I was dancing. The music pounded and my heart thudded to the beat, jumping up and out of my chest.

Arms in the air, I tossed my head, letting my red curls fly. Usually house parties weren't my thing, but Izzy made good on her promises. I felt amazing in the outfit she picked for me, pleasantly buzzed from her homemade concoctions.

Across from me, Isabelle quirked a burgundy lip, hands tracing her curves as she moved. Her eyes gleamed and she winked, reaching out to pull me closer.

Shaking my head, I let her pull me in close, her warm breath fanning my cheeks, the smell of vodka making my head swim. Cool fingers traced my cheek as she swept my curls over my shoulder, her shiny red nails scratching lightly at my skin. "Is he looking?" She whispered, biting her lip. I didn't have to ask who.

Peeking up, my eyes found him immediately. Simon leaned against the worn kitchen island, hands deep in his jean pockets.

His tee was ancient, Chewbacca across the front, and therefore tighter than I'm sure he wanted it, but that didn't deter Isabelle. His glasses were perched on his nose, brown eyes suredly fixed on us as we danced. Lifting my hand to wave, I couldn't help but laugh at his slack jaw. Izzy did look stunning, as always, but tonight she was dressed to give the poor boy a heart attack in a tiny red velvet number.

I nodded to her conspirationally, "Give him a few minutes."
Izzy grabbed my hand and turned, pressing herself to me as she beckoned Simon over. He shook his head, holding his hands up, refusing to move from his spot at the counter.

Izzy sighed heavily, "Let's go get him then."

"Ladies," Simon nodded as we approached, "Fancy a drink?" He held up his can of grape soda. Izzy grabbed instead for the bottle of vodka sitting on the countertop, swigging enthusiastically. I grimaced, snatching the bottle and pouring a little into a cup for myself.

"Easy, Iz." A large tanned hand reached over my shoulder to grab the bottle and I froze. Izzy rolled her eyes, "Why hello, big brother. Fancy seeing you here." Alec smirked, his blue eyes lighting up as I turned to hug him. "Gotta look out for my sisters, huh?"

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I peered up at him. "Where's Glitterball?"
"Magnus is finding some driver-friendly drinks for us." Alec said pointedly, staring over my head at his sister.

She gasped mockingly, "They have those?" Reaching behind her she slid a bottle of beer across the worktop.

"I feel like dancing again," She smiled, red lips pulling back to reveal perfectly white teeth.

"Come on!" she insisted, tugging Simon to the dance floor by his shirt. He didn't resist much, honestly.
"Eh, he can have a turn on Iz duty." I laughed, moving out of Alec's arms as Magnus approached.

"Biscuit!" He enthused, hugging me close, sweeping me into a warm cloud of jasmine. "It's been too long." He reprimanded, staring intensely.

Today his eyes were lined heavily in a royal blue, accentuating the amber flecks in his hazel eyes. I nodded in agreement. While we were all in school, Magnus was older and studying fashion in college. It kept him so busy.

"Well, let's make the most of it!" He tugged on my hand, pulling me from the cool countertop and onto the makeshift dancefloor. The party was packed, and I only recognised some of the faces smiling at me in the dark. I looked for Izzy and Simon in the mass of bodies and couldn't spot them.

"It's so busy!" I leaned in close to talk to Magnus as he grabbed my hand to twirl me.

"Biscuit, it's not even started. Alec's friends are only just arriving." He gestured to doorway with a glittery sleeve and my heart leapt to my throat. Play it cool.
A tall figure moved confidently through the crowd towards Alec at the bar, identifiable by the golden curls and heavy black biker jacket. His arm was wrapped around the shoulders of a petite girl with hair cut into a severe bob. He guided her onto a kitchen stool and began searching the fridge for drinks.

He always had a date, but it never stopped hurting.

Turning away before I could see his eyes, his smile, I threw myself back into dancing with vigor.

Magnus threw back his head and laughed. "Yes, honey!"

After a couple more songs I limped off the dancefloor, pulling my phone from my pocket and frowning. Since when was it gone midnight?

I searched the room for a familiar face, but came up empty.

Although... there was Jace's date, sat on the sofa in the corner, laughing and leaning in close to a guy with dark hair and several piercings. I watched her pretty face light up as the guy leaned in, tucking her hair back as he moved in for a kiss.

I did another quick sweep, but Jace was nowhere to be found.

Come on, Clary, I chastised myself, you know better than to keep doing this.

But nothing could stop my feet as I moved to the stairs, grabbing a bottle of rum off the side table as I went.