Big Brother Bat
I never lived in a busy household. I never walked to school with anyone. I had never eaten a group breakfast. I did know what it was like cooking for others, but not for seven other people. Everything at the Blackthorn household was completely different than what I grew up with, so strange and alien. When I had finally woken up from my tears streaked sleep Mark had already been up for I guess an hour cooking and helping his younger siblings get ready for Monday. Helen's clothes fit well enough with the pant legs just a little too long and the sweater a bit tight in the chest. Upstairs it was chaotic, kids running all over the place, some half dressed others all ready for the day chasing the giggling chubby faced ones with the article of clothing they were missing. I had seen no sign of Mr. or Mrs. Blackthorn as I slowly made my way to the kitchen to say goodbye to Mark and dash off to school -though I had no idea exactly where I was, but Mark had once said he lived near Pandemonium so I figured I wasn't too lost. When Mark had seen me he quickly guided me to an empty chair at the dining table next to a brunette girl who looked to be in middle school and a buy the same age who's nose was practically smashed into the novel he was reading. The Blackthorns had a wide range of personalities, to the quiet reader to the loud and chattering girls.
"I'm sorry it was so loud." Is what Mark said when we finally left his house. Helen had taken off five minutes ahead of us when Aline arrived leaving Jules -the second oldest boy- to take the rest of the siblings to school and daycare. It seemed like a lot for a fourteen year old to handle, but I had been cooking for not only me but my parents since I had been ten.
As we walked down the street I took in our surroundings. There were no stores around, or warehouses, or anything that made it look like the neighborhood by Pandemonium. We were in suburbia, house, and apartment buildings, and actual grass and trees. How the hell did I not notice we came so far from the Upper East Side last night? Had I been really that out of it? I slugged Mark in the shoulder that wasn't hauling his hockey equipment then shoved my hands into the pockets of my jacket to fend off the crisp morning air.
"Ouch, what was that for?" He asked as we continued along the sidewalk towards the bus stop.
"For lying about where you live." I grumbled. "You live at least forty-five minutes from the bar, so you don't have to walk me anywhere. It's just too much trouble." I stated.
Mark linked his arm through mine and smiled at me when I looked up at him questioningly. "It's no trouble at all. Especially since we're dating now." He beamed.
Did the title of "Mira's boyfriend" really make him that happy? I didn't understand, then again Mark's whole life was completely strange to me how was I suppose to understand his thought process?
"Oh dear god." I groaned burying my face in my hands, letting Mark guide me with our linked arms.
"What?" He sounded hurt.
"Your dumbasses, if they start anything today I swear on my job I will break each and every bone in their faces." I replied from behind my hands. I was definitely in no mood to have anymore rumors, gossip, or evil bitches after me. I already had Fray after me, and Jonathan's mother bribing me to "escape" the Morgenstern's while Jonathan himself was practically throwing me out.
Mark snickered next to me. I glared up at him dropping my hands to my sides. "What?"
"You're cute." He smiled and his hand found mine. His long callused fingers cool against my always cold ones. I couldn't help but compare them to Jonathan's. His were inhumanly warm, even in the cold of winter, maybe he just ran hotter than normal people. He sure acted like he was hotter than everyone else -especially Jace.
"That's a new adjective to add to the short list of descriptions of me." I muttered. It wasn't false, I had never been the type of girl to receive the word cute without hearing the word "not" before it. I never tried to be cute, or knew what exactly made a person cute. Mark was like an alien planet that I had just stepped onto and was getting the grand tour of a world that was only several yards away, but it still seemed like miles.
"That can't be true. I'm sure people have called you cute." As he spoke his hand tightened around mine.
"I guess the occasional granny on the side of the road, but those don't count, they can't see that their shoes don't match." I replied and Mark tried to stop a chuckle with his free hand. It didn't work.
"Well I'll say it." He said with a chortled. "I'll tell you all the time, because you are. Cute that is." His face turned a darker shade of red as he spoke, and he was staring straight ahead of us at the approaching city bus.
Mark didn't let go of my hand the whole way to school. By the time we separated so we could go to our lockers my hand had cramped up and the palm slick with sweat. I wiped it on my borrowed pants as I hurried down the Junior hall to see if I had anything for classes since I left my backpack at the loft. I had a pen and three textbooks, today was going to be brutal. I had barely shut my locker when Mark had reappeared at my side with a friendly grin and his hand resuming it's holding of mine. I didn't see the need in the action, actually I found it rather inconvenient since it was my dominant hand; my right. I shook off the thought since Mark seemed pleased as we walked along.
