Sorry for the late update - major writer's block, farm stay with friends, medical issues, school starting - so technically life, just got in the way.

I know this is really random but it needs to be said, 'Idris' is supposedly located in America in this story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Clary POV:

Yesterday, Izzy, Tessa and I had decided to have a girls night since I didn't have any dates. I know you might think that princess' don't have 'girls nights' but when I say a girls' night, I just mean eating food, talking and watching movies. Which is something I don't normally do.

My day consisted of many boring meetings. The first one we were talking about the trade policies with some of the other countries, apparently China were having some issues with it.

The next meeting was mainly about the Selection, deciding the upcoming tasks, who should be short-listed and what not.

Then the third meeting was prep about the Halloween Ball, safety precautions and all that. I found out that it was Louis, the host of the Report who suggested having the ball to spice things up.

Honestly, what juicy things could happen at a Halloween ball?

When night came I told the girls about my date with Gabriel. He was nice I guess, didn't look too bad either, he had big green eyes and brown tousled hair.

But there was no real connection. He was defiant and would very well share his opinion which is normally good, but he shares it all the time, when its not needed. Not a very good quality.

He did make me laugh sometimes - but that was more when he, Well I guess both of us were making fun of the other contestants. It was all light-hearted teasing obviously. Well too me it was.

We talked about the Selection, the contestants, who we liked and just gossiped like three normal teenage girls.

So far I had been on a date with Raphael, Jonathon, Jace, Will and Gabriel. That really wasn't much.

I still had to go on a date with like 12 other people!

Today I would spend the day with Alec, Izzy's brother, Meliorn and Bat (double date).

I was rather looking forward to my date with Alec, I couldn't wait to get to know Izzy's brother more.

Last night, Izzy told me how nervous he was for the date which is absolutely adorable!

She told me that Alec had a knack for archery so I thought we could go to the archery grounds and he could teach me a thing or two.

I wore a black denim skirt with a velvet off the shoulder tucked inside.

The bench I sat on was adorned with flowers, while I was waiting for Alec I pulled out my sketchbook from my satchel and drew for some time.

It had been a while since I had done so, - I drew the sky, the clouds, the forest, the flower bushes the -

"Wow that looks really good," Alec interuptted.

"Agh!" I screamed, my pencil rolled on the ground.

"Sorry, i didn't mean to interrupt," Alec said sheepishly.

"How long were you standing there for?" I murmured. Normally I didn't like people watching me do art.

"Uh a couple of minutes," he replied, sliding on the bench.

I raised my eyebrow, he returned the look with a slightly pink face, "You were in your element, you seemed relaxed," he said with a shrug.

"Fair enough," I replied.

"So I'm guessing you talked to Izzy, considering we're out here doing archery?" He said after a couple minutes of silence.

"Not exactly the ideal date," Alec joked, "But then and again what would I know?"

What did he mean by that? From my expression I could tell he knew what I was thinking.

"Yes, I haven't been on many dates before," he said with a sigh. Ah, that makes sense - what he said. But then that didn't make sense cause he was actually hot.

I looked at him in disbelief, "Excuse me for saying this, but you are extremely good looking,"

He didn't seem convinced.

"Well if it makes you feel better, I haven't been on a date either," I added. He gave me the look, well duh. You're the princess.

Talk about awkward.

"Well are we going to shoot some arrows or what?" he asked in a detached tone.

"Yup right," I hopped off from the bench.

"I'll call the archery instructor," I said, pulling out my phone.

"I think we should be good without one, I can teach you," he said. It was weird, you'd think if someone said that they'd be bragging, but Alec was serious. He wasn't trying to show off, you could see it in his expression.

He pulled me over to the field, a couple of meters where the target was set up. He told me the basics, parts of the bow, and then how to shoot. To properly shoot an arrow it takes lots of training so he briefly explained how to use the bow.

TIME SKIP

"Wow, archery is a lot harder than I expected!" I panted, "I can't believe I got a bulls-eye!" He smiled, you could tell this is something he was really passionate about.

We sat back on the bench, personally I wanted to know a bit more about Alec but he was too focused on teaching me how to shoot. The only thing I really got out of him was about the business his family owns, the Pandemonium. But that wasn't really about himself.

It's like he was avoiding getting too close...or maybe I'm just being paranoid. I could tell Alec would be a fabulous leader, considering the way he taught me how to shoot a bulls-eye when this was the time I had ever even used a bow.

