Thank you to everyone who is still reading! You guys are the best :')

Disclaimer: Cassie Clare is the amazing owner of the Mortal Instruments characters and all that jazz.

Chapter 6

Parties and Paparazzi

"Tell me something about yourself that I don't know," Jace requested charmingly, his golden eyes set on the petite redhead standing next to him.

Clary was wearing a dark purple dress that was fitted in the bodice and flared out around her waist. It swayed even she moved, and despite reaching her knees, Jace thought that her pale, creamy legs looked great in it, paired with the heels. Her breasts weren't huge but Jace struggled to keep his eyes off them the whole night. The colour of the dress complimented her fiery red hair perfectly. The whole sight of her left the blonde man breathless and he wasn't so sure that he liked this new feeling.

"I live with my Mum and step-dad. Mum and I used to live in a small apartment in Brooklyn before we moved into her husband's place." Clary answered quickly, taking a sip of her orange juice mixed with vodka. "Your turn, Lightwood."

"Lightwood, huh? Getting a bit confident there, Fray." Jace smirked, before he leaned closer, his breath hot against her neck. "I have a big thing for redheads."

Clary snorted and shoved him back, flicking a red curl over her shoulder. "Just how many girls have you used that pickup line for? Forty? I'm guessing you probably used it on your ex-girlfriend Seelie, too. Do you think I'm just going to be the next girl to fall at your feet? Seriously Jace, I'm not that easy."

"I didn't think you were," Jace spluttered out, unused to such a reaction from a girl. "Fine. I take it back. Random fact about me? I play piano."

"So you're an actor and a musician? Fancy," Clary teased, resting her hip against the side of Magnus' table.

"You don't seem overly impressed," Jace observed, not looking too pleased about that fact. How hard was it to win this girl over? She definitely was a challenge.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Clary mocked in a high-pitched tone, puckering her lips playfully. "I am so impressed, Mr Lightwood. Hold me back from throwing myself at you."

"That's more like it," Jace winked at her and she couldn't stop the blush that came to her face. "You're rather beautiful when you go all red, Clary."

"It's the alcohol causing it, don't let any ideas get to your egotistical head." Clary retorted, seeing his smug grin. It quickly fell of his face, leaving Clary feeling victorious. "And you really need to get a new repertoire when it comes to flattering girls, all your pickup lines are so last year."

With that said, Clary walked away to talk to Maia and Tessa. Jace stared at her, open mouthed and eyes wide. "Did I, Jace Lightwood, just get rejected?"

"I believe you did," Izzy giggled from behind him, stinking of beer and vodka. "I knew there was a reason I loved that girl."

"You mixed your drinks, good luck with the hangover tomorrow." Jace shot back grumpily, crossing his arms over his chest. "And Clary is just one girl out of many. Hundreds of women want a piece of me. Thousands even."

"I can't deny that fact. But sadly, the only girl you want a piece of is the one who just denied you. Pretty painfully, might I add. I hope you can handle your advances being declined, dear brother. God, this is such a remarkable day." Izzy cackled, struggling to stay upright on her heels. "Just wait until Alec hears about this."

"Isabelle, you are not helping." Jace growled, grabbing a bottle of beer off the table and popping the lid off. "God, I need to get laid. It's been far too long since I had a hot girl in my bed."

"Maybe you can ask, Clary." Izzy suggested, before bursting into laughter. She patted Jace on the shoulder. "Oh wait, you got rejected."

Jace glowered, swearing under his breath as his sister staggered away. He aggressively took a swig of his beer, trying to stop himself from staring at the redhead. Despite his feeble attempts, his eyes went back to Clary. She was laughing at something Tessa said, making his mood worsen. "Clary Fray, I will win your heart."

"How's the party so far?" Magnus murmured into Alec's ear, making the blue eyed man jump.

"Magnus, give a man some warning," Alec put a hand to his pounding heart, which was already thumping pretty quickly from the music, atmosphere and crowded room. Possibly from the alcohol running through his veins too. "I thought you had gone into the kitchen to get something?".

"I did, but Will and Jem were having a moment, so I left them alone. By the way, you're a cutie. You're completely adorable." Magnus said, clucking his tongue when he realised that Alec was still on his second drink. "Honestly Alexander? Second drink? Where's the party spirit?"

"I left it as soon as my sister and brother got drunk. By the looks of it, Jace just got rejected by the redhead. That's so great." Alec replied, putting his cup down when some country song began to play. "God's sake, who put that rubbish on?"

Magnus barked out a laugh, "I forgot you hated country music. I believe that would've been Simon – he's trying to act cultured to amaze and impress Isabelle."

Alec scrunched his face up in a manner that made Magnus inwardly awe. He leaned closer, as if he was revealing a huge secret, "playing country music is not the way to win her heart."

"Is it the way to win yours? Just so I have a head start," Magnus asked, taking a step towards Alec and tilting his head so their noses were touching.

