Disclaimer: I don't own the Mortal Instruments or any of the characters.

Jace POV

I'm screwed. Condemned. Doomed. Cursed. Inevitably going to get into problems that I have no hope of fixing. Take your pick.

"Beep, beep, beep." My alarm clock rand shrilly through the silence of my room. Visiting Day. I have been dreading this day for the entire week. Last night, I had wondered; if I don't go to sleep, will it prolong the moment of me waking up to face Simon? Turns out, I can't stay up late when stressed; and I also end up waking up earlier than usual as if my brain has some twisted way for me to be early for my suffering.

Fine, I admit it's not 'suffering' but I definitely do not want Visiting Day to happen. Simon's staying with me, and I know that I will have to tell him the truth sooner or later. I still prefer later.

"Mornin' Jace!" Simon says, stifling a yawn. "Excited for Visiting Day?" I don't make eye contact with my roommate and instead get up to go take a shower.

I purposely let the hot water run down my body for three times longer than I should have let it. After thirty minutes, I hear Simon pounding on the door for me to hurry up. Reluctantly, I leave the safety of our shower and change into a pair of sweatpants and a loose shirt—no need to dress up for other parents, right?

Simon and I exchange places, since he wants to take a shower, and I thank him silently. Even though it's inevitable, I am still happy with every second I get to put off from telling Simon the truth.

Maggie POV

"Mom! Dad!" I sprint into my parent's arms and they enwrap me in a tight hug. "I can't believe you guys drove out all the way here!" Last Visiting Day, Dad had to work a double shift at work and since he had the car, Mom wasn't able to come visit me.

"Oh, honey, we couldn't miss it twice, now could we?" Mom gives me another tight hug. "We're so proud of you, Maggie. Do you enjoy it?" I return Mom's question with an eager nod.

"That's my scholarship girl!" Dad ruffles my hair, and I give him a fake smile. Half of me right now is beaming at my parents being here, and being proud of me, but the other half is begging them to be quieter; no one here needs to know I'm on a scholarship.

I mean, yes, to get a scholarship to this school is a good thing—that's a lot of money for all the utilities when playing a sport—but there are a good handful of people in the school who are scholarship worthy like me. The difference is, my family is poor, and theirs is rich. Just looking at Clary and Isabelle I could tell they have big homes, lots of money and their wants fulfilled since they were kids.

Me? Well, my Dad works an unsteady job with low pay while my mom works as a waitress at two different restaurants. We get by, but the only luxury I am provided with is skating. Christmas present? Skates. Birthday presents? A new dress. I can't complain though, at least I got the chance to skate. In fact, I would say it made me more dedicated to get better at skating.

I'm still not eager to yell it to the world though—nor have my father yell it out for me.

"Yeah, it's great Dad. I think I may be one of the best, though there are lots of really good girls ahead of me in higher grades."

"Aw, you'll get there Maggie!" Dad says happily. "Now, how's school? Marks good? Challenging classes?" I shrug at him.

"I guess it's all okay. It is really cramped with skating and classwork but my average is in the high honours right now."

"Good job, honey." Mom smiles at me.

"Hey Maggie!" I whip my head around and see Kelly, standing with her parents. "These are my parents, I figured that our families could meet." I give her a grin and beckon towards my parents.

Kelly's parents and Mom and Dad talk and exchange contact information as well. I could tell it was going well.

"So, what do your parents do?" Kelly asks me inquisitively. "My Dad's an investor and my mom's the chief radiologist in the hospital in my home city." Should I tell her the truth? I don't want to lie but I don't want her to judge me either.

"Oh…um…my parents own a private business." Yeah, that sounds believable.

"Whoa! That's so cool! What kind of business?"

"A restaurant." Mom is a waitress so…

"Attention parents! Lunch is set up in the cafeteria, please head there in an orderly line!" I sigh to myself at the provided distraction as we head out the door.

Jace POV

Simon comes out of the shower, still dripping wet, his clothes sticking to his body. Clearly, he doesn't care about anything of his getting damp as he flops right on his bed. I look down at my science textbook—the 'fake' one—pretending to be doing homework. Really though, I'm watching Simon out of the corner of my eye, waiting for him to say something.

"Jace." I stiffen involuntarily and turn myself to face him. "I think that we're a bit late; I'm pretty sure by now all the parents are in the common room, so…do you still mind if I go meet your parents? I mean…shouldn't you be meeting up with them right now anyways? Wouldn't want to keep them waiting…" He gives me a half-hearted laugh awaiting my response.