"You are a very good teacher," I said while my arms swung in the air - one landing directly on Alec's palm. It immediately stiffened and I noticed how clammy it was, I glanced at his now apprehensive looking face. He swiftly moved his hand, "I'm sorry, I can't do this," and with that, he left.

Alec POV:

God this can't be happening, everything was going alright, the conversation was light, there were some jokes, she actually learned something new but I just had to freak out when her hand just happened to touch mind. It was an accident as well!

I stormed into the foyer, mentally scolding myself for freaking out, the moment playing repeat in my head.

I didn't even notice who I was running past or more who I ran into. The man's wine bottle made a clinking noise as I ran smack bang into the man's chest.

"Watch it you silly boy, oh," the man met Alec's eyes and his frown turned into a amused smirk, it was Magnus "Ah, it's just pretty boy," Magnus drawled in his accent. His breath spread over, it was evident that he was drunk.

I gulped, "Uh sorry, I was lost in my thoughts, you know...I, I, can go," I said pointing backwards, Magnus eyed me warily before he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.

I grunted in annoyance, trying to loosen his grip. I didn't realise people who worked in the palace are even allowed to get this drunk. "Please? Stay," Magnus pleaded, he sounded...broken.

I stopped in my tracks, "My girlfriend broke up with me," Magnus said in a resentful tone, "She was gorgeous, she told me that she had lost feelings for me."

"Well don't worry you're gorgeous as well, if she was gorgeous you'd have been perfect together," I muttered, wondering what it would be like to have to be sad because my girlfriend broke up with me. First I would have to get a girlfriend.

"You think I'm gorgeous?" Magnus asked, clearly amused. Shoot. God Alec.

"No need to be embarrassed, I know I'm gorgeous, and yes we were perfect together," he said non-chalontly, looking at the sparkling rings adorned on his hand.

This guys is a mess. Who hired him to be head councillor?

"Girls are so confusing you know? Don't know why I always think that she will be the one everytime I get a girlfriend, boys are much less dramatic, my relationships with men have been far better," Magnus looked at me expectedly as if he was trying to make a point.

So he's gay. No, he's bi. Magnus held his stare, what did he want me to say? Yeah Magnus, I agree, men are way better. Like I would know.

"Anyway, enough about me, what's gotten you in a tiffy, Alexander," The way he said my name made me want to melt - it just sounded so, sexy.

Wait what, I can't think that! It's just the accent that sounds cool. Not that his voice sounds sexy. Definitely not.

"Alexander?" My name ringed out in the halls.

"Sorry, I just had my date with Clary," I replied.

"And it went?" Magnus asked, genuinely curious.

"It actually went well," I said, my lips pursed.

"But?" God Why was he so interested in me?

"I kind of panicked when her hand touched mine," I said quickly.

Magnus gave a husky laugh, and I blushed furiously,

"You know I'm gonna leave if you're just gonna make fun of me!" I said defiantly. Yeah, I might be shy at times but I have no problem standing up for others or myself.

"Sorry, Alexander," Magnus apologised flustered, "That wasn't nice."

"No shit Sherlock," I muttered. He was getting slightly annoying, why was he so desperate to talk to me? He did call us contestants hooligans.

"God I can't function properly, I'm going to the club," Magnus announced to himself, "And I'd ask you to come but you know I can't, so goodbye, pleasure to be of your acquaintance," And with that, he pranced off.

I have never, ever met someone quite like Magnus.

Clary POV:

I hope Alec is okay. Did I scare him? I can't be that hideous can I?

Alec was the only thing I could think about, even though hours had past that incident.

Actually, I knew why, it was Meliorn and Bat's antics which were internally driving me nuts so I had no choice but to think of anything other than this moment in time.

They were opposites - Meliorn was bossy and a narcissist, where Bat was weak minded.

Right now we are in the stables, ready to do some horse riding.

Obviously I had to change out of my previous attire and into jodphurs, a jacket, tunic and vest.

"Hi Gary, it's nice to see you, what horses are there?" I asked the stable owner - very pleasant man. Late forties, hair a mixture of black and faded gray. Very fit.

"As it is to see you," he bowed.

"No need for that." I told him.

