"We should take a picture," said Clary, taking out a camera.
Jace furrowed his brow. "Why?"
"Because," Clary walked up to a woman pushing a stroller. "Excuse me, could you take our picture?"
Jace didn't know why mundanes would do that- ask strangers favors. It was odd.
The woman smiled. "Of course," she took the camera from Clary's hands.
Clary ran over to Jace and stood next to him. "What do you want to see in this photo?" Clary asked.
Jace wrapped his arms around Clary, and they both smiled.
The woman held up the camera, and the light flashed. "Cute," she said.
Clary went over to her and took the camera. "Thanks."
Adrian was sitting on the hospital bed next to Brooke's. Jace was asleep on the one on the opposite side, and Sky on the one next to him. It was late at night, and everyone else had either gone of fallen asleep.
He watched Brooke's chest slowly rise and fall. She looked peaceful right now, but also like she was sedated. She might as well have been.
Her eyes fluttered open. Adrian stood up and walked over. "Hey," he said.
She looked at him and smiled. "Hey."
He sat down on the bed next to her. "How're you feeling?"
Her smile faded. "... You don't..."
Adrian frowned. "Brooke, what's wrong?"
She swallowed. "Before I'm gone again, I wanted to thank you."
"Gone?" Adrian took her hand. "Brooke, you aren't gonna die. Magnus said-"
She put her index finger to her lips, and he stopped talking. "I wanted to thank you for saving me," she said.
"I didn't save you," he said.
She gave a small, sad smile. "You tried."
He smiled gently at her.
"Try to remember," she said, then her eyes closed, and she was asleep again.
Awhile later, Adrian looked up as Alec walked in.
"How is she?" asked Alec.
"Sleeping," said Adrian.
Alec put his hands in his pockets and nodded. "... Can I talk to you for a sec?"
Adrian frowned. "Sure..."
He followed Alec out of the infirmary. Once they were out, Alec took something out of his pocket. "You wanted to know who Clarissa was," he handed it to Adrian. It was a photo. "This is her."
Adrian looked at the photo with wide eyed. The picture was on Jace cuddled up close to a girl who looked just like Skylar- but with freckles, and curly, red hair. Jace looked... Happy. "... What is this...?"
"That's Clarissa Fray- or Clary- Jace's girlfriend."
Adrian looked up at Alec. Jace had two girlfriends? "That lying, cheating-"
"Clary's dead," Alec said quickly.
Adrian eyes widened. "Oh."
"She died three years ago."
"... Is that why Jace is so..." Adrian couldn't find the right word.
"Yeah," said Alec. "Clary was also known by a different name that you may or may not know."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Clarissa Morgenstern."
Adrian's eyes went wide. He had heard that name. "Oh..."
"Magnus thought I should tell you. I don't know why," Alec put his hands back in his pockets, and left.
"There isn't much time," a voice whispered in Jace's ear. "I'm going to disappear again in a minute. Just remember the name 'Thyme'. He did this to us. He killed Clary."
Jace bolted upright. He was in the infirmary, and he'd fallen asleep on one of the beds. He let out a breath, and massaged his temples with his index fingers.
"Are you alright?"
Jace looked over. Adrian was looking at him with a slightly surprised, slightly concerned look on his face.
Jace let out a breath and composed himself. "Fine."
Adrian looked at him for a long time. "I know about Clary."
Jace looked at him sharply.
Adrian had a defeated look on his face. "That's why you like Sky, isn't it?"
"... I don't like-"
"Save it," Adrian, snapped, then looked away from him. "It's obvious that you like her, and she likes you, too."
Jace's eyes widened.
Adrian looked back at him with a hard expression. "I won't let you hurt Brooke, though, do you understand me? She means a lot to me, and she would be very hurt if you left her for her sister."
Jace swallowed, unsure of what to say.
Adrian stood up, and left the infirmary.
Brooke's eyes fluttered open. She was in the infirmary. Sunlight was starting to come through the windows, signifying it was morning. Everything was kind of... Shiny. She frowned, remembering the previous night- or, at least, some nights ago...
She sat up slowly and stretched. Adrian was on the bed next to her, sitting up, but sleeping. On his other side was Sky, and on Brooke's other side was Jace.
Adrian stirred, and opened his eyes. He smiled when he saw her. "Morning."
She put her arms behind her to support herself and let her head hang back. "Morning," she said, smiling.
Adrian chuckled and got up. He sat down on her bed. "How are you feeling?"
She smiled. "Lovely. And how are you, Adrian?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "I'm good... Are you sure you're alright? You're acting strange."
She frowned. "I am?" She lie her head on her own shoulder and looked at him with a puppy-face.
