Thanks to Alec being a morning person and his total lack of a sex life, he was awake rather early for a Saturday morning. Jace, who had put a sock on the door again last night, was snoring very loudly on the other side of the room.
Alec stared at the blank page on his laptop screen that he had to magically convert into a three page essay. As a particularly loud snore forced Alec to lose his train of thought for the third time, Alec officially gave up. He stood and started packing up his laptop and books. Alec got out his phone to text his cousin as he got out into the hall.
'Can't work with Jace snoring,' Alec texted. 'Do you want to meet in the library?'
Alec put his phone away and continued to the library. He found a quiet place alone in the corner and sat down to work. When half an hour went by and there was no reply Alec figured she was still blissfully asleep. Jealous of her quiet dorm and the ability to actually sleep in it, Alec got back to his essay.
Essays were not his favourite thing in the world but the silence of the library was glorious. Alec stayed until he was too hungry to keep working. Then he decided to move the homework marathon to the cafeteria.
Alec ordered the usual for lunch, while he thought about how he shouldn't come here so often, then found a place to sit. Giving up on homework for the moment Alec put his headphones in and started watching videos on his laptop while he ate. He had almost finished eating when he heard a familiar voice call his name. Alec groaned. Why did Jace insist on trying to be his friend?
"Hey," Jace said as he sat down. Alec pointedly ignored him. Jace didn't leave, however, and after a moment he asked. "Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Ignore me?"
"I haven't slept for weeks," Alec said grinding his teeth. "You snore!"
"I do not!"
"Oh believe me you do!"
"It can't just be because I snore."
"That is my current complaint," Alec said. "Due to lack of sleep but I also get sick of meeting random women in the morning."
"Hey, I told them not to sleep over," Jace said. "Is it my fault they couldn't stay awake after I rocked their world?"
"You are a jerk."
"You don't even know me," Jace countered.
"I know enough," Alec said as he started packing up. When Alec turned back to Jace he was surprised to see hurt on Jace's face. "Why do you even care what I think?" Alec asked suddenly curious.
"I don't know," Jace said. He turned from Alec to look off into the distance and out of curiosity Alec followed his gaze. The object of Jace's fixation was a girl with very red hair who sat with her back to Jace talking to her friend.
"Admiring your latest conquest?" Alec asked. Jace turned away from the red haired girl and again Alec found himself surprised. Jace had a slight pink in his cheeks as if he were blushing. Alec shook his head; sure it was just a trick of the light.
"I have class," Alec lied and quickly left. Alec only walked a short way before settling in his favourite seating area on campus. It was tucked away slightly off to one side, which made it the perfect place to study or have a conversation with the illusion of privacy. The arrangement consisted of two couches that were positioned facing each other with a coffee table between them, and a third chair arranged perpendicularly. The couches were overstuffed and upholstered in dark blue. The chair faced the short edge of the coffee table and was similar in colour. All three faced the hallway. Alec set to work on his essay. He hadn't been at it for more than a few minutes when Aline finally texted him back.
'Sorry! I was sleeping then I was ignoring my phone in favour of Netflix. Sorry! Are you still in the library?'
'No,' Alec texted. 'I am in that little seating area around the corner from the cafeteria.'
Aline arrived before Alec had barely written a paragraph more. She looked like she had simply thrown on the clothes closest to her then headed out the door.
"You shouldn't have rushed," Alec said. "I am quite capable of sitting alone you know."
"I know but I am hungry," she said. "Be right back." And she dashed off to the cafeteria.
Alec shook his head at his crazy cousin then returned his attention to his laptop and his incomplete essay. He was once again pulled away from his homework when the voices from down the hall reached his ears. They were raised voices and he couldn't quite hear the specifics, but he could gather it was a couple fighting. Alec tried to ignore the voices but as they got closer that became harder.
When he finally looked up he saw the owners of the voices. The man was tall and lean with black hair and caramel skin. He was rather beautiful, Alec thought, even though his face held an expression so full of hurt and pain. The woman walking beside him was tall as well and very blonde. She was also attractive in an obvious sort of way with a slim figure and long shapely legs. But Alec's eyes were fixed on the man. He was the one on the brink of tears, not her. He was holding something in his hand and seemed to be motioning to it as he spoke.
The arguing couple was now very close and Alec foolishly tried to duck his head so he couldn't be seen, but Aline chose that moment to make her reappearance, lunch in hand.