The whole school day continued like that, Mark holding my hand walking me to every class even though most of his classes took place on the opposite side of the school, and the stares from our fellow students. Once again I had become the hot topic at Institute High and just like the first time I found it just as annoying. But no one seemed upset by this gossip. I managed to make it through the day without tearing someone's head off and almost -so close- to not seeing Jonathan at all. At first I had thought he had ditched, and I was fine with that, but then as Mark was walking me to the front of school so I could go to work we saw him. I felt my whole frame go rigid and my feet stopped moving. My stomach turned into a knot and my lungs forgot their vital function. Mark's smile disappeared as he followed my line of vision to the grumpy looking, dark shadows under his black eyes, and tousled pale blond haired Jonathan who was heading our way.
"Come on Mira." Mark said tugging at my arm, but I didn't budge. I was like a block of ice, the heat left my body as I stared at the hate-filled jerk that left me in shreds yesterday. I still didn't understand the feelings that had overflowed that night, or why they mattered so much, but I wished they would just stop.
The moment Mark spoke Jonathan looked our way, glancing over Mark, and glaring right at me. The knot in my core tightened and my legs felt weak. What the hell has happened to me? I screamed inside my head.
Mark looked towards Jonathan and scowled. Then I was moved, and Mark was popping my personal bubble. I understood he was my boyfriend and that entitled rights, but this was not a right I was prepared to give him, and definitely not at this moment with him looking. Mark released me from the pressing of our lips, and dragged me out the front doors of the school while Jonathan scoffed off in the opposite direction showing he could care less that I had kissed anyone.
"Sorry." Mark muttered under his breath as he released my hand.
"Yeah." I replied flatly then left.
He didn't chase after me like he usually does in those situations, and I was glad. I needed space. I needed to get to work. I had to talk to Bat about a room for rent.
Two things were certain when I walked into Pandemonium. First was that Bat was there and I would be able to talk to him. And second was that I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep my temper under control. Sitting next to Bat at the bar was an irritatingly familiar twist of red hair and paint splattered clothes. I gritted my teeth as I stomped over to the bar. The red headed woman who's name was apparently Jocelyn, turned around on her bar stool the small smile on her face slowly fading as she took in my angry expression. Bat and his scarred face watched me closely like I was a striking cobra, and perhaps that was what I was. I certainly wanted to hit this woman and claw out her green eyes and rip out all her hair, but I wasn't the loose canon that Jonathan was.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded between clenched teeth.
Bat got up from his stool and came around to stand next to me. He was always so big and bulky that it was intimidating sometimes. "Relax Mira. She came to apologize and help pay for your move." He explained placing a hand on my shoulder. I turned my gaze from the rage inducing woman to Bat. His smile was broad and friendly like always. "The tenant across from me moved out, and the rent is great."
"I don't want her money." I spat glaring back at Jocelyn.
"But you are moving out?" She asked anxiously.
"That is none of your business. You should just be lucky I can't press charges." I hissed clenching my hands into fists at my sides.
"Can't?" Jocelyn repeated dumbfounded. "I figured Valentine would have jumped at the chance to have my head on a spike. That would have been his prime opportunity." She said leaning her elbow against the bar and placing her chin in her palm. Her relaxed posture pissed me even more off.
"Again this has nothing to do with you, so leave." I ordered. My voice had taken such a dark tone I didn't even recognize it myself.
Bat's hand tightened on my shoulder. "Mira it's okay. This is all in your best interest. Besides I wouldn't let anything happen to you." His hand released my shoulder and ruffled my hair. He definitely treated me like how I'd seen Mark treat his sisters; in a caringly teasing way.
"Well I should get going." Jocelyn said sliding off of the stool and grabbing her jacket that was thrown over another. "It was good talking to you Bat, and Mira," She said my name slowly and for a moment her green eyes reminded me of someone else with the way they looked at me. Like I was just another eyesore she didn't need, but I couldn't think of who, it wasn't Jonathan he only ever looked at me with anger. "Take care. I'm sure you'll understand what I meant when you finally move out of that place."
"If you stick around we can ask your son what it is I'll be understanding." I shot coldly, and I could see the narrowing of her eyes so clearly. I opened my mouth to say something else but the front door opened with an unusually loud creak interrupting the argument that was about to erupt.
It seemed like everyone turned their attention to the new arrival and upon seeing who it was only made my temper rise to the next level. The short little freckled redhead stood frozen by the door, her arrogant expression slipping from her face the same moment I moved to charge at her. I had had enough shit for the last several days I didn't need anymore, but Bat wrapped his arm around my shoulders holding me back locked against his massive chest. It was like being restraint by a metal cord and cement wall, he was that strong.
