"We could change this whole world with a piano. Add a bass, some guitar, grab a beat and away we go. I'm just a boy with a one-man show. No university, no degree, but-"
"You know you have a university degree right?" Simon interrupted her singing by calling out to her.
"Not yet I don't," Izzy replied before she started singing along to the music again.
"Everybody's talking 'bout exponential growth.
And the stock market crashing in their portfolios. While I'll be sitting here with a song that I wrote."
Izzy had been playing this song non-stop for weeks. It wasn't just that she loved the song, but also that she loved the strange slightly annoyed look on her boyfriends face as he teased her about it.
"Love could change the world in a moment. But what do I know? The revolution's coming, it's a minute away. I saw people marching in the streets today. You know we are made up of love and hate. But both of them are balanced on a razor blade."
At this point she heard Simon begin to sing along. It wasn't the first time this had happened. She supposed at some point he just gave up trying to ignore it. Through careful observation Izzy had discovered that Simon was most likely to be coerced into singing along when he was supposed to be doing his homework.
"I'll paint the picture, let me set the scene. I know, I'm all for people following their dreams. Just re-remember life is more than fittin' in your jeans. It's love and understanding, positivity."
Izzy put the cookies in the oven and set the timer before joining her boyfriend in the living room. She wasn't at all surprised to see textbooks laid out on the couch, and what looked to be notes scattered over the table. This explained the singing. He smiled when he saw her, and they finished singing the song together.
"You know, the future's in the hands of you and me. So let's all get together, we can all be free. Spread love and understanding, positivity. Sing, love could change the world in a moment. But what do I know?"
"I do love it when you sing along," Izzy smiled at him, moving forward to kiss him sweetly before she sat down.
"It's funny, I know the words but not the title," Simon chuckled. "You sing it ALL the time, but what song is that?"
"What do I know?" Izzy replied as she moved his textbooks off the couch so she could sit down on it. "By Ed Sheeran."
"I thought he was just that radio guy who wrote all those sappy songs," Simon shrugged.
"He has more than just romantic songs," Izzy replied defensively. "You probably know 'Castle on the Hill.' That's about returning to the people who made up your past. And he has a song from his mother's perspective that about his grandmother's passing. Also not romantic. Then there's 'Small Bump' which is about a miscarriage. And-"
"Okay okay!" Simon surrendered and she paused for breath. "I take it back."
"Good," Izzy said firmly. "Because sometimes it seems to me like the only songs his fans know of his are 'Shape Of You,' 'Thinking Out Loud,' 'Perfect,' 'Lego House' 'Kiss Me' and 'Photograph,' maybe even 'Nancy Milligan,' but he has a lot of music, not just romantic ones"
"Didn't I already say you won," Simon chuckled, pulling Izzy closer.
"Just being thorough," Izzy mumbled.
"So if he has so many brilliant songs," Simon began, grinning. "Why play that one over and over again?"
"Because I like it," Izzy stated, firmly.
Simon rolled his eyes. "That much I had gathered."
"It's one of his less well known songs," Izzy explained. "At least off that album. 'Shape of You' and 'Castle on The Hill' really stole it's thunder. And the song is so positive while still being realistic." She shrugged. "I don't know. I just like it."
"Still do you think we could maybe listen to a different song today?" Simon pleaded. "Any other song?"
"Let's think," Izzy began, pretending to think it over. "No."
"Figures," Simon chuckled. With a giggle, Izzy wrapped her arms around him, kissing him playfully.
"Ain't got a soapbox I can stand upon," Izzy began the song once again from the beginning. "But God gave me a stage, a guitar and a song."
An adorable smile on his face, Simon sang with her, "My daddy told me, son, don't you get involved in. Politics, religions or other people's quotes."
"It's a good thing I love you," Simon chuckled as they once again finished singing the song together.
"Oh, and why is that?" Izzy teased.
"How else am I to put up with you," he laughed, pulling her in closer and kissing her deeply this time. Izzy quite forgot where she was, all her attention on her boyfriend's wandering hands before the oven timer interrupted them.
"Cookies are done," Izzy chirped as she got up very quickly, straightening her clothes as she did so. She was quite impressed to discover Simon had gotten half the clasps of her bra undone.
"Those smell amazing," Simon said appearing beside her. He was breathing in deeply as if he'd followed his nose into the kitchen.
"Those are for Jordan," Izzy reminded him. "That is if you are still sure he is going to show up all broken up."
"If he didn't chicken out he will," Simon scoffed.
"But isn't there a chance she'll forgive him?" Izzy asked. "Paige is the most forgiving person I've ever met. I really can't imagine her giving up if there's a chance."
"Did you not hear the story?" Simon asked, reaching for a cookie, but Izzy snapped his hand away.
