Hey guys :) Sorry I've taken so long to update. I have been caught up with all my exams and pretty soon I will be starting my finals. Before everything got hectic, I wanted to write the final chapter of Idris Academy. Thank you to everyone who has read my story and reviewed, followed or liked it. I appreciate all your support and opinions and I feel so privileged to have people read my writing. I hope you like the final chapter, it took me a while. See you later :)

I acknowledge that the rights belong to Cassandra Clare and Yoko Kamio.

Chapter Twenty Six: Time

"No' shrieked Clary, half laughing, as Jace pushed her into the waves, 'oh you bastard".

She gurgled with laughter, struggling to her feet and coughing out seawater and saw Jace unable to stand up, howling with laughter. Before he could react, she darted towards him and he stood up, right as she leapt onto him, pushing him into the sand. He struggled but he was still laughing too hard to get her off and her body on top of his wasn't that objectionable.

"Now Fray' he said, 'if you wanted to make out, you only had to ask".

He leant upwards and right as their lips touched, a huge, salty wave crashed down onto them and soaked them. Now they were both laughing and scrambling to their feet, splashing water at each other and acting like children. Finally they flopped down onto the sand, out of reach from the sea and lay panting, a feeling of euphoria settling down onto them. It felt like a dream, away from everyone, away from responsibilities, schoolwork, financial problems and Clary didn't want the day to end. She looked over at Jace, who had his eyes shut and a peaceful expression on his face, the most calm she had ever seen him.

"Jace' she whispered and he opened his eyes and looked across at her, 'thank you".

"For what?" he asked, his eyes twinkling. She looked up at the sky and said

"For coming with me. For letting me know you loved me. For disobeying your mother. Everything".

Jace's fingers entwined with hers and he said

"It's you I should be thanking. You have changed my life in so many ways and I will never forget that. I won't let my mother drag you down and I will fight for you with everything I have".

He went on talking but Clary was mulling over his words. What was that suppose to mean? He wasn't going to leave Wayland Pty Ltd? So what, he was going to leave New York and expect her to blindly agree and not see him for three years? She cut over him and said

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Sorry" said Jace looking at her again. Clary sat up and said

"Are you going to leave New York with her?"

Jace didn't say anything.

"Jace?"

"You've got to understand, Clary. Wayland Pty Ltd has so many people relying on its businesses and funding. I've got to go away to learn how to run the business to the best of my abilities. I won't let my mother stop me from seeing you but I can't just walk away from my responsibilities".

"BULLSHIT' said Clary, standing, 'that is UTTER CRAP. Since when did YOU care about RESPONSIBILITIES? Since when did YOU care about Wayland Pty Ltd? The only thing YOU care about is the fact you won't have any MONEY if your mother cuts you off. You won't have money or influence or even most of your friends and everybody who you ever hurt will come knocking at your door to SPIT in YOUR FACE".

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?' spat Jace, getting to his feet, 'I have given up everything for you. I have stood up for you, supported you, given you money, loved you. How is that not caring?"

Clary laughed brittlely and said

"Oh well done, Wayland. You actually gave a stuff about someone else. You stood up for me, clap, clap, clap. You want to know what I gave up? Ever since I started dating you, I have had the whole world against me. The school I attend is full of people ready to backstab me if you break up with me, I have dealt with you and the rest of the Shadowhunters, potential rapists, crazy girls who have insane crushes on you, the media trying to paint me as some whining gold-digger, my marks fluctuating because I always have something else going on, entering snobby, prestigious competitions to please everyone just so I AM GOOD ENOUGH TO DATE THE WONDERFUL JACE WAYLAND. On top of that, I have to deal with YOUR MOTHER trying to destroy my family, my friends, their work, their self-respect and least of all, ME. Don't even try to compare what you have given up to what I HAVE GIVEN UP".

Jace was staring at her openmouthed but Clary was too furious to stop.

