Disclaimer: World belongs to Cassandra Clare.

Chapter II

When I opened my lids the next morning it felt like they were being peeled away from half-dried concrete. I groggily slid out of bed half-blind. The instant I set my feet on the wooden floors, I heard heavy stomping coming upstairs. Most likely it was my mom who was going to unleash a can of (verbal) whoop-ass on me. Then again it could have also been the vampire from yesterday.

When I entered the house yesterday I had found my mom passed out on the couch, laying across from an old T.V. playing infomercials. I considered waking her up, either to tell her to go upstairs to bed or have her pack her bags so we could run away. My heart had still been beating fast from running home and I'd sat in the living room while contemplating what had just happened. I finally settled on a shaky explanation, that the joint I had smoked earlier was laced with something and I had encountered a particularly crazy mugger who had a penchant for roleplaying. After an hour of convincing myself of this explanation, I went up stairs and laid in bed. I also briefly wondered if I was being horrendously selfish by not waking up my mom and telling her to get the hell out of the house. I settled for the less drastic route of leaning a chair against the front door. If it fell, then I could be confident that we were under siege. It was only when I had my pocket knife clutched to my chest, that I was able to fall asleep comfortably.

My mom aggressively opened my bedroom door, "Harley, What the hell is wrong with you?"

Pushing through my groggy state, I composed myself and arranged my face into a passive expression. I glanced down at my hand and saw that I was still clutching my pocket knife and hastily stowed it under my blanket, "what do you mean?"

"Oh stop with the innocent act, I know you came in late yesterday... past curfew," she crossed her arms over her chest. Even in duck patterned morning robe, my mom had the ability to intimidate and interrogate.

"I came in at 10:45," It was a gamble, because she could have been awake at that time and known I wasn't home, but if she was asleep I would still be technically breaking curfew, but only by 45 minutes instead of three hours.

She surveyed me to see if I would crumble under her gaze. Luckily for me, one of the few talents I possessed was lying. She finally sighed and said, "just because your father let you run rampant doesn't mean I will too, your curfew was at ten."

"Was?" I asked picking up on the one word that was most troubling in that sentence.

"Yes was, now it's at nine, on weekends too,"

"No fair! It used to be eleven till you dropped it down to ten last week!" I retorted angrily.

"And it will keep dropping down every time you're late," with that she stalked out of the room slamming the door behind her, I got out of bed angrily and defiantly kicked my blanket on the ground. That really showed her Harley, I thought sarcastically.

"Oh and I don't know what you were doing with that chair against the door last but I nearly tripped over it!" she yelled through the door. Seething, I went into the bathroom attached to my room to take a shower. It was a small bathroom that match the equally small bedroom I stayed in. I liked my room at my mom's well enough, but it still had the stiff feel of formality, like It wasn't inhabited. She never let me decorate it until I moved here permanently after my 18th birthday. I tried to cover the walls with band posters and pictures with my friends in my old city but it still felt… stale.

I went to my mirror to do some damage control first. After coming home last night I hadn't bothered taking a shower or brushing my teeth. The first thing most people, and at the moment me, noticed when they say me was my bright purple hair. I had dyed it since I was in middle school but usually to was usually to other natural colors. I thought it added a certain popping affect since both my hair (naturally) and eyes were a dull brown. At the moment it resembled a red cabbage salad, and needed desperate detangling.

I showered throughly and brushed my teeth, twice for good measure. Of course my under eye circles were disastrous, so I dealt with them first with the cakiest layer of concealer that would have put some drag queens to shame. I evened that out the rest of my face with some foundation. I then moved on to the fun stuff.

Ebony always said that I treated everyday like prom, since I put on a full face even if I was just going out for coffee. Ebony wore make up too, but she was a more of an all or nothing type of person. She was either wearing a full face like me, or was wearing nothing but her acne cream and a nose strip. Not that it mattered if she didn't wear make up since she was gorgeous.

I always wore a full face. It wasn't that I was super self conscious, I mean I was self conscious, but I didn't think it had anything to do with my makeup. It was more the fact that I had developed a certain image and the make up I wore was a big part of it. I always wore a cat eye and bronzer, even though my skin was perpetually tan due to my Puerto Rican heritage. Lastly I topped it off with some understated lip stick. You're probably thinking: "girl, you already look like a beauty school reject's final project, I think you could wear a red." Red was a nice color but it practically yelled bright and attention seeking, and my hair was already doing a fine job of that.

