Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. The characters belong to Cassandra Clare.

Song: Feels like we only go backwards by Tame Impala(playing as background music in the Coffee shop)

Alec had a hard time understanding what was actually going on. At first he didn't even hear Isabelle's words. She had to repeat everything twice and he still didn't understand. Most probably he didn't want to believe it. Their parents were getting a divorce. He always knew things weren't perfect in their family, but from the fights he assisted when he was younger to a separation, there was a long way. So when did all of this happen? When had all fallen apart? Where was he while it happened? was the more important question.

His eyes wondered around the little coffee shop as the anxiety started to kick in. What if he was indeed guilty? Was this all his fault, because he had been so absent in his last years of high school? He threw a glance towards his sister, hoping he would find an answer in her expression. But seeing her, her posture straight, watching him with hopeful and shiny eyes, looking very beautiful and very young only managed to bring back some of his old memories.

And he remembered. He remembered the way she helped him get back on his feet, a few years ago. She had been there for him, guiding and encouraging him. He suddenly realized he owed this to her. He had to at least try and be stronger. He was the older brother, after all. So he let go of his sweater's sleeves and decided to think about all of those later, when he was alone in his room, where he would boil all the flour and most probably find himself guilty. Because right now, this was not about him. This was about their family, and family meant responsibility. He couldn't go back in time, and change the way he acted back then. But he could be here now, for those who needed him. And Isabelle clearly did. So he decided to focus on what was worrying both of them the most:Max. What was going to happen to their little brother who had to go through all of this at such a fragile age?

"What about Max?"

"Mom is moving out from the house. Max is going to live with her from what I've heard. I don't know much. They called me, said there was something urgent to discuss, and when I got there they were fighting and shouting. I had to take Max out of there as soon as possible. I thought he would be scared, but he just said this happened on a regular basis. Alec, he wasn't even scared anymore. He got used to it. And that is not normal. An eleven-year old shouldn't get used to it!" She paused for a moment, catching her breath and trying to calm herself down. "We took a walk to his school. We talked a lot: about his friends, his teachers, his hobbies. It was a nice talk, Alec. And he actually looks happy, in some sort of way. He has some friends, though not many. He goes to some karate and swimming classes. He likes poetry, did you know that?" Alec gave a disapproving nod and Isabelle continued. "He seems resigned with the situation of our family, but there is something that bothers him." She looked very sad, almost like she felt sorry for Alec. But it lasted only for a brief second, because when Alec looked over to her she just shrugged and kept going on with her story. "Anyway, when we got back, the atmosphere wasn't a very pleasant one. There was so much tension in there, you could probably cut it with a knife. But at least they weren't screaming anymore. I sent Max upstairs to watch some cartoons and mom,dad and I sat down and talked about it, reluctantly."

"About what?" As soon as he asked Alec realized what a stupid question it was. "I mean, what led to the divorce? What happened?"

"I shouldn't be the one telling you all of this. It's not my story to tell." She let out a sigh. "You really should talk to mom and dad. They would like you to hear this from them."

"You know just as well as I do that that's a very big lie, Isabelle. If they really wanted to talk to me, they would have called both of us, and we wouldn't be here, having this conversation. And I wouldn't have all these questions. It's all so sudden... I don't understand

Izzy took a deep breath.

"Then understand this, Alec. I am the one who doesn't want to talkabout it. I hate reliving this over and over again. I am tired of it and I won't do it, Alec. I am sorry, but this time you have to get your crap back together and go talk to our parents." Her tone was not harsh or mean. She just sounded tired, which was something very unusual for Isabelle. She was always full of energy, ready to party and stay up all night dancing with cute boys. That image brought a smile on Alec's face and with that he decided to end the conversation there. He was completely sure he was not going to talk to his parents, but at least he could give Izzy a break. She must have been tired from the long ride and from what she had to go through with Maryse and Robert.

A second later, a waitress approached them and set two cups of coffee on the table. Alec didn't remember ordering anything so he gazed at Izzy with a very questioning look.

"I ordered a little something before you got here. It's black. Your favourite." She smiled towards him so he mouthed a "thank you" before he lowered his nose in order to take in all the mesmerizing flavors coming out from his hot cup of coffee. He just loved the smell of black simple coffee. It calmed him down. His body relaxed and he took a sip.

Silence descended upon them and for a few minutes they just sat there, enjoying their drinks and smiling at each other from time to time. Isabelle ordered a Frappe for her, coated with extra cream so she had white drops all over her nose and on her upper lip. Alec leaned over the table and wiped it away with a soft napkin. Before he returned to his sit he pressed her nose with his thumb, while laughing playfully. He let out a strange, lovely sound, almost like a giggle.

Izzy just watched him, a small blush covering her face. Alec returned to his drink, but she kept on watching her brother, analyzing his features. He looked slightly different from the last time she saw him. That was five months ago. His features seemed to have hardened. It didn't make him look any less beautiful, only more rigid, more confident in himself.

