Ariel woke up early. At first she was a little disoriented when she looked at the white walls. She sat up and then remembered were she was at. The clock said it was 6:30 am. She was wide-awake so she stood and walked over to the mirror hanging on the wall by the door. She pulled the hair tie out and then rifled around in her backpack until she found the little travel brush. She brushed through her brown hair that hung nearly to her waist then braided it back up quickly. She tossed the brush back into her bag than opened the door.

Ariel peered down the hall but did not see anyone. The door Jace had gone into the night before was still closed. She padded silently down the hall and to the stairs. She couldn't hear any noise downstairs either.

The kitchen was empty too so Ariel opened several cabinets before she found the glasses. She pulled one out and filled it with water. After taking a few sips she sat at the table and looked around the room. She pulled her knees up and wondered if everyone was asleep or were they out.

When her stomach growled loudly she decided it was time to make breakfast. After rummaging in the fridge she found eggs and shredded cheese and decided an omelet sounded good.

"Mmm, something smells wonderful," Ariel heard behind her. When she turned around there was a tall dark haired girl standing next to the table.

"I'm making an omelet. Would you like one?"

The girl smiled. "That sounds great. I'm Isabelle, by the way."

"I'm Ariel," she stretched out her hand.

"Nice to meet you," Isabelle shook her hand. The girls chatted as Ariel finished the omelets and then sat at the table to eat.

"So when did you get here?"

"Late last night. Jace brought me."

"How did you meet Jace?"

"He was fighting a demon and I helped him."

"Jace needed help? That doesn't happen very often."

The girls became instantly quiet when Jace came jogging down the stairs.

"Morning, Isabelle," he nodded at her then smiled broadly at Ariel. "Good morning, Ariel."

"Hi."

"Where are you going?" Isabelle blurted out.

"Jogging. You want to come?"

"No thanks." Isabelle leaned back in her chair and stretched while stifling a yawn.

"Can I come?" Ariel looked at Jace hopefully.

"Sure. But you might want to get on some shoes."

Ariel looked down at her bare feet. "Just give me two minutes," she said as she headed for the stairs. She ran into her room and pulled the sneakers from her bag. She pulled on her socks from last night then pulled on her sneakers.

Jace was sitting on the kitchen counter while he and Isabelle talked. He glanced up when she stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "Wow, that was fast especially for a girl." Ariel quirked up an eyebrow. "I just mean, when Isabelle says two minutes, it usually means ten at least."

"Hey," Isabelle howled from the table.

"It's true," Jace pointed a long slender finger at her, which just made her scowled even more at him. This made Jace and Ariel chuckle.

"Sure you don't want to join us?" Ariel asked as Jace slid off the counter and headed for the door.

"Nope."

"See ya later," Jace called over his shoulder.

The two jogged over to Central Park and followed the trail all the way around. After the third time Jace veered off to the left and jogged across the street. Ariel followed a few feet behind.

Jace stopped in front of Mrs. Brown's Bakery and opened the door. A little old man came through then Jace looked back at Ariel. "Ladies first." Ariel stepped inside. The smell of fresh bread filled her nostrils and her stomach growled even though she had already eaten breakfast.

Jace stepped up to the counter where a short pudgy girl smiled broadly at him. "Good morning, Gigi." The girl did not answer but her eyes sparkled when he said her name. Ariel rolled her eyes as she stood next to Jace. "I'll have a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and a hazelnut latte. Do you want anything?" he turned to Ariel.

"No, thanks. I didn't bring any money."

"That's okay. My treat," Jace smiled warmly.

"Well…"

"The cinnamon rolls are to die for," Jace said raising his eyebrows.

"Okay. One cinnamon roll, please." Jace turned back to Gigi who punched in the order and managed to whisper out the total.

Once they got their food Jace sat in a booth. Ariel sat across from him. "Do you always come here?"

"Whenever I jog around Central Park. So that's about twice a week. I like to go across the Brooklyn Bridge too. There's a great little mom and pop diner over there."

Ariel ate about half her cinnamon roll then felt stuffed. "You want the rest?" she pushed it toward Jace.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, if you don't want anymore."

"No, I had an omelet at the institute before you can down."

