A/N: Thank you for the nice reviews :) They make my day!

After the general shock of a befriended vampire, Lila began to like these people.

Jace was snarky, arrogant, and hilarious. He reminded Lila of herself.

Then there was Jace's 'other half', Clary. Clary was kind, quiet, with vibrant red hair. The curls in Clary's hair were different from the curls Lila had. They were larger, more styled. Lila was jealous.

Not just of her curls though. Of what Jace and Clary shared. It was this completed circle of trust and care that passed between them, you could see it. Jace was filled by Clary's presence, and Clary was thrilled to be with Jace. You could see it in their eyes.

Then there was Isabelle. She was everything a popular girl should be. Tall, pretty, loud, quick-witted. Though, as Lila spent time with, she found that Isabelle was internally good.

She was attached to Simon, the vampire. Simon was tall, pale, with dark hair falling over his glasses. He was like Clary. Kind, curious, caring.

Lila could tell they didn't have what Jace and Clary had, but they were close enough.

The diner was small, but cute. It was a place Lila would like to work.

They had ordered their meals, and Clary got right to the point.

"Lila?" She started, a little nervously, "You're right. Sebastian is a monster."

Lila sighed, and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I know. I could tell."

"But he's beatable." Jace said confidently, tapping his hand on the table. "Nothing we can't handle."

Isabelle picked up the conversation, "Right. So, Lila, who are you?"

Lila was surprised at the turn of the conversation. "Well," she started, "I was dropped off at the Indianapolis Institute when I was an infant, by my blood parents."

"I was raised by the couple who worked their, the Penelope's. They didn't care for me much. They trained me, feed me, and gave me shelter. But they didn't do the things a natural parent would."

Jace felt a twinge of compassion. He remembered listening to Marsye Lightwood sing to Izzy and Alec. She never did that for him. She was always distant with him.

"When I was ten, they sol -", Lila broke off, with her face red.

"They," she searched for words, "Put me in a school. For girls. An all girl's school." She recovered.

Jace knew she was lying.

"I esca- graduated when I was 14. And... Then I went back to the Institute, to find the Penelope's had abandoned it, so I trained myself the way they began to train me before. I taught myself to be a Shadow Hunter. And I took care of Indianapolis."

"Indianapolis is pretty big," Simon said, pointing out the obvious, "You took care of it by yourself?"

She smirked, "I was pretty good." Jace snorted.

"What about you guys?" Lila questioned, actually curious, "Who are you?"

Isabelle looked down at Lila, "Right now, my family, the Lightwoods run the Institute of New York City. Jace is my adopted brother! My actual brother Alec, and the warlock Magnus are currently in New York, holding up the Institute. My mother is sick, you see."

"Magnus Bane?" Lila whispered, her blue eyes wide, "The Magnus Bane?"

Jace rolled his eyes, "He's not as great as everyone says, really."

"But he's done so much in history!" Lila said, throwing up her hands, "He's a legend!"

"Or a warlock with too much glitter," Simon mumbled. Jace and Izzy let out a short laugh. Lila tucked some curls behind her ear to fill up the awkward silence that followed.

The waitress came and dropped off their drinks. She also shot a flirtatious look at Jace, who simply ignored her. She sauntered off, disappointed.

"So, Lila," Isabelle said keenly, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Lila slowly looked at Isabelle, "No." Lila said firmly, "I don't."

Isabelle shifted a little. "Well.. Do you play for the other team?" she asked.

"Izzy!" Clary smacked her.

"Just asking."

"No," said Lila quietly, "I've simply been blessed without the distraction or burden of a relationship."

Clary looked at Jace, who was eyeing Lila with concern, his eyebrows raised.

"It's not a burden," he said, "It's a privilege." The show of emotion by Jace surprised Simon and Izzy, who looked at him in disbelief.

Lila smiled at Jace, "I've found the opposite actually. Boys change so frequently, there's no point. Trying to love someone is… just destroying yourself."

Clary and Jace exchanged looks. Her words mirrored words that Jace had spoken so long ago, when he was forcing himself not to love. When he was distant, lonely, and blind.

Before Jace could respond, Lila changed the topic. "Lightwood is your last name? I think I heard of them. Maryse, right?"

"Right," Izzy said quietly, a little unnerved by Lila's words.

"What's your last name, Lila?" Clary asked, trying to forget the past conversation.

"I don't use one, not really." She said. "My adoptive parents... lost my respect a while ago."

"Do you know who you're father was? We might have heard his name before." Jace insisted.

"I -", Lila started. "I'd rather not say. He wasn't exactly a saint. I've heard he fought against fellow Shadow Hunters."

Clary laughed, "Believe me, we won't judge you based on family."

Lila shifted a little. "Does it really matter?" She said, "He didn't care about me, so I don't care about him."

"Don't be stupid, just tell us who your father was!" Izzy whined. Lila looked up, shocked that they were that concerned.

"Herondale," she said, matter-of-factly, "Stephen Herondale!"

A/N: AHH! Does this mean what I think it means?

PLEASE don't make me beg for reviews! I am quite frankly making this up as I go along, and would love to hear suggestions!