Disclaimer: I don't claim to own the characters from the Infernal Devices or the Mortal Instruments, neither do I claim to own/have created any other books/songs/places unless I specifically say otherwise.

'There's a smart young woman on a light blue screen who comes into my house every night…' the first line of Elvis Costello's 'Green Shirt' drifted from Tessa's dorm. The girl in question was inside, humming along, and putting posters up: The Smiths, Elvises Costello and Presley, The Police and The Beatles, Oasis, Ella Fitzgerald, Norah Jones and a selection of posterised book covers. She was pinning 'The Great Gatsby' up inside the window seat when a knocking punctuated the music.

"Come in!" Tessa was precariously balanced on a chair, a blob of blu-tack attached to her nose.

"Is now not a good time?" It was an unfamiliar, female voice. Tessa turned to see a very pretty girl standing in the doorway of her room. Her hair was a lovely dark brown, and her large eyes were hazel. A silver scar ran down the left side of her face – but didn't mar her lovely features, and Tessa felt jealous. Her own hair – light brown, and grey eyes, were hardly striking.

"Oh, no it's fine!" Tessa hopped down from the chair.

"I…Uh…" The girl was staring at her, curiously and Tessa realised that she still had the blu-tack on her nose. She pulled it off, grimacing.

"I'm Sophia Collins," she said "But everyone calls me Sophie. My dorm's next door, so I thought I'd say hello!"

"Tessa Gray," Tessa shook Sophie's hand.

"It's nice to meet you!" Sophie beamed.

"We – that is, myself, and a few friends are going out for a Brunch-slash-early-lunch in about twenty minutes; they're not awake yet, see. Nobody really is, during the first days. But we were wondering if you wanted to come with us? It's a very short bus journey into the city, but it's a very nice place, and if you don't want to come that's okay too, we just thought you might want-"

"I'd love to, Sophie!" Tessa was genuinely excited. She'd been worried that she'd have to suffer the fate of every new girl; spending at least a month struggling to navigate the premises, eating alone and, worst of all, being a magnet to the eyes of every other student. "Great! I'll come and get you when we're about to go," said Sophie and left. Tessa realised that she was still wearing her Captain America pyjamas, and giggled - mostly out of embarrassment, but partly because Sophie was someone who Tessa thought could become a great friend.

Twenty minutes later, Tessa had washed and dressed; a nautical striped t-shirt, high-waisted jeans and flats. She had decided to wing her eyeliner - and had been pleased with the results. Her hair was gathered in a loose bun and she had decided against jewellery. A knock came at the door again, and Tessa grabbed her bag; which held her wallet and phone, and ran to open it. Sophie was waiting.

"Hello again!"

"Hello!" "The others are just waiting downstairs. There'll be five of us, including you and me."

"Cool! Just let me..." Tessa turned and locked the door to her dorm. "You know, there's not really much need for that. Nobody really- but better safe than sorry!" Sophie finished, seeing Tessa's slight flush.

Sophie introduced her three friends. Ellen was sweet, but very quiet and Thomas looked at Sophie like she was the centre of his world; but only when she wasn't looking. "And this is Jem!" Sophie's smile grew just a slight bit wider - only Tessa noticed.

"Hey!" Jem was tall, and slim. Tessa would later find out that his mother was – had been, Chinese, but she was at first struck by his unusual silver hair, and matching eyes ("A rarer form of Albinism."). "Hi!" They spent an embarrassingly long time smiling awkwardly at each other. The silence was broken by Sophie's cough. "The bus leaves is five minutes, and it takes six to get down to the stop." Thomas almost swore, but caught himself just in time. "We'd best run then," said Jem, as he broke into a sprint. The others followed suit, and Tessa, with a laugh, joined them.

It was an unusual picture, for passers-by, to see the group of teenagers streaking down the street, shrieking with laughter like a group of five-year-olds. When they arrived at the bus stop, they were panting, still laughing as the bus pulled in. It was a bright red double-decker. "Oh my God! You actually do have the red buses!" Tessa was ecstatic. "I thought that was just a stereotype!"

"What, you've never been in a double decker? You've never been at the top?" Sophie asked, incredulously.

"Nope."

"That's got to change then. If you sit at the front, it's the best thing. Ever."

