Roommates & Soulmates

Clary's Toll

Clary was starting to think she was cursed. Twice now, she'd found herself in a position where her friend had confessed romantic feelings for her. Either the universe was trying to tell her to stop being friends with guys, or she was giving off some very mixed signals. Of course, the two events had been quite different, not only in her reaction, but also in her understanding of what real love was.

When Simon had confessed to her how he felt back in high school, Clary hadn't thought twice about it. She'd simply kissed him, thinking the way she loved him was the same way he loved her. It wasn't until she'd fallen for Jace that Clary had realized how different the two forms of love really were. Jace could make her crazy, make her do things and want things she'd never have thought possible. He made her whole body hum with energy, and made her smile just by looking at her. Jace had taught her the difference between platonic love and fireworks.

When Brett told her how he felt, Clary had known with perfect clarity she didn't feel the same. Also, she and Brett hadn't been friends for as long as she and Simon, not that that made it suck any less when she lost her new friend the same way she'd almost lost her old one.

"Have you seen my nail file?" Clary called to the house at large from her current location in the bathroom. Her mind had been wondering while she searched every drawer.

"Why would I know where your nail file is?" Jace's voice reached her ears. Clary looked up to see her boyfriend standing in the bathroom doorway.

"I don't know," Clary said. "Maybe you took it."

"And why on earth would I do that?" Jace grinned.

"Oh, I don't know," Clary smiled. "To file your nails."

"A master detective if ever there was one," Jace told her, smirking.

"Does this mean you did take my nail file?" Clary asked, turning to narrow her eyes at the gorgeous blonde man before her.

"And what are you gonna do to me if I did?" Jace said, raising his eyebrow.

"Well if you don't give it back, I'm going to be late for class," Clary explained.

"Or here's a radical thought," Jace smirked. "You could go to class with a hangnail." He opened his mouth in mock horror, his eyes wide, but Clary just rolled her eyes. Giving up on getting an answer to her question, Clary tried to push past Jace and out of the room.

"Oh, and who said you were allowed to leave?" Jace asked, wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her there.

"My professor," Clary giggled. "Who probably wants me to show up."

"Well in that case," Jace said. "I think you'll have to pay the toll."

"The toll?"

"Yes," Jace smirked. "The lady shall not pass... without a kiss."

"Oh, is that so," Clary smiled, before leaning in and kissing him. Jace's arms wrapped around her more securely as he half lifted her off the ground, kissing her deeply. Jace lifted her, turning them so that when the kiss ended, Clary was on the other side of the door. Leaning up, she kissed him again very quickly before turning and skipping to the door.

Clary's good mood followed her all the way to class until she entered the lecture hall. It was then that she suddenly remembered what class this was. This was the class she shared with Brett. Mentally preparing, Clary reminded herself that no matter what, she had Jace and even Simon. It would suck, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if she lost Brett as a friend.

Clary sat in her usual seat and saw Brett take the one beside her like he always did. Clary was more than a little surprised that he'd sat so close to her. Did this mean he was going to be her friend, or was he trying to prove he was better than Jace? With her mind focused on the awkward situation, Clary had a hard time paying attention to the lecturer. She took notes, and was pretty sure by the end, she had a general idea of what was going on, but she could have done better.