Alec gaped at him, unsure about whether to step back or kiss the hell out of the man in front of him. He decided to go with neither of those options as he coughed out, "I…er…I…um…what?"

"You are adorable when you get flustered, Alexander. I forever want to remember that look you get on your beautiful little face." Magnus tweaked Alec's nose as he stood frozen, in shock.

"My face isn't…beautiful," Alec said slowly, cheeks going red. He finally found his brain working as he stepped away from Magnus, although they were still rather close.

"I'd like to argue that, but if you insist on being so difficult, I'll compromise. It's a devilishly handsome face," Magnus corrected, making Alec even more embarrassed.

"I…erm…anyway," Alec averted his eyes and stepped away from Magnus. "This is…great music choice."

"I thought you hated country music?" Magnus whispered dramatically, loving how ruffled Alec was becoming by the minute.

"I take it back right now, I adore it." Alec's eyes widened and he looked away. "I need to use the bathroom."

"Of course, Alexander. Follow me." Magnus marched away with Alec following obediently.

"How often do you dance?" Aline asked Helen, who was quietly sitting next to her on Magnus' sofa.

"Never." Helen replied shyly, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, as if to make herself smaller. "I don't have a reason to, I'm not the entertainer."

"I bet you'd be an amazing dancer," Aline stated, reaching over to grab her cup filled with vodka off the little table in front of them.

"That'll be your fifth shot, shouldn't you stop soon?" Helen bit her lip, concern shining in her eyes.

"You are such a sweetheart," Aline tittered before tipping the shot back and drowning it in one swig. She slammed the cup back down. "That felt so good. Being famous is so shit, I can never just go out and do things I want to. I've really missed partying – Izzy and I would party every weekend when we were teenagers. We could get away with it too."

"I can tell that you like partying, you like your alcohol too clearly." Helen muttered apprehensively.

"C'mon Helen, live a little." Aline leaned back into the sofa, draping herself over it in a way that made Helen blush and subtly gulp. "You have really pretty eyes. You should be an eye model."

"Thanks," Helen said shortly, before Aline began to pour herself more vodka. "Aline, I really think you should stop drinking."

"It's not for me, silly." Aline sniggered, holding the cup out towards the blonde woman. "It's for you."

"Not a good idea," Magnus called from the other side of the room, standing next to a tipsy Alec who currently had his head nuzzling the crook of Magnus' neck. Aline's eyes widened in surprise before a smirk rose to her lips, that was a new development. "Helen is an extreme lightweight. Even worse than dear Isabelle right now."

Aline peered over at Isabelle, who was stumbling around the place. She winced, "only one, Helen. I swear."

Helen slowly took the cup, also shocked by Alec's new behaviour towards Magnus. "Fine. Only one."

"I really like you, Magnus." Alec slurred, wrapping his arms around the taller man's slender waist. "I really, really, really do."

"Oh really, Alexander?" Magnus purred, trying to hide his smugness while he slung one arm over Alec's shoulder.

"Yep," Alec popped the 'p', grinning up at the other man. "You're so handsome and beautiful. It should be illegal."

"And you are completely trashed, much like your siblings." Magnus replied quickly, taking a sip of his shandy.

"Mags," Alec whined, burrowing his head into the crook of Magnus' neck, making the older man's eyes bulge slightly. "You smell so good. I love the smell of you."

"Mags? That's a new development. Alexander, you should really stop." Magnus muttered, having an internal battle within himself over what was the moral thing to do and what he longed to do. Two of which were very different. "You're as drunk as a skunk."

"I'm not a skunk," Alec complained weakly, trailing kisses up Magnus' neck.

"I believe you – you aren't," Magnus squeaked, pushing the other man back. "Listen, if you still feel this way when you're sober, hit me up. We can go on a date or something, but I'm not taking advantage of you when you've had one drink too many. I'm not a dickhead."

"Was Woosley Scott a dickhead?" Alec blurted out.

Magnus blinked for a few moments, "I…yeah. I guess so, we kind of broke up because of it."

"I got so angry when I found out about you two, especially since he hurt you." Alec admitted, his words blending together. "But I was so freaking jealous. Don't tell anyone I said that."

"Why where you jealous?" Magnus asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Because I have a crush on you, silly." Alec laughed, leaning towards Magnus. "Sober Alec is just too much of a wimp to tell you."

Magnus tensed, knowing the sober Alec would regret this once he is in control of himself again. "Until sober Alec tells me, we are not doing anything. Understood?"

Alec groaned in displeasure, "but Magnus-".

"No buts, just water," Magnus declared, interrupting the shorter man. He grabbed Alec's hand and led him towards the bottled water.

"I can't believe that you just denied Jace Lightwood and walked away from him. This is a new incidence in the history books of his love life." Maia whispered to Clary.

"I couldn't let him think I was easy, Maia." Clary retorted, feeling the urge to stare at the blonde Adonis.

