Almost

Chapter Eighteen

Stop asking me to trust you while I'm still coughing up water from the last time you let me drown.

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Clary's POV

The next morning I wake up with my phone ringing. My brother is sleeping next to so I grab my phone before he wakes up.

"Hello?" I say with a sleepy I didn't even care to look at the caller's ID.

"Clary, where are you?" Jace asks on the other line.

"Just let me sleep." I say and hang up. I lay on bed again but my phone starts ringing, again. "What do you want?" I groan as I answer the phone again.

"Clary, we need to study! The exams are in a few months and we both need to keep the good grades." Jace says on the other line.

"Fine." I say and roll my eyes even though he can't see me.

"I'll pick you up in a bit." He says and hangs up.

I get out if my bed and go to the bathroom to take a shower. After getting dressed, I go to the kitchen to get an aspirin and a glass of water. I leave it on my nightstand on my room and get my bag. I go to the kitchen again and get an apple. I get a message from Jace.

Hurry up, I'm here.

I get out of the house and see Jace's car there.

"Sleeping beauty is awake! Tell me, who finally woke you up with a kiss?" He asks sarcastically once I'm in the car.

"With a kiss? No one." I say. "But you woke me up with a really annoying phone call." I roll my eyes and he chuckles.

We keep talking about random stuff until we get to his house. We study in the kitchen for hours.

When it starts getting late, I decide to go home by subway.

"Clary, wait!" I hear someone say as I get out of the subway in Brooklyn. I turn around to look at who called me. Sebastian.

"What do you want, Sebastian?" I ask and he runs to me.

"I want to apologize." He says and I look at him confused. "For everything I've done to you and for what I've said. You didn't deserve it and I was just mad because no one rejects me."

"Well, there's a first time for everything." I say and turn around to keep walking.

"I really am sorry. You didn't deserve it. Please, forgive me?" He says and I look at him.

"Why should I believe in you?" I ask.

"I don't blame you if you don't. But, at least, promise me you'll be careful with the people at school. I don't mean Jace, I mean his friends who are also my friends. They just want to hurt you and I don't want that for you so please be careful." He says and I don't say anything. We keep walking in silence until I decide to break it.

"You don't need to follow me." I say, not looking at him.

"I know but I just want to make sure you get home safe." He says and I nod.

After a few more minutes of walking, I stop.

"Why did you stop?" Sebastian asks me, looking at me confused.

"I live here." I say, pointing to the building next to me. He nods and comes closer to me.

"Well then, I guess I'll see you at school." He says and gives me a little smile. He rubs the back of his neck, he's probably nervous.

I give him a kiss on the cheek and smile. "See you at school." I say and turn around, entering the building.

I go up to my floor and, when I open the door, I see my brother on the couch.

"Jonathan! I can't believe this, I'm going to graduate in a few months and then I'm going to college!" I say happily.

"I don't care, you're still my baby sister." He says and hugs me. He gives a kiss on the forehead and I smile. "Anyway, what do you want for dinner?"

"Pizza?" I ask and he nods. He grabs the phone and orders pizza.

We eat while watching a boring movie that was on tv. We watch the movie until the end (because we were really bored) and then we both go to bed. I can't sleep so I keep staring at the ceiling, lost in my thoughts.

What will happen when I go to college? Will I get in? What if I stop talking with my friends... with Jace? Oh, Jace. The golden haired and golden eyed boy I might like a little bit. I shouldn't like someone who hurt me, like Jace. But, somehow, I do. And I don't know if that is good or a bad thing. What if he doesn't like me back? What if I only get more hurt after this. Since I met him, it has been a roller coaster of emotions. Most of the times I got hurt was after I met him. He is still friends with Sebastian and I don't want to get hurt again, even if I have a feeling that that will happen. Sebastian. He's blonde but doesn't have golden hair. Is he saying the truth? Should I forgive him?

So many questions and I don't have the answer to any of them. But that doesn't matter now, I need to focus on the exams and getting into art school. I can do this. I will do this.

(Next chapter will be on summer holidays)

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Sorry if this is kind of a short chapter! I hope you liked it. The story is close to an end and I am really sad about it (and about this end) but don't hate me, I am thinking of making a second book. Anyway, is Sebastian telling the truth? Please vote and comment your opinion! ❤️

Also, I have a question for you. Why do you think this book is called "Almost"? I'm just curious about what you guys think!