Hey! Sorry I haven't updated in forever. Over break I was hoping to update twice but all I did was clean and visit family…. A lot. Finally I had time though! I also got some really cool violin music books from amazon and I played them for hours, sorry that I have a life outside of writing. Oh and I can't forget my 6 hours of Play practice today! Joy. R&R and enjoy! I lurvvv you all! (especially my sister, friends, and of course me!) *scratches back of neck awkwardly* Yeah….

Chapter 13

The sound of the bell blared through the hallways. My head snapped up and I raced out of the classroom, very excited to get out of the room, that everyone calls, "prison."

I smiled, at the thought of our conversations that have led to Mrs. Babich. Good times, Good times.

I arrived back at my locker, and yanked it open. I smiled, No note. Relief flowed through my veins, effectively washing away my worries. I have to say, it felt nice to just feel…nothing. Someone lightly tapped my shouldering, jerking me from my thoughts. I spun around and was met with perfectly straightened, black hair. Isabelle. Worry radiated from her, causing wrinkles to cover her face.

She was staring at me, making me shift uncomfortably. I wasn't used to Isabelle being so… how do you say it? In tune. She never really realizes things, unless someone shows her the whole puzzle. (A/N I don't think Isabelle is stupid. This is how I always pictured her though. She's smart just a little slower at certain things, like Jane) Although, I'll give her credit for always knowing whose going to get together with who, like Jace and I, or knowing who was going to break up.

She pulled me into hug, squeezing the air from my lungs. She let go and gazed at me while smiling, "Clary, you scared the hell out me! Why couldn't you just open your mouth once?"

I smiled, reassuring her I was fine, that nothing was wrong. "Isabelle, I know you think that you don't talk much," she scoffed at me, but I continued, "but it is sometimes hard to get a word in when you're talking, which never ends."

"Since when?"

"Since," I tapped my chin, pretending to be thoughtful, "always."

She shook her head, still smiling.

She seemed happy… too happy. I asked, "What's got you all happy? You seem…..different." She looked at me. "I mean a good different!"

'Well, do you know what day it is?"

"Well," I said mimicking her, "since we are in school I would have to say Saturday."

She smacked my arm, "Thank you Ms. Sarcastic."

I smiled; I missed a friend who I joke around with, hell I missed just hanging out with someone is not male.

"It's Tuesday. What happened to me on Friday?"

I racked my brain for something from on past conversations, nothing came to mind. "I don't know what-" Then it hit me. I screamed, "HOW DID YOUR DATE WITH SIMON GO?"

People stared at us and Isabelle and I glared at them. "I know you all have boring lives, but really you could at least try to hide your interest in ours," she said.

I giggled, mostly because it was true; people knew something was wrong with me, but just not what. Although it might just be because the top of my hair is grey…I feel old.

"Clary, it was wonderful!" I gave her a questioning look. "The date of course! He was such a gentlemen and…" she continued to squeal. I tuned her out. I love Isabelle, but she can talk for hours about boys. Actually scratch that, she can talk for hours about anything.

My mind wandered off, images of Jace and others things floated by. I smiled thinking about Jace. It quickly evaporated when I remembered how he met my mo- I mean Jocelyn. My mind took off in another direction, wandering towards her. It's been a day since our "friendly conversation" but it felt so long ago. I wish I could erase that memory from my head, but it was forever burned into my mind, screaming louder than the rest of my memories, overpowering every thought. I shook my head, desperately trying to think of something else, anything else.

Sadly, I had no such luck. I eventually gave into the screaming voices in my head, too tired to fight them off. I knew I should try to not let her get to me, but no matter how poorly she acts, she's still my mother. I wanted a regular mother daughter relationship, but the hope was crushed after she didn't return, like she promised to. I couldn't choose what to do. I wanted my mother in my life, but at the same time I didn't. She obviously doesn't care enough to help me, or even want to know what was going on in my life. But she's back now, desperately trying to get my attention, to be back in my life. It was like I had a tug of war match in my head, but this time there wasn't an easy winner. I couldn't choose which side was better. For all I know maybe neither of them is a good idea.

I sighed, and drummed my fingers on my binder. A nervous habit I picked up from Jocelyn. I wanted some guidance; some figure to help with this, but sadly that figure is what caused my whole dilemma.