"And now you are telling me after all I have ever done for you, you are not even going to stand up to your mother and face the consequences of dating me and I am just...GOD, why are we bothering? Money is too important than forming a long-lasting relationship with people who actually care about you. Yes, people rely on Wayland Pty Ltd and I would actually respect you for putting their own needs above yours. But it isn't, is it? It's because you don't want to lose the only thing in your life that defines you".

"Cheers" said Isabelle, raising her glass and Simon clinked his class against hers. They both sipped it before he said

"To what do we owe this pleasurable afternoon?"

Isabelle raised an eyebrow and said

"What? You aren't enjoying my company?".

"Absolutely not' said Simon, 'but is this our first date or what?"

Isabelle raised her eyebrow again but this time sipped her drink. After a small pause, she reached her hand across the table and placed it on Simon's.

"I missed you, you know? I was over in France and I kept thinking about you. Even when I was with...him. I thought it was because you were my best friend and it was natural. And then you were standing in my room that night and telling me you loved me, I finally thought oh, so that's why I feel like this".

Simon pulled his hand out of her grip and said

"What happens now?"

"With what?"

"Are you going back to France?"

Isabelle nodded and said

"I have seven months left of my degree. I am going to become a lawyer, Simon".

"Good' he said, 'and then?"

"I'm going to come back to New York and work with some barristers. I have contacts from Teen Of New York. Then when I have experience, I'm going to open up my own firm. Does that sound stupid?"

"Absolutely not' said Simon, 'it sounds epic".

"What about you?' she said, 'what are your plans?"

Simon said quickly

"I'm going to sell the company".

Isabelle stared at him and he continued.

"Over the past few months, I've been thinking. I don't have any interest in business, that was my father's realm and he built it up from nothing. That was his dream and I don't think I want to destroy that. I've been talking to the Board of Directors and Dad's old personal assistant and they all are on board. I'm going to sell my stakes and let someone who actually has a head for business run the joint. Then I'm going to go and pursue my dreams".

He looked at her nervously, she hadn't said anything.

"Iz?' he asked, 'do you think I'm stupid?"

"No' she said, 'you are...so brave. Incredible".

Encouraged, Simon said

"I'm going to start from scratch, make my own way into the world. I've spent the last seventeen years of my life being filthy rich, now I'm going to spend the next seventeen probably being dirt poor. I think I want to be a music producer".

"A music producer?" said Isabelle.

"Yep' said Simon, 'music has always been my life. I thought, why not start living it?"

For a moment, Isabelle stared at him and then suddenly, she was kissing him. Her mouth fitted perfectly over his, her soft lips warm and smooth. He felt the warmth of her body, her hands running through his hair, the pulse of her heart against his and then suddenly she pulled away and said

"We have company".

Simon turned, feeling slightly drunk and to his shock, saw Imogen Herondale making her way through the cafe. She didn't seem at all bothered by the fact she had interrupted a teenager and his older girlfriend making out and instead, as she came to a halt, she said

"Miss Trueblood, it is a pleasure to see you again".

"Miss Herondale' said Isabelle, her voice slightly colder, 'what brings you here?"

Now Imogen's eyes turned towards Simon and they grew cold. Simon looked back at her and said

"Is there a problem?"

"My son has disappeared with his little girlfriend. Where is he?"

Simon shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe you should ask him?"

"Spare me the humour' said Imogen, 'I know you changed the tapes of the security camera so that we couldn't see where they went off but it will be easy to find them once they are out of the city. In fact, I'll probably receive a phone call in the next hour telling me exactly where they went".

"Good' said Simon, lounging back in his chair, 'you don't need to bother us anymore then. We are on a date".

Imogen's lips curled and she said

"Miss Trueblood, I realise teenage lust can sometimes be mistaken for love but your boyfriend may have neglected to mention he won't be in possession of many assets for much longer. It might be wise...not to fraternise with him for much longer".

