Last Date

"Dear God, are those pancakes?" Jonathan gaped as he slunk out of his room.

"Bacon's in the oven." I said flipping a golden brown circle.

Indeed I was making pancakes. I had woken up this morning with a craving, and figured I could indulge myself in the high class lifestyle for this last week. Raphael had already given me the week off -with pay- to get my life and all it's shit in order.

Jonathan hovered over my shoulder staring at the food with the expression of a hungry child. I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing. I didn't want to fight with Jonathan this week, I was done fighting. Done being angry, but knowing my life my temper will most definitely rear it's ugly head again this week.

"What's the occasion?" He asked eyeing the stack of pancakes next to the electric griddle.

"No occasion." I said adding the last two pancakes to the hefty stack. Hopefully Valentine will eat some, whenever he gets up, there was plenty to go around.

"Yeah right. You've only made breakfasts like this on holidays, and birthdays. So which is it today?" He asked as I unplugged the griddle and pulled the bacon out of the oven.

I grabbed another plate and filled it with four pancakes, and six strips of bacon then handed it to Jonathan. "Happy Tuesday." I half smiled as I turned to fix my own plate.

Behind me I could feel him hesitate, but with a huff he turned for the fridge. When I turned back around he had smothered his plate in maple syrup. This time I couldn't stop the giggle, and it only earned me a slightly annoyed eye roll and the cold shoulder, which was a large change from the usual glares and breathy curses.

And to think all it took was my leaving. I thought sadly as I grabbed the half empty syrup bottle from the counter. He must really hate me.

I could only stare. I probably should have expected this, but I was still left dumbfounded. Mark was waiting in front of the building for me when I left the loft. A smile on his face, and his hand eager to take mine as we walked to school. Did I mention I was staring, cause I was. Completely and totally wide eyed as he chatted away about the next up and coming hockey game at the end of this week, and how annoying little sisters could be. I felt like I had stepped out of the real world and into the Twilight Zone. Some part of me remembered that I was dating Mark Blackthorn, but all of me had yet to accept the fact that I had gained a boyfriend. Dating never appeared in the cards of life I was dealt. Maybe life was like Old Maid and someone had finally taken the old bitch from my hand.

It wasn't until we reached the school did I finally snap out of my trance. I found my tongue and was able to contribute to the conversation which appeared to make Mark happy.

"You're working tonight right? You weren't there yesterday." He said as we made our way down the main hall.

"Nope. I have this week off." I said mildly happy. What person doesn't like to be paid will not working?

"Really?" Mark's mismatched eyes lit up. "What are you planning to do then?" He asked as we stopped at his locker. He had his massive sports bag to take care of.

"Shop. I have to pick some things up before I move." I replied ignoring the suspicious looks from the people passing by.

"Uh, mind if I come along?" He asked with a nervous half smile.

"I guess not." I shrugged. "I'm not doing anything interesting. The basics and paying bills." I said as he closed his locker.

"We can get dinner afterwards." He added as we started for my locker.

"Sure, sounds cool." I commented and he just smiled more as he grabbed for my hand.

Was this what dating was all about? Holding hands and talking? I guess strong emotional feelings for the other person were important but I wasn't there yet with Mark. I really only liked him as a friend. You'll get there, Mira. You'll get there. . . Maybe. I reminded myself.

I don't know if it was just lucky timing or Mark abusing his powers as captain, but the hockey team had half practice today which meant I only had to kill an hour before Mark got out and could join me on my boring outing. He held my hand the whole bus ride and walk to the store. My hand was freezing by the time I could pull away from Mark to grab a shopping basket, which he ended up snatching away from me like an old fashioned gentlemen. I let him carry it even though I didn't need him to, or even wanted him to.

"So you're moving out Saturday?" He asked as we walked down the shampoo aisle.

"Yeah." I answered as I was mentally calculating the cheaper purchase of the regular size and the on sale larger size.

"Do you need any help?" He asked kindly.

