Chapter 9

"Oh. My. God." Isabelle lay on the bed with her head propped on her hands.

"Yeah, I know right? I'm such an idiot." Clary shook her head ruefully.

"No, no. It's perfectly fine. If he doesn't understand, he's the idiot. It was your first kiss." Isabelle stopped short. "Oh my god, it was your first kiss! Congratulations, Clary!"

"Shut up, Izzy. It was so embarrassing. I can't believe I pulled away. Can I have a redo?" Clary smiled in spite of herself, though. Isabelle's energy was infectious.

"No, you can't. It was with a super hot guy. That's all you can really ask for."

"He is pretty cute," Clary agreed. They were in her bedroom, replaying the details of the dance. Clary wasn't sure how she felt about Sebastian, her maybe-boyfriend. They wouldn't see each other until Monday.

"Tomorrow is going to be so boring. Everything is, after Friday," Isabelle said mournfully. Clary laughed.

"You'll get over it soon."

"Yeah, maybe. But maybe I don't want to," Isabelle sighed. She glanced over at the clock.

"Crap, I should get home. Dad's back from his business trip and Mom wants all of us to go out for dinner." Both girls got up and walked to the front door.

"Have fun. Say hi to him for me, will you?"

"Yeah, sure. See you, Clary." Isabelle bounced out the door. Clary closed the door lightly.

"Did Isabelle just leave? I didn't get to see her," Jocelyn said, coming into the hallway.

"Yeah, her dad's home. They're going out to eat."

"Oh, that sounds fun," Jocelyn said distractedly, searching in the closet for something. Her hair was up in a messy bun, paint splattered overalls hanging loosely on her body.

Clary started to leave, but Jocelyn stopped her. "Are you finished with all your homework?"

"Yes, Mom," Clary sighed.

"Alright, good. All set for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I've got everything."

"Ok. Just checking." Jocelyn grabbed a sponge from the closet and returned to the garage.

Clary walked slowly to her room. She wondered what would happen the next day. Would Sebastian talk to her? What if he ignored her? She didn't think he was that kind of boy, but who knew? And how was she going to stand art class now, with Jace next to her? Awkward didn't even begin to describe it. She was still annoyed at him for being so cozy with Aline, then having the nerve to act disapprovingly towards her and Sebastian.

Shut up, Clary. You worry too much, she told herself. Jace is just a stuck up jerk who you shouldn't worry about.

She tried not to. She fell asleep still trying.

Clary saw Sebastian in the hall on the way to first period. She wanted to call out to him, but her voice faltered in her throat as she opened her mouth. If he rejected her, she didn't need it to be in front of half the school.

As soon as she entered her classroom, she regretted it. She needed the closure of a conversation with Sebastian to calm her nerves, and she wouldn't get it for another hour.

The class passed slowly, like anything does when you want it to go quickly. Clary fidgeted constantly, and her mind wandered, though periodically she would force herself to pay attention for the sake of her grade.

When she left the class, Sebastian greeted her at the door with a hug, pulling her aside from the flood of people exiting the classroom. He bent his head. "Good morning, Clary," Sebastian whispered.

"Sebastian! You scared me," Clary gasped, but relaxed immediately in his arms.

"How are you?"

"I'm great. A little tired, but otherwise fine," Clary replied. She smiled happily. "I'm so glad you're here."

Sebastian laughed. "Don't be silly. Where else would I be?"

"I-well, I thought maybe you wouldn't want to see me."

Sebastian looked confused. "Why wouldn't I want to see you? Wasn't Friday night enough indication of how I feel for you?"

"Yes, of course. I was just being stupid."

He laughed again. They walked toward the quad, hand in hand.

Isabelle's face lit up when she saw them. "Clary! You're here! Sit here." She patted the seat next to her, and gave Sebastian a look that dared him to contradict her. Sebastian let go of Clary's hand without a fuss, but claimed the seat on the other side of Clary. Simon sat quietly on the other side of Isabelle, but Isabelle barely spared him a glance as she turned excitedly to Clary.

"Guess who talked to me today?"

"I don't know, who?" Clary responded without much enthusiasm

"Meliorn!"

"I thought he was with Kaelie."

"No, it was just for the dance. But anyway, he was very sweet. I understand why I used to have a crush on him."

Clary shot an apologetic look at Sebastian, who smiled in understanding. He interjected, "Isn't that him coming over right now?"

Isabelle turned her head. "It is! Mel!"

Meliorn and Isabelle began talking. Simon looked briefly annoyed, then ignored the two. He grinned at Clary.

"So, you two. What happened at the dance? Clary, as your best friend of ten years, I'm going to have to caution you. Don't do anything I wouldn't do with him. And since I'm very straight, that puts a lot of limits on you."

"Simon, don't be disgusting. Nothing like that happened at the dance."