"Simon…my parents aren't visiting." Simon's face drops at this, and I can tell he wants to know why, but is being polite by not asking at the same time. Should I just lie to him? Tell him they were busy? That was my excuse last Visiting Day anyways. But my gut is telling me it's time to come clean, and I know I should too, anyways.

"They're not visiting because…they're dead. They were killed in a car accident. Ten years ago." I manage to get the last part out before I feel a lump in my throat. I can't cry. I shouldn't. I just said the truth; tears won't bring my parents back.

I look up at Simon. I expect to hear an 'I'm sorry' or receive a sympathetic glance from him, but instead, he's just staring at me intently, no emotion on his face.

I am surprised to see I am internally thanking him. He could tell I didn't want anybody's pity, and I just needed to come clean.

The moment of silence drag on until Simon clears his throat and says:

"You're free to take my parents whenever you want." I give him a big grin.

"If I do, they may end up dead too; but not by accident." I hope my joke wasn't going too far but I can tell Simon is suppressing a laugh. Things are back to normal.

"Whatcha doing?" Simon asks, looking at my textbook.

"Lots of science homework that I need to do; plus I suck at it."

"Well, science involves math and I'll have you know, I'm an expert at it. Plus, I'm tutoring Isabelle in math so I could help you right now if you want."

"Tutoring Izzy?" I raise my eyebrows suggestively at him. He returns it with a scowl. "You're not gonna get any help from me to win her over like that."

"Okay, sorry." He stares at me for a while. "So? Your advice is?"

"Oh! Sorry Simon. Yeah, just try to be chiller. Don't act like you want her to…you know…like you? Oh, and ditch your stupid glasses."

"Hey! They're not stupid."

"Sure whatever you say…because I'm the one coming to you for advice, right?" I smirk at him, and I see Simon glare at me, as he rips off his glasses.

Simon POV
It's Sunday, and let's just say I can't wait to go study with Izzy. I really hope Jace's advice works. When I first told him about the tutoring, I had hoped he wouldn't catch onto the fact that it was with Izzy. But, he did tease me—and even more for the rest of the day—even though I've never fully come out and told him that I have a crush on Isabelle. I guess he just figured.

I put my books in my bag, and start to walk towards the girl's wing. I was wearing my favorite shirt, navy-blue tight-fitting, that I think looks pretty good on me. And my flare blue jeans, I didn't want to look too fancy, but too causal. So I picked this outfit in between, I mean Izzy always looks elegant. No girls, can top her fashion sense. One time I remember at the past award ceremony, the ice skating team planned out similar outfits on what to wear when they all would go up on stage and receive their awards. Well, when Izzy went up on stage, her outfit was outstanding, she put her own little twist on the clothes.

Also following Jace's advice, I gelled and added a little spike to my hair, just for the occasion. Not something to extraordinary, that would make me look overdone.

I finally get to her room, and I raise my hand to knock on the door, when it flys open. Standing in front of me is Clary. She looks like she is in a rush, and dressed in skating gear. She looks up at me and smiles.

"Hey, Simon. Heard you were coming over today for studying. Izzy has been complaining about it all day."

After she says that, hurt fills my chest, of course Clary can't see that her words have affected me though. So I put on a fake smile and reply.

"Oh, really. So where you heading, the rink?" I ask.

"Yea, want to get a few hours in before fitness. Oh you look really nice today, love the hair. Well I better get going, see ya!" She says walking away, waving goodbye.

"See ya." I say ready to enter the room, wondering if this study session will be worth it, or will I still just be in the friend-zone.

Izzy POV

It's 3:30, and in 10 minutes Simon will be coming over to help me study. It's a real dilemma, if I can't get my grade up in science, then I will have to drop out of skating. It would be the second worst thing that happened to me in this school since Stephen kissed Carol at one of the home ice hockey games and it was captured on the mega screen, while we were dating. If I get pulled from skating, my life will be over. I told Clary about my depressing problem, she said I will get my grade up in no time. Even though math isn't my strongest subject, she said I'm lucky to have Simon as a tutor. Agreed, Simon is a certified nerd; good at Science, Math, Biology,... okay everything.

Last week, we had the hardest test of the year. And Ms. Jones said only one student got an A out of all three classes. And guess who it was... the one and only Simon Lewis.

As Clary rushes around our dorm in a hurry, she waves says goodbye, and leaves for the door. While I hear her talking to someone outside our room, I apply a quick coat of my lipstick. Then that's when Simon comes in, books and journals prepared. He sets his bag down, with the studying tools Ms Jones gave him.