"No. Bat's picking me up." I replied deciding the regular was fine. I was only the only person using it after all.

"Oh?" Mark sounded off put.

"Yeah, he's what you might call my older wiser brother." I said feeling my heart warm with the term. It really did make me happy that he cared about me so much to take care of me even though I'm just an annoying girl, especially of late. "He's borrowing his boss' truck. . ." My words slowed as I realized who I was talking about. Bat, who works for Jocelyn's fiancé, who are the "parents" of Clary, and those women don't like me. I groaned into my hand in frustration. Perhaps Luke isn't as judgmental and doesn't hate Jonathan. . . Valentine is a whole other story.

"What?" Mark asked startled.

"Nothing." I sighed composing myself. "Come on I need new pajamas." I said directing him through the story, and his face flushed.

I was laughing, with tears in my eyes as we sat at a couples table in a family run dinner. "I can't believe you're face got that red." I was near suffocating as Mark sat across from me with his head in his hands. He had gotten so flustered when I took him into the woman's department he could hardly speak or even look at me as his face turned as red as a tomato. The cashier thought I was crazy as I snickered while checking out, but I couldn't hold back the laughter. Mark's reaction was so old-fashioned and adorable I couldn't help it.

"Was it really that funny?" Mark grumbled behind his hands.

"It was definitely the highlight of the day." I chuckled trying to get my laughing under control as the waitress came over.

"Can I get you guys anything to drink?" She asked politely. Shooting Mark a sympathetic smile as he lowered his hands. His pale cheeks were still bright red along with his ears. It made him look so much younger I almost started laughing again, but I stopped myself thinking I had caused him enough public humiliation for one day.

We ordered and the blond waitress flounced away with a swing to her hips. Yup, flirting with Mark. And here I am his girlfriend laughing at him and with no romantic feelings for him at all. I felt like a jerk.

"Thanks for coming." I said once the blond was out of earshot. "You made it much less boring." I half smiled.

Mark ran a hand through his mess of blond curls with a grin of his own. "Glad I could brighten your day."

"You did." I nodded.

We kept up a light trail of topics, ranging from school work and debating the better song or which band. By the time we finished the sun had begun to set coloring the city that never sleeps in oranges and reds. Mark had wanted to walk me all the way home but I managed to talk him into only the bus stop which was several blocks over from where we were. We were having fun, he carried my only bag besides my backpack, which I couldn't stop him from doing, but Mark was a kind and nice guy. Easy going and entertaining to talk to.

'Sit Back Now
Let Me Tell You A Tale
Where Justice Does Not Prevail

About An Ill-Fated Life
So Very Full Of Strife-

"Shoot." I muttered as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. My hands were cold and Mark wouldn't let go of my one so it made it hard to get out of my pocket. When I finally managed to answer it my fingers were red and pounding. "What?"

"I need money." Was the reply.

Mark and I stopped under an awning to get out of the way of the foot traffic as I fought to hear Jonathan on the other end of the call.

"For what?" I asked flatly.

"For a taxi." He answered.

"Why are you calling me?" I challenged ignoring the intense gaze from Mark.

"Because my stupid father won't pick up. Now get over here." He ordered irritably.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Where are you?" I asked. Why couldn't I just hang up on him? That's clearly what Mark wanted, it's want a responsible girlfriend would have done, they do it all the time in the movies. But I just couldn't give up on Jonathan. Worrying bastard.

Jonathan told me and I groaned. He was literally around the corner. We would have bumped into him in five minutes. Muttering, "Okay." I hung up and started back down the street in his direction. Mark hot on my heels.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"The prince is short some cash." I replied picking up the pace only to be pulled to a stop on the side of the sidewalk. "What?" I asked looking up at him.

His usual bright eyes were dark now as he looked down at me. I had a bad feeling, and the stress lines in Mark's face only made that feeling more certain. He handed me my bag and I took it slightly confused.

