Imagine That

Unfortunate Circumstance

Her nails clicked against the screen of her phone quickly. The New York traffic was as per usual, or what Clary assumed was usual, having only visited for a few weeks each year. This past year though, Clary had spent in Idris with her father. Her arms were more muscled, more runes covering her skin than ever before, and she had developed a strong sense of self. Meaning, that her father was a lying son of a bitch who would regret ever getting near Jocelyn Fairchild. Her mother had officially reverted back to her maiden name. 

A honking horn broke the silence, and clary flicked her eyes up to her mother, who looked frazzled. Jocelyn's hair was pulled into a ponytail, strands already falling around her face from the long drive to New York. They hadn't flown, since the truck was filled with boxes. 

"Who could you possibly have been talking to this whole time?" Her mom finally questioned, sharing a short glance with her daughter. 

"You know, the guys." Clary said, trying to hide her smile. She, Alec, and Magnus had been group chatting for hours already, and she was ready to get out and finally spend some time with her best friends. Alec hardly ever spoke to her without Magnus, since he would just end up telling him anyways. Which, fair, Clary would do the same if she had a boyfriend. If.

She would have probably dated her childhood best friend, before his band made it big, finally, and he moved down to New York. Of course, she had visited him while coming to stay at the institute before her year abroad at Idris. Although, him being a vampire did make things a little complicated. Just a little. But it hadn't stopped him from pursuing his dream, and packing his stuff at 18 after high school, and moving away from his suburban California home. After all, his mom only wanted him to be happy. Clary doubted her own mother would ever allow her to move out like that. She had only let Clary go to Idris to train, and in the promise that Clary would stay as far away from Valentine as she was able to. It went about as well as they expected. Poorly. 

Jocelyn made a sharp turn and Clary's hand shot out in front of her against the dashboard. "Geez mom. I know we're in a hurry but you really don't need to take your turns at 40 miles an hour" Clary said, unable to help the grin that spread across her face as her mom giggled, slowly braking by the curb outside of the Institute. It always reminded Clary of a cathedral. 

Clary nearly texted we made it to the massive groupchat that included Isabel, Jace, and Alec. It deemed not necessary when she saw three people running on the lawn. She grinned, unfastening her seatbelt and opening the car door quickly. She stepped up onto the dying grass, a cold breeze pulling her hair out behind her. She was thankful for the sweater she had on. 

"Clary", Isabel yelled, Alec's laugh echoing out to her. jace reached her first, sideways smile, bright eyes and all.  He wrapped his arms around her waist, her hands locking around his neck as he spun her around. The breath was knocked out of her, but he set her down gently. The way he looked at her was different, and her heart sped. 

"We missed you" He said breathlessly. He detached his arms, which left her aching for the warmth he took with him. She turned to Alec, who had to lean down to hug her properly. Isabel of course, gave a strong bear hug, that was met by Clary's own strength.

A car door shut, and the four of them turned around to stare at Jocelyn, who walked around the car, to hug each of the New Yorkers.

 "Glad to see you aren't a stick anymore Alec. I was worried about you." She said with a hard glance, before he smiled back at her awkwardly. 

"Jocelyn" Isabel said with a warm look, the only one Jocelyn had not met. Isabel had always been doing errands or in the middle of some clave drama during previous visits when Jocelyn was present. Which was not often.