Clique Chapter Ten: Ignorance is Bliss.

Alec Pov- "You really should have come to Magnus's party Jace. It was a lot of fun and the food was just amazing" I said walking into school with him. Jace shrugged going to my locker with me. "I wasn't really invited so if I just showed up I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten in. I don't think Magnus's dad gets along with mine anyway" he said shrugging.

I opened my locker door putting some books in and taking some out. "You act like you wouldn't have wanted to go yet you called me at two in the morning just so I can tell you every detail of the party."

Jace shrugged leaning on Magnus's locker "I was curious and I didn't want to wait till now to hear about it. It sounds like you had a roller coaster of a night." I shrugged "I didn't but Magnus seemed to have a few emotional moments. It was hard for him to be at a party without his mom there."

Jace nodded "believe me I know how hard it is to do things without having a parent there. It isn't easy." I nodded thinking over the night before looking at him "something happened yesterday that I didn't tell you. I thought it was nothing but now I'm not so sure."

Jace nodded his head, giving me his full attention and I looked around, making sure Magnus wasn't around before looking back at him. "It happened the first time Magnus and I danced together last night. He said something to me that I haven't really been able to get out of my head."

Jace nudged his head, telling me to continue and I hugged my books frowning "Magnus said that if he met me in middle school he never would have made a bet with the other fashionistas." This made Jace frown in confusion "what kind of bet?"

I shrugged "Magnus said that he bet that Camille couldn't make a turtle neck look good. I don't really know what that bet has to do with me but Magnus told me just to forget it."

Jace shook his head "Alec that makes no sense at all. Magnus having a bet like that doesn't have anything to do with you." I nodded "yeah I know which is why I can't get it out of my mind. When I asked him about the bet he acted all weird and he left right away to go talk to other people."

"Whatever bet he's talking about it's not the one he told you. There's something else going on here Alec. By the sound of the way he was acting it sounds like he doesn't want you to know the truth. It might have something to do with why he started talking to you."

His words made me flinch. I didn't even want to think of his bet having to do with why he started talking to me. "What… what are you suggesting" I asked softly. He frowned at me "Alec… have you ever considered that Magnus could only be with you because he was betted to?"

I quickly shook my head no "No. I asked Magnus if him talking to me was a bet and he told me it wasn't. I refuse to believe that Magnus would date me and play with my feelings all for some stupid bet. He isn't heartless like that."

Jace reached out putting his hand on my arm "Alec just think about it. Magnus came over to you randomly one day and just started trying to make you popular. Don't you find that a little suspicious?"

I shook my head hugging my books tighter "you're wrong Jace. Magnus isn't like that." Jace frowned "Alec, Magnus is like that. He isn't the sweet guy you keep tricking yourself into thinking he is. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. He may be using you Alec."

"You don't know what you're talking about so shut up Jace!" I yelled making Jace's eyes widened in shock.

"What's going on over here" Magnus's voice asked from behind me. The sound of his voice made my entire body tense up and I couldn't make myself face him. Jace glared at him "I'll tell you what's going on. We want to know about-" "About how the rest of your night went" I said cutting Jace off.

He looked at me in surprise and I met his eyes with intense blue ones. I conveyed all my feeling into that stare, telling him that I wanted him to keep his mouth shut. After Jace gave me a hesitant nod I turned and faced Magnus smiling "so how did the rest of your night go?"

Magnus searched my face for a moment before walking passed Jace and I, going to his locker. "Horrible. Someone broke into my room and stole from me." This made me frown "you were robbed? What did they take?"

He stayed silent for a moment before saying "my journal. Someone snuck into my room and stole my journal." Jace crossed his arms "why would someone go out of their way to steal your journal?" Magnus shrugged "I don't really know Jace. I write down everything in it so maybe they were just nosy."

I bit my lip remembering how I wanted to look inside that journal and see if Magnus wrote about me. I didn't open it though; instead I placed it back on his bedside table and left it alone. Who else would want to read it so much that they would steal it?

"Do you know anyone who would want to take your journal" I asked closing my locker door. Magnus pulled some books out of his locker before shutting his door too, looking lost in thought. "I do have someone in mind yes." "Okay who" I asked curious.

