Bonjour! :) I just finished CoG and came straight to my laptop to write this chapter. I really, really hope you guys enjoy this!

I'm not exactly sure what else to say right now, so here are my responses:

HeroofTwilight'sgf: I like that... Kawaii Fluff? It's catchy. Also, I'm so glad it's one of your favorites! I have also read so many stories for this fandom and have a lot of favorites, so it's an honor to hear I'm someone else's! And yes, I've been thinking a lot about what I should do with Jem... I guess you'll just have to wait and see.

Morning and Eve: I died reading this review of yours. Yes, you absolutely do stand out! You're my Fandom Queen, duh! I quite honestly look forward to your reviews every chapter. I know I keep saying that but it's true and I think you should know! Also, I fangirled over 1D writing it into this story, since I was listening to their music as I did so. Oh... and I completed my collection. I now have all three of their albums... :O If only William Herondale did exist and if only he could sing 1D! OMGTITCFMIMDN comes up on all my Apple products too as auto correct! And I definitely agree. Way better than YOLO! And as for my boyfriend... yeah, it really sucks. I mean we are still... talking, I guess? "Together" but not really... well, it's hard to explain. We want to be able to make a relationship work as long as we can on our OWN and not have other people controlling it, you know? That's kind of where we're at right now. XOXO!

bow down to me peasants: I can totally see where you're coming from! I have read a lot of FanFics where the characters are totally naive and oblivious to each other and what they're feeling. It can definitely get frustrating! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

Mrs Jace Wayland-Herondale: Aw I'm sooo glad you thought it was perfect! I had been planning that chapter for a long time. I wanted it to be... flawless. I'm not sure if it was but I knew I wanted a romantic scene between Will and Tessa and that I wanted him to sing One Direction to her. And it's not a problem to reply! In fact, it's one of my favorite parts of writing FanFics: interacting with my readers. Also, I totally agree with you. We've been dating for two years-I was 14 when we started to, and he had just turned 17. I agree that we should stay together if we love each other. I mean, it's my relationship, not theirs. I'm 16 now. And wow! 4 years? I'm so envious... I'm so glad I found someone who understands making the long distance work. But hey, if two people love each other, they will go to all ends of the world to be with each other. That's incredibly adorable, btw. Yes, I will definitely PM you sometime. :)

AmityClary2020: It means so much to me that you think I could become a famous author. How about this? If I do, my thanks will go to my FanFiction reviewers, like you. :)

combatbootchic12: Jem/Magnus is still a toss-up for me, but I think I may work it in there somehow :) I'm so glad you like the romance scene! It took forever for me to get it the way I wanted it to.

Zstar1: Here is the update you asked for :) It wasn't too long!

Acacia (Guest): I will definitely be doing more writing. I don't think I could ever give it up; it's my true passion in life, whether or not I'm good at it or not. Thank you for the encouragement... definitely one of the best short reviews I've gotten!

So there we go! :) On to the next chapter! As always, I hope you enjoy it and I'll see you guys at the end of the chapter!


Chapter 12~Relationships

Pre-chapter glimpse:

WILL'S POV

I paced around my room frantically, shoving my hands through my hair and pulling, hard. How the hell could I have done that to Tessa? How could I do that to her?

I couldn't believe I did that to her.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the image of her horrified expression flashed behind my eyelids like it was burned into my mind.

"Will, why did you do that?" she'd gasped, her hair falling in sweaty strings around her face as she cringed away from me.

I had shaken my head, trying to reach for her, but she curled into the corner of her bed that connected with the wall. "Tess, I didn't mean to-I wasn't trying to do anything, I swear. I-"

"Stop, Will! Don't touch me. Don't come near me," she snapped, tears welling in her eyes.

Everything inside me shut down. I had hurt her.

"Tess, I didn't mean to do it. You don't understand that sometimes I'll slip up. I'll slip up a lot. Old habits die hard, sweet-"

"Will, don't use any pet names with me right now. In fact, I think you should go."

My jaw dropped, and my eyes burned. "Tess, I-"

"Go." Her tone was final.

"Okay," I said finally, standing up, resigned. I pulled all my clothes on.

She didn't look at me once.

