Author's Note: I'm so sorry for the late update. My computer was acting crazy, not saving any of my chapters. Then, my dog died. I'd had him since I was born, and it was really rough. Now, I'm better and ready to write again. I love and appreciate all the feedback, and hope you love this chapter.
Clary
I'm shifting through my clothes, looking for something appropriate to wear that was not bought by Izzy. I should just throw out my entire wardrobe, considering she helped me get most of it. I sigh and just collapse on my bed. Jace knocks on my doorframe and enters slowly.
"I'm not going," I inform him. He chuckles and sits beside me, patting my knee.
"Why ever not?" he asks.
"I have nothing to wear that was not picked out by the mistress, or covered in paint," I inform him.
"Ahh, well, that is why I have called up Tessa, will's girlfriend, to bring you and outfit and help you get ready," he tells me. I shoot up and look at him. He looks confident, yet still a little nervous for my reaction.
I sigh, "Okay, when are they getting here?" as if by magic, will comes crashing into my bedroom, throwing himself on top of Jace on my bed. I hop off as they roll around a bit, laughing and yelling like the children they are.
"Amusing aren't they?" a wistful, velvety voice asks from behind me. I turn and look into a pair of beautiful grey eyes. A girl about half a foot taller than me, in flats, stands in the hall with curly brown hair and striking smoky eyes.
She smiles and pulls me into a firm hug. "I'm Tessa," she whispers.
"I'm Clary," I smile up at her as we break apart. She looks over my head at the two cousins still jostling each other and motions for me to follow her. She makes her way to Jace's room where a small suitcase is sitting on the bed already.
"I brought a dress of tonight as well as some other stuff from my shop," I look at her questioningly.
"I own a boutique downtown. I picked some stuff from the latest collections for you. I wasn't going to give you my much too long hand-me downs like your some child," she smiles. I have to appreciate this.
"Thank you so much," I tell her. She smiles.
"Just stop by and pick up anything you like anytime, on the house," she informs me. I gap. That is just so generous.
"So, how long have you and Will been together?" I ask.
"We met in college. I was dating his flat mate, but he ended up breaking it off. Will and I had been friends for a while, so we just started dating," she gives a soft, far-away grin at this.
"That's so sweet," I tell her.
"Yeah," then, she snaps and springs into actions, pulling out an arsenal of makeup and hair product, shoes and fabric. She tosses a dress for tonight and shoes. I walk into the bathroom and change into a black, lace hi-low dress with a strapless top. The front stops at mid-thigh while the end reaches my ankles. With the shoes, it at least doesn't drag around.
I emerge and Tessa gives a soft gasp of approval. She sits me on the desk chair and works on my hair and makeup. She works quickly and efficiently, like a whisp of a girl. She claps when she's finished and nudges me out the door.
"I have to get ready, so I'll be down in a moment," she informs me, already working on her eye makeup. I nod with a thank you and walk out the room, not even glancing in the mirror. I feel as if I can trust this girl, like I used to trust Izzy. I shiver as I walk down the steps.
Jace
I feel a heavy weight hit my chest and I realize it's my idiot cousin. We jostle on the bed for a while, and I'm worried we could have crushed Clary. When we finally calm down and lay shoulder to shoulder among the rumpled sheets, Will speaks.
"I know you didn't just eat waffles," he says.
"Oh, we also played hide and seek," I say as convincing as possible. He snorts.
"There was probably more Clary seeking than hiding," he murmurs and I chuckle.
"No, we talked, kissed, ate waffles," I says nonchalantly as he nods along. Then, his eyes snap to mine and he grins like the devil.
"Just kissed the girl you've LOVED SINCE YOU WERE BORN!" he screams, jumping on the bed in his hello kitty socked feet.
"Shut up!" I hiss, then I smirk, "I'm sure Tessa really digs those socks," I tease.
"You know it. She's kind of weird, but I love her," he sighs. I roll my eyes. Will loves everyone, but he's infatuated with Tessa. Much like I am with Clary.
"That's good man," I tell him. We sit in silence, waiting for some indication to the girls being ready. After an hour, we decide to just head downstairs. My bedroom door is still closed, so they probably aren't ready just yet.
Will leads the way. I enter the living room as he enters the kitchen in search off the waffles scraps from earlier.
"DAMN! You look Hot!" catch my attention. I drift into the kitchen to see a beautiful, blushing Clary facing Will, talking about something. Her dress makes her look dark and seductive, with shoes to kill.
Will has a plate of leftover waffles he is wolfing down. I push him aside and stand directly in front of Clary. She looks up at me through thick, dark lashes. I swallow the lump forming in my throat.