He looked at me frowning "Andrew Sylvan." My eyes widened in shock before glaring at him "what the hell Magnus? Andrew wouldn't steal from you he's way too nice." Magnus put his free hand on his hip "he's not innocent Alec. Do you know he stopped me at the party to tell me how much I don't deserve you? He said he was in love with you and has always watched you like you watched me."

I frowned "there's no way he loves me and even if he did, that doesn't mean he would steal your journal. What would he possibly do with it?" He shrugged "I don't know. Use it to ruin our relationship." Jace crossed his arms glaring "and how would something you wrote ruin your relationship Magnus?"

Magnus frowned keeping quiet and I searched his face feeling my stomach dropping. Magnus was hiding something from me. He was hiding something and the answer was in that journal.

Magnus shook his head "Nothing in my journal would ruin my relationship with Alec but he could make something up and cause drama."

The school bell rang signaling that it was time to go to English Class. I looked at the time frowning before looking back at Magnus "Andrew wouldn't do something like that Magnus. He's a great guy and has enough going on without you accusing him of stealing. Now let's all go to English and drop this conversation."

Jace frowned looking at me "Alec I'm not done talking to you." I looked back at Jace glaring at him "the conversation is dropped Jace." He stared at me for a moment longer before nodding and walking in the direction of class.

Magnus watched him before looking back at me "what were you two talking about before I got here?" I shook my head wrapping my arm around his and walking with him to English "nothing you need to worry about."

Magnus Pov- I sat in the lunch room staring down Andrew Sylvan who was sitting at the Nobody table with Alec talking and laughing with him. I offered for them both to sit at the fashionista table but Alec said he rather sit at the other one. He seems to be mad that I would accuse Andrew of stealing my journal.

It's not some wild accusation, I know that Andrew was the one who did it. I have no proof but who needs proof when you have instinct? When he was talking to me last night he kept his hands behind his back. He did that because he was hiding my journal. He also had a bag where I'm sure he put my journal inside.

"What's the matter Magnus? Not liking that your boyfriend is having lunch with someone else" Camille asked smirking at me. I looked over at her frowning "actually Camille I'm happy Alec has made a new friend. I wanted him to become more social so now he is."

"Yeah but you're staring daggers at Andrew over there" Helen said watching me. I looked at her before looking back at Andrew "that's because I don't trust that snake. He flat out told me that he was in love with Alec so I can't let my guard down for a moment."

Isabelle looked up from her salad smiling slightly "wow someone has a crush on Alec? That's great for him, no one has ever crushed on him before. It could be a great confidence booster."

I turned my glare at her "are you forgetting that your brother is already dating me? I won't let anyone take him from me."

Camille rolled her eyes "Magnus you're taking this a little too far. All this nonsense for fifty bucks? Just dump him already and let him move on with this new guy."

"I'm not dating Alec because of the bet Camille. I developed real feelings for Alec and I want to be with him. I would have never asked him out in the first place if it was all for a bet."

"So you told him about the bet then" Isabelle asked looking over at me. I glanced back at her frowning "well… no… I don't want him to know."

She sighed shaking her head. "Magnus I told you that you need to tell Alec why you started talking to him. What if Camille was to walk on over to him right now and spill the beans?"

Camille crossed her arms looking insulted "I may be a bitch but I'm not heartless."

"Say's the girl who tried to brush off Alec almost getting raped" I mumbled making her throw her roll at me.

"My point is that I won't ruin Magnus's relationship. Sure I should hate Alec for stealing my boyfriend and turning him gay but I don't. I have already had three boyfriends in the time we broke up so I've gotten over you."

"That's really shocking coming from you Cam" Helen said smiling at Camille. Camille shrugged smiling "We're all graduating soon right? It's time for us all to grow up."

I reached over touching her forehead "are you sick? If you're dying, please tell me how much longer you have to live."

Camille rolled her eyes pulling away from my hand. "I'm not dying idiot. I'm just saying that we all have been acting very immature lately. I mean you talking to a lonely, antisocial, butterfly for money is pretty immature."

"I would have never made the bet, in the first place if you all didn't question my abilities" I said crossing my arms.

