Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Twilight or Shadowhunters with possible cameos from Supernatural, those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer, Cassandra Claire, Eric Kripke. I do own the original characters created for this story.

Writer's Notes: Thank you guest reviewer! I sometimes get lost in what I'm writing, and so caught up with the characters, that I forget sometimes if I've answered a question or not. I thought about adding supernatural aspects to it, but I decided to keep it normal for Bella. I want to explore Bella in a new light. She's on a journey to overcome not only physical scars, but emotional ones, and she's becoming something different, a version of herself that she lost when she met Edward, so I'm happy to explore that with everyone, and with the characters. I appreciate all the love, and I hope everyone is enjoying so far. Don't forget to follow, favorite, and leave a review letting me know what you think!

Simon woke up to angry messages from Maya.

[Maya:] Who the fuck is Bells?

[Maya:] Is this why ur out late all the time?

[Maya:] What happened to spending time with me?

[Maya:] u forgot our anniversary & now ur flaunting around a prettier girl on ur arm.

Simon sighed, running a hand over his face. He was sleeping on Jace's couch. He sat up, and noticed Jace.

"Your phone has been ringing all morning and beeping." Jace said, taking a drink of his coffee.

"Maya."

"What is going on with her lately?"

Simon sighed. "She's mad at me for forgetting our anniversary, and she's getting super clingy. It's like she doesn't trust me to do anything."

"Well after seeing the tabloids that hit today, I imagine she's incredibly pissed." Jace said.

Simon frowned. "What tabloids?"

"Oh mate, you were photographed with Bella. There are pictures of you guys coming out of the studio, and then walking down sixth, her in your arms while at a crosswalk, not to mention you and her at dinner, and then last night at Pandemonium, with you both up on stage. Then you posted to insta last night." Jace recalled all the pictures he had already seen this morning from his morning run.

"They printed it that fast?"

Jace snorted. "They obviously worked through the night. Tag lines include 'Simon Lewis' new girlfriend,' 'The brunette that stole Lewis' heart,' 'The bombshell duet'. Should I continue?"

Simon groaned. "Fuck. Why paparazzi, why. Can't get any fucking privacy."

"I know that the pictures are put together to make it look bad. But you and Bella…you two aren't."

"Oh no." Simon sighed. "No, we went to the studio, recorded the new single, and had Bella record on it. Mike discovered she can sing, so we did it for fun. Forwarded it to Marcus. We left the studio, and a car just blew through the light, and I pulled Bella away from the street so she wouldn't get hit." He sighed. "But they only took the picture of me holding her. They twist everything. No wonder Maya is pissed."

Jake nodded. "Probably. I imagine you should just talk to her."

Simon was quiet. "Three weeks ago, she asked me if I was cheating on her."

"Oh."

"It's weird right? Why would she suddenly ask that? I've been at the studio, and most times she's seen me there. I'm always with Mike, you, Magnus, or Clary. Clary is dating Sebastian, and they're doing great. Maya and Clary get along. It's like, she's guilty of something? I don't know. She started acting weird three weeks ago, and she's all over the place." Simon said, rubbing his hand over his face.

Jace thought about it. "It is strange. But mood swings and being just extra clingy doesn't mean that there's anything heinous going on. She's probably just missing you. You work a lot."

"Yeah. Maybe."

"Is she pregnant?" Jace asked. "You know pregnant women go a little crazy."

"We haven't had sex in four months." Simon said and sighed. "I'm either just exhausted, or she's exhausted. She's typically sleeping when I make it home. She's made me sleep on the couch more times than I can count, not to mention she kicked me out of the apartment when I forgot to bring home milk."

"Damn."

Simon sighed. "Yeah." He stood. "I should go talk to her. Or try to." He said and fist bumped Jace. "See you later man."

[Old Town Coffee]

"Clary, I don't think it's necessary to do my makeup for signing up for Instagram." Bella sat on the stool, while Clary did her makeup while they weren't busy.