"Y-you look beautiful," I tell her softly, pulling on a sift wave that frames her ivory face. Will, thankfully, has drifted into the living room, but is no doubt listening through the wall.
"Thank you, you look handsome," she gestures to my black t-shirt and leather jacket. With a burst of confidence, I grip onto her small, warm hand and press my lips to the skin.
Even in the coldest of winter, her hands had always been warm growing up. I remember my skin always being freezing. She would take my hands between her own, lightly kneading the flesh to warm it. She must remember too, because she encases one of my hands in her own and massages it softly, all while smiling up at me.
I smile. We both jump when we hear a crash from the other room. I walk around the wall to see the now empty plate on the floor in shards as Tessa stands smirking in front of Will.
"Really Will? Every time we go out?" I ask. What can I say, he is infatuated.
He wordlessly nods as he joins Tessa at the foot of the steps. He takes her hand and places a kiss on the back of it. My cousin got game.
"When did Will become so sweet and romantic?" Clary whispers. Her warm breath fans over my neck, now that her shoes almost make her my height.
"When he met Tessa?" I inform her, placing an arm around her waist, as the other couple whisper to each other. I clear my throat. They look up and Will smirks at my arm.
"We should get going," I tell them.
We all pile into my car, and Clary and I are appointed designated rivers. We already had the drinks earlier, so we're both cool with it. We enter the heated press of bodies. I hold Clary in front of me, tight to my chest. We find an empty booth by complete luck and Will orders some drinks.
Tessa drags Clary away to dance while Will and I sit to chat. What I see makes my blood boil, and my heart break for Clary. Will must see it too, because he stiffens and sends me a look.
In a corner, acting completely happy is the couple that ruined our Clary. Will and I know what to do.
Clary
Tessa drags me onto the dance floor and we sway with the pulsing crowd. Colored powders adorn their skin, lights glinting off the sweating skin. It's beautiful in an artistic way. Blurred colors, every person no longer individual, but a part of a larger creature.
I feel a warm body press to my back. I stiffen and spin in the arms slowly encasing my waist. I see Jace and relax, letting out a relieved chuckle.
"You scared me," I whisper to him. He chuckles.
"My apologizes," he smirks, but I see his face tighten.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
He nods his head behind me. I turn to see Isabelle and Simon, dancing, together, looking happy. My blood boils and my heart aches. I turn back to Jace with a scowl.
"Do you want to make them pay?" he asks. I look at him strangely and then nod slowly. He smiles lightly and then drags me a little closer. Right when I see Simon catch my eyes, Jace mashes his lips to mine. I greedily reciprocate. His hands find purchase a little south of the equator, and mine find his lush locks.
Suddenly, I am being ripped away from him. I see Simon's curling brown hair askew and his eyes licking with anger behind his glasses.
"What the hell?" he seethes. I cross my arms as Jace comes to stand behind me. He rests his chin on my shoulder, a hand resting on my stomach. He is staking claim.
"Hello Sherwin, long time no see," he says cheerily.
"Get your hands off my wife Wayland," he grits out. Jace acts surprised when he turns to me.
"This is the ass that has the mistress?" he acts as if he had no idea it was Simon which makes me laugh. I see Simon flush crimson and begin to sputter.
"Yeah, it is," I reply. Isabelle looks at Jace and I know she recognizes him, but doesn't tell Simon.
"Where have you been?" Simon asks me, "You mom's?" he asks. I scoff as does Jace.
"Nah, she's been with me. I have been taking… very good care of her," I smile up at him and place a kiss of his cheek.
"You've been with this dye-blond meat-head from high school?! Are you kidding me?" he scoffs and runs his hands through his hair.
"I don't see why you care! You're the one that cheated! And Jace was my friend way before you were," with that, I storm off and pass Will and Tessa on my way to the bathroom. I see Will walk off towards Jace and I hear Tessa follow me.
"Was that Simon?" she asks. I nod. She pulls me into a hug which I repay. We sit for a few minutes until I decide I just want to go home. Tessa tells me she has to do inventory in the morning, so we should all head out.
We find the boys by the door, looking devilish.
"We should leave, now," Will says, grabbing Tessa and slinging her over his shoulder. Jace does the same to me and I begin to giggle. As we head towards the car, I see a very familiar one. The 'Nerds Rule' bumper sticker, light saber in the back window and Star Trek license plate all say its Simon's. Then I see the flat tire, and note sitting on the windshield.
"Oh no you didn't" I gasp.
"Oh yes we did, girl" Will replies. This is not going to go well.