Life As Clarissa Morgenstern

Chapter Sixteen

Jon's POV

After dad told me, I sat back down on the couch and watched the tv with the guys, but I wasn't as into talking as they were.

"Hey, what'd he tell you? You seem upset." I nodded to Gray.

"Something happened to Clary." I looked over and shared a knowing look with Aaron. He sighed.

"Again? How many times is she gonna get hurt?" Tyler asked and Reese smacked him upside the head. "Sorry. What happened this time?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Clary doesn't want you guys to know."

"I don't see why she wouldn't want us to know. I mean, it's not like anyone forced her to-" I looked up at him. "No. Really? Shit."

"You can't tell anyone."

"We won't. Do you know who did it?" I nodded to Tyler.

"Yeah, a guy from her past. Hey, did any of you see Jace tonight?"

"I saw him with Clary for like an hour, but then Carmen and I went to hook up in a classroom." Gavin stated proudly and Aaron high-fived him.

"I saw him leave with Kaelie." Aaron said. "Why do you want to know?"

"Clary was Jace's date to prom. I want to know where the hell he was when all of this went down."

Hearing a door open and close outside, I got up and walked to the window, seeing Jace making out with Kaelie against her car.

I stormed out of the house and Jace looked to me. He said goodbye to Kaelie and she left.

"What happened tonight?" I asked harshly.

"Clary didn't tell you yet?"

"She hasn't said a word since she came home." He chuckled.

"Of course, she hasn't. She stopped being fun, so I left her on the dance floor and went to find Kaelie. At least she'll put out." I threw a punch, hitting him in the eye.

I tried to hit him again, but as my fist went flying, the guys came and held me back. "You stay the fuck away from my sister!"

The guys pushed me inside the house and locked the door. I shook my hand as it throbbed. "Shit, you got him good, didn't you?" I laughed lightly.

"Damn right." Dad walked out of the kitchen and threw me an ice pack before heading back to his office.

Jace's POV

The next morning, I woke with the biggest feeling of regret I've ever felt. Damn it. What did I do? How could I do that to her?

I got up and took a shower, then got dressed and walked next door. My eye hurt like a bitch, but I deserved it. It was all purple now.

I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer.

"Need something, Jace?" Valentine answered the door.

"I'd like to speak to Clary. If that's okay with you?"

"It is not okay with me and she does not want to see you. So, you should leave."

"Jonathan told you." He nodded. "I really just need to apologize to her. Please."

"Not happening. Go home." He closed the door and I knew that I had to go home and attempt to get back on their good sides.

But, how?

Clary's POV

I still haven't said a word. Not since I called dad to come get me last night. I mean, it's not that I can't speak, I just don't want to.

People asking me if I'm okay, me telling them that I'm fine. People asking me if I need anything and me politely declining their help. People telling me that they are always there if I want to talk.

But, all I want, is to not talk. About anything.

"Clare?" I ignored Jon's voice as he stood in my doorway. "Are you okay?" I picked at my fingernails as I sat in my bed, the blankets covering my legs. "Stupid question, I know. I just, I miss my baby sister talking to me, telling me about her day."

"Princess, you have therapy in an hour. Need help getting dressed?" Dad walked in and I nodded. "Jon, your friends are still downstairs, go on." Jon walked out and dad went to my closet, picking out my clothes for me like he used to do when I was little.

"It's pretty chilly outside today, so how about the big sweater, the gray scarf, black jeans, gray boots and your white beanie?" I didn't say anything. "Okay, I'll take that as a 'yes'. Let's get you dressed." Twenty minutes later and he's finished helping me get ready, so we head down the stairs.

Though, I made him add in my gold watch and earrings.

When we got downstairs, dad grabbed me a to-go cup of coffee, along with his, before we walked out to his car.

He tried to help me in, but I wouldn't let him. He knew to let me do it my way.

The radio turned on as soon as dad started up the car and my favorite song came on the Alternitive station. Animals by Nickelback.

"When are you gonna talk to us again, princess?" Dad asked and I ignored him. "Not anytime soon, huh?" I shook my head. "That's okay. You'll talk to us when you're ready." I nodded and stared out the window the entire thirty minutes it took to get to my therapist's office.

"Clary, it's nice to see you." Dr. Matthews let me into his office and dad left. I sat on the couch and he sat in an armchair, his notepad at the ready. "So, your dad tells me that you're not talking. Why is that?" I shrugged.

"Is it that you can't? You try, but it doesn't work?" I shook my head. "You just don't want to talk?" I nodded. "Why is that?" I rolled my eyes. "Right. Not speaking to me."

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"How was therapy, princess? Was it okay?" I nodded and turned up the radio as we headed home.

When we got there, dad came around to my side and helped me down onto my feet. "Clary?! What happened to you?!" Jace rushed to me, but as soon as he was right beside me, dad shoved him away, making him fall back on his ass, which made me smile slightly.

"That's the first time you've smiled in a while. I gotta assault that boy more often." I giggled and walked upstairs.

God, it felt nice to laugh. I miss it.

I miss a lot of things......