As I opened the door, I looked at her one last time. She was looking out her window, tears streaming down her face.

"I love you, Theresa."


Actual chapter:

JEM'S POV

I stood in line at the campus Starbucks, glancing nervously around me. Did anyone know where I came from? What if they did?

I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the window. My hair was tousled, obviously more than it should be from a night of sleep. It was noticeably knotted. I raked my fingers through it, hoping to level it out as much as I could, despite the strange looks I received from other students.

I ordered my coffee, stepping aside to let the next person in line order when I heard someone call my name. I turned. It was Sophie, sitting at a booth by herself with a book open on the table. She was waving at me, her brown eyes illuminated by the fluorescent lighting above.

I grinned and grabbed my coffee off the counter, strolling over to sit in front of her. "Hey, Soph. How are you?"

She shrugged, her light brown hair tumbling over her shoulder with the movement. "I'm alright. Yourself?"

"I'm doing pretty good."

She smiled. "Have you heard from Will or Tessa? I haven't been able to get ahold of either of them. Should I be worried?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. He had their whole night planned out last night to tell her he loved her."

Sophie's face lit up like a firework. "No way! Do you know how he did it?"

I nodded. "He set up a room in the back of the house with rose petals and candles-"

"One sec, Jem. Magnus! Over here!" she called over my shoulder.

I stiffened. Every muscle, every hair stood on end. Magnus appeared at our table, his tall shadow casted over the table. I looked up at him. His usually glittery, spiked hair was clean and hanging around his face in black strands, his green, cat-like eyes blinking slowly at me.

"James," Magnus said curtly.

I swallowed. "Magnus. How are you today?"

"Fine." He turned his attention to Sophie. "I didn't know you and James were a thing, Sophie."

Sophie blushed, looking down at her hands. "I don't really know what we are, yet."

No, Sophie.

I had to refrain from correcting her.

Magnus' eyes flashed. "Jem has a funny way of showing those things. Anyway, I hope everything works out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go." He turned on his heels and left, his shoulders taught.

I sighed, facing Sophie again. She was frowning. "Well, that was weird."

I shrugged, watching Magnus walk away. "He can be a bit... cynical, I suppose."

"What does that mean?"

Magnus stopped by a tree, turning to look as if he knew he was being watched. He made eye contact with me, his eyebrows raised expectantly. "Nothing, I-I have to go and see how Will is doing and if I'm allowed back at the house yet. I'll see you later."

Sophie's face fell, slightly, before she regained her composure. "Yeah, see you later, Jem."

I grabbed my coffee and raced to the doors. The cool winter air hit me like a shard of ice and I pushed against the wind toward Magnus. When I reached him, his gaze was hard and impassive.

"Magnus, that really wasn't what you're thinking-"

"Then what was it, James?" he demanded. "Tell me what it is. You can't go from being with me at my apartment and then practically running out the door this morning to being with someone else. It doesn't work like that."

I bit my lip. "I know, Magnus. But I'm not with her like that. She must have gotten the wrong idea. I have always thought of her and Tessa as my best friends, and nothing more."

His eyes narrowed. "So why does she think otherwise?"

I cringed. "I have slightly flirted with her before, but it's never been anything serious!" I protested, my voice raising slightly as Magnus tried to intervene.

"Jesus Christ, James! How-"

"It was before you and I got involved with each other!" I snapped.

Magnus's eyes widened. "Why didn't you say so!?"

I gritted my teeth. "I tried to! God, for the past two weeks all you've been worried about is me cheating on you! I'm not cheating on you, Magnus! I spent most of my Thanksgiving with you, holed up in an apartment with a fire! What more could you ask for?"

He recoiled. "I just don't trust people, Jem-"

"Yes, I know it's because of your parents. But I'm not your parents. Get that in your mind. And when you do, you can give me a call."

I turned and stalked away from him, toward my car in Student Parking.


I pulled into the driveway of Will's cabin, sighing before turning my car off and going inside. I paused as soon as I passed over the threshold. What if Will and Tessa were busy and I wasn't allowed to be back yet?

But then I heard laughter from the kitchen and knew it was okay for me to be here.

