Hello, my beautiful readers. I had a very hectic weekend, but here is another chapter as promised. I hope you enjoy!
"Clary are you listening?" Simon asked me worriedly. After a few rounds of Apples to Apples along with several other strange board games, everyone had agreed it was time for a much needed break. It was just past noon and most people were eating, but I had talked Simon into showing me to the art room.
"I'm sorry. I'm just a bit distracted today." I apologized honestly.
"What's on your mind?" Jace immediately popped into my head. I couldn't get him out of my head for some reason. It is super annoying. Almost as annoying as he can be.
He could also be really sweet, but I had only gotten a brief glance at his softer side. I bet something makes him be mean to other people and act like a bad friend. I silently made the decision to try to help him later.
"Is it your mom? You talk about her a lot." Simon prompted me, making me realize I had just been standing there and I wondered for how long.
"Uh, yes. I miss Mommy and Uncle Luke and Jayden and even all of the kids at school. Change scares me." I whispered as Simon led me into a large room.
"You can always write to them. Hodge sends out mail every Monday and Thursday." He motioned around us dramatically and I giggled at his theatrics. "This, my dearest friend, is the art room. They have all the supplies in the world you could imagine on a reasonable budget cut."
I stood in complete awe at all of the many cabinets and drawers neatly labeled with their contents. There was a light board, a cutting board, several different sizes of canvas and their accommodating easels, and several tables. The best part wasn't the supplies, but rather the room its self. The once white walls were almost completely covered in paintings and sketches.
The ceiling was even painted, however they managed that. It featured everything from people like KISS, Johnny Depp, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Bob Marley on retro slides of a film strip.
Random murals of famous art pieces like Starry Night and the Mona Lisa were also scarred around the room, separated by abstract work and different nature sceneries.
"Clary, are you alright?" I blinked, finally tearing my eyes off of the magnificence and I realized tears had begun to spill down my cheeks. I wiped them away and smiled at him.
"This place is so beautiful." I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly. "Thank you so much for showing me this place, Si."
"Si?" He questioned with a small smile as I pulled away.
"It's my nickname for you." I told him shyly, afraid he would be mad.
He seemed to contemplate it for awhile. "I like it."
"I'm glad you do." I beamed up at him before turning and walking to the cabinets. Wondering where I wanted to start.
"Alright, well you enjoy yourself. I'm going to go eat so I don't waste away. See you around."
"Bye." I waved backwards, already lost in my work. I had decided to start with a few simple prisma colored pencil sketches to get me in the mood.
In the end, I had produced one of Uncle Luke wrapping his arms around Mommy's as she tried to escape from his grasp. His dark eyes were focused on her as she threw her head back in laughter and rested it on his chest. It was so vivid I almost felt like I was home again.
The next one was of the old oak tree at the park. It was covered in burning red and blinding yellow leaves. A small boy with a crooked grin popped out from the top of it, one of his front teeth missing. His clothes were completely covered in grass stains and dirt caked his light blonde hair.
The final one had a small calico kitten in it. I always wanted a kitty, but mommy always said no that it was too dangerous. Cats are dangerous though. Calicos are my favorite type of cat. This was only a few weeks old; old enough to open its bright blue eyes. It was gathered in my hands and purring against my palm, its head tilted sideways in an innocently curious manner.
I smiled down at my work before moving to pick up an empty canvas. I hadn't painted in so long that I was afraid I would mess up, but I tried to remember Mommy's voice telling me to relax and let my hands do the work.
I closed my eyes, wondering what to paint until it finally hit me like a brick wall. My hands moved quickly, trying to capture every last detail perfectly. When I finally felt satisfied with my job, I stepped back and looked it over from a distance.
The pair of eyes stared back at me, appearing to stare into my soul, to see who I really was beneath all of my problems. The irises appeared to swirl like actual liquid gold with small flecks of light brown. I realized they were Jace's eyes and a harsh blush colored my cheeks.
I had to turn away; convinced that somehow he could see me. I decided I was done for today and gathered my drawings, leaving the painting to dry until later.