"It's all good," I was about to protest but he continued about the horses,

"I left two horses behind, one for each person, the rest the guards have taken to practice riding," his gaze went past me to Bat to Meliorn.

"But I see that there is an extra person - my bad, didn't realise this was a double date,"

"It's no problem," I said.

"Well I have to go, just leave the horses in there stable, and latch the door properly. Ring the bell, then I'll come to feed them. Ok bye," Gary waved.

"Um Clary, we can ride the horse together if you want?" Bat said innocently.

"Ok," I replied, going to get the saddle but than Meliorn tugged at my arm,

"I'd rather you sit with me, Clary," Meliorn said in a menacing voice.

I shivered, wishing that I could tell Meliorn to not call me by my name.

Bat's eyebrows furrowed, "I offered first," he said, "But it is your choice of course," he said quickly gazing at me.

Meliorn glared at Bat.

"Well then, in that case, I'll ride on my own, you two can share," I decided.

"But-," Meliorn protested.

"I've already put the saddle on and now," placing my boot on the buckle, "I'm on the horse."

"Well come on, it doesn't matter," Bat said good-naturedly.

Meliorn scowled, "anything for you your highness,"

I smiled at him than turned around and rolled my eyes.

This was going to be a long ride.

Alec POV:

"So how was your date?" Izzy asked enthusiastically.

"As much as I love you being here, having my sister be right behind my back while I'm dating, or whatever, is unnerving," I said sardonically.

Izzy rolled her eyes, "I'm not getting anything out of you am I, ok then," she said, popping down on the bed innocently.

"Clary's gonna tell me anyway," she grinned.

I groaned, "Ok I think you need to get out."

Izzy looked at the watch, "you're right, I have to plan my costume for the halloween ball, bye." She gave me a peck on the cheek.

"Bye," I coped. I waited until she was down the hall then slammed my door.

I wanted to tell Izzy what happened but what if she made fun of me? Obviously she wouldn't do it in front of me but behind my back? Maybe?

And I didn't think I could tell her that I witnessed the head councillor drunk. That wouldn't go over well.

I stayed lost amongst my thoughts and decided to write a letter to me family.

I pulled out my quill and some paper,

Dear Mum and Dad...

Clary POV:

"That was horrible!" I exclaimed to Tessa, collapsing on my bed.

"All they did was bicker, and it was obvious who had the upper hand," I complained.

"It couldn't have been that bad," Tessa comforted, her arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah you're right, Bat was fine I guess, it was Meliorn, always trying to make himself look better, no respect for anyone else," I said with distaste.

"Well it's over, you just went horse riding then had afternoon tea, much quicker than your previous dates," said Tessa, "How was it with Alec?"

I looked around in deep thought - it went well up until the end. Do I tell Tessa what happened though?

"It went, uh, smoothly," I said, trying to hold a grin.

I don't think Alec would want his little panic attack, if you could even call it that, getting out.

"Yeah?" Tessa's eyebrows raised, clearly not convinced.

"I think he'd be a very good leader, he taught me how to shoot! I got a bulls eye," I said enthusiastically.

"That's impressive," Tessa slurred, seeming to have bought my act.

"Thank you," I replied with a smile.

"Oh I meant Alec, he taught you how to do something well, you're very impatient you know?" Tessa joked.

"Very funny," I said in a sarcastic tone.

"Who is it tomorrow?" Tessa inquired.

"Uh Simon and Jordan for the double date, and someone else, I can't remember." I replied.

"Ok well that should be peaceful," Tessa smoked.

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Yeah."

"Well I have to go do some cleaning, sorry," she said with a frown. It was times like these I remembered how different we were.

"That's, all, good," i said while yawning. I giggled, "Wow, I must be tired as well."

I walked over to my closet and put some pyjama shorts and a baggy T-shirt on, my fluffy robe over the top.

"Good night, Tessa," I said with a yawn.

"It's only 5 Clary," Tessa said with a laugh.

I curled into the bed, "Well I'm tired and having a nap, so good night again."

"Bye then," she said still laughing.

I sighed and pulled myself further into the warm bed covers.

Omg finally that's done. For now updates will be every two weeks since I'm working on another light story (The Golden Boy, which is a TMI Fic as well) and school, so if you get bored you can check that out.

Thank you for 20 follows I feel like my life is complete and thank you for reviews etc

Tell me your thoughts, I've been a little tired so this chapter probs wasn't that good.