Decision

I feel a cold hand touched mine, awaking me back to my consciousness. The hood of my eyes is heavy but I forced it to open up so I can see Simon. I know it's him. I can smell his familiar scent: a distinct combination of vanilla and apple flavoured shampoo— very unusual for a vampire. I could already feel the smile creeping up my face.

When my eyes finally opened up, Clary was sitting beside me and smiled. "You're awake."

My heart sank. It wasn't Simon. Apparently I was only imagining him.

Clary must have seen the disappointment on my face for she said, "Simon's not here, Flo." But she wasn't in any way offended. In fact, she's smiling amusingly at me.

I sighed. "Am I really that obvious?"

Her smile grew into a chuckle. "Yes."

I groaned and then coughed, only realizing how dry my throat feels.

"You want some water?" she asked.

I nodded. "Please."

Clary stood up and went to a nearby wooden table that has a tray of water jar and glasses. And while she's busy, I took the chance to examine where I am. The room is long and looks old. The walls— i can only assume they're wood because they look like wood, but they're sturdy. I turned to my right and multiple white beds are lining beside and in front of me. This kind of place only exists in period movies.

Clary sat back beside me and I got up, grunting when I felt a stab of pain on my left leg.

"Here you go," Clary said, giving me the glass of water. The moment the water came down my throat, I let out a sigh of relief. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I feel like hell. My head's throbbing but not too painful that I can't take it. My left leg, even if it's covered with a white blanket thus making me unable to see it, feels like it has been ripped off. Other than those, I think I'd survive."

Clary laughed. "Jace was right, you could pass as her sister."

I turned to her. "What?"

"No, nevermind. I am convinced you're going to be fine." Clary watched me as I drink the rest of the water. "By the way," she said. "You're at the Institute, specifically at the Infirmary."

I wasn't surprised. "I figured."

"And, just so you may not wonder why, vampires and werewolves can't come here."

So that's why Simon or Dan is not here. "What happened to the demon last night? Are Rae and Amy okay?"

Clary touched my hand comfortingly. "Flo, you've been unconscious for two days."

"Two days?!" Dan must be flipping out right no. "Can I call Dan?"

"Phones don't work here," she said regretfully, but then smiled. "I called just an hour ago. He's currently fixing your apartment with Luke and Simon, and they're making explanations to your two old neighbours who were, thankfully, the only ones during the attack. And Dan's terribly worried but understands that you need to stay here to recover."

"And my friends?"

"Well, Sebastian and Jordan are taking care of them. But Seb told me they're mad because they can't come see you at the hospital—"

"Hospital?"

Clary hesitated. "We improvised a cover up story."

I nodded, letting out a breath of relief. "I can take them being mad, that's normal. But if something happens to them I swear to God…"

She squeezed my hand. "We won't let anything happen to them Flo, I promise you that."

I stared at her. She's so flawlessly, effortlessly beautiful and has a kind, compassionate heart under that fiery exterior. Jace is really lucky to have her.

I touched her hand above mine and smiled. "Thank you," I said. Yes, they can kill demons, they can protect us, but I am not stupid to notice that the demons' specific target is me and the only thing I could to keep them, all of them, safe is to stay away.

After the attack, I'm back at my apartment after spending almost a week at the Institute. Clary, Jace, Sebastian and yes Alec wanted me to stay longer but I know a look that my stay is overdue when I get one, and Maryse was giving me it. So I graciously thanked them and insisted that I have to come home. Now that I'm here, even though Clary said that Luke, Jordan and Simon fixed my apartment, I'm still surprised how nicely done it was. Everything was the same but I did notice that my desk was no longer there and what stood on its spot is a pristine, white painted and sleek office-styled desk, and my things are neatly placed on top of it: my books, notebooks and some pieces of papers and ballpens.

I turned to Dan who was sitting next to me right now. We were eating take outs because he doesn't want me to cook and he's too lazy to cook either. "Thank you, Dan," I said.

He looked at me, his brows drawing together in confusion. "For what?"

"Well," I exhaled, "for taking care of me, generally, and of course, for the new desk."

Dan eyed the desk and shook his head. "No, I didn't buy you that."

"Then wh—" I broke off. There's only one obvious person who would. "Simon."

My brother nodded. "Yep. He said he should replace that thing— I assume he's referring to your old and heavy wood desk which I still can't imagine how you got and almost managed to kill you— for personal reasons that I agree wholeheartedly."

"Where is he?" I asked Dan but my phone suddenly rang. "Hello?" I asked as I picked it up.

"Are you at your apartment now? Are you out of the hospital? Can we come visit you?" It was Amy. I'm sure she's with Rae. I expected for either of them to yell at me but no, their voices sounded utterly concerned and nervous.

I swallowed back the lump forming in my throat. "Y-yes, I'm here," I said.

"We're going to come there, now," she said and then hung up before I could even say okay.

I heard Dan sigh. "I wish I have friends like that."

Frowning at him, I said "It's your fault why you have no one left except me, you know."

He rolled his eyes at me. "Please, don't start."

"You stole all their girlfriends! Who would want a friend like that?"

He threw a throw pillow at me. "Enough," he said, chuckling.

I laughed. "But now you have Maia."

Dan looked wistful suddenly, like just by hearing her name comforts him. "Yes, and this time it's different."

"When is she coming over so that you can introduce her to me formally?" Not that it's necessary, I just love to make my brother nervous.

"One of these days, Flo. For now, you're my main concern." He then leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on my forehead.

When Rae and Amy arrived, I prepared myself for a lot of questions to be thrown at me. But when they arrived, all they did was hug me. And that was it; I cried. They're the only ones who can manage to get out the crybaby in me without even saying anything.

"Ssshhh, it's alright," Amy reassured me.

"How can you be so sure?" I asked through my tears. "You don't even know what really happened."

Rae continued touching my back, comforting me. "You're right, we don't and you have no idea how much we want to know," she said. "But we have a feeling you won't tell us. And we think it has to do with Simon and…his friends."

I turned to Rae abruptly. Does she know? Do they know? Looking at Amy now and back at Rae, maybe they suspect something. Oh God, this is so hard. "I want to tell you guys, believe me. But it's not my secret to tell."

"Then why are you always the one who gets hurt?" asked Amy. She sounded angry; not to me, but to what's happening to me.

I shook my head. I have to tell them what I'm going to do. After clearing my throat and wiping the tears off my face, I looked them in the eye and said, "I'm going back to Manhattan with Dan."

"What?!" This came from the two of them.

"I have to. I have no choice," I reasoned.

"Does this have to do with what's going on with you?" Amy asked.

I nodded. "Don't worry. Manhattan's not so far. I can come visit you guys," I said, convincing them. They didn't look even close to being convinced.. "We've managed a long distance friendship for years, so don't tell me this isn't gonna work."

Rae sighed. "I have a feeling you've decided."

"Yeah," Amy seconded. "Just promise us that nothing worse than this will happen to you, okay? Take care of yourself."

"And know that you can call us," Rae said. "Just one call and we're there."

I chuckled quietly. "Really?"

"Yes!" they answered unanimously.

I pulled them both together to a hug. "You guys are the best."