They filed in, paid their ticket fare and piled up the stairs. The top deck was (thankfully) almost empty, and they filled up the front two rows of seats. Tessa was sat right at the front, by the window. She looked down at the other people getting onto the bus. "Wow. That's a long way down."

Jem laughed. "I know. Just look forward, or it ruins the illusion."

Sophie had been right. Second stop into the city, and a short walk down the street, and they came to a small, retro style café. "The Jazz Café – how original," Tessa did have to admit though, it looked lovely.

"It does the best Florentine hot-chocolate in the area," said Sophie.

"And has jazz evenings every Saturday." Jem added. They took a booth, looking out onto the street.

"What would you like?" the red-headed waitress asked. Tessa had no idea what to order. Eventually, under Sophie, Thomas and Jem's advice, she ordered a chicken, sweetcorn and rocket wrap. Sophie and Thomas wanted falafel, Ellen liked the cheese and tomato Panini and Jem ordered a vegetarian burger. "And drinks?"

"Tessa, you have to try the hot-chocolate!" This made Tessa uncomfortable.

"I…I'm not a big fan of chocolate, to be honest." Sophie's jaw dropped.

"How…"

"I find it too sweet..." Sophie still looked shocked, but didn't press the matter. Tessa was the only one who ordered a coffee. The food, when it arrived, was even better than Tessa had anticipated. She hadn't known how hungry she'd actually been, and her wrap was half gone in a matter of seconds. "You know, the hot chocolate isn't that sweet." Sophie persisted in trying to get Tessa to try the hot chocolate. "Okay. Fine. I'll try the hot chocolate." Tessa caved, to a collective cheer, and Sophie slid her drink across the table. Tessa gingerly took a sip. The florentine hot-chocolate was thick – much thicker than a normal hot-chocolate normally was; almost solid. It was more bitter too. "Okay, fine. You guys win. I like it."

"Like what, Tess?" An all too familiar voice interrupted. Will Herondale slid onto the seat, right next to Tessa. Sophie, from the other side of Tessa, glared at him. He was far to close to Tessa. Their thighs were pressed together and if Tessa wanted to, she could rest her head on his shoulder. "What're you doing here, Will?"

"I happen to, much like your lovely self, be getting something to eat." He got up, as suddenly as he had sat. Whispering... something to Jem, he left. A very small, dark haired girl had latched onto his arm.

"Will and Jem are closer than brothers," Sophie said into Tessa's ear. This shocked Tessa. Jem was so kind and sweet and considerate and lovely.

Will was, well... Will was Will.

"I, uh, need to..." she gestured vaguely, and made her way to the toilets. Where, she saw the dark haired girl pushed up against the sinks, legs wrapped around Will, faces glued together. Tessa promptly left. The bill was on the table, already paid. "Who..." Tessa pulled her wallet out, to pay back. "I did – as a gift, so you can't pay me back." It was Jem. "It'd be rude."

"But I-"

"No."

"Jem..."

"Oh wow would you look at the time we really must be going!" Jem steered her away from the table and out the door, to the amusement of the others.

"Goodnight!" A chorus of replies greeted Tessa down the corridor; Sophie, Tom, Ellen and Jem. It had been a good day. The sun had been warm, and instead of going back to the dorms, they took the underground (and Tessa was shown how to use the Oyster card Nate had organised for her) into the centre of London. Tessa was taken on a miniature tour of the city; that is, the Tate, the National Gallery, and another underground journey to Camden market in the afternoon for a smaller meal. To Tessa, it was like a modern day marketplace out of the Arabian Nights - complete with Aladdin's caves. But despite the wonderful events of the day, Tessa couldn't forget that scene in the toilets at the Jazz Café. She was angry at herself. It wasn't her business who he was kissing, or what had happened afterwards. And who knew what had happened afterwards. She was distracted by these angry contemplations as she fell into a deep, but dreamless, sleep.

I AM SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE! I was on a school trip to the Belgium Battlefields, so I could write, but not upload it!

But anyway, I hope you like this Chapter! I decided to change the title, because I thought it was too long, and now Chapter 1 also has a title. I've decided each chapter is going to be named after a song – so, a little competition: first person to guess each chapter's title's artist, and submit a few lyrics from the song that sum the chapter up best in your opinion, gets a little shoutout and dedication in the following chapter. Chapter 3 will have two dedications (one from this chapter, one from chapter one). SO GO READ AND REVIEW!

The Word Breather