Clace Best Friends (Slow Updates)

9. The Rollercoaster

Jace

"Jace! I wasn't speaking gibrish! I heard you....talking to my mom. I...I know you don't even want to be here," Red manages before tears fall down her cheeks. What is she talking about?

"Red, what are you talking about?" I question. Then, it hits me, she heard us! She knows I like her! She knows! How did you mess this up so much? What is she going to do? She obviously doesn't....reciprocate your feelings.

"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. Then, I couldn't hear the rest because you guys got quiet," Red explains. She didn't hear me! She doesn't know! Yes! Is it bad part of me to be little disappointed? "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."

I let out a breath of relief. "Red, you heard part of a conversation. You have no idea what we were discussing. You heard bits and pieces," I reply. "I can assure you there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now. There's no girl waiting for me." I can assure you there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now. There's no girl waiting for me. The only girl I'd want waiting for me, is you.

"Jace, I'm sorry. I..I just...my head...it's throbbing and I can't think straight," Red defends.

"I really think you should rest. I'd gladly lay with you, if that helps," I try.

"Yeah...maybe, Can you close the blinds? Make the sun go away. It hurts," Red cries in pain. Quickly, I go to the blinds and twist them all the way closed. I pick her up and position my body under her, so she can lay on me. As I set her down, she burries her head in my chest and cries.

"Shhhhh, it's okay Red. I've got you," I comfort, and I kiss the crown of her head. She shivers, so I pull the blankets down and start getting up.

"Jace, please don't leave me," Red whispers. It seems like she's sleeping, but awake enough to know I'm getting up.

"I'll be right back, okay," I try.

She grabs my leg. Damn! What is she trying to do to me! Pull it together Jace Jr! Turn it off! She can't see it! Red begs, "Jace, please don't leave me. I'm....so cold."

"Red, I'm going to get you another blanket," I explain trying to get her to let go of my leg.

"Hurry back," Red replies, and lets go of me leg. Thank the Angel! I go to the bathroom and fix myself up. Then, I grab a few blankets for Red. I see her on the bed passed out. Carefully, I swaddle her in a blanket like a baby, except I make sure her hands aren't restrained. She makes noises a few times, but never wakes up. Red's content look on her face is something I could watch for hours. Finally, I get in beside her, hold her, and pull the covers over us, so she can get warmer. After a less than optimal nights sleep, I should be tired. However, as I stare at Red, the very idea of sleep evades me. I feel her chest rise and fall against mine, and I caress her head as she slumbers. This amazing little girl is so much more than she thinks. The thought that her own father, the man who's supposed to unconditionally protect and love her, has broken her down, it sickens me. There are times when she looks so fragile and small, like now, in my arms. However, there are times when there's a fire in her eyes. It's just shocking to see two opposite sides of one person. After a few hours, I start to worry about Jocelyn. I don't think she'd be away from Red for so long. Carefully, I slide Red out of my arms, and I get up to call Jocelyn. The phone rings, but it goes to voice-mail. I call again, but nothing. Trying not to panic, I decide to wake Red, to see if she knows where Luke lives.

"Red, I know you must me tired still, but I need to you wake up for a second," I try lightly shaking her shoulders.

"J...Jace, is that you?" Red asks as her eyes flutter open.

"Yes, it's me Red. I need your help. You mom, she hasn't come back yet and it's been.." Wait, what time did she leave? Maybe 8ish in the morning? And it's....about 1 in the afternoon. "about 5 hours. Do you remember where Luke lives?" I ask.

"Jace...my mom is she okay? What if....what if He found her?" Red panics. I rush to her and sit next to her. I grab her hands into mine and stare into her eyes. I know the goosebumps will come, but this is more important.

"Red, I need you to try and remember. I know you're worried, but we don't know anything yet. If we know where Luke lives, we can contact him and see if she's okay," I explain.

"Uh....it's something...with.....ugh...I can't remember.....maybe it's 12...5? street.. it's close to our neighborhood," Red tries.

"Okay, there's a North Russell street, a North Taylor Street, a North Bailey street, and where we live North Allen street. Do any of them ring a bell?" I ask desperately.

"Uh......North Russell Street sounds right," Red replies.

"Okay, let's see if the hotel room has a phone book. I know it's a long shot, but most houses in our neighborhood have home phones and it's better than nothing," I explain. Red nods and we begin searching for the book. "There's a Bible, WiFi password card, places to eat brochure, but no phone book in the nightstand. Any luck in the dresser?" I ask. As I'm walking over to help Red look, I see the bag Jocelyn was holding, she left it here. Maybe she didn't think she'd need it to visit Luke.

"Yes, I found it!" Red exclaims. "Okay, now we've just got to see if Luke Garroway is in it. I'm in the g's! There's g-a-m....oh...we're almost there."

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Is Luke in the phone book? Is Jocelyn safe?

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