I do not own the mortal instruments characters :)

Mundane Again

It was a normal cold fall day. Clary threw on a soft Pink sweater and slipped into her new green converse shoes. Today was her second year in college and she was setting her story straight by going back to school. She took a year off because she couldn't focus, but with the help of her BFF Simon, he persuaded her that "It's now or never Fray." Actually, she's surprised he hasn't called to make sure she wasn't going to change her mind. Then again, he's been wrapped up with his girlfriend too much to probably notice.

Clary looked into the mirror one last time before she headed out the door but frowned. She was the opposite of his girlfriend. Clary was short while she was tall; Clary dressed for comfort as his girlfriend dressed like a model for a photo shoot; Clary had fiery red hair that was untamable and hers was sleek and pin straight. Her name is Isabelle Lightwood; and there was something about her that Clary was wary about. Isabelle was a very private person. Though, they have been going out for almost two years, Clary really didn't know much about her.

Juggling her bag, coffee, and apartment keys she shuffled towards the train that takes her to school. Since Simon now has a new constant in his life, Clary realized that she had options to date too. She could date whomever she wanted, be whoever she wanted. But it was so much work to pretend to be someone she wasn't. She tried working out and staying fit, she tried wearing sluttier clother, she tried to stand out. But it was so much work to put yourself out there. Right now, she just needed more friends.

Clary stepped inside the half filled train and she reached onto a pole as the door started to close. She looked up to see a woman that looked like Isabelle standing on the platform. Was Simon here too? Clary looked out the window and her eyes were glued when Isabelle smiled, like truly smiled. She rarely smiled like that. Isabelle reached for a guy with a dancers body, long and lean. He was wearing a black hoodie and a blue scarf, a little boy clinging to his side. Isabelle kissed the guy on the cheek before reaching for the child. Clary jerked when the train moved, and she lost sight of them.

Who was that? She has never seen Isabelle look so happy. Was the kid hers? Surely Simon would have told her if his girlfriend had kids… unless he didn't know himself. What if it wasn't even Isabelle, she would look really dumb asking "Hey I think your girlfriend has been lying about a few things. How does she feel about children?" Clary rolled her eyes at herself.

Isabelle is a hard nut to crack and Clary gave up months ago to try to understand her. She would start a conversation with Clary during Simon's practices but Isabelle would always stop herself halfway through a story and then change the subject. Maybe Isabelle is a blonde in disguise. Clary bit her lip to stop herself from snorting.

Her phone beeped as the train stopped at her exit. She followed the crowd of students out and towards the school. She slowed down so she could get her phone out without spilling her coffee or running into someone on accident. It was a text from Simon. Late is better than nothing. "Have a good day at class. Sorry I meant to text you earlier. Just woke up."

"Are you free tonight? There's a new manga that just came out." Clary texted him back.

"Not tonight, I'll be at Izzy's." Clary sighed as she shoved her phone into her bag. Izzy's place was just as boring as her's. She got invited to a couple movie nights at Isabelle's place but it's awkward being the third wheel.

! # !

The classes went by in a blur but the thought of seeing Izzy at the train station really bothered her. By the end of the day she decided to stop by Izzy's place to confront her. The whole ordeal was eating Clary up inside all day. How could Isabelle do that to Simon? She knew she was too good to be true.

Clary stood at the girl's door. She tossed her red curly hair over her shoulder as she decided to knock. But what if he's in there? That tall, dark haired man. After knocking, she waited and there was no response. Clary then pressed her ear to the door to listen for any sounds. She then twisted the door knob and burst through the entryway to find the place was empty.

She looked around deflated. Here she was going to stand up to her and she wasn't even here… She checked the bedroom and it was a mess but no Isabelle. She heard the water turn off in the bathroom. Clary cleared off some clothes from the bed to sit and wait. Clary looked at her watch and then at the door waiting for it to open. Waiting felt like forever.

The door finally opened but it wasn't Isabelle who came out. It was a guy with a purple towel, tan skin, his muscles were huge, and his face looked just as confused as she felt.

She stood up from the bed. "Are you dating Isabelle too? I'm sorry, but I think you should know that she's cheating on you with two other guys."

He grabbed something from the side table and held it next to his skin as he ignored her.

"I'm Clary, she's dating one of my best friends…" She got closer to see what he was doing. He paused halfway during a rune, contemplating with himself. Clary waited for him to say something. Anything.

He turned towards her and laughed softly to himself. His voice came out smooth as Honey. "No, I'm not seeing Isabelle. Her and Alec went out to bring back lunch. Do you mind stepping out so I can change?" She took a step back and blushed.

"Yeah, sorry." Clary tripped over something as she walked towards the bedroom door while looking back at him. Who is he? He eyed her back wearily.

Clary took another seat in the living room, waiting for him. He came out barefooted with ripped jeans and a black tshirt, a silver chain hanging from his neck. She watched him as he snatched an apple from the kitchen and wandered over to lean against the wall across from her.

"I don't think you should worry so much. Isabelle likes to date, but she usually dates one at a time. She's actually pretty obsessed with Simon. Which is strange, but I suppose I don't have much room to talk."

Clary paused. "I never told you his name was Simon. Are you guys friends? I've never heard him talk about you."

"Oh? That's not surprising." He padded over to Clary and crouched down to her level. "It's not every day you can forget a face like this." He said with a lace of mockery in his voice. His sweet breath brushed against her cheek. "He was under oath." He murmured.

"I don't understand."

"That's not your fault either. They made you forget. You offered your power in truce to save the downworlders. But that is neither here or there." His head whipped to the door and he stood up as the door opened. "Food is here."

As cute as this guy is, he sure has a few loose screws. He was talking so softly I could hardly hear him.

"Jace!" screeched Isabelle. She paused for a second as she saw Clary, her eyes flicked towards her brother sending him a look before putting the food on the counter. Her tone changed from alarmed to joking somewhere between their silent conversation of eye contact and shifting of their body language. "I leave you alone for two seconds and poof, there's a girl here. Clary nonetheless. What are you doing here Clary? Is Simon here too?"She said the last part in a hopeful tone.

Clary shook her head "No, he said he was going to stop by later."

The dark hair guy she saw with Isabelle earlier walked in with more bags. He looked annoyed. Clary remembered why she was here and got up to move towards them. Clary stuck her hand out towards Alec. "Hi, I'm Clary."

He nodded his head and gave a look towards Jace, as if looking for permission, before he slowly turned back to Clary to shake her hand. "Alec."

"Do you have a girlfriend?" Clary blurted out. Trying to beat around the bush to see if Jace was telling the truth or not.

Alec looked uncomfortable as he put up his hands and shot Jace a 'This is all your fault' look.

Jace hopped around the counter and wrapped an arm around him as he said. "He's taken."

Clary blinked in confusion. Are they 'together together?' Then Alec batted Jace away before sliding out of the embrace. "By the angel, I'm going back to the institute."

Isabelle pouted. "Let Mom babysit for a while. Stay. I haven't seen you in two years." She pleaded. Mom? Clary looked and compared the two siblings. How did she not see it before? The dark hair, the jaw shape and the way the nose is sharp like a falcon. The only difference was Alec had frosty blue eyes when she had smothering brown ones. She felt her face heat up. She just up and embarrassed herself again. She should leave. The pressure against her chest was pinging at her.

Clary rubbed against the pinging before she glided out of the kitchen. The siblings were still arguing with each other, but the blonde was watching her every move. She casually threw out to him as she slipped away. "I have to go to work. It was nice to meet you, and I'm sorry about earlier." Clary gave him a quick smile as she quickly ducked away.