Tessa Gray read a lot, so of course she had some idea of what London would be like. But she really didn't know much other than the basics everyone knew about like Big Ben, The London Eye, and the Queen of England.

Her father Richard Gray was a lawyer. One of those intense, strict ones. The thing was, he was good at his job. Won every case. So their family had money, and lots of it. While that was a good thing, her father succumbed to his own little wealthy paradise. But he had a good reputation, and his success was making himself known to the country. Again, good.

So what was the bad thing?

Richard Gray easily became an impulsive, indolent, snob. He'd made a name for himself. So of course, just to prove how wealthy and how much power he has, he made his daughter transfer to a brand new school for rich parents' children in London, England.

And to be honest, Tessa was a bit upset.

How could he have sent his only daughter to a whole new country? And he gave no second thought about it. He literally just said: "Tessa, you're going to school in London. Oh, and can you go get the mail?"

She has a life in New York. She has friends. She likes her school. And he thinks he can just take all that away from her? Tessa knew he was only doing that because "he can and wanted to prove everyone of his power," according to Nate. And it was totally unfair.

It wasn't easy for her, though. No one said it would be. Tessa, Clary, and Izzy—her best friends—they had all grown up together. They've been in the same classes since kindergarten, going on play-dates, was always in the same group for class projects, to growing up and facing life together. All those years, down the drain.

Tessa would even miss Jace, Alec and Simon. She would surely miss their humor. She could see herself, sitting alone in a library, clutching a book to her chest, smiling faintly at some of the old jokes they used to tell, reminiscing of the books Jace and her occasionally talked about and let each other borrow.

She didn't even know what London was like apart from reading novels about the place and some British shows. She thought she could maybe have her own little studio there in New York where she could write tales of fantasy, romance, drama. She still could, but she wanted to achieve her dreams in New York, not London.

But Tessa was being just a little bit dramatic. It wasn't like she'd be there forever. It was only for the school year. And maybe, things wouldn't be that bad. After some explaining from her mom (not her dad, he was too busy doing nothing), she knew his intentions were somewhat good, but it was selfish, and she would not ignore that.

Tessa sighed. It was London, for crying out loud! Nearly every person dreams of going there. And for a year! Who wouldn't want to go, when given the chance? But Tessa was too stubborn for her own good, and wouldn't let herself be excited because she'd only be giving in to her father's stupid idea. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Her cell phone lying on the ground had begun to ring, and Tessa leaped across the room to grab it. She glanced at the Caller ID, and allowed herself a smile. She didn't have to look, though. Clary had changed her and Izzy's ringtone a long time ago to The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides theme. So she wasn't surprised to see Isabelle Lightwood's stunning face on her screen.

She hit answer, and was greeted by a loud, "TESSA GRAY, YOU ARE NOT IGNORING US, ARE YOU?"

She blinked once, and then stood up, leaning against the side of her bed. "What?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Izzy replied, "Clary and I have been texting and calling you for the past hour. Are you ignoring us?" There was a hint of suspicion in her tone, and Tessa bit down hard on her lip.

She'd have to explain to them now. But she didn't want to do it over the phone. This was something that would be done in person.

So instantly, Tessa said, "Meet me at the Java Jones in twenty. Bring Clary."

This obviously startled her. "Wha—?" But before Isabelle could complete her sentence, Tessa hung up. She threw herself on her bed and buried her face into her worn out, light green on the verge of gray pillow, groaning very loudly into it.

Why did this have to happen to her?

—

Tessa leaned back in their usual dark red booth, tapping her fingers almost impatiently against the round wooden table. Normally Java Jones was a place she was comfortable with, with its warm-colored walls and enticing smell of coffee beans. And now it just made her uneasy, knowing this would be one of her last visits here.

This was the last week of her vacation, so by the time she would get there, school would just be starting. She didn't have much time to pack and say bye to everyone, which really sucked.

With a sigh, Tessa began running through her head what she would say to her friends. She had to prepare herself for the pain. It was already there, but it'd be so much worse by the time they got there.

Five minutes later, she saw Isabelle's long black hair through the window bounce against her back as she strutted in the coffee shop, and when she stepped through the door, Isabelle's face could barely conceal her worry.