"Oh hush. You look hot." Clary said and then finished up the eyeliner. "There. Take a look."

Bella lifted the mirror and stared at herself. "Oh. Wow." She was beautiful. She had never really worn makeup before, and Clary did a great job.

"You. Are. Hot." Clary said with excitement. "You were stunning before, but the makeup brings out all those natural beauties."

Bella was impressed. "Thank you."

Clary smiled wide. "You're welcome. Now, Instagram." She took Bella's phone and they looked at it together, going through the signup. "What about your username?"

"Just Bella."

Clary typed in 'justbella', and signed up. "Here you go. Let's take a picture of you, looking fabulous."

Bella was still sitting on the stool, and so she just crossed her leg over the other, and tilted her head slightly, her ponytail was higher than normal, because Clary fixed her hair for the makeup, she already had a natural wave. Her ponytail brushed her shoulder, and Bella just smiled, resting her hands on top of each other on her knee. She felt all girly and giddy from the experience with Clary, that she felt just, normal.

"Aww, that was really good. She said and showed Bella.

"Oh, wow. That's me."

Clary laughed. "So, this is your profile, and thennn…" she went to stand next to Bella and leaned in close and they took a selfie together. "Welcome to the world of Instagram, justbella."

Bella smiled and took her phone back. She scrolled through. "So, I'm following you?"

"Yes, and I followed Simon, Jace, and Maggie." Clary said with a smile.

The bell jingled at the door, and the girls looked up. Jace paused, staring at Bella. She was wearing her hair different, and she was wearing makeup.

"Jace, are you going to keep staring?" Clary said, teasing him.

"Oh, no. I was just coming by to check on Bella." Jace said.

Bella smiled. "I'm okay. Been at work all morning, but now that it's after lunch, it's slower. Edward hasn't shown up or anything either."

"Oh, that's not why I came to check on you. Tabloids. You've seen them?" Jace asked.

Bella shook her head and looked at Clary. "Have you?"

Clary shook her head. "No, I haven't. I got here with Bella early this morning."

"Oh, well. Simon is going to straighten some things out."

"Straighten what out?" Bella asked.

Clary took her own phone out, and did a search for Simon. "Oh." She said and then showed Bella.

"That's from yesterday. He saved me from getting hit by a car." She murmured. "Oh no. Maya."

Jace nodded. "Yes, he is trying to fix that right now. He's going to call Marcus most likely and try to counter the headlines with something else."

Bella sighed. "I feel so bad."

Simon walked into the shop. "Bella I-"He paused, taking in her appearance. "Whoa."

Jace reached over, closing Simon's mouth for him.

Clary stifled a laugh. "Okay, Simon, did you talk to Maya?"

"I did. Tried to reason, she threw my stuff out the window. But that's not important. I talked to Marcus, he set up an interview with me and the radio station, to just talk with some fans. It's likely Bella will be the subject of most caller's questions." Simon relayed.

"Maya threw your stuff out?" Bella looked at him appalled. "I'm so sorry. Jesus, I probably should just disappear. We shouldn't be seen together at all. Maya is really upset. I should talk to her, or would that make it worse."

Jace put a hand on her shoulder. "Take a breath."

Simon nodded. "It's alright. It's me that's sorry. I never wanted to throw you into the paparazzi like that. They never give the full picture of things. I'm not going to stop being me, and being friends with my friends because the paparazzi have a new icon to use for their own gain. The interview is in a few hours. I just wanted to stop in and apologize to you Bella."

Bella shook her head. "It's okay. I'm just sorry about Maya. I should talk to her. Maybe if she met me, and heard it from me."

Simon's smile faltered a little. "I don't think that's a good idea. Maya…isn't really herself right now."

Clary frowned. "I just saw Maya three days ago, she seemed okay."

"She's pregnant." Simon said, swallowing. "And uh, I don't want her to stress too much. So, I'm letting her cool off."

