I'm sorry this has taken so long guys. I've been busy and the internet has been down. But I'm at Nashville Public Library right now so I thought I'd update. I actually wrote the Chapter after this before I wrote this. Forgive me for the wait. :)
It had been a day later when Alec awoke again. He knew something was wrong because he was still in the hospital. This time, when he awoke, his siblings were there. Izzy and Max lay beside him while Jace sat in a chair. His head was leaning onto the bed. They were asleep.
Alec tried his hardest to sit up without waking them, but Jace was attuned to everything around him. It's like he sensed that Alec was awake. He sat up and yawned and rubbed his eyes. "Hey," he said.
Alec looked at him. "Hey." After that, they were silent. Jace knew Alec had questions. Why wouldn't he? "Jace, how long have I been in here?" Jace sighed.
"Going on five days." So today was Tuesday. Alec hadn't missed much school. He could deal.
"What happened?" He looked Jace in the eyes and willed him to tell him the truth. Alec would know if he lied anyways.
"The doctors say you're too stressed out. That you could've left the day after the surgery had you not slept for three days. They say it's your mind's way of coping with all the B.S you've been putting up with. The doctor actually suggested that we take you out for a drink. You should've seen Robert's face. I don't know what you said to them, but it pissed them off."
Alec smiled. Then, as if he couldn't hold it in any longer, he burst into laughter. He could really use a drink right now. Beside him, Izzy shifted in her sleep and mumbled something. He shut up quickly and looked at her. She rolled onto her side and wrapped her hands around Alec's torso.
"Be quiet, Alec. We're trying to sleep." She scolded.
"I'm glad I'm feeling better too, Iz." He knew Izzy was just talking in her sleep and that she needed a few seconds to actually wake up. She shook her head and looked up.
She gasped. "Alec you're up. Why didn't you wake me?" She hugged him tighter.
Alec hugged her back. "You seemed to need the rest more than I did."
"Whatever lie you're telling yourself these days. Anyways, the doctor says you're the one that needs to get laid. But I don't know any male hookers, and well, I don't know anybody interested." He tried not to think of Magnus when she said this.
"I thank you Isabelle for making it clear that I lack any game whatsoever."
"At least you admit your defeat. You should come clubbing with us when you get out." Jace said this.
"Which brings me back to another question: when am I getting out of here?"
As if on cue, the nurse from last time walked in. "Alec are these delinquents giving you a hard time?" He flashed Alec a bright smile and winked.
"No. It's the ones from before that I need to worry about." Alec frowned. Was this nurse flirting with him?
"Oh, that's good." The nurse continued to check his vitals. "Well it seems your good to go. I'm gonna hate to see you leave, though. I kinda have a thing for blue eyes." Alec felt himself blush. He was not getting hit on with his siblings in the same room. It just wasn't happening.
The nurse signed the clipboard at the end of Alec's bed. "How about you give me a call sometime?" the nurse asked. Bold, wasn't he. Alec was sure his head would explode from embarrassment.
"Uh, that's probably not gonna happen. I… uh…I'm not really looking for someone right now."
"Alec." Isabelle yelled at him. "You are not turning him down. He's cute, and you need to get out more."
"Yeah, Alec. Listen to your sister. It could do you some good." The nurse was hopeful. He gave Alec his number and winked as he left the room.
Well, Alec knew that wasn't going to happen. Anyone that said listen to Izzy was not completely there. He could also think of a few other reasons why he wasn't going to call him. He turned to his sister and gave her the death glare. Izzy, in turn, looked innocently at Alec.
Jace was the first one to break. He had been holding his breath to keep from laughing and all his laughter came out in one great burst. Then Izzy laughed with him. And Alec allowed himself to chuckle a little. "That did not just happen." He tried to convince himself.
"Yeah it did. I take it back. You don't need to go clubbing with us. You're perfectly capable of finding your own." He continued to laugh.
"Yeah," Izzy joined in. "I thought I didn't know anyone interested but I was so wrong it hurts." She held her sides as she laughed. She gasped as if she couldn't breathe correctly. She probably couldn't.
Alec was still a bit dumbstruck. "I never get hit on. Like ever. That's usually you guys." Alec still couldn't think straight. It seemed his world was flipped upside down during the span of one week. Less even: it was more like five days.