Isabelle was always tough, and always masked her features well enough so people couldn't read her emotions. Not as well as Jace, her adopted brother, but that was a entirely different subject. Yet she always allowed her best friends to see. She had every right to be worried, or anxious. Tessa had to admit that her voice was a little shaky over the phone.

"Tessa, are you okay?" she asked, pushing her dark hair over her left shoulder. Every girl who knew Isabelle Lightwood was at least a little bit jealous. She was tall and had a well-built body; she was very strong and trained with Jace and her brother Alec. Not to mention the graceful air she always walked with. Also, she was incredibly gorgeous with her long inky hair, mysterious and intriguing charcoal eyes that if you looked really closely, were dark brown that could either be warm or intense and cruel. She had it all, and boys were always after her. Though she didn't really want a relationship, but Tessa had noticed that she and Simon Lewis were getting pretty close.

"Of course." But the words were thick and choked. She wanted to avoid this conversation for a bit. Wait until Clary got there. So to just momentarily distract her, she asked, "Do you want a coffee?"

Isabelle put her hands on her hips and gave her a pointed look, knowing she was hiding something. Tessa felt a twinge of despair. But she exhaled sharply and just nodded just slightly with a muttered, "Sure, whatever."

Tessa went over to the barista and ordered after waiting in the short line a mocha for Izzy, black coffee for Clary, and nothing for herself. She wasn't really a coffee person, but enjoyed going to Java Jones for their other items. Though it was mainly just a hangout place for her and her friends.

By the time Tessa had returned to their booth, Clary had entered, her fiery-red hair vibrant against the warm colors of the room and emerald eyes taking in the place, before seating herself next to Tessa with a smile. She shrugged her bag off her arm. "Hey, guys," she said, but then her smile faltered as soon as she saw their expressions. "What's up?"

Avoiding their gazes, Tessa pushed their coffees toward them, and Clary took it with her hands and brought it up to her lips. "I need to tell you guys something."

"No kidding," Isabelle murmured against the edge of her coffee cup, before taking a small sip of the mocha.

Tessa couldn't even bring herself to send her a glare. She didn't want to do this, but she had to, and it made her even more angry at her father. "My dad's making me move to London for the year and attend school there." And there. It had been said, and a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. Only she wasn't relieved at all. It was like the weight was a bomb and it just went off and exploded.

Clary's cup fell out of her hands, nearly spilling the contents, and Isabelle choked on her mocha, coughing violently. Tessa's eyes widened, and she felt a sharp pang in her chest.

She absolutely loathed her father for this. How could he do such a thing? Ripping her away from her best friends and home wasn't such a great way of showing fatherly love.

She just wanted to crawl into a dark hole and die. She didn't want to move away from Isabelle, Clary, and everyone else.

And they were both staring at her in absolute astonishment. Clary spoke up first. Her voice was strong but somehow weak at the same time. "You're really moving away?"

Tessa nodded a barely imperceptible nod. "Yeah," she said bitterly. "I really am."

Isabelle smiled, but it was obviously forced. "I'm happy for you. This is a once-in-lifetime thing."

Tessa was glad she was trying to show some cheerfulness, but she still was a little upset.

"I can't believe your dad's making you do this, though," Clary sighed with a roll of her eyes. "And against your own will. Not," she added hastily, "that I'm unhappy for you."

She tried to smile, but could barely muster one after seeing the heartbreaking expressions on their faces they were trying so hard to conceal.

For the rest of the day, they spent as much time together as possible, and when they went home, Isabelle and Clary helped her pack some things. Tessa felt like she didn't need to bring much, so she settled for clothes, shoes, her pillow, and comforter. Of course she brought in a small bag some things that her friends, Nate, and her mother got her. It total, it was about four suitcases. Isabelle kept telling her she should've packed more clothes, but Tessa claimed she was sure to go shopping while she was there.

"I don't understand why your books need to be in a separate suitcase, though," said Clary, picking up Jane Eyre with an odd look.

Tessa snatched it back from her. "It's because they're special and deserve their own bag." Clary rolled her eyes, but stayed quiet.

Isabelle held up an old leather-bound notebook and waved it in the air. "What about this?"

