I told you five days max, but my computer was a bitch and I lost my chapter. Twice. I get that you're probably pissed, but just know that I did have this ready. So, without further ado...

Chapter 13

Clary stalked into chemistry, fuming silently. Jace was ruining art. It was the one class she'd always loved, and an infuriatingly, despicably cute-and annoying-guy was screwing it up!

Trying to gather enough strength to deal with her lab partner, Clary sat down and pulled a notebook from her messenger bag. She'd bought it only two days ago, and its original color was already un-detectable because she'd drawn all over it. Clary smiled. She'd have to rip the cover off and hang it in her bedroom, like she did with all of the notebook covers she had doodled on.

A whiff of Izzy's too-sweet vanilla perfume warned Clary of her arrival. She watched Izzy saunter to the table and sit on h} stool. Izzy flipped her dark hair back from her face.

"Hey hey hey!" she said with a jewel-bright smile. "How goes it? Love the notebook. I can't draw on mine, I covered it in stickers. But yours is totally cool." Izzy reached into her tote and pulled out a bright purple notebook covered in stickers of every color, shape, and size.

"Nice," said Clary, pretending to find a sticker in the shape of a cat fascinating. "Where'd you get the stickers?" Might as well make some awkward conversation.

"Oh, the dollar store. One of the cashiers has a thing for me. He gives me free stickers every week."

Clary gave a derisive snort, managing to pass it off as a violent cough. "That's cool."

Isabelle's eyes narrowed, as if sensing Clary's disgust. But before she could reply, Mr. Stern arrived, striding toward his desk. Clary noticed his necktie had various chemical symbols on it. Where could you even buy ties like that?

"Okay, everyone. Shut up and listen. If you don't, I might just write the wrong directions on the board, and you just might accidentally singe your eyebrows off. That was a joke. Laugh, or I'll fail you in the lab you are about to attempt with your partner."

Exaggerated chuckles and chortles filled the chemistry classroom.

"Shut up! Why are all of you laughing?"

Everyone stopped and looked at each other.

"Today," said Mr. Stern, as if nothing suggesting that he was insane had occurred. "You will be doing a lab that tests the chemistry between you and your partner. I'll hand out supplies and lab sheets you'll do the rest. You spontaneously conbust or break it, you buy it! Any questions?"

Several hands shot into the air.

"None? Good! I'll hand out everything. Good luck."

"So do you want to write the answers no the lab, or should I?" asked Isabelle.

Clary grunted with an indecisive shrug.

"Look." Izzy's smile was gone. "I get the vibe that you hate me, and if it's because of my being with Simon, you should know that-"

"It has nothing to do with Simon!" Clary's voice a hiss between her teeth. "It has to do with the fact that you're a conceited, fashion-conscious, shallow, selfish bi-"

"Is there a problem, ladies?" Mr. Stern seemed to materialize behind Clary.

"No," they both said, their voices harsher than need be. Isabelle was glaring daggers at Clary, looking as if she were about to strangle her.

"I'm glad. Why don't you get started on your lab? There are safety goggles in the metal box under the window. Be sure not to snap the straps. We only have so many extra pairs."

"Of course," said Isabelle, her snarling face morphing into its usual toothy grin. "We'll start right away."

Mr. Stern smiled. "Good." He walked to the next lab table, leaving the girls to glare at each other.

"I am not a shallow bitch. There's nothing wrong with caring about how you look. You should try it some time. Then maybe you wouldn't need to be jealous of me and Simon!"

Clary opened her mouth to reply, but Isabelle was already storming over to the goggle box.

I should have taken physics, Clary thought bitterly, glaring at her partner's back.

"Simon Lewis!"

"Even before hearing his girlfriend's voice, Simon knew he was in for it. Whatever "it" was. He turned from his locker to find Isabelle flouncing toward him. Inwardly preparing himself for one of her wild rants.

"What's wrong?" he asked as she reached his locker.

"Your ex-bestie! She called me a shallow, selfish bitch. Let me tell you something, babe. I'm not going to make nicy-poo with a girl who thinks I'm conceited and bitchy and stupid!"

She said all of this in one breath, and Simon waited for her to catch it before responding.

"Look, are you sure she said that? I mean, she could have said that you were a hallowed witch, not a shallow bitch."

A gust of air left Izzy's mouth. "For God's sake, Simon. I think I would know if she called me a "hallowed witch." And that's an oxymoron, if you think about it."

Simon tried to suppress a laugh, which was unfortunately not missed by Izzy. She slapped him on the shoulder. "It's not funny, Si! I know you miss hanging out with her, but I'm done trying to become her BFF! In fact, I'm done talking to her in general, because all I get in return are insults and grunts."

"Look. I know she's kind of' caustic sometimes, but she's great once you get to know her."

"Somehow, I find that hard to believe. I'll give it one more shot, but if she bites my head off again, I swear to God, I'll impale h} with my new Jimmy Choos. Got it?"

Simon inwardly flinched at her words. She'd accidentally stepped on his bare foot with those when she was modelling them for him, and she'd drawn a lot of blood. But he figured it was better than nothing.