Okay, this has been something that has been bouncing around in my head for almost a year now and I decided, 'to hell with it!' and to just post it. Mortal Instruments is one of my favorite series ( third to only harry potter and eragon), and I guess I have to thank Riyu for finally giving me the push to buy it. ( I was lazy and I thought the covers were awesome!) Anyway, yes, my fav character in the series is Alec ( what can I say I like them shaggy dark-haired, with bright colored eyes ^_^ * Murtagh being the exception with the eye color* ) and I yes I know he's gay; but I thought I could use that for a interseting take on a oc fanfic.

Okay girls, be honest- how many of you had a crush on a gay guy friend and know it hopeless? Well, this is where Laurel comes in. I basicly wrote this to explore the thin and intertwining types of love, but the pain and grief everyone goes through trying to fit them into labeled boxes; like " sexual love", "brotherly love", " friendship love", "one-sided love"- I think that all of these overlap. The things I wanted to do with this have Alec, who we all know has his share of "love-hardships", try to figure out what he considers love. Or.. what ever.

Btw, I want to actually make this into a story, but as of right now this is just a little "test" I guess you could say. If you guys like this "prolouge" I'll gladly write more! Btw, i used the "In medias res" story telling technique for this story, which means this scene takes place in the middle of the story. * also know as "teaser/ attention-trap" by me and a few friends. Think of how FFX is played."

Disclaimer: I don't own Alec or mortal instruments ( well at least not THIS Alec, I do have a character in my own story called "Alec".. but that's beside the point). I do own Laurel though and share her Philly pride lol.

soundtrack :Iris- goo goo dolls ( this song owns my soul and was GREAT live!)

I suppose I think about love more than anyone really should. I am constantly amazed by its sheer power to alter and define our lives. It was Shakespeare who also said "love is blind". Now that is something I know to be true. For some quite inexplicably, love fades; for others love is simply lost. But then of course love can also be found, even if just for the night. And then, there's another kind of love: the cruelest kind. The one that almost kills its victims.

Its called unrequited love.

Of that I am an expert.

-Iris ( played by Kate Winslet)- The Holiday.

Alec's chucks slapped against the pavement as he tore down the street. A tiny part of his mind told him that maybe taking a car would have been a smarter idea, but then he remembered he lived New York City- the crowned kingdom of bumper to bumper traffic- and running on foot would still get him around faster.

' I could have taken one of the bikes.', but his mind was so focused on one thing at the moment that he didn't think, and right now thinking would have made him use time Alec was afraid he didn't have. He wished he was faster. Sure his enhanced- awesome shadow hunter skills made him quicker than a mundane, but right now he envied the vampires for their epic-super-human speed.

The dark sky above him rumbled , the dark grey clouds reflecting off the shinny glass windows of the sky scrappers that reached for the sky like jagged pillars. The air smelled heavy of rain, and was almost a physical manifestation of the storm that was starting to build in Alec.

'I'm not going to make it in time.' He thought desperately. 'Why.. why did she decide too..'

At the moment the clouds burst open and rain began to poor down like the memories of what just happened less than twenty minuets ago.

Alec stared at the empty room. His mind had gone blank, unable to process what he was seeing. It couldn't be real: he swore just hours ago the desk against one wall was covered in sketch books, gaming magazines, drawing stuff, cds, a laptop and a portable i-pod stereo that always had a cobalt blue ipod nano in it. The arched gothic bay windows had been ope , letting in the humid summer, the sheets of the bed had been crumpled up from being someone tossing and turning in their sleep, and the closet and drawers had clothes in them, and a messenger bag and a duffle bag had been at the foot of the bed.

He could have sworn just hours ago, the room was filled with music , and was warm and smelled like a rain kissed garden at twilight.

But now the bed was made , the clutter gone, and it as felt cold and empty as a tomb. It was like no one had been living in the room at all. The only thing that was different was the crystal angel sword the bow,and the hand-made bracelet with the white crystal flower charm laying on the table,.

Alec staggered against the doorway and the plastic bag he had been holding slipped from this limp fingers; spilling kit-kat bars,pockey and Japanese jello-shots arcoss the hardwood floor. He was numb.

"Alec?"

The young, handsome black haired turned his head and saw Clary standing there. She looked worried, her green eyes looked too big for her face and made her seem younger than she really was. "Where is she?" He asked, trying to keep his emotions in check and calm. He wasn't going to become emotional, he was going to keep his cool like always.

Clary looked at him apologetically, and for the first time since almost a year ago,Alec hated her again. She then said , point blank, "Laurel left, Alec."

As soon as Penn station came into view, Alec put on another burst of speed and practically flew down the stairs. He raced through the terminal, almost slipping a few times from the water that dripped from his clothes, as he headed to the Philadelphia platform.