"Hey Izzy, ready to study?" He asks.

"Yea, but this is going to be burden." I say looking down.

"It will be fine, in a few quick study sessions, you will have your grade up in no time." He replays being positive. "Besides, you have me as an amazing tutor, so how could you fail?"

"Where'd you borrow your arrogance? Jace?" I joke. But, at the mention of Jace, Simon's face changes from happy to serious. I decide to change the subject. "So I was thinking we could study somewhere else, not here in my room what do you think?"

"Sure, just somewhere peaceful." He said.

"I couldn't have agreed more." I say grabbing his hand pulling him out the door really fast.

Simon POV
She pulls me out of her dorm so fast, I am barely able to grab my bag with the science books. Izzy doesn't grab me by the arm, or bicep, she grabs me by the hand. I'm a guy, what can I say,? We are holding hands. Not fingers in lock, but just in a generic way. Her hand in mine; so small and soft, so delicate, against my big, hard-callused hand from too many hours holding a hockey stick.

Of course, Izzy doesn't think about her action the way I did; it's second nature to her. On the way out, I see her grab a throw blanket, and she puts it under her arm. She's running down the halls, pulling me from behind. I know ice skaters are fast, but I didn't think they are this fast. I could catch up to her easily, but for today I want to live this experience.

Left turn, right turn, straight-a-way, over and over as we go through different wings in the school. I have no idea where we are going, I haven't thought to ask yet, probably because all I keep thinking about is our hands still attached to one another. I finally find my voice and I ask Isabelle.

"Hey Izzy, where are we going exactly?" I ask from behind.

"You'll see, just a few more hallways." She says sounding concentrated on something.

I don't get why she won't tell me, I try to ask again five minutes later and I get the same response from her, 'you'll see'. Girls and their secrets. We pass Maggie in the hall, and she puts on the best and prettiest smile she can muster and says 'hey' to me. I see what Jace means; Maggie has it bad for me. I think she is cute, nice, and all but someone else stole my heart. Just hopefully she won't break it.

"You know Maggie has the hots for you, you should ask her out." Isabelle halts my train of though.

Shocking me, I reach for my voice, "I've noticed, but another girl has my heart." I say realizing too late I shouldn't have said that. Stupid, stupid, I breathe under my breath.

"Really what girl? Wait let me guess... Um Maia?" She says pondering.

"No." Is all I can get out.
"Stephanie?" Izzy pops out.

"Nope." I confirm, popping the 'p'.

"Carol?" Izzy questions.

"Nada." I slip out, I still can't believe she, of all people, is guessing who I like.

"Cathy... Wait is it Kaelie…just kidding." Izzy laughs.

"No and no." I say with a little laughter too.

Before Izzy can say another girl's name, she lets go of my hand, and pushes open an exit door, that I never seen before. The sun shines brightly, making my eyes have to adjust, and finally I can see. We are outside the school, way, way back of the school. There are woods behind the school, that I have never noticed before. She walks up to the woods entrance, and turns around, realizing I haven't followed her. She yells at me.

"Simon, come on!" She yells waving her hand to come.

I sprint up to her, and she goes deeper into the woods. She is up ahead, and I can see her long, straight, black hair swaying back and forth. I look down, and there is a cobble path leading somewhere. I continue walking on the path, and finally the woods open up, and there is a clearing. I walk into the clearing and hands come over my eyes. I first reaction is to scream, the second is to defend myself and take a hit on this person. I hear laughing, and then Izzy whispers in my ear.

"Welcome to the garden, or my hideout. You are the first person I have shown this to before." She says pulling her hands away.

I open my eyes, and before me is old stone benches, a gazebo with twinkle lights wrapping around the posts. Flowers of all colors and sizes embedded in the ground shaped in patterns. Lanterns hanging from tree to tree, and in the center is a blanket with Izzy sitting on it casually. I go to the blanket and sit down right next to her.

"What do you think?" She asks, a smile etched across her face.

Izzy POV
Simon doesn't respond quickly, it seems like he is in shock. But he eyes, brown and glistening do finally reach mine. I blush, I don't know why, I feel the heat rise to my cheeks, and I look down. He breaks the silence, speaking up.

"This is incredible! Did you decorate this by yourself?" Simon says looking around at the scenery.

"Yea, and thanks. It means a lot to me." I say proudly.

"So this is where you escape to, huh?" Simon asks.