"Oh' said Isabelle, 'why is that?"

"Because' Imogen said, 'it could direly affect who comes knocking at your door in the future".

"Actually' said Isabelle thoughtfully, 'I don't think any of the law firms I am going to apply to really give a damn about who I date. In fact, I'm not even sure they are aware I am dating. Maybe the world doesn't care about that anymore".

Standing up, she said

"So maybe it's time you let it go. Come on Simon. I want to go to the arcade".

Simon stood up and followed Isabelle out. He turned suddenly and said

"I realise my opinion isn't of much value anymore, since I won't be wealthy for much longer. But since I am currently still in possession of my assets at this point in time, here's a piece of advice. If you don't start letting people get on with their lives, they are going to start beginning lives that don't have you in it. At all".

He turned and left the cafe, leaving Imogen fuming. Out of the street, he said

"Impressive speech. I might need to take lessons".

Isabelle kissed him and said

"Before you do, I'm going to kick your ass at pingpong".

"So what do you want me to do?" said Jace.

Clary rolled her eyes and said

"God, I don't know. Make a decision".

"You are being unreasonable".

"No' said Clary, 'you are being weak. Either you leave New York with your mother, with the full intention of working hard, learning the ropes, improving the company and break up with me or you give up Wayland Pty Ltd and give your mother a chance to find a new candidate for prime stakeholder. You can't have everything you want in your life, Wayland. It just doesn't go like that".

"Now you are being ridiculous".

"Oh, I seem to be a lot of things' hissed Clary, 'unreasonable, ridiculous. Probably irrational will come out next".

"GOD CLARISSA' said Jace, 'what do you WANT from me?"

The only sound was the waves lapping against the sand, the euphoria from before now completely eradicated. Clary looked out at the horizon before back at Jace and she said

"If you haven't worked it out yet, then I doubt you ever will".

She turned and began walking along the sand. Jace didn't follow her.

"I wonder where Clary is right now" said Magnus thoughtfully.

"It's kind of romantic, I think' said Camille, looking out the window, 'running away to be free to love. I once knew a man like that. We were born into feuding families. One day we met and suddenly our duties, our loyalties, our responsibilities were thrown out the window. We began a whirlwind romance, without our families knowledge but soon we were torn apart by fate".

"Was his name Romeo by any chance?" scoffed Magnus but Camille didn't appear to hear him. She turned to Sebastian and said

"Why do you dislike romance so much?"

Sebastian looked up from his phone and said

"I love romance. I worship romance. I kiss the feet of romance. Why do you think I don't like romance?"

"Yeah' said Alec, 'he worships romance but he crucifies commitment".

"I reject that comment. I prefer to think of it as foreseeing the most likely possible outcome and following according to that".

"So' said Alec thoughtfully, 'you foresee the fact you are going to break up with one girl and start going out with another before telling the other you are no longer together".

"Precisely" said Sebastian.

"Swine' said Magnus, 'Philistine".

"Love swindler' said Alec getting into the swing of things, 'womaniser, philanderer".

"Megalomaniac" offered Camille.

Everyone looked at her and Magnus said

"That's not the right word".

"Ah, yes it is' said Camille, 'megalomania, the delusion about one's own power or importance".

"Yeah' said Sebastian, 'still no".

"You aren't part of this conversation" said Alec.

"Just because you are talking behind my back doesn't mean I can't offer my opinion".

They were all about to object, when he continued.

"And just because I am outnumbered does not make me wrong".

"Fair point' said Magnus, 'why are you so adverse to dating someone for a length of time".

"Just haven't found the right woman yet" said Sebastian, shrugging and looking down at his phone again.

"Nonsense' said Camille, 'you have dated multitudes of women of all ages, nationalities, hobbies, religions. It isn't that you haven't found the right girl, it's because you don't want to".

Sebastian laughed and said

"We aren't all saints. I date a lot of girls because I feel like it".