"I knew we were jumping into it, but I thought you would just ignore him since you're moving out. I can't say I understand why you even like Morgenstern, because he's him, but I won't force myself into this relationship either." He said shoving his hands into his pockets. "If you ever get over him, then maybe we can try again, but I can't sit by and watch you take care of him when he's cruel to you. Sorry, Mira. I really do like you. I just can't be second to a jerk like him." He said with a sad half smile before he turned around and left, melting into the crowd.

I was dumped. I thought to myself as I began walking again. I didn't feel any different. I wasn't crying. Did this make me a bad person for not being upset? I didn't know.

I rounded the last corner to where Jonathan said he was to see him talking to Clary. Clary! Where the hell did she come from? And just like I had predicted my temper sky rocketed as I stormed over to them, with no Mark to hold me back I was free to swing and scream as much as I wanted.

"What the hell? If you were just gonna have her pick you up then why call me you ass?" I yelled punching Jonathan in the arm. Several heads turned to look at me, but I didn't care.

Jonathan looked away from Clary to me, for a brief moment he looked startled before it was replaced with his usual expression of sarcastic arrogance. Next to him on the road was an idling taxi cab and an angry looking cabby.

"Amazing coincidence." He replied smoothly.

Clary glared at me, opening her mouth to say something but I cut her off. "Oh coming to flirt with your brother again. Does your boyfriend know? Is this the Penhallow incident in reversed?" I spat as I pushed Jonathan towards the taxi.

"Temper Tyler." Jonathan snickered.

"Shut up you annoying bastard. Get in the cab, if I'm paying we're going home!" I yelled kicking him in the shin. His dark eyes widened at me before he laughed and got into the cab.

"What are you doing with Jonathan?" Clary demanded stepping forward.

"Whatever I damn well please, he's not my brother." My mouth said before I could stop it. Clary flinched away. "Why don't you go home to your mother and plan other ways to mess with my life. I'm sure there are areas that haven't been fucked up yet." I spat then joined Jonathan in the cab slamming my door behind me.

Jonathan was still laughing to himself as the cabby took off into traffic. It was driving me crazy. What had I done that was worth his obnoxious laughter.

"What is so damn funny?" I growled at him darkly.

He looked down at me with dark humorous eyes. "You said home." He smirked. "Yet you're leaving."

I opened my mouth to correct him but he was right. I hissed out of frustration and settled for punching him in the arm again. "You're paying me back." I stated glaring out my window as my face turned red for a reason other than my being angry.

It wasn't until we were back at the loft that either of us spoke again. After paying the cab fair that had emptied my wallet I wasn't really in the mood to talk to Jonathan.

"So where's Blackthorn?" He asked as he unlocked the door.

"Dumped me." I answered flatly as I pushed past him.

"What for?" He inquired closing the door. I couldn't tell if it was just to annoy me or because he was actually curious, probably the first one. Jonathan never cared.

"Because of you." I answered honestly.

"No, seriously." He said dropping onto the couch like he owned the place, instead of his father. I was down the hall dropping my stuff in my room and kicking off my shoes.

"It's a good thing you hate me, or I don't think he would have done it." I called back as I stepped out into the living room.

"Hate you?" He cocked a brow.

"You've made it perfectly clear over the last year that you do." I said as my stomach dropped. I didn't want to talk about this with him now. I already knew the truth.

"Assumptions." He said as he turned on the television ending the conversation.

What? I screamed inside my head as I went back to my room. What the hell did that mean? "Assumptions."

OOOOWWWWW what does this mean? I know I know. Well of course I know, but you guys will be so surprised for the next chapter, but I'll tell you this. IT'S RATED M NOT JUST FOR THE LANGUAGE. But don't go dirty on me people I'm not that kind of writer.

Well I hoped you enjoyed this chapter please leave a review with your thoughts. Now it is late I am tired and god knows I could always keep writing but I really need sleep.

Again leave a review and be prepared for tomorrow, it is the second reason I wanted to write this story.