Helen looked at me "no you would have never made the bet if you didn't constantly need to be right all the time. You knew you wouldn't be able to make Alec popular at all let alone make him more popular than Jonathan Morgenstern yet you tried anyway."

"All of this is on you Magnus. You can't push the blame on anyone else" Isabelle said going back to eating her salad.

I watched her frowning before looking back at Andrew and Alec. Andrew was talking animatedly looking super excited to be having a conversation with Alec. Whatever he was saying was making Alec laugh and smile brightly.

I glared at them before looking forward again stabbing my fork into my salad. "Who does he think he is making Alec laugh like that?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes "I swear Magnus you need to get over yourself. Alec doesn't like anyone more than you so you really have no reason to be jealous right now. Honestly you don't have the right to be jealous. If Alec wants to be friends with Andrew, then that's his choice to make."

I sighed running my hand through my hair "yeah I know but it's hard to watch them be so close when I know Andrew's in love with him. I told Alec about his feelings and he pretty much blew me off."

"Well that's no surprise. Like Alec would ever believe that someone actually had feelings for him. His self-confidence is at a three" Isabelle sighed.

I shrugged thinking about that before someone tapping my shoulder pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked behind me and Jace was standing there frowning "can I talk to you alone? It's about Alec."

I frowned standing up and following him out of the cafeteria without a word. We made our way down hallways until we were in the library. He pulled me into one of the studying rooms before closing the door and looking at me "we need to talk."

"So you've said" I said crossing my arms. "You said this was about Alec so come out and say it."

Jace glared at me walking up and getting in my face "tell me the truth."

I frowned staring at him "what are you talking about Herondale?"

"Alec told me all about your party last night. He said that while you were dancing you brought up something about a bet. When he asked you about it you made up some lie about Camille and turtlenecks. Alec may have believed that story but I know it's just a bunch of bull. Now tell me what the bet was really about."

I shook my head "Who do you think you are cornering me and asking me about things that aren't any of your business?"

"It is my business when Alec is involved. He's my best friend and I won't allow you to mess around with his heart."

I raised an eyebrow at this. "He's your best friend yet you don't tell anyone else that your friends. Jonathan Morgenstern doesn't know you're 'best friends' and neither does anyone else in the school. How bad it would look for the prince of sports to be with the Nobody."

Jace glared at me meeting my eyes "If you loved Alec you wouldn't call him that. How can you call him a nobody when you claim to care so damn much?"

"It's his status I can't change anything about that. Just because he's called a Nobody doesn't mean I think of him that way. Alec is far from nobody to me and I care about him way more than you do. At least I don't hide the fact that I care about him. As far as anyone in school knows you're just being Alec's friend because your daddy told you to."

Jace clenched his fist "Don't talk about my father Magnus. You don't know anything about Alec and my relationship. I may have used my father as an excuse but at least I was honest with Alec about it. You're just keeping secrets from him. Alec is catching on to those secrets Magnus. He can't stay in the dark forever and once those secrets come out you may lose him."

I felt my entire body go numb as I shook my head no "I don't plan on ever losing Alec. I love him so I won't ever do anything to make him sad."

"Why do I feel like you already did? That bet you are reluctant to tell me about has to do with Alec and I know it. The truth will come out and when it does I will make sure Alec doesn't become broken from your betrayal."

I stood there in silence not answering him and Jace shook his head before turning and walking out of the study room.

I watched him frowning before backing up to a chair and sitting in it, putting my head in my hands. What the hell was I doing? My journals gone, Alec's friends with Andrew, and worst of all Jace is catching on to the fact that there was a bet. All my lies are coming to the surface and it feels like I'm going to drown in them.

I took a deep breath before standing up on shaky legs. "Don't think this way Magnus. Alec believes in you. You have his full trust and loyalty… you don't want to ruin that. You don't want to break his already fragile heart."

I ran my hand through my face sighing before composing myself and heading to my next class.

Alec Pov- I sat at my old lunch table with Andrew laughing at some funny stories from the hospital. He spent most of his life there and got really close to the nurse staff. He would play pranks on them to entertain himself and would never get in trouble for it since he was dying.

