Niall's POV
Clary has been home for about two solid weeks now. Everything seems to be back to normal for the most part. Her and Lilly seem to be getting closer and closer each day. Which is fine, she always is sure that we hang out. Harry has gone on a date with Lilly where they both confirmed that it was a lot weird and decided to be friends. So all that excitement has left us. But at least it didn't really change anything in the group.
I head over to Clary's house. Her mom is outside planting some tulips.
"Hello Niall...she's on the deck painting." I nod then head around back. I stop and look at her painting who knows what. I sigh and head on over. I look at the painting and am really confused. It's a painting of a girl holding a red rose, the rose's color is dripping into a puddle and the girl has red hair but is looking a burning down palace. I poke Clary to snap her out of the gaze.
"Niall! How long have you been there?"

"Long enough...what's that?" I point to the painting.
"Oh uh...nothing...it's nothing...just nothing." I smile and peck her cheek.
"So today...I'm leaving...for a week with my dad and Greg remember?" Her green orbs go wide and she stands up.
"Oh my gosh! Quick! We have to get you back home...are you packed? Of course you're packed...a whole week?" I grab her hand and pull her down onto the steps.
"Hey I lasted a whole month...besides the whole gang is here..." She smiles and then leans in to kiss me. Our lips touch and my hand goes to her waist and her face. I pull her closer to me. I nibble at her lips and slip my tongue in. Then I hear a car horn. I pull away and sigh.
"Well you shouldn't keep him waiting..." I look at her and just sit there.
"They can wait a little bit longer." I kiss her again and I know she can't stop once we start. Then I hear my mom yelling my name. Clary pulls away and starts cracking up.
"C'mon...go on...I'll be here waiting. I promise." I nod and stand up. I look at her then at the painting.
"When I get back...I want to hear about that painting...and see it finished okay?"
"Why do you need to hear about it? The painting is nothing...just...have fun okay?" I look at her and just nod. I get up and kiss her forehead before heading over to my dad's car. Greg is talking to mom. He spots me and runs over.
"What were you doing over there? Snogging?"
"No...just saying goodbye. She was painting." He slings his arm around my shoulder.
"This is going to be a great week. I can feel it." Oh boy...that didn't sound good. I look over to see Clary with her mom, her hands waving frantically. I've only seen her like this once before. She's gets like that when she's panicking over something. But I don't know why she's like that over a painting that apparently means nothing. Her mom looks like she's attempting to calm her down. My mom hugs me and ushers me into the car. Clary and her mom hurried inside. I furrow my eyebrows...and then start to argue with Greg over the music options.

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Clary's POV
Niall comes back today. I've hidden the painting that I did when my stupid emotions got the best of me.
[FLASHBACK]
"But Grandma...I don't understand..." Tears were streaming down my face.
"Do not cry. Tears are for the weak. You are to be Queen...Ruler of our nation. No tears. Dry them up and come back to dinner." Then like that she left. I sat on my bed sniffling and wiping my eyes. Then my Dad is by my side.
"Clarissa Diana...wipe those eyes now. You can't do this. Keep your emotions locked. Now get up." My dad then left me. How could I just lock down my emotions...my father just killed a man.
[END FLASHBACK]
I sigh and look at the painting that I pulled from my closet. There was a knock on the door and my mom came in. She went to my side and looked at the painting.
"I know we promised never to talk about your time in Russia..."
"So let's not talk about it. Get rid of this..." I hand her the painting and head downstairs. I check the time and realize Niall won't be home for another 4 hours. I head outside and take a football with me. I start doing some kicks.
"Hey stranger..." I look up to see Nate. Oh boy.
"What do you want?" I look at him with my arms crossed.
"Just talk I promise...I'm seeing a therapist you know...I feel much better. Um...I want to apologize...about everything. Honestly. I want to start over." I look at him with question.
"Okay fine. Hi I'm Clary...just moved here from California. Who are you?" He smiles and shakes my hand.
"Nate...I live across the street. Nice to meet you. I see you like football...good sport. Whose your favorite team?"
"Derby Rams. Do you play?"
"Nah I would kill myself...I'm a little clutzy." I chuckle and sit down in the grass.

"I was jealous of him...he had the perfect family...well for a while. Then he was the school's golden boy...best football player...hell he got you...I don't know. Something in me snapped." I nod and nudge his shoulder.
"Well hey I think this is a great start-over. Now I have to go...but I'll see ya around Nate." He nods then head back over to his house. I head over to the park. Lilly texted me.
I get there and see her on the bench.
"Hey."
"Hey...so my mom is letting me go with you to NYU next month...well in like 2 weeks." I hug her and clap my hands together.
"That's great! Oh Lills...just imagine me, you, and Nikki in the Big Apple...only don't call it the Big Apple. I heard that makes natives upset." Lilly lets out a huge laugh.
"Oh Clary...I can't wait...hey shouldn't Niall be home by now?" I look at the time and holy shit yea he's home.
"Crap yea...hey I got to run but we will talk later and set up plans for NYC." I start to run.
"YOU BETTER! HEY TELL THE BOYTOY HI FOR ME." I flip her off but keep on running.
I get home to see Niall on my porch steps holding the football. I run over and sit down next to him.
"Hey there good looking." He looks at me and kisses my cheek.
"Wanna see a movie? Like go to the theatre for once?" I quickly nod. He stands up and off we went. He was telling me all about his week with his dad and brother. Some of the stories were actually really funny.
"Tomorrow I got to meet up with Lilly to talk about our NYC visit..." He stops walking towards our screening.
"NYC...as is New York City? Why are you going there?"
"For a college visit...meeting with the coach and team. That's my top school you know. Perfect for what I want to do...and—"
"It's in America. Yea I got it Clary. Come on...movie is starting up. Oh you know that we are auditioning for X-Factor right? I told you right?"
"Yea you told me like a thousand times. And you guys are so going to win. And I'll be there to cheer you on! Like the proud girlfriend would do. Hey we're okay right?" He looks at me and smiles.
"Yea we're good. More than good." He kisses the side of my head and pulls me into his side more by my waist. I lean up and kiss his cheek.

"Good now let's go make-out in a theatre...for old times' sake." He just laughs and off we went. And I felt like nothing could stop us.

Notes