"Rubbish' said Camille, 'I've dated a lot of men in my lifetime but it doesn't mean I never found the right one".

"Well good for you' said Sebastian harshly, 'well done. You get a gold star. Congratulations. I don't have to find someone because I...I just don't have to".

"Really?' said Camille in the same tone, as Alec and Magnus watched in disbelief, 'somehow I get the feeling you are just using them to get over some type of heartbreak".

There was a stunned silent before Sebastian stood up.

"I don't need to take advice from someone who is a compulsive liar. Do you ever stop to think that maybe the reason people don't take you seriously is because you effing lie ALL THE TIME? Oh I dated Romeo Montague, I had tea and scones with Plato, I made out with George Clooney. Grow up, Belcourt, JUST GROW THE HELL UP".

The silence after his remarks grew longer and everyone looked from Camille to Sebastian. Sebastian was panting, his eyes wild whilst Camille was looking down at her lap, her eyes watery. Magnus stood up and said

"That was out of line".

"Oh don't pretend you actually believe her" snarled Sebastian. Magnus held his ground and said

"No, I don't pretend to believe her. I don't humour her like you do. You are the one who seems to find it hilarious. You are the one who indulges her until it isn't funny anymore and then in one blow, you destroyed her. Yes, I think her love life is a lie but she is a good person and a great boss and now I suggest you get the hell out before I break your face".

Sebastian stared at him before he emitted a startled laugh. Before he could say anything, Camille said

"Thank you Magnus".

She stared up at Sebastian and said

"Every person I have ever told you about was real. No, they weren't Romeo or George Clooney or Plato or whomever I led you to believe. But they were real people, with flaws and complexities and stories, which I loved about them. They made me who I am today and even if the relationship ended badly or there was opposition, I wouldn't try to obliterate them from my memories. I can look myself in the mirror each day and confidently know I am not lying to myself. Can you?"

Sebastian looked away and he didn't say anything. Alec was looking at his best friend and said softly

"I think you owe Camille an apology".

Sebastian was silent for a long time before finally he snorted and said

"I'm such an idiot".

"I'm glad we agree on one thing" said Camille.

Sebastian rolled his eyes and said

"You...didn't deserve what I said to you. I just...don't want to talk about my first relationship".

"Okay' said Magnus, breaking the curious silence, 'let's talk about mine. Alec, do you want to go on a date tomorrow?"

Alec pulled his gaze away from Sebastian and said

"There is nothing I would like more".

"You may not survive to see the day' said Sebastian, before they could make out, 'look who is here".

They all turned to see Imogen Herondale making her way into the shop. Her gaze flicked dismissively over the casual but cosy interior and she said

"What is it about commoners that make them multiple?"

"I have finally met someone I dislike more than Jace Wayland" hissed Magnus to Camille.

Imogen said coldly

"Where is my son? Is he here?"

"He isn't hiding behind the mannequin' said Camille in an icy tone, 'but since it was you who tried to shut down my shop, I am not going to give you the opportunity to look. Good day".

She walked over to the door and opened it.

"If you need directions, Hell is that way" she said pointing off into the distance.

Magnus and Sebastian both snorted with laughter and even Alec couldn't suppress a smile. Imogen stared at Camille and said

"If you think I have never been spoken to like this before, don't be ridiculous".

"We weren't under any misapprehension that anyone would speak politely of you' said Magnus, 'not even your children can find something nice to say about you".

Imogen walked towards the door and said

"If you are hiding Jace, I will make sure you ALL suffer".

"If you can't find Jace' said Magnus, 'maybe you should ask yourself why?"

The door slammed shut behind her and he turned back to Camille. Sebastian turned to Alec and said

"What is it about poor people that makes them so feisty? Seriously. Even I was scared by them".

