A/N: Hey there! This is my first fanfic so I totally apologise if I'm screwing up royally. XD Anyway, I've been reading a lot of fanfics on here and I know high school is a popular theme but I wanted to give it a shot. My knowledge of American schooling isn't superb either - sorry! But now without further ado, I present to you Wishing On Stars!
"Did you see the new kids?"
"The girl's a freak! She won't talk to anyone but the guy!"
"She's hot. I'd totally bang her."
Jace had been unaware of any new arrivals until he'd gone to his locker and heard the gossip. News travelled fast in Idris Academy; it was impossible to keep anything silent without the entire school speculating. People always knew your secrets better that you.
"Those assholes should learn not to judge a book by its cover," his best friend Alec sighed, watching on in disapproval. "Poor kids are going to be the latest items of conversation."
"Makes a change." Jace responded simply, not looking up at Alec. Being one of the school's biggest players gave him the advantage of being in on the latest gossip, so he'd find out more about these 'freaks' as the day went on.
On saying that the bell went, causing Alec to detach himself from the lockers and offer Jace a small wave. "I've got Chemistry, so I'll see you later."
Jace headed off with a quick nod. English was his destination.
"Good morning class!" Mr Aldertree bellowed as he entered the classroom, slamming masses of papers onto the desk. "I trust you all had a good break?"
There were a few murmurs of approval from the class. Mr Aldertree - or The Shark to others - had a reputation over the school for his explosive temper. You could hear his shouts from China which was pretty impressive considering he was a stumpy old man who lived in tweed suits. He had a completely bald head and pinprick blue eyes that swallowed the sight in front of him as he clapped his hands together in a mischievous manner. "Excellent! As you know I strive on seating plans, so I've devised your places indefinitely until summer comes. If you pay attention to the board you'll see your seats."
Jace had been sat right at the back in the corner with Alec's sister Isabelle and the openly bisexual Magnus Bane in front, both of whom were his friends. This is going to be a doss.
However, next to him was a name he didn't recognise.
Clarissa Morgenstern? Who's she? Jace pondered as he slumped down in his seat, grinning at his friends in front. "Hey."
Magnus rolled his eyes just as a girl with fiery red hair sat down next to Jace. He fixed her a quizzical look even though she wasn't meeting his gaze, prompting Magnus to mouth "New girl!"
"Hi there!" Isabelle squealed, smiling joyfully at the girl. "I'm Izzy!"
She lifted her head in acknowledgement before dropping it again, refusing to speak and thus putting Isabelle in a huff. "She really doesn't talk to anyone!" she exclaimed.
"Turn around, Miss Lightwood!" Mr Aldertree barked. "Now, as I was saying, this project..."
Jace somehow found a way to completely drown out Shark's words. For some reason, he was fascinated by the flame haired girl who sat beside him, her grassy green eyes unblinking as she listened to the teacher spewing random garbage. Rather than making an attempt with her clothes like most of the female population at Idris Academy, she just wore a black t-shirt splattered with paint, plain denim jeans and white converse. She was tapping a pencil impatiently on the desk which was when Jace noticed a drawing of what appeared to be a person, though the piece of paper was hidden under her arm. Whatever it was, it looked pretty great in his opinion.
In natural curiosity he reached over to take the paper, but she slapped his hand away. It wasn't a hard slap and Jace hardly felt the impact, but it did take him by surprise. "What was that for?" he asked in mock hurt, placing his other hand over his heart. "You could have broken my poor hand."
"I'll break more than that if you don't leave me alone." she snapped back immediately, causing Jace to let out a long whistle. "Sheesh, aren't you feisty! Though to be honest, redheads are notorious for that."
She looked like she was about to explode. "You son of a-"
"Mr Herondale and Miss Morgenstern, do you have something you wish to share with the class which is clearly far more important than my English lesson?" Mr Aldertree asked sharply, causing the rest of the class to avert their eyes over to them.
"No Sir," Jace grumbled. "Hanging on every word."
The teacher looked incredulous but continued speaking. "Now, this project involves working with a partner, so rather than making things complicated you'll just work with the person sitting next to you. You'll need to spend a lot of time on this, so maybe you'll get a friend out of it!"
Jace rolled his eyes. As if she'd ever be friendly to him.
"You can make a start this lesson on a plot outline and characters if you get time. There'll be no excuses for having no work done, so get a move on."
Isabelle spun round in her chair as soon as the class descended into chatter. "Because I'm an amazing friend, I'll tell you that the project is writing a realistic story of twenty decent sized chapters. Got until Christmas to finish." she told the pair with a dull tone.
Redhead looked mortified, making Jace laugh. "Chin up; you get to work with me!"
She didn't reply and looked clearly bothered, so he decided to take a different approach and tore a piece of paper out of his notebook. He scribbled a quick note and handed it to her.
What's your name, Redhead?
She disregarded the note and screwed it up into a ball, pushing it off the table with an annoyed grunt. She really is adamant not to talk to me! Jace reflected. I'll try again...
Tearing out another page, he wrote another note and slid it across the desk.
I'll have to stick to calling you Redhead unless you tell me your name seeing as I'm a person you supposedly loathe at this moment in time and refuse to speak to unless I steal paper.
She snorted in what seemed to be amusement, yet rather than repeating what she'd done she replied and passed the note back.
Clary. Read the seating plan, dumbass.
He couldn't help but smirk. She did have a sense of humour after all, though he had forgotten about the seating plan Shark had given them which as a result make him look rather dumb now.
I stand corrected. I'm Jace, by the way.
I know your name. I read the seating plan.
Brownie points for you then. Are you actually going to talk to me or we going to have to pass notes to get any work done?
As I have no interest or willpower in engaging in conversation with you I'll just go with this. Though I'd rather not talk to you at all if I'm honest.
The note passing continued up until the bell went. Jace said bye to her, but Clary had packed away and fled the classroom as quick as a whippet, causing Isabelle to grin at him. "Looks like the all-mighty Jace Herondale just got rejected. This is news to my ears indeed!"
"Oh leave it, Iz," Jace scoffed. "We probably got more work done than you and Sparkles."
Isabelle just let out a sunny laugh. "Dream on, Golden Boy."
And that's it! Next chapter soon!