Chapter 4 – Shopping, Girlfiends and Messages.

Song: Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

"So you know it's my sister's thirty-second half-birthday," Alec started as he parked his car, "Well, she likes clothes but I have no idea what to get her, but seeing as you like clothes…"

"But, I don't know what Isabelle will like." Magnus said.

"Anything you pick out." Alec answered, "Seriously, she loves your fashion, she goes on and on and on about it enough," He did a few impressions of her, by tossing his hair and speaking in a high pitched voice: "Did you see what Magnus wore today? I loved his designer Gutti boots and that Door makeup, I bet he secretly works for Chanel with all his luxurious clothes."

Magnus couldn't help his laughter at how wrong Alec had been about the designers Gucci, Dior and Channel, he is the cutest thing, Magnus thought. Alec smiled, Magnus' laughter was like music, no matter how cliché the simile his brain had conjured was, it was the truth. His laughter floated around them, musical and brilliant.

"You… are something else." Magnus managed between his hoots of laughter.

"Thank you…?" Alec replied, but it sounded more like a question and made Magnus laugh more. Alec waited until he had calmed down to continue, "But seriously, I'm already beating Jace in the best present competition just by having your help."

"Best present competition?" Magnus raised his eyebrows, though he wasn't at all surprised.

"Yup. When she was little she made it a competition to prove who the best brother was, we're surprisingly still competitive about it now." Alec answered, "I just have to win and beat that smug look off Jace's face – he's won the last two years."

Magnus laughed some more and they waited for a moment, Magnus still grinning like a lunatic and Alec rolling his blue eyes at his friend's giddiness, "Okay, okay." Magnus said, "let's shop."

They got out of the car and walked along the street, Magnus picked the shops to go in and found something for Isabelle in all of them but they didn't buy anything, Magnus had something in mind and nothing matched it. He kept insisting the dresses weren't right, they walked around shops, chatting, trying on sunglasses, posing in goofy hats and looking for a present for Isabelle.

After a good two hours they settled at a small café, Magnus got an iced berry smoothie and Alec just got a vitamin water. They went out onto the street, the sun was shining and it was too hot to stay inside, the café had tables set up along the pedestrianized walkway.

"Why don't we just get the first dress we saw?" Alec asked as they settle at a table for two.

"Because it's not right. It's hard to find something right for a sixteen and a half year old that her brother and parents wouldn't mind her in, especially when you're insistent it be knee-length and"

"Of course, she's my little sister," Alec answered.

"I get that. I have the perfect dress in my head it just doesn't exist, I could make it but I don't have the materials…" Magnus trailed off, his green eyes lit up, the gold flecks sparkled and Alec was captivated by Magnus' beauty all over again. "I'll make it!"

"Magnus," Alec started, his blue eyes looking directly at Magnus, "You don't have to, I don't want to take up your time - I'll just get the first one."

"I insist, I'd love to make her a dress, plus no one else will have one like it, it will meet your standards." Magnus noticed his tone had turned slightly whiny and that he was, in fact, pleading with Alec, he really wanted to make this dress, he wanted to impress Alec but he also wanted to make something, he loved making clothes, he loved the way the fabric went together, the sounds of his sewing machine, the finished garment when he saw what he had made, "It's a fairly simple design and it has been so long since I've made anything, she'll love it and you'll win the best brother competition for the next two years! I promise. Please?"

"You really want to?" Alec smiled, "Sure thing, but I feel like it should be from both of us and that I should also make something for her."

"I can't get her a present that would be strange since we barely know each other." Magnus told him, "But, I can help you make the dress if you want."

"I'd just mess it up." Alec shook his head. "But I will tell her you made it for me to give to her. She'll be your new best friend, so don't say I didn't warn you."

Magnus felt his lips curl up in a smile and he was about to reply when he felt a cold hand on his shoulder, he felt the smile drain away as he glanced at the hand and saw the manicured nails of his girlfriend – Alec suddenly looked very interested in his water.

"Magnus." Camille purred, she moved to the side and pulled up a chair. He noticed Lily do the same but on the other side, he was instantly overwhelmed by their perfume – he felt like choking.

"Camille." Magnus faked a smile, "Lily, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Oh I just saw you and thought we'd pop over." Camille answered, she glanced at Alec, "New friend?"

"We've known each other since we were seven." Alec replied looking Camille in the eye, his tone was cold and Magnus saw his smile was completely artificial, "You're newer than me."

"Oh," Camille smiled a very false smile, Magnus was secretly proud of Alec. "Yes! You're a Lightwood, Isabelle and Jace's brother?"

"Alec." Lily answered, Magnus looked at her with surprise on his face, she kept her eyes down and avoided eye contact. "We have science, together."

"Of course, you scored the winning goal. How could I forget?" Camille shook her head and turned to Magnus, "Do you want to go to the movies on Friday, have some alone time for just us?"

