Family Dinner

'You can't tell anyone you're working for me. You'll be modeling with Maia Roberts and Jordan Kyle, you're friends right? Doesn't matter. Mums the word.'

I stared at my phone for what seemed like hours before setting it down and starting my homework. The text was from Magnus, sent only a short while after I arrived home. Apparently the secrecy was an after thought, but I already figured I wasn't suppose to tell. He was threatening my secret after all, I wouldn't risk that. It's mine to tell, and I'm not ready for others to know.

I replied to his text with a simple and short message of, 'Okay.' What else was I suppose to say? 'Oh that's sounds fine but I'm really only looking forward to our date. That's all that really matters I could care less about this stupid fashion show' no I could not say that. I have a feeling I would get slapped with one of Michael Jackson's gloves if I did. So no I won't speak ill of fashion, not that I dare to do it at home, Isabelle would have my head on a silver platter wearing some god-awful flower hat and makeup.

At dinner my mood had lifted and Jace's had turned even more sour. Another damn break up? Jeez are they even sleeping together?

"Why are you smiling?" Jace grumbled as he picked at his pasta.

"Can't a guy be in a good mood?" I challenged as I leaned back in my chair, a grin still on my face.

"Not when I'm miserable. And not you after the last two weeks. You've been sulking and sad, what changed? Get laid?"

"Jace!" Gasped our mother and he just shrugged. Luckily dad was away on business -he works on the city counsel- and wasn't able to hear that. Jace would have been grounded in a moment, at least mom is a little less strict.

"Well am I wrong?" He challenged looking right at me.

I could feel the blush crawling up my neck, but I didn't have anything to be embarrassed about. "No, certainly not. I just had a good day that's all."

"Yeah right." Jace muttered slouching over his plate and stabbing his fork at a diced tomato.

"Mom can I go? I finished dinner." Max asked gaining the attention.

"Sure darling." Mom smiled at him and he was out of the room in record time. Wish I could be that quick, I can think of several recent occasions it would have been useful.

"Oh yes Alec honey," Mom said looking at me. I stopped my fork full of pasta halfway to my mouth to look at her. "I got a call today from some man named Woolsey Scott, saying that you were going to be working in an up-and-coming fashion show. Is that true?" I dropped my fork.

Damn Magnus works fast. I didn't even think about what to tell my parents about my absence at home. Then again I have no idea what it takes to model or prepare for a fashion show.

"Umm, yeah it is." I replied and Isabelle next to me grabbed my arm. Nails digging into my bicep painfully.

"And you didn't tell me?" She accused darkly. Her midnight blue eyes glaring up at me.

"Is that why you're so damn happy? Because you get to model and I don't?" Jace grumbled.

"Not everything is about you Jace." Mom said mildly, but was still looking at me.

"I beg to differ." He muttered under his breath.

"Well Alec?" Mom prompted.

"Yeah. I just agreed to it today. Sorry I didn't tell you. I've been busy lately." It was only a partial lie, so maybe no one will notice.

"Woolsey said you'll get school credit for it, and that it'll help with colleges to see your wide range of talents. I see no problem with it as long as it doesn't interfere with your school work." She explained in the only way a mother could. Sweetly but with the underlying threat of groundment. Amazing yet scary at the same time.

"I promise it won't."

Isabelle tightened her hold on my arm and I flinched away in pain. "You're so freaking luck! I hate you." She pouted.

"I'm working with Jordan and Maia, I'm sure you can come watch. It's not like our family doesn't have connections or anything." I said rolling my eyes.

She squealed with excitement, nearly blowing my eardrum in the process. "Oh Alec I love you again!" She sang and hugged me before she bound out of the kitchen. Probably off to brag to all her friends and to post it over every media she could. I sighed in exasperation.

"So do you think they'll let me model too?" Jace asked. His sour mood had lightened and now he was smirking.

"No." I answered returning to my food.

"What? Why?" He exclaimed.

"I asked, they said no."

"Have they seen me?"

"Yes."

"Are they blind?"

"Nope."

"Well I just don't get it then." He breathed.

I swallowed my food then muttered, "Maybe you're too handsome for them." sarcastically.

"Oh yes that must be it." Jace smiled pleased. Arrogance rolling off him in suffocating waves.

"Alec don't feed his ego, it's already hard enough to find a dinner table that fits it all." Mom joked and I chuckled. Jace just grumbled under his breath but he was laughing on the inside, I could see it in his golden eyes.

I know it's kind of dull and short and lacking MALEC love but it's still important to help with the story line. Be prepare for the next chapter, Alec learns who Magnus is.