Chapter One.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE INFERNAL DEVICES. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO CASSANDRA CLARE. I DO, HOWEVER, OWN ALL CHARACTERS' THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS.

A/N: Double update because I can't wait to get this story started again! I really want to talk a lot more about Tessa's classes since I know a lot of fanfictions don't really do that. I know what you're thinking: "oh my gosh this story's gonna be so boring bc the main character actually goes to her classes." WELL I'M TRYING TO MAKE A REALISTIC STORY AND I PROMISE I WON'T OVERDO IT OKAY? Anyways, enough of me having a conversation with myself and an imaginary reader and read my story!

The songs for this chapter are:

Amanda- Green Day

Canals- All Time Low

The Kids Aren't Alright- The Offspring

Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued- Fall Out Boy

The Drug In Me Is You- Falling In Reverse

Lonely Girl- Tonight Alive

Chapter One.

TESSA GRAY'S POV

I walk over to the English building and quickly find Room 314- my Advanced Creative Writing class. I'm the first to arrive and waste no time sitting in the front row. No matter how bad my anxiety is, I still like to make a good first impression. As long as the professor doesn't say anything to me, I'll be fine. I hope my presence is enough to show that I'm a dedicated student. Sure enough, he doesn't speak to me and we both sit there in silence. The professor speaks just as the clock strikes 9:00. "Welcome to Advanced Creative Writing. My name is Professor DeMarco. I hope you all understand that you are very privileged to be here, considering you had to not only be at the top of your classes last year, but also had to be recommended by your creative writing teachers last year. That being said, I expect all of you to take this class very seriously. I expect you all to be prepared to begin class at nine-o'clock sharp, no exceptions. I understand that it's Monday morning and many of you might have spent the whole night partying, so good for you. Now get out of my class." Professor DeMarco walks up to a man who has fallen asleep in the back and bangs on his desk. "Your breath reeks of liquor. Come to my class wasted again and I will personally kick you out." The man, still looking dazed, wakes up for a second and waits until the professor walks away before falling asleep again. I can already tell that Professor DeMarco will be a good teacher, and that as long as I follow the rules, he won't have a problem with me.

The rest of the class goes by in a blur. Professor DeMarco doesn't do much besides spending an hour going over the rules and the other going over the syllabus. I learn that our final project will be to write a short, fictional story based on an event that has been influential in our lives, and I cringe. I hate writing about anything that's happened in my life. I snap out of my daydreams and push the thoughts away just as the professor ends the class.

After class, I go home and eat my lunch- a fruit salad with a croissant. I put on my headphones, and begin working through the Advanced Creative Writing syllabus. I always like to be at least a week ahead of the syllabus, in case something happens and I have to miss class. Also, I know that if I don't finish my first project this week, I'll procrastinate until the day before it's due. I'm lost in concentration when my alarm rings. It's 12:15 and I need to head to my Classics to Modern Literature class.

When I arrive, half an hour early, the professor himself hasn't even arrived yet. I hope he's going to be a serious teacher. The professor teaching the class is supposed to be new, and he had just graduated from London University two years prior. He had so many job offers at other universities, but had his heart set on teaching here, so the University decided to hire him as a professor before another university hired him.

Ten minutes later, the professor walks in "Well, you're here early, aren't you? What's your name?" spoke the man, Professor Herondale.

I absolutely hate meeting new people, and quietly say, "I'm Tessa Gray. Nice to meet you, Professor Herondale." To prevent Professor Herondale from asking any more questions, I decide to pick up my favorite book, A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

"Trying to impress the teacher by coming early and reading a classic, eh?"

I internally sigh. There is no way out of this. Either I don't say anything and be seen as kissing up to the professor or say something and possibly embarrass myself. Suddenly I have an idea: to pretend that Professor Herondale is my music teacher back home in New York, Mr. Carstairs. I completely trust him and can tell him anything.

"No, I just like being on time for classes and A Tale Of Two Cities just happens to be my favorite novel," I say in a hushed tone, hoping he doesn't continue speaking to me.

"The book wasn't all that good, in my opinion."

I want to say something in response to defend my favorite book, but I just can't. Stupid anxiety. When another classmate comes into the room, I pick up my book again, relieved that he's outgoing enough to greet the teacher. I know that this class about classics is going to be terrible if the professor doesn't even like my favorite classic. Just my luck, getting stuck with a professor who hates my favorite novel, I think to myself.

I push my thoughts away as Professor Herondale starts speaking. "Good morning class! My name is Professor Herondale, and welcome to Classics to Modern Literature. In this class, we will be exploring how modern novels have been inspired by classics. Do not think that just because this is my first year teaching that this class will be easy to pass." He goes over his rules and gives us a brief overview of what we will be learning. Then, he decides that since our class is so small (only about 30 or so people, opposed to a normal class size of 50 to 100 students), that we should all go around the room saying our names and our favorite classic, and modern novel. The obvious classics, Pride And Prejudice and Jane Eyre are mentioned but not once is A Tale Of Two Cities mentioned. When it's my turn to go, I take a deep breath and try to calm down before saying "M-m-my name is Tessa Gray, and my favorite classic is a Tale Of Two Cities. I don't really have a favorite modern novel, but if I had to pick it would be We Were Liars by E. Lockhart." Oh great. I stuttered and probably have officially become the class loser, considering everyone else here is so confident. "Your first assignment for me will be to write two papers, one about your favorite classic and another about your favorite modern novel. Please do not give me two summaries. I want thought-provoking papers about why you enjoy the novels so much. See you all Wednesday."

Class finally ends and I walk away from the torture chamber, deciding o work on my papers for Classics to Modern Literature as soon as I get back to my flat. A cup of tea is all I need to help me push through it, seeing as I could go on and on about how amazing books are. The rest of the day goes pretty well, working until about midnight, when I finally drift into sleep.

A/N: I SUCK AT THIS WOW OKAY WELL I'M ONLY INTRODUCING TESSA'S CLASSES SO IT'LL BE BORING RIGHT NOW BUT DO YOU FEEL FRUSTRATED BC YOU JUST WANT TESSA AND WILL TO BE TOGETHER BC I DO.

Please give feedback on my story so far! There isn't any conflict (kinda) but I hope you see that Tessa is very closed off and it's going to take a while for her to open up.

-thebooknerd001 (tiffany)

[27 july 2015]