And for the first time in forever, she felt protected again, like she felt so many times when she was younger and around her brothers. Especially around Alec who was very protective of her. Sometimes he would exaggerate and wouldn't let her leave the house with a certain outfit. One time he even punched a boy, because he thought he took advantage of his little sister. In fact, Izzy was the one dragging him in the bedroom, kissing him like there was no tomorrow, seducing the poor boy to the point he couldn't stand on his feet anymore. So he stumbled on the bed, pulling Isabelle over him and filling her up like a horny teenager that he was. She couldn't complain, but something else could be said about Alec, who entered the room in that exact same moment. She smiled warmly, remembering those days.

But she knew she had to tell him the other news. The ones she was very excited about. But she didn't know how Alec would react, so Isabelle felt insecure. For a moment she even thought about not telling him. Seconds later, the words just fell from her lips.

"Mom is moving somewhere nearby. And Max is going to live with her. In fact, we all are going to be here," she whispered.

Alec nearly choked with his coffee.

"What?" I - what do you even mean? All of Max's friends are in Philadelphia. He can't just move and leave it all behind. He's barely eleven years old. I...I don't understand," he almost shouted.

"Alec, keep it down!"

"You said all? Do you mean Jace is coming home? Where is Jace now, anyway? Last time I spoke to him he had a game in London. And he didn't even bother responding my phone calls or e-mails. Can someone please tell me what the hell is actually going on? What do you mean you are going to live here? Why am I the last one to hear about this?" Alec hated this. All of it was so sudden. He wasn't good with changes. He had a very organized program, a very organized life. Otherwise he was going to lose it, and he really didn't want to. Not know, when everything was coming back together. Slowly and in pieces. But back together.

So he felt scared when his sister mentioned they were all going to live in New York. This was all too much. Family here meant secrets revealed and losing the last persons he truly cared about. Because if Isabelle was so understanding, the rest of his family... well, not so much! God, Jace will hate him! And what kind of role model would Alec be for Max? Not to mention the fact that his parents won't be able to look him in the eyes. No, this couldn't happen. He felt the ground crashing under his feet. This was too much.

He stood up and looked over to Izzy, who was very confused. His hands were starting to shake.

"I am sorry," he mumbled under his breath and then stormed out of the coffe shop.

"Alec! Wait! What the hell?" Izzy shouted behind him. By the time she reached the door and pushed it open, he was already in his car, driving away from there.

She sighed and returned to her table, but changed her mind and headed towards the counter to pay for their drinks. She opened her bag, looking for her wallet. It wasn't there.

"Oh, shit! That's just great!" She kept on searching for it at the bottom of her Chanel handbag, but in vain. She must have left it in the car when she ordered something from Starbucks, on her way here. "At least you could have paid before you left! I don't have a job yet!"she mumbled more for herself than for someone in particular.

"It's okay. I got this. Here, let me pay for you. I have a job since forever." The boy who talked must have been only a year or two older than Isabelle and he was wearing a faded MADE IN BROOKLYN T-shirt. His glasses were encircling his big brown eyes. His hair was going in all directions and no matter how hard he tried to arrange it with his hand, it was still ruffled. She let out a giggle.

"Yeah? Well, thanks." She wasn't surprised in the slightest. She was actually used to boys asking for her number or offering to pay for her. It happened all the time back home so it was just normal for it to happen here too. After all, she was a rare beauty. Dark hair and tall figure, a heartbreaker who would walk all over someone in high-heeled boots, while smiling.

The boy grinned at her and paid:

"Though you should really get a job. Next time you might not be that lucky," he added while laughing slightly.

"Oh, is that so? I was lucky that you were here?" she replied tapping his chest with one of her fingers.

"Duh..."

She paused for a moment, almost surprised by his daring answer and then leaned closer to his ear, almost touching his cheek with her red lips. "In that case, thank you again." Her breath smoothed his cheek and a shiver went down his spine.

She turned around and walked away, making a loud sound when placing her high-heeled boots on the pavement of the coffee-shop. The sound echoed in the boy's ears, who stood stock still for more than ten seconds after the girl had left his side. He watched the door closing, still feeling the scent of a very sweet perfume all around him.

After a few more seconds he returned to his table, where a red-headed girl was scratching something in her notebook. When he tossed himself in his chair, she looked up to him and smiled.

"So, what's up with the girl? She was really pretty."

"She was, wasn't she?" the boy responded, but immediately waved his hands dismissively. "I don't even care."

"Simon, what do you mean by I don't care? At some point you have to date someone."

"I know, I'm just waiting for the right person to notice me."

"You could wait forever. Sometimes you have to make the first move. And you didn't even have to. The girl was clearly flirting with you."

"Forever, huh?" The boy frowned and then took a deep breath. "Clary," he began but stopped for a second to think about what he was going to say. They've been best friends since forever. If he dropped a bomb like this it may ruin their friendship, and he could not have that. Just the thought of losing Clary made his heart ache. And with that thought in mind, forever didn't feel like such a burden anymore. How could it, when he was able to stay by her side, her smile shining brightly just for him and her hand entwined with his while walking through New York? He didn't need anything more, did he? "She wasn't flirting with me and she wasn't my type anyway. Also, she was kind of mean, acting as though she had the world to her feet."

