CHAPTER 1:

Farewell

28th December

10:07pm

A mess of red curls piled on top of her head, Clarissa Morgenstern rushed to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. She's been living in Germany her whole life, but she doesn't look it. Her Irish mother blessed her with high cheekbones, emerald eyes and of course fiery hair, but clary couldn't recognise her beauty, hiding under baggy tee shirts and overalls. Even in those overalls she looked beautiful. "Geez Simon she's your best friend, get a grip" maya sighed, looking to Jordan for back up. "It's true, man just leave her, I don't think it'll end well." Simon sighed, looking at his friend and her entourage as she ran down the escalator towards the group. They were catching the train to England, where for a year she was staying with the Lightwoods, old family friends. Clary has invited Simon along so she wasn't too lonely.

After running down countless escalators, and what seems like kilometres of platforms, she puffs to a stop and the little boys racing after her, Jonathon runs into her leg. His green eyes brimmed with tears, and he starts crying, pulling on Clary's leg. She bends over and kisses his forehead, his white blonde hair a stark contrast with her red. He sniffles. "Clary, do we have to go? I don't want to leave Mama. I'll rip up my ticket!" Jocelyn runs up, carrying a bag "Clary!? Jonathon Christopher don't you dare! You forgot the presents for everyone on the kitchen bench, stupid girl!" Clary flinches slightly at her mother's harsh words, but she knew she means well. It's understandable, as Jocelyn has too much pressure on her with work. That's why Jonathon is coming with her. He can play with Max and run around London,

Simon inches closer and wraps an arm around her, and she snuggles into his warmth, "Thanks Si, I don't think I should have left my jacket in the big suitcase." They chuckle slightly and Simon begins to move to give her his jacket when he sees Maya and Jordan's glares. They're right, clary is so oblivious, it's not fair to her, I should just tell her. Simon thinks to himself, he sighs frustratedly and turns to look down at his red haired best friend. Her eyes twinkle and she bats her eyelids playfully, laughing "You alright Simon? Did you pack your barf bag?" He punches her arm and she laughs, he hugs her closer inhaling her sweet freshly showered smell. He was only going with Clary for the first month, but he couldn't wait to tell her about how he feels he figures that if he tells her on the train, they can figure it all out in England and maybe go on a romantic holiday to Sweden or something once his time was up. He knew it was a bit unrealistic, but he was willing to take the dive, he had been in love with her for years and now on her 18th birthday it was time to tell her.

Suddenly the platform starts buzzing with activity, it is time to board. Clary grabs Jonathon's hand and connects it to Simon's. "Stay here for one second okay?" she says.

She turns to her mother and smiles a tight smile, "Please look after yourself, okay Jocelyn? If it all gets too much please just call me, or talk to Lucien about it, he really cares for you and will do whatever he can to help. Okay….mum? I'll call as soon as we get there. I love you, please take it easy."

Clary turns to Maya and Jordan and pulls them in for a hug "See you in September! Look after Mama okay, I'm counting on you, if she starts playing up, can you please tell me. She's not safe if she has another episode." Maya and Jordan look at Clary with soft eyes, and maya places an envelope in Clary's hand pulling her in for a tight hug. They rock back and forth and Clary sniffles, "I love all of you so much, you're the best friends ever. I hope you have a good New Years Party. Simon, Jonathon, let's go padre, we have a train to catch". Clary looks back one last time and a single tear rolls down her cheek, don't get this wrong, she's happy to see Mayrse and Alec and Isabelle, and especially Max, but a year is a long time and she is worried.

She is relieved to leave the claustrophobic and gossipy life of international school, and see other family in England (second cousins of some relation) and of course have time away from her mother. It has become harder and harder after Valentine's death, Clary isn't strong enough all the time to support the whole family. He kept her mother sane, and now, watching her mother fly away in flurry of snow and wind, Clary feels a pang of guilt. But she knows it's for the best, Clary only reminds her mother of Valentine, and any reminder can set her off into another spiral. Hopefully, with Lucien staying over most nights, Jocelyn can overcome the outbursts. Clary looks out the window, back towards the station, catching a final glimpse of her home, sighing. Simon stumbles into the seat opposite, Jonathon still attached to his arm and Clary forces a smile. Thinking about Valentine has her is a dark place, Clary just wants to sit in silence for a bit.

Something about Simon has been a bit off in the past week, he was being very clingy and couldn't seem to leave clary alone. She has almost regretted inviting him along, he just doesn't understand. His family is German, they have money, and that's the only reason he goes to Berlin International School, he never has to worry about his father coming home from work, because he just works a boring 9 to 5 at some factory. His father didn't have a target on his back, because his father didn't work for the UN. His father didn't get kidnapped and held for ransom. His mother never had to ID her husband after he had been found, 3 years after his disappearance, with only a rotten carcass to say goodbye to. Simon Lewis has never had to carry any kind of relative down the aisle in a box. Simon Lewis has never found his mother in a bathtub filled with her own blood. Simon doesn't have siblings to worry about, he has never been to boarding school because there was no one to care for him.

She had a 13 hour train ride ahead of her, Simon was furiously texting, Jonathon fast asleep by her side, snoring softly. Clary strokes his ice blond hair and drifts into a deep slumber.

A/N: OKAYYYY… Thats my first chapter up. I'm working really hard on the story, planning it out and finding good backstories and trying to incorporate all the characters into the story. Hopefully I'll update once a week… This is my first fanfic so any tips for writers block and any ideas would be much appreciated.