Will

I left for home as soon as Theresa left. The party was a bore without her around. I didn't even want to go to the dance. It was a silly, unnecessary thing for the school to waste money on. The only reason I went in the first place was to listen to Jem play the violin. I didn't expect the new girl to show up, beautiful as I could have ever imagined, as if she had stepped straight out of the stories I had grown up with. I certainly didn't expect to fall in love. If I had known, I would have never have gone to the dance.

"She doesn't know who I am," I muttered to myself. "I never told her. She won't recognise me."

And that was the hope. That I could forget tonight ever happened, and go on has I had the day before the masquerade ball. But even that was too much to hope for. Somehow, I knew that this night would remain a bittersweet memory, haunting me every time I close my eyes. Because this was the first time in three years that I had allowed myself to love.

Love is a deadly thing with William Herondale… I told myself. Don't you forget it…

And I wouldn't ever forget it.

That night, the nightmares came as soon as my head hit the pillow. It started like normal. I saw my sister Ella outside in our driveway, playing basketball. I was sitting on the grass, sticky with sweat.

You know, she said to me after I had made a snarky comment on her shoes. I'm starting to think that you're the world's biggest jerk with the world's fattest ego.

The basketball dropped on her foot, and rolled onto the road. Sighing, she ran to pick it up.

You know I love you, I called out to her, playfully.

And as soon as those words left my lips…

It happened…

Ella looked up, screeching in horror as the truck approached her on the road. Her blue eyes on mine, panicked and desperate. She shut her eyes tight and clenched her hands together, her lips moving fast in silent prayer. She looked back at me for the last time.

And I love you too…

And the world vanished around me.

To my surprise, the scene around me changed to the school gym. The Masquerade Ball. I was dancing with Theresa, gliding her across the smooth floor. I looked into her warm grey eyes.

I love you, I whispered in her ear, pulling her against my chest. Her eyes sparkled, right before she collapsed in a pool of her own crimson blood. I stared in shock, and kneeled beside her, taking her hand in mine.

Theresa! I shouted. She looked up at me. A line of blood was trickling out of her mouth, but she was still beautiful when she smiled.

I love you too. And she closed her eyes, her hand slipping out of mine, ice cold.

Panicked and heartbroken, I looked over at Jem and cried out. He had his violin and bow in his clutch, but he was on one knee, doubled over. He used one hand to press against his heart to stop bleeding, and promptly fell on his side, jerking and convulsing with spasms. He started panting as he locked eyes with me.

I love you brother, he said to me. I….

His lips were still moving, but no sound came out. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and his face, which was tight with pain, went slack.

I fell to the floor and pressed me palms against my ears. I screamed and screamed. I screamed until my throat was raw, and even then, I kept screaming. There was blood everywhere. Shed by my hand.

I told you, a voice echoed across the halls. Love is a dangerous thing with William Herondale.

And I woke up, drenched in sweat and tears.

"Stay away from her," I whispered to myself, still lying on my bed. "Jem will be your greatest sin. The one that keeps you sane, for he is already dying, but if you want Theresa to live, you will stay away from her."

And I will…

"Woah," Cecily said, wide eyed. "How late exactly did you sleep?"

"Didn't keep track," I lied. I was well aware of the time when I fell asleep. Answer: After the nightmare, I didn't sleep at all. I couldn't possibly, when all I could see was blood whenever I shut my eyes.

"Well you're out of luck, because we have a very busy day today," my sister chirped. "Dad left early to mark exam papers, and mum went to buy food to cook for when the new neighbours come over. She wants us to stop by the post office to collect a parcel."

I nodded. It was just what I needed. A distraction. To stop me from day dreaming about the beautiful grey eyes that I couldn't stare into. To stop me from thinking about those soft lips that I couldn't kiss. To stop me from imagining the soft brown, luscious hair I couldn't run my fingers through.

To take my mind off the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, but could never love.

So much for the distraction. Just my luck. She just had to be at the post office, talking to the man in the counter with the sweet voice branded into my memory, holding a box that was twice her size.

Theresa

She glanced at me, and her eyes narrowed, like she was trying to place a name to my face. Like she couldn't remember where she had seen me before. My heart deflated. Of course she wouldn't recognise me. She had never seen me without a mask. It was a good thing I was. It made it easier to ignore her if she didn't know who I was. I turned to Cecily, before Theresa was able to figure out who I was. She shrugged, and turned to the boy next to her. He was slightly shorter than me, and a whole lot skinnier in terms of build. Was that a relative? Friend? A boyfriend? A cold spike of jealousy plunged deep into my back and made me grit my teeth. I scowled at the boy. Cecily saw me looking in their direction and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"By the Angel Will," she whispered to me. "She's pretty."

And she is…

"I think you like her."

Yes, I do…

"You should get to know her."

But I can't…