Alec strode into Taki's, his favorite dinner spot, with Jace and Isabelle in tow. They sat in their normal booth. The only difference was the somber air around the group, all of the attention focused on Alec. He had recently been dumped by his boyfriend, Magnus Bane. Magnus was the high warlock of Brooklyn. The extremely attractive and loving high warlock of Brooklyn, Alec thought to himself, slumping lower into his seat and covering his face from the others with a menu.
Lost in revere, he never noticed when Clary and Simon walked in a few minutes later. Alec felt himself turning green and they snuggled up, Clary with Jace and Simon with Izzy. Couples had recently begun to make him feel sick, and the last sad words Magnus had muttered in the empty train tunnel brought unexpected tears to Alec's eyes. Luckily, everyone seemed to notice and quickly separated without saying a word.
Kaelie, the faerie waitress, came over taking orders. Jace ordered a basket of fries and a milkshake, Simon got a black coffee, Isabelle a mango smoothie, and Clary a stack of pancakes. Alec decided he wasn't that hungry and opted for a coffee as well, hoping the bitter taste would take the acid feeling out of his stomach. Magnus never left his mind, and it was beginning to hurt him badly. Alec never slept anymore, never wanted to work out or go anywhere really. He ate less than normal and it seemed to be showing.
"Why don't you have some of my pancakes?" Clary asked softly, the concern evident in her voice.
"Don't try Clary," Jace warned, eyeing Alec and waiting how he would react, "Alec doesn't eat anymore. Just drinks coffee and wishes it was booze. I swear he would probably be a raging alcoholic at this point if he could be." Clary nudged him and Isabelle looked at him sharply. Alec just blushed, but didn't deny it. He had tried to drink some, but the taste revolted him and the headaches where worse than the pain in his chest, which was saying something. Alec then pulled out his phone, hopelessly hoping someone had sent him a message. The screen flashed blankly. No surprise there, Alec thought with a sigh. Everyone had begun to eat the food they had ordered, and he took a big swing of his coffee. It burnt his mouth, but the bitter liquid did settle his stomach a bit.
Simon was talking about taking a trip somewhere to get Alec out of the city, mostly looking for the nod of approval from Isabelle, when the door to Taki's opened. In stepped a girl, and Simon automatically stopped talking. In fact, everyone stopped and even Clary and Izzy where staring. Alec got irritated then, his back was to the door and he couldn't see. When he turned his jaw dropped slightly and he found himself blushing ever so slightly. She was beautiful, with white skin covered in a healthy bit of freckles, chocolate brown hair that faded to blonde, pointed ears and green eyes the color of antifreeze. Her body would be described as pear shaped, with wider hips flaring out from a small waist.
Alec looked back at the group as she sat at a table near the booth and found Jace smirking at him. He was sure Jace could feel, through the parabati connection, Alec's heart flutter. The connection was practically a blood bond, which made it easy for Jace to read the emotions Alec was feeling. Of course, Alec was confused and nervous. He was gay and he knew it, but he couldn't help but think about Magnus, who had been with both men and women over his very long 800 year life. Why couldn't I do the same thing?
"Alec," Jace said sneakily, "Want me to go get her number for you? I mean I know you're gay but…"
"No," Alec snapped and sunk lower as Kaelie refilled his coffee cup. He could see Magnus smirking in his mind's eye. Remembered all the things Camille, Magnus's ex, had told Alec about him. He felt sick again, and had missed what the faerie waitress had been telling him.
"Her name's Malantha," Kaelie was saying, "She's half faerie and just recently started coming here. Her dad is a mundane. I think she goes by Melanie in the human world." Jace was grinning triumphantly; obviously he had asked the question. Alec glared at his step brother with disdain. Why did he have to be so pushy? Alec wasn't even sure what he was thinking about the girl, but obviously Jace had a good idea.
It wouldn't hurt to have someone new to talk to right? Maybe she liked to text too, maybe he could at least use her as a distraction. He had drifted again into thought, and when he snapped back into reality he found Melanie standing in front of him talking to Jace and the rest of the party. Jace grinned at Alec devilishly and said, "This is my step brother, Alec Lightwood."
"Hello Alec," Melanie said in a steady voice. It was husky yet sweet. Somehow it reminded Alec of melted dark chocolate, smooth. "It's so nice to meet you." She smiled, and Alec nodded at her, too shaky to speak.
"Why don't you join us?" Jace asked, and Melanie agreed.
"Sit next to Alec!" Isabelle beamed, winking at her brother. Great, He thought, they're ganging up on me. Melanie slid in next to him and he shifted uncomfortably, pulling his coffee cup with him. The only person who seemed to be concerned for his nerves was Clary, and she distracted the faerie girl with small talk to allow Alec time to relax. He thanked her mentally and began to try and get comfortable around the girl. He could see both of his female friends scooting closer to their boyfriends, obviously making a statement. Alec laughed a little in his head and shook his head. Melanie was stunning, and her smile was blinding. He caught himself staring, and blushed when she looked back and flashed that smile at him.