Through the Shadows

Chapter 6

"So, that's how I ended up with paint all over my face." Clary said, finishing her story.

Clary had decided to drop any subject pertaining to her past. She figured that if Jace had anything to mention other than the story he gave her, he would've by now. And if for some reason he hadn't, he definitely would not do it at Java Jones.

Jace let out a chuckle. It was a nice feeling knowing some of Clary's moments in her mundane life.

"And your professor wasn't upset at the mess you made?" Jace asked, genuinely curious.

"Not at all. I'm guessing she probably thought it was some sort of strategy to get inspired." Clary responded. They both let out a laugh.

Clary's laugh was quickly replaced by instant confusion. She noticed someone a few feet outside of Java Jones, staring in their direction. Even after this person's clear attempt to hide, there was no mistaking they were staring in the direction of Jace and Clary. Clary tried to focus to see if she could distinguish who it was. A sort of fear overcame her when the shape of this person began to look familiar.

"What's wrong?" Jace asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Clary's thoughts were interrupted by Jace's question. Clary turned to Jace to answer his question, quickly looking back to confirm she hadn't imagined there was someone staring at them, only to find the person gone.

"Um, sorry. I thought I saw someone."

"Who? You seemed pretty scared."

"Um.. I thought I saw Matteo."

"Matteo? As in your boyfriend?"

"Yeah."

"Not to intrude, but... why did you look so afraid at the thought of it being him?" Jace asked, hoping to get some sort of information on him, but also very intrigued as to why Clary would react that way at the sight of Matteo.

"I wasn't afraid afraid. It's just.. we had this weird moment right before I got here that did kind of seem out of character for him."

Noticing Jace seemed very interested in her story, she continued. "We were supposed to meet today, but I cancelled to come meet you. I told him I was going to meet another friend of mine, but he seemed very suspicious of the idea. And I know I technically did lie to him, but I never have before so there wasn't really a reason for him to think I was lying. Sorry, the whole thing is just a weird mess."

Knowing he should have probably asked more about Matteo, Jace couldn't help but ask something his mind deemed more important to know the answer to. "Why did you lie?"

"I- um.."

Jace met Clary's silence with silence of his own.

"I'm not sure. I just kind of wanted to keep this moment between us. Keep it special..."

This time, Jace's silence was accompanied with some sort of joy in his heart upon hearing Clary's response.

"I'm sorry, I know it's weird-"

"No, it's not. I guess in a way, I also kept this moment between us. Kept it special."

"Like kept it from your significant other? Oh my! Do you have a girlfriend?? Boyfriend??" Clary asked, not wanting to cause any problems for Jace.

"Oh no! Of course not." Jace replied instantly.

Even though for some reason Jace responded exactly what Clary wanted to hear, she was taken aback at how he responded to the idea of having a significant other.