Clace (Liberty High School) (Completed)

27. The Misunderstanding

Clarissa

I grab my clothes and walk towards the bathroom. Swiftly, I close the door. Jace said he has everything I'd need to get ready, and he's right. There is an extra toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, and even some mouthwash. As I'm brushing my hair Jace quickly opens the door. "Red, hang on," Jace yells. What is he doing? I thought he said he wasn't going to hurt me? He's going to hurt me? I'm in my underwear and a tanktop! He's going to hurt me! Stop, Jace won't hurt you! Just talk to him! Say something! Defend yourself! Valentine never pretended with you! Jonathan is sick and everyone knows it! Sebastian is a drunk! But.....Jace.....why is he going to hurt me? He....he talked to me, made me tr...trust him! He made me like him and feel safe! I'm not going to let him hurt me! Not this time! "......Red, are you listening to me?" Jace asks.

"Get....get away from me!" I exclaim. "Don't touch me!" I back towards the wall and Jace takes a step back.

"Red...I'm sorry. I can explain," Jace defends not even looking at me.

"Why did you come in here huh? Lul me into a sense of safety and then hurt me! Is that was all of this was? The more vulnerable the better right! It's more fun that way!" I question.

"Whoa.....Red you need to calm down....I'm not going to...." Jace begins and when he looks at me, he sees it. His cheeks flush and he slowly starts backing up. Raising his hands, only lowering them to close the door. "Red....I didn't realize you were....not fully clothed. I'm sorry!"

"Why....did you come in here?" I echo. "I'm not going to let you....hurt me! My....dad was just so much bigger than me....fighting was...useless. Jonathan....he caught me off gaurd in a compromised position....and he was pretty big...Sebastian...he is like a giant...I didn't expect him.....to...try....but you! I will fight you! You here me! I'm not some girl you can...hurt....and get away with it! Just because...other people....they've hurt me...that doesn't.....doesn't mean you get to."

"Red.....I wouldn't...how can you compare me to them! I....just...I remembered my....magazines and I thought you'd get mad at me. I swear Red....I wasn't even considering that you wouldn't be fully clothed. I'm sorry. Please don't compare me to them!" Jace nervously begs.

"You....you didn't come in here to-" I begin but tears fall down my face and words fail me.

"Red, I wouldn't....I would never do that to you!" Jace defends.

"I....I..k...know, but you busted in so quickly and you.....I just....I didn't...know what to think.....I just....I'm sorry," Red sobs.

"Red, don't be sorry. I'm sorry! I shouldn't have barged in! I....I can explain the magazines. I....know you're probably mad, but....I can explain," Jace coaxes.

"Jace....you obviously aren't getting the bigger picture here. I know exactly what those magazines are for. I don't care! I know I'm not appealing, so if you look at magazines then.....that's my fault. I didn't know what you were going to do! One voice said he's going to hurt you and the other said Jace would never hurt you. I...I didn't know! I just remembered...my....Valentine...he.......used to...trap me....in dead ends.....I just saw h...I just-" I cry.

"Red...I didn't...I didn't mean....I didn't know...I'm...I just," Jace stutters trying to find the right words. "Red....can I come in? I won't...look...I just want to sit with you."

"One...one second. Let me get dressed. I'll....I'll tell you when I'm done," I manage and quickly add layers of clothes to my body. "I'm....I'm done!" Jace slowly enters the bathroom with his hands up and a look of painful guilt in his golden orbs.

"Red....I...I need to explain the magazines," Jace tries.

"O....okay," I manage and we sit down together on the hard cold tile floor.

"It's...it's not what you think. I find you immensity appealing. That's kind of why the magazines are there. Red....I know you don't like you're body. You think the scars are bad, but I think they're amazing." What is he talking about? That's it! I've got to get out of here. "No...that sounded horrible. Let me...try again....your scars are from beatings yes....but they're....they just show how brave, tenacious, and strong you are. Every scar stands for the love you have for your mother. To go through hell, just so she's safe from your....from Valentine. To rise everyday and put your best foot forward in a matter of speaking.....to try. To me, it's amazing." I...I've never really thought about it before like that. "I...I know I'm messing this up Red, I'm sorry. I'm not exactly the best expressor of feelings. The magazines...they help me with releaving myself," Jace babbles.

"Jace, y....you like my body even though there's scars," I ask confused.

"Red...this is really hard for me to talk about....Yes, I like your body, scars and all," Jace responds.

"Jace, why is this hard to talk about?" I ask.

"Red, I'm scared you're going to hate me or.....worse be scared of me," Jace explains.

"Just spit it out already," I reply.

"The magazines, awkward body talk, and abruptly leaving. When I'm around you....my body....it responds to you," Jace explains. Suddenly, I realize what he's saying and my cheeks radiate heat. I can't help but stare at him for a while in silence, until he can't stand it anymore. "We've got to get ready for school." Then, he stands and walks out of the bathroom.

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I do not own any of the Mortal Instruments books, materials, etc. All credit belongs to Cassandra Clare.

Author's Note:
This is my first fanfic. I hope you guys like it! Please leave comments, votes, and feedback. I'm going to update, when I'm done and it'll be random.

Originally posted: 1/24/18