This chapter is set a week after Alec had his dream and he hasn't faced college yet. It is not exactly how I wanted but it was hard to find inspiration. Hope you like it. Thank you RedCoral, who was awesome enough to give me really helpful advice on how to improve and also helped write a part of the story. :)

I'm not usually the type to chicken out of work... Well, maybe I am because I always let Jace and Izzy kill the demons and I couldn't tell my parents about being gay until I had a fearless rune calved into my skin - so much for not being a chicken Alec. And now, I'd missed a full week of college lessons because I'd been scared of meeting Magnus again, going to Law class and the dreams I'd been having kept me awake (but it was mostly Magnus that stopped me).

I finally decided to face up to everything and just go to college. If I met Magnus there then stuff him... Don't be so sure, Alec. You never know.

It was actually going okay so far, I'd made a real life friend - I know, I'm not good with people so it's a shock to say the least. Well we were sort of friends I suppose.

(Flashback)

"Hey, I'm Matthew. You're new right?" He had a nervous smile on his face as he said this, as if waiting to be accepted. It was surprising that he wanted to talk to me because I'm not really the type that people just chat to. I felt happy that he thought he could talk to me. It was in my first Calculus class that he'd spoken to me.

"I'm Alec, it's nice to meet you." Politeness goes a long way, even if it sounds old fashioned - that, and I'm socially awkward. I really wanted to have someone to talk with so a good first impression was crucial. Looking at Matthew was nice... No wait, it was more than nice. He was hot! He had blond hair and a tanned body, his eyes were a chocolate brown and his eyelashes were incredibly long. All in all he was cute, but I felt guilty as soon as I thought that because I still loved Magnus. I couldn't get over Magnus by looking at one guy - even if he was attractive to an extent - Magnus meant more than that to me. My heart could never dismiss Magnus, he would always have a place there.

"I could help you with work if you want? I mean only if you needed it, of course." He seemed anxious and started rambling under his breath saying that I didn't look like I needed help. If I hadn't have been so shy and taken aback by his offer and mini rant to himself I might have laughed. Might have.

He took my startled silence silence as a bad sign and paused looking embarrassed. Was he being serious? Did he really want to work with me, to help me? Could Matthew possibly be a friend?

He seemed to understand that I didn't want to talk about it and said, "Do you wanna meet the rest of my mates?" I mumbled a quick yes before he said, "We'll be by the college gates at lunch, just look for me there." I was slightly surprised, did this mean we were mates? He carried on, "If you still want help, we can sort it at lunch."

"Okay," I replied before the bell went and we left class. I did want him to assist me with work (Calculus is hard, you know) and it might take my mind away from Magnus - there's only so many times you can recite the same Shadowhunter story without getting bored, you know. Plus, I had missed a lot of work skipping and all - like the bad-ass I am... Dream on, Alec.

(End of Flashback)

This group of Matthew's friends consisted of a girl named Beth who had bright red hair, a boy called Ryan, a girl called Katie and Ryan's girlfriend Jess. They were making me doubt any preconceptions I'd had about them. They were all so kind an welcoming. I'd done what Matthew had asked and they all were gracious to me, friendly even.

I end up walking back with Beth because Matthew and Katie paired of, then Ryan and Jess decided they needed some 'alone time'. I think you can guess what that means. So we stroll along in silence, which I'm revelling in because goodness those mundanes can talk. That is to say until Beth destroys the peace and quiet.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" She suddenly questions, as if she's been mustering up the courage to ask me for the past five minutes. I involuntarily blush, I proceed to shake my head and look at the floor. "How do you not have a... Wait... Are you gay?" She figured that out rather quickly didn't she? My blush deepens and I look at her, bracing myself for the disgusted stare. I'm surprised to find a gleeful smile creeping across her face, quickly covered up but her eyes are still shining brightly.

"Hey has anyone caught your eye?" She asks with an interested look masking her eyes.

"What?" I say surprised that Beth - who I barely knew - was curious about who I liked. But it seemed as though she wasn't listening to me, progressing with her monologue without realizing I did not want to talk about my private life, especially to a stranger. "You know what? You could try going out with..." I zoned out of the conversation (if you could call it that) the moment the words 'going out' left her lips. I definitely wasn't ready to take that step yet, and there was no way I was telling her why. Just Beth knowing about my sexuality was enough for now. She didn't need to know any other information. There was still uncertainty as to whether I could trust her yet.

"I have to go to class." I say, interrupting her. I may have sounded harsh because a baffled look crosses her face, but I wasn't ready to talk about relationships. Not after Magnus.

I enter the classroom ten minutes late with a red face, I'm probably sweating too. It was because I'd had to run all the way here from the gates. Well done Alec. Way to go with first impressions and all.

"Mr Lightwood, nice to see you've joined us at last. And you appear to have arrived late to my class too. What a poor start to your new college. Sit down in the spare seat, that will be your new seat for the year." I turn around and glance over the chairs to see where the spare seat is, and freeze. "Mr Lightwood now would be a good time, before we all die of old age. Maybe then you will let me start the class." Oh dear my first impression for this teacher must be appalling right now. There is a slight snickering coming from the rest of the room but I hardly notice. The teacher gives me a stern but bored look which is difficult not to cower from. I'd rather face a pack of enemy Werewolves right now, than sit in a sweltering room with a dozen people I don't like and have to take notes for something I didn't want to study - at least the Werewolves would keep my attention. And then to make the situation more unpleasant I get told to sit by my ex. Why is he taking Law anyway? From what I remember he liked it less than me.

Eventually I bring myself out of thought and stumble over to the desk, flushing bright red and avoiding the gaze of every body in the class. It's like the cafe incident all over again. Of course, I have to end up in the same class as my ex and the teacher makes me sit next to him. Magnus looks the same as he used to, his raven black hair is full of blue glitter today and he's wearing bright red chinos and a pale blue shirt. He happens to glance at me for the first time since I walked in, I see confusion in his eyes but I don't fully know why he would be confused - I mean he had to hear my last name, and it's obvious that I would attend a college. Maybe he's thinking about a different time, a time before I talked to Camille.

I notice that he has dark bags under his eyes, as if he hasn't slept in days. I wonder if it's because he knew I was in town. Don't be silly, Alec. Magnus is over you, he said you weren't important. Yeah, Magnus is probably over me and Law class couldn't get any worse. So much for not being affected by him, Alec.

I hope this chapter is good enough. I feel like Alec's first meeting with Matthew could have been written better but I feel that Alec would have been a little bit awkward around Matthew then. Did you like the chapter, or are there any improvements I could make? I tried to add in more of Alec's thoughts, is it weird that Alec talks to himself in the third person? It's just that I do that a lot too! Thanks for reading. :)