Will's POV

I heard the bell ring, alerting us all in the Institute that it was breakfast time. I didn't go down right away though, like I usually do. This time, I lay in my bed, staring up at my ceiling, wondering what the heck to do with my life.

I was in love with Tessa Gray -so was my parabatai, Jem. Neither he nor she knew of my feelings. Nobody knew actually. In fact, everybody probably thought I hated them all, except for Jem.

"Will, come down for breakfast." My parabatai called from outside my bedroom door. I sighed.

"I'm coming, Jem. I'll meet you all downstairs."

"Can I come in?"

"Of course, Jem."

I watched as my soul-brother slowly entered the room. I sat up in my bed as Jem made his way over to me. He sat on the edge of my bed and looked at me for a few moments, concerned.

"Will, are you alright?" he asked me.

"Yes Jem, I'm alright."

Jem steeled his gaze and looked me directly in the eye. He was gazing at me with such intensity that I wanted to look away; but I didn't.

"William Herondale. You are my parabatai, a part of my soul, more than a brother to me, and you expect me to believe such a lie? Look me in the eyes and tell me you're alright."

I took a deep breath and let myself go cold. I tried to pretend I was looking into the eyes of an enemy or of anybody that was not James Carstairs and willed the words to come out. Just as I opened my mouth, my gaze and audacity faltered. I hesitated and flicked my gaze over to the space between his eyes.

"I am perfectly fine, James."

Immediately he caught my lie. "Those weren't my eyes, William. Wanna try again or would you prefer to tell me what's wrong?"

I sighed and fell back on my bed. "Jem… I'm just a bit tired is all. After everything that happened last night with the Lightwoods, Mortmain escaping again, and everything… I don't know. I don't feel up for very much."

That was true, though it obviously wasn't the only reason why I was feeling troubled. But of course, I would never be able to tell anybody of what I felt for Tessa, especially Jem.

"Yeah, I get it. I've been feeling pretty worn out and drained by all this chaos with Mortmain. But we've got to keep Tessa safe."

"I never said we didn't."

James smiled at me slightly then and nodded. He looked stronger than he had a few days ago. The yin fen was still killing him, but still keeping him alive. It was a terrible, twisted irony but it was what it was.

I reached out a pushed away a stray silver hair from my best friend's face. Just then, Charlotte's voice rang up the stairs.

"Jem, Will! Are you ever going to come down for breakfast? It's getting cold and Sophie rang the bell fifteen minutes ago! Do I have to come up there and get you?"

Jem and I both looked startled and he called down, "We're coming, Charlotte!" before turning back to me. "Well, if you're sure that's all that's on your mind, then we'd better get down to breakfast. Charlotte may be small, but she's strong, fast, and will probably whoop our butts if we let breakfast get any colder."

Jem stood up and held out a hand and I took it. I smiled as he helped me off my bed and said, "Yeah, best make haste. I really don't want Henry or Charlotte lighting up my tail for making them wait to eat."

We both laughed as we made our way downstairs and into the dining room, where everyone was already seated. All eyes turned to us as we entered and the withering glare Henry and Charlotte were giving us wiped the smiles clean off our faces.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, boys." Charlotte said sarcastically but not unkindly. Jem gave her an apologetic glance and she softened her gaze. "Sit down and eat before your breakfast gets any colder. I'm sure Bridget would not appreciate that."

I nodded and took my seat on Tessa's left as James sat on her right. "Our apologies, Charlotte."

Charlotte sighed and smiled slightly. "It's alright, Will. Just go ahead and eat up."

I nodded and began to wolf down my food until I noticed the disgusted glare Jessamine was sending my way.

"What?" I asked her, my mouth full of food. Her scowl deepened as she answered me.

"First you show up late and now you're scarfing all the food down like some savage beast! And not even looking Charlotte in the eye when you apologize! Such great disrespect! I don't expect much of you, Will Herondale, but you have gone below even the lowest of standards that I've held for you."

Everyone stared back at Jessamine and waited for my reaction. I swallowed the food I had been chewing and narrowed my eyes at her. Henry sensed a battle about to begin and looked up from his newspaper.

"Come now, don't you two start. Jessamine, Will and Jem already apologized for being late and they were forgiven. While Will should be monitoring in the fashion that he eats, especially when ladies are present," a pointed glance at me, "you do not need to call him out with such disrespect."

Jessamine scoffed and glared at Henry before turning back to me. "You know what, Will? I don't care, you may do as you please. But I will not remain here to watch you as you act like an animal instead of the gentleman you are supposed to be."

"Is that a promise? I could escort you out the door if you would like." I retorted, already standing up.

"Will!" Tessa and Jem both hissed at me. I did my best to ignore them as Jessamine grumbled.

"Unbelievable the nerve of this boy! Charlotte, Henry, how do you two possibly stand him living in your Institute! And Jem, I feel the most sorry for you, seeing as you are his parabatai -I can't even imagine what he must have offered you for that."

At that, Jem stood up and addressed Jessamine with patience that only Jem could possibly have. "He offered me nothing but his soul, love, and life Jessie. I asked Will to be my parabatai all those years ago and I have never regretted it. Do not feel pity that you have no business feeling, pity that should not even exist. And both of you would do good to mind your tongue before you cause problems for yourself, not only here but anywhere else in the world. Especially you Jessamine, since you seem so keen on leaving."