"Don't look Clary, but he's staring at you. Again." Tessa laughed quietly, not particularly tipsy or drunk like anyone else. She and Jem both had work the next day, so they were sticking to juice, soft drink or water. "Have you cast a love spell on him? Because he seems completely taken by you."

Clary rolled her green eyes as she vowed, "he probably views me as a challenge since I won't just fall into his bed with my legs spread."

"If it keeps him coming back for more, I'd keep it up. I wouldn't mind a Lightwood chasing after me." Maia teased, watching Isabelle and Simon dance. "Those two seem surprisingly friendly. I wouldn't have expected them to click like that, at least it's a good thing...I suppose."

Clary peered at them, a frowning rising to her face at the armoured way Simon was gazing at Isabelle. "He definitely seems to like her."

"Are you jealous, Clarissa?" Tessa burst out, eyes wide. "I thought you didn't like Simon."

"I don't," Clary defended herself, raising her hands cautiously.

"Ah, best friend syndrome." Maia noted, nodding seriously. Tessa and Clary gave her weird looks before she continued. "You're so used to him being yours and only yours, so sharing him with another girl pisses you off. I understand. I went through the same with when Bat started dating Eve."

"Bat?" Tessa questioned, making the other girls huff at her lack of knowledge.

"The guy Maia dated after she moved to New York. They were best friends when they hooked up. After they ended things, he got with her." Clary informed her.

"Funnily enough, she too was a redhead. What is it with redheads getting all the men?" Maia asked exasperatedly. "Should I be worried about this new fact?"

"It's not necessarily only redheads winning our men," Clary reminded her, winking cheekily at Tessa, who was used to people cracking jokes about her 'turning' Jem gay.

"I think Will went through that best friend syndrome thing when Jem and I were dating," Tessa stated, sipping her glass of water.

"I think Will felt that way for a different reason though, compared to Clary at least" Maia reminded Tessa, who still didn't seem fazed by the choice of conversation. "The guy had loved Jem since they met in primary school, then you joined them in year six and completely screwed things over for Will."

"Homewrecker," Clary pretended to cough out, making Maia hoot.

"Clary," Tessa cried out, sounding scandalised but the two other girls knew it was all in good humour.

"And Jace Lightwood is back to staring at our little girl," Maia noted, smirking as she took a mouthful of her drink.

"Clary, you vixen, you. Enchanting all the hot men." Tessa joked, making the other girls laugh.

"What are you three cackling about over here?" Magnus asked as he dragged Alec with him by the hand. The three girls tried to hide their happy grins at the sight. Clearly something had gone down between the two of them throughout the night.

"Jace Lightwood." Tessa began, before Maia took over.

"He is pretty taken by our dear Clarissa." She explained and Magnus made a sound of understanding.

"When dressed in something made by a fashion king, such as myself, no wonder he adores her. You do look stunning, Clary." Magnus winked at the redhead, "and I can't deny that Maia, you look like a goddess. Tessa, you're like such a babe in those tight pants, definitely makes your ass look good.

"You're checking out girls' arses?" Alec questioned, his lower lip turning into a pout.

Magnus suddenly spun around to face Alec, "All in the name of friendship, darling. Alexander, I'm craving chips with gravy. Follow me, my little pumpkin."

"Your little pumpkin?" Alec echoed inquisitively as Magnus led the two of them away.

The girls managed to hear Magnus' reply, "would you prefer my tiny radish?".

"What is it with Magnus and having food as part of nicknames?" Tessa muttered, a small smile on her face.

"Magnus never changes." Clary commented and the other two nodded in agreement.

"We should get married one day," Will murmured against Jem's shoulder.

The two men stood in the kitchen while Jem cleaned up a little. He had an afternoon lecture the next day, so he couldn't risk getting drunk that night. Will, on the other hand, was completely smashed. His hands ran all over Jem's body, clumsy and rougher than intended.

Jem sighed, knowing where this conversation could lead to. "As if my family would approve of that. You and I both know that they'll never agree to it."

"So what?" Will whirled Jem around and placed his forehead against the shorter man's. "It's our lives, James. We can live them how we want to. Just imagine. You. Me. Forever."

"You are an incredibly romantic drunk, William. Have you secretly been watching The Notebook again? Or is it Titanic this time?" Jem taunted cheekily.

Will growled and captured Jem's lips with his own, pausing for a moment to whisper, "no, I haven't watched either of them and you know that, but I do love you. Lots and lots."

"I happen to love hearing those words," Jem admitted, kissing his boyfriend back. He didn't particularly enjoy the strong taste of beer on Will's tongue, but he could put up with it for the night. "I love you, William Owen Herondale."

"I love you too, Ke Jian Ming." Will replied sweetly, making Jem chuckle.

"I'm surprised you can even pronounce that when you're so pissed," he informed Will, who huffed.

"I'm not that drunk," Will told Jem, who couldn't be bothered making Will turn into his usual argumentative self so he let it go.

"Remind me you said that tomorrow morning," was all Jem said, kissing Will again.