"I know. I heard what she said to you." She paused for a minute adding something to her drawing. I am sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." And she truly was. Simon could see it all over her face just as he could notice how careful she was when talking about this subject. "What's up with everyone this day, anyway?"

"It must be the first day of school. You know, the excitement, the thrill, the paper work which never ends, the free time... We all love school." the boy responded in a sarcastic tone, gesturing with his hands. The girl started to laugh.

"Shut up, Simon. Or else I am going to choke with my apple pie." She continued to laugh for a few more seconds, gathering the remains of her dessert from her plate and licking her fingers. The boy was amused by her gesture and watched her every move, being mesmerized by only her presence. "By the way, have I told you about the boy from this morning - the one with the loud music?"

"Yeah, twice, actually."

"God, he pissed me off!"

"He was listening to Queen."

"I give you that," she replied and started to scratch something on her notebook, but she wasn't pleased with the result so she erased everything and started it over.

Simon leaned over the the table to take a look at her drawing, but she pulled it closer to her, blocking his view.

"No, no, no. It's a surprise," she explained while grinning towards him. And with that she took her notebook and shoved it in her backpack. Simon reached for his and pulled out a colorful piece of paper.

"So, there's this party on Saturday night and I was thinking maybe we could go, you know, to loosen up a bit."

"Simon, school has barely started and you already want to party?" She was joking, of course, because after that she added with a grin "But sure, why not? Where is it?"

"It"s way back in Brooklyn. The flyer says it's at Magnus Bane's place, but I really don't know who this guy is. Jordan gave me the paper. I have a strange feeling that this Magnus guy doesn't have a clue about how many people will actually be there.

"That"s what you get when you throw a party at the beginning of the school year. Everybody wants to come," added Clary while laughing quitely.

"So I'll come pick you up by – let's say nine o'clock?"

"Yes. It's a date," she replied, without noticing the blush which spread on the boy's face who couldn't stop smiling. "By the way, how's your new song going?" she wondered.

"Nah... not so great. Something's missing and I can't put my finger on it." He frowned for a moment but let it go the second after that. "Let's stop talking about my failures and go buy something to eat. I'm starving. Do you wanna grab a pizza on our way to my place? We can eat it while we watch a movie."

She approved with a nod of her head. "Matrix?"

"Matrix."

They stepped out into the rain, walking shoulder to shoulder and from time to time shoving each other playfully and laughing at their inner jokes.

Fiery read haired girl and boy in love.

Song: The Funeral by Band of Horses (ughh...love this song! It starts in this chapter and continues in the next one)

The next few days rolled around pretty fast and uneventful but, as Friday was approaching, Alec realized he couldn't avoid everyone anymore. Izzy had called him more than ten times and even stopped by his door, but he wasn't there to let her in, so she left a note saying they needed to talk right away. He then sand a message letting her now he would talk when he would have the time. He kept on delaying it since then, but today was it. He knew he had to talk to her and explain why he left her in the middle of their conversation, leaving with no explanation but a terrified look on his face.

It was all his fault, he concluded after hours of thinking about everything his sister had said to him. Of course he knew nothing about their family's situation. Because he'd never been there. Looking back to his high school years, he could remember a lot of parties, a lot of alcohol, a lot of crying over his heartache and some fights with Jace and Isabelle. Between these, there were glimpses of long walks he used to take with Max and hours spent at their kitchen table helping him with his Math homework. There war long hours spent at shopping marathons with Jace and Izzy and sleepless nights spent in front of their TV, with bowls full of popcorn and Oreos. But just a small part of this was entirely true, because he was always trying to hide away his pain, his true self. Because everyone would hate him if they knew the truth.

All the hiding, the lies and the sneaking away at nights to meet with Sebastian caused a departure from his family. At the time being he couldn't realize, but when Sebastian left, he found himself being alone. It wasn't exactly someone's fault. Isabelle was always trying to talk to him and find out what was wrong, but he kept his feelings for himself because he could find no language to describe them in; Jace had tried in his clumsy way to approach him and maybe set him up with one of his Barbie dolls; and his parents kept their distance, being totally unaware of how they should talk to their own son.

Sometimes he felt surrounded by a bubble keeping him away from those whom he loved and he wasn't sure he wanted to remove it. Inside the bubble he could control everything and, as long as nothing would penetrate through it, he would be somewhat safe. As long as no shiny man would throw his arms inside it, trying to pull him out, he would be safe.

A knock at the door brought Alec back to reality.

At first Alec thought he might not even answer, but the knock intensified so he got up and headed to the door.

"I got your message. I am coming. God! It's barely 7 in the morning!" Alec mumbled under his breath.

He opened the door while mumbling something else which was incomprehensible. And then he saw who was standing in front of his room.

"Oh," was all he could say.

At every occasion, oh, I'm ready for the funeral

At every occasion, oh, one billion day funeral

A/N: Soooo...what do you think about this chapter? Who do you think is at the door? I will post the next chapter after I have at least one review. I really want and need to now what you guys think about this story.