CHAPTER 3
GOOD MORNIG SUNSHINE
5:21 am
December 30th
Clary doesn't usually wake up early, but today was not a normal day. She yawns and stretch out her arms. She looks around the bare room. She knew the Lightwood's were trying to give her a blank canvas but aside form one photo on the wall, there was soul to the place. Clary's fingers itch to tape up pictures and she hurriedly unpacks her suitcase to find her easel and paints. She opens the windows with a flourish of her arm and looks out onto the grounds. She sets up her easel and paints whats in front of her and lets the brush fly.
She is finally doesn't have to worry about her little brother and mother. She feels free of any worry, Simon has gotten whatever he needed to off his chest, speaking of Simon, she should probably go find him. She hasn't seen him since the car yesterday morning. She sets her brushes down, throws on a big baggy tee and ventures out to find her best friend.
Clary walks around the halls, looking for Isabelle's room, she is a notorious early riser, and maybe she'd have seen him. Clary tiptoes around the corner and peeks into Isabelle's room. She gasps. On the bed is Simon, fast asleep, Isabelle is eating popcorn, stroking his hair absentmindedly, sitting upright watching Game of Thrones. Clary waves. Isabelle jumps slightly, and this wakes Simon, he yawns and rubs his eyes, smiling up at Isabelle. "Simon, we have company…" Isabelle says in a wavering voice, "Good Morning Sunshine…. Oh shit. Hi Clary, we were just uhhh watching movies weren't we Isabelle. I guess I must have fallen asleep which is completely preposterous, because I am a very good stayer uper-er. You remember the time don't you Clary when I-" Simon is flustered, he knows what it looks like, it looks like his best friend is running out of the room. He gets up to chase and realises he is only in boxers. "Izzy, what happened?" she giggles, "You looked quite uncomfortable in your jeans, and well your shirt had come off already.." Simon turns beet red, and curses under his breath scrambling under the covers again, feeling way too exposed. He feels Isabelle get up off the bed and walk out of the room, not seeing her hurt expression. He snuggles deeper into the duvet, smelling Isabelle, he gathers the blankets around him and decides to finish the episode of Game of Thrones, figuring he could give the girls time to talk it out, then find his shirt and maybe text Maya.
In the kitchen Clary was buttering her toast, simultaneously slurping her black coffee. Isabelle rushes into the room, she looks anxious. "Clary, I'm sorry about what you just saw, I swear nothing happened. We just watched some movies, I would have loved to do something more, but Simon wouldn't let me, he said we should talk to you about it but that's beside the point. I don't know what's gone on between you two, but he really cares about you, so do I. I would hate if whatever Simon and I decide to do would hurt you, and if you want me to ignore him I will, I'll just keep it professional, we could be friends he's a really nice guy, Jesus please talk Clary." Isabelle blurts all of this in what seems like two seconds. Clary just stares for a second, the clock ticks ominously in the silence. all of a sudden a huge grin cracks onto her face. she starts giggling, "Isabelle! I have never seen you so nervous, you must really like him. Don't let me stop you, you deserve to be happy. I guess i'll just be the only loner in the house, maybe I can hang off Alec. Simon and I… We definitely have some history, but you obviously have made him forget all about that." Clary squeals "I'm so happy for you, for the both of you." The girls jump around and hug. Isabelle stops momentarily, "Clary, can you be my wingman on New Years Eve?" Clary looks confused for a second, "Ohhh right! At the party!"
Isabelle grabs a frying pan from the cupboard and cracks an egg into it, lighting the flames underneath. "We, the lightwoods, are hosting this year for the town, Alec is going to buy the booze today, Simon and I can decorate, Max and Jon are handling the fireworks, Jace is arriving on the day, I cant wait for you to meet him-" "Wait Izzy, Max and JON ARE HANDLING FIREWORKS! ARE YOU INSANE!" "Oh relax Clare, he did a course last month, Robert will be there as well!" "Well…Thank god. What can I do?" Clary asks excitedly. Izzy smiles a sly smile and whispers into Clary's ear. "You need to find someone for me, a certain Magnus Bane. He is a friend of Alec's. I just need you to make sure he comes tomorrow. I'm pretty sure you've met him, the one with the glitter." Clary grins. "Of course! I remember, he makes those amazing clothes. How could I forget?" Isabelle beams, and calls clary back into the room, "One more thing…. Don't forget to get shitfaced and find yourself a lovely man to bed for the night tomorrow." "ISABELLE JEAN LIGHTWOOD! YOU DIRTY GIRL!" Clary belts out, probably waking up half the house. She runs out of the room, narrowly avoiding the half done egg that splatters onto to door frame.
