Enjoy xx
"Oh, it's so beautiful!"
Clary stood in front of the tall, iron gates of Abbotsleigh Royal Grammar School staring through the gaps and into the grounds. Past the cobblestone driveway with green mown lawns on each side was the main building, labeled 'Learning Centre and Chisolm Library' in large letters above the main entrance. It was at least four stories high and made of red brick.
"That's one word to describe it," Clary muttered in reply to Jocelyn's exclamation.
"I think 'terrifying' and 'intimidating' are a better fit," Simon Lewis, Clary's best friend offered as he hauled his friend's luggage out of her mother's trunk and dropped them next to Clary.
Clary laughed as she studied the students that were moving around the lawn and in and out of the building. They were all dressed in their red and navy striped blazers, girls in their matching navy skirts and boys in their grey trousers. Not a hair was out of place and they all walked with their heads up, an air of confidence surrounding each one of them. Clary felt so out of place in her ripped jeans and t-shirt, but she was meant to pick up her uniform from the office when she arrived.
"Everyone's so perfect," Clary noted in astonishment.
"Yeah, you're right," Simon agreed. "You're definitely not going to fit in here. Maybe you should just save yourself the misery and come home now. I'm pretty sure I still have our Halo game on pause."
His best friend grinned and jumped up on to her tiptoes to ruffle his hair. "Come on, you dork. Help me get my bags."
"Don't worry, I've got them," Jocelyn waved them away as she tried to pick up Clary's two suitcases and backpack.
Clary winced and took a deep breath. "Mom, maybe you should just stay here. Simon can help me get settled in."
Her mother frowned. "Don't worry darling, I'm happy to help."
"I know you are," Clary smiled sympathetically, "but I doubt any of the other students here have their parents following them around on their first day. It's embarrassing."
If Jocelyn was offended, she didn't let it show.
"Don't worry, Mrs Fray, I'll make sure Clary gets to her room safely," Simon assured her.
"That's very kind of you Simon, but I think I should be there to see Luke. After all, he's the one who got you the art scholarship, and I haven't seen him in so long," Jocelyn said.
Clary groaned. "Seriously Mom, don't make me look a bigger outsider than I already am," she gestured down to her ripped jeans and t-shirt. She seriously wished that she'd arranged to get her uniforms shipped to her instead of agreeing to pick them up when she arrived.
Jocelyn looked at her unsurely, eyeing her as if she would run away like a five year old if she lost sight of her. "Well, if you're sure… And if you promise to stay with Simon until you've unpacked and collected your uniform and schedule."
Relief flooded through Clary and she flung her arms around her mother's neck. "I am, I promise, thank you. I'll call you when tonight," she mumbled into her shoulder. As embarrassing as it would be for Jocelyn to come into the school with her, a part of Clary really wished she didn't have to let go. The art scholarship that Jocelyn had arranged with the headmaster and old friend, Luke Garroway, was an amazing opportunity for Clary. She would get to have a free education at the most prestigious private school in the country, but it didn't come without a metaphorical price; leaving her mom and Simon behind.
She could feel Jocelyn sobbing into her shoulder and let go, turning away and helping Simon pick up her own bags so that she wouldn't start crying too. They reached the door to the side of the gate, turning to wave to Jocelyn before entering.
Clary pulled the school map out of her pocket and scanned the sheet for the administration office location. "Okay, so it should be to the right…" Clary looked up from the map and found a smaller but just as grand building to the right of the learning center. "Found it," she announced.
Simon followed her line of vision and turned towards the office, heaving one of her suitcases with both hands. "Jesus Christ Clary, what did you put in this? Solid gold?"
Clary snorted as she carried her other suitcase in one hand with ease. I'm probably the only one at this school who's not carrying solid gold in their luggage, she thought. "You really need to work out, Si. It's sad that I'm half your size and stronger than you."
"You probably have the lighter bag," Simon grumbled.
The girl looked around at her peers as they got closer to the administration office and found at least three quarters of them studying her curiously. It wasn't exactly in a rude manner, but there was definitely question in their eyes. Clary didn't doubt they were judging her on the inside.
"Maybe I should enroll," Simon suggested. "There's definitely no shortage on smoking hot girls here," he said as his eyes scanned the groups of girls looking in their direction. "I bet they're all checking me out as we speak."
Clary grinned and rolled her eyes, pushing him through the door. "Just get inside."
The inside of the administrations office was like the foyer of a five star hotel. It had detailed designs in the pillars and the floor was white marble, with statues scattered in various places around the room and a water fountain in the middle.
Simon let out a low whistle. "This place probably costs more than my entire house does."
