Thank you to the two people that reviewed; ALW4 and gottalovetheboywiththebread! I write for praise, and if I don't get it I mope around and sulk about other stories that do. So thank you, is what I'm going for.
I don't own The Mortal Instruments, or any of the characters in this story. Except the fake baby.
"W-what?" Clary sputtered. "I don't want a baby- and my partner is Simon!"
"I'm sure your boyfriend will understand," Mr Pangborn said, waving the doll impatiently. "And if you choose not to partake in this particular assignment, then so be it, but you're to take the doll, Clarissa."
"But everybody else got to choose their partners," Clary argued. "This is just because you're angry at Jace. I didn't do anything, I should get to choose to."
Jace cleared his throat, clenching his fists against a flood of rejection. He wouldn't have chosen to partner up with the redhead, but he wouldn't have argued if someone had put her upon him.
"Do not think for one second, Miss Fray, that paired you with Mr Wayland for whatever childish, petty reason you just stated," the teacher hissed. "It was merely an academic decision, with the hopes that you would inspire our Jonathan to partake in at least one of the assignments this year. Now, you can take the doll, please."
"That's crass!" Clary exclaimed. "His work is better than my own! If anyone needs inspiring, it's Simon. He's failing!"
Pangborn glared, and placed the doll down on his desk.
"Then I suggest you find time outside of school-"
"But what about now," the girl interrupted. Jace rolled his eyes. "Simon will fail again if he's not paired with someone who can help him!"
The teacher bent down to retrieve another doll. "It's sweet you care about your classmate's grades, Clarissa, but you're working with Jonathan as I instructed. If you'd like to discuss the matter further you can take it up with the principal. Now, take the doll and be on your way."
"But-"
"The doll, Clarissa."
Jace heard Clary sigh as she slumped against her desk. Earlier, he'd been grateful; she'd risked banishment and bad marks just for him as the teacher went about his daily 'taunt and tarnish' routine. Now, as she tried to weasel away from him, all signs of that appreciation was gone. Again, a wave of rejection crashed over him. He wasn't that bad to work with.
He unclenched his fist and ran a hand through his hair. He pushed back his chair, wincing as it scraped the ground and eyes swivelled toward him. Exhaling loudly, he stood.
"Don't worry," he whispered to Clary, though not quite looking at her, "I'm extraordinary at playing happy families."
Clary slammed her locker door shut, and groaned.
"I'm just so angry at him!" She exclaimed, pressing her forehead to the cool metal door. "So, so angry."
"No," Simon said, dryly. "I'd never have guessed."
Clary glared at her friend.
Simon sighed and stepped forward, and placed his hand on her waist. He smiled, but his condescending brows sank with unspoken pity.
"You're mad," he said, pulling her closer. "I get it. But it's not the end of the world. So he's a bully; it's nothing Becks and Jonathan didn't warn us about. It's just three weeks."
Clary exhaled slowly, processing his words. With a frown, she nodded.
"Three weeks," she said, leaning into her best friend's chest. "Fifteen days. Okay."
"Okay."
Clary stilled, nice and comfortable in Simon's arms. He was warm, and hers and it didn't matter that they were in the middle of the hallway. She'd written her name on Pangborn's shit list and became a teen mom all in one hour; she needed a hug, so people could just go around them.
And they did. The crowd parted and streamed by them, and not an inquisitive eye was turned in their direction. She placed her hand over Simon's, and leaned back to look up at him.
"I do still wish you were my partner, though," she admitted, with a coy smile. "I'm terrified Jace'll get angry and set the baby on fire."
Simon smirked.
"Well, as lovely as this little gathering is," someone said, voice hard as steel, "did you just shove our baby into a locker?"
Clary flushed as a paled Simon pushed her frozen body away.
"Jace," he said, ignoring Clary's wide eyed stare.
"Simon," Jace greeted, sounding none too happy. Clary swallowed and pushed her hair out of her face, and then slowly turned to face her partner, who was absolutely fuming.