"Mom?" Clary gaped at Jocelyn and a thousand pieces fell into place followed by a mental explosion that left me staring at the older woman. "What are you doing here?"
Jocelyn's expression was firm and near scary as she leered at her daughter. Daughter! "No, Clary. What do you think you're doing here? You know better than to come here. Luke and I have warned you never to come here." Her tone was like ice, it sent a chill down my spine.
Then suddenly I found my voice, and my mood had turned to the dark humorous place people go when they are so upset that they can't comprehend what the hell is going on in front of them. I struggled against Bat but it was completely pointless, he wasn't going to let go.
"Are you kidding me?" I sneered. "What is this some fucking mother and daughter tag team?"
Clary's eyes flew to me and she looked like she was at a complete lose at what I was saying. It only made me want to slap her and knock some sense into her.
"What the hell did I do to you people?" I yelled. In the back room I could hear the thud and scramble as Raphael hurried to join us out in the bar. "AM I REALLY THAT HORRIBLE I CAN'T BE NEAR JONATHAN?" I screamed and my voice echoed in the small room. Bat's arms tightened around me as I felt my legs give and all my energy drain out of me.
"What is she talking about, Clary?" Jocelyn demanded with her face turning red.
Clary looked like a deer caught in headlights. "I don't know." She lied.
"LIAR. YOU SELFISHLY TOY HIM AROUND WHEN YOU'RE BROKEN UP WITH YOUR STUPID BOYFRIEND!" I thrashed weakly against Bat who had wrapped his other arm around me to keep me up. "He sleeps around all the time, so why is it I can't even talk to him? You have a boyfriend, Jonathan is. . . is . . ." My brain slowed as something came to the front of my mind. I was panting and upset with the annoying pickling sensation behind my eyes that signaled the approach of tears.
"He's her brother." Jocelyn stated flatly.
"What?" Clary gasped.
Raphael had long since joined us and now stood between Clary and I. His angelic like face dark and intimidating.
"Bitches." I spat slumping against Bat. They both looked at me. "I HATE YOU BOTH. GET OUT. LEAVE ME ALONE."
"You can't throw us out." Clary managed to snap back.
"She can't but I can." Raphael said shooting the girl a dark look.
"On what grounds." Jocelyn demanded sounding like a lawyer.
"You disturbing my business, assaulting one of my employees, and the fact that I don't really like you." Raphael replied without missing a beat.
Jocelyn's spine straightened and her green eyes leered at my boss. "You've employed a minor and serve alcohol to high schoolers." She replied.
"If you want something to compare then should we have a parenting contest?" Raphael challenge rhetorically. Jocelyn didn't flinch. "Is your daughter at the top of her class? Mira is. Does she drink? Mira doesn't. Can she take care of herself? Work so many hours just to pay rent and bills? Mira does that and more. Just to take care of herself! So instead of trying to raise someone else's child who already has their life together why don't you try taking care of your own. Especially when it sounds like you like to give up halfway." Jocelyn's face turned a deep scarlet color and her hands shook at her sides. "Get out of my bar, and I never want to see either of you here again."
After that there was a tense silence as Jonathan's mother and . . . sister left. I was still being held up by Bat like a rag doll. I don't know exactly what happened after that, but some how I was in the back room -which I had spent the last year avoiding ever entering. It was a dump, with a beat up stained sofa and one window that led to the alley out back below it was a locked filing cabinet. Bat had sat me on the sofa with a navy blue hankie pressed to my eyes while pulling out his phone. He made a call I couldn't understand but there was a lot of grumbled hissing from the other end. When he pocketed the phone he patted me on the back and called me "A little trooper." I chortled at the term, and with the halfhearted laugh came the tears. They had finally spilled over and I understood what the hankie was for.
Bat was probably the closest thing I would ever come to having a brother. Brother? Jonathan is Clary's brother. . . They've flirted. . . A lot. . . Does he know? The thought only brought more tears. I wasn't good enough, but his sister was.
Sorry it has been a while and as for the people that also follow NGT I AM SO VERY ETERNALLY SORRY! I am writing out a time line for the rest of the story so I don't forget anything and make sure it's the best it can be! SO I AM VERY VERY SORRY. There's just a lot time crunching and stuff and I don't want anything to screw it up.
Anyway back to the late night drama. Well I'm sure most of you saw something like this coming, and if not was your mind blown? Lol. Thank you for reading and sticking with me in these slow updates, but like for NGT I am crunching the time line and making sure everything flows. If there is no flow there is no good plot and then you guys would get sad and I would wind up depressed in a hole with a sag over my head because I epicly failed.
So rate comment, AND BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.