I glanced at the clock sitting next to me and sighed. I had fifteen minutes till school started. My hair was still damp and I prayed that when it dried it would remain smooth. Since there was no way i could dry it in time I ran to my closet and put on a pair of jeans with a plain dark brown v-neck. Even though it probably would make me even more late, I went through my jewelry box and wore my usual bracelets; a leather bracelet from my trip to Hawaii, a small silver chain from my dad, and a charm bracelet with one small bell from Ebony. I had liked it when I saw it in her jewelry box, and she gave it to me saying that she never wore it. I new that it was expensive so I told her I couldn't take it and she made me a deal that I could take it for safe keeping since she would have lost it anyways.

I was fastening on the last one while I ran out the door with ten minutes to go and I wore my tennis shoes since it seemed likely that I would need to sprint to first period. I was barely out the door when I heard some one blast their car horn.

"Hola Chika, hop in," I spun to face the street and saw Ebony sitting in her convertible hatchback, which should have been an oxymoron except for the fact that it exsisted.

"Yes please," I climbed into the passenger seat and faced her. She was sans makeup today and her pale blonde hair was pulled into a pony tail and she was wearing what could only be described as, the "I reeeeally don't care" sweat pants and shirt combo.

"I was banking on you being late today, so I thought I'd swing by," she said while waving at my mom who was eyeing us through the curtains, "you're welcome."

"You know she still thinks that you are a senior who goes to my school."

"Really? Doesn't the boob job make her even a little bit suspicious?" she asked spinning the car in the direction of Greaton High School.

"I haven't asked her about her opinion on your boobs but I'm sure she think you are either extremely well endowed or got them from your rich family for your sweet sixteen."

She laughed, "she thinks my rich family got me a boob job for my sweet sixteen but not a mustang?"

"It was only a guess, I was also speaking in the hypotheticals since I have no idea why she believed me when I said you were in my class."

"You told her I was in one of your classes?" she asked sounding even more amused.

"Well I said that we met during 5th period. What I didn't tell her was that I ditched 5th period to go to the record store downtown," I responded grinning.

"Ah yes, the record store. If you didn't have such excellent taste in music I don't think I would be friends with you, did she freak out again when you came in late?" she asked. I hesitated before responding, I had already decided that my vampire experience was me tripping out or being benevolently pranked. I decided that at least it would make a good story.

"Erm, yeah of course she freaked out. She freaks out on me for being on time too because she is convinced that I am conspiring against her," I fell back into her chair, luxuriating in the seat's warmth before I had to go to school, "you'll never believe what happened on my way home though."

Her thin eyebrows knit together in worry, "Did something bad happen? I knew you were being stubborn when you refused a ride, did someone attack you?"

"Calm down there amigo, you are beginning to sound like my mom. No it was nothing like that. I just think I may have hit the wrong end of the wacky weed."

"Oh god," she began to laugh, "I'm a horrible person, letting my little high school friend loose in the middle of the night when she was having a bad trip."

I laughed along with her because it was partially true, "you were awful, I thought I was being attacked by a vampire and I sprinted home and-"

Halfway through my sentence she halted the car sending us both jumping in the air.

"Did we hit something?" I asked her confused.

"Wait, repeat what you said," the car was still stalling in the middle of the road and I turned back to see if any cars were behind us. I was officially late to school so our side of the road was bare except for one hectic biker who seemed to be pedaling with all his might.

"I. Thought. A. Vampire. Attacked. Me. But. I. Was. Actually. Tripping. Balls." I said, not meaning to sound snappy but it came out that way, not that Ebony seemed to notice. She was still sitting in the drivers seat staring at me intently through her sun glasses.

"Earth to Ebony," I said snapping my fingers in front of her face. That seemed to rouse her, "Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, I think that's enough herbal vices for a while. Well at least till I can buy something that isn't laced with shit," she began driving again but was silent for the rest of the ride.

"Well, thanks for the ride," I said waving to her from the sidewalk in front of the brick prison that masqueraded as a learning institution, specifically Greaton High School. She drove off waving and smiling at me absently, leaving me to think that something was off.

