Hi! I'm back! Thanks to DirtyLover who reviewed. I wasn't going to carry this on but… here it is. Enjoy :D

Simon's POV

Clary's red lipstick was smudged at the corner of her tainted lips. As she hurried down the corridor, she checked around her to be sure that no one was there. Her clothes were dishevelled and her hair had been roughly taken out of its neat do.

I stared at her from the nook that I had claimed as my hiding place in confusion. Was she okay? What had happened? From the expression on her face, she looked worried and scared but not upset. I moved into a more comfortable position and hit my foot against the stone wall. My sharp intake of breath echoed throughout the Institute corridors.

Clary jumped and stared wide-eyed down the hallway. She seemed to be scared that something might jump out at her. I smirked at the memory of how frightened she used to be when we played video games or the nightmares she used to get after playing D&D.

"Hello?"

I stepped out and gave her an inquiring look. Clary had to muffle a scream but she soon recovered.

"Clary? Are you alright?"

"Uh… yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Clary said, scratching her head sheepishly and silently straightening her T-shirt. She looked exactly the same as when she had done something wrong as a little kid. Looking down at her red hair, I realised that she was absent-mindedly staring at a "very interesting" part of the floor.

"Why were you out so late? I was looking for you."

"Um, well it's my birthday–"

"I know, that's why I was looking for you, Clary. Happy Birthday, I guess."

"Thanks," Clary said with a smile. She then seemed to remember something and the smirk quickly faded.

I moved closer to her. She was beautiful, she really was. And seeing her like this, like so many times, reminded me that our past couldn't be wiped away. We were close, but I wanted it to be more. And when better to try than on her birthday. Right?... Right?

Soon, I was close enough to touch her, not that that was an improvement on the past seventeen years. I tilted my face and guided her chin up so she looked me straight in the eye. We were only centimetres away. I thought I had gotten through to her. I thought.

Clary suddenly realised what was happening and drew back sharply.

"No! … I mean, sorry, I can't do this," Clary shouted.

I must have looked heart-broken. I was, I guess. And Clary's stern face rapidly melted.

"Simon, I'm sorry. I can't do that."

"Clary?"

"Yes?"

"What happened tonight? I know that you found a way out of the Institute. I know Jace did to," suddenly a weight dawned on me. Her and… Jace? Why? Why him? I calmed down and decided to let her explain. "Clary, what did you do tonight?"

Clary's face showed that she was embarrassed and scared. "I… we… uh, well… we kissed…?"

"Once?"

"…No?"

Finally, I let go. I couldn't deal with this. I span round and ran down the corridor. I found my room and sank into the bed.

For a moment, I thought she was mine. For a moment, I thought we were perfect. For a moment, I thought we could be together, like I had always wanted.

For a moment, I thought wrong.

Hi! Thanks for reading! Once again, please review this chapter or this story with anything that I could improve or expand on.

19 xxx