Chapter 9-

Clary-

I was sitting at the dinner table with my mom, brother and Luke. We were eating dinner together before I had to go back to my dad's tomorrow. It was quite at the table, I wasn't sure why it was so awkward. It was almost like everyone knew something I didn't. It was frustrating me. This week had gone fast, I used Jonathan as an excuse to ignore Simon. Know that he knew what Sebastian had done to me I didn't know how to act around him. I also didn't want him telling anyone. I put my fork down and looked at everyone.

"Well this has been great but I am going to my room." My mom nods and Jon just glares at my mom before looking at me.

"Thanks for hanging out with my all week, sorry it wasn't as much as I wanted. I know you said you understand but I want you to know that I hate that we don't get so much time together as well. I start college in a few weeks and I know its going to be harder and harder to see each other but I promise to make the effort to call and we can write letters to each other. I don't think I'll make it home for Thanksgiving but I'll be here for Christmas break, for a whole month and I'll spend most of it with you I promise Clary. I love you, your my little sister I will always be here if you need me. Never feel like you can't call me if something is wrong." I was honestly a little surprised at Jonathan's speech. I knew he loved me and he knew I loved him but we were never ones to just spout love to each other. It made me eyes tear up a little and I walked over and pulled him into a hug. He hugged me back tightly.

"I know Jon, I love to. I also promise to call and write and if I ever need you I will always call you." I squeezed him one more time before letting going.

"I don't think I'll see you before you leave to head back to dads tomorrow. Have a safe trip and call if you need anything." I nodded thanks and then I left the room. Mom smiled at me briefly, and Luke looked at me then looked away quickly before picking up his fork and starting to eat again. I didn't know why there was so much tension in the air. I hoped it was just because Jonathan was leaving for school soon and everyone was a little sad. I got back to my room just as my cell started ringing, I leaned over and looked and saw it was Simon. I sighed slightly before picking it up, I had ignored him all week I was sure he was bursting to tell so I had to make sure he didn't.

"Hey Clary." Simon said after I picked up.

"Hey." I said quickly, I hoped our relationship didn't change because of this, he was my best friend and I didn't want this to ruin it.

"Have you told your mom yet?" He asked and I closed my eyes and leaned against my closed bedroom door.

"No Simon, I don't think its a good time. I just had to deal with saying goodbye to Jon since I wont see him again before he leaves for school. It was very intense and mom and Luke were acting weird and I just don't think its a right time. I am going to tell her after summer I promise." I was lying and I think he knew that because he sighed heavily.

"I can't have you going back to your dads house knowing that Sebastian is there and could hurt you. Clary I love you and I can't stand knowing someone is hurting you and I can't do anything about it!" His tone was aggressive but I understood.

"Please Simon I promise Sebastian isn't going to be around this last part. I talked to my dad on the phone the other day and Sebastian is going to his college town early. Apparently he is renting an apartment instead of staying at the dorms and he has to look for a part time job because my dad said he wont pay his tuition and rent if he doesn't work to make himself some money. So I wont even see him until Thanksgiving break, I promise!" I pleaded with Simon to not make me tell, I didn't want to I was to ashamed.

"Okay." Simon said after a long pause. I thanked him and then quickly got off the phone. I knew that wasn't the last time we were going to having that conversation. I was glad that I wasn't lying about Sebastian not being around. He really did have to leave early to do those thing. His college was only 45 minutes away from my dads house but I knew he wouldn't be around much with classes and working. It was the greatest gift I could get to know that the rest of the summer I was going to just be able to relax and hang out with Jace. I went bed early that night because my mom wanted to get an early start to the day and wanted to leave around 8am to bring me to my dads since she was going to have to drive me two hours there then two hours back home.

"Ready hunny?" My mom knocked on the door the next morning around 7:45.

"Yeah be right out." I grabbed the small bag I put my personal stuff in and headed out the door. We stopped at McDonald's to get coffee and breakfast and then we were on our way. My mom hadn't done the drive to my dad since before Jon could drive. Back when we were younger and couldn't drive ours self my mom used to do the dropping off at my dads and then my dad would do the bringing back to my moms. My mom was unusually quiet the entire ride and I didn't know if she was sad and upset about Jonathan leaving soon or what. We finally got to my dads and I shouted a goodbye and started hopping out thinking she would just turn around and leave. She never stayed, I don't know the last time my parents even saw each other face to face. I knew once in awhile they had to talk on the phone about things but seeing each other was a different story.

"Actually I talked to your dad last night and we have something to talk to you about." My heart starting thumping in my chest, did Simon lie to me and tell my mom anyways.

