"Daddy!" I cried out. We were at the pool, and Daddy had just thrown me into the water. I could swim, so it wasn't a big deal, in fact I enjoyed moments like this. These moments felt surreal and perfect, as if nothing could penetrate the perfection. Mom was on a beach chair, reading, and my brother, Jonathon, was swimming around the pool. To some people we look like the perfect family, but we have had our ups and downs. Mom and Dad have fought, but we always move past it. Atleast, we always used to. Mom had an affair with a good friend of her's. Soon after Mom and Dad got a divorce. I was upset, but I stayed strong.

I was six when that happened. Now I'm sixteen. Jonathon lives with Mom, in New York. I, however, live with Dad, in L.A. . He got remarried when I was twelve. I am okay with it. I just want him to be happy. My step-mom's name is Lilith. She is really sweet, she cares about me. She always trys to comfort me when I'm upset, but everyone in this household knows Sebastian is the only one who I have really let in. Sebastian is her son, my step-brother. I would be lying if I said he wasn't attractive. He is about 6"4, with pale skin, black hair, and eyes as dark as the night sky, despite his lean figure he has an amazing build. He is the only person I knew that I could truly trust. I don't just give away my trust, it has to be earned.

My name is Clarissa Morgenstern, but I prefer Clary. I have red hair, it's supposed to be a bright orange-red color, but I dyed it a dark, blood red color. I have piercing, emerald green eyes, a 5"4 frame, and I have recently adopted curves. Also, my skin is pale and porcalain like. I am the spitting image of my mother.

My train of thought is cut-off by Lilith, yelling that breakfeast is ready. I jump off my bed and run downstairs, knocking Sebastian down in the process. I look back and make sure he's alright before dashing into the kitchen.

"I think you have a new record, Clary." She says, giving a small chuckle. I laugh with her, and then stare longingly at the plate of pancakes and bacon in her hand. She rolls her eyes at me, E veryone knows not to mess with me when there is food involved. She sighs, and hands me the food. I start shoveling the food into my mouth when Dad and Seb walk in.

"What took you so long?" I ask around all the food in my mouth. Sebastian shoots daggers at me playfully. "Oh, you know, I got shoved down in the middle of the hallway by the spawn of Satan." I smirk at him. He knows that I have a slight obsession with food, as does everyone else. "You will eventually put someone in the hospital." he mutters under his breath, but I still cuaght what he said.

"Who's to say I haven't?" I ask in an evil voice.

"It wouldn't shock me."

The rest of breakfeast resumes normally, and I head upstairs to shower and get ready for school. When I get into the shower I let the water cleanse me. I know it sounds silly, but when I have the water pounding down on me, I feel free. Like, everything is forgiven and forgotten, and I can start over without a care in the world.

I get out and grab my purple, fluffly towel, and wrap it around myself. I walk out of the bathroom and into my room to pick out today's outfit. I look in my closet and find a pink t-shirt that hugs my body in all the right places, paired with my leather jacket, light blue, ripped skinny jeans and my grey combat boots.

Next I start on hair and make-up. For my make-up, I go for a natural look, and add some eyliner with a flick at the end, as well as some mascara. I put on some nude lip-gloss, too. When I start on my hair, I first have to tame my curls with a bunch of different hair products. Then, I take out my flat iron and curling iron and wait for them to heat up. Once they finish up, I straighten my hair, and curl the ends of it.

I do a quick once over in my mirror before walking out. I deemed that I looked good. I go back down to wait for Sebastian. I would drive myself, but it looks like the weather is going to be bad, and I drive a motorcycle.

Sebastian, on the other hand, drives a Land Rover. He would probably be picking up his friends for school. I usually pick up my best friend, Tessa. She's dating Will Herondale, one of Seb's best friend's. They're both really amazing people. They've never cared about someone's background, which I find really sweet.

Sebastian comes stumbling down the stairs. "Are you riding with me?" He asks. I nod my head, as if it's the most odvious thing in the world. "Bye Daddy, bye Lilith!" I yell, just as I'm walking out the door.

I climb inside the car and turn on the radio. I start singing and dancing along with the music in my seat. Sebastian laughs and shakes his head at me. Just as we pull into Will's driveway I start blaring Love Don't Die, by The Fray. Will comes out and sees me in the car singing and dancing. He shakes his head, gets in the car, and then starts singing with me.