Clary nodded in agreement as she made her way to the front desk. A woman, probably only in her early twenties, sat typing on her laptop on the other side of the desk and looked up in surprise as she noticed Clary. "Can I help you with something?" she asked.
"I'm a new student, I was told to come here to meet Lu – I mean, Mr Garroway, and collect my uniform."
The older girl scrutinized Clary with a raised eyebrow, scanning her eyes up and down. "You are a student here?"
"Yes," Clary said slowly.
A sigh. "Name?"
"Clarissa Fray."
"Oh," the woman said in understanding. "You're the scholarship student. Got it."
Clary turned to Simon with a disgusted look on her face, but he lifted a shoulder as if to say, 'what did you expect?'
"Oh, here you are. Okay, so you're boarding at Alderwick House. That's across the other side of the campus with the rest of the girls' dorms. Here's your schedule…" she handed Clary a laminated piece of paper. "And here's your uniform."
Clary glanced at Simon and then inclined her head towards the large paper bag that her clothing had been put into.
Simon looked from her to the bag and then back to the suitcase he was carrying. "Oh no. No way. You can carry your own stupid uniform."
"I'm already carrying my suitcase and backpack. If you want me to come home from Thanksgiving, you'll carry it," Clary ordered, grinning at her victory as he grudgingly took the bag from the woman.
"Now, Headmaster Garroway should be here any – "
"Clary! Is that you?" came a loud voice from the stairs at the other end of the room. Luke Garroway came striding towards her, collecting her in a warm hug and lifting her up before realizing he probably shouldn't be touching one of his students and setting her back down.
"Hey Uncle Luke," she beamed up at the familiar man.
Luke cringed. "Don't call me that, it makes me feel old."
"Well, you are forty thr – "
"How about a tour?" Luke interrupted before Clary could finish. "Come on Simon, you can come too. Maybe it'll convince you to enroll as well."
Simon forced a smile. "Maybe," he said, shaking his head desperately at Clary when Luke turned his back.
"Behave," Clary mouthed to him before spinning on her heels and following Luke out onto the lawn again.
"So this is the quad," Luke spread his hands. "Only seniors are allowed on here, so make sure to stick to the paths around it. As you can probably tell, that block is the learning center and one of our three libraries. That's where all our classes and indoor clubs are held. Now, to our right are the boys' dormitories."
Clary looked behind the administration office to three different buildings, all varying in colour and look, but all obviously very grand and expensive. Dozens of boys were entering and exiting the buildings, greeting friends and playing football on the fields in front. Not one of them, Clary noticed, carried their own bags. She saw people who looked like drivers or butlers bringing in the students' luggage for them.
"If you follow the path behind the – " Luke was cut off as someone ran into his side trying to catch a ball. He was momently caught off balance but adjusted himself quickly, pulling his jacket down and glowering at the boy who had just pushed him. The boy with shaggy blonde hair and golden eyes. He was missing his blazer and his white collared shirt was unbuttoned a couple more than every other boy on the campus. His tie hung loosely around his neck. Somehow, he managed to pull of the look rather well.
"I'm so sorry Headmaster," the boy apologized. "I didn't see you there."
"Obviously not," Luke growled.
The boy looked from him to Clary and his mouth turned into a lopsided grin. "Hello. Who are you?" he said in way of a greeting.
"Um… I… I…" Clary stammered hopelessly.
"This is my very good friend's daughter, Clary Fray," Luke introduced. "Clary, this is Jace Wayland," he said in a gruffer tone.
"Are you new? You must be new," Jace guessed.
"And you must be blind, Mr Wayland, because the sign evidently says that only seniors are allowed on the quad. If my memory serves me right, you're only a junior," Luke said.
Jace nodded solemnly. "And I completely respect the rules, whole heartedly. But you see, I was just standing on the path minding my own business, and I saw the ball," he held up the one in his hand, "coming straight at you. What kind of person would I be if I just stood by at let it hit you?" After Luke didn't respond in any way except glaring, Jace turned back to Clary. "So, assuming you're new, I'm going to guess you don't know your way around this place. I'd be more than happy to give you a tour," he said, overly enthusiastic.
Maybe you could give me a tour of something else… Clary thought, eyeing his abs through his shirt.
"That won't be necessary, I'm showing Clary around myself," Luke said quickly.
"But I bet you're not going to show her the most popular places to have a quick cigarette," Jace pointed out. "Just joking," he added as he noticed the look of fury Luke was giving him.
Clary stifled a laugh, earning an amused glance from Jace.
"Keep off the grass, Wayland," Luke muttered as he pushed past him and indicated for Clary to follow, sighing as he heard Jace laugh behind him. "Pun not intended."
"See you around, new girl," the blonde boy called from behind Clary.
"I don't like him," Simon said bluntly.
