I am kind of on a roll with the chapters. It's scaring even me. Never expect this again, lol.

I've got a cute little chapter for you. At least, I think it's cute. And I haven't forgotten about Simon and one of the pairings I ship, Simabelle (I think that's what they call it). You'll see what I mean. ;D

Review! We actually made it to 150! Can we try for 10-20 more? xxx


Avoiding a Cliche


-Simon-

If there was anything a person needed to know about me, it would be that I wasn't exactly Mr. Popularity.

Don't get me wrong, I was content with being a so-called nerd. I had unbeatable high scores, a Jedi Master rank on several Star Wars forums, and a good sense of judgement from being picked on my entire life.

So, that was why it was socially impossible for the beautiful Isabelle Lightwood to be eating cake with me at the Pandemonium night club and talking to me. And not just talking, dare I say it, flirting with me. Laughing at my lame jokes and having civilized conversation with an Alicante Prep school chess champion.

"You did what?" she gaped at me, shoveling some more cake into her mouth.

"Technically, it was my neighbor, Eric's, idea to have a Victoria Secret fashion show using the old people from the local nursing home. Word to the wise? Don't wear bikinis if even your elbow skin is sagging," I shrugged, drinking my Dr. Pepper.

"I think I just visualized that."

"I'm sorry if I scarred you for life or anything."

We both laughed and Isabelle even snorted. Pretty girls did not snort. Clary never did anyways. "So, Simon, thanks for helping us out with the surprise party. We wouldn't have been able to pull this off without you, even if you almost ruined it," Isabelle smiled.

"I'd do anything for Clary. It was fun," I replied. Her expression showed sadness, and maybe jealousy, for a split second that I almost thought I imagined it. "Is everything alright, Izzy?"

"So, do you like Clary then? Dream about her? Fantasize about her? Jizz your pants around her?" Isabelle asked bluntly. Wow. She was bold.

"Wait- What? No!" I choked out, pushing my glasses back up on my nose. "Well, I used to like her, but I was friend-zoned really badly. I kind of gave up on her last year. Besides, she's going to fall in love with Jace. Just watch her."

Isabelle's shoulders slightly relaxed and sent a wave of mixed signals to me. Did this girl, with her milky brown eyes and sleek dark hair, like me? No, she couldn't. Isabelle was popular already and she was new to school.

"Oh. Okay," she nodded. "I just thought that you helped out with the party to get closer to her or something."

"Well, I kind of did it to get closer to you," I admitted sheepishly. Lame pick-up line, I know, but Isabelle gave me one of those shy smiles and it was completely worth it.

"That's sweet. Guys don't usually crush on me. It's more like their libidos are instead. I've been told I'm too intimidating. Well, it's their problem, y'know? If a boy can't handle me and my black leather boots, then they don't deserve me!" she held her chin up, a smug grin on her face.

"Well, do I deserve you?" I thought aloud, immediately flushing afterward. Instead of laughing like any other girl would probably do, she narrowed her eyes directly at me and the corners of her mouth turned up.

"I'm still deciding."


Monday Morning


-Clary-

Jace Lightwood still loved me. Impossible. He could have any other girl in the world, and he was hung up on me? It filled my heart with melancholy. On one hand, it was flattering and kind of overwhelming. I remembered when I felt the same exact way about him in L.A., always daydreaming about him sweeping me off my feet and riding away on a horse. On the other hand, it hurt. I didn't like him anymore. I don't think I did anyways. I mean, Jace crushed me. I know it was just because Sebastian Verlac- now a confirmed pedophile in my book -threatened to rape me, but still. The damage was done. There was always other word choice he could've used. Maybe even hiding a subliminal message in there to tell me he was kidding! Anything. Jace was a damn good actor apparently. He hurt me enough to make me lose my love for him.

"Miss Fray," snapped my art teacher, Mrs. Donovan, awakening me from my thoughts. The people who started the stereotype that art teachers were nice, kind, and understanding were out of their minds. Mrs. Donovan was strict and had this "color inside the lines or I'll kill your first born child" personality.

"Yeah, Mrs. Donovan?" I replied sweetly. She smirked and continued with whatever she was talking about. Bitch.

Meanwhile, I could feel Jace's eyes burning into the back of my head. Why did he have to sit behind me? I pretended not to notice, when actually, it was the only think I could focus on.

"Since we are nearly finished with our realistic drawing unit, your final will be just that. I will partner you up and all you'll have to do is sketch the other person doing something. That's the difficult part. I want you to capture the movement of your partner, but also keep the stillness of it," the art teacher said.

"That makes no sense," scoffed Jace. Everyone looked at him, including Mrs. Donovan.

"It makes perfect sense! Your ability to comprehend must be at a low today, Jace," she chastised him. "Anyways, make sure the sketch looks like your partner. This is realistic drawing after all. Remember your guidelines and proportions. Any questions? No? Okay. Your partner is the person who sits behind you."

Immediately, the art room erupted in chatter, my classmates turning around in their desks to face their partner. I think I groaned the loudest. Jace's eyebrow arched at me when he heard it.

"Hey, at least you know me. Would you rather have to stare at and draw a complete stranger?" he grinned.

"Well, at least with a stranger, there's silence. I have a feeling you'll be criticizing me this whole assignment. I can hear it now. 'No, Clary, I'm much more gorgeous than how you drew me. My abs are much larger!'" I mocked him with a playful smile.

"You won't be drawing my abs unless you plan to sketch me shirtless. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Ugh. I rolled my eyes. "And, no, I won't criticize you. You're the best artist I know and I'm sure you'll do me justice."

"Was that a compliment?" I feigned complete shock.

"Enjoy it, Clary. There aren't much more of them," Jace teased.

Throughout our whole conversation, he didn't acknowledge yesterday night once. Maybe he was moving on, too. This assignment just might be bearable.

"Let's just try to avoid a common cliche though." I gave him a puzzled look. "You won't believe how many stories I've read where two lab partners, who either hate each other or are complete strangers, fall in love," he grinned with an edge of mischievousness in voice.