Clary was stunned. "She…didn't mention it."

Jace looked at Simon, their eyes meeting, and he knew, what that meant. After his talk with Simon earlier, it was clear that it was likely Maya was pregnant by someone else.

Simon swallowed, nodding. "Yeah, she just found out." He said and then looked at Bella. "I'm really sorry again. I'll make sure to clear you. They don't know your name, so I- "

"You can tell them it's me." Bella said suddenly. "I'm not going to hide either." She said with a nod. She offered a smile. "Good luck with the interview. And congrats on the baby."

"Yeah. Thanks." He said and his phone rang. He sighed. "I've got to go. I'll see you later Jace." He said and left, answering the phone.

Jace looked at Bella. "Are you really, okay?"

"Yeah, it's just tabloids. I never read them or believe any of it. It's just paper." Bella said and then went behind the counter to fix a coffee for Jace.

Clary looked at Jace. "Her being pregnant explains a lot."

Jace nodded. "Yeah, except, Simon isn't the father." He said lowly.

Clary's mouth fell open. "No way."

Jace sighed. "He's going through a lot. He's trying to put on a brave face, but he's utterly destroyed inside right now."

"They've been together for three years."

"Yeah, and since he's signed to the label and having to spend more time at the studio and performing, she's been…. extra clingy. He suspected that maybe she did cheat on him, when she started asking him if he was."

"Clear sign of cheater's remorse." Clary said with a nod. "We'll have to cheer him up then."

Bella returned with a coffee, and handed it to Jace. "Here. For coming all the way here to check on me."

"Thank you," Jace said and took the coffee. "You didn't have to. I'll see you at Pandemonium tonight, yes?"

Bella nodded. "I promised Magnus." She said with a smile. She watched him nod and turn and leave. She looked at Clary. "I really do feel bad about Maya. I never thought about being in public with Simon would spark all these rumors. Do they not know that he's in a relationship?"

"No. Simon kept his life private. To protect Maya, and he's never mentioned it." Clary said. "He's a rising star, in the beginning, it wasn't bad, now you'll see him on covers from his concerts, or performing at Pandemonium."

"Oh." Bella murmured. "Still, poor Maya."

[3 hours later]

"Gooddddd evening Brooklyn! Terrance here with 102.7 the Heights, today we have a guest with us. The infamous Simon Lewis. Simon, thanks for coming in."

Simon smiled. "Not a problem Terry, happy to be here."

"That's great. We have to know; you're releasing a new single soon. Can you tell us a little bit about that? Can we play the sneak peek?"

Simon chuckled a little. "Yeah, my manager gave the go ahead. We're still in production, but the edits are clean, and we've got it sounding great. It's called Michelangelo, and it will be dropping next week, Friday."

"Nice, nice. We have a clip of the song, ready to play." Terry said, and then the music started, and Simon's voice entered the air. They played the 10 second clip of the chorus, and then stopped it. "Oh man, that is fire!"

"Thank you, Terry, we worked hard on it, put in plenty of hours for it."

"I believe it. There's a special bonus on the album. Can you tell us a little about that?"

"Sure. Yeah, I met a very talented individual who I had the pleasure of singing with recently, and she recorded with me in the studio. She'll be on the album with me. It's a duet version of my single, and it's actually quite amazing."

Terry made a ooo, noise. "Do we have a sample of that?"

"Unfortunately, no, my manager wants that to be a surprise." Simon said with a chuckle.

"Is this talented artist happen to be the girl we've been seeing in the magazines?"

Simon smiled, hesitating. "Yes actually. Pictures are deceiving though. We're just good friends."

"Please tell us, who this beautiful, not girlfriend, is."

"Bella. Her name is Bella. You can hear her sing later tonight at Pandemonium, if you want to head there around seven or so, you'll catch her amazing voice in person."