"Using your sickness as a get out of jail free card is horrible yet genius" I said wiping a tear from my eyes. Andrew smiled laying his chin in the palm of his hand as he watched me "I love your laugh Alec. I never really got to hear it in middle school."

I felt my face flush at the compliment and I glanced away thinking about what Magnus said. He said that Andrew was in love with me and told Magnus that he didn't deserve me. I have a hard time believing any of that it true.

"Is there really no cure for your type of cancer" I asked hoping to change the subject away from me. I frowned realizing what I asked and I glanced at Andrew feeling horrible that I brought up his sickness out of the blue.

Andrew didn't seem to care about the subject change though. He just shrugged smiling slightly "there's no cure yet but I gave up on hoping for one."

I frowned at that "why would you give up on that? Some smart amazing doctor could come along and discover how to heal you. You can't give up hope."

Andrew watched me thinking before smiling sweetly "you're pretty smart Alec. Maybe you should become a doctor. I could be your test subject and help you find a cure to this horrible sickness."

I stared at him wide eyed in shock. I never thought about becoming a doctor before.

Andrew laughed shaking his head "I'm just joking Alec. You can choose to be anything you want. Trying to cure my sickness would just be a waste of time for both of us. Seriously though you are smart enough to become a doctor. I meant that part."

I stared at him in silence for a moment before looking down at the table thinking over what he said. "Do you really think finding a cure would be a waste of time?" He shrugged sipping on a juice box "I don't know. I stopped hoping for a cure when I turned fifteen. I got tired of the surgeries and chemo so I just chose to let nature take its course."

I looked over at Magnus who was talking to Helen and Camille at the Fashionista table. I wonder if his mother thought that way back then. Hoping for a cure in the early stages but slowly losing hope as time went on.

For some reason the photo Magnus showed me of him dressed like a doctor and doing a check up on his mother came to my mind. I remember the way his face looked when I asked him if he was pretending to play doctor. His eyes looked so sad and his voice sounded broken as he said yeah… pretending.

Maybe Magnus wasn't pretending after all. Maybe he thought he was really helping his mother with those checkups. What if finding a cure was one of the many things he wanted to do with his life? Once his mother died so did his motivation… along with all his dreams.

I frowned looking back at him again "could that be why you changed" I whispered softly.

"what was that" Andrew asked leaning in to listen to me better. I shook my head smiling "nothing sorry, was talking to myself."

He nodded glancing over at Magnus's table. His face turned to one of confusion "Why is Jace Herondale talking to Magnus?"

I flinched hearing that and quickly looked back at the table seeing Jace talking to Magnus. After a few seconds Magnus got up and followed Jace out of the lunch room.

Is Jace going to confront Magnus about the bet? What if he makes Magnus angry and he breaks up with me? Magnus might be mad that I told him about all that happened last night. I don't want Magnus to be angry at me!

"Alec. Hey Alec calm down" Andrew said grabbing me by the shoulder. I gasped for air not noticing that I was hyperventilating while panicking. I took some calming breaths before looking at Andrew meeting his eyes.

He frowned searching my face "Alec what was that? Are you okay?"

I glanced away from him not wanting to face him "I'm sorry Andrew. I'm just worried about what Jace could possibly be talking to Magnus about. I don't want Magnus to get mad and leave me."

Andrew frowned "I don't think you should care about how Magnus feels Alec. He doesn't care about your feelings so why should you bother caring about him?"

I frowned at Andrew wondering where this came from all of a sudden. "Andrew why are you saying these things? Of course I care about Magnus's feelings. He cares about mine too."

He shook his head no "no Alec he doesn't… he doesn't care about you at all. He is only using you."

I frowned not being able to speak at first. All I could do was stare back at him in confusion. "What makes you say that? Magnus has never given me a reason to think that he's using me. You have to be mistaken."

He reached into his bag and pulled a little book out. I had to squint to see the title but when I did see it my entire body stiffened. "Is that… is that Magnus's journal?"

Andrew put it on the table frowning "it is. I stole it from him because I had to make sure he was seeing you for the right reasons. I had to find out if he was worthy of having your heart. I don't like what I found Alec."

