A/N: First things first, THANKS to everyone who's read my story so far. I know it's a tad angsty, but because I actually have readers, I'm going to continue it. Thanks Again!
DISCLAIMER: these are not my character, sigh, if only...
Two weeks. 14 days. 336 hours. 20160 minutes... well alright, you get the idea.
That's how long I spent grounded, wallowing in one-word terse conversations with my parents. Mom cooled off a little, but I don't know that she could ever fully forgive me, not after what I've said to her. On the rare occasion that we acknowledged each other, I saw a dim light in her eyes where there usually was a spark.
I missed those days where we could curl up on the couch and watch chick flicks while Luke worked nights. Mom would stock up on chocolate and we'd do manicures, watch a little Buffy the Vampire slayer. I missed Luke too, but the only difference with him these days was that he worked more.
Part of me was so angry, so disgusted with the way he refused to even try and change his drinking habits for me, for us. He acted like everything I said didn't matter. I didn't matter to him, and if he refused to act like I existed, I was happier with him gone.
But finally, despite it all, I'd finally made it. Winter break was over at last, and here I was, standing before my closet mirror, practicing my smile like there was nothing wrong.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I had a great winter break thanks for asking."
I grimaced in the floor length mirror. My reflection agreed; that was a pathetic attempt. Alright, deep breath and one more time.
"Hey! My winter break? Oh you know," I swiped at my reflection playfully, "It was great, hung out with the gang, nagged by the parentals, blah blah b-"
"Clary, what in hell are you doing...are you flirting with your mirror?" a voice asked behind me, followed by the sound of a kneecap knocking into the pile of books and laundry. Then came a colorful string of cussing.
Simon stood back up like nothing happened as I turned my back to the mirror, leaving the shell of the girl I used to be behind me in the reflective surface. My hair was the same color red, my eyes just as green, but I had lost too much weight, and my plain blank tank top hung awkwardly.
But that never mattered with Simon. He was my last semblance of normality, and never made me feel different for my situation at home. He felt like home, and right now, while both mom and Lucas were out with the kids, home felt like home once more.
"Hey," I sighed. "I am looking for my dignity. Have you seen it by any chance?"
"No, but did you look under that pile of crap? Because while you're at it, I lost a turtle last year named Bob and he just might be there. "
I rolled my eyes knowing he wasn't done with the monologue, and Simon knowing I was in no mood to talk. Simon had a way with going on in a constant stream of nonsense that would confuse most normal people. The sound was soothing and familiar to me though.
"Not to mention that you may have the entrance to Narnia down there and you'd never know, maybe even ..." he was saying. "Hey! 'Entrance to Narnia' that's not a bad name for the band."
"That's a terrible name for a band," I mumbled, smiling despite my broody façade.
"Alas! She speaks, Oh speak again bright angel!" Simon dramatically swept me into a hug and spun me in a circle for good measure. My smile grew into the laugh that I needed most. Simon was just like that.
"Shut your pie hole Romeo," I giggled.
"That's also a great name for the guys too," Simon added thoughtfully. "Though it is a bit wordy. How about Wednesday's Enchiladas?"
"That's what you had for dinner last night dork."
"Damn," Simon grinned. "You know me too well. Anyway you ready to go my Juliet?"
"Ready as I'll ever be Romeo." I walked past Simon and grabbed my coat, keys, and backpack from the desk he was currently sitting on. I grimaced at my disheveled reflection one last time and set out to the streets of the city.
The familiar sour smell of the sewers and warm popcorn from the vendor swept over me like a welcome. It felt like I'd been released from a cage, I thought, looking over my shoulder as we walked away from my apartment building. Then again, it was only temporary. I was on strict orders to come straight home after school.
As we rounded the entrance of the school building, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Right beside of the flagpole was Isabelle, my reluctant and blunt friend. Well, "friend" was a loose term, but for some reason, here she was. Isabelle was all long legs, sleek hair, high heels and a snappy attitude.
Practically my opposite.
"Hey Izzy," I blurted out, "How was your break? Simon and I did nothing as per usual so don't bother asking."
"Isabelle laughed. "I wasn't going to ask about you dorks' break I know all you did was watch lame Sci-Fi movies and comment on them."
Simon shot me an irritated look and tried to straighten up his tee shirt, that said, "Made in Brooklyn." Isabelle didn't notice. She never did, unless it was about her or involved a decent sum of money. Isabelle didn't care, and right now, I loved her for it.
"Anyway, I just got back from the Caribbean yesterday, and a week before that I was in Aruba with Daddy," She said. "I was planning on getting some shopping done on fifth avenue last night, but then, of course, people had to step in and ruin my life again. "
"What happened?" Simon asked unnecessarily. Izzy was going to tell us whether we listened or commented or not.
Izzy dropped her Coach bag on the desk in first period History dramatically and rolled her heavily mascaraed eyes. "Asshat family visiting."
"Family?" I said, surprised.
"Asshat family" Simon confirmed for me. I slapped his arm.
"Yeah well It's not exactly news, but rumor has it little Clary has fallen off the social-life bandwagon" Izzy sneered. "What did you do to get grounded anyway?"
"Nothing." I murmured, dropping my eyes immediately. I counted thirteen tiles before Isabelle decided she didn't care again.
"Whatever," She offered. "They're enrolled here, so you'll see them at some point today anyway. Alec is showing them the school right now."
"Who?" I asked quietly.
"My cousins," Izzy hissed
"Her asshat cousins," Simon added.
"Hello? Where the hell is your head?" Isabelle asked, her torso twisted to be half facing me.
"Sorry, yeah, " I shook my head to clear it. "Uh, what are their names? Are they in our grade?" Anything... that'll keep my mind of Luke and Mom. Of home, and...
My thoughts stopped entirely when three tall figures entered the class. The first one was an exact replica of my vain friend, her twin brother Alec. He nodded curtly at Izzy and ignored us successfully, but it was the two shadowy men behind him that made me go nonverbal.
One was very pale, with dark eyes and sharp features. He has a tall muscular build and dark hair, some strands falling in his intense eyes. His jaw curved wickedly as he took in his surroundings. He was 'tall dark and handsome' in the flesh.
Where he was darkness, his companion was light. He had a softer face, but the same sharp jaw and nose, and his hair was light blond. His eyes were hazel, and sparkled lightly in humor. He was Adonis in the middle of Brooklyn, and I felt myself slide further into my seat under his angelic smile.
Oh God.
"Sebastian and Jace Wayland." Isabelle swept her arms sarcastically. "More affectionately known as 'the asshats'"
Simon hummed the Adam's family theme song under his breath. Normally, I would have laughed, but nothing in my body was functioning correctly. My pulse screamed in my veins as I watched the brothers, who looked nothing alike, take their seats two rows in front of me.
Once class began, I finally managed to regain bodily function enough to reach for my backpack, and pull out my sketchpad with shaking fingers.I flipped to one of the earlier pages, tattered from use, dated December 26th.
A drawing of two half shadowed figures, one blond and the other dark haired, standing side by side over the city. Their eyes were sharp, inhumanly beautiful, and dangerous. The brother's wings overlapped.
I stared at the portrait of the two figures that have haunted my dreams for weeks.
And now, they had names; Sebastian and Jace.