A/N: Welcome readers. This story follows Alec and Magnus as they navigate the final year of high school. As a warning this story will at least reference abuse. If chapters include it I will place a trigger warning on the chapter and I may even place it where it begins or a mark. Thank you in advance for reading and don't forget to review.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Shadowhunters.
Magnus snuck downstairs early in the morning, careful to not make a sound. His stepfather waking up was not an option. Especially if he wanted a good day. He grabbed a bowl and his cereal, Honey Nut Cheerios. Magnus felt himself tremble at the sound of the cereal hitting the bowl. It wasn't unusual for his stepfather to wake up at the smallest of noises. In fear of other noises, he elected to eat it dry so that he didn't have the fridge door shutting or the clang of the spoon to worry about.
After he ate Magnus rinsed his bowl setting it softly in the dishwasher. Looking at the time he was relieved to see that he wouldn't have to wait very long for the bus if he went now. He grabbed his backpack and made for the door. As he turned the corner to slip his shoes on, he didn't clear the hallway enough to avoid his backpack hitting the wall with a thud. Wincing he stuffed his feet in the shoes and left as he heard a door open upstairs. He ran for the bus stop regretting not grabbing his jacket as he felt the crisp air hit his arms. Luckily, his arms were clear of bruises.
He waited about fifteen minutes for the bus and climbed on, smiling at the bus driver. "Morning, Dot. How are you this morning?" He sat in the seat behind her.
"Good. How about yourself?" she asked, reaching up to shut the doors. She paused for a moment and then looked back at Magnus. "Good morning, Ruben, is everything alright?"
Magnus's body stiffened as his stepfather stepped up on the bus. He plastered a smile on his face to hide the malice as he shook his head and looked at his stepson. "No, Magsy here was in such a hurry, he forgot his lunch." He held up a paper bag and then handed it to Magnus. "Sorry for holding you up."
"It's no problem. He was early so we still have plenty of time. Thank you for bringing it out to him," she said, a strained smile on her face.
"Thanks," Magnus mumbled as his father nodded and left the bus. When the bus started moving he looked in the bag. Inside was whatever garbage was laying on the counter and a note, which read:
Don't be late getting home tonight. We have things to talk about.
He swallowed and stuffed the note back in the bag. He looked out the window wondering where Ruben thought he would go. It wasn't like he hung out with anyone after school...He looked to the front and saw Dot looking at him.
"Everything alright?" she asked, with a slight tilt of her head. When he nodded she said, "If you want to leave that bag on the bus, I'll get rid of it for you."
"Thank you, Dot," Magnus said. He opened his backpack and pulled out his current read, The Fall of Arthur by J.R.R. Tolkien. He opened it and leaned against the cool metal under the window. The rest of the ride was uneventful and they pulled into the school with a half an hour before classes start. Magnus waited for everyone to leave the bus before getting up himself.
"Magnus…" Dot called. He turned to her and she smiled gently. "You know I have an extra room if you'd like it."
Magnus's eyes widened and he pulled back. "I...I'm f-fine." He took a step to the door. "I have to go do some work...sorry…"
Her eyes were pained. "It's alright, Magnus. Just know that the offer is always open." She watched him leave and then drove back to the bus garage.
Magnus walked in the doors and looked up to find a crowd by the main office. He frowned and walked up to the red head near the back. "What's going on, Clary?" He tried to look over some of the students, but there were too many.
She hummed next to him, clearly enjoying knowing something he didn't, for once. "New students. They just showed up. Everyone wants to be their guide. To be honest, I wouldn't mind showing the blond one around…"
"How many new students are we talking about?" Magnus tilted his head, feeling the buzz growing inside him.
"Three. Two boys and one girl. Two look like true siblings. The other looks adopted. Though there's nothing wrong with that," she said, standing on her tiptoes.
"I'm going to get to walk the girl around. I'll be popular for a day," Clary's nerdy friend said with a smile.
Clary laughed. "I wish you luck on that, Simon." She patted his arm and looked at the office door. "Guys, shh the principal is coming out."
The door opened and the mob of students stepped back. Principal Fell, or Ragnor Fell, as he liked to be thought of as a friend, stepped out and smiled at everyone. "Good morning everyone. I'm glad everyone has interest in our new students. I'm sure you are all curious who all has the job of guides." He paused adding to the suspense. "The three I have chosen are Simon, Clary, and Magnus. Come on into the office so you can meet your shadows."
The chosen three pushed their way through. The office door was shut behind them and they came face to face with three students. Two were dark haired, the boy was tall and lanky and Magnus felt something in his chest. The girl while still tall was half a head shorter than her brother, she was beautiful as well. The blond boy was slightly shorter than the boy and seemed full of himself with his stance.
"I'd like you to meet Alexander and Isabelle Lightwood, and Jace Wayland," Ragnar said. "And these are your guides, Simon Lewis, Clary Fray, and Magnus Bane. I'll let you all decide on who goes with who." He turned and went to his desk and the students stepped out in the hall where it was buzzing.
Clary looked at Jace. "Want to follow me around?" She shifted her weight to one foot popping her other hip.
"You know it," he smiled and then turned to the other two. "Have fun figuring this one out."
Isabelle looked between Magnus and Simon, "Big brother, who do you want to shadow?" She twisted the silver snake bracelet on her wrist.
Alexander smiled, "I think I'd have a more interesting day with him." He nodded toward Magnus. He walked over to the shorter teenager. "Have fun, Izzy." He then looked at Magnus and seemed to take a moment to speak. "Magnus was it? How about you show me what this school is like?"
A/N: Well there's the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Please let me know what you think. I will be trying to update at least once a week, if school permits.