I looked down the hallways, trying to remember where my room was. I stumbled around absent mindedly until I finally found 316. They should really lay out colored dots that led to different places on the floor. I would definitely use those. Maybe I'll ask Hodge Podge later.
I opened my door and looked for tape in the side table drawer. I grinned successfully as I found it and climbed on top of the bed to tape them on the walls. When I was finished I proudly studied each of them. Now every time that I missed home, I could look at those and it would help a little bit.
I looked down at my hands and realized there was dried paint all over them. I could hear Uncle Luke mentally scolding me for being so messy, but I just reached up and popped his air bubble. I made sure to shut my door as I left in hopes of finding a bathroom nearby.
After opening a few wrong doors and aggravating several people, I found the bathroom. It was larger than I expected but realized there must be one on each floor. This one had four bath tubs, six showers, four sinks, and eight stalls. The walls were decorated in pretty faux marble designs and the floor had safety mats spread periodically around the room.
I skipped over to the sinks and smiled at myself in the mirror. Our house only had two mirrors, but this place seemed to have a ton and it made me not feel so alone. I took my time scrubbing between each of my fingers and underneath my nail beds. Mommy always said she knew me like the back of her hands, but I never understood her. I wouldn't know the back of my hands from the back of anyone else's.
Maybe that's why she sent me away. I looked down at them for awhile, the water still running, and tired to memorize every last line and pale vein. Maybe if I could recognize the back of my hands, then she would let me g back home.
I jumped as I heard a terrible retching noise and I realized someone was puking in a stall. I dried my hands quickly as it continued and timidly walked over to knock on the stall. "Are you okay?"
There was a long pause before I heard the toilet flush and the door opened, revealing Mia. She glared at me as she pushed by wiping her mouth with her elbow. "Oh, it's only you."
"Why were you puking? Are you sick?" I asked her I alarmed; terrified she was going to die.
"Sick of you." She remarked as she washed her hands with soap and gargled water from the faucet.
"Did I do something to make you hate me?" I questioned as I awkwardly scratched my arm. "If so, I am really sorry. I didn't mean to."
"What haven't you done? You stole all of my friends and now you're trying to take Jordan." She accused furiously, wiping her hand son her pants.
"I'm not trying to steal anyone! And I don't even like Jordan. Not like that." I insisted.
"What so he's not good enough for you? Do you think you're better than everyone else just because you're skinny and pretty and perfect?" She pressed a long painted finger into my chest and I pushed it away gently.
"I don't think that. I'm not perfect at all and you are super pretty Mia." I tried to convince her as I felt tears sting my eyes, but I blinked them away, afraid they would only antagonize her more.
"Don't mock me!" Mia spat as she reeled back and slapped me hard.
My hand immediately shot up to cup my burning cheek as the other reached out to defend myself. "Mia, I'm sorry! I'm not mocking you, I swear. Please leave me alone."
"You would like that wouldn't you?" She gripped my arm tightly and shoved me into the wall. I felt myself slip on the running water that had spilled over the edge of the sink and I bounced my head off of the ground roughly, flopping like a rag doll.
I felt nails rake my face and she shouted again. "Answer me!"
"Mia! What the fuck have you done?" Someone shouted, but I couldn't tell who it was. I felt like the room was spinning, even thought I was lying still on the floor. My head was bounding fiercely and the back of my eyes hurt severely. The last thing I remember seeing were those golden eyes watching over me.
Alec's POV
We were all walking back to the rec room when there was a load noise and Jace froze before darting into the girl's bathroom.
"Jace, what is it?" We all exchanged a look before running in after him.
I stopped in my tracks as I took in the scene scattered before us. Mia was leaning against a stall for support. Her hair slightly ruffled and her lips formed a perfect pout as they trembled. A puddle of flowing water covered over half the tiles. Magnus seemed to notice this as well and shut off the faucet as Jordan ran to Mia's side. "I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean to actually hurt her. I just wanted to scare her, I swear."
It was then that I spotted Jace crouched by the corner on the floor. He hovered over someone, but I couldn't tell who until he had picked her up, causing bright red hair to spill over his arms. The deadly look in his eyes frightened even me as he spun around quickly. "Go away."
