Okay, so again this was random. Just felt like writing it.

1 year later

The diamond glitters obnoxiously, almost mocking me. You're not pretty, it cries over me, you're just a simple girl. I look up at the delirious face that is handing it to me. How can someone I've known for so long as a scatter brained idiot be able to find something as beautiful as this? Without help, I'm assuming.

"Wow," I breath. "It's stunning." I'm almost in a trance, I can't keep my eyes off it.

"I know!" she giggles, breaking my reverie. "I mean, I never thought this would happen! We were high school sweethearts, and I wasn't besotted with him. Now, though…" She looks up at me.

I'm prompted into saying: "Iz, I'm so happy for you. Truly. This is… You're perfect together. Honestly, I just can't believe that Simon could find something this amazing!"

Isabelle Lightwood is not what I would expect my hare-brained friend to settle down with. Simon hates anything public, hates dressing up and pukes every time I so much as talk of make up. He adores her though, in a way that makes me happy just to watch. Every time Isabelle looks at him, his eyes light up like he's just won the lottery. And it's not like those feelings aren't reciprocated. She's never let him see it, but she needs him just to feel secure. When he's away at college, her eyes dart nervously around the room. I suppose that's what comes from having a cheating father and an asshole of a brother. I guess Alec's alright… he's matured a lot since school. I still resent him for not stopping Jace from going to that party, but I guess boys will be boys.

"Clary?" Isabelle asks anxiously, waiting for my praise.

"Sorry, yeah, it's just… So… Wow!"

Isabelle giggles again. "You'll be maid of honour, right?"

I cover my mouth with my hands in shock, and then my eyes warm. "Oh Izzy. I would love it. Really, I can't wait."

"I know, we'll have to do a ton of wedding planning," she mused. My stomach plunged and I laugh nervously. She peeps up at me, and sees my disappointed face. "Oh, Clary! Come on, I want my wedding to be perfect."

I nod with an expression of martyrdom. Izzy giggles again. "Fine. But you can't hook me up with the best man, understood? Unless he's hot…"

Izzy's expression turns slightly queasy. I frown, and looks at her in surprise. "I don't think I'll need to stop you hooking up…" She mutters.

"Pardon?"

"You won't want to. I mean, he's ummm…. Not nice. At all."

I'm surprised. Izzy's usually such a positive person who tries to see the best in everyone. "Do I know him?"

"Yep," Isabelle chokes.

"What is it?" I ask alarmed. "Iz, are you okay?" I'm just wondering why she's finding it so hard to tell me the name of this guy. "I'll get over it if it's Sebastian, you know. He was just a few dates. 'Sides Simon didn't like him anyway." I babble.

"Look, you'll find out soon enough." Isabelle seems to have regained her equilibrium. "Just remember it's my wedding, okay? Don't ruin it."

I look at her in hurt. "Iz, you're my best friend! So's Simon, and I wouldn't want to ruin your big day! Surely you know that?" I exclaim.

"Oh I know, Clary. But with this guy you tend to, uh, forget yourself."

"Fine," I give up. "I guess I'll find out soon enough." I say bemusedly.

Do you ever wonder what would happening an atomic bomb dropped on your house? These gruesome events, in my opinion, are nothing compared to my horror at the engagement party.

I walk through the doors of the Institute and am immediately bombarded by old school friends of mine. Their soprano voices irritate me, so I hastily greet a startled Jordan. Simon and him got really close during the past year, so I guess he could be the best man. I don't want to ask him though, for fear of an awkward moment if he's not.

"Hi, Jordan," I smile at him. He's pretty hot, to be honest, and his eyes briefly flick down my figure-hugging deep red dress that stops mid-thigh. Briefly though, because he's got a great friend, who I knows dislikes me.

I've grown up a lot since high school. Not only physically, but I go out more and I'm not afraid to bat my eyelashes and flirt. This dress and these killer heels are items I would have vomited at wearing before. Now I feel reckless and wild wearing them.

"Hey, Clary, nice outfit." He grins ruefully, with a twinkle in his eye.

I smirk back. "Pity, there's no one to appreciate it."

"I'm sure we can find you several men who'd disagree," he whispers by my ear. I playfully slap his chest and push him away, but I'm already being dragged away by… Aline Penhallow? I didn't realise she was friends with Iz.

"Aline?" I ask warily, conscious that she wasn't a massive fan of me back when we were 16.

"Clary! Wow, you're so beautiful." Should whales at me, with a friendly look in her eye. Though I can often be a bad judge of character, I sense that Aline really has changed. I think she notices my discomfort and disbelief, so quickly adds: "Please can I introduce my girlfriend Helen."

My eyes pop, and I have to stop my jaw from dropping. Wow, clearly I'm not the only one who's changed. I try to minimal use my reaction by swallowing and looking at the girl Aline has her arm around. She's very pretty, with pale blue eyes and dark hair that falls to her shoulders.

Aline watches me with satisfaction. "Hello, I'm Clary Fray." I hold my hand out to the girl, who eagerly takes it into her warm palms.

"Hi! I'm Helen Blackthorn. Aren't you the maid of honour?" She asks sweetly. Even if Aline has become a nicer person, it's easy to see that Helen will be the positive influence in this relationship.

"Yeah," I laugh, " I'm best friends with Simon and Izzy, we have been since high school."

Aline decides to politely remind me at this moment that I have to go prepare for my speech in which I bless the happy couple. We say our goodbyes and I head off to the toilet. I've already taken advantage of the fine wine on offer, so I'm bursting. I check that my eyeliner hasn't smudged, and once pleased I step back out. In all the crowds, one face catches my eye. Golden eyes, golden hair, Jace Herondale is out in force to catch all the girls he can. I smile, blissful in the knowledge I'd never be one of those girls again.