I walked to the kitchen and saw Will and Tessa mixing something on the counter. Tessa had flour smeared across her face and Will had a batter of sorts in his dark hair, giving the appearance of grey hair.

"James!" Will cried. He released his hold on Tessa's waist, giving her a kiss on the cheek, before running around the counter and sweeping me into a hug. I laughed, patting him on the back.

"Thank you," he muttered, quietly, into my ear before pulling away.

"You're welcome," I replied, nodding toward him.

He looked different; glancing at Tessa, I could tell she looked different too. They both had a sort of glow about them; cheeks flushed, eyes bright.

"Jem, do you want some pancakes?" Tessa asked, looking up from the bowl. Will had returned to the kitchen.

I shrugged. "Sure. As long as they're not burned." I shuddered inwardly. "One time, Will-"

"Hush, James. We must never speak of that time again," Will said from his spot in front of the griddle with a flipping spatula in hand.

I shook my head.

"I assure you I'm a better cook than Will is," said Tessa.

I cocked an eyebrow when Will whirled around, aiming the spatula at her.

"That is not true. I'd like to see your spaghetti!"

Tessa narrowed her eyes, but they still contained playfulness.

"William-"

"Sh, my Tess." He grabbed her waist, pulling her in for a kiss. Very quietly, I heard him whisper, "I love you" and her barely audible response, "I love you, too." I looked away, feeling misplaced.

But then an image of Magnus danced across my vision, an image from last night.

He was standing in front of the fire mantel, his hands supporting him as he leaned against it when I walked in. He had turned, the fire lighting him from behind, outlining him with an orange glow.

"James," he breathed, an utterance of surprise escaping his lips. He started forward, then seemed to pause.

"I just need a place to crash for tonight. Only for tonight," I explained in a rush.

I fought the urge to run my fingers through his hair upon seeing his disappointed expression.

"Oh," he said. "Well, you know you're welcome here whenever you want."

I nodded cautiously. "Thank you, Magnus." I shut the door behind me, cutting off the cold breeze.

When I turned around, Magnus was right there, his face inches from mine despite the height difference. His green eyes gleamed wickedly, his hair styled up and away from his face.* He grasped my elbows gently in his hands.

"Magnus, you know I can't-"

"Yes, you can. I know you can. You have to stop pretending you're something you're not."

I shook my head. "No, I don't. It's not that easy, Mag-"

Magnus pulled away suddenly, angrily. "This is about Will, isn't it?"

"So what if it is?"

"Why can't you just get over him, Jem? He's obviously in love with Tessa. It's not like he's going to judge his best friend for this!" Magnus paused, his chest heaving. "You're never going to come out of your shell, are you? Not for Will, not for me-"

Something pushed me over the edge and I wrapped my arms around Magnus's neck, twisting my fingers into his hair, pulling his mouth down to mine.*


TESSA'S POV

I walked beside Will outside. We were both bundled up; me in a wool headband, peacoat, gloves and scarf; him in a long wool coat, gloves, and a scarf. I held his hand as we walked along a trail by his lake house.

The silence between us wasn't awkward, nor did it stretch out for miles. We were just both off in our own worlds.

I looked over at him and saw he was staring up at the blue sky above us. I took the moment to admire his profile; the deep blue a dark, rich shade against his pale skin and raven black curls, his sharp, elegant features...

"Will?" I said suddenly, stopping and turning toward him.

He broke out of the trance, glancing down at me. He grinned as if I hadn't been standing there the whole time, as if he was excited to see me.

"Yeah, Tess?"

"I love you." I reached up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his.

"Mm, I love you, too," he murmured against my lips.

I pulled away and looked at him. When I looked at him, I saw everything he did for me last night. The sining, the rose petals, the candlelight, the setting sun... it was all perfect, more perfect than I could have ever imagined it to be.

Every time I saw him now was like seeing him for the first time.


When we returned to the lake house, there was an unfamiliar car parked just down the road from the entrance to the driveway.**

"Parked" wasn't the right term; it appeared that it was broken down. I peered down the way, trying to make out a figure, but the windows were tinted. Will squinted, trying to see who it was.

