HEY! WHAT'S UP?! SURPRISED?! WELL BOOM BABY. I'M BACK WITH A NEEEEEEW FIC! I WAS BORED SO I LITERALLY JUST SAT DOWN AND WENT WITH IT. LET'S SEE HOW THIS THING GOES! I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH A NEW STORY! LOOKS LIKE YOU CAN'T GET RID OF ME YET! WELL ON YOU GO!

"He sucks." I threw a piece of popcorn at the screen, "He's an idiot." Another piece, "I hate him." Isabelle rolled her eyes next to me, actually eating the buttery goodness. I couldn't be bothered though. My full focus was devoted to the blonde on the screen, but it wasn't for the reason that every girl in America was staring.

"You have to admit that he's hot." Izzy pushed me to say something good about the guy, but, in my eyes, there was nothing to like, "I mean, that golden hair, those amber eyes." She moaned at the mere description of him. Needless to say, it made me sick to my stomach.

"He's…" I couldn't lie. He was very well structured, "Aesthetically pleasing to the eye." She buried her face in her hands, pausing the movie.

"Clary." She sighed, looking up at me, her dark brown eyes pleading, "You have to like the guy. Deep deep down inside. It's gotta be somewhere." I raised my eyebrows, but she wasn't done, "It's Jace Herondale." She stressed the name as if it would change my mind, "How can you not fall in love with him?" I pinched the bridge of my nose, wondering how every female in the United States seemed to be infatuated.

"Let's see." I tapped my chin in mock thought, then held up a finger, "One, he's an ass." I held up another finger, "Two, he's a player." And another, final finger, "Three, he's an ass." Iz snorted, shaking her head, then she narrowed her eyes.

"You're in denial." She accused, and I was taken aback by the words. After processing it, I burst out laughing. It wasn't possible. Me liking Jace Herondale? That was never going to happen. Ever.

"I don't care how songs the guy has made." I said when I'd sobered up, but a smile was still on my lips, "I don't care how many girls he's slept with. I don't care about his money. I don't care about him." I shook my head, another chuckle escaping me. He might be a world famous musician, but he was the type of guy your daddy warned you about. Isabelle turned back to E! News with a huff, and, by the grace of the gods, my other best friend waltzed in.

"Ew." He stopped when he saw the screen, and I snickered at Izzy's betrayed expression, "Why are you two even watching this?"

"My point exactly!" I threw my hands in the air, then gestured to Iz's hand, "She took the remote and won't give it back until this damn interview is over." He rolled his eyes, walking over to his girlfriend and prying the remote from her grip. He handed it to me with a smirk directed Isabelle's way, "I don't think your boyfriend is exactly excited about you gushing over another guy while he's here." I pointed out, and her protest died on her lips. Then, she turned her puppy dog eyes on me, "Don't." I warned, but I could already feel myself giving in, "Fine." I grumbled after a minute, and she cheered.

"Really Clary?" Simon groaned, "You were supposed to be strong." I turned to him, mock guilt clear on my face.

"Aww I'm sorry." I pushed my bottom lip out, "Is our little Simon jealous." He mumbled a string of words under his breath that I couldn't understand, "Seriously?" I held in a giggle, "You're honestly jealous?" He didn't say anything, just flipped me off before squeezing in between Isabelle and I, "You're something else…"

"Can it, Fray." He smacked me on the back of the head, and my jaw dropped. Oh no he didn't. A cunning smirk grew on my face as I brought my hand up, wiggling my fingers, "Clary…" His eyes widened, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I regret my life decisions. Please don't-" I cut him off by jabbing my fingers into his side. He literally squealed, and I laughed maniacally, not stopping. There would be no mercy, "C-C-Clary." He tried to get out between his laughing spurts, "Sto-o-op." After what probably seemed like an eternity for him, I let up, leaning back into the cushions. With that, I turned to the television, for once paying attention to the show.

"… is your love life like?" I caught the tail end of the question. Jace offered the camera a heart-melting smile.

"I'm not tied down." Something cocky was bound to come out of his mouth next, "I'm single and ready to mingle." He winked, and I threw up a little in my mouth as Isabelle sighed dreamily. That got her a pinch on the arm, courtesy of Simon. Honestly, what he said was true. He'd mingled with a lot of girls, but he hasn't ever settled down, and he probably never will. I glared at the screen, trying to burn a hole in his head with my mind. Needless to say, it didn't work.

"So, about your new single…" The reporter continued, but I tuned her out. The "ready to mingle" comment was enough of Jace Herondale for one day. Actually, it was enough of him for all of eternity. I didn't realize I was hissing curses at him until my two friends turned curious eyes on me. I mumbled some words under my breath that even I couldn't understand, and they just tilted their heads in curiosity. I waved a dismissive hand, so they turned back to the TV.