Izzy had finally stopped laughing at him and was now leaning heavily on his lap. He pushed at her. "Get off of me. Do I have any clothes up here? I don't want to leave in a freakin' hospital gown."
"I can think of a certain nurse who wouldn't mind." Izzy deadpanned. She giggled at herself.
"That's exactly why I want some freaking clothes on."
"Relax, Alec. He's a nurse. He's probably already seen the goods." Jace couldn't help but smirk and Izzy full out laughed again. She leaned off Alec and handed him a bag from the mall with some clothes in it. Alec frowned. He suddenly didn't mind walking out of here with his gown on. Anything was better than whatever Isabelle had bought him.
"Alec, I don't want to hear it. You're leaving this place in style." Alec rolled over Max, who was still asleep, and went into the bathroom connected to his room. When he came out, he couldn't help the glare that he had given Izzy. He wore a pair of black skinny jeans with a gold chain that criss-crossed in the back and connects to two front belt loops. He had on a tight dark purple v-neck that showed off his muscle tone. Alec was hot, whether he knew it or not.
He sat on the bed next to Max, who still hadn't woke up, and put the combat boots she brought on. "Are you guys ready?" He turned to look at Jace and Izzy who were smiling at him. "What?"
"Alec, you look really hot."
"Thanks Iz. I know. Now, let's just go."
He watched as Jace picked up Max. He would've done so, but he had been in the hospital for five days and Jace had got there before he did. They left. Jace in front, Izzy behind him, and Alec last. Alec stopped at the Nurse's station and gestured for them to continue. He had to tell the nurse that he wasn't going to call. It was better to let him down now, than to have him thinking he'll call and be disappointed.
"Listen," he said to the nurse. "You seem like a nice guy, but I'm not over my ex yet, and that just wouldn't be fair to you. I really am sorry we weren't able to meet at a different time."
"It's okay, Hun. I went out on a whim anyways. Don't worry about it." He smiled that blinding smile and Alec returned a half-smile. He turned away awkwardly, and went to catch up with his siblings.
"What was that about?" Jace asked as they waited for the elevator.
"That was me letting him down easily." To Alec, that was the weirdest thing to say for him. He had no game whatsoever. He didn't even know the definition of the word.
They drove home in silence. Max was tuckered out. He didn't even bulge when Jace plopped him in the back seat. Now as they took him out, he only shifted in his sleep and mumbled something about Manga. Poor kid.
Alec walked to his room and took off his boots. He took off his clothes and folded them. Putting them away, he sighed. He was really tired. He hit the bed and slept almost immediately.
When Alec woke up, he didn't feel refreshed. He was dreading the moment when he'd have to face reality. That moment was here. He walked downstairs in his pajamas and started a pot of coffee. His family would need it. They always did.
When he got downstairs, he was surprised to see his parents already sitting at the table. They looked like they hadn't slept well, or at all. He only hesitated slightly before walking in on them. He didn't know how to feel towards them. He didn't know whether he should be angry, or indifferent, or not give a damn at all. He was thinking the latter.
He filled the coffee pot up and went to put some biscuits in the oven. For a second he almost found it weird how easily he fell back into routine. Then he thought he was just over analyzing crap and continued doing what he was doing. He put the temperature on 250 degrees. The temperature was low enough that it gave him enough time to shower and dress and come back down to take out the food. He'd always done it.
He did it now.
After putting on the clothes he took off last night—he had to admit, they weren't that bad looking—he came back downstairs. His parents were still in their same spots at the table. He ignored them and took the food out. He checked the time. It was six-forty-five. It was time to wake up Iz and Jace. He went to do so.
Alec felt he was over analyzing things. He couldn't stop thinking. It made him a bit upset. Some things were better left un-thought. He made his way to Isabelle's room and knocked. He hoped to the Angels above that he wouldn't trip over anything as he went in. "Iz." He shook her. "Izzy wake up." She swatted at his hands and turned over. Typical. "Izzy." This time he shook her harder.
Finally she woke up. "Hey. Are you going to school today?"
Alec looked at her, and then looked down at himself. Then he looked back at her. "What does it look like?"
"Well at least you're going in style. I thought I was going to have to fight with you."
"Whatever you say, Izzy. Get up."
Alec left Izzy's room and went to knock on Jace's door. Before he even knocked once, Jace yelled: "I'm up."