"Stay here, sweetheart," he said, letting go of my hand and walking toward the car. He stopped a few feet away as the door opened.

The tension in Will's shoulders frightened me slightly, so I jogged to him, resting my hand on his arm. I half expected him to shrug it away, but he didn't. Instead he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me tightly into him.

"Will, what's going on?" I whispered. His face was pale.

But then, a few moments later, I realized why he was frozen to his spot. His eyes were glued on the black Mercedes in front of us. A tall, leggy blonde stepped out of the car. Her hair hung down in organized ringlets, her bright green eyes blazed brightly as she fixated her gaze on Will.

She was absolutely gorgeous; all curves and ass and boobs and pretty hair and perfect makeup.

A man's dream.

I immediately hated her.

Apparently Will did, too.

His lips curled back in disgust, and he snarled, "Camille."

My head whipped back in her direction. Thiswas Camille? The Camille?

No wonder I instantly hated her.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Will demanded, his body stiffening farther as she shut her door and approached us slowly.

Camille smirked smugly. Her close-toed stilettos dug into the ground as she walked. She wore dark skinny jeans and a long fur coat.

"William," she cooed. "It's been so long."

I could practically hear Will gritting his teeth. "I asked you a question."

Camille examined her nails in boredom. Her perfect, French fucking tipped nails. "And I heard it. I just chose to ignore it."

"I want to know why you're here. You have no right to be here. I didn't invite you; I can file trespassing against you."

She raised her emerald green gaze to Will, then to me. "Rumors are going around the neighborhood that you found someone, William. Your family met her, yes? She's all they've been talking about."

"Don't look at her, Camille. You need to stay out of my business. I ended things with you a long time ago," he snapped, holding me tighter. I could hardly breathe.

She tilted her head. "Is that what you consider 'ending things?' Because I distinctly remember that I was tied to a bedpost and then later released by my own husband, whom you had to go and snitch to."

Will's hands were in fists. "Why are you here now?"

Camille shrugged. "I figured I could come and check out your new catch of the day." She stepped forward, extending her arm.

I ignored it, fixing my best death glare toward her. Her face flickered with annoyance and disgust before she let her hand fall to her side.

"Well then, I guess the little bitch doesn't want to proper introduce herself to me. Such a shame, William, I thought you could find someone more mature than that."

"Of course she doesn't want to. I told her everything," he hissed.

"Remember what I told you, Will. No one will ever be able-"

"Tessa, go inside. I'll be in in a few minutes," Will said to me.

Camille raised her eyebrows. "Her name is Tessa. Well, Tessa, it was nice seeing you."

"Don't speak to me," I spat at her venomously. "And don't speak to Will, either. You've done enough to him."

"Tessa," Will said harshly.

I looked at him. "What?"

"No, it's fine. I take that as my cue to leave," Camille said, holding up her hands defensively and backing away. "See you in a few weeks, Will, when you come back home. Oh, and feel free to bring the little girl with you. I'd like to talk to her sometime, just me and her."

She winked over her shoulder before getting in her car and pulling away quickly, her tires peeling out.

"Will..." I started.

He was shaking his head vigorously, his eyes so dark they were nearly black. "I can't talk about it right now, Tess. Just... let me talk to Jem for a few minutes and then I'll come and talk to you."

I had no time for a response before he turned and walked away.


Yes, I know. This chapter was short. But... I needed a filler chapter to help lead up to a bigger chapter, so hopefully you guys can put up with it...

Playlist:

Teenage Dirtbag-Wheatus (Although I like covers of it better)

Stacy's Mom-Fountains of Wayne (Well... because Camille is a mother)

Me and My Broken Heart-Rixton (for Jem...)

Anyway! Please R&R even though it was short and may not have been that great...

*-I pictured his hair in this scene the way Harry Styles does his hair now.

**-I picture the lake house kind of set back in the woods a little bit, and the driveway is kind of long, but you can see the end of it from where the house is.

Also, I apologize if some of you don't ship Jem being gay or bi... And for those who do, I apologize if I'm not good at writing those scenes because I've never done them before...

Sooo... I'll see you guys when I finish CoFA. :)

I love you guys! Je t'aime!

Xoxo!
~Caitlyn