"Those are for your broken hearted friend," Izzy told him firmly.
"Who knows," Simon said pulling his hand away, but looking suspiciously like someone who hadn't given up on stealing a cookie. "Maybe they made up and he won't need the comfort food?"
"Uh huh," Izzy scoffed skeptically. "Or maybe you just wanted me to make cookies."
"Can't I be guilty of both?" Simon asked. He was grinning now, moving forward and playfully pulling her in for a kiss. Giving in, Izzy wrapped her arms around him. Happiness in love was still new to her, and she intended to enjoy every minute of it.
Just then they were interrupted by a slow mellencolly knock at the door.
"Something tells me we're gonna need the cookies," Izzy said with a sigh as she disentangled herself from Simon and went to greet their visitor.
Standing on her doorstep was Jordan, no hope in his eyes and a look of grief on his face. In fact, he looked so miserable Izzy could almost picture his own personal mini rain cloud hovering over his head. If this had been Hollywood, Izzy was sure it would have been raining. Instead it was just cold, their breath forming mist as they exhaled.
"She left," Jordan said numbly. "She's gone." He wasn't wearing a jacket, and Izzy was starting to worry he'd catch a cold.
"Come in out of the cold before you freeze," Izzy said gently.
"I- I mean I knew," Jordan sniffled, numbly walking forward as she instructed. "But I wasn't quite prepared for- what happened."
Izzy turned to see if Simon had sat down beside them on the couch when she noticed that he was chewing and there were crumbs around his mouth.
Ignoring her cookie monster of a boyfriend, Izzy turned to Jordan. "Tell me what happened," she spoke gently.
"I told her," Jordan began. It was then that Izzy noticed the circles under his eyes. He looked so worn out. "You know, the strange thing is I think she could have forgiven me, at least in part. If only I'd realized I'd loved her sooner and told her as much." He paused for a shaky breath, then continued. "Makes it worse."
"I get that," Izzy tried to comfort him.
"We made cookies," Simon piped up, clearly unsure how else to cheer up his friend.
"Thanks," Jordan said. "But I'm not really hungry."
"Just have one," Simon offered. "They're really good."
"Simons would know," Izzy said coolly. "Since he's already stolen some."
"It's okay," Jordan replied weakly. "I'm not even sure I could eat anything at the moment. I feel a little sick to my stomach."
"This isn't the end of the world," Izzy consoled him. "Everything will be okay."
"I know it's not the apocalypse," Jordan half smiled. It was the closest he'd come to looking not totally broken since arriving. "Life goes on, but it won't be the same. I messed it all up, and now I have to live with it."
"We're here for you, buddy," Simon said, moving closer to put a comforting hand on Jordan's shoulder.
There was silence for a moment until the quiet was broken by a knock on the door. From the looks on every face, it seemed like no one was expecting anyone else. However, Izzy did see a moments hope in Jordan's eyes, like maybe he thought Paige had come back, but when Izzy opened the door it was none other than Jace who stood there.
"I'm here on a mission from Clary," Jace stated when Izzy asked him what was up. He walked forward into the room, making a beeline for the two guys on the couch. Jace stopped when he was standing right in front of Jordan.
"Just remember that this is not from me," Jace continued. "I don't wanna take sides." Both Simon and Jordan looked all kinds of confused as Jace continued. "Clary made me promise." And just like that, Jace pulled back his arm and slapped Jordan across the face.
"Sorry," Jace said at once.
"It's okay," Jordan sighed, rubbing the red mark on his cheek. "Besides, you didn't hit me very hard."
"I was going for Clary levels of force," Jace explained. "Since it was from her."
"You know I love her dearly, but sometimes that woman is mental," Simon chuckled.
Though she knew he didn't mean it the way it sounded, Izzy couldn't help the jealous twinge Simon's words created in her. In her mind, exes weren't supposed to talk about each other like that. Her best consolation was that Jace didn't show even the slightest inclination of jealousy at all. Izzy wasn't sure how those two had become such good friends - after all, hadn't Jace stolen Clary away from Simon? - but in times like these she tried to remind herself that if they didn't hold a grudge so neither should she. It was just far more difficult in practice than in principle.
"You're telling me," Jace chuckled. "I just spent an hour listening to her on the phone." He whistled for emphasis. "And boy is she mad at you." He gestured to Jordan.
"I'm mad at me," Jordan whined.
"Think about it this way," Jace tried to console him. "We guys will have the apartment all to ourselves. A real bachelor pad."
"Oh no, I hadn't even thought of that," Jordan whined. He turned to face Jace before adding. "When did she say she was moving out? Because she doesn't have to. I should be the one-"
"Sorry," Jace interrupted Jordan's dithering. "But she already has. I helped her pack up a few things before I came here."