"I still think we should get married," Will declared, puffing out his chest.

"Remind me you said that too."

Camille watched Alec and Magnus, a proud and happy smile for her best friend rising to her face. It was a rare sight – her showing her true emotions. She sipped her wine and moved to stare out Magnus' window, gazing at the people roaming the streets at night.

"They're a cute sight," Ragnor said from behind her, "Magnus and Alec, I mean."

"They definitely are," Camille agreed civilly, swirling her wine in her glass.

"You happen to be a beautiful sight tonight," Ragnor continued, his breath hot against the back of her neck.

"Fell, if you do not mind, I would like a night without you trying to make your advances on me," she requested simply.

"Okay, one night without me hitting on you, if you give me one night where you talk to me and we act like friends." Ragnor proposed quietly, making Camille pause.

"Why are you so insistent? It's been years of me rejecting you, yet you still come begging," she murmured, looking at him over her shoulder.

Ragnor winced, "rejecting is a bit of a harsh word, don't you think?"

"It's still true," Camille shrugged, turning her back to lean against the wall.

"Honestly? From the first moment I saw you, I was a goner," Ragnor admitted, taking a step towards her.

"I'm sorry, but I do not believe in that romantic crap." Camille told him, sipping her wine.

"Then why do you believe in Magnus and Alec? I know you want them together, if you didn't believe in romance, why them?" He asked, raising his arm and placing it against the wall next to Camille's head.

She tried to pretend that her heart didn't speed up, "I believe in his happiness."

"But not your own?" Ragnor murmured, making her pause.

"Tonight isn't the night for this, Ragnor." Camille pushed past him, strutting away.

"You called me Ragnor," he called out.

She stood still, "is that meant to be of any importance?"

"It's sort of a rare treat for me." He said and she lowered her face, biting her lip shamefully. "It's nice to know that you know my first name."

"Have a good night," was all Camille said before she was gone.

"You too, Camille." Ragnor replied to the ghost of her. "You too."

Aline swore loudly when she bumped the corner of the table, spilling her drink down the front of her shirt. Helen stood close by, seeing the incident. She stumbled over, taking Aline's hand. "Come on, I know where Magnus would have a spare shirt for you to borrow."

"You know that sort of thing?" Aline asked, staggering behind Helen as she led her through the crowd.

"I've been here before and I've been to his previous parties," Helen told her as they headed down a hallway. "Magnus would be cool with it, I know him pretty well. Just make sure you return it."

"If you say so," Aline sang cheerfully, not really caring either way.

Helen opened a door and pulled Aline inside. The room was large, with purple walls, red carpeted floors and a huge bed that had a yellow comforter on it. Everything about the room screamed Magnus. She pushed the darkhaired girl onto the bed, a little more forceful than she planned to. Aline fell backwards, landing ungracefully with her hair falling in front of her eyes.

She made a whooshing noise before twittering to herself. "I didn't know you were that sort of girl in bed, Helen."

Helen went bright red and hurried to the wardrobe, tugging the doors open. She saw a plain black t-shirt on the floor and grabbed it. "Magnus never wears plain black shirts – he probably got this for an assignment. He won't mind if you borrow this since it's not one of his pride and joys."

"Isn't it sweet of him? Letting me borrow his clothes. Where is Magnus?" Aline questioned, looking around the room. "Magnus? Magnus!"

"Shush Aline, he's with Alexander right now." Helen hushed the other woman, throwing the shirt at her. "Put that on, I'll turn around."

There was a few moments of silence before Aline whined, "Helen, I can't get my shirt off."

Helen exhaled loudly, feeling slightly annoyed. "It's a shirt, it's not that hard."

"It's stuck, Helen." Aline gasped, panicking. "Oh God. What if I can never get it off ever again? Helen!"

"Stop shouting," Helen whirled around and lurched towards her. "Let me help you."

"I do not mind that sight," Aline leered drunkenly as Helen grasped the hem of her shirt.

"Lift your arms up," Helen commanded, ignoring the remark. Aline obeyed surprisingly quickly, shutting her mouth and raising her arms.

"Damn, do you say that to your lovers? I bet they love hearing that tone." Aline whispered, her eyes narrowing.

"I…I don't have lovers." Helen muttered, lowering her eyes.

"You? Not having lovers? How the hell not? You're addictively attractive. I couldn't get you out of my head all day. You're like a drug that I just can't get enough of." Aline murmured, placing a finger under Helen's chin and lifting it up. "You're almost fairy-like."

"I…thanks," Helen replied awkwardly. "Let's get this shirt off."

"You know, if I was your lover, I'd never let you get away without a kiss every hour of the day. I'd touch your body fervently and leave you a moaning mess on my-"

"Aline!" Helen snapped, embarrassed. "We're here to fix your shirt, not talk all poetically."

"Why not both?" Aline suggested, pulling Helen towards her, their breaths mingling. "I want you, Helen. So badly."

"You're drunk," Helen reminded her, hesitant.