Terry shook his head, smiling. "She's a bombshell, that's for sure. We're going to let some callers through now, are you up for some questions?"

"Absolutely." Simon said with a nod.

"First caller, coming from Brooklyn, Carrie. Hey Carrie, Terrence here with Simon, go ahead sweetheart."

"Simon, I just love you, and I just love that it's amazing that you're branching out and singing with other artists. Um, my big question is, will we get to hear more duets to come from you and the mysterious Bella?"

Simon smiled. "I hope so. She's incredibly talented, and I enjoy singing with her. Thanks for your great compliments. I appreciate it."

"Next caller, New York City, Lauren, go ahead Lauren."

"Hi Simon! I'm a big fan. You said she's not your girlfriend, does that mean that you're still on the market?"

Terry laughed. "She's going in for that strike Simon."

Simon chuckled. "Hi Lauren, thanks for being a fan. Unfortunately, I am not on the market, I'm not looking to date anyone at this moment. Focusing on music."

"The next caller, Courtney from Jersey, go ahead Courtney."

"OMG, I can't believe this right now. I'm sorry fangirl moment. Hi Simon, my question is, you and Bella looked really cozy on the street, how do you explain that closeness you two share?"

Simon nodded. "Great question Courtney. That picture actually was taken after, I pulled her out of the crosswalk, to keep her from getting hit by a car."

"Talented and a hero. You're just the overall McDreamy," Terrence said with a smile.

"I like to think anyone would save someone from getting hit by a car. I was just there at the right moment. Seriously, Bella is incredible and talented. She's an amazing friend. That's all." Simon said, still smiling.

Terry nodded. "Alright, one last call and I have to let my man go, he's very very busy." He said with a wink. "Alright, caller from Brooklyn, Edward. Go ahead Edward."

"Yeah. I heard somewhere that Bella was engaged to someone. Is that true?"

Simon frowned. He recognized Edward's voice, and he wasn't very clever, using his own name. "No, no she's not engaged to anyone. Not that I know of. We don't talk about relationships; we only do music."

Terry laughed. "Odd questions for the night. Alright Brooklyn, this was Simon Lewis. Don't forget to buy his new album, next Friday, featuring the mysterious Bella. I'm Terrence with 102.7, the Heights, here's some music everyone can vibe with." He said and played some music from Ruelle. He looked at Simon, taking his headphones off. "Thanks for real. I've been trying to get an interview with you for a while."

"It was fun. I do have to get to Pandemonium."

Terry nodded. "Of course. Oh. Bella, she's really just a singing partner?"

Simon smiled. "Yeah. She is." He fist bumped Terrence and then said his goodbyes.

[Pandemonium]

Bella was nervous to go up on the stage. Simon wasn't here with her, and she had to start. She had never done anything like this before. Magnus was beside her now.

"You look amazing, Clary I assume got a hold of you."

Bella nodded. "Yeah, I don't wear dresses." She had to wear long sleeves still, but her legs looked amazing.

"You're going to do amazing. Simon will be here in a bit, and he'll join you after your first set."

Bella nodded again, blowing out a nervous breath and then stepped up on stage. Lights lit up the stage, and she smiled out at the crowd. The music started, and she began singing.

Jace smiled, watching her sing her heart out on stage. It was like she transformed when she got up there. Simon came to the bar and looked at him. "She's amazing."

Simon smiled. "Yeah, she really is." He said and watched Bella sing a song from Kat McNamara, the Clary doppelganger.

"You're making a monster out of me, you've stolen all my identity, a person that I don't want to be, you're turning me into a monster…." Bella sang, feeling the lyrics as she sang them. She felt like this song described how she was with Edward, and singing the words helped her let go of that pain.

Simon was mesmerized by her voice. He watched her; his mouth fixed in just awe. Her voice just shook him, to his core, and it made his stomach do little flips.

Jace watched Simon, and how he looked at Bella. He admitted that it was breathtaking sometimes to watch her sing. "Are you going to join her?"