"I hate him." I threw a piece of popcorn at the screen, "I hate him." Another piece, "I hate him."

—

Ring

The sound of my cell phone tore me from my sleep, but I just flipped over, burying my face in my pillow.

Ring

It kept going.

Ring

I realized it wasn't going to stop, so I picked it up, squinting my eyes until the caller ID came into focus.

Aline Penhallow

With a sigh, I clicked the answer button.

"Clary, I have a huge favor to ask you." Were the words that greeted me at 7:30 on a Sunday morning, "I need you to come down to the restaurant." She didn't wait for me to answer, and she sounded extremely panicked, "I only trust you with this, so please, please just get down here ASAP." Now, I was a little bit worried. Aline was usually one of the most calm and collected people I knew, but right now, she sounded like a madwoman.

"What's-" My voice was thick with sleep, so I cleared my throat, "What's going on? Is everything okay?"

"No time." She answered quickly, "I'm begging you. I don't even care if you're in uniform. Just come as fast as possible." Then, the call cut off, and I sat straight up in bed, staring at the phone in my hand. There had to be something seriously wrong. I'd never heard her that… frantic. Being the amazing friend and employee I am, I forced myself out of bed, wincing when my feet hit the cold floor. Nevertheless, I stood up and moved to my closet, throwing on whatever I grabbed first. It turned out to be a surprisingly cute outfit considering the way I'd chosen it, but that wasn't my main focus at the moment.

With one last forlorn glance at my bed, I grabbed my purse, then rushed out the door. Luckily, the hole-in-the-wall restaurant was just down the street from Izzy's and my apartment, so I didn't have to brave the NYC traffic. I found myself jogging toward the door, but I stopped when I saw two men in suits and sunglasses standing on either side of the front door. My eyes widened, and I fumbled through my bag for my phone. As if reading my mind, a text from Aline popped up on the screen.

Go through the back door

My mind immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusion. The mafia was holding Aline hostage, and they wanted me for my nonexistent fortune. They would kidnap both of us and take us to their underground fortress. Then, they-

I cut my thoughts off, shaking my head as I scurried toward the back alley. Sometimes I wondered about myself. I stopped in front of the entrance, taking a deep breath. I prepared myself for whatever was inside, then I knocked on the door. I didn't even have time to think before it opened, and a hand shot out and yanked me inside. I stumbled forward a little bit, almost crashing into the stove. Finally, I gained my bearings, turning to Aline.

"Clary," Her eyes were crazed as she paced back and forth, raking her fingers through her hair, "You're probably gonna hate me forever, but I know you're the only person who won't be starstruck and gush over him like a schoolgirl." Her breathing got faster, "I don't even know how this happened. I just picked up the phone, and a man was like Hey, Jace Herondale wants to try out your restaurant. Do you mind opening it early just for him. Then, they offered a bunch of money, so I-"

"Wait a second." I cut her off, finally realizing what she'd said, "Did you say Jace Herondale?" My eyes were just about as wide as hers as I began shaking my head vigorously, "You can't seriously be asking me this."

"Clary." She sounded more desperate than ever, "Please. You're literally the only person who won't go all crazy fangirl on him." I opened my mouth to protest, but she pulled the puppy dog eyes on me, and I couldn't resist.

"Fine." I grumbled, "You're so lucky I love you. But you're doing the cooking. I'm only the waitress." She launched herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck and almost choking me to death.

"I love you." She squeezed me one more time, then she pulled back, and I gasped dramatically for breath. She rolled her eyes, but she was still beaming, "You're so amazing." I couldn't help but return the smile, "Go get 'em, tiger." She gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and I closed my eyes, focusing on breathing in and out. Normal girls would be dying at this point. Not me though. Well, I was, but it was the kind of dying that happens to a snail when salt gets poured on it.

With a final salute Aline's way, I walked out toward my doom, plastering a smile on my face. There the golden devil sat, laughing with an extremely… sparkly… man. I stopped at the table, and I politely cleared my throat to get their attention.

"Would you gentlemen like anything to drink?" I asked, earning a warm smile from Sparkles.

"I'll just have some water." He then turned to his friend, "Jace?" I spun to face the other man, and I clenched my teeth as he openly checked me out.

"I'll take a tall glass of you." He winked, and it pained me to keep my nice expression up. Breathe, Clary. Breathe.

"I was thinking more along the lines of liquid, Sir." He simply chuckled at my words. C'mon, Clary. You can get through this.

"I'll take the same as Magnus." He finally replied.