"So are you," Aline replied, seeing Helen's defences falling. "You're just better at hiding it when you're under pressure. Come on, baby. I want a taste of your lips. Don't you want to get to know mine?"

There was a pause before their lips met. It was slow and careful to begin with as both women tested the waters. Helen placed her hands on Aline's waist, while Aline's arms wrapped around her neck. Helen's finger travelled under Aline's shirt and she stroked the tanned skin at the singer's hip. Aline moaned loudly, immediately changing the mood. Teeth bit at the soft flesh and clashed every few moments. Their tongues swirled and fought for dominance. Aline's hands came up to Helen's hair, releasing it from its braids.

Her golden locks fell around her face, and Aline broke the kiss to catch her breath, "my little fairy."

"Just kiss me," Helen groaned, their lips joining together again as she grabbed Aline's thighs and yanked the woman further down the bed and closer to her. Helen crawled on top, stopping to tear Aline's ruined shirt over her head. Her eyes landed on the simple white bra underneath. "So sexy."

Aline sat up and started littering kisses all over Helen's neck, causing the makeup artist to tilt her head back to offer her easier access. "One night? You and me?"

"One night," Helen agreed, giving into her urges.

Isabelle watched as everyone else gossiped and laughed. She saw Jace talking to Will, every now and then he would pause to sneakily gaze at Clary. Even Alec was clinging to Magnus, and that was saying something. The older man definitely seemed pleased at the developments of the night. She stumbled back, going to put her cup when she knocked over an empty bottle of beer. The glass broke and she shrieked when a shard cut her palm. Dropping the glass to the floor, she staggered to the kitchen and ran it under water, feeling her eyes water. No one saw it happen, or heard it. She sniffed, her eyes searching the room something to apply pressure to the wound with.

"Isabelle?" Simon called out, making her look over her shoulder.

"Simon…I…what is it?" She asked, turning back to the sink.

"I could ask you that, I saw what happened. Let me take a look at it," he claimed, walking to her side.

She stayed silent as he looked at her hand, checking it before clicking his tongue. "You know your first aid, huh?"

"Working in the food world means that I've seen many chefs cut themselves accidentally," Simon told her, his head down. "That and one of our friends, Catarina Loss, is a nurse. She's taught me the basic first aid."

"Catarina," Izzy repeated thoughtfully, "I don't think I've met her."

"You haven't, she's been working her shifts at the hospital whenever we've bumped into each other. She was really upset not to go to the interview, but they were short staffed so she couldn't trade shifts." Simon explained. "She'd love to meet you sometime though."

"Sounds good," Izzy muttered, wincing when her hand ached more due to Simon prodding around the injured flesh.

"Your cut isn't very deep, I can fix it easily. I have a question. Isabelle, is there something else wrong? Something other than your hand?" Simon inquired as he opened the cupboard under the sink and grabbed a first aid kit.

"It's nothing," Izzy replied while he turned the water off and carefully tried her hand on some paper towel.

"It doesn't seem like nothing," he observed, opening the first aid kit.

"I'm just an overly emotional drunk," she justified, watching Simon pull out some bandages and disinfectant.

"I find that when I'm feeling a certain emotion when I'm drunk, it's because I've been hiding it when I'm sober. So spill." Simon insisted, twisting the bottle of disinfectant open. "This may sting a little."

"I don't care," Izzy sighed as he tipped the liquid onto some gauze and swabbed at the cut. Izzy hissed between her clenched teeth. "Life sucks."

"What makes you say that?" Simon queried, holding the gauze against the wound as he reached for bandages.

"Everyone else is always so happy and true to themselves. While there's me. Little Miss Lightwood, the bitchiest model in the world. I'm that person everyone loves to hate." Izzy murmured.

"I don't think you're bitchy or hateable," Simon assured her, wrapping the bandage around her palm. "I think you're incredibly sweet."

"You haven't seen me at my worse," Izzy reminded him darkly.

"Who is ever good at their worst? Isn't that the point of being at your worst?" Simon chuckled, securing the bandage. "Done, how does that feel?"

"Fine," Izzy responded as Simon packed everything away.

He faced her again and gently said, "come with me."

Simon led the two of them out into the main room, before opening the front door. Isabelle followed, rather confused. "Where are we going?"

"Here," Simon plonked down on the steps, "I thought you might like somewhere a little more private."

"Thanks," Izzy sat down beside him, hugging herself.

"Talk to me, Isabelle. I can tell when someone needs a good rant session, and let me tell you," Simon lowered his voice and leaned towards her. "After dealing with Maureen since high school, I definitely know how to listen."

Izzy stared at him, "why do you want to help me?"

"What else is there to do tonight? Watch Magnus flirt with Alec? See Will and Jem so in love? Feel the sexual tension between Clary and Jace? Even Camille recognised Ragnor's existence tonight. I'd prefer to spend my time doing something better, like talking to you." Simon nudged her gently.

