The Bet, Part One:

[Clary.]

I watched anxiously as one of my closest friends, Simon, put his hands straight up into the air, preparing to signal the start of the race.

I looked to my left and sweetly smiled over at my best friend Jace, whom I was competing against for a bet. Him and I were very playful friends, and this was just another one of those friendly competitions that we did for fun.

However, there were some stakes involved, so I wasn't going to just let him stomp all over me – I would win.

"Ready?" Simon asked us both.

Jace and I nodded, though we were both extremely focused on the task at hand. Nothing could break my concentration.

"Alright, in exactly one hour, you are both to meet me back here at this fountain with your cameras. Do you understand the rules?" Simon asked both of us, to be sure we knew about the time limit.

I nodded again and watched Jace nod his head too. He saluted me, before bringing his arm back down to rest on his knee. He was bent toward the ground, as if he were a sprinter in a big track meet.

I simply just stood there, feeling slightly awkward but attempting to radiate cute vulnerability, hoping that Jace would notice and find it endearing, which would hopefully then distract him. Although he was my friend and I wouldn't ever expect that happening, it was still worth a shot.

He would most likely play the game dirty too, so I felt no shame using my awkward sex appeal – if that was what guys found attractive, then why not? This was a game. After all, I know he's a boy and he has needs – maybe he would lose focus for just a moment or two by looking at me? I've been told that I'm a 'smoking hot redhead' before – however it was likely because I have fiery red hair – but still!

"Set?" Simon asked, staring between the both of us, silently measuring the tension between us both.

I gritted my teeth and prepared myself for what I was about to do. Running was never my forte; but I would have to try my best.

"Go!" Simon shouted.

As soon as he said that last magic word, Jace and I both sprinted off in different directions, on our missions. This was a battle and I was in it to win it.

As soon as I spotted the first attractive guy my age, I made a beeline for him. When I stopped in front of him, he eyed me up and down like a pervert, stopping when he saw my chest.

"Why hello there," he winked, and continued to stare below my eyes. "You've got a nice rack-"

I groaned. "Listen perv, I don't have time for you to awe over my boobs. Go find some other chick to knock up – I am definitely not that girl."

I rolled my eyes at how cocky he was. Aren't all guys the same? Sadly, all of them are… or maybe except Jace…but he's competing against me right now, so I had to knock him out of my head.

"So I need your help..." I told the pervert.

"I'm listening," he sighed, half-bored and impatient.

"I'm in the middle of a competition against my best friend. If I don't win, then I lose the bet, and then I have to bow down to Jace's feet and-" I cut myself off.

Who was I kidding? This guy didn't even care about the story behind this! All he wants is some of me. So you know what? I'm just not going to explain myself. I'll just ask for the damn picture and be on my way; I'll just kiss him, and not worry about anything else – I needed to win to redeem myself.

"Just forget the explanation, okay? Will you kiss me and let me take a picture of it?" I asked, while holding up my camera. "Please?"

He shrugged. I'm sure he just wanted the free kiss.

Whatever – I'll take it since I only had limited time. He smirked, before leaning in closer and pressing his lips up against my own. I hated it, since this was my very first kiss with someone other than Jace.

I quickly raised my hand with my camera and took a picture of us kissing so I could get this over with, and then I tried pulling back.

He was biting down on my lip, trying to reel me back in. I pushed him away hastily, taking a step backward.

After reviewing the picture of our kiss on my camera, I saw that I had captured it perfectly. I sighed happily when I realized that I didn't have to re-do that horrible experience to get a clear picture.

"Great, thanks!" I told him in a rush. I sprinted away in search of another guy to be my next victim.

I was going to win this competition; I was notgoing to bow down at Jace's feet; he will be the one bowing down to my feet.

…

[Jace.]

After Clary and I split up to start our game, I stopped momentarily to look back at her. I saw that she had already found a random guy to kiss.

I frowned because I was jealous of the guy – why does he get to kiss Clary when I haven't gotten the chance lately? It's a sad truth... I wanted to kiss her so badly.

Suddenly I remembered that I was in a battle where time was limited. I wasn't going to let Clary win, even if I liked her as more than just a friend. That could wait until later. Right now I'm focused on winning so that I wouldn't have to honor her with a bow down at her feet – wouldn't want to scrape up my knees in the process, now would I?

As quickly as I could, I sprinted toward the closest girl I could see. She was mildly pretty, but nothing in comparison to Clary. No one ever would be. Oh well – I had to make do with what I had.

I approached the girl quickly and smiled meekly at her. She grinned, upon the fact that I had noticed her in a crowd. I was attractive and I knew it.

Unfortunately I couldn't let this process go this slowly, so I had to initiate things to go faster.

I nervously opened my mouth. "Hi. This is unbelievably rude of me to ask, but could I get a free hug? I'm competing against my friend and-"

"Yeah, I saw her running around kissing every guy she sees and taking pictures. I know what's up." She smiled at me. "Are you doing the kiss thing too?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but I didn't want to say that at first, because then you might slap me," I explained quickly. "It'd be rude if I asked girls for a kiss right off the bat. Whereas my friend over there is a girl, so she can be that bold without getting a slap in the face. Guys don't have that option..." Why was I taking so long to explain this? I'm losing time! "Can I just kiss you and take my picture? I don't have much time."

She grinned. "Sure. You're cute."

I smiled at her and put an arm around her waist. She leaned in, initiating the kiss. I quickly pressed my lips against hers in response and took the picture.

When I was sure I had it, I pulled back and looked at my camera to review the picture; it was a perfect shot.

"Thank you so much for your help! I'm sorry but I have to run!"

"Good luck!" she shouted back, as I was already taking off in search of another girl to ask.

Hello all, this is just a short 5-part story. It is meant to be cheeky and light. Clary and Jace will have altering POVs the whole story and Simon is a minor character. It's allllll about the Clace.

Hope you enjoyed! I'll update in a day or two, depending on the response to part one.

Thanks!

-M