"Okay." I said shakily and we both walked up to the door together. It was so awkward and I just wanted to run away and pretend this wasn't happening at all. I opened the door and we both walked in together.

"Dad?" I yelled into the house and my father came out from the kitchen. He had his fake smile on his face and walked over to greet my mother.

"Hello Jocelyn, you look well." He said as he gave my mom a weird half hug. She had her fake smile on as well as she greeted him telling he looked great as well.

"Lets have a seat over on the couches." We all went to the formal sitting room and sat down, I was at least pleased that Susan's ugly face wasn't here, she would just make everything worse. My mom and I sat down on the love seat and my father sat on the larger couch. My mom sigh and then looked at me.

"So hunny, I talked to your dad about something last night on the phone. I wanted to make sure it was even possible before I told you about it. I applied to this art job online a couple of month ago. I sorta did it as a joke not thinking I even had a little chance of getting it." She paused and I looked confused, this wasn't going how I thought it was going to go.

"Well two weeks ago I went and had the job interview, again thinking I wasn't going to get it but I got the call a few days ago. They want me baby." I was excited for my mom, I wasn't sure why this is something we had to talk about with Dad. He was sitting on the couch looking bored while mom was talking to me.

"Congrats mom, I happy for you." I said in almost a questioning tone, I still didn't know why this had to be said here.

"Thanks baby." My mom said before patting me on the arm and starting to talk again.

"The thing is the job is far away, I've talked to Luke and your brother. I've battled with myself back and forth. Thinking its not the right time, your still in school and I should just wait until your finished. But at the same time I don't know if I'll get this change again Clary. I was really lucky to be picked, they interviewed hundred and hundreds of people for this baby." She paused again and her eyes started tearing up. I wanted to yell at her to get to the point already.

"So the reason we are here talking about this at your dads is because I asked him if your can stay here for the school year and he's agreed to let you." It took my brain a moment to process what she just said.

"Wait what!? Why can't I go with you?" I questioned quickly, why couldn't she just bring me with her.

"I don't want to bring you sweetie because its in Italy, I want you to finish high school here in the states." My heart started beating fast, my mom was going to move all the way to Italy and I was going to be stuck here at my dads not even with Simon.

"But mom that's means I don't even get to finish high school with my friends!" My mom had a pained look on her face but I didn't care.

"I know sweetie I am sorry, but you'll only be two hours away and I am sure your dad will let you visit Simon a lot and vise-versa." She said like that would be everything better.

"This is insane, that you would talk to everyone but me about this. I know its a great opportunity mom but your going to miss my last two years of high school!" I was starting to cry and my mom leaned over and grabbed my hand and I yanked it away, angry at her.

"I know I am sorry hunny! You can cone visit me a couple of times and I'll come here and visit you. I know this seems selfish of me but some day when your a parent you'll realize you have to make sacrifices for yourself sometimes." I was seething, she was being selfish and I would never understand how she could just abandon me here.

"I hate you!" I screamed at her before running up the stairs to my room and slamming and locking the door. I started crying hysterically and curled up on my bed. My mom came and knocked on my door but I ignored her. She said sorry again and that she was leaving in a couple of weeks, they just had to pack up the house and look for someone to rent it while they were gone. She said she was coming back before she left to bring me school clothes shopping. I screamed at her to leave me alone and she finally did. Five minutes later I heard her car leave and I finally calmed down. I couldn't believe she was going to leave me. I fell asleep and woke up a couple of hours later, it was around noon and I was hungry. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash my face. It was all puffy, and sticky from crying. I felt like all I did was cry anymore. I slowly walked down the stairs, my dad was sitting in the kitchen when I went to the fridge to start making a sandwich. I looked over at him, I wondered what he thought about me having to live here full time now. He put down his newspaper and looked at me.

"Susan wont be around much, neither will I for that matter. We just got one kid off to college. We weren't planning on having another one around. We have lots of trips for two planned, hope you can handle your self." My dad finished and I nodded at him. I wasn't sure how I felt knowing I was going to be mostly alone. He took my nod for what it was and stood up from his seat.

"No parties when we are gone, if we are gone for longer then a week I will make sure Sebastian stops by to check on you. We already have a maid service so you wont have to worry about cleaning the house. Also she will be getting food for the house, and I will leave some money if you need to pick up anything. I know you only have your permit now but once you have your license I will get you a car so you can take care of your self." He left with out a response from me. My mom should have just left me at home by myself since apparently that's what it was going to be like here.

After making my sandwich I sat down and ate it, it made me feel a little better. I had taken some time and thought about everything and the only good thing to come of it was that I was going to see Jace more, I pulled out my phone to see if he was around so I could go over and talk to him.