Izzy's eyes watered, "you're a sweet guy, Simon."

"Why thank you, it's nice to hear that from such a beautiful girl, as yourself." He smiled softly, making her return it.

"I'm just…tired of not being me. I feel like everything is an act to make my family look picture perfect." Izzy sighed. "I know I'm being dramatic and whiney, but I'm so over all of it."

"It's completely understandable, you have expectations placed on you and that can be tough. Even more so, you just found out your ex has a new girlfriend, and I know seeing someone you thought you could have a love story with someone else is hard. Then there's the lack of privacy – your whole life is documented and you can't make mistakes, or else the paparazzi will slaughter you." Simon wrapped an arm around Izzy and she leaned into his side.

"How do you understand so well?" She questioned, feeling a few stray tears leak from her eyes.

"I've seen enough episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians to hear their outbursts about the cons of being famous," Simon joked and Isabelle laughed loudly. "There's that happy laugh. I know my work here is nearly done."

"Call me Izzy," she whispered suddenly, peering up at him as stray dark hairs fell in front of her face.

"Pardon?" Simon peered down at her through his dorky glasses.

"Call me Izzy, it's what my friends call me." She told him and Simon smiled.

"Well Izzy, call me Han Solo, it's what my inner hero calls me." Simon countered cheekily.

"You're weird, but I kind of like it." Izzy commented with a watery smile. "Very geeky."

"I believe the word is nerdy," Simon corrected, putting on a posh English accent. Izzy giggled at his failed attempt at being pompous. Simon beamed down at her. "And thanks, I like weird."

"I think I'm starting to like it too," Izzy replied, as the two stayed sitting on the steps in silence.

"You threw up…on Helen?" Alec asked incredulously, unsure whether to laugh at her or cry for girl.

Aline was lying with her head buried in his pillows, dressed in one of Alec's old shirts with a pair of shorts that were small enough to be hidden by the shirt. "Unfortunately, I did. It was even worse than you think though."

"How on Earth could it be worse?" Alec snorted, and Aline slowly looked up at him.

Her eyes were bloodshot and she winced at the light. "I threw up…in her mouth."

"Oh God," Alec cried out, covering his face to hide his laughter. "Are…are you serious?"

"I was shitfaced." Aline admitted, sitting up and rubbing at her throbbing head. "All I remember is seriously enjoying what was going on and then I felt like I was going to throw up."

"And you did," Alec murmured with a grin, "straight into to poor Helen's mouth."

"She is never going to want to speak to me again," Aline groaned unhappily, flopping back onto the bed. "I ruined whatever chances I had with her."

"I still can't believe you got her drunk, made out with her and threw up in her mouth…all on the same day as meeting her. That is talent." Alec chuckled, checking his phone. "I got a text from Magnus. He wants to know if I want to hang out with him before I head back to London for a few weeks. I think it's meaning that he wants to go on a date…I think."

Aline suddenly sat up, more alert. "What happened between you two?"

"What do you mean?" Alec muttered as he read the text message. "Also, have you spoken to Helen?"

"Not yet," Aline pouted, "I don't know whether she wants to speak to me or not."

"It's been three days since the party," Alec pointed out, "she'll want to hear from you."

"I've been busy recovering," Aline defended, making Alec roll his eyes.

"Excuses," he teased.

"Be quiet, Alec. Better yet, spill all the gossip on you and your lover boy." Aline clapped her hands excitedly and crossed her legs.

"Do I have to?" Alec complained, "can't my dignity stay intact? Plus, he isn't my lover boy."

"Yet. Alexander Gideon Lightwood, you talk to me right now or I will fill your room with spiders and umbrellas," Alec shivered at her threat, making Aline look smug. "Yeah, that's right. I will. Now talk to me."

"I don't know what I'm doing, Aline." Alec confessed quietly, slouching forward and twisted his hands in his lap. "From the moment I saw him, it felt like something in me changed. He saved me from this creepy fangirl and I suddenly became so…awkward. I know I can be uncomfortable at times, but usually I'm okay with fans. And gosh, his eyes. They drew me in from the first moment. When he left the diner, I told myself I wouldn't see him again and that the feeling of elation when I thought of him would leave soon. Then, I found myself at Idris University and I bumped into him. He was the class clown and hilarious and everyone adored him…especially some annoying blonde girl with a nasal laugh and gross nose and stupidly pretty eyes and-"

"Alec, you're ranting." Aline interrupted with a cheeky grin.

Alec flushed bright red, "anyway, Izzy then invited him over here without my permission. He came over and she and Jace had organised a romantic candlelit dinner for us."

"Are you serious? How did it go?" Aline gawked at him, eyes wide.

"It started off okay, we ate some dinner and dance for a litlle while..." Alec's sentence trailed off, making Aline frowned.

"And?" she pushed, leaning forward.

Alec sighed, lowering his head. "He ran away. Literally."

"Oh," Aline breathed softly, moving back.