"Alrighty." I turned to face Spark- Magnus, "Cool name." Then, I spun on heel before another idiotic word could escape Jace's mouth. I burst through the kitchen doors, glaring at Aline who was leaning against the counter, "Ask me what he wanted to drink." I demanded, and she raised an eyebrow.

"What did he want to drink?" She followed my order cautiously.

"A tall glass of you." I mimicked his deep voice, "Meaning me." I felt the need to clarify, and her mouth formed a perfect 'o', "My point exactly. Do you get my hatred now?"

"What I get…" A smirk grew on her face, "Is that he wants some. You should totally tap-"

"Not. Another. Word." I growled in warning, and her eyes widened a fraction, "I will not do what you just started to say." I shivered a bit, "And I need to get their waters out." With that, I turned my back on her, scooping some ice into two cups then filling them with water. I gritted my teeth yet again, walking through the doors to my own personal hell, "Here you go." I set the glasses down in front of them before pulling out my pad and pen, "Are you ready to order?" They both nodded, and I turned to Magnus first.

"I'll just take a Chili Dog." I scribbled it quickly, "Thank you." My heart lifted a little bit, because most customers don't take the time to say that. My mood definitely shifted when I turned to Jace though.

"And what would you like?" I worked hard to keep the venom out of my voice, and surprisingly, it worked.

"I could just eat you up." He flirted again, and I punched him several times in my imagination.

"Sir, what would you like." The kindness was gradually seeping out of my voice, being replaced with stubbornness.

"I'll take a cheeseburger." Then, he seemed to think for a second, "No onions." I wrote it down, nodding curtly before collecting their menus. Controlling the urge to stomp l like a five-year-old, I rushed back to the kitchen.

"Cheeseburger. Chili Dog." Were the only three words I spoke to Aline. Needless to say, I was pissed at the world. This was not the best day I'd ever had in my life. I drummed my fingers impatiently against the table as she moved to cook the food. The only sound to be heard was the patty sizzling on the grill until Aline spoke.

"What did he do this time?" She questioned, and I sighed deeply.

"He said he could eat me up." I grumbled, and I could almost hear Aline's smirk, even though her back was to me, "Shut up." I muttered, my voice deadly.

"I didn't say anything." She defended herself, finally turning around. Just like I predicted, she was wearing an evil grin, "But now I will. You have to get some. It's, like, every girl's dream." I buried my face in my hands, letting out a deep sigh.

"Why don't you go out there then?" I shot back, "Why don't you Get some?"

"You're really asking me that?" She raised an eyebrow, and I nodded, "You realize that I'm in a relationship, right?" I was tired, so no, I hadn't caught my mistake. There was no way I would tell her that though, "And you realize it's with Helen? As in a girl." I visibly winced, realizing just how stupid I was. Sue me for being tired.

"I think I have to go serve them." I grabbed both of the plates, almost running out into the diner. With minimal stumbles, I reached the table, and I set the plates down then stepped back, "Enjoy your food." I hurried away before anyone could say anything else, and I realized just how many levels of screwed I was.

After waiting for about an hour and talking to Aline for most of it, I walked back out, ready to set the check down. I approached the two men, and they halted conversation to look at me. I shifted uneasily under their gazes, then realized why they were staring at me.

"Here's your check." I smiled brightly. Of course, it was fake. I turned to leave, but a hand around my wrist stopped me.

"Take it." There was already a credit card in the slot when Jace handed it back to me. I offered another superficial smile before turning on heel and walking to the cash register. I rung it up, noticing that there was already a signature and a tip listed on the receipt. It was a fairly average tip, so I couldn't complain. I was finally finished and ready to get the golden boy out of my hair, but it seemed that fate was not on my side.

"Here you go." I handed back the card and customer's copy, but before I could get out the normal "Thank you", Jace was up in my personal space bubble, his hands on my hips.

"Jace…" I heard Magnus warn, but the man in question paid no heed.

"How about you come back to my place." He whispered in my ear, and I clenched my fists, "Then, I can give you your real tip." And the line had been crossed. I jerked away, taking a few steps back to gain my bearings, but that was when everything came crashing down. Oh. No. He. Didn't. That was too far.

With that thought in mind, I walked silently over to the table and picked up Jace's half-full glass of water. I didn't even take a second to think as I rose up on my toes, tipping the glass so that the water drenched all of his pretty blonde hair. His mouth dropped as he stared at me in shock.

"Have a nice day, Sir." My voice dripped with mock sweetness, "It was a pleasure serving you."

And then I sashayed away.

*Wiggles eyebrows* So how did you like THAT?! With feisty Clary and player Jace, where can you go wrong?! I can't wait to see where this goes. So, with that, I'm off to continue writing! I love you my faithfuls!

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