Well, the lead paint thing was from Breaking Dawn, from Twilight. I haven't read that book in something like 3 years and couldn't remember for the life of me, so thank you to the first responders, Taylor Jade, marythetwilighter, and FreakingOutGirl. I had no idea people would love this story so much, so thank you everyone! Oh, and Simon and Clary will eventually make up, but I'm extending Clary's break from taking care of Simon for a bit longer, due to the fact I'd like this story to be more of a story on its own, not just talking, but the characters being affected and changed during the course of things…..if that garbled sentence makes sense. Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter 3: Shadowhunter

"No prize for guessing what this chapter is about,' said Jace as Isabelle began reading. She shot him a glare and tossed her hair- straight into Alec's face. It went into his mouth. He spat out a mouthful of her hair while spluttering madly at Isabelle. Isabelle screamed at Alec that he had gotten spit in her hair, then angrily strode off to the woman's bathroom, her high boot heels clicking on the floor. Alec went to the men's bathroom to wash Izzy's "foul hair gunk" out of his mouth.

We all looked at each other. "Well," I said, "That was interesting."

"Try living with them." said Jace.

A few minutes later, the Lightwoods reappeared, Isabelle finishing up with her portable hair dryer and Alec with a fruity cocktail. I restrained myself from commenting. Isabelle clambered over Simon and a wincing (but silent) Magnus, then sat down and picked up the book with a condescending air. She flipped her hair once again (not hitting anyone this time) and began to read.

This chapter started out when Simon and I had reached Java Jones, the coffee shop Eric was performing at. Eric himself was standing on stage with pink-tipped hair and his stoned drummer friend. Isabelle raised a perfect eyebrow, "They sound scrumptious."

"Oh, no you don't, Izzy. Once you're done with them, the rest of us will to pick up the pieces and bury them in a shallow, unmarked grave. And I have better ways to spend my time." said Jace.

Isabelle looked at Jace haughtily, "Sarcasm here! Duh!" she said, then rolled her eyes and looked back down at the book. Next I said that Eric was going to suck and attempted to leave, but Simon made me stay. He asked me what kind of coffee I wanted and I told him black- like my soul.

Everyone at the table looked at me and snickered. "I was in a bad mood," I defended myself. Isabelle smirked at me, "Whatever, devil child." She read about Simon leaving to get coffee and a general description of the place. Next, the book mentioned a blonde girl and my relief that the seats I had found were far enough away that Eric wouldn't be able to find me and Simon after his performance.

Alec spoke up, "Just how bad can this Eric person's poetry be?" Jace, Simon, and I looked grim, "Worse," we said in unison. Jace and I grinned at each other quickly while I ignored Simon. He had had no right to be an ass like that earlier. I was waiting for an apology.

Isabelle looked irritated, "As I was saying," she said loudly. We all gave her our attention. "Much better," she purred, and started reading again. The blonde girl leaned over and asked me if Simon was my boyfriend. In present time, I blinked. I had totally forgotten that girl. When I told her he wasn't, she beamed and asked if he had a girlfriend, when I said no to that too, she looked suspicious and asked if he were gay.

"Dear Angel, what a thought," said Jace, shuddering.

Magnus looked at Jace menacingly, "What exactly is that comment supposed to mean?"

Jace raised an eyebrow, not at all intimidated, "Seriously Magnus, tell me honestly that a gay Simon doesn't sound disturbing."

"I see your point," said Magnus, looking a furiously blushing Simon up and down.

Isabelle interrupted, "Hey, the most gorgeous one here is talking and no one is listening!"

Magnus smirked at her, "Which means me.

She smiled back dangerously, "Me."

"Me," said Magnus.

This went on for several minutes, until three girls walked by our booth. Isabelle leaned over Magnus and Simon and said with a smile, "Hi! Could I ask you guys a quick question?"

The girls stopped and looked at each other, then the short girl with long hair in front smiled tentatively and said, "Um, sure I guess." She looked at her friends, then turned back to us, "Oh! I'm Taylor, and this is Maria and Patricia," she said pointing at the other girls. One was extremely pale and the other had curly brown hair.

Isabelle smiled at them, "I'm Isabelle, and this is Magnus," she said, jerking a thumb at the warlock. "Now, could you guys tell us who is more gorgeous; me or Magnus?"

Taylor, Patricia, and Maria blinked at Isabelle for a moment then glanced at each other. Taylor spoke for them, "Um, you, we guess." She said, looking warily at Magnus.

Isabelle stood up on her seat and shouted "HA!" The three girls looked majorly disturbed and hurried away from us.