Will is good looking. He has black hair and blue eyes, which is an amazing combination, in my opinion. He has a nice build, with muscles, but not so much muscle that it looks bad. His skin is tan and flawless. He is a nice person. He is overly confident in everything he does, but Tesssa brought out his soft side. She is one of his few weaknesses. They were brought together by books. The both of them are very compassionate when it comes to reading.

I called Tessa and told her to wait outside for Seb and me. Once we get there, she is just running out the door. She is pretty. She has brown hair that flows down to her waist, grey eyes that resemble storm clouds. She is pretty tall at 5"7. Her outfit brings out her curves. She is wearing a grey tank-top, black skinny jeans and a red scrarf. Her hair is left down in loose ringlets to frame her face, and make-up is done natural with a little mascara.

She jumps in the back with Will, and kisses him. Will grabs her neck and deepens the kiss. I feel a make-out session coming on, so I stop it. I climb out of the car and open the door. Will knows what I mean and goes to the front seat, pouting. I laugh and get back in the car.

"You know if you had a girlfriend you would want to kiss her, too." Says Will.

"Sorry, but I don't swing that way."

"You know what I mean. If you had a boyfriend you would try and make-out with him."

"Not in your car, Will."

"This isn't your car. It's Sebastian's."

"I doubt he wanted to watch the two of you trade sylavia."

By the time Will and I finish our banter, we're already in the school parking lot. I get out of the car, along with everyone else, and we walk in the school together. We're all in the 'popular' crowd, so a few people stop and look at us, before returning to what they're doing.

We all say goodbye, and walk our separate ways to class.

TIME SKIP

I am walking towards my third period class with Tessa, we were talking about our school play. Tessa loves to act, so she's auditioning. When we walk in Mrs. Branwell isn't their yet. We had just gotten in our seats when an announcement came over ther intercom. "Sebastian Verlac and Clarissa Morgenstern to the Principal's office."

Tessa looks over at me, and I shrug. I get up and walk to the principal office. Sebastian's already there.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but your parents were in a car accident. They died instantly." He gives us a few minutes to process this, that's all it takes for me to break down. Sebastian walks over and holds me to him. I sob quietly into his chest as he rubs circles on my back.

"Is there anyone we could call for you? I'm not sure either of you should be driving in this state of mind." The principal asks, slowly.

"We drove here. The only people that I trust to drive us right now are in class." Sebastian says. He's not crying, but I can hear the pain in his voice.

"They can be excused from the classes, if you would prefer to go home." Sebastian just nods his head. We go back to our classes to collect our things. Sebastian walks me to my class and gives me one last hug before going to his. I walk in and all eyes are on me. I wipe at my eyes, trying to control the flow of tears rushing down my cheeks. I hand my teacher note, excusing Tessa and me for the rest of the day.

Tessa quickly grabs our bags, and rushed over to me. We walk out of the clasroom and Tessa puts her arm around my shoulder, then we head out to Sebastian's car. Once we get there, Will and Seb are already there. Tessa lets me go, and Sebastian comes to me. I let the tears fall, there's no point in trying to cover my emotions, Sebastian can see through any facade I create.

He throws the keys to Will, then climbs into the the back with me as Tessa and Will get in the front seat. I know it sounds silly, but now that I know how my parents died, I want nothing to do with a car. All I can do now is picture the scene of their death.

Sebastian tells Tessa and Will what hapened. They both say sorry, as if they had done something wrong. I hate it when people apologize for something they had no control over. I've never been in this situation so I don't know what to say, all I can do is give a small nod of my head.

Once we arrive back home, Tessa suggests I call my mom. I freeze. I haven't spoken to my mom in years.

She and Jon came to visit me one summer, and Jon and I had went out to party with Sebastian. Jon got really wasted. Mom, Dad and Lilith had been watching a movie when we got home. Once they saw Jon, they were all kind of angry. Mom had immediately blamed me for Jonathon drinking. She yelled at me. She told me she raised Jonathon better than this, that this must have been my doing. So, I yelled back, asking her, since this was my doing, why their wasn't a trace of alchohol on my breath.

"Why?" I ask.

"She's right, I know you and your mom have bad blood, but she does need to know. Plus, What about Jonathon? He didn't do anything wrong. Valentine was his dad, too."

"Fine. Hand me a phone." I say glaring at him.

I dial the number, and wait. I'm hoping the ringing doesn't stop, when suddenly it does. My Mom is on the other line.

"Hello?"