Adrian chuckled again, eyebrow still furrowed. "Yeah."
Brooke noticed he had a bag slung over his shoulder. "Going somewhere?"
He looked away. "Uh, yeah. I'm going home."
Brooke sat up properly and frowned. "Why?"
Adrian swallowed, then looked back at Brooke. He looked at her for a long time. "I'm not a city person."
"You're lying," said Brooke. "What's wrong?" she made a pouty face. "I can tell you're sad."
He swallowed and looked away. "I'll see you later, Brooke," he looked back at her. "Take care of Sky, okay?"
Brooke nodded. "Okay."
Adrian put his hand on her shoulder, then kissed her forehead.
Brooke closed her eyes and absorbed the sensation. It felt nice, and he smelled like spices.
He lingered there for a second, then murmured something, and then he was gone.
Brooke's eyes were shut for a long time after that. She opened them, and he was nowhere to be seen.
She looked over at where Sky was sleeping. She took her pillow, and threw it at Sky. It hit her and she sat up quickly. She smiled when she saw Brooke. "Hey, you're awa-"
"Adrian's leaving," she interrupted. "He's going home right now."
Sky's smile dropped, and her eyes widened. "What?"
"Go say bye."
Skylar got out of bed and ran out of the infirmary.
Brooke expelled a breath, and plopped back down. Her pillow- which was absent- didn't catch her fall. "Ouch."
Skylar ran out the doors of the Institute. "Adrian!"
Adrian stopped, and looked at her. Magnus was standing there, and a portal was open. "Sky..." he looked... sad.
"Adrian, I don't want you to leave. Yesterday, when you asked if I-"
"Skylar, don't."
Skylar frowned in confusion. "I-"
"Don't," Adrian said again, shaking his head. "Sky..." he set down his bag and walked right up to her. "Skylar, I love you... But this isn't working."
Skylar's eyes widened. "What?" her voice was small.
"Skylar..." he swallowed. "Sky, I can't do this. I can't be with you knowing you'd rather be with someone else."
She felt hurt, and confused. "... What are you-"
"Sky," he put his hand on the side of her face. "Sky..." he got close to her, and stopped when his face was an inch away from hers. "I want you to be happy, and I know you won't be with me."
Skylar felt tears spill down her cheeks.
"I wish you the best, Skylar," he kissed her forehead, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Goodbye," he whispered, then turned around.
Skylar opened her eyes.
Adrian picked up his bag, and walked up to the mouth of the portal. He looked at her for a long second with a sad look on his face before disappearing into the portal. It closed behind him, and Magnus looked at her, a slightly concerned look on his face.
Sky choked out a sob, and she ran back inside.
"Jace. Jace, wake up."
Jace opened his eyes and saw Brooke standing over him.
"You're awake," he said.
She looked slightly worried. "I've been up for awhile. I was a bit out of it, though... Look, Adrian left this morning."
Jace sat up and frowned. "He left?"
"Went home," said Brooke. "I need to check on Sky, but I don't want to leave you in here alone."
"Uh, thanks," Jace stood up. "Glad you're alright."
She gave him a small smile. "Thanks for staying," she gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then left.
Brooke speed walked down the hall towards Skylar's room. She got to her door and knocked on it. "Sky? Can I come in?" there was no answer. Brooke opened the door and saw Sky lying on her side, staring at some point in the distance, makeup streaked down her face. "Sky, I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner," she walked up and sat on her bed next to her. "It's okay. You'll see him again soon enough, promise."
She rolled over to face the opposite direction.
"... Sky-"
"I don't want to talk about it," she said. "Could you go? Please."
Brooke was taken aback. Sky had never pushed her away, ever. She'd always confided in her, told her everything. "... If that's what you want," Brooke stood up and left the room, looking over her shoulder briefly at her before shutting the door.
"Is she okay?" Jace asked. He was leaning against the wall right outside Sky's room.
"She's okay," she said, then swallowed. "But she isn't taking it very well."
Jace's eyes widened slightly.
Brooke took his hand, and they walked to the dining room.
Skylar closed her eyes, fighting off more tears. She didn't like pushing Brooke away, but she felt guilty. Adrian broke up with her because she liked her sister's boyfriend. How awful was that? She desperately wished she could talk to someone about all this- a friend who wasn't connected to the situation. Not anyone in her family, not anyone in Adrian's family, not anyone is Jace's family. Someone else.
She sat up, suddenly having the urge to go somewhere specific. She got out of bed, and headed to the place she was so drawn to.
So what did you think? Adrian broke up with Skylar. Where do you think she's headed?
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Wisterian Princess
