Roommates & Soulmates

Ch151: Clary's Return

Clary was so sick of planes. There was nothing like flying half way around the world to make you miss the ground. She was tired, acky and now that the captain had turned the seat belt sign back on she nervous at seeing Jace again. She knew she'd been the worst girlfriend ever, not making time for his calls or video chats. She hadn't even texted him much. It had just been too hard. She knew it wasn't a good enough excuse, and her stomach twisted into a knot just thinking about it, but at the time none of him had felt easier than so little of him. Not seeing his face had seemed more bearable than seeing him, but being unable to touch him. Clary had therefore focused all her time and energy on art, painting, school and Paris. She had had a marvelous time, but now she was facing seeing him again, and there was a tight feeling in her chest she shouldn't shake.

Of course, there was another reason why she'd been such a horrible girlfriend, but Clary didn't even want to think about that right now. The captain had announced their arrival, and it was time to face the music.

Clary felt the pressure change in her ears before she felt the plane's wheels hit the ground. Slowly, the huge metal tube moved down the runway until it parked near the terminal.

Clary decided to let the other passengers get off ahead of her. It was easier to wait than push through the crowd, and it also gave her more time to compose herself. Everyone was in such a hurry as if those extra few moments they'd save by dashing out of the plane would actually cut down on their travel time. It reminded her of the way some cars overtook vehicles going the speed limit just to get stuck together at the same red light anyway. Like, what was the rush?

As the plane become more empty Clary got up and began to collect her bags from the overhead compartment. Carry-on in hand, Clary did one last check to make sure she had everything. Then she walked off the plane and directly into the air conditioned hall of the Toronto airport.

"Home sweet home," she whispered to herself.

Looking up, Clary saw the baggage claim signs and made her way in that direction. But when she passed a bathroom Clary decided to take a little detour. Standing in the mirror Clary appraised herself. She looked like she'd been sleeping with her head mashed into a pillow for hours, which of course, she had. Getting some water on her hands Clary tried to fix her hair with marginal success. There was jet lag bags under her eyes, but Clary knew there was nothing she could do about those. She did not feel beautiful at all, but rather like she needed a shower and good night's sleep.

Oh well. This would go the way it would go. Jace was either still interested, or he wasn't. They'd either survive the time apart, or they wouldn't. But either way, standing here in this bathroom would get her nowhere. She took a deep breath before leaving the safety of the washroom.

She continued to follow the signs until she came to a large room with yet unmoving baggage conveyors. Her eyes circled the room until they found his face. Those bright golden eyes stared back at her, and for a moment she drank in the sight of him. Jace looked exactly the same. Blonde hair, strong build with soft eyes. Gorgeous. Then everything around him came into view, and she realized that her two best friends were standing with him.

"Missed you!" Simon moved forward to greet her with a smile and a hug.

"Biscuit!" Magnus grinned. "Skill testing question for you. How many croissants did you eat?" Clary laughed, slightly because she'd sensed he'd meant to be funny, but she'd hardly heard him. Her eyes were locked with Jace's, and had been since the moment she'd entered the room.

The rest of the world fell away as she looked at Jace, trying to take in every inch of him. It was strange because she knew what he looked like, but it had been so long some of the details felt new to her. His lean slim muscular build she'd recalled, but those long eyelashes had slipped her mind. And had he always dressed this way? He was wearing dark blue jeans, and a black button up shirt. The whole look was very dark, almost solemn, but his smile was welcoming.