Author's Note: Agh I am so so sorry it took me this long to update! Time has been flying by way too fast and I have been absolutely drowning in homework these past couple months. I am so glad that you guys are intrigued in this story, and I will try to get another update out there as soon as I can! Love you all
Disclaimer: I do not own anything concerning The Mortal Instruments series.
Music for this Chapter
Subway - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Don't You (Forget About Me) - KT Tunstall
Chapter 2: Between the Two
I had never wanted to be someone else as badly as I did when I settled in to my AP US History class. My first class had gone fairly well considering my day, though the teacher was boring enough to put three kids to sleep. But of course, I had made the foolish assumption that I would not have any classes with Sebastian because he's a senior. I also made the foolish assumption that I would not have any classes with Simon's oddly familiar golden-haired friend, either. Now, as I walked to the desk that sat right next to Sebastian's and watched as his mouth twisted into a pale line and his eyes darted suggestively and accusingly at the boy I had met earlier, I regretted every decision I've ever made about being a good student.
"Clary," Sebastian drawled, moving his backpack from the seat next to him. "I saved you a seat." His movements were sharp and quick, predaceous in a way that was forbidding and made me want to run away with my tail between my legs. I scampered to the desk, and I was proud of myself for avoiding eye contact with any person near me. Sebastian has always had a short temper, but today he was being particularly difficult, and I had no idea why. It seemed like this new school year brought me an entirely new Sebastian Morgenstern, one who's love was slowly crawling its way along my body until it made sure that I was untouchable to anyone that was not him.
This thought covers a shiver to roll down my back, but I do my best to cover it up. I reach for my backpack and pull out my Physics binder. From the corner of my eye I see Sebastian scoot just a little bit closer to me. I open the binder and begin to doodle on a random page, trying to decide if Sebastian's actions are sweet and endearing or suspicious.
"What are you drawing?" I hear Sebastian whisper, his mouth surprisingly close to my ear. I grin sheepishly and show him the notebook paper, which is already covered in meaningless shapes and squiggles. I sigh in frustration. I can't even get my thoughts straight enough to draw something, although Sebastian seems pleased that my artistic mind has not led me to things like the boy he's been glaring at for the past ten minutes.
"Sorry I'm late, class. Not a good first impression, and don't use this as an excuse for you being late to my classroom at anytime this year." The teacher's voice suddenly intrudes the room, and I look up to find an older man striding across the floor towards his desk. His pepper hair was array from rushing, but he had a certain commanding and somehow calming aura that surrounded him. He set down some papers and then turned to face us. "I'm Mr. Starkweather, and I won't take any backtalk from any of you this year. I expect you all to work hard in this class and push yourself to your fullest ability, and I highly doubt you want to see my reaction when I know you are slacking."
The entire class was deathly silent. So he was that kind of teacher. Just perfect.
"I'll call role and then start on our first assignment, shall we?" He offered the class a brief smile that technically didn't even count as a smile because the corners of his mouth only pulled up slightly for a moment before falling back into the bored expression.
I suppose the class would have been okay, if it weren't for the fact that I could feel Sebastian's eyes on me the entire time. I wondered when he had gotten so possessive.
"Fray," a voice said, and I turned to see a piece of crumpled paper on the floor by my foot. I quickly grabbed it and unfolded the note as quietly as I could, recognizing the familiar handwriting.
I know I've been acting weird today. My house later? I believe there is a stack of movies waiting for us by the couch.
x,
Sebastian
My shoulders, filled with tension I didn't even realize was there, suddenly relaxed and there was a sense of relief running through my body. So Sebastian had noticed he was acting weird. And he wanted me to come over later for a movie. A warm feeling replaces the apprehension and worry I had been feeling all day.
Is that a date, Mr. Morgenstern?
x,
Clary
When he reads the note, he genuinely smiles, something I've been yearning to see all day.
I suppose so, Ms. Fray, so you better say yes to spare my feelings. And I have to be allowed to drive you to my house, or it just wouldn't be proper.
Shaking my head in amusement, I bite the tip of my pencil trying to come up with a reply. Sebastian's been pretty moody all day and I'm not sure if I should give him time to cool off and wind down. It would be nice to spend some time with him...
See you then.
I write this quickly and pass it to his desk. Even if Sebastian seems a lot calmer than he was this morning, I'm still rather nervous about the whole situation. He's been getting more aggressive as of late, and it's starting to scare me. What will I do if Sebastian seriously hurts me? He wouldn't actually do that, would he?
I blink a few times to clear my thoughts and attempt to focus on the board, where Mr. Starkweather is busy writing questions he expected us to answer in a short essay due next class. I groan inwardly, already knowing this class would be the demise of my junior year. I hear someone else sigh, and I know before I turn my head that it is the golden-haired boy. Meeting my eyes, he smirks before rolling his eyes and mouthing "This sucks." I nod my head in agreement, praying that Sebastian didn't notice this little encounter.
"Ms. Fray." Mr. Starkweather's voice breaks through the silence, and my stomach immediately drops to the floor. "Perhaps it would be in your best interest to face the front and pay attention, instead of flirting with Mr. Herondale back there. Otherwise, I'll make sure you two enjoy some alone time in detention."
All of my blood rushes from my face. Sebastian visibly stiffens, and I know the light-hearted mood he had entered this classroom with has flown out the window. Why had everything gone down the drain so easily? Dammit, Clary, I thought. You're so stupid, you know that?
I decided the best approach would be to remain quiet for the rest of the class. I made eye contact with neither Sebastian or this so-called Jace, and I made sure to book it out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang. In all honesty, this day had been absolutely terrible, and I prayed that maybe lunch would cheer me up a little more.
I knew for certain, however, that if I wanted to protect myself and Sebastian, I couldn't have anything to do with Jace.