Most of my school day passed without much commotion. It was nearing the end of the year and I was a senior so the work load was light. I came in during the beginning of the year so I hadn't made too many meaningful friendships, just some acquaintances that passed the time. By the time the end of the day arrived I made my way out of the school's front doors and was walking home.

"Harley, over here," once again I was faced with Ebony driving to match my pace. The stark difference from our morning encounter was that her hair and makeup were done up and dressed professionally. Much more professionally than usual in fact. I opened up the passenger door and slid in gratefully.

"Two rides in one day, you're spoiling me," she smiled at me but once again seemed distracted.

"okay, is something up? You're starting to scare me," I asked her.

"I just think we should talk, Lakeside or Wilde's?" She asked, referring to our preferred eateries.

"Um, Wilde's." We drove again for a while and my heart rate began to speed up. Ebony was one of the most carefree people I knew and seeing her worried, worried me. I knew that this probably had something to do with last night. I wondered if she was tired of babysitting me all the time. Maybe I had become too dependent on her since moving here and was suffocating her. She was probably aware that she was my only friend who I talked to face to face. All my old friends back at home were prepping for prom and graduation but still found time to Skype and called me every week. It still it wasn't the same as seeing them face to face and as much as I hated to admit it, we were growing apart. The silence in the car was starting to become uncomfortable but I was too self conscious to break it.

When we finally pulled in front of Wilde's, my alarm had evolved into dread. We both opened our doors and walked into Wilde's silently. I usually preferred Wilde's to any other restaurant because it was a quieter atmosphere to most of the other places in town that also had good tea and food. It wasn't too small of a building and had three floors. The main floor mostly consisted of the coffee shop with a few book shelves. The top story was almost all books shelves with a small alcove for sitting and eating. The bottom floor had older books and with some weird art that the manager, Sheldon, liked to hang up. When we settled ourselves into the top floor I didn't take comfort in the soft couches and old book smell like I usually did. I sat stiffly in a robust red armchair as Ebony sat across from me sitting on a lounge chair. We sat down for a while and I was the first to break the silence.

"You look awfully fancy for three in the afternoon," I said, settling for the less intimidating subject I could broach.

"Yeah I had to go meet a few people this afternoon and discuss some matters," she replied. I didn't know what to make of this other Ebony, I had become so used to the translucent and free loving girl from the last seven months that I couldn't even keep up a good conversation.

"Business stuff?" I asked. Ebony had a blog that she ran that was part of a larger website that focused on girly stuff. I read it on occasion even though reading about "15 ways to please your man" was hardly a subject matter that interested me. She barely ever met with her boss face to face since she lived in Chicago, so I highly doubted it actually had to do with her job.

"Yeah, business stuff."

"Hm."

"Oh god Harley I have no idea how to tell you what I need to tell you…" she fidgeted in her seat looking at anywhere but me, "but I'm moving away."

My heart dropped to my stomach, "but why? I thought you could work anywhere since your job was online."

"It's not for my job, i'm moving away to another town. Greaton is becoming too… hectic for me." I stared at her in disbelief. Greaton, too hectic? Greaton had to be one of the calmest bum fuck towns in the north side of California. The population barely teetered on 40,000 and it was becoming too hectic for her?

"You're fucking me right?" I asked, hoping that she was. Her jaw was set and she turned her gaze to me face.

"No, I'm moving to live with my Grandmother in Colorado, she's ill and I don't want her to be alone. You understand that right?" she finally looked at me, her face held fragments of desperation. As if she hoped that I did understand. I didn't understand. Not at all. She never talked about her family and I didn't even know she still had a Grandmother. Weren't they supposed to die before you turned eighteen or something?

"Okay, whatever. I'll call you every once in a while. Do you need help packing?" I asked while my insides were crumbling, but I reminded myself that I had two months till school was over and then I would beg my dad to let me live with him for the summer before I attended community college.

"No it's fine I'm already packed. I'm leaving tonight." my eyes widened.

"Tonight? what they hell! Why are you acting like this, all secretive and stuff?" I fumed.

"Look, I'm sorry that this is so short notice, but I'm in a time crunch."