"I want to help!" She pleaded, reaching out weakly to help with watery eyes.
"Don't you think you've done enough, already?" Jace barked, shoving past everyone to the entrance.
"Please, let me help!" Mia tried again, grabbing Jace's jacket in an attempt to slow him down. I exchanged a look with Magnus. You would think after all these years, she would know not to touch him.
Jace whipped around, smacking away her hand and raising his own threateningly. "Jordan, if you don't get your pet out of my damn sight, then I am going to burn her alive and watch with utter satisfaction as her face melts off."
"Come on, Mia." Jordan pulled her out of the room by her wrist, jerking harsher as she remained stubbornly, and down the opposite hall.
Before we parted Mia latched on to my hand. I turned to her with pity as she blinked away tears. "I really am sorry."
"I know." I told her softly. She finally allowed Jordan to lead her away as she cried into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her knees and scooped her up before petting her hair. I watched them leave for a moment, wishing we all weren't so fucked up.
Finally I strode down the halls until I found her room, the door thrown open. Clary was sprawled on her bed with Magnus kneeling beside her.
"Do you think she's going to be okay?" Jace was pacing the foot of the bed, his hair perfectly disheveled from continuously running his fingers through it.
His obvious concern shocked me even more than his previous outburst with Mia. It was completely out of character. I could tell his patience was running thin. I cleared my throat, shutting the door for more privacy. "Well?"
"The cuts aren't deep, they shouldn't scar, and there's minor bruising. She should get off with just a migraine." Both of Magnus' parents were doctors and he had learned a lot from them, especially his father, or at least until he was kicked out.
Clary looked even more innocent than usual with her face completely smoothed out. If it weren't for the blood Magnus was wiping away, you would think she was just sleeping. "We should go to Hodge about this."
"We can't. What if Mia is punished?" Magnus pointed out, applying the last of some ointment to her cheek.
"The bitch deserves it." Jace growled, finally standing still for more than two seconds.
"It's not her fault and you know it, Jace." Magnus gritted threw his teeth.
"It's not hers, either." Jace bellowed, pointing to where Clary remained motionless.
"Look, if she is anything other than her normal quirky self when she wakes up, then I'll personally tell Hodge everything. Alright?" I broke in, taking Magnus' hand in mine to cool him down.
"Fine." They sighed in unison. The room went eerily silent until Magnus opened the door.
"I have to go check on Mia. She's probably a nervous wreck." He kissed my cheek quickly and left without another word.
And then there were two. I followed Jace with my eyes as he sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.
"You care about her, don't you?" I knew the odds weren't in my favor tonight, but maybe he would open up for once.
"What makes you say that?" He asked without moving.
This was a game, I knew it. I just wondered how far I would get. I chose the more joking, sarcastic route. "You haven't threatened to melt someone's face off in ages."
"Are you accusing me of turning soft?" Jace smirked, finally looking up at me in mock offense. So far, so good.
"I just- it's okay to love someone." I knew my transparency was a huge risk, but I took it anyway.
"I'm not in love with her, Alec. Don't think so lowly of me." Jace defended himself, immediately jumping off of the bed and stalking to the dresser.
"I never said you were." I pointed out, trying to hide a smile.
"To love is to destroy." Jace's strong back was facing towards me, but the raw emotion in his voice was enough to make me withdrawal.
"And to be loved is to be the one destroyed. I know, just think about it." I finished his sentence for him, having well memorized it over the years.
I got up, leaving him alone to think about what I had said. Muttering an excuse about going to help Magnus, I slipped out after one last glance at Clary.
Funny how such a small girl could cause such a large chain of reactions in a matter of days.
And scene. What does everyone think? I know that was a lot to happen in one chapter, but I was super bored. I'm winging this story instead of planning it out like usual, so I hope it goes over well. Please review with your thoughts. It's much obliged. Reviewers, as usual, get a sneak peak of the chapter and occasionally extra top secret information if I'm in a good mood. Have a wonderful day!