Jace quickly devoured what was left then leaned back in the booth. "So where did you come from?"

"Chicago."

"How did you get here then?"

"I came by train." Jace sat quietly mulling the information around in his head.

Soon they headed back to the institute. When they got inside and were both heading up the steps Jace looked over at Ariel. "Dibs on the shower."

Ariel glanced at Jace. "No way, shouldn't guests go first?"

"Not when I'm hot and sweaty." Both took one look at the other then dashed up the stairs. Jace made it to the top first but Ariel grabbed his arm and playfully shoved him down the hall away from the bathroom then she took off as fast as she could. "Hey," he hollered as she laughed over her shoulder. She figured if she could close the door then she could lock it before he got there.

When she turned to corner she ran smack into someone. Both fell to the floor in a heap with Ariel on top. "I'm so sorry," Ariel stammered as she scrambled to her knees. She could hear Jace guffawing behind her. She looked at the person on the floor. It was a guy with jet-black hair and light skin. Ariel blushed when she realized he was only wearing a towel around his waist. "I'm sorry. I totally didn't know you were there. Here let me help you up."

"No…no that's okay," The dark haired boy held up his arms to fend her off. Ariel backed up a few steps as he stood up and readjusted the towel. Jace let out another howl of laughter, which made them both turn and glare at him.

When Ariel turned back around she found the boy's penetrating blue eyes studying her. "Hi. I'm Ariel," she slowly held out her hand.

"Alec," he said hesitantly looking down at her.

"Okay. Enough with the chit chat. Either get in there and take a shower or let me in first."

Ariel glared at Jace then smiled apologetically at Alec. "I better get in there." Alec only nodded then moved around her and head down the hall.

As Ariel closed the door she could hear the boys talking. "Is that her."

"Yeah."

Ariel turned to look at her reflection. She removed her sneakers, socks, and jeans. Lastly she slowly removed her shirt. Her breath caught as her hand brushed against the bandage that had been hidden by her sleeve. She looked at her arm and cringed. It always hurt when she took off the bandage.

Her arm began to tremble a bit in anticipation as she pulled the end of the bandage loose. She unwound it easily until she got to the last layer. Ariel took hold of the counter to stop her arm from shaking then gingerly pulled at the bandage. She closed her eyes and grit her teeth at the pain but kept going.

Finally the last bit came free. She took several deep calming breaths and wiped the tears that slid down her cheeks before she opened her eyes to look in the mirror. The three black gashes oozed out a horrid smelling liquid that almost made her vomit.

She quickly got into the shower and turned on the water. The warmth felt good but she dreaded washing her arm. She did everything else first. When there was nothing else she slowly turned sideways. She nearly cried out in pain when the first few drops hit. She pulled away but she knew it had to be done.

She finally squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to turn into the water. Her whole body shook as the water washed the gashes. When she could take it no longer she leaned against the wall out of the reach of the water. Her wet body slid to the floor as she waited for the pain to subside.

When she was dry she put her shirt on and wrapped the towel around her waist. She peeked out the door and hurried toward her room when she thought the coast was clear.

"It's about time," the smooth voice came from behind her. She turned to find Jace standing in the hall.

"Sorry," she said as she shrugged her shoulders.

"That's okay. I'm used to Isabelle hogging the bathroom.

She smiled slightly, "I better get dressed and let you take your shower."

Jace looked like he was about to say something but Ariel turned and darted into her room. She let her things fall to the floor once the door was closed and sighed. She had almost just come out in a towel but she was glad she had thought to put on her shirt. She really did not want to explain her arm to anyone.

She carefully removed her shirt and bandaged up her arm with the last of the gauze in her bag. She really needed to get her trunk soon.

After she was dressed she braided back her wet hair then headed downstairs to see what everyone else was up to. She found Isabelle sprawled out on the couch watching TV. "Can I join you?" she asked as Isabelle glanced up at her.

"Sure, but as soon as Jace gets down here we have to go to class."

"Who teaches you?"

"Hodge."

"Oh," Ariel said putting two and two together.

As Jace sauntered down the stairs Hodge came down close behind. "Time for class," he said as he ushered everyone up to the library. Ariel took a seat next to Alec who looked at her but said nothing. Isabelle sat next to her with a groan and Jace took the last desk.