He skidded to a halt when he reached it, and again was struck dumb when he saw Magnus leaning against the railing that led down to the platform. As always his boyfriend was dressed to the cyber-punk T ; neon, glittery and as aloof as ever. He looked at Alec and jerked his head in the direction of the stairs. " She called and asked me to bring her here. Go on."

Alec nodded and headed for the steps, his chucks slapping wetly against the marble as he took them down to the surprisingly empty platform. Usually the place would be packed. A speaker binged on over head and the computer sounding voice echoed around the diserted tracks ; " The amtrak line from New York to Washington will arriving at 5:45. All passengers please board at platform 3. The amtrak line from New York to Washington will arriving at 5:45. All passengers please board at platform 3..."

The only figure on the platform was sitting on a bench with a patch plastered messenger bag beside her and a red and white duffle back emblazon with a large "P" at her feet. She had long layered mouse brown hair that brushed her shoulders and was wearing jeans , a simple white and grey striped tank top, and classic blank and white chucks with red laces. She was looking quietly ahead at the mosaic covered wall of the tunnel, ' I made it.'

"Laurel!" He called out as bolted over to her.

The girl's head whipped up, but Alec didn't register the color drain from her face "Alec?". She stumbled to her feet just as Alec reached her and stared up at him with wide mis-matched eyes; the left one forest green and the right one ocean blue which her short side swept bangs fell into. Her gaze them swept over his dripping body and to the puddle that was starting to form around him. "You're wet!"

Alec ignored her , his chest huffing up and down as he tried to catch his breath, and bluntly asked. "Why?"

Laurel dropped her gaze to her feet and Alec hardly heard her. " I'm going back to philly. There's an institute there."

"What? But I thought you were going to let us teach you until the end of the summer! What happened? You begged your brother to let you stay – what changed Laurel? Is it Jace? He picks on everybody, that's just his way of showing you he likes you. " He half joked. He was confused, Laurel was a surprise no one had really expected. A random tourist who turned out to be another Clary, a child from a family of shadow hunters who ran away from their heritage and culture. What was more surprising was the way Alec quickly grew attached to her, it even surprised himself. Alec went from being annoyed that he had to be the one to train her, to now not even being able to picture the people he was cloest too with out her.

Laurel was as important to him as Izzy, Jace and even Magnus. 'She's become my best friend.' She had become what Simon was to Clary for him. "Why are you doing this?"

Laurel still didn't look at him. " Because I have to, Alec."

"Have too?" He repeated, shocked that he still sounded calm because on the inside he was beinging to panic. ' Throw her over you shoulder and drag her back! Tie her up! Heck, you're frickin descendent from an angel who is feared by tons of supernatural creatures and is dating one of the most powerful warlocks in the world! You can handle this! Do something ninja-ish! What was did that one ninja guy do in one of those comic books Clary got Mark addicted too..knock the girl out and leave her on a bench? Do that!.. just minus the bench part..'

But his inner self stopped screaming demands when Laurel finally looked at him and he realized something. " You look tired."

Laurel half laughed, "I am tired. I'm tried of lying to myself..lying to you."

Alec blinked. "What do you mean?" The younger girl looked at him sadly, and Alec could the see defeated look in her eyes; but it was the honorable type of defeat a noble lady would have. " We both know what you want is different than what I want, and ... either way, neither of us will be happy." Her eyes slid past him and steadily met the gaze of whoever was behind him. " I never stood a chance anyway." She laughed and gave a watery smile, and that was when Alec really did realized the reality of the situation.

Laurel really was like his "Simon", the best friend who was in love with someone who would never really return their feelings.

' The Amtrak line from New york to Washington has arrived. All passengers please borad at platform 3. The Amtrak line from New york to Washington has arrived. All passengers please borad atplatform 3. '

The station filled with an echoing thundering roll as the train screeched into the station. " I have to go." She slung on her messenger bag and picked up her duffle bag before smiling at them, but Alec knew it was fake. Her smile always made her eyes light up. " Well, time to go. Thanks for the ride, Magnus." She said honestly.

Magnus shrugged. " Not a problem, just remember to send me something form South Street and I'll consider my fee paid."

Before she could take a step, Alec reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. " Laurel." He begged. His control had broken, and now his desperation and fear was let loose.

He hated her steady gaze. Did she have to look like such an 'Old-soul'? But then he felt her shaking and realized that she had been controlling herself the entire time as well. Then she was looking at his hand, and the handwoven bracelet with the crystal laruel flower charm. She broke her gaze away from him.. "Don't." She said firmly. " Don't do this. It's not fair."

Then using a move he had taught her, Laurel twisted out of his hold and took a step back towards the train. " We both know I have to fall out of love with you, Alec. It be nice if you let me try."