Clary felt tears trickle down her cheeks and she wiped them away. The sun was starting to go down into the sky and she knew she would have to go soon. She didn't want to drive anywhere with Jace at the moment, she was so angry and upset. She had given up kicking sand and throwing rocks at the cliff face several minutes ago and had flopped down onto the ground in stunned disbelief. Jace hadn't changed at all, he was still as selfish and condescending and snobbish as he had been before. She had just been swept up in a cloud of love that had hidden his flaws. She wiped her hand across her eyes again and then jumped as she realised Jace was standing behind her.

She turned away, facing the ocean and said

"Go away".

"No".

"I don't want to see you".

Jace didn't say anything but he didn't move either. Instead he leant against the rock face and looked out to sea. Clary ignored him, she wasn't about to fall into his arms. She didn't turn her head towards him, her chest hurt, constricting like something thin, heavy and sharp was sitting on her chest. It hurt because she loved him but she wasn't going to look at him. She stared out at the grey waves, crashing against the shore, her eyes blurring, prickling her eyes. She was aware of Jace speaking but she couldn't seem to hear him, all she could hear was the whistling wind. For a moment, she sat there and then suddenly, she had got up so fast, she was standing right in front of Jace. He stopped talking and looked at her.

"I don't want excuses" she said.

He didn't say anything, his gold eyes were piercing.

"I don't want reasons. I don't want why's. I don't have the time or the energy to fight anymore".

Jace looked down at the ground and said

"I love you".

Clary swallowed and said

"I love you too. But I can't spend the rest of my life fighting against the world. It's only been three months and I'm exhausted already. I can't do this anymore...I can't do us anymore".

As soon as the words came out, Jace looked like he had been hit. Before Clary could rectify the situation, she turned away and walked away from him. They needed to get back to New York. Their day was over.

"M-U-G-G-L-E' said Luke, 'Muggle".

He looked up from the Scrabble board expectantly and found Jocelyn and Jonathan staring back at him, dubious expressions on their faces.

"What?"

"I don't think that Muggle is an actual word" said Jonathan.

Luke glared at him and said

"It is so. The Internet does not lie. Nor does Harry Potter".

"Yes' said Jocelyn wearily, 'but since one is a fictional character and the other is an international computer network, with billions of different opinions circling the stratosphere, you can't say your evidence is totally accurate. Muggle isn't a word. Try again".

"Why?' whined Luke, 'it is a good word. I can smell a conspiracy brewing".

He glared at them both but Jocelyn calmly said

"If you are going to be childish, you don't have to play".

"Jonathan, you're up" said Luke quickly.

Before Jonathan could move, there was a loud banging at the door.

"Go and get it, Jon" said Jocelyn, sitting up. Jon got up and ran to the door. Within seconds, he was back, his eyes wide and he said

"It's..."

"Imogen Herondale' said Imogen, coming through the door, 'where is MY son".

Jocelyn rolled her eyes to the heavens and said

"When will the pain end? Miss Herondale, we are not hiding your son. We have no intention of hiding him, we won't hide him if he comes here in the future. But I suggest you leave now before I call the police".

Imogen raised an eyebrow and said

"What exactly do you intend to do? Call Constable Wet Blanket? I have most of the Manhattan Police Force on speed dial".

"And do you bribe them to not arrest your son every time he causes a commotion?" said Jocelyn in a knowing voice and for the first time, in a long time, Imogen flushed a bright red. She said

"How DARE you speak to me like this? No wonder, my son has been lead astray, he is going out with a girl who has a lunatic for a mother".

Jocelyn actually laughed at this and said

"Actually, I think I should be more concerned about my daughter's safety and wellbeing. She is hanging around with a boy who is known by the Manhattan Police Force, who happily beat up people for fun up until a few months ago and has little qualifications aside from being wealthy. He hates schoolwork and learning, he doesn't give a crap about most people and not once has he ever shown charity beyond when it suits him. My daughter has a bright future ahead of her, as most of New York knows now and I won't let you hurt her anymore. I like Jace but I love my daughter".