Magnus wasn't convinced and he and Isabelle were still arguing. Meanwhile, Alec and Jace had gotten in an argument over whether the girls had been faeries or werewolves. Simon was humming the Stars Wars theme to himself. Everyone needed to shut up. "SHUT UP!" I screamed. It was pretty impressive. Plus, they all shut up. "Isabelle read the book, please." I said, sounding amazingly calm.

She sniffed and tossed her hair, pretending not to notice Alec ducking for cover. She read about Simon coming back with coffee and complaining about the lack of mugs. Then, there was a slightly embarrassing moment, thought this one wasn't nearly as bad as the ones involving Jace. It was just me thinking that Simon wouldn't look bad with the right haircut. Then Simon asked why I was staring at him and I told him the blonde girl thought he was cute. Just as I was about to tell him why, there was feedback from Eric's microphone as he announced his first poem was called "Untitled."

"I'm shivering with anticipation," said Magnus.

Isabelle managed to read the first part of his poem between gasps of laughter. It was really weird and involved loins. She then read about Simon's embarrassment over knowing Eric and him telling me that all Eric's poems had loins in them.

Alec looked disturbed, "What's up with this mundane and loins?"

"It sounds like a personal problem," said Jace.

Isabelle shot them both glares and kept reading. She read another few words from Eric's poem involving agony swelling within. Then she read a now really awkward conversation between me and Simon. Simon said he wanted to talk about not having a girlfriend. I told him to ask a girl named Jaida out. He said he didn't want to because he liked someone else, which of course was me. I couldn't believe I hadn't realized it. Isabelle read about me asking him if he was gay and him saying he would dress better if he was.

"Untrue," said Jace, "look at A-" he suddenly broke off, remembering that Alec wasn't admitting the fact that he was gay. Alec swallowed and looked at his lap. Isabelle continued reading, sounding relieved. She read how I was about to tell him if it was Eric's girlfriend, Eric would kick his ass when I heard a cough, turned around, and saw Jace.

"You were there?" asked Simon. No one answered him. Isabelle read my (thankfully) platonic description of Jace, then how Simon couldn't see Jace, and as I stared, he waved, then got up and left. I went after him, leaving Simon alone. I decided that I would forgive him if he apologized.

Isabelle read how I had found Jace slouching outside the coffee shop with his sensor. Then, groan, I described his hair as coppery gold. I kept a carefully blank expression in place and felt Jace doing the same beside me. Jace said that Eric's poetry sounded like he had swallowed a dictionary and started vomiting words.

"An apt description," said Magnus.

Isabelle glared at him too, then read about me accusing Jace of following me and threatening to call the police, then we talked about my name. Jace said it was pretty. I bit the inside of my cheek. Then we argued about humans. It sounds weirder in that context than it really was.

Next, I accused him of laughing at Simon and me. He told me it was because if I was dangerous I didn't know it, Simon was an extremely mundane mundane, and unrequited declarations of love amused him. Simon flushed red at the last bit. He still hadn't apologized.

Next we argued some more over who was human and who wasn't, then we made a deal that if I showed him my right hand, he'd leave me alone.

"Liar," I said making a face at him. He grinned in self satisfaction.

Isabelle then had to read the worst paragraph yet. I showed him my hand and thought how it was like showing him my naked chest. I got several looks, but I raised, ironically enough, my right hand, "Not one word," I said.

Next Jace showed me his hand and I saw the rune on it. Then he said he was taking me to the Institute and we got on the subject of shadowhunters and downworlders. The sarcasm began to congeal. We had started an argument about Jace kidnapping me when my phone rang. I tensed, knowing what would happen. Isabelle shot me a sympathetic glance, then continued reading about the last time I had talked to my mom.

I was biting my lip so hard I thought it might bleed when I felt long, scarred fingers lace with mine. Jace. I stiffened for a moment, then I was able to relax a little. This was comfort. Comfort was platonic, right? Except for the electricity running through the palm of my hand, but I refused to acknowledge it. Isabelle finished reading a few seconds later and gave me an apologetic glance, "Sorry, Clary." Jace squeezed my fingers, then let go. I kept my expression careful as I shrugged, "It's okay, Izzy."

Isabelle then read about me cursing at the phone and Jace asking what was going on. Then I flung my phone down and stole Jace's sensor as he hauled me to my feet. He informed me I wouldn't be able to use it, then asked what had happened and told me he could help. I was filled with rage and clawed his face, then sprinted away.

"Violent little person, you are," said Magnus, looking amused, "Remind me to never offer you my help."

Isabelle looked delighted, "You clawed Jace!" she clapped her hands together, "Ha!"

"No need to sound so broken up, Izzy," said Jace with a smirk.

Isabelle passed the book to Alec, "Time for chapter four," she said in a sing song voice.

Heaven help me.

What did you guys think? I know it's a little short, but the chapter in the book is kind of short too. Anyhow, review please! I love to hear what you guys think!