I shook my head before grabbing the journal and standing up, walking out of the lunch room. Andrew ran after me following me down the hall. "where are you going Alec?"

"I'm going to give Magnus his journal back and apologize for not believing him before. He thought you took his journal but I defended you. Apparently I'm the one who was wrong about you."

Andrew frowned and ran until he was in front of me blocking my way. "Alec I didn't take that journal to hurt you. I did it to help you. I found out why Magnus started talking to you and It's not a good thing. You deserve to know the truth."

I walked around him glaring "it's none of our business why Magnus started talking to me. The point is he's talking to me now and we're together. I don't need to know what started it."

"It was a bet" he said loudly making me slowly stop walking until I was at a standstill. I stared down at me feet for a few silent seconds before looking back at him "what did you say?"

Andrew frowned looking me in the eye. "Magnus only started talking to you because he made a bet with Camille and Helen. He bet that he could turn the Nobody into the most popular kid in school. He was just using you to get fifty bucks from each of them. Him dating you has to be part of that bet Alec."

I stared at him in silence before looking down at the journal in my hands "I don't believe you." "Alec it's right there in Magnus's hand writing. If you don't believe me then open that book and see for yourself. I labeled the page for you."

I completely turned around to face him "why are you doing this? Why does it matter to you that Magnus might be using me? What do you get out of all of this huh? Do you think that If Magnus breaks my heart I'll come running to you?"

Andrew frowned looking a little hurt by my words. "I would never hurt you for my own personal gain Alec. I did this because I care about you. I love you it's true but I know you love Magnus. I'm still your friend though and as your friend it's my job to make sure you're dating the right guy. Magnus Bane is not the right guy Alec."

I shook my head looking down at my feet again "I don't want to hear any of this. Magnus isn't a bad guy he wouldn't use me like that. He wouldn't fake feelings for me just to make a quick buck. That's heartless and cruel and Magnus is not any of those things."

Andrew walked up to me putting his hand over my hand that was holding the journal. "I know this hurts to hear Alec. I know you don't want to face the truth but you can't turn away from this. Magnus is using you and you have the right to know about it."

He took the journal out of my hand looking through it before handing it back to me open on a certain page. I looked up from my feet, staring at the book and every part of my brain told me not to read it. My body didn't listen to my brain though. I took the book out of his hands reading over the journal entry from a couple weeks ago.

Today was a long day. My friends questioned my abilities to make people fashionable which is nothing new really. I got a little fed up with it though today so I made a bet that I immediately regretted. I told them that I would turn the Nobody Alec Lightwood into the most popular boy in school.

I have my work cut out for me. The boy is completely unfashionable and isn't really a social butterfly. His personality is pretty dull too making me wish I never made the bet, in the first place. He's boring but I'm sure I could make him popular with a few minor adjustments.

He got some new clothes and a new haircut that made him look really handsome. Maybe there is some hope after all. If I can't improve his boring personality, then I can focus on his appearance winning him popularity points. Everyone loves a good looking stud. That fifty bucks is as good as mine and then I can go back to never talking to the Nobody again.

I couldn't see any more words over the tears making my eyes blurry. Pools of tears were streaming down my face as Magnus's words sunk in. He really was just using me. He is just trying to make money off me and doesn't even really like me let alone love me. He thinks I'm boring and dull. All this time he told me to like myself and he doesn't even really like me.

I dropped the book turning away from Andrew and quickly running down the hall. I couldn't see where I was going behind all the tears and I could barely breath but I ran anyway. I had to get far away from everything I just learned.

I pushed the door to the boys' locker room open and looked around seeing that it was empty. Once I knew that the room was empty I let myself drop to the floor and just scream. I screamed to the top of my lungs not caring if anyone heard or if anyone found me there.

Everything was a lie. Magnus's friendship was a lie; his feelings were a lie. Every look, every smile, every kind word was all lies! He started talking to me all for some stupid bet. Was our relationship part of that bet?

I closed my eyes tight clenching onto my hair in frustration. I kept getting flashes of memories of Magnus playing in my head, drowning me in them.

Alexander, you are amazing.

Lies.

Alexander Lightwood, you are far from nobody to me.

More lies.