"Yeah, oh. Then there was the interview and the party…I couldn't take my eyes off him. We were holding hands at the party and he even kissed my cheek when I was leaving with Iz and Jace. He told me to call him and put his number into my phone. It was so weird. Instead of feeling out of place in a crowded room, like usual…next to him I felt…right. Everything felt good." Alec ran a hand through his hair. "I'm so confused."

He jumped to his feet, pacing around the room before stopping at the window. Aline saw the way his shoulders tensed up and his hands were clasped tightly behind his back. She grimaced and sat up straighter, "what is it?".

"How am I meant to know if what I'm feeling is romantic and not purely friendship or admiration?" Alec uttered, watching the pedestrians cross the busy streets in Manhattan. "What if I'm straight and just going through a phase? Isn't that what lots of people say they experience?"

Aline snorted, rolling her eyes and getting to her feet. "Alexander, you and I both know that you like men."

"How can I be sure?" Alec spat out grumpily, crossing his arms.

"For God's sake, Alexander. You want to know how you can be sure?" Aline strode over to Alec, whirled him around, grabbed his t-shirt and yanked him towards her.

Their lips clashed together as Alec stumbled back. His eyes widened before naturally shutting. He tried to enjoy the kiss and appreciate Aline's curves and soft body pressed against his. But it was wrong. All wrong. Her lips were gentle but she wasn't tall enough for his liking. Her smell was off, too feminine and not bold enough. Nor was it musky and it definitely didn't smell of sandalwood. He slowly brought his hands up to her waist, but disliked what he found. She was all curves, which he knew someone like Jace would like, but Alec certainly didn't. Her breasts were pushed up against his chest, but they did little to excite him. His fingers got caught in the tips of her hair, making him tense. She wasn't right. She wasn't Magnus. At that thought, he removed himself from her embrace, staggering backwards and leaning against the wall.

"Did that help?" She panted, skin flushed.

"I…yeah…it did." Alec murmured, breathing heavily with wide eyes. "I…I like men."

"Definitely?" Aline chuckled, trying to fix her hair and pull the shirt down more.

"Definitely," he affirmed, shutting his eyes and imagining that instead of it being Aline who just kissed him, it was Magnus. "I need to go. I have a song to write."

Magnus sat on his sofa, laptop in his lap as he scrolled Facebook. He checked his phone, seeing no reply from Alec. He scowled and threw his phone onto the nearby table, not bothered to treat it carefully in his foul mood. He had been waiting hours for a reply – maybe Alec was trying to let him down easily? Camille sat at the other end of the sofa, patting a very content Chairman Meow. Magnus paused when he saw an article that left him gaping and surprisingly hurt.

"Camille, look at this," he ordered, turning the laptop around so that she could see.

Her eyes widened as she read aloud, "Alexander Lightwood and Aline Penhallow caught in a love affair! Despite denying all rumours, the pair were photographed yesterday morning in a compromising position in Lightwood's hotel suit. Penhallow, dressed purely in a t-shirt that has been spotted on Alexander beforehand, was seen in the hotel room prior to the discovery. Lightwood was sighted gazing out the window moments before being wrapped up in the arms of his friend."

"I can't believe it," Magnus growled, throwing his head back dramatically. "I was such a fool to fall for him. All that shit he said when he was drunk – it was all lies."

"Let's keep reading, maybe it's all lies?" Camille tried to say soothingly as she clicked on the link to the rest of the article.

Her eyes immediately landed on pictures that had clearly been taken from a nearby building and were of various qualities. There were blurry ones of Aline, only in an oversized shirt with her hair a mess. Then there were ones of Alec and Aline, both looking a little shambolic as Alec had his arms around Aline's waist. Camille frowned when it came to a clear picture of the two with their lips locked together passionately, Alec's hands caught up in her hair and her hands holding onto him.

Magnus caught onto her look and sighed sadly, "it looks real, doesn't it?".

Camille shut the laptop, shutting her eyes for a moment before disclosing, "it does look rather authentic, I must admit. But surely he has an explanation? Alexander doesn't seem like the type to be a player."

"What if really, he was acting the innocent and sweet Alec, when he's actual personality is that of a bad boy?" Magnus asked, covering his eyes. "What if I was being played?"

"Mags," Camille started, leaning towards him. "We'll figure this out, okay?"

"There is nothing to figure out, Cammie." Magnus stated, "Alexander wasn't into me and he likes Aline. Just like the rumours."

Magnus stood up, surprising Camille. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm taking a shower," he replied shortly, leaving her alone in the main room to hear the sound of Magnus' phone chime.

She curiously reached over and grabbed it, reading on the screen: 1 NEW MESSAGE FROM Alexander.

Camille frowned and unlocked the screen, "Mags, you've got a text."

"What's it say?" Magnus asked, poking his head out from the hallway.

Camille opened the message and read it aloud, "Magnus, I heard about the reports. We need to talk. I just want you to know that I never meant to hurt you and there is nothing between myself and Aline. Call me?"