Imogen's eyes were bulging out of her head and she said

"I have spent the entirety of the day looking for my son. None of his friends seem interested in his whereabouts, they all just laugh me off and tell me he is fine. And that I should reevaluate myself before I see him. I don't need you telling me his flaws".

"Really?' said Jocelyn, 'it's embarrassing that you need to be told that. You are an intelligent woman. What don't you see that your son is smart? He may have little common sense but he's a smart guy. He can work out for himself whether Clary is a gold-digger or not. And he's slowly becoming a good kid".

Imogen was staring at her, as were Jonathan and Luke. Jocelyn continued.

"What are you worried about, Imogen? That Clary is going to drag down the company name? Or that you are going to lose Jace?".

Imogen was still looking at her, like she had been slapped but she wasn't saying anything. It was like she was watching a horror movie, she wanted to close her eyes but she could tear them away. Jocelyn said softer

"You lost your husband whom you adored dearly and whom had made you into the person you are today. Intelligent, brave, tough. That must have been hard for you to lose him".

Imogen's eyes were suspiciously watery and slowly she said

"My children are all I have left. I tried to protect them, I so wanted to protect them. And yet all I have ever done is push them away".

She sunk down onto the couch and Jocelyn sat beside her.

"My daughter...fell in love with a...' she took a deep breath, 'a woman. They were planning to elope' she turned to Jocelyn, 'do know how much she would have been persecuted if the media and the public found out? She isn't as strong as me. She lets things get to her, she let your daughter get under her skin and now I find out she is thinking about leaving her husband. She wouldn't have survived. I know that setting up a marriage was a cruel thing to do but losing her would have been the cruellest thing of all".

Tears were now flowing down Imogen's cheeks and she looked so old yet vulnerable at the same time. Jocelyn stroked her back as she cried.

"And Jace' she said, 'I raised him to be tough and arrogant and it turned him into a monster. Yet I thought that would protect him the most, that nobody would ever hurt him because they wouldn't get close enough to his heart. And then your daughter comes along...and he just begins to change. He...could easily be hurt. I initially thought she was a gold-digger and then when I discovered she wasn't and Jace actually loved her, I realised that my biggest fear was my children falling in love and then getting hurt".

She sobbed into Jocelyn's shoulder and Jocelyn sat there, soothing her. Finally after several minutes, Imogen pulled away, sniffling and said

"I have done a lot of things. I did it to keep my children safe but all I have done is destroy any last respect they had for me. I am a joke".

Jocelyn shook her head and said

"You did everything out of love. You were a bitch, yeah. But I respect you slightly more than when you walked into the room".

Imogen laughed weakly and then said

"My plane leaves in an hour and I still have no idea where my son is".

Jocelyn nodded sympathetically and said

"They will be here soon".

Imogen looked at her, through narrowed eyes.

"You know?"

"No' said Jocelyn, 'but my daughter doesn't run away from things and I suspect you son doesn't either. They will be here soon".

"Plus' said Luke, 'Magnus called and said Jace and Clary were at the beach and would come home in the afternoon".

"And there's that" said Jocelyn, staring at her husband.

Imogen stared down at the table and said

"Is Muggle actually a word?"

"NO" said Jocelyn at the same time Luke said

"Absolutely".

"It's bit a juvenile" said Imogen.

"Only someone who can't play would think that" said Jocelyn. Imogen raised an eyebrow and said

"Is that a challenge, Mrs Fray?"

"You're smart, Miss Herondale' said Jocelyn, 'you work it out".

Sunlight shone through Clary's closed eyelids and she opened them, her head leaning against the car window. She was aware that Jace was looking at her, even though he was driving and she half wanted to be petty and tell him to learn how to drive. She could feel tears trickling down her face still and her hand kept moving up to wipe them away. She could see the New York skyline now and she felt a sense of familiarity overwhelm her. Soon she could curl up in bed and go to sleep, let the day evaporate into a sea of dreamless sleep.

