So my plan for this fanfic is to basically pick apart the relationships from the two series and see what happens. I do have a rough idea of where I'm going and who is gonna end up with who in the end but I'd like to see what kind of mischief I can cause with different couplings. If you've got any couples you'd love to see given a trial then let me know. For now let's just see what happens shall we? :) As usual let me know what you're thinking!
-H
The Gossipy Underworld
As it turned out the gossipy underworld of high school convened in the same place each Friday afternoon after school got out. Taki's was the only place in their area that would make you an all vegan grill with steak on the side, no questions asked. It also did great smoothies. Isabelle reached the counter and called over to the cook with green hair, "Theon!" and Clove rolled her eyes at Maia. "She could have any guy she wanted and she goes after the boy with seaweed hair and three illegitimate children."
"He makes a good veggy burger," Maia offered.
"Because all you need to provide for a girl as high maintenance as Isabelle Lightwood is the ability to grill breaded cauliflower and courgette properly."
"It helps," Isabelle confirmed, "And what do you mean high maintenance?"
Clove's eyes widened, "You're kidding me right? Last year you refused to go to Prom unless your date booked you a stretch limo, a thousand long-stemmed pink roses -which you changed your mind about last minute and had them spray painted black- two boxes of gourmet chocolates that you didn't eat and a steady stream of cosmopolitan punch."
"Which you definitely did drink," Maia confirmed.
She shrugged, "What's your point? I don't do things half heartedly."
It was at this point Clary walked through the door and settled herself in their regular booth. "Please tell me that coffee is for me!"
"Wedding planning is still a bitch, huh?"
"You have no idea," Clary exclaimed, combing her hair with her fingers, trying to loosen the elaborate ringlets someone had fashioned in the hour since they last saw her.
Clove smirked, "You're only making it worse, plus it's glittery."
Clary groaned and nursed her coffee. "The sooner it's over the better. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for my mom and Luke, but if I have to hear another word about place settings, centre pieces or which dress best suits my frame-" She mimicked putting a gun to her temple and the girls giggled. "Besides it's even weirder now I've seen the guest list to the actual ceremony. I know they've been friends for years but having Mr Bane at my mom's wedding…"
"Our head teacher Mr Bane?" Clove checked and Clary nodded.
"He's been a family friend for years, I mean he was at my first birthday party, but he's even bringing a date!"
Isabelle looked up suddenly interested, "A date? Seriously who?"
Clary looked oddly thoughtful, "I'm not sure, it was kinda weird. I know he requested a plus one but I don't know who- though I swear I saw your surname on the list."
"We're not going to the ceremony," Izzy reminded her. "Just the reception, which by the way I have a killer dress planned for." Clary let the subject go as she began to describe her latest designer bargain that would have cost Clary several months allowance on top of tutoring money.
Another group of high school students crammed themselves into the diner and among them were Marvel and Peeta who were friends of Simon's. Katniss smiled across the room and Marvel returned it. "So how was your date?" Clary asked.
"Oh, you know, it was great. We just went for coffee and for a walk through Central Park."
"Simple but sweet," Isabelle said in an oddly approving tone. "What? I can be nice and Marvel is sweet, plus he adores you Katniss."
"Who adores dear Catnip?" Gale and his friends had arrived and had claimed their usual table near the jukebox. He had come over to their booth and placed his hands on Katniss' shoulders.
"It's non of your business," she told him though she was smiling. They had been friends for years and she was used to his taunting. Gale mussed her hair again, "We still on for paintball tomorrow?"
"You bet," Katniss said, and Isabelle nodded. "We're gonna kick you asses."
When he moved off to his group Maia leaned over a whispered to Katniss, "I'm not sure that Marvel is too thrilled about your friendship with Gale."
"They've been friends forever," Clary said, "If he likes her he'll deal with it."
Isabelle was looking over her shoulder at the two boys, it wasn't just Marvel that was looking less than pleased. As Katniss got up to go over and remind him of the family friendship she noticed Peeta's expression and said, "I don't think Marvel is the only jealous one."
"Hmm," Clove made a non-committal noise. She had been watching Cato out of the corner of her eye and he was currently devouring a cheeseburger while Gimmer, the head cheerleader and well-known school slut, wrapped herself around him. Her most loyal follower Aline Penhallow was close by and flirting with Jace.
Clary was sat with her back to the group and kept her expression blank when, to cover her own insecurity, Clove pointed out that Jace seemed to have a new fan. "I'm not surprised," she said simply and Isabelle glowered at her brother.
"I'd choose you as a sister-in-law any day, Clary." Then she snapped her fingers imperiously and beckoned Jace over to their booth. "What do you think you're doing? Please tell me you're not dating that skinny, good for nothing-"
"She was just saying hi, Izzy."
"She was fawning," Izzy argued.
"Fawning? Who even uses that phrase these days?" Jace looked amused. "Look nothing is happening with me and Aline," his gaze flickered to Clary who was studiously admiring the curls of steam coming off the surface of her half-drunk coffee. "But I'll keep it in mind that you're predisposed against cheerleaders shall I?"
Isabelle had taken a nail file from her bag and was attending to her perfect manicure, "I have my reasons."
"And they wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that Aline is the new BFF of your old best friend Glimmer?"
"You're boring me now, brother."
Jace grinned and leaned over to play with one of Clary's curls, "I like it, Fray. The glitter suits you."
"It's ridiculous," she argued. "But I don't dare mess with my mother's wedding plans."
"I'm sure it'll look beautiful on the day," he said almost without thinking. She looked up in surprise and so did Clove. After a moment he grinned with apparently no shame, "Don't you get told daily that you're beautiful, Clary?"
"No mainly because the people I spend time with aren't usually high on a daily basis."
He held up his hands, "I swear I'm not high, coach Odair would never forgive me if I used drugs."
"Neither would our parents," Isabelle pointed out, "That's if they ever found out of course."
"We get away with nothing, Iz, not with Alec turning us in every time we even think about breaking the rules." Clary had only met Alec Lightwood a handful of times but she wasn't surprised to hear he was much more of a rule follower than his siblings.
Izzy flicked her hair, "Well Alec is currently studying his ass off at NYU so I don't see why we can't do a little rule breaking while mom and dad are away this weekend."
Jace groaned, "There's no point in arguing with her," he told the group, "Is there?"
"Nope," Clary shook her head.
"When she sets her mind on something…" Clove offered.
"Party, tomorrow night, my house!" Isabelle declared.
Katniss came back over with Marvel and Peeta in tow in time to hear this, "We're taking the guys on at paintball at two," she reminded her.
Isabelle waved a hand through the air, "We can set up before we go and change when we're back."
"You guys are getting your asses handed to you on the paintball field," Jace said.
Katniss crossed her arms over her chest, "We'll see about that."
Jace grinned and after one last wink at Clary, pushed back from the table, "We will. See you at the party Fray, if there's anything left of me once these guys are done."