Magnus strutted over to Camille, yanked the phone of her hand and ditched it across the room. She gaped up at him as he declared angrily, "that's what I think of his shit. If he messages me again, tell him that I want nothing to do with him and he can get lost. I'm taking that goddamn shower before anyone else ruins my mood even more."

"This is terrible, horrible, absolutely horrific news," Aline shouted, face red with wraith. "How could this happen?"

"We're looking into it," Jace muttered from where he stood in the sidelines, trying to stay out the Aline's warpath. "Seems like the paparazzi were in the building across from us."

"This isn't okay," Izzy declared darkly, eyes gleaming dangerously.

"It's a complete invasion of privacy," Jace added seriously.

"What am I going to do? Now everyone will think Alec and I am together when it is not the case." Aline pointed at the dark haired man who was staring out the window. "Alec, get the fuck away from the window before someone else snaps more stupid photos of us."

"Don't talk to him like that, Aline. I know you're stressed, everyone is. Now isn't the time to turn against each other," Isabelle defended her brother fiercely, stepping in-between the two singers, protectively having Alec behind her back.

"I need to get some air," Aline yelled, striding to the bed and grabbing her coat. "I'll be out tonight, don't know what time I'll be back."

"Aline, is this really the best idea?" Jace questioned, but she was already gone. "Dammit, I forgot how temperamental she can be."

"She's freaking out, Jace. She's all over the news for something that she doesn't want to be known for. Give her a break." Izzy whispered, looking at Alec. "Has Magnus called?"

"He finally called and left a voice message when I was in the bathroom," Alec mumbled emotionlessly. "He said that he doesn't want to speak to me again and that he wants me to delete his number from my phone so I stop messaging him. He also said that I fooled him well. A job well done. I screwed that friendship up. I didn't know what was going to happen between us…I had hopes but they aren't going to happen now. He's furious and…hurt."

"Magnus and Aline should definitely take up a career in being drama queens," Jace growled, unamused with the antics.

"Not now, Jace." Izzy hissed, moving to Alec's side. "It'll be okay."

"It will be. I'll be back in London in two days, so everything can just settle down. I can forget about Magnus." Alec replied cheerfully, hugging Izzy who tensed.

"What? Forget about Magnus? After all our effort to get you two together?" she snapped angrily, whirling around to Jace, who shrugged helplessly. "Do something!"

"He doesn't want to speak to me, Iz." Alec reminded her, "so why bother?"

"Why bother? Tell me this, when was the last time someone inspired you and affected you enough to write a song like Enchanted?" Alec was silent in response to her question. "That's what I thought. Magnus isn't just some guy you can get over, Alec. You need to win him back."

"And just how would I plan to do that? We weren't even together to begin with. We never got around to talking about what we were." Alec bellowed.

"I think I have a plan," Izzy told him after a few moments.

Aline hurried down the halls of the hotel, turning a corner and bumping into a warm body. She steadied herself quickly, the other person catching themselves on the wall. Looking up, she saw blonde hair and pale skin that reminded her of a fairy. Helen. Helen seemed horrified and stood up straight, moving to walk around Aline.

"Helen, wait." Aline called out, rushing to stop her.

"What do you want, Miss Penhallow?" Helen asked sharply, raising an eyebrow. She was so different from the kind-hearted woman Aline had met.

"I need to talk to you. To clear somethings up," Aline said quietly, stepping closer to Helen.

Helen visibly stiffened, "what are you talking about?".

"You know what I'm talking about," Aline insisted, pulling Helen into her arms. "Helen, the photographs were all lies."

"They seemed pretty realistic to me," Helen muttered, stepping away from Helen. "Please keep your distance from me, Miss Penhallow. Stick to someone on your level. Clearly, a little makeup artist clearly isn't good enough for you."

Helen nearly sprinted away, leaving Aline alone in the hallway. She let out a cry, "dammit."

Uh oh, how is Magnus going to react? D: ;) Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed!

blacknblu30 – Hehe I'm glad you loved the after! Thank you for being so sweet and reviewing every chapter. It means soooo much to me :')

Pri-Chan 1410 – They might get together, but after the pictures of Alec and Aline…we'll have to see ;) Hehe thank you for reviewing!

hockeycrazy07 – Thank you soooo much! I was so confused and my knowledge of where places are in America are pretty limited. That was so helpful, thank youuuu.

Moonchild001 – I like Aline and Helen too, and don't worry, they are going to be in the story from now-on. Well, they might not make out in the next chapter, but I've planned a few things that I think you might like ;)

MalecHEART01 – I was going to update yesterday, but I came home from my uni lectures with a migraine, so it had to wait until today. Sorry! Thank you for reviewing again :')

FigsVsNewton – Bahaha I growl too when I find a malec story that I adore. I have complete understanding for your situation ;) Thanks for reviewing!

TomTheSquirrel – Aww thank youuuu! I'm happy to hear you like it!