Alec Lightwood should, in the opinion of many, be more carful when it came to how he chose to occupy himself. Unlike many of those before him he took his role as school valedictorian somewhat unwillingly. He cared little for the benefits that came with the position: free meals from the cafeteria and an excellent talking point for job applications. Instead he was thrust into this role on request from his overbearing mother. Now, Maryse Lightwood did not ask for much from her children. That is to say, she expected results without asking, but when she had asked Alec to seize the title for her sake, he had little choice than to accept.
Unfortunately for Alec, who was solemn and self-contained, this meant a lot of unwanted attention. His sister Isabelle had the luxury of being the only daughter so her duties were simply presenting the Lightwood offspring as well-poised. This was done with little effort from his younger sibling who thrived on the attention from her adoring friends. It hardly surprised Alec that she was Head Girl and popular amongst the student body; she was beautiful, kind hearted and determined. In fact she encompassed all the traits that he himself wished he could possess. Instead he was uncomfortable with people and the need to please them. Alec was not unsociable though. He had many friends and people who appreciated his input into the schools daily life. It tiered him though.
Sometimes Alec dreamed of having a life like his free-lancing brother Jace. Jace had been adopted by Robert Lightwood, Alec's judas father. As he operated a large company in Europe, it was essential that he maintained a healthy image. By adopting the troubled child he gained some positive comments from the media. Having said this he had not considered how difficult Jace would be. It wasn't that he was necessarily bad but his lack of respect for authority was forever testing Maryse's patience. Jace tended to do what he wanted, when he wanted. A philosophy that in recent weeks had caused friction between the Lightwoods. Even so Alec envied his brother's ability to be free whilst he himself was playing puppet for his parents.
The Christmas break had just come to an end with school starting in a few days. Christmas had been placid and welcoming. His father had come home which kept his mother occupied (moreover away from Alec). Issy, himself and Jace had had a great time which, admittedly, surprised Alec. It's not that they didn't get along, they did very much so, yet they all tended to be too busy to spend time together. This year Alec sensed would be different.
The day back he awoke with anxiety pressing hard on his chest. Unlike the usual numbness he felt when anticipating something it had been replaced by a nervous twitch. After assembling himself into his customary pair of faded black jeans, he slung on his equally disheveled hoodie. Running his fingers through his rugged black hair, he sighed. This was as good as it would get, he thought bitterly to himself.
He then proceeded to the vast kitchen. The Lightwoods were know to be well off and there house reflected this fact. It had large decorated halls and dozens of elaborate rooms each stylised uniquely with elements of Maryse running through them all. He personally would've preferred a more modern twist to the décor yet who was he to speak his mind. He sighed again.
The room was illuminated by a small iron lamp just beyond the oversized table in the centre of the room. Over by the lamp was a fruit bowl which Alec took an apple from. He then walked to the shoe cupboard and pulled a pair of worn military boots out. Grabbing his bag, coat and car keys, he left for the Idris High.
Pulling up in the students parking lot Alec noticed Jace's car was already there. On the bonnet was Jace. On Jace was a fragile looking redhead. Grumbling about another mistake Alec parked next to the oversized Range Rover. He stepped out of his car walking toward the two.
"Hey guys, let's keep it PG, yeah?" His voice was stern but there was a hint of amusmant.
"Aww, Golden Boy never seen two people make out?" Jace quirked to the annoyance of Alec who flushed slightly. The girl who Alec had come to identify as Clary Morgenstern (a pretty girl from the year below) looked as embarrassed as Alec felt. She muttered something about getting to class. Alec just waited to speak whilst she hurried off.
"So…she seems, um, nice…" Jace was pulling a bag out of the back when he agreed with a slight nod. Alec shook his head. "Don't mess with her head, Jace. It's not fair on the poor girl." He looked taken aback.
"What are you on about? Look I like her ok, like really like her." Alec rolled his eyes heading towards the school. "That's it? You're not going to give me a lecture?"
