In the Hour of Silence

Chapter 6

Clary POV

I sit at a picnic table outside the school and angrily draw a house burning in flames. I've been angry all day. I didn't answer anyone who tried speaking to me and I didn't even bother going near the cafeteria. I just made a b-line out here.

I'm starting to shade in the shadow from the flames when someone sits on the bench next to me. I look over and see none other than Jace. I offer him a small wave and smile before I start on my drawing again. "What's got you in such a bad mood Red? I could tell you were pissed from all the way across the quad. Plus, people burning to death isn't exactly something you draw when you're happy."

The principal just told me the state is requiring me to go to therapy again, even though I was told five years ago I'd never have to go to therapy again.

"Why were you in therapy in the first place?"

I raise my eyebrows towards him. Seriously? It's not exactly normal to voluntarily be mute for six years.

"It's still your choice. It's how you've grieved and coped and you should be allowed to do that," Jace reassures. I shrug and look back at my drawing. "You know what you need?" Jace prompts.

What?

"To have some quality fun and ditch school."

My head whips towards him and I look at him like he's crazy. Ditch school? It's literally only the second day. Plus, we'd get caught.

Jace looks at me for a second. "Not necessarily. I've passed for twenty years old before and you could probably pass for nineteen when you're dressed like that. It will be easy. We could even have that coffee date today." He leans towards me slightly, brushing his shoulder against mine. "So what do you say? Wanna live a little and go on an adventure?"

I bite my lip as I look at the picture I drew. What am I supposed to do. I don't want to seem lame, but it's literally the second day of school. Luke would be so disappointed if he were to find out. Then again, he did tell me that he wanted me to expand my horizons...

Let's do this.

Jace smiles and grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet while I scramble to get my sketchbook in my backpack before we're making our way to the parking lot. Once we find his car and get in, we drive off towards the downtown area.

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"Alright, what's our cover story?" Jace asks, making sure I know the plan.

I roll my eyes as I type. We're eighteen year olds from Idris where we graduated last year and decided to travel the world before we have to go to college. We have no idea that kids our age are still in school here and didn't think anything of us being on the street or drinking would seem bad since we're adults and have been of age to drink for three years.

Jace smirks at me and says, "Well done Morgenstern. Now then, let's go have fun." He takes my hand again and leads me in a run through the crowds of people. I shriek in delight as we narrowly dodge people and laugh as we get all sorts of odd looks. As if he can read my mind as I wonder what we're doing, he says, "It's a game Alec and I have played ever since we were younger." We continue sprinting through the crowds of people as he continues speaking. "You run down the most crowded sidewalks, going completely opposite to the main stream, and try to weave your way through as best you can." (Try it sometimes. It's a great game to play 😁😊)

Seeing as I can't type anything, I just laugh to tell him that I love it. We continue to run through the crowds until we have it to a small coffee shop called 'Java Jones'.