Life As Clarissa Morgenstern

Chapter Twenty-seven

Clary's POV

It's been a few months since I met my new friends and I don't think I've ever been happier with my life than I am now.

They come over whenever they feel like it, usually after they're done with classes for the day. We just talk, drink, and hang out. It's a lot of fun.

I finished with my classes an hour ago, so I've just been sitting at the table doing homework. I heard my computer ringing from the other room and rushed to go answer it.

"Hi, princess."

"Hi, dad. What's up?"

"Are your friends around?"

"No, why?" I asked, confused as to why that would matter.

"I have something to tell you and I don't know how it's going to make you feel."

"About Sebastian?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"Some other prisoners found out that he was a child molester and killed him in the showers last night." He stated, waiting for my reaction.

Of course, I started crying, but the weird thing was that I was laughing at the same time. "I wanted that son of a bitch to rot in prison. To suffer the way he made me suffer."

"I'm sorry, princess."

"It's fine. Um, I think I just need some time to process this, so I'll call you some other time."

"Okay. Goodnight, princess."

"Goodnight." I hung up and went straight to the fridge, pulling out everything I needed to make myself an alcoholic beverage.

About two hours later, I was laying on the floor, drunk off my ass and crying my eyes out.

I didn't even bother moving when I heard the front door open and close. "Clary?" Ryan kneeled beside me. "You okay?"

"Nope." I hiccup.

"What's wrong?" I noticed no one else was here yet.

"He didn't suffer." I sniffled.

"Who?"

"My rapist. He got killed in prison. He didn't rot in prison like I wanted him to." I was too drunk to care that I was spilling all my secrets to him.

"You were raped? When?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Pretty much all my life. But most recently, about four months ago. He held me for two years."

"I'm so sorry, Clary. I see you already started drinking. Want a drinking buddy?" I laughed and nodded.

He got himself a drink and sat down on the floor beside me.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Nopee. But thanks."

He nodded and turned on some music. Not too long after, I heard the door open again and saw everyone enter the living room.

"What's going on here?" They laughed.

"Clary's having a bad day." Was all Ryan said.

"If we're gonna be friends, you should know what my life was like. My past is a bad one." I looked to Ryan. "Will you go get my computer? It's on my bed." He nodded and left, coming back a minute later with my laptop in his hands. "When I met you guys, I wrote it all out, because I knew I'd hate having to say it all over again." I pulled up the page and slid it over to them. "Enjoy."

Everyone got down on the floor and gathered around the computer. I stared up at the ceiling, not wanting to see the sadness and pity in their eyes.

"Don't tell me you're sorry. It just makes it worse." I said, trying to hold back my own tears.

"Okay. How about, we love you. You're an amazing friend and your past has just shaped you into the amazing woman you are now." Ryan spoke.

"Stop it." I laughed through tears. "You're gonna make me cry again."

"Let's change the subject." Alice laughed. "What's everyone doing for fall break?"

"Going home." I said and everyone else said the same thing. Except for Ryan. "What are you doing for break?"

"Um, nothing. I'll be here."

"Why?" I asked.

"I don't have any family to go home to. It's just me."

"You can't miss out on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You're coming to my house." I stated.

"Your dad won't care?"

"I don't care if he does. My family is now your family. I'm not letting you spend the holidays alone. Plus, we're just friends, so I don't see why my dad would have a problem with it. But, you might wanna get started on your Christmas list because my dad starts buying early. And don't worry about price. He'll buy you anything you want, no matter the price."

"Thank you, Clary. That means a lot."

"Anytime. Be right back." I stood up and went to my room and closed the door. I laid down in bed and grabbed the phone to call my dad.

"Hi, princess."

"Hi, daddy. Um, I need a favor."

"Okay, what's up?"

"My friend, Ryan, he doesn't have any family to go home to for break. Would you mind if he stayed with us for the holidays? We're just friends, I promise. But, I can't let him be alone."

"Of course, princess. Send me his Christmas list soon, though. I need to get started on shopping for him. And, I'm proud of you for bringing home a friend for the holidays because he doesn't have any family. You have such a good heart. I raised you right."

"Thanks, daddy. And, yes you did."

"Okay, get me his list by the end of the week and I'll get him whatever he wants. Goodnight, princess."

"Goodnight, daddy."

"Clary?" Ryan walked in and sat on the bed. "I just want to let you know how much I appreciate you inviting me to your house. I haven't had a real Christmas since I was a kid."

"Nobody should ever be alone during the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, it's a time for friends and family. Since you don't have family, you're gonna share mine."

"Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me for that." I yawned.

"Okay. Go to sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Okay."

And just like that, I was out like a light.