There's no one in our school more gorgeous than you Alec. There's no one smarter, more charming or artistic. You're amazing.

Lies, Lies, Lies!

I clenched my teeth feeling the tears fall down my cheeks again. It was all lies every single word. Magnus doesn't like me. Magnus doesn't think I'm special. Magnus… Magnus is using me.

The door to the locker room opened and I could hear hesitant footsteps getting closer to me. "Alec… I'm really sorry I never wanted you to hurt this bad. I just thought you deserved the truth" said Andrews' soft voice from above me.

I took some calming breaths before sitting up letting go of my hair. I wiped the tears away from my face with my hands before standing up on shaky legs. Andrew put his arm around me to help support me. "What are you going to do now Alec" He asked softly.

I glanced numbly down at the journal in his free hand before standing up straight and taking it from him. "I'm going to go on like nothing happened" I said softly.

Andrews eyes widened "Alec you can't be serious. Magnus is using you he doesn't really love you. Why would you stay with him and pretend you don't know what he's doing?"

I looked Andrew in the eyes still feeling numb all over. It was like a locked all the hurt and feelings away in a box and now I just felt empty. "I love him Andrew. My life has always revolved around Magnus. If Magnus wants to use me and then throw me away, then that's fine. I'm just thankful for the time I have with him. I'll enjoy it while it lasts."

Andrew shook his head "Alec think about what you're doing. You're just going to let Magnus take advantage of you and use you just to throw you away after? You don't deserve to be treated like this Alec. It isn't right."

I shrugged holding the journal tight and walking to the door. "This is between Magnus and I. I would appreciate it if you didn't tell him or anyone else about this. If you really cared about me, you would respect my choice."

Andrew frowned sadly at me "I do care about you Alec. I wouldn't have done all of this if I didn't. I don't know if I can just sit by and watch Magnus use you."

I shook my head "it's okay Andrew. I won't be the only one being used." Andrew frowned looking confused "what do you mean?"

I looked back at him with a numb, blank expression. "Magnus can use me all he wants. I'll use him in return. I'll use every ounce of fake love and feelings he has for me and enjoy them while they last. I have always wanted Magnus to love me and even if it isn't real I'm finally getting what I wanted. I'll play dumb and pretend that the things he says to me are true. I have to."

With that I walked out of the locker rooms heading back to the cafeteria where I hoped to find Magnus. I didn't make it to the cafeteria though because Magnus was walking out of the library looking lost in thought.

The sight of him made my heart clench. I could feel it slowly breaking and cracking. Magnus lied to me. Magnus is using me. Magnus doesn't love me. Even so I love him and I will push this aside if it means I get just a little more time with him.

"Magnus" I called though my voice sounded broken. Magnus looked over at me and frowned seeing how much of a mess I looked. He walked quickly over to me cupping my face in his hands. "Alexander darling what's wrong? You look like someone died."

'my heart died' I thought before forcing a smile on my face. "It was nothing really. Jonathan Morgenstern was being mean to me again. Guess it finally got to me."

Magnus frowned running his thumbs down my cheeks to trace over the tear tracks. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to stick up for you."

I shook my head putting my hand over one of his. "It's okay Magnus don't even bring it up to him. I'm over it now." I pulled his journal out from behind my back and held it out to him "I found this in the boys' bathroom. Strange place to find it but I guess who ever stole it was stashing it there to come back for it. I found it in one of the stalls."

Magnus quickly took the journal looking through it before looking at me. "Did you read anything in it?" His eyes looked scared as if I would find out a secret I didn't know. I did find out a secret, I just couldn't say anything about it.

I shook my head no "that would be an invasion of my boyfriend's privacy. I trust you completely Magnus so there's no reason for me to read it. I know you would never try to hurt me or use me."

Magnus's smile fell and he looked back at me. "Of course not. I love you Alec so I would never do anything like that to you."

'How easily you lie' I thought before grabbing his hand. "Come on let's get back to the lunch room. I want to sit with you and talk about us going on a real romantic date."

Magnus smiled entwining our fingers and walking back to the cafeteria with me "that sounds like a perfect Idea Alexander."

Poor Alec. He loves Magnus so much.