"Oh, really? Well. I don't really believe you, but I'm not going to say anything else."

Sebastian snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Please don't."

"Hey, be nice," Clary scolded.

"It's fine, Clary," Simon said with a hint of exasperation. He glanced over at Isabelle and Meliorn, his face darkening. "I've got to go."

Clary watched helplessly as Simon stalked away. She couldn't help but feel irritation towards Isabelle for ignoring Simon so blatantly.

Am I going to get between them, though? I can't take sides. It'll ruin our friendship. But I think their friendship is pretty much gone.

Sebastian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Clary shook away the unpleasant thoughts and concentrated on the feeling of safety.

Then Sebastian called out, "Jace! Get over here!" and panic cut into the calm.

Jace appeared in front of them, Aline a few steps behind. "What do you want, Sebastian?" He focused on Sebastian, his eyes flicking briefly to Clary and then ignoring her.

The weight of Sebastian's arms suddenly felt burdensome. Clary's ears burned from that minute glance, and she cast her eyes downward.

"Hey, what's wrong? Can't a guy say hi to his best friend?" Sebastian asked with a grin. Jace looked at him impassively.

Aline interrupted the silence. "So, Sebastian. I hear you and Jace play baseball."

"Yeah, varsity last year. We're the prodigies of the team."

Aline laughed. "No modesty here, I see."

"You think I'm vain? Just wait. A day with Wayland, and you'll find that he's the biggest, most self absorbed douche you've ever met."

"Way to compliment me in front of my girlfriend, Verlac." Jace's face tightened momentarily, then his features were open and joking. "I could tell yours a couple of things myself."

Clary made herself look back at him with a natural expression. "Oh yeah? Like what?"

Jace finally looked at her. Clary was taken aback by the conflict in his features, which mirrored her own.

"Maybe some other time. I'm nicer than Sebastian."

Sebastian laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Just keep telling yourself that." He got up, pulling Clary to his side. "I'll walk you to class, Clary."

"Alright."

As they left, Clary could feel Jace's stare burning through her. She snuggled closer into Sebastian's side, but it didn't dispel the uncomfortable sensation. She picked up the pace, wanting to get out of Jace's view.

Despite the awkwardness with Jace, Clary enjoyed her time with Sebastian. They spent an increasing amount of time together. Clary was happy.

But she noticed that Simon was not. She watched her best friend's demeanor shift from happy-go-lucky to constantly bad-tempered. She wanted to grab him, shake him, ask him what was wrong, but they were never alone, and she didn't want to embarrass him either.

Finally, one day Sebastian was caught up in chemistry, Isabelle was at fashion club, and Maia was off with Jordan somewhere. Clary confronted Simon.

"What's going on, Simon?"

"Nothing. Why would you think anything was wrong?" He picked at his food sullenly.

"I'm your best friend. I think I know when you're unhappy."

"I'm fine, Clary. Stop worrying so much, you're worse than my mom."

Clary bristled. "Excuse me? You don't talk, you're always frowning, and I think I know why."

"Oh, really? Why don't you spit it out, then?" Simon finally faced her, a challenging look on his face.

"Isabelle's ignoring you."

"And why, pray tell, would I be mad at that? At least she isn't prattling on about something to me."

"Oh, shut up Simon. The angry, tortured act doesn't fit well on you. And I saw you two at the dance."

Simon seemed to deflate. "There wasn't anything to see. It was nothing."

"It didn't seem like nothing. At least, not to you."

"Maybe it wasn't."

"Simon, I know you like Isabelle. And I don't understand why she would act like that any more than you do. If she doesn't appreciate you, then she's really stupid."

"Aren't you a loyal best friend," Simon said sarcastically.

"I'm being loyal to you right now. And just cause I'm her best friend doesn't mean I'm blind to her faults. Izzy doesn't really look around her while she blazes through life. She doesn't see the consequences of her actions at all. And she would rather have fun flirting than settle into a relationship."

"Maybe she just doesn't want to settle with me."

"Oh, Simon," Clary sighed. "You are the most amazing guy I know. You're funny and sweet and you have good hygiene." Simon snorted at that, but he looked slightly more comforted. Clary continued, "Isabelle's known you for almost as long as I have. She knows you. She just can't-or won't- see you. Just let her be. She'll come to her senses soon enough."

Simon was silent for a moment. Then, "You really think that?"

"I'm positive."

"Thanks, Clary." Simon smiled weakly at her. "You are an amazing friend, you know?"

"Yeah, I try."

A/N: Hey there readers! This chapter's kind of filler. But the next one will skip to a few months from now, and I just wanted to clear up some things. I can't wait till the story moves on! I want it to go quicker but I get caught up in wanting to develop the characters.

Thank you for reading and please review!
~Sami