Suddenly the car jerked to a halt and Clary was flung forward, her seatbelt cutting into her neck. She stared over at Jace angrily, who was staring at the wheel, an intense expression on his face.

"What the hell was that?" she said and he turned to her.

"Okay".

Clary stared at him and wondered whether he had gone insane. He didn't look it but her hand started reaching for the seatbelt, so she could commando roll out of the car if necessary.

"Okay' he said again, 'I won't go with my mother".

Clary rolled her eyes and said

"Jace, let's not be stupid about this. There is no way you are actually going to leave Wayland Pty Ltd".

"There is' he said simply, 'because I love you. And even if we break up, I've realised that I need to get out of this twisted relationship I have with my mother".

Clary stared at him and said

"Is this about revenge?"

"No' said Jace smiling, 'I've just realised something. If I stay, she will always run my life for me. Dictate what I am to do, what I am not suppose to do. If I go, I have a chance to start my own life. With you".

Clary was rendered speechless. A second ago they were breaking up, now they were on the verge of engagement. What had he been smoking?

"Jace' she said calmly, 'I realise you want to get me back but..."

"This isn't about you, Clary. This is about me. Whether or not, you want me, I need to get out. She is making me forsake everything I care about because she can't accept a decision that wasn't made by herself".

He looked at her and said

"I can lose you. I don't want to but I am not going to hold you back. This is my fight. I don't want it to destroy your chances of greatness".

Clary couldn't help smiling. Looking up at him, she said

"My chances of greatness, huh?"

Jace was serious.

"You can be whatever you want. A doctor, a lawyer, a nuclear physicist, a ballerina. I won't let anyone try to take that away from you".

Clary nodded slowly and said

"And what about you? What are you going to do?"

"I'm thinking about joining the police" said Jace, straight faced and Clary laughed.

"From destroying the peace to keeping the police. Pretty good idea, huh?"

"Impressive' said Clary, 'but don't get too carried away. I haven't said yes yet".

Jace nodded and said

"I'm still leaving. No matter what you do".

Clary smiled and said

"I almost believe you".

"Almost?"

Clary looked out the window and said

"Do you even know how to live without means, Jace? Do you know how to earn money, save up, not waste it? What happens if you get fired, evicted and dumped? What's going to happen then? Will you crawl back to your mother for forgiveness?"

Jace snorted and said

"Clary, I taught you how to be upper class. That took a while. Don't you think I deserve a chance? To learn how to be normal".

Clary raised her eyes to the heavens and said

"I guess so".

There was silence before suddenly she kissed him. It was quick and brief but it felt right. She pulled away and said

"Alright Wayland. It's time to go home".

"So am I forgiven?"

"I didn't say that".

"Do you hate me?"

"No".

"Are you still upset?"

"Possibly".

Jace nodded and was silent.

"Will you help me tell my mother?"

Clary glared at him and then saw he was laughing. She rolled her eyes and said

"Oh grow up".

He kissed her again and it lasted longer this time. And it still felt right.

The blonde boy was handsome. He walked with a confident air, not cocky or arrogant but he wasn't shy. He was tall and muscular and his gold eyes reflected intelligence. As he approached Clary, she swallowed and wondered if she looked a mess. The wind had tried to sweep her off the pavement and she was wet from the sudden shower. He reached her and stopped, staring at her. For a moment, he was stoic and impassive, looking down at her face. Then his face broke into a grin. He stuck out his hand and said

"I'm Jace. Jace Herondale".

Clary was stunned for a minute before sticking out her own hand.

"I'm Clary' she said, 'Clary Fray".

Jace raised an eyebrow and said

"It's nice to meet you".

It was time for a fresh start. It was time to put aside grudges and revenge and history and relationships. It was time to live and grow, time to learn and love. It was time to start her life.

"It's nice to meet you too' said Clary, 'so are you ready?"

THE END