Hodge lectured then for the next two hours about different Clave rules and asked questions. They had a short lunch break then had another two hours of class. Then they were each given a topic to research.

After an hour Jace closed his book with a loud thud. "I say it's time for pizza."

"Shhh. Class isn't over until Hodge comes back," Alec glared at Jace over his book.

"Well, I hope he comes back soon. I'm starved," Jace said propping up his feet on the edge of his desk. Alec just shook his head and continued writing.

Later that night Ariel stood from the couch as Isabelle continued watching her show. Ariel headed up to the library.

She stopped outside a door a few doors down from the library when she heard music. The music was very beautiful and classical. The door was open a crack so Ariel peered through the crack. She was almost blown away when she saw Jace sitting at the piano. She had never thought of him as the musical type. When the song came to an end she hurried on her way down to the library since she didn't want to be found spying.

As she entered the library she saw someone sitting in the window seat where Church had been sleeping during class this afternoon. At first she thought it was Alec but he was defiantly too small. She cleared her throat to get his attention. The boy in the window turned to look at her as he pushed his glasses up. "Hi."

"Hi," the boy replied back.

"My name's Ariel."

"I'm Max."

"What are you reading, Max?" Ariel asked making her way over to the window. The boy held up his book to show her. "Ahhh, that is a good one," she said. "So can you recommend another good one," she said settling down on the other side of the window.

He scrambled out of the window and hurried over to a shelf near by then soon returned with a book in hand. Ariel took it when he held it out to her. She turned it so she could read the title. "King Author. That is a good one. Have you read it already?"

"No, but Alec said I should read it when I get older. It's one of his favorites."

"It's one of mine too." She peered and smiled at the boy. "My father read it to me when I was seven."

"Well, I'm eight," he said sitting up tall and tried to look all serious. Ariel couldn't help but giggle a bit. Soon Max was smiling with his gray eyes shining.

"Well, then I'll leave you to read your own book then," Ariel said opening King Author and glancing down at the first page." Max opened his book but when Ariel glanced up he was studying her. She smiled and looked back down at her book.

"Is it as good as you remember," Max asked only a minute later.

Ariel looked up from the book with gleaming eyes. "How about we read the book together and then you can tell me?"

"Okay," Max agreed quickly. Ariel scooted over so Max could squeeze in next to her. She began reading as Max leaned against her and listened intently.

Alec came down the hall looking for Max. It was way past his bedtime and he had just found his room empty. He was headed for the library cause that was a surefire place to find him.

As he got to the door he heard talking. He knew it was Ariel so he stood and listened to see whom she was talking to. He had to listen hard as she was speaking softly.

When he finally made out what she was saying his face squinted with confusion. Slowly he peaked around the corner then ducked back out of sight. She was reading to Max. He leaned against the wall and slid to the floor with his knees bent as he listened. He would have known that book anywhere. Maryse had read it to him when he was sick with the measles. He stayed motionless with his eyes closed as he listened to Ariel read.

"Alec, what are you doing?" Jace whispered loudly.

Alec's eyes bolted open and his body jerked. "Oh, it's you. You scared me." Jace stifled a laugh as he looked down at him. Alec blushed slightly then cleared his throat as he stood up. "I was looking for Max."

"Right…while your sitting on the floor?" Jace questioned.

When he couldn't hear Ariel reading anymore Alec peaked in the door to find her with her eyes on the door. He pushed it open a bit with a sheepish look. Ariel raised an eyebrow as both Alec and Jace walked in.

"Is Max in here?" Jace asked. Ariel nodded and pointed down with her finger to Max who was snuggled up next to her sound asleep. Jace walked over and gently picked up the boy and carried him down the hall. Alec quickly turned and followed him without saying a word.

Ariel closed the book and set it down in the window then walked toward the door. She froze when she heard Alec and Jace talking quietly in the hall. "What were you doing anyway?"

Ariel smiled when she heard Alec answer, "I was listening to her read alright. Mom used to read to us all the time when we were little."

Ariel walked out in the hall as nonchalantly as she could but it was hard to hide her smile. "Good night, boys," she called as she walked to her room.

"Night," they echoed simultaneously.

Please review and tell me what you think.