With one last dirty look at Gabriel, Will ran out of the room after Tessa. He looked around in the hallway for her; he caught a glance of her dress as she turned around the corner. Without a hesitation he ran after her.
Tessa couldn't deal with what was happening. She always had feelings for Will, but recently she had been pushing those feelings away. She thought he could never feel the same way, he didn't care for anymore. Well, except maybe Jem. She needed fresh air right now. She could think of only one place to go, the roof.
Finally she erupted through the roof hatch and stared out at the open sky. She could see everything from there. Her favourite view was the Thames River.
She had always wanted to get on a little wooden boat and just take it across the silky water. Months ago she could only imagine herself with one person on that boat…Will. But recently she had found herself staring at Gabriel Lightwood. She knew he was a jerk, but somehow he changed around her. He was kind and caring with her. She thought he would never consider a Downworlder. He was a Lightwood after all. Then today he just blurts out that he fancied her too. She wanted to say something there, but her mouth just wouldn't open. Maybe it was because Will was there, or maybe it was because part of her just couldn't believe it.
Why did everything have to be so complicated! She just wanted to scream. She opened her mouth a bit but the cold London air hit her throat and she closed it again. Tears started swelling up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She was actually thankful that no one came after her. She hated it when people saw her cry. Shadowhunters never cried; there were strong as bricks. Uh, how could a Shadowhunter fancy a bloody Downworlder? Gabriel's father probably put him up to it. That little bastard, how could she be so foolish?
That pushed her over the edge; tears started falling down her cheeks like slim little rivers. She hastily wiped them away. The cold air was hitting her like knives but she couldn't face the two boys, not yet. She didn't care about anything anymore. Since the moment she got to the Institute she felt like an outcast. No one accepted her. They all thought they knew what she was thinking, but they were ever so wrong.
She walked over to the edge and swung one leg over then the other. She just sat there, not caring if she fell or not. She never really noticed how tall the Institute actually was, maybe like 300 yards. Glancing down at her training pants, Tessa was glad she wasn't wearing a dress. Her legs would have definitely frozen off by now.
She was still crying; that was another reason she hated crying, once she started it was a while till she stopped. She didn't even bother wiping them away; it wasn't like anyone was coming to find her.
Suddenly the roof hatch swung open and there stood William Herondale, panting heavily. She was caught so off guard that she lost her balance. The last thing she saw before she closed her eyes was Will flying towards her. She closed her eyes waiting for death to sweep upon her.
"No!" Will flew towards Tessa as she disappeared over the ledge. He had no idea what he was doing, suddenly he was in the air hurling to the ground too. His arms wrapped around Tessa's waist and he waited. If he was so die, at least it would be holding the person he loved.
Will tried to prepare for the landing with some of the Shadowhunting techniques he had learned, but he seriously doubted they would be any help. He caught one little glance of Tessa. She was curled up with her eyes closed; she looked so peaceful.
Suddenly all the rushing air stopped around them. They both raised their heads to find that they were alive. Will was still holding on to Tessa but now he was in a kneeling position. His right foot firmly on the ground, his left knee hovering about it. Will had no idea how he had done it, "That might be handy for some of my decedents." He muttered under his breath.
Tessa pulled out of his grasp and stood up, "How did you- but I was- then we were- but now… What!" Will stood up seeming unaffected. "Well this clearly means I'm am more fantastic that I already thought."
Tessa sighed and grabbed onto Will's sleeve, pulling him all the way into her room.
"See, I knew you would rather do it in your room." Will exclaimed. Tessa immediately blushed but not long after she smacked her hand across his face. That was when Will finally got serious.
"Don't think that we aren't going to talk about… that." Tessa waved her hands around trying to find the words.
"What? Do you think I'm one of Mortmain's henchmen now?" A sly smile creaked onto Will's face.
"No, I would be dead if you were." Then the smile disappeared of Will's face.
"He doesn't want you dead." Will said without any emotion.
"Will, I don't-" But before Tessa could finish what she was saying, Will had pulled her towards him and connected her lips with his. One arm was around her waist and the other on the side of her neck. At first Tessa was shocked but then she melted into him. She slid her hands up his chest and started to push off his heavy coat. He let it fall to the ground and returned his hands to their positions before.
Suddenly Will pulled away, "Hold on, what about Lightwood?" He asked nodding to the door.
Tessa hesitated for a second. She thought about how Will came to find her, not Gabriel. How Gabriel probably just left in his carriage, not giving a second thought about her. "Forget him."