"I have a project to work on, but I might have time." Magnus answered.

"Oh." Magnus sensed the distance in her voice and knew he'd pay for it later, "We haven't done anything in so looong and I wanted to talk to you."

"I might have time." Magnus offered weakly, Camille nodded, her big green eyes were watery but it was probably an act – she had a talent with drama and Magnus knew she had the potential to be famous from it, if she desired.

"Well, we best be on our way, Lily and I have some shopping to do."

"Okay." Lily answered, she looked a bit surprised but nodded.

They got up and Camille leaned over and gave Magnus a big kiss, she turned her head to look at Alec and though Magnus couldn't see, her green eyes were full of possession over Magnus, Alec gave her a blank look, "Bye-bye Alec." She gave Magnus a final kiss on the cheek. "See you later, babe."

"Bye." Was all Magnus said as farewell, as soon as both the girls were out of ear shot, he said: "Did you see that look of her face when you said that burn?"

Alec grinned, "It was hard not to start laughing!"

Magnus shook his head with a smile and drank the last of his drink, "Come on, we've got materials to buy."

The fabric shop was more like an old warehouse than an actual shop, it was huge. Different fabrics and materials were hung around the walls, huge shelves separated the warehouse into different aisles, other things like sewing machines, needles, threads, wool and little accessories were near the back of the store along with the till. The materials were sorted by colour and Magnus immediately lead Alec to the red section, Alec was awed by all the different types of fabrics, all the patterns and colours. It was easy to get lost in there.

"You see why this is my favourite?" Magnus asked with a smirk.

"Yes." Alec nodded.

"Plus it's cheap!" Magnus grinned and threw up his arms, he twirled down to the floral patterned fabrics, Alec following with a smile on his face. He concluded Magnus was indeed crazy.

"What do you have in mind?" Alec said as they stopped by the red fabrics.

"Red and floaty." Magnus smiled, his eyes were focused as he looked for the perfect fabric. "If you see anything you like then grab it."

Alec nodded and they searched through fabrics until Magnus found a bunch he approved of – the fabric varied from deep red to scarlet, from stripped to flowered, basically they had a whole range - they then went over to the button section and found some cute badges and pins to use as the buttons on the dress and then Magnus ran around getting other bits he needed whilst Alec trailed after him.

After a good hour Magnus decided he had enough stuff and they went to the tills. A pretty girl with thick black hair was tending to the customers in front of the two boys, Magnus let out a small squeal when he recognised the girl on the till.

Alec shot him a quizzical look, "You okay?"

"Yes." Magnus said with a smile, "The girl on the till is a good friend of mine, we met at an art group we went to as kids and we were friends ever since."

Alec nodded and they moved over to the till as the lady in front left. The girl didn't see them right away because she was putting money in the till but when she looked up, her grey eyes filled with excitement.

"Magnus!" She exclaimed, her grin was bright and her eyes lit up.

"Freya!" Magnus smiled with equal enthusiasm.

"How have you been?" Freya asked as she measured the fabrics and priced how much they would be.

"Good, thank you. How about you?"

"Grand." Freya smiled, she then nodded at Alec, "Is this your boyfriend?"

Alec blushed and spluttered, but Magnus chuckled slightly. "No, we're friends."

"Why? He's cute! You'd look good together." Freya asked.

"He… i…. we're really no-"

"Don't you agree, no name?" Freya looked at Alec.

"First of all mine name is Alec and secondly, I've never really thought about it." Alec said, he lied for the latter part. Of course, he'd thought about how they would look together and quite frankly he liked it. Freya seemed to know this as she stared at him with her endless grey eyes met his blue ones, she raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

"Fine, but I still ship you." Freya grumbled, she scanned all the prices of the fabrics and buttons.

"I'll let you know if it becomes cannon." Magnus joked and they all laughed.

"You better." Freya smiled, Alec paid whilst Freya put all the bits in a bag. She handed it to Alec with a bright smile, "Nice to see you again Magnus – we can't let it get so long, you've got my number still?"

"Yes, I'll text you, I promise." Magnus smiled.

"You better, and Alec it was nice meeting you." Freya beamed at him and he felt himself grin back, "Don't give up."

Alec nodded. She smiled back and they left. Magnus frowning slightly.

"What did she mean, 'don't give up'?" Magnus wondered aloud as they walked across the car park and to Alec's car.

"I'm not sure." Alec lied, Magnus made a noise but didn't comment anymore.

But Alec smiled slightly, somehow Freya had known he like Magnus and the support from a complete stranger made him feel more determined, he wouldn't give up, one day he would tell Magnus how he felt, one day he would confess his feelings but until then he was fine with this. The slightly unconventional but fun friendship he had with this boy who lived next door.

W/M: So, I have a vague plot for this but I'm not sure how long it will be... What do you think?