Life As Clarissa Morgenstern

Chapter Twenty-One

Clary's POV

One week of being in the hospital and it was finally time for me to go home. The frostbite was gone, I had a cast on my left leg and right arm. My right foot had a fracture boot on it and I had to wear an immobilizing brace on my left wrist. Other than that, it was mostly just bruises.

I couldn't help but be scared to go home. No doubt that the Lightwoods have found out about my being found. I just didn't know if I was ready to see them yet.

It was hard enough seeing my dad and Jon, I couldn't imagine what it'd be like to see them. All of it is just really overwhelming. To have so much happen in a short amount of time, it was almost too much for me to handle.

My dad and Jon have visited me every day since I got here. I still won't talk, but they've been really supportive with that. I haven't spoken a word, in a year and a half.

I wish it were easier to get back into it, but it's really hard. And, honestly, I don't know if I actually want to. This has been my way of coping ever since the six month point of being kidnapped.

Talking mostly just got me punished, so I stopped altogether. I know that my dad and Jon want me to talk to them, but I just can't bring myself to do it. At this point, I don't know if I even could. It's been so long.

"We're home, princess." I was so zoned out, I didn't realize we had pulled into the driveway.

Dad got out and helped me up onto my crutches. Jon grabbed my bag and went to unlock the front door for us.

As I stepped inside, I couldn't help the tears that escaped from my eyes. I'd missed this place so much. "Clare, are you okay?" I nodded to Jon. "Do you want to go lay down in your room?" Another nod. "Okay, I'm gonna carry you up." Dad took my crutches and Jon picked me up bridal style.

Soon, I was being lowered down onto my bed. "Do you want to watch tv, princess? All of your shows are still recorded on the DVR. I couldn't delete them, so I let them keep recording and I just bought more space for the DVR." Dad laughed lightly, handing me the remote. "I'm gonna go start on lunch. Is grilled cheese okay?" I nodded. "How many do you want?" I held up two fingers. "Got it." He left and Jon sat down beside me.

"Here's your phone." He handed it to me. "They found it on the ground where you-" He couldn't say it. "Um, I have some homework to do, but if you need anything, just text me. I love you." I smiled a little and he left the room.

I sat there watching tv for at least an hour and eating my grilled cheese. When I got bored of that, I looked out my window. Jace's room was right there. I'd never noticed that before.

After a few minutes, I caught a glimpse of his blonde hair. I wanted to see him, so I threw a pen out my open window, hitting his closed one.

Nothing.

I grabbed another pen from my bedside table and threw it harder than the first. He came to the window and stared at me with wide eyes. He opened his window and gaped at me. "I didn't know they found you!" I beckoned him with my hand to come over. "I'm coming over!" I laughed as he took off running out of his room.

Jace's POV

After seeing Clary, I took off running at top speed. Down the stairs, through the living room. "Jace, where are you going? Why are you running?" Mom asked me, but I didn't slow down.

"Gotta go! Be back later!"

"We have people coming over in an hour!"

"Sorry! Gotta go!" I ran out of our house and over to Clary's house next door. I didn't even knock, I just ran inside and up the stairs.

"Jace!" I stopped at Valentine's voice. "What are you doing?"

"Clary told me to come over. I'll be in her room." He seemed shocked, but I didn't really care as I ran to Clary's room and let myself in.

She flinched when the door hit the wall, but then she saw me. I swear, her eyes lit up when our eyes locked. She looked like hell, but she was beautiful as ever.

"I didn't know you were back. How are you?" She didn't respond. "Clary?"

"She's not talking." Jon walked in. "Coping mechanism. She nods or shakes her head. She might be able to write, if you give her a notebook."

"Thanks." He nodded and left. I looked around and found one of her sketch books on the dresser. She already had a pen in hand, so I just handed her the sketchbook. "So, when did you get back?"

She messily wrote on the page. I assumed it was hard to write with the cast on her arm.

'Got found a week ago. Came home today.'

"Wow. Why didn't Val tell us?"

'I didn't want to see anyone yet.'

"So, why did you want to see me? I mean, we didn't exactly part on the best of terms."

'I forgave you a long time ago. I had two whole years to think about what happened. I shouldn't have kept so many secrets from you and I understand why you did what you did. Now, I'm not happy about it by any means, but I understand now. You're not a bad guy, Jace. You were just curious about things that I wasn't ready to tell you. For that, I'm sorry.'

"I swear, you are the most forgiving and caring person I have ever met. Look, I know that you've been through a lot, but I want to ask you something." She nodded. "When you're better and ready, would you maybe want to go on a date with me? Not a date like me leaving you on prom night. Like, a real date. Dinner, movie, the works."

She smiled. 'I'd like that.'

"I missed you so much, Clary." Her smile widened and she patted the spot beside her. Immediately, I took off my shoes and got into bed with her.

Cautiously, I put my arm around her shoulder, testing the waters to see if she was okay with it. I got the answer I wanted when she leaned into me and turned the tv on.

We sat there for hours, just watching random shows and talking to each other through the sketchbook.

It was around eight o'clock when she fell asleep in my arms. I brushed her hair away from her face and smiled tiredly.

"I love you, Clary. I'm here for you, no matter what." I whispered, before falling asleep with her.

She's so damn beautiful.......