Alec rolled his eyes and kept going down the hallway. He entered Max's room without knocking. "Max," He shook him. "Max!"
Max rolled over and looked at Alec.
"Alec! What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I'm sorry would you like me to leave?"
"Are you kidding? No. When did you come home?"
Alec smiled at his little brother. "Last night. You were so tired; we couldn't have woken you if we tried. Get up, Kiddo. Are you going to school?"
"Yeah. Did mom and dad make you go, too?"
"Nope. I'm going because I'm going to blow a fuse sitting around here all day. Go get ready. I'll drive you."
Alec walked downstairs and started fixing coffee for the three of them. Max didn't drink coffee so he poured him some orange juice. All the while his parents sat there in silence staring into space. Alec sipped his own cup of coffee and thought to himself. He would not be the one that broke their silence. He heard Izzy and Jace coming down the stairs. They were arguing as usual. Alec smiled. How could he think things would have changed?
Alec drove Max to school. Max, whom he loved so much, was bouncing in his seat. He was excited about showing all his friends the brother who saved his life. Alec smiled and looked in the rearview mirror at Max. He knew he couldn't say no to Max. NO matter how embarrassed he was to be the center of attention; by ten year olds no less.
He dropped Max off and said hi to all his friends. They seemed to idolize Alec the way that Max idolized Jace before he was sick. They all agreed that Alec was awesome.
Alec smiled as he drove away. He looked into his rearview mirror and saw Max waving wildly along with his friends. He loved his brother. He loved his family. Nothing would ever change that.
Alec drove in pleasant silence. He hadn't even realized that he had navigated his way to school. He sat in the parking lot wondering how he was going to face the day. What would he do if Magnus tried to talk to him? Would he blow his top? He didn't know what was going to say?
Luckily he didn't have to approach Magnus. Magnus came to him while he was still sitting in his car. He knocked on the window lightly, and Alec unlocked his doors. Alec said nothing as Magnus got into the car.
When he was situated, Alec spoke. "Listen Magnus, I…" At the exact same time Magnus had spoke. Saying:
"Listen Alec, I… You go first." Alec blushed, but continued.
"I know I should trust you, and I want to. But so many things have happened in the past week, month, year. I just need to get back on top of things. I'm sorry Magnus. I just need a little more time before we restart our relationship." Alec looked Magnus in the eye as he spoke. He wanted to get his point across. He was pissed that Magnus had gotten himself in that situation, but deep down he knew it wasn't his fault. He needed just what he asked for. Time.
"How long?"
"I don't know." Magnus nodded. He knew damn well what the cost was. He knew there was a chance that Alec would never be ready, but that was a chance he was willing to take. If ever he needed a miracle, this was it. He needed Alec to come back and be his. And he would have to wait.
Magnus nodded again and got out of the car. Before he shut the door he said, "Call me when you're ready." He didn't mean for his feelings to show in his words, but they did. He didn't mean to slam the door when he got out of the car. But he did.
Alec watched Magnus walk away. He knew that Magnus was being unfair. But a sliver of doubt had been planted in his head. Has he gone and messed things up again? Alec didn't want to think about it. From inside the school he heard the bell ring. He put his car back into gear and decided to try school tomorrow. Maybe Thursday would be a good day.
For two weeks Jace, Izzy and Alec had got on track. They made it to school on time and they didn't party. Both Isabelle and Jace were going steady with their significant others and went out occasionally with them. Only Alec stayed home. He hadn't realized the stupor he had put himself into. He thought he was doing just fine. Apparently he was mistaken when Isabelle came into his room one Friday night.
"Get off your ass. We're going to Pandemonium."
"Izzy, aren't you dating someone?"
"Yes and he's coming with me. You, on the other hand, are not dating anyone. Once I finish with you, every guy will wish he had you. Even Jace… No just kidding. Clary would kick your ass."
"Thanks for the moral support, Iz. You do realize she looks like a twelve year old, right?"
"She'd kick your ass if she heard you say that."
Alec thought about that. Then he realized Izzy was right. "Oh, god, don't tell her I said that. All I need is one-hundred-one pounds of pure muscle looking to kill me. I think I'll just go into hiding." Even though Alec was joking, there was no emotion in his voice. Even he heard the blandness in his words. He wasn't the same as when he'd been with Magnus. Even thinking his name made him grimace.