Simon blinked a few times, breaking his trance and looked back at Jace. "Yeah." He smiled and walked the back way up to the stage. When the song ended, he was up on stage, and Bella smiled over at him. "Isn't she amazing?" He asked the crowd.

There were a lot of cheers and whistles.

"Good, because this next song is one of mine. My last album. Enjoy," he said with a wink, and nodded to Bella.

The music started. "Got a drop in my throat, chill in my bones, when no one's around. See a light in a flare, nobody's there, they don't hear a sound, all the burden that I face inside every night. I'm a stranger when I wake, wake up in your eyes."

Bella started in. "When the world I've come to know, is a replica of our own, forever alone, flying in the air."

Simon smiled. "Cause I've come too far under the stars, I'm ready to feel, the uneasy pain, mysterious ways, I'll never reveal, all the burden that I face inside every night, I'm a stranger when I wake, wake up in your eyes."

Then together, they sung. "When I'm refuged and I'm saved, in mystery never breaks, I'm hiding away. It's a fragile world, fragile world, fragile world…. It's fragile world, fragile world, fragile world."

The song ended with the crowd erupting, and Bella smiled, and then leaned into Simon's ear and whispered something, and he nodded. He dipped off the stage, and then returned.

The music started playing and Bella started to dance a little on stage, smiling over at Simon and then she started singing, facing the crowd. "Locked up, naked with socks, I'm watching the phone ring, it's making me angry, it's making me mad." She sang and winked at Simon.

"Maxed out, minimum wage, my brain is a time…bomb, I'm saying goodbye, mom, I'll see you again." Simon sung.

Then Bella moved around the stage. "Striking a pose, smiling in photos without any reason, with people that I'll never know, I'm outta control, living a fictional prose, I took an oath, it's killing me though, 'cause I don't believe in the things that I do."

"And now my favorite color is blue!" Simon and Bella sang together, the chorus, and the crowd sang it with them.

"Roped up, rat in a cage, I'm having a break…down, drinking at a…playground, tequila for one. Too short, walking the streets, I'm hating my haircut, you say that you're here, but you live on the sun." Bella sang and looked over at Simon.

Simon smiled, lifting the mic up. "Burning a kite, I'm at a…funeral, nothing…unusual, baby, I do what I like, looking to fight, smoking a blunt and a pipe, taking a bite, worm in the apple, I knew what would happen, cause honey the vermin survive, swerve to the side, been driving all night."

The song by Robert DeLong was one of Bella's favorites, and mix of slight rap and pop, just made the overall song fun, and she was happy that Simon knew the words to it too.

"And now my favorite color is blue!" They sang and the crowd chimed in again.

When the song finished, the lights dimmed, and Simon and Bella got off the stage. It took them a while to get back to the bar, because people asked for both their autographs. Bella was shy and timid when it came to interacting with the fans, but she politely said thank you, and signed things.

Once at the bar, Jace smiled and slid drinks to them. "You both are incredible. Simon, you better watch out. She's coming for you."

Simon laughed. "Good. It's fun to have someone to sing with."

"Bella."

She heard her name called, and she turned and then she was being scooped up in a powerful hug.

"What? Emmett!" Bella exclaimed. As the bear hug she was just given came from Emmett Cullen, the older brother of Edward and Alice."

Simon and Jace frowned, not knowing whether this person was a friend, or if it was a crazed fan.

"Put me down, too tight Emmy." Bella said, and Emmett set her on her feet and then gave her a smacking kiss.

"Four years, and you're a popstar." Emmett said with a big smile.

Bella smiled at Emmett and gave him a playful punch to his chest. "I'm not a popstar. I thought you were in South America with Rose. That's what you guys did when you graduated at least."

"Ah, yes. We came back to the states, last year. We live in Jersey now. I saw some tabloids, and recognized you, and then I put two and two together with the radio show, and had to come and see it with my own eyes." Emmett said, still smiling.

