Bind To

Chapter 17: Hurt Again

•woah, it's an update! sorry for the delay...please keep in mind that this is unedited. thank you!!•

White lips, pale face. Breathing in the snowflakes. Burnt lungs, sour taste. Light's gone, day's end.
~Ed Sheeran
It's remarkable how you can go from shock to cloud nine and then be plummeting to the ground.
The couple burst apart and turned to see the person in the door.
"Maia. What a pleasure. Please, come in." Jace said his voice strangely calm.
Clary moved away from Jace and turned to look at the person entering. She had messy brown hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and her brown eyes practically screamed "trouble!" Clary turned her back to the door as the person entered and began putting her supplies away. Her mind was still a bit fuzzy as she replaced the creams and laid the washcloth on the table. She expected to see Jace watching her or something to prove that she hadn't been dreaming when they had kissed, but she instead found the girl, Maia, and Jace wrapped in an embrace. Her arms wrapped around his torso and his around her neck. It was almost painful to watch, so she turned her head to the ground and began to exit expecting Jace to stop her or say something. But all that she heard was Maia whispering quite loudly, "I've missed you a lot Jace. Maybe we should give our relationship another shot?" The last thing Clary heard before the infirmary doors closed behind her was the quiet agreement from Jace. It seemed impossible to her. Did he honestly kiss her for no reason? Did he feel nothing? Or was he just a jerk after all? Clary shook her head and wished, as she had many times before, that she had someone to discuss these things with. She had no idea where her mother was, her father was a destroyer as was her brother. Emma was living free, Alec despised her. Izzy seemed unapproachable as did Robert. She could go to Maryse, but she would probably just think it was stupid. And then there was Simon, he seemed nice enough but she didn't want to bug him.
Quietly, Clary went back to wandering the halls. Maybe she would find something she hadn't before. That and she needed to be alone with her thoughts. Although, that could also be dangerous. Her thoughts seemed to be almost a scary place to be now a days. Filled with memories she would love to forget. Sometimes, all she wanted to do was forget. Forget every bad thing that had happened. And other times, she just wanted to remember. Remember every moment she had had with her mother. Clary wished she could go back and relive all of those moments and she regretted taking those times for granted. Clary had never expected that to be taken away from her. She looked up from the floor she had been walking upon and found herself at the Institute's front door. Everytime...
Once more CLary found herself yearning to get away from here. Now there was nothing stopping her. Jace could care less, he has Maia now. The other Lightwoods wouldn't even notice. So, once more Clary heaved open the large doors and stepped out. The sunlight was reflecting off the newly fallen snow covering the ground before her in a light blanket of white. She smiled ever so slightly and began forward, her ballet flats leaving small footprints in the snow. The flakes continued to fall into her red hair and into her eyelashes. Clary took a deep breath through her mouth, almost happy to feel the burning in her lungs. She was cold already and could possibly freeze out here, but at this point she couldn't care less. This was her escape. From everything. Out here there was no one to disturb her. Just her and the cold air, slowly freezing her body. Clary picked up her speed to a run, there was bound to be a house around her with some nice people that might let her to stay here. Although, most of Clary's life had been filled with terrible actions, she still believed in the power of kindness. Cliche as it was. As Clary's nose began to freeze as did her toes, Clary spotted an apartment building ahead. She jogged across the crosswalk as the walk sign flipped to the red 'stop' hand and pulled open the single glass door. Inside, warmth enveloped her and she stood in the entrance for a minute before turning to scan her surroundings. She had failed to read the tenants names, but had fortunately entered through the back entrance where there was a staircase to her left. Clary betted that that was her best option and moved towards it, starting up the cement steps. The air smelled of plants and the outdoors, but it was almost welcome. Upon the first floor, she walked into the hallway and scanned the signs next to each of the doors looking for a younger name. With her first and second try, no one answered. On her third, she wa refused. Feeling dejected, she moved to the second level. Thankfully there were only three levels. As Clary continued asking for a place to stay, she was refused three more times before she moved back to the stairwell and sat on the steps. This day had been practically a rollercoaster and at the moment, it was at it's lowest point. She felt like crying, but would not allow herself too. As if in a dream, someone else stepped into the stairwell. She turned away and moved to the side to let them pass. What was the likelihood they would have a place for her to stay. BUt, luck seemed to be with her at the time for the person sat down next to her.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing in this stairwell all alone?"
Clary hesitated slightly before turning to look at the person next to her. He was male with brown shaggy hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing loose fitting blue jeans and a sweatshirt with the sleeves pulled up to his elbows. Clary smiled ever so slightly, "Uh, nothing."
The boy chuckled, "I know a liar when I see one. Can I help you with anything?"
Clary bit her lip, This guy seemed normal. He didn't have the aurora of anything strange and he clearly had no marks, maybe she could trust him. It was worth a try.
"Do you have a place I could stay?" Clary whispered, avoiding his eyes which seemed to have darkened.
"I do. My apartment is one the third floor. Would you like to stay there?"
This time Clary did look at him. This man, who didn't even know her was offering her a wonderful place to stay. She nodded slightly and the man stood up, offering her his hand. She took it, taking note of his extremely tanned skin and her very pale skin.
"I'm Kyle, by the way. Jordan Kyle."
Clary smiled, "I'm Clary."
Jordan raised and eyebrow as he began leading her back up the stairs, "Just Clary?"
She nodded, no need for him to know her last name, whether he was normal or not. Better to be safe than sorry. "Is there anything I can do for you?? Since you are letting me stay in your apartment tonight..?"
He hesitated, "Well, there is something you can do..."