Bootcamp

"Have I ever told you how much I love you, Isabelle?"

"Yes, but do go on."

"You're like a goddess among females. The only star in the sky, like a diamond. Thank you so much for being my sister."

"I really am amazing." She flipped her hair smugly then went back to rubbing my shoulders. I moaned happily.

God, it felt good. My muscles ache from Scott's forceful and tiring training all week. My back felt stretched and rubbery from keeping a perfect spine for hours at a time. My legs protested standing, who knew strutting across a stage could be such a difficult thing to master. And I thought I had been in great shape, baseball always keeping me on my toes, and its not like I skip or breeze through gym class. No wonder models are all crazy thin, it takes so much muscle to do this damn job.

'Remember Alec it's for a date. It's totally worth the pain, persevere Lightwood!' The voice inside my head yells at me every night when I return home. It's right this tired and aching feeling will be worth it once I get my payment for a good job. Though its not the only reason I'm trying so hard, I want to help Magnus. Help him in every way that I can even if we're not a couple, I want to at least try to be friends. Then again I might have blown that chance when he came to my house, but I can't just give up.

Izzy stopped her massaging and I groaned sadly. "I'm tired Alec, it's been like an hour." She complained dropping down next to me on the floor of my room.

"Are they teaching you how to model or kill demons?" Jace asked from my bed where he flipped aimlessly through a magazine. "I didn't think it would be this demanding and painful."

I rolled onto my back and pillowed my arms behind my head so I could see my brother over the edge of the bed. "Neither did I. But it's kind of interesting, like high school but with even vainer people and cliques. They group by appearance, the dark skins, the Asians, the paler than pales, the gum snapping blondes. I think your ego would get crushed if you went, Jace." I explained with complete honesty. Compared to the models working for Magnus, Jace was like a big peace of humble pie. It was so strange to think that egos bigger the Jace's even existed in this small world.

"Wow." Izzy said making her mouth into a big o shape.

"Yeah. I'm just glad Jordan isn't like that or I would literally have no one to talk to." I said stretching out my tired legs, they screamed in protest.

"Does that mean Maia is heading to the dark side?" Jace asked looking down at us.

"Not really. She's just really good at camouflaging herself. It's kinda scary actually." I replied and Izzy laughed.

Then my phone beeped. I groaned dreading that sound every night.

"Time to clean your face." Izzy said hopping to her feet. I no longer think she's a goddess or a diamond in the sky. I hate this time of the night. Smelly creams and solutions all over my face then this weird mask thing that feels like hardened plaster when it's dry. I don't get how it helps but Woolsey insisted on it and Isabelle has made it her mission like my home assistant to make sure I always do it.

"Oh I love this part." Jace chuckled sitting up on my bed and watching our sister enter my bathroom for the cleansers.

"Shut up." I hissed hitting him in the shin he dangled off the edge of the bed. He only laughed.

"Okay Alec sit up." Isabelle sang reentering the room.

It's Sunday, and Warlock Fashions' show is in exactly thirteen days, a Saturday night presentation. Like usual I met Jordan and Maia at the nearest subway station and we walked to practice, or work, or training, whatever one wants to call it. I like to think of it as the-only-thing-standing-between-me-and-my-date, but yeah whatever. Today was a little different than normal, and by little I mean completely surprising and nearly put me in the hospital it was so shocking.

"Alright let's see how things are coming along." The boss smirked.

Magnus had come to see his models. Which included me, and I was not ready.

Woolsey was still complaining about my lack of a smile, and the fact I couldn't keep my head up while I walked. It wasn't like I was doing it on purpose, I just felt completely self-conscious parading around with so many pairs of eyes on me. It really gets to a guy.

The models all lined up and took their turns walking down the platform that was acting as our runway for now. I was near the end, don't know why, but that's where Woolsey placed me. Everyone before me seemed to be naturals at modeling, strutting and putting on a beautiful face, even Jordan. I was too nervous to be jealous of any of them, especially when it came to be my turn. I gulped down several lung fulls of air before stepping out and down the platform. I forced my head to stay up, but couldn't manage a smile. Magnus' eyes were just on me as I made it to the end, paused for a moment -my eyes locked on his- then turned and went back. I nearly collapsed when I was out of his sight. My heart racing and a nervous blush creeping up my neck and covering my ears.

I did horrible in comparison with the others. I know I did and he's going to tease me for it. I know he will, he loves to tease and joke and be a little devil. It's like his hobby outside of designing.

When everyone had gone, Magnus muttered something to Woolsey, who's his partner in Warlock Fashions. Scott nodded them called several of the models over and Magnus talked to them. I wasn't one of them and I'm not sure if that was a good think or bad. Some were smiling as Magnus talked with an extremely tense but friendly face, while others looked like they would burst into tears at any moment. Then he left.

"Back to practice everyone!" Scott called as Magnus ascended in the elevator. "Group one fitting. Everyone else back to work!"

I started for the mirrored wall to try smiling, not that I didn't know how but apparently I did it wrong.

"Boy, come here!" Scott ordered and I turned. That had become my nickname with him, and I don't know why. He called everyone else by their given name. What? Did he just not like me?

"Yes sir?" I said walking over to the monocled blond haired man.

He clamped a hand on my shoulder nearly knocking me onto my knees. "You're staying late today. Next week is the final measurements, and after that is the fittings and run through. You are far too behind." He explained with an exasperated expression.

"But-" I tried but was silenced by his narrowing eyes.

"No buts Boy, this is coming from Magnus himself. You stay until you manage the walk without looking like you have a stick stuck up your bum." He said and a faint English accent broke through that usually wasn't there.

I bit my tongue and nodded as my face heated terribly. Magnus had noticed me, and it wasn't for anything good. He saw how bad I am at modeling, that I don't have any passion for it like the others. I don't understand why he doesn't just find a professional and fire me, it would be a lot simpler and he wouldn't have to waste his time on a date with me.

I took my usual place at the far end of the floor away from the others and began walking. Head up, shoulders squared, back straight, strong and even paces. I could feel the jerkiness in my movements and I tried to smooth them out but I couldn't get rid of the self-consciousness. I have never been good in front of crowds or even in front of my own family. I'm socially and publicly awkward. Modeling is not the career path for that kind.

'Alec your date!' The voice yelled when I began slouching and looking down at my feet. It helped. My head lifted and I forced myself to keep going. I had a reason for putting myself through this ridiculous and practically impossible training. Magnus. I had to get a date with him. He has to see that I'm not a free swinger, or a random feel-me-up during passing. I had to prove myself to him.

I continue the walking and smiling until lunch, Jordan, Maia, some of the other models, and I went to the popular smoothie place around the corner. When we finished I was the only one to head back to work. They had all finished for the day, but I had so much work left to do. It was just after one in the afternoon and the twelfth floor was practically empty except for the assistants and seamstresses that came and went with garment bags, and Woolsey Scott that was busy with a laptop at a table in a lonely looking corner of the floor.

He waved at me as I entered and dropped my backpack on a table. I waved back as I started my training where I left off; walking fluidly and without looking down at my feet. I could feel my calves burning and my back and shoulders throb from over use but I didn't quit. I was determined. The Lightwood family stubbornness breaking through my anti-social and quiet ways.

Thanks to all of my followers and Malec lovers every where. Please leave a review and your thoughts on my writing. They are greatly appreciated and help me to know if things are too confusing and if people are liking it. Again thank you :)