Bandaid

"So this is your room?" Magnus asked as he walked the perimeter inspecting every inch. From my wall of movie posters to the shelves of baseball trophies to my messy bed that still held my laptop.

My stomach was doing flips. Was Magnus Bane really in my house, in my room, wanting to talk to me? Yes I'm still mad at him but the situation just seemed so surreal.

He poked the bat of a trophy then rolled his shoulders then turned around to face me. His expression was still serious but there was humor in his eyes that only continued to fuel my annoyance.

"It's nice." He said while I flopped onto my bed tucking my laptop under a pillow. The search bar was still up and had his name typed in, last thing I needed was to look like a creepy stalker.

"Thanks." I said flatly even though my heart sped up at his comment.

Awkward silence...

I didn't think silence could happen with Magnus, let alone an awkward silence. He loved to talk, ask questions, there was always something happening with his mouth.

He took a step towards the bed, hands in the back pockets of his pants (How is that possible? They're skin tight!) "You're upset about that kiss? At the party?" He asked and I had to look away from him. His gaze had softened and his tone was caring. It took everything I had to remain mad and not jump up and hug him denying I was ever upset with him.

"Duh." I said staring down at my locked hands in my lap.

"Why?" He inquired. "You seemed to have enjoyed it."

"Why'd you do it though?" I looked up at him, my temper slipping and I started to sound sad instead of angry. "Why kiss me? Me of all people? I don't get you." I ended on a sigh and ran a hand through my hair. I change my mind I don't want to have this conversation.

Magnus tapped his chin with a long thin carmel colored finger thoughtfully as his green eyes looked over me, almost right through me. My stomach knotted painfully tight in anticipation for his reply.

"I thought we were just screwing around." He answered honestly. "Enjoying the others company to the fullest."

My jaw clenched and I could feel the tears prickling the back of my eyes. 'Alec you will not cry. Not in front of him.' I told myself as I got to my feet. Like removing a bandaid it was better to get it over with quickly and forget about it. "Get out of my house." I said in such a dark tone I didn't even recognize my own voice.

"Hey Alec wait-"

"Only my friends can call me that, now get out!" I yelled squeezing my eyes shut so I couldn't see his expression.

"Oh but partner what about the project?" His voice was bitter and it stung me like acid.

"I can do it on my own and you can just take the stupid grade." I replied with my eyes still shut. "Get out now." I ordered for the last time.

I heard footsteps, then the door opening and closing softly, and he was gone. I collapsed onto my bed and clenched a pillow to my stomach as the tears sprung up and down my face. I just destroyed my first crush into a million pieces. The after shock of ripping off the bandaid hurt more than I thought it would, with each beat my heart sent a pulse of pain through me.

I buried my face into the pillow and cried feeling like a complete idiot for expecting more from a mysterious playboy. I really should have listened to Hell's Angels guy and been more careful with Magnus and tipped-toed towards him instead of charging heart first and finding myself falling off a cliff of emotions.

Oh god I sound like a fangirl talking about their OTP. I groan inside my head and more tears fell.

Knock-knock.

I freeze. Even the tears stop.

"Alec you okay?" It was Jace. "I heard the yelling. Did Bane do something? Do I have to kick his ass?" He sounded concerned. No matter how egotistical he is Jace still cares for his family, and I'm so happy to have him as a brother, but I can't tell him without him finding out about my secret -my Narnia wardrobe deep secret.

"No I'm fine. Thanks though." I called back.

"You sure? Bane was pretty red faced when he left, muttering crap in some crazy language, sounded like insults to me." He said through the door. I'm so glad he has boundaries about entering people's rooms unlike Isabelle.

"Yeah, just a project disagreement."

"Crap!" He said suddenly and it made me jump.

"What?" I called worried.

"Clary wanted to meet to do the project tonight. I'm late! So freaking late, I'm dead!" His voice disappeared down the stairs.

And thus ended a caring brother moment that rarely happens. I sighed and rolled onto my side so I was facing the wall. I pulled out my laptop and opened it. I clicked out of the search engine and went to my email as a distraction from the pain in my chest. The lead news article on Aol was about some fashion designer that was becoming huge in America. No names were released, saying he liked his privacy, but he was only 18 and planned to have a fashion show next mouth to kick off winter. There was a quote sent in from the designer saying, "France was fun, so was Peru before they got annoyed with me, but they had become old news and I needed something new to inspire me, and I found it. Here in New York City! It's big beautiful and quiet." That was dated two weeks ago.

Quiet? NYC is anything but quiet. This person must be deaf or just plan stupid. What person could find this cement jungle quiet and inspiring? It's boring dull and full of annoying yet good-looking people.

I clicked out of the article to my email and there was nothing new, but a reminder to read the next several chapters of the book before next Friday.

I wonder how Tessa handles Will? He sounds awfully annoying and aggravating.