He waves at me, perhaps a gesture of new friendship. I nod my head in response, already prepared that he would be here. Of course, even though they don't get on marvellously, Izzys adopted brother would be here. It was inevitable.

When the time for speeches comes, I mount the grand stage in their ball room and look down at the friends and family gathered. I introduce myself, and explain my connection with the bride and groom. "Of course, I hadn't realised when Simon offered me his packet of Twinkies that I would be letting myself into a friendship that brings with it awful speeches and wedding-planning, but I think it's the best thing that could have happened to me." I feel pleased by the audiences slightly teary eyes, but warm smiles.

"I didn't meet Isabelle until I was 16, when she was the girlfriend of my nerdy best friend. Our first meeting was…. Interesting, to say the least in that she ran off crying and I slapped her brother." A collective gasp, but many of my old high school friends shared a nostalgic smile. Jace protectively stroked his cheeks, which made me grin.

"But she helped me through some of the worst trials of my life, and also prepared me for every night out until I could be trusted with outfit planning. She was my first girl best-friend, and though I didn't enjoy the awkward PDA moments between them, they were the best friend anyone could have."

I took a breath before finishing the speech. "I know you two better than pretty much anyone, I think, and I know that you two adore each other and will protect each other using hair-curlers and light-sabers if you have to. Good luck, my darlings. To Simon and Izzy!" I call out as I raise my glass, with a proud smile on my face. The audience echo my sentiments and I leave the stage. Izzy's eyes are slightly red, and she proudly hugs me tight to her. Simon, re splendid in a tuxedo I'm sure Izzy forced him into, conveys all his feelings in a happy look to me.

The Best man comes next, and there are a series of cat calls as whoever it is mounts the stage. I turn around and glimpse a head with blonde hair that would rival a dragon's treasure. I spin around and look at Simon. Glare, more accurately. He shrugs, as if to say, what could I do? I shake my head and bite my lip nervously as Jace begins.

"Thank you, Clary, for that amazing speech." I nod stiffly back at him. "For those of you who don't know, I'm the boy she slapped." He says earning a laugh from us. "And she did it because, I'm sorry to say ladies and gentlemen, I was awfully rude and sexist to Isabelle and her new boyfriend. Thank God she did, because I think that fuelled Isabelle's pride and she never let me boss her around again."

Isabelle taps me on the shoulder and mouths: I'm sorry. I shake my head and smile at her. It's her big day, or one of them anyway, and she shouldn't have to be apologising for anything.

"I grew closer to Simon about a year ago, when he came round to berate me for the way I treated… Someone close to him." No prizes for guessing who, but I clutch Simons hand gratefully. "We ended up going for a meal, and then he confessed his interest in soccer." Simon ducks his head embarrassed. " We would meet up, and talk sport or science or whatever we wanted. I guess if you spend a year doing that, you get pretty close."

I knew nothing of this, needless to say.

"I was proud, and pleased when he offered me the position of Best Man. We don't have an ancient friendship or that much in common really, but he's the most decent man I know, who is dedicated to my sister and getting a PhD which no doubt he will, and he and Iz are a perfect match. I don't need to tell him to be good to my sister, because he loves her to the end of this earth and beyond. Thank you."

His speech didn't have my sweetness, but it was blunt and designed to show the good sides of both Iz and Simon. And me, I guess. Jace's odd appraisal of my speech leaves me in a state of confusion, not to mention the bombshell that he's going to be my wedding partner over the next six weeks.

As I leave the Institute-a place that has been like a second home to me since I left my mums and my dad is away half the time-I hug Izzy tightly and kiss Simon on the cheek. We're all exhausted, and I'm not looking forward to the prospect of work tomorrow. The sky is an inky black, and the city is only illuminated by glowing street lamps.

I walk quickly, eager to be home and asleep. I pull my coat closer to my body in the hopes of shutting out the icy wind. I'm aware of footsteps behind me, and subconsciously hold my clutch inside my coat.

"Jesus, Clary, you're going to freeze!" Jace mutters behind me.

I roll my eyes and keep walking. "It's only a few blocks away, I'm sure I'll survive."

"You haven't changed all that much then." I can hear the smirk in his voice even without looking. "Clary," he touches my arm, but I jerk away. Talking to him is bad enough. "Let me drive you."

He's so over protective. "I'll be fine, Jace." My shivering body and chattering teeth betray me as usual.

"No." He says firmly. "Come on," he leads me back to his car and tucks me in.

Once we're safely on the way I blurt out: "your speech was good."

He grins proudly. "I knew we'd get there eventually. So we're gonna be best man and maid of honour?"

"Yes." I say dully.

"Wow, there's no need for you to contain you or excitement!" He deadpans, so I throw a glare at him. "Clary we're going to need to be on speaking terms."

"We are. I tolerate you."

Jace turns a corner and ogives me a chastising look. "Look, we'll work it out later. I've got you number so I'll just call you."

I grit my teeth. "I changed it."

"Oh." Silence ensued, broken only by Jace's timid question. "Can I have your new one?"

I can't be bothered to make up a witty comment. "Fine." He pulls into my parking space and I hand him a piece of paper with my number. I bolt out of the door, hastily saying thank you for the ride. Th tension in that car was enough to suffocate me.

"Bye, Clare." Jace calls out of the window and speeds away, and I watch the car until he pulls a sharp corner. I shake my head at my foolishness and head inside.

R&R