Tessa gasped, and grasped it, holding it tightly against her chest. It was a present her father had given to her many years ago before he became snobbish. She never knew what to write in it, but a few years ago she began writing her most personal thoughts and never let anyone see what's inside. The book held all her secrets and more. Everything about her. Stuff that even Clary and Izzy didn't even know about.

"Yeah, sorry," she mumbled and carefully placed it in her small bag. After that, she said, "Okay, well. I think we're done here."

They nodded and went downstairs, talking about everything and absolutely nothing at the same time. It was just what they did, and was the last time they did it.

—

Do I have to move away? Tessa kept asking herself until she reached the airport.

All of her friends were there to say good-bye, as well as her mom. He was there, alright. But instead of saying bye, he was getting a sandwich. A sandwich. How typical of him. But apparently, she was stuck with him for most of the time. He'd be the one she'd wait with until they would call her flight.

Simon, Jace, Clary, Izzy, and Alec were all there, hugging, teasing, until they stepped aside for her mother, Elizabeth Gray. She reached for the clasp of her pendant—a ticking clockwork angel—and gently handed it to Tessa, who gaped at her.

Elizabeth smiled gently. "I want you to have this, Theresa."

"B-but, it's yours!" she sputtered lamely. "It's always been yours, I can't take it."

Her mom was pleading with her now. "Please, sweetie. I want you to have this reminder of home."

Well. It was just a year, and she would see her over the holidays, but nevertheless, Tessa reached out with a shaking hand and took the clockwork angel, wrapping it around her neck and clasping it. The ticking thrummed against her chest as if its wings were flapping. It felt foreign around her neck. She was acutely aware of it on her, but she managed a smile. "Thanks, Mom." They hugged for just a good thirty seconds, before Simon coughed somewhat awkwardly (and rather loudly), and they pulled apart.

Before she knew it, her father's hands suddenly were on her shoulders and had just return from the sandwich shop. "I think we should start leaving now, Theresa."

Isabelle made a whimpered noise into Alec's chest.

"Email, call, text..." Clary chimed in, and Tessa nodded. They all waved at her as she was about to turn and walk away. And then, she did. She and her father went to take a seat in those chairs to wait for her flight to be announced. She refused to speak to him, and he apparently noticed.

"Listen," he paused, "Tessa." She wanted to smile a bit at the use of the nickname she wanted to be called by. He was trying; she knew that; still, she was a little angry at him. "I know this whole moving thing has been tough on you. I know that you had to leave some of your friends. But you'll make new friends. That's what really matters. I mean, you can't be friends with the same people forever, can you?"

Yes, Tessa thought, but she didn't say it.

Richard Gray stared at her, and as if reading her thoughts, he said, "Just try. Can you at least try to make new friends? For me?"

Ah. The 'for me' card.

Tessa, though, was unsure. She didn't want to make new friends. She'd rather wander the earth alone than not have Clary, Izzy, Simon, Jace, Alec and everyone else. But as much as she didn't want to, she didn't want to disappoint her father despite the situation he was putting her in.

"I'll try," Tessa said simply.

He gave her a strained smile. "Thank you, Theresa." She did one of those slow, awkward nods with her mouth set into a line.

They didn't really talk much after that. The PA called her flight and Tessa stood up, muttering a quick goodbye, and then left him. She reached for her ticket and fumbled with it in her hands, pulling her suitcases with her name tags on them with her.

After going through security and trying not to look like a murderer or something, all leading up to where she boarded the plane with only her small bag with her journal. Sometimes she wrote letters that were addressed to her brother, but she never sent them. She quickly wrote down her experience and then put the journal away, and later began rereading an eBook. After a long while, though, she fell asleep on the plane, only to be woken by the pilot telling them that they had arrived.

She couldn't believe it. This was real and actually happening. Tessa was actually going to live in a brand new country all by herself.

A/N: I should really stop posting new stories when I already have others to update (which I'm writing, for those of you who read my fics!) Anyway, was that boring? Because I certainly hope not. Things will definitely get more exciting in the next chapter since this was just an introduction. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Drop a review for the next! Also favorite, follow... All that good stuff.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Infernal Devices, The Mortal Instruments (not that it'll be mentioned much), or anything else mentioned in this story.