Simon looked at Emmett. He was a large man, muscular, and had dark blonde hair that he had neatly cut, and his eyes were a sky-blue color. He was intimidating looking.

"Did you bring Rose?"

"No, she's at home with the kids, but she sends her love."

"You have kids?" Bella exclaimed.

"Yeah, didn't Eddie tell you?"

Bella's smiled faltered. "No. Um Em, this is Simon and Jace."

Emmett smiled at the two men. "Oh hey, Simon, I love your music. It's nice to meet you." He said and looked at Bella. "I'm surprised Eddie isn't here. Is he mad about the tabloid thing?"

"Em, what did Edward tell you?"

"You guys are still together, right? He said you moved to New York because your dad died, and it was closer to his office."

"We haven't been together for four years." Bella said, frowning.

Emmett shook his head. "I just talked to him today. He said that he was going to ask you to marry him."

"No, Em, Edward left me four years ago."

"That's crazy." Emmett murmured. "Why wouldn't he tell me?"

"I don't know. I assumed that you guys knew. I figured Alice would have told you guys too. We broke up his sophomore year at University and my senior year."

Emmett shook his head. "Bells, Alice died."

"What!"

"Yeah, she got into a car accident in Italy." Emmett said. "That happened three years ago. I seriously thought Eddie told you all of this. But it makes sense…because…damn. That's too bad."

Bella nodded. "I can't believe Alice…"

"I know you two were close."

Magnus walked up. "Bella, amazing. You were fabulous honey."

Bella turned to Magnus and smiled. "Thanks Magnus." And then Magnus was kissing her cheek. "Oh, I'll have a check for you later tonight, don't leave without it."

"What, you don't have to pay me."

"Nonsense, you worked so you get paid."

Bella shook her head. "I don't need money. I promise."

"Coffee shop money isn't a lot."

"I don't need money because I have an inheritance. A big one, so I'm not really needing money." Bella said, waving a hand. "I'm okay, I promise. I had fun, and it's a great experience."

Emmett's phone rang. "Ah, I'm going to step outside to take this. It's work. Love you Bella," He said and kissed her cheek. And disappeared outside and answered.

"That is Edward's big brother." Bella said, and sighed. "What is he up to." She murmured, worried about why Edward wouldn't just tell his family that the two of them split, when he was the one that left her. She shrugged it off and smiled at Jace. "Can I get another bourbon?"

Jace nodded and fixed her another drink.

Emmett returned a short while later. "Okay Bells, I've got to go, the pieces for the museum got in today. You'll have to come see Rose and the kids. She would love to have you over. You might run into Jazzy around here too." He said.

"Jasper is in New York?" Bella said, stunned.

Emmett nodded. "Yeah. New York City, Doctor. Anyways, love you, don't be a stranger, you have my number still." He kissed her cheek again.

Bella watched him leave and sighed. "Some people never change," She said, comforted that Emmett never changed since high school.

"Emmett is family." Simon said with a nod.

"I used to think that all of them were family. I was a Freshman when they all came to town. Emmett was a senior, and like this big brother that I never had. So sweet, like a bear. He was dating Rosalie Hale, and her twin brother, Jasper, was a really good friend of mine. They graduated, and then I started dating Edward my sophomore year. We dated for two years, and during that time…I guess he never told them the truth, or they don't know how he can be." Bella said with a sigh and lifted her drink and drunk it down fast. "Nevermind that, I had fun tonight. I heard you on the radio Simon, your interview, and I really want to thank you for the compliments. I'm really not that talented."

"You are so much more than you allow yourself to believe Bella." Simon said, smiling, but his tone was serious.

Bella smiled and then looked over at Jace. "One more then I should make it home."

Jace nodded, filling her glass up again, and then slid Simon a drink. They started talking about songs, and that one more for Bella, turned into more, and she ended up there until closing.