"Listen, Alec. I don't know the back story of what happened between you and Magnus, but you are either going to get back with him, or get over him. You're going out, and I'm dressing you. And yes you are wearing Make-up." She saw Alec Grimace and thought it was because of the Make-up. "Don't worry. A little eye liner never hurt anyone."
Alec was actually grimacing at the thought of getting over Magnus. He had been thinking about it a lot and the more he thought about it, the more he hoped he wasn't just screwing himself and Magnus over. That would suck major ass. Maybe he would see Magnus tonight, and talk. Magnus always came on a Friday night. With or without Alec, he came.
Alec hoped against hope that Magnus would be there. That's all he thought about as Isabelle made him try different combinations of clothes. They'd finally settled on black skinny jeans, deep blue shirt and his signature boots. Alec looked good, he had to admit. Isabelle applied a little eye liner on his eyes and some blue eye shadow. Alec didn't mind. Maybe he would catch Magnus' attention.
Downstairs, Simon and Clary rang the door bell. Alec went downstairs to answer it, but saw that his parents had already done so. Alec wasn't that surprised. His parents were trying and failing to infuse themselves into the lives of their children. They asked questions like normal parents did, but they weren't normal parents.
Alec rolled his eyes. At least they were making an attempt. The problem was they shouldn't have had to. Parenting should have come easily to them. It didn't.
"Hey mom. Hey dad. We're going out." Isabelle said grabbing a light jacket.
"Okay. Curfew at ten." Isabelle stopped what she was doing and made a face. Alec damn near died of laughter. Isabelle continued what she was doing. When she was done, she grabbed Simon's hand and half carried him, half pulled him to the door.
Jace was staring at our mom as if she had two heads. Mom looked at the two. She still didn't understand what was wrong. Jace shrugged. "Whatever, mom." He didn't say it in a mean way, but you could tell he wanted to.
Maryse turned to Alec. "Did I miss something?" Alec almost rolled his eyes. She didn't miss something, she missed everything.
"Mom, curfew's not at ten. It's at midnight. If you don't want your feelings hurt, don't come here trying to change the rules and boundaries we've already set for ourselves. It'll only get worse for you.
"Don't you think Midnight is a little late, Alec? I mean you are the oldest. You're supposed to be the responsible one."
"No mom, I'm eighteen. I'm supposed to be the most reckless. You guys made me the responsible one when you decided not to come home." Alec went to the door. Before he left though, he turned to say something else. "If you don't want us sneaking in at all hours of the night, you'll keep the curfew at midnight. Anytime after that is out of my jurisdiction." He came outside and started his car. He turned to look at Izzy who was in the passenger seat.
It was like she was freaking psychic or some shit. She always knew when Alec was feeling down. "Alec, my sole purpose for tonight is to get you drunk." Alec laughed along with her.
"Won't Simon be jealous?"
"He'll deal. Right, Simon." Alec looked in his rearview to see Simon blushing.
Jace tried to stifle his laughter. "Simon, you're so getting laid tonight." At that, even Clary laughed.
Alec pulled into the parking lot of Pandemonium. "Fine. But for every drink I take, you guys take two."
They all agreed too quickly for Alec's liking, and he knew he would be drunk before the night was over with. It was funny how he didn't care. He made a promise to himself that he would do something tonight that he would regret tomorrow.
He entered the club. They were playing a song that he could dance to. That was the first thing he did. He danced. He took Isabelle and Simon's hand and brought them to the floor. He danced as provocatively as he could without making things awkward with his sister and her boyfriend.
When the song went off, they all got drinks. Alec drank two so everyone else drank four. Alec, unknowingly, had ordered non-alcoholic drinks. When he realized this, he thought it was for the best. After all, they'd need a designated driver, and there was no way he was leaving his car.
Alec was having a great time. That was until he saw Magnus and Rodney talking. He stiffened as he watched them. Rodney seemed to be trying to explain something to Magnus, but Magnus wasn't hearing any of it. Rodney turned and made his way to the door. Magnus followed him. Alec rolled his eyes. If that was how it was, then that's that. There was no changing his mind. From then on, he danced harder. He drank more. This time it was hard liquor. He was going to regret something. He intended on regretting it all.
There you go. Happy? I know lovies. A chapter after this.
~Cadence.