"I guess, when I'm down I do come here, and sometimes just to be alone." I explain.

"Well, thanks for bringing me here." Simon says being polite.

"No problem, this is both of ours now. But you can't tell anyone else." I exclaim smiling.

"Trust me, I won't. Your secret is safe with me." Simon laughs.

After we get comfortable, we talk a lot. We talk about training and fitness. We talk about ice hockey games to come and ice skating competitions. We talk about Parents Day and our home life. We mention the dodgeball game. We talk about our roommates and joke around. After about hours of laughing and getting to know Simon, the sun is about to set. My stomach is hurting from laughing, and I'm suddenly sad. I don't want this day to end. I look down at Simon's bag, and I've realized we didn't even study one bit. Simon must have figured out the same thing because he stops laughing.

"Oh, shoot. So much for studying." Simon says looking disappointed but then smiles again.

"We'll, since we don't want to let Ms. Jones down. What about you come over to my dorm this Wednesday?" I ask.

I just asked Simon Lewis, a star hockey player, to come over to my room and study with me. Should I expect him to say yes?

"That's sounds good." Simon replies.

"Great, you bring the study tools and I will supply the food." I say.

"Just don't poison me, the team can't win without me. Alec has told me about your cooking." He laughs, then looks up at me and is searching my face, to see if I'm hurt about what he said.

"Nah, I've dropped cooking. I will order something instead." I say while standing up.

Simon gets up too and puts his bag on, he looks at me and says "ready to go?"

I reply by nodding my head and start heading for the clearing. Soon we will have to get back and get ready for fitness. The fun always ends soon.

We reach the cobble path, and I trip over a stone. I wasn't pay attention to anything, and that's unusual for me. I guess my thoughts were preoccupying me. I wait to feel the ground hit me, and the pressure of hard stones and twigs poking in my back. However, instead I feel strong hands immediately catch me, and I can't help but realise how close Simon and I are. Why am I acting this way?

"Are you okay?" Simon asks concern filling every word.

"Yea, I don't even now how I tripped... It just happened." I say sounding confused.

"Your high heel, got stuck in that ditch." Simon says pointing.

"Thanks a lot, I would have done a face plant, and my good heels would have been broken." I exclaim.

"That's what friends are for." Simon says sounding genuine but a little upset.

That's what Simon and I are just very good friends, just friends. Pals, amigos, companions, buddies, exactly that. But how do I explain the dark feeling brewing in my gut, when Simon says a quiet 'bye' to me, and we go our separate ways?

Clary POV

I wake up to the sound of a running shower and stretch my arms in a yawn. Surprisingly, I am not one bit sore—which is rare, when you have fitness the day before. I guess I'm just improving.

Not feeling in the mood for a shower, I change into sweatpants and a zip-up hoodie, feeling in the mood for a relaxed day.

Well, as relaxed as it gets with fitness tonight.

"Mornin'." Izzy says as she comes out of the washroom, stifling a yawn.

"Hey Izzy." I say with a smile. I head towards the bathroom door when Izzy breaks our silence.

"So, you excited for after fitness? Which guy are you gonna pick?"

"What?" I ask, legitimately confused.

"Ugh. Clary, you've spent too many hours in the rink." Isabelle says, rolling her eyes.

"What, Iz?" I say sternly.

"Well, rumours are going around that the guys are asking out girls tonight for the Christmas Dance!"

Shit.

Author's Note

Hmmm I wonder why Clary's so worried? Guess you'll have to figure out next chapter! Mwuhahaha…it's okay guys, don't kill me! The good news is, I've already written the next chapter so I'll be updating tomorrow! Yes, yes, you can all love my generosity now!

So, if you didn't seem to notice the difference in writing styles, the Izzy and Simon tutoring part was written by…(drumroll please…)…HannahJace4eva. It was wonderful working with another person, so I look forward to having another chapter where I'll let one of the reviewers write with me again.

Though, I apologize for the time it took for us to write this, I think it was more my fault than HannahJace4eva's, so don't get too mad!

I mainly blame school...I have my second summative so far—a month ahead of when it's supposed to be. Anyone else got homework problems? Feel free to review or PM me and we can suffer together.

So, back to the topic of the co-writing partnership; there was much more Sizzy in this chapter, which, I'm glad about. I figured you guys should at least have some satisfaction because all my other chapters are all really anti-Clace, Sizzy and…every other normal ship.

That's okay though, because the drama is finally building up!

Alright guys, hope you liked this chapter and don't forget to review!

Until tomorrow…