"I got you fries," Aline said as she handed them over.
"Thanks," Alec muttered sitting up to accept the fries. Aline gave him a strange look then seemed to notice the couple standing close by and turned. Alec's focus shifted back as well. Alec was stunned by the expression on the man's face. The beautiful exotic looking man was staring at him with wide eyes. He looked to Aline as if to confirm something then stared back at Alec. Finally the man shook his head as if to clear it and the strange expression was gone. Alec couldn't figure out what it meant.
"Sorry," the blonde woman said to Aline and Alec before she turned to the man and added. "Goodbye Magnus." The woman abruptly walked away, the sounds of her high heeled shoes hitting the floor echoed off the walls.
The man, who Alec presumed was named Magnus, collapsed onto the floor beside Alec's chair.
"Are you alright?" Alec asked him.
"Probably not," Magnus said. Alec held out his fries and though Magnus didn't smile he took one.
"I know we just met and all," Alec said. "But I kinda had a front row seat. Do you want to talk about it?"
"She cheated on me," Magnus said. "For months with my friend's brother and to top it all off they both still go to this stupid school so I am forced to see them in all their happy glory." Magnus ended his statement on a bitter note and Alec couldn't blame him.
"I'm sorry," Alec said.
"Oh and what's worse is that I still love her," Magnus sighed as he ate another one of Alec's fries. "Is that pathetic or what?"
"I don't think it's pathetic," Aline said.
"Oh but it is," Magnus said. He held up the object Alec had noticed him holding earlier. It was a necklace, an antique from the look of it, that had a pendant set with a large red stone. Alec guessed it was a ruby as it shone with a fiery intensity, reflecting the fluorescent lights and casting a rich glow. The pendant hung on a simple, thin gold chain that added a delicate quality and offset the size of the pendant.
"I gave this to her on our one year anniversary," Magnus said then added bitterly. "Little did I know she was already sleeping with Ralf at the time."
Alec wanted to hug the man he had met only moments ago, but something stopped him. It might have been Alec's awareness of how attracted to Magnus he was or it might have been the fact that Magnus was talking about his ex-girlfriend. To Alec's relief Aline, unhindered by an attraction to Magnus, jumped to her feet and wrapped her arms around him.
"You are not pathetic," she whispered. Alec watched as Magnus hugged her in return and suddenly wished he had been the one to hug Magnus instead.
"There you are!"
Alec turned and saw the red haired girl, Jace had been admiring earlier, running down the hall toward them. She had a slight frame, but the look of concern on her face was what caught Alec's eye.
"Magnus," the red haired girl said. "I heard your fight. Are you okay?"
"I am making new friends," Magnus said. He turned as if to introduce us to the new red haired girl but stopped. "I don't know their names yet though."
"I'm Aline. And you are?"
"Clary," the redhead said, introducing herself. Alec then gestured to himself, introducing himself in return. "Alec."
"Nice to meet you," Clary said then rounded on her friend. "Magnus I told you not to talk to her!" Alec could sense a long standing friendship between them. There was something in their mannerisms and movements that spoke of great trust and affection. Magnus flinched under Clary's gaze but didn't speak. "Why did you talk to her!?"
"I didn't intend to talk to her," Magnus defended himself. "I just ran into her because this stupid school is too bloody small!"
"Why are you still holding the necklace?" Clary said.
"Fine!" Magnus yelled. "Fine you want me to stop carrying this thing around." Magnus turned and forcefully pressed the necklace into Alec's arms. Alec took it too stunned to speak. "He can have it! Happy now!?"
"No I'm not happy!" Clary yelled. All the anger left her voice and she added sadly. "I will be happy when you are,"
"Don't hold your breath," Magnus said. "You are late for class. Don't skip on my account."
"But-" Clary started.
"No buts!" Magnus interrupted. Clary opened her mouth to protest again but Magnus answered as if he knew what she was going to say. "I will be fine. I am going to hang out with my new friends." Magnus put an arm around Alec's shoulder without actually looking at Alec. Instead he was staring at Clary with determination. "Just go."
Clary gazed at Alec then back to Magnus and seeming to give up, she hugged Magnus quickly with one arm then dashed off. The second Clary was out of sight Magnus let go of Alec and slumped into the chair.