"I do," Clary smiled.
"Of course you do."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Clary exclaimed.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." A sly smile crept over Simon's lips.
"Oh, shut up," Clary elbowed him in the side, sneaking a peak back at Jace, who was still staring at her.
∞§∞
After seeing the tennis courts, the equestrian grounds, swimming pool and other sporting grounds, they finally arrived at the girls' dormitories. Alderwick house was the most modern of the three, with sandstone on the corners, otherwise coloured white and dark brown. After saying goodbye to Luke, Simon and Clary made their way up to Clary's room. It was on the fourth floor, with a stairwell that led straight to the roof right next to Clary's door, as hers was on the end, and an elevator that went all the way to the ground floor which held a TV room, study area and gym.
"Are you sure this is a boarding school and not Buckingham Palace?" Simon said as he pushed the door to her room open. As he looked in, his mouth dropped. Clary pushed him aside to see what all the fuss was about.
"Oh. My. God," Clary gasped. Her room was listed as a single, but it could have fit five people if it weren't for the queen size bed, wall length mirror, another vanity mirror, study desk, wardrobe and window bed.
"Remind me again how much this school would cost if you weren't on a scholarship?"
Clary let out a breath. "More than my mom earns in two years." Even being one of the top lawyers in New York, Jocelyn wouldn't have been able to pay for even a semester here. To be a student at Abbotsleigh, you had to have either been born into money, or have connections in high places.
The girl dropped her suitcase at the door and skipped over to the bed, flopping down onto it and sighing in comfort, her hands wrapping around the silk sheets.
Suddenly, one of two doors on the left wall that Clary hadn't even noticed opened and a girl with jet-black, waist length hair and deep, dark eyes sauntered in. Clary heard Simon drop the suitcase he had been holding along with his jaw, and Clary couldn't blame him. The girl was the most beautiful girl she'd ever seen. She was tall, with a slender figure and a gracefulness and sophistication about her that made her seem like a princess or celebrity. She smiled widely, showing perfect white teeth, when she saw Clary sitting now upright on the bed and squealed as she ran over and gave the read haired girl a hug.
"Oh my god, hi!" she exclaimed. "I'm Isabelle Lightwood, your sort-of roommate, but you can call me Izzy. Or Iz. Whatever, really."
"Um, hey. I'm Clary. Wait, what do you mean sort-of roommate?"
"Oh, well through that door is my room," she pointed to the door she'd just entered through. "Every two rooms have one adjoining door. One freshman room, and one sophomore. It's sort of like a buddy system. And we also share a bathroom, unfortunate for you," Isabelle indicated to the second door in the wall. "Seeing as it's your first year, you can come to me anytime you want with absolutely anything. I'm really just here to be like a big sister," she smiled genuinely. "But don't come to me for math help," she added hastily. "I suck at math."
Clary laughed and opened her mouth to speak when there was a clearing of someone's throat from the doorway.
"I'm Simon," the boy waved awkwardly to Isabelle whose eyes widened in surprise.
"I totally didn't see you there. Hi, I'm Izzy," she strutted over to Simon and gave him a hug just as warm and welcoming as she had to Clary.
Clary thought that by the look on his face, he might actually be going into shock.
"I know," he responded, dumbfound.
"Oh shoot," Isabelle muttered, checking her watch. "I'm going to be late for the Blue and White Society meeting. I've gotta go."
"Blue and Red Society?" Clary asked.
"Yep," Isabelle nodded. "It's like a group of us that get together to talk about school spirit. You know, 'go team!' and all that jazz."
"On the first day back?"
"Abbotsleigh doesn't give you much time to settle in, I know. It's get here, unpack, and get to it. We're super lucky, though, because we get to be in Alderwick, which means our brother house is Archibald. And Archibald is where the hottest guys live," she winked. "I'm not going to be back before dinner, but I'll save you a seat in the dining hall, okay?"
Clary smiled appreciatively and nodded. "Thanks. See ya."
Isabelle waved a goodbye and exited, flicking her hair back over her shoulder. Once she was well out of sight, Simon turned to Clary with a goofy expression on his face.
"I think I'm in love," he smiled.
Clary chuckled and threw a shoe at him from her suitcase she was already starting to unpack. "Well, get out of it and help me over here."
"Can you get me her number?" Simon continued as he caught her shoe and threw it back to her.
"You're an idiot," Clary laughed. As much of an idiot as he was though, she knew she'd miss him more than anything when he walked out the school gates, so she took her time unpacking, just to have a few more minutes with her best friend. Because once he left, she'd be all alone.
That's all for tonight. I'll try and update tomorrow. Thanks for reading and please review with ideas/thoughts. It would really mean a lot to me :)
xPerfectImperfectionsx