Clary puts on some proper clothes and heads out into the winter cold. If she remembers correctly, Magnus Bane lives a few odd miles from the Lightwoods. She decides to walk, and sets off into the snow.
TIME JUMP
After battling through the wind and snow rain for what feels like hours, Clary finally arrives at an ornate little cottage encircled by trees. She reaches out to knock on the door, when it opens already, and a lovestruck Alec stumbles out, lips red and puffy. He walks straight into Clary, and together they fall into the snow. Clary lets out a groan and Alec yelps. "Hello Clary…. I didn't know you would be over here… Why are you here?" Alec asks suspiciously "Did my parents send you to spy on me?" Clary stands up, dusts herself off and looks at Alec incredulously. "No..? Isabelle told me to go invite Magnus to the New Years party… Why would your parents want me to spy on…." She trails off and looks at Alec's pained expression. "Oh Alec its okay, you know I had a gay friend-" "Clary no! Stop! No one knows about this and no one needs to know. This will be our secret okay." At that second the door burst open once more and Magnus Bane totters out, wearing only a dressing gown. He begins to shout "Alec my love! You forgot something!" Holding up a sock, he scans the horizon and then his eyes drift down, to where Clary stood. "Oh hello honey, you must be Clarissa, my dear Alec has told me so much about you. I'm sorry about your father, and I'm sorry about Alec. He is rather paranoid about our love affair. Well now you know, I will have to tell you everything won't I. My lord it has been terribly difficult to hold all of this just to myself. You see… Oh dear come inside." Magnus ushers Clary inside. He grabs Alec's hand and whispers in his ear "If she's half as decent as you say she is, well, she will probably take it to her grave. Just go home and calm down my love." Magnus plants a kiss on his cheek and sends him off on his way, back to Idris Manor. The door is shut gently and Alec walks away, dejectedly.
Magnus turns to Clary and sizes her up before he flops onto an armchair facing the window. He beckons Clary over to sit in the chair opposite. "Alec and I… well make of it what you will, just please don't tell anyone. We will in time, just not yet. He's not ready. I know you would hate for him to be unhappy, so don't tell a soul." Clary is confused, "Why is it such a big deal, I know so many gay people back in Berlin, its completely normal. Why would it change how I see him? That's one thing I've never understood, there is so much fear around coming out, and it doesn't make you a different person, other than a less suppressed, happier person." Magnus looks away, "I know only too well the trouble that coming out can cause in this town. Why do you think I live here? My parents virtually abandoned me! I have Ragnor to help me, he basically saved my life." Clary looks shocked, "I never knew, Isabelle said something about you once, and I never connected the dots. Ohh Magnus! I'm so sorry, I don't understand how people can be so cruel! I promise to keep you and Alec a secret for as long as you need me to! I'm just not sure about Isabelle, it seems she already knows about you and Alec. I don't think you would have to worry, she is very protective and would hate for you or Alec to go through anything. She actually asked me to come around and make sure that you are coming tomorrow." Magnus smiles weakly, and rings his fingers. "How nice of her. I just hope she can keep a secret, she is known for her gossip. Now, my new confidant, how about some lunch? I know a spectacular place just out of town, maybe I can convince you to wear one of my dresses tomorrow…? I know just the one for you." Clary beams, and reaches for Magnus. "Of Course!"
The two new friends load up into Magnus' car and set off into Idris to Taki's. They order pancakes and huge jugs of coffee. Clary nearly cries in amazement at the food, and Magnus smiles to himself.