"Sorry," Magnus said sheepishly. "She is relentless."
"It's okay," Alec said but he was still standing, too stunned to sit and too aware of how close to Magnus he had been a moment ago.
"That is one determined friend," Aline agreed as she sat down and pulled Alec down with her. Alec let himself be guided since it seemed a better course of action then standing shell shocked like an idiot.
"That she is," Magnus said. "I wish she would just let me by miserable in peace."
"Oh here," Alec said holding out the necklace.
"You keep it," Magnus said. "Anything is better than me carrying it around like the pathetic mess that I am."
"I can't keep this." Alec said.
"Why not?" Magnus asked.
"It looks expensive," Alec said dubiously.
"Well it didn't cost me anything," Magnus said. "Keep it, give it away or throw it out. I don't care." Magnus sighed. "Well actually I care too much and that is the problem, but you get the idea."
Alec didn't know what to say. He could give it to Izzy maybe, but it seemed a strange way to get a gift for his sister.
"Can I see?" Aline asked. Alec handed it over without hesitation. Magnus watched as Aline studied his necklace, but Alec was focused on Magnus rather than his cousin. It was a few moments before he could admit to himself what exactly he was watching for. Alec looked away when he realized he was looking for signs that Magnus was looking at him. What was Alec thinking? Magnus had just confessed to still being in love with his girlfriend. Girlfriend, as in a girl, not boy. Alec mentally hit himself over the head. This new acquaintance was the farthest thing from being potentially romantic as it could possibly be. Alec shook his head to clear it before speaking.
"If you change your mind about the necklace," Alec said. "I'll return it."
"Thanks but I won't," Magnus said. "Clary would be so mad." He laughed, but Alec couldn't find any humor in it.
"Well maybe don't tell the redhead," Alec said smiling. He ripped a piece of paper out of his binder and quickly scribbled his number on it. "Here text me if you change your mind and I will return your necklace." Magnus took the slip of paper without speaking, his fingers lightly brushing Alec's. The brief contact sent tingles up Alec's arm, which he immediately dismissed.
"Thanks," Magnus said as he pocketed Alec's phone number.
Something about this man intrigued Alec. They would never be anything more than friends, but that didn't mean they had to be strangers. Magnus seemed sad and Alec wanted to cheer him up. Plus, it would be nice to have a friend on campus besides Aline. Especially since a friendship with the snoring jerk was clearly out of the question. Yes, a friendship with Magnus would be welcome.
"Or if you just want to bitch about your ex," Alec said smiling. "You could text me for that too." He paused then added. "I'm here if you want to talk."
"Thank you Alec," Magnus said. "It seems I have indeed made a friend here today." Magnus smiled at Alec and it lit up his eyes. Magnus had the most beautiful eyes. They were green but the longer Alec gazed at them the more gold he could find speckled amongst the emerald irises.
Beta read by Holly0114
Hi! So the long awaited Malec meeting! What did you think? hehe.
This whole including a sneak peek thing worked WAY better when I was writing two chapters ahead. ^_^ But once again I am giving you a sneak peek of a chapter that is barely started. lol. Oh well! It was either that or you have to wait for me to finish two chapters before you get an update. And since I lacked off so much last week I figured I should update again today even if the sneak peak sucks. :)
The two direct book quotes from the previous chapter were:
"I've never seen someone get so excited over books before. You'd think they were diamonds." said by Will.
"Sometimes, when I have to do something I don't want to do, I pretend I'm a character from a book. It's easier to know what they would do." said by Tessa
But most of their whole conversation is a reference to the Infernal Devices since all the books they talked about were the books Will and Tessa discussed in Cassandra Clare's trilogy. Also Will saying books are always honest and make him feel less lonely is what Will thought of books in the Infernal Devices.
So did you figure out where the two quotes were? Or just wait for the answer? ^_^
Sneak Peek for chapter 7:
"Come on buddy!" Sebastian said snapping his fingers in front of Jace's face. "Snap out of it!"
"Sorry," Jace said as he turned away from the girl but he was still very aware of her. Jace listened to Sebastian or rather pretended to listen while he watched the girl out of the corner of his eye.
She got up a few moments later and seemed to be headed out of the cafeteria when raised voices interrupted Sebastian's monologue. Two people were fighting in the hallway. Jace thought nothing of it but the girl looked frantic. She moved quickly toward the voices.
