Clace Best Friends (Slow Updates)

8. The Missunderstanding

Clary

"I don't want to leave...so it's settled. Red...I'm sure there are plenty of boys out there that would find you attractive." There's only one I want... but he doesn't! "I guess...we can be even, but thank you for realizing I did wrong," Jace responds. My mom walks in and smiles at us. I blush when I realize how it looks; Jace and I in bed, his arms holding me.

"We're fully clothed!" I blurt, earning a chuckle from Jace. My mom is laughing so hard she has to hold her stomach. My face somehow radiates more heat, and I quickly detach from Jace. Pulling the bedding up, I climb out of bed and run to the bathroom.

"Honey, I didn't doubt that," my mom laughs. "You two just looked comfortable. I like seeing you feel safe."

"You....you feel safe with me?" Jace asks me through the door.

I make sure the bathroom door is locked and whisper, "Yes, I feel safe....with you....That's why I asked you to hold me after I had that nightmare."

"Clary," What happened to Red? "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm just glad there's something that makes you feel safe," Jace responds. "I...I know you have been through....a lot, and it's nice to know you can still feel safe."

"I've always felt safe in your arms. That's why I would always cuddle with you when we were watching a movie. For that hour, I felt safe. Then....you left, and...." Change the topic! "I....I hope that doesn't freak you out.

Jocelyn

(it'll make sense in a second)

"Clary, it doesn't freak me out. I promise it doesn't," Jace reassures. I wonder how long they've liked each other? I've always wanted the best for Clary, and I must admit Jace is definitely acceptable. I feel like an intruder, so I decide to go and meet up with Luke.

"Honey, I'm going to get caught up with Luke. Will you be okay here with Jace?" I ask.

"Yeah," Clary says a little too fast.

"Alright I'll see you later, bye honey," I reply, and walk out the door. Jace walks with me outside and stops me for a second.

"Mrs. Fray, I can assure you that nothing will happen between us," Jace offers.

"Son, I wouldn't make assurances that go against your own feelings," I reply and pat his shoulder.

"Please don't tell her. I don't want her to hate me. If she knew....I don't want to be here," Jace whispers the last part. "As her friend, she'd probably never talk to me again."

"I promise not to tell her, but she's going to find out eventually," I say and Jace walks back inside.

Clary

"Please don't tell her. I don't want her to hate me. If she knew....I don't want to be here," Jace begins, but I cannot hear the rest. He doesn't want to be here. I want to break into a million little pieces and hide in the closet.

"I promise not to tell her, but she's going to find out eventually," I hear my mom assure Jace, and he walks back inside. My mom is helping him! She must know how much it'll hurt me, if I knew.

I decide to step out of the bathroom and face Jace. My cheeks radiate heat and I quickly hide my face. "Red, are you okay?" Jace asks.

"Oh, it's Red now," I snap. I don't know what's gotten into me. I shouldn't be jealous if he has somewhere better to be, I should just let him go.

"Hey, I think you should get some rest," Jace suggests. Something about the normal voice he uses makes me snap.

"No, I think I'm perfectly fine. I think maybe you should go, since you don't want to be here. I get it, you weren't expecting this to happen. What did you leave a girl waiting when my mom asked you to stay with me while she left? I'm sure you'll have more fun with her, than you will staying here babysitting me." I ask. "You can go, be free. I..I don't need you." I manage before I cannot hold the tears back anymore. I collapse onto the surprisingly soft and clean hotel carpet. Maybe this was too stressful for my brain, I think before I slip into unconsciousness.

Groggily, I start feeling and I realize I'm in a bed, and someone's sitting by me. Quickly, I open my eyes to see Jace. He must've brought me to the bed after I.....passed out? "I'm conscious now Jace, you can go," I spit before he realizes I'm awake, so I have the element of surprise.

"Oh thank the Angel! Red, I was so worried! You were talking gibrish, and then you passed out. I called 911 and they told me to lay you down on a flat comfortable surface and bring you in if you didn't want up within 30 seconds, after I explained about your concussion. I was so worried," Jace explains quietly, so he doesn't irritate my throbbing head. He places his hand gently on my face, and I shrug it off.

"Jace! I wasn't speaking gibrish! I heard you....talking to my mom. I...I know you don't even want to be here," I don't try to hold the tears back this time.

"Red, what are you talking about?" Jace asks and panics rises in his eyes when he realizes I heard them.

"You said, 'please don't tell her. I don't want her to hate me. If she knew....I don't want to be here,' to my mom," I echo. "Then I couldn't hear the rest because you guys got quiet. My mom piped up a few minutes later with, 'I promise not to tell her, but she's going to find out eventually.' to you."

Jace sighs, yes he sighs. Why is he so relieved? I heard him tell her he didn't want to be here! "Red, you heard part of a conversation. You have no idea what we were discussing. You heard bits and pieces," Jace defends. "I can assure you there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now. There's no girl  waiting for me."

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That was close......Jace spilled his feelings, and Clary almost heard!

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

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

Originally posted: 3/31/18