"So you know where she's staying?" Jordan asked hopefully.
"Yes," Jace said very slowly. "But I don't think it's a good idea for you to head over there."
"I won't," Jordan said quickly. "Promise. I just want to know that she's okay."
"She's okay," Jace smiled.
"So I take it that means you aren't going to tell me where she is?" Jordan asked, hopefully.
Jace took a deep breath before reluctantly adding, "She's saying with Magnus and Alec. I think Clary texted Magnus about it because they weren't even surprised to see us when we got there."
As Izzy took in the moments silence in the room, she couldn't help but feel like everyone had chosen a side. It couldn't have been more obvious if they'd all put on red and blue jerseys. Clary was clearly on Team-Paige, while Simon - and by proximity Izzy - were on Team-Jordan. Jace was trying to remain neutral, but she wasn't sure if he truly was. How could anyone be one hundred percent neutral in a situation like this? Not even Magnus and Alec could remain neutral, seeing as they were now sheltering Paige. And where did Maia fit into this? Surely, Alec working with her would complicate everything. It was such a shame how a single relationship factoring down the middle could do so much damage to every other relationship around it, platonic and romantic alike.
"That's good," Jordan finally spoke. "Good she has friends to stay with. Thank you for telling me." Jace gave a slight nod.
Between the click in the lock and Izzy's realizing who else had a key, there was only time to gasp. Of course her classes were over by now, and so why wouldn't she come home. Unaware for at least another two seconds as she set down her school bag, Maia turned to see them all, her mouth falling open slightly.
Wow it's been a while since I had reviews to answer here! This is awesome! If you were logged in when you reviewed I answered you privately. :)
Guest Review:
Err...did Paige just tried to tempt Jace to do the very first thing that got her and Jordan in their present mess? Did she wanted Clary to feel what she's currently feeling and Jace to be an ass like Jordan? Or did she mean for Jace to break up with Clary first before they run away to the sunset together? Kinda disappointed in her there. Just because she's mserable she has a pass to wreck Clace. Honestly, I'm team Paige and Jordan. Team Jaia lost that spark for me long ago.
Speaking of Clace I hope Clary give attention to Jace. A text message only takes a minute or seconds. Where's that sweet girl? I'm hoping she make up to Jace by sending naughty pictures of her, although it would make Jace miss her more. But that's one way to show that you didn't forget that special someone.
I can't say anything for Jace except he's perfect and I love him more.
Another thing that's borhering me is why Clary doesn't want children? Please, her and Jace have all the right in the world to make gorgeous babies. Don't waste those beautiful genes given to you.
I miss Clace.
My Reply:
Okay so… I thought it was implied that Paige meant for Jace to break up with Clary before anything else happened. Everyone knows Clary hasn't been contacting Jace as much as he'd like so Paige probably thinks their just a little doomed. She's talking more long term. Her life fell apart and she just wanted to put it back together again… plus she was a little drunk. ^_^ I didn't mean for it to sound like Paige was being cruel and intending to hurt Clary the way she was hurt. Paige wants a husband and kids. She probably wants to be a stay at home mom one day. She's only interested if it's long term. She thought she had that with Jordan. Also as she mentioned she has a type: men who need fixing. Lol.
Sorry for my long term lack of Clace storyline… it's been planned for a while and will be a while still before it is over. Clary isn't back till June.
Lots of people don't want children for lots of different reasons. I haven't mentioned Clary's reasons in the story yet, but I'm sure she has some.
Review from Avid Reader:
I'm a true Jace/Clary fan. From an earlier chapter when Paige discussed children with Jace , I expected her to make a play for him. I hope Jace stays true to Clary and I hope that Clary realizes how much she misses him and just how much he means to her. I always like a Clary/Jace happy ending.
My Reply:
Yes, a few readers were talking about that when Paige and Jace had their moment with Lucie a while back. It probably played a part in how they got here. Well so far so good on the Jace staying true front. He's turned down every booty call and even one shot at a real relationship. If you've read any of my other stories you know I suck at writing unhappy endings, so statistically speaking, the chances look good. ^_^
Sneak Peek Chapter 138
"I miss Clary," Jace whined, not for the first time today. "I wonder what she's doing this very minute."
"You could text her and ask," Jordan suggested.
"And spend the next few hours anxiously checking my phone for a reply," Jace replied. "No thanks."
"You never know," Jordan smiled. "Maybe she isn't busy right now."
"Let's see," Jace began, counting on his fingers. "It's see Paris is 6hrs ahead of us so… it's like what 1am there?"
"In that case you have the answer to your question," Jordan chuckled. When Jace looked confused he added, "Right this minute Clary is sleeping."