"No Jace. Just don't be so impulsive with this girl. When you're impulsive things go wrong." With that Alec entered the main building leaving Jace to think about what he'd said.
It was surprisingly empty in the school corridors with most of the students already in class. Alec didn't have first period so he ambled his way to the sixth form common room. On his way he heard a moaning from the boys toilets. 'Great' Alec grumbled to himself. If someone was being sick he knew he'd have to help. Reluctantly he opened the door. He stood there in shock. In front of him was a boy sitting up on the side, not quite in the basin but close. Between his legs was another, frantically running his hands through Basin Boy's hair. Alec turned a bright shade of Crimson. The two were kissing sloppily and noisily with the occasional thrust of hips. Alec didn't know what to say or do so he just stood there gawking. The taller boy broke the kiss a few seconds later.
"I don't want to do this anymore." He stated simply. Basin Boy stared at him incredulously.
"But you started it…" Basin Boy was obviouslyhurt but the taller one just shrugged.
"Yeah but now I'm finishing it, Bill." He replied to the other who now looked mortified.
"Will…my name's Will…" The other just waved his hand nonchalantly "Fine then, I'll go! But I swear if you tell anyone I'll…I'll…" Evidently Will wasn't sure exactly what he would - or perhaps could – do.
"Darling, I have no intention of telling people about our little meeting. But I do think you should go now." The taller boy moved aside so that Will could get down. It was then that he noticed Alec standing pitifully in the doorway. The taller one with the dark spiked hair looked at Will. "What, what is it?" Looking toward the door way, his eyes met Alec's. They narrowed whilst Alec's own blue eyes widen in shock once more. Will was shaking his head.
"We weren't…we didn't" At a loss for words his expression resolved to pleading. Alec realised he should say something.
"You shouldn't be here." His voice was unintentionally cold.
"Nor should you." The taller one challenged coolly. They stared forcefully at each other neither backing down. Will nodded and whispered an apology before pushing past Alec and leaving the toilets. The taller one was not as quick to leave. Alec spoke first.
"You should leave too, before I report you." The other chuckled patronisingly.
"Are you going to make me, Blue Eyes?" Stepping closer to Alec his glare softened slightly.
"If I have to." Alec replied sternly.
"Well, then…I'm waiting." Alec looked flustered his cheeks reanimated with a scarlet tinge. He took another step closer to Alec.
"Get out!" The cat-eyed boy looked somehow impressed by Alec's sudden burst of anger.
"My, my, Blue Eyes has a temper."
"Don't call me that."
"What should I call you then?" His question seemed genuine but there was an undertone of arrogance. Alec was hesitant.
"Alec Lightwood"
"Well Alexander, my names Magnus. Nice to meet you." He extended a hand towards Alec who for some unbeknown reason felt scared. "You're supposed to shake it…" He went to take Alec's hand but he squirmed away from the contact.
"Don't touch me!" Magnus raised a questioning eyebrow but withdrew his hand.
"Why not?" He asked curiously.
"Because you…you're…a, well, you're sick." With that Magnus burst out laughing. Alec looked stunned.
"Why is that?" He managed through fits of giggles.
"You know why." Magnus stopped laughing. He examined Alec's face of disgust. Then he sighed.
"Ah, ok well this was fun, I'll see you around." Striding past Alec he winked then he too left the toilets.
Alec wan't sure what to do. For some reason he felt shaken up. Unlike when he'd seen Jace and the redhead kissing this got to him. He wasn't homophobic. It just so happened that his father was. He'd been brought up in a household which was far from accepting of these things. To come face to face with something like that was actually worrying Alec. Like watching those two was some unexplainable action that would make Alec gay too. Not that Alec was gay. No Alec was a Lightwood. He then thought about the guy. Not Basin Boy who seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time but Magnus. What sort of a name was Magnus anyway? Alec remembered his Golden-Green eyes challenging him. That boy was trouble. Alec avoided trouble.