A tapping of my shoulder extracted me from my world. I instantly felt relieved to have a distraction. I looked up and saw that Isabelle had caused this motion. "Clary, are you alright? You pretty much zoned out as soon as I started talking."

I blushed, embarrassed that she caught me…for once. "Yeah, just have a lot on my mind."

She nodded, closing off the conversation. I was grateful. "Anyway I'll just tell you the important part. Me and Simon are dating!"

My eyes widened, I was happy for them, I really was but at the same time I could see this turning out very badly. They could be a good match, I guess. But the differences in them could break them up, and not just in the relationship way. Then again, Isabelle and I are nothing alike, but we get along great.

I hugged her tightly while congratulating her, finely someone that is not her "friend with benefits." The PA sounding filled the hallway, instantly turning it into silence. Clary Fray to the principal's office please. I pulled away and Isabelle gave me a look saying, "What did you do?" I shrugged, not really worried about it. I loved my principal, and I did nothing wrong, well… that I'm aware of.

I walked through the deathly silent hallway; the stares of everyone sending chills up and down my spine. I was never a fan of being in the spotlight. I realized that the hallway was still silent. Curiosity seeped into my skin and settled there. I finally gazed around and stopped in mid tracks. Everyone was staring at the roots of my hair, the grey part. Embarrassment replaced the curiosity and I covered my hair with my hands and ran to the office, wishing that the floor would suck me into a dark abyss, never letting me escape.

Finally, I made it to her office where I continued to get stares from all the office ladies, and they were all directed to my hair. I was handing out death glares on a silver platter to all of them, testing them to ask about it. Almost all of them averted their gazed immediately, but a few took my icy glare. With a sharp turn I entered Mrs. Morgenstern office and sat down in the seat waiting for her to speak. "Clary, it has come to my attention that you have missed the past few days of school. I take it it's from your personal problems?"

I nodded. She sighed, "Okay, I understand but your teachers keep calling me some of them worrying what happened to you. I didn't tell them anything, but I want you to realize that they will know eventually." She gazed at me, her eyes slowly melting from her hard principal stare, to a sincere one, the one that my mom used to wear. "It is still completely your choice, but I think it might be a good idea to inform them. I make sure to tell them to keep it to themselves." She paused, "Can I?"

I slowly nodded not very excited about it, but seeing her point. They were going to find out eventually. "Great." She walked around her desk and gave me a hug, again. I generously accepted, especially when she said, "No matter what happens, or what anyone says I will always fully support and be there for you."

Smiling, I pulled away while whispering, "Thank you." I walked out the doors trying to contain the tear threatening to spill over my cheeks. One dripped down my face and I quickly wiped it away and stopped myself, desperately trying to control what I truly felt.

I made it back to my locker after walking through the empty hallways, noticing that the bell must have rung. I spun my combination in and opened my locker, when something white caught my eye. My face immediately fell. There was another note (folded this time) taped to the inside of my locker. My heart stopped cold. Millions of thoughts raced through my head, transforming into a headache…. great. This day just keeps getting better and better.

I took a deep breath and with a trembling hand I carefully peeled the note from my locker, and unfolded it.

It read: Do you know who I am?

I glanced around still no one was there though. I think I might have even saw a tumble weed roll on by. Confusion and anxiety flowed through my veins, sending chills down my spine. I wish I could say that I certainly wasn't curious but sadly I am. So much for that last note meaning nothing.

I must have looked like an idiot because someone one called my name. I spun around and was met with floppy brown hair and a gaming t-shirt that read: Gaming isn't a hobby; it's a lifestyle.

I smiled wondering where on earth he even buys these shirts, but shook those thoughts away having more important things on my mind. Simon must have noticed this because I could feel his eyes trying to analyze me. I slowly lifted my head to face his, and his eyes stared at mine, flicking from one to another, trying to decipher my thoughts. And although Simon can usual tell whatever's happening in my life before I can, I made sure I locked away my thoughts, because I knew he would probably try and "forbid" me to look further into this, or something like that; like I would listen though.

Not finding anything, he backed off but something glistened in his eyes, still assuming something happened. I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and we walked off to class, talking and laughing about nothing, just like old times. I sighed in content, at least I can always count on Simon.