Hello. I have good news. I am even more determined to make this a great fanfiction because my friend has found it and is now reading it as well. Another friend is trying to find this and I am trying really hard to keep it away from him. Without further ado, chapter eight.

Once we get outside, I burst into a run, and I can hear Alec right on my trail. After a few sharp turns to make sure no one else is trailing us. I come to a complete stop, and I turn around to find Alec not exactly heaving, but catching his breath.

"You have definitely changed over the past two years. Now what was that all about?"

I reply, "Well, Jace thought it was a good idea to kiss me while he was helping me zip up."

Right away he replies, "Then why did you let him into the same proximity of you? That was certainly not the wisest decision you have made in your life."

I shrug. "I was expecting him too." Before Alec cuts me off I hold up a finger to stop him. "It felt really good to slap him."

Two seconds later, he dies laughing. It's actually quite nice to hear it since it is not heard often from someone quite as serious. Simon on the other hand, laughs at least three times a day. Or at least he did when we were best friends.

I tilt my head. "I am glad you are enjoying this as much as I did, but your laughter is going to make it easier for them to find us."

He transforms back into his serious self. "We should probably beat them to it then. We would have to stay with them for the rest of the day anyways."

I sigh. "I better get a new weapon after this for going through all of this trouble."

"This is nothing. If you think this is trouble than you most definitely have changed. And don't you still draw? Or have you grown completely out of that habit?"

I feel like I was about to collapse. I haven't drawn something in a professional style in years, and I haven't even notice.

"Let's just get back to the group," I say instead.

-line break-

For the rest of the day, I keep my distance between myself and the group. Simon was our main barrier. We enter a weapon's shop, yet nothing appeals to me as much as I hope. Walking back I do conclude that the day was not as bad as I expected. I did teach Jace a lesson, got a chance to catch up a tiny bit, and even got to see Alec laugh.

It turns out that Alec and Simon both specialize in the bow now, and usually compete against each other. Jace is still skilled in demon hunting and Isabelle is still awful at cooking. Some things never change.

Another piece of information I got out of them was one about my parents. It turns out Mom and Luke is coming to Idris next week, though they have not been informed about my whereabouts recently. I have a feeling that it will be bittersweet.

Besides that, nothing really exciting occurred, much to my disappointment. I can't deny the tiny feeling in me that was hoping for more to happen. I guess it just shows how much I changed.

And there I go again.

Ever since Alec told me about how I changed, I have been bringing it up in my mind over and over again. I have become stronger, and I understand more about the world. I am trained better and I have opened up to my friends. There is still something bothering me though. I haven't done anything artistic in a long time. I have not gone to school in forever, even though tutoring was part of our training. I have not even made contact with a bloody mundane! The most I have done was flirt with a couple so a demon would notice me, making it easier to lure him into his demise.

Snap. Snap. Snap.

My head shoots up to see Simon snapping his fingers in front of my face.

"Are you okay, Clary? You have been spacing out almost every time I look at you now."

I smile reassuringly. "Sorry. I guess I have been thinking about a lot."

A mischievous grin passes over his face, frightening me. "I know how we can solve that."

Before I can object, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I scream and yell on instinct. He runs around who knows where with me dangling on him. Izzy is telling him to put me down, Jace is laughing, and Alec looks like he is trying so hard not to laugh. Finally, I come to my senses and swing most of my body weight around, knocking him off his balance. He tumbles to the ground and I roll out of his grasp, gasping for air because of myself laughing and the wind that I lost.

"Damn," he chokes out after catching his own breath.

I just smile and wink before I keep on walking. Izzy catches up while the guys help Jace back up.

"This is why I can't wait to go home. Jace seriously needs somebody to put him in his place," she rambles.

I stop in the middle of my tracks. "What do you mean you can't wait to get home?" I question.

She hesitates, realizing her mistake. "Well," she pauses, "I meant that when we all go home. Together. Clary, New York is where your family is. Your mother and Luke is in New York. Its where all of us are. Clary, we really miss you."

I turn towards her, my glare hard yet I am trying my best to not lose my cool. "Isabelle, do you know why I left in the first place?" I try. She shook her head. I really don't want to ruin her image of one of her brothers for her, but I have to. "Jace was cheating on me. I left, with only one person knowing why. I ended up in London, where I met my true family. They took me in, gave me many brothers and sisters. I have a boyfriend that has never defied me. I don't deserve any of this yet I have it, and I am going to hold to it as long as possible."

I didn't realize I was looking away until I finished. I look back at Izzy, yet she is backing away. Slowly she speaks. "What has happened to you? Whatever venom or something that has entered you veins, you can tell me. There is no way Jace cheated on you. He loved you and I am pretty sure he still does."

No it is my turn to disagree. "He cheated on me, I heard it and if you really don't believe me ask Alec. He was the only other person that knew what happened,"

Now that I have mentioned Alec, her anger spikes up. "Do not bring Alec into this lie!" she shouts. "I know my brother like I know my own mind. You should know that he would never lie to his family! Why would he lie to me if it were true? Have you ever thought about that?"

I have thought about that. I still do not understand why he lied for me. Especially since he had two years to tell his own family and he still kept the secret from his own sister and parabatai. I shake it off like I always do and move on.

Slowly, I walk forwards, towards Izzy. "Isabelle, I am not lying. If you feel like I am, all you have to do is ask your brother. He is all the proof I have, but he should be enough. After all, he wouldn't lie to you."

After that, I turn to see the boys walking towards me. Jace looks up and I bolt.

-line break-

At night, in Thomas' room, there is tapping on the window. I look up to see Simon and Jace. I gaze back at Thomas, then slowly remove myself from his arms. I motion for them to get down before I open the window and climb down after them. Silently, I open the window, sneak out, and look back one more time to make sure Thomas is still fast asleep.

Once I hit the ground, I look up and see both of them staring at me.

"What did you do to Isabelle?"

HEYYYYYYY. I know this is delayed. I actually wrote this weeks ago but I did not finish. With high school classes in middle school and other activities, I have been busy. Did anybody notice my Hamilton reference? "I know my sister like I know my own mind." I am sorry if you hate it but I am Hamilton trash, so you guys have to suffer through it. I will hopefully see you soon.