oh okay so let's make scones and then watch three episodes of that tv show... oh yeah and then screw the dishes I am going to update because I have no will power! sigh. After I update this I have to go wash those dishes but at least I won't have a finished chapter hanging over my head.
Okay I'll stop talking now... there how's that for an author's note?
Sneak Peek Chapter 84
It felt like that day at the lake had happened to someone else or at least in another lifetime. They'd been so young, so ignorant of the world. Maia couldn't remember how their next and last fight had started, but she remember the ending perfectly. The things they'd screamed at other, the ways they'd hurt one another. When they fought it never was just about one problem. Somehow their fights always pulled all the little issues up into the mix. Maia could remember at least a dozen things they'd fought about though she couldn't quite recall which had been the major issues and which were just dragged in for the show. Jordan was the messiest person alive, that was one of them for sure. Maia could recall going to his house once or twice and seeing the state his room was in. She knew her parent complex had played a role as well. Her mother and father always thinking of Daniel above all else had made it hard for Maia to believe all the things Jordan used to say to her, the way he used to look at her. Heck, who was she kidding, the way he still looked at her.
But if Maia wasn't mistaken it had been high school graduation that had been the last nail in their coffin. To this day Maia didn't understand why Jordan hadn't wanted to come to school with her, especially now that he'd freakin' followed her anyway. What she remembered most was crying alone in a corner of her house, unnoticed and unseen by anyone. She'd cried until she couldn't cry anymore and then she'd just sat their and tried to imagine her life without Jordan. It was her first clear memory after their break up. Then Maia had pulled from whatever strength she had left and decided it was time to get the hell out. She'd left for school with the intention of never looking back.
And now here she was standing outside the library where she knew Jordan was sitting alone at the same table he'd sat at last time.