Just as Jessamine was about to respond to that, Henry, the most gentle person after Jem, spoke up again. "You know Jessie, Jem is right; if you were wise you would hold your tongue or it will lead to nothing but trouble for you and Will."

At the mention of my name, my smug smile fell off. "What do you mean 'for you and Will'? Why would I get in trouble?" I demanded haughtily.

This time it was Charlotte to answer. "Because Will, when she baits you, you take it and vice versa. You two must learn to get along or at least pretend to tolerate each other. You're practically family, for goodness sakes!"

"I am no family of a thing like that." I said. "Not by blood nor by relation." I halted my speech when I felt something cold and liquidy drip down on my head and shimmy down my back.

Tessa gasped and pushed away from the table and Sophie came rushing forward to clean up the mess Jessamine had just created by pouring juice all over me.

I looked over at Jessie looking all smug and angry and launched a piece of buttered bread at her. It fell right on her neck, leaving a buttery splotch as the bread slid down her dress, effectively ruining it. "My dress!" She exclaimed in outrage, reaching for another food item. I was doing the same but I felt my arm being caught before I could launch anything back.

"Jem -" I turned, expecting to see James holding my arm back but was cut short when I noticed instead it was Henry.

"William Herondale and Jessamine Lovelace!" His usually pacifistic and soft voice boomed. I had to fight back a flinch and noticed that Jessamine looked a bit startled as well. Jem and Tessa were helping Sophie clean the floor, despite the maid's protests and Charlotte was shaking her head, looking as if she were going to cry. "I cannot believe you two! I know you both know better than this insolent behavior! Sophie, James, Tessa get up off the floor; Jessamine and Will are going to clean this up."

Before another breath could be taken, Jessamine screeched, "I certainly will not! That is Sophie's job as our maid! I am a lady of this Institute and should not have to clean up this filth!" She crossed her arms and scowled but Henry did not flinch. He let go of my arm and said in a deadly quiet and calm voice, "Jessie. You and Will made this mess and so you will have to clean it up. It is only fair." His tone, though appearing gentle, left no room for argument and Jessamine begrudgingly agreed.

I looked back at Henry before bending down to pick up the bread and silverware from the floor, but was hauled back up. "I am not finished talking, Will." Henry stated and I mumbled an apology. I had not ever seen Henry this way. Sure, I've gotten in trouble with him and Charlotte plenty of times, but I'm pretty sure Jessie and I pushed it this time.

"After you two clean this mess up, you will apologize to everybody -Jem, Tessa, Charlotte, Sophie, Bridget, and myself -and then most importantly to each other, and you will mean it! Then, you will be excused and I expect you both to wait in your rooms. I will be coming up to speak with each of you separately in your chambers. You are not allowed to do anything but what I have said. Are we clear?"

For a moment, all Jessie and I did was stare at him. After a rather forceful clearing of Jem's throat did we both say to Henry that we understood and would do as he told us.

"Good." He replied. "If anyone is still hungry, they can go politely ask Bridget for something, but if not, then you may go and do as you please." Henry turned back to his wife. "Come on Lottie." He held out his arm and Charlotte took it before both of them turned and walked out of the dining room.

Sophie shook her head, disappointed. I knew she did not like me very much and she barely tolerated Jessamine, but still feeling her disappointment hurt just a little bit. Sophie was more than just a servant; she was family.

I refused to meet Jem or Tessa's gaze, for fear that I might find disappointment in their eyes too. That I really wouldn't be able to handle, having my parabatai and the love of my life dissatisfied with my display.

I felt a hand at my shoulder and I looked to see who it was. When I saw it was Jem, I felt the utmost remorse for my behavior but he merely smiled slightly at me. He gave Jessie the same smile before saying, "I told you both this would lead to nothing but trouble. You both know we all love you and you love us all, including each other whether you want to believe it or not."

"Yes, I agree with Jem. You are all family here, not my blood but by something much stronger than that. You are bound not just because you are all Shadowhunters living in the same Institute. You are bound by love and that is what makes you family. I think it's about time you two started acting like one." Tessa said, her wise words blending in with Jem's before they both took off with sad shakes of their heads.

I looked over to Jessamine and noticed she would not meet my gaze. I did not want to give in and be the first to apologize, but Jessamine is too much like myself; if I don't say it first, neither of us ever will.

Just as I was about to, however, Jessamine stomped off to get the broom and dustpan. She handed the dustpan to me. "Here, hold this while I sweep."

I let the apology die on my lips as I held the dustpan with one hand, and began cleaning up with my other hand.

I sure hoped Henry wouldn't stay angry at us for very long. While I tried my hardest to never show it, I loved Henry and Charlotte dearly. As if they were my own parents.

I felt a twang of pain in my heart as I thought of my real parents but I quickly pushed the thought out of my head. Too late to be having regrets, nearly six years later.

I cleaned with Jessamine in silence and after delivering all the apologies due, with the exception of Henry since we would be seeing him soon anyways, we made our way up to our rooms.

I flopped down onto my bed and thought with dismay of what Henry probably had in mind for when he came up here. It wouldn't have been my first time receiving a spanking but I could never explain the nervous butterflies in my stomach before I got one. And I expected that's what Henry intended to do.

I sighed and lay staring up at my ceiling once again, awaiting for Henry to come so I could accept my fate.