"I'll see you off then, I don't care if I break curfew again," it wouldn't matter if my curfew was pushed even earlier, it's not like I would have anywhere to go after tomorrow.

"Actually I was hoping that this could be our goodbye," she said gesturing between us. There was a long pause.

"Goodbye then," I responded numbly, I couldn't believe it. She smiled back at me and glanced at her phone, which was buzzing in her bag.

"Ugh," she looked frustrated, "I was hoping I had more time, but I need to go."

"Really?" my mouth hung open, "Call me when you get to Colorado."

"Harley, I really need to leave. I'm so sorry I leaving you hanging like this. Stay safe!" She kissed me on the cheeks leaving them wet. At first I thought I was victim to the sloppiest kisses ever until she pulled away and I saw that her lashes were wet, "Please, stay safe and do go out late any more."

She squeezed my hands before turning away. As far as my mind was concerned, I was glued to my seat and immoble. I watched as she ran off leaving me and my confusion in her wake.

"Hey, is there anything I can get you?" a waiter had finally made his way to the table and I mutter back, "no thanks."

I left the bewildered waiter behind me and I threw open the cafe's door. Ebony left me about three miles away from my house. It wasn't a huge deal and I was used to her being somewhat inconsiderate, but not THIS inconsiderate. Her grandmother must have been pretty sick if she was in such a hurry to leave. Maybe I was being insensitive but Ebony hardly ever talked about her family, let alone a frail and sickly grandmother. I began to walk back to my house and seemed to get there in no time. I opened the front door and was greeted by a suspicious glare from my mom who was sitting on the couch reading over some official looking papers.

"You're home awfully early, it's six." she said.

"Yeah, it was almost curfew so I decided to come back," I responded dryly.

"Har har, and don't think that this will give you extra points for future days, no carry over hours!" She said sternly.

"Wasn't planning on it," I mumbled while dragging my feet up stairs, "I'm going to do home work or some other soul draining activity."

I heard a mutter that distinctly sounded like, drama queen as I shut the door to my bedroom. I paced around for a while not sure what to do. I thought of calling a friend but soon realized that the only person who I could talk to about this was the one who who was leaving. I thought about calling my dad but I knew that he was always busy with work and I didn't want to bother him. I finally settle on actually doing my homework, and changed into sweats. I pulled off my bracelets since there were only so many hours I could wear them without being irritated. I was pulling off my charm bracelet when a realization hit me, I hadn't given her extremely expensive looking bracelet back.

I ran to my phone and scrolled through my contacts to her number. I hit call and waited for her to pick up. She didn't, so shoved my feet into my chucks and flew down the stairs.

"Where are you going?" My mom hollered after me.

"LATE AFTERNOON JOG!" I said back, if I was lucky I would catch her before she drove off.

Amazingly I made it to her house in half the time that it usually took me, except for that one time I thought I was being chased by a vampire. Her house looked the same as usual. It was one of the many brick and wooden townhouses that littered Greaton. In front of it was parked her old hatchback convertible. Relieved I began to walk into her house and saw that the door was slightly askew. I hesitantly opened the door, I never really knocked and it was always open but usually I could hear loud club music playing from inside her house. I walked inside, everything still looked the same boho chic style and nothing had been moved. I stopped walking when I realized that there was a voice speaking, it wasn't Ebony's voice, or even a women's voice. It was a man's voice and he sounded like he was farther back in the house in the one bedroom down stairs.

"Ebony, pick up. It's not as urgent as I had thought. Only two members of the Clave are temporarily residing in Greaton. None of the fair folk are here. If you move you have a greater likelihood of being found. Call me back," the man seemed to have hung up and he sighed. I then heard him begin to walk towards me and I dove behind the bar, hoping that he didn't take a detour into the kitchen. The foot steps got closer until they eventually lead away and I poked my head from behind the bar to see a tall man walking out the front door, the sun was setting and it was hard to decipher much else in her already dimly lit townhouse.

I climbed out from my hiding spot and my head was swimming with confusion. I was only completely sure of three things; first off, Ebony was definitely not in Greaton anymore. Secondly; she positively didn't leave because of her grandmother's illness, more likely some shady business. Lastly; I would find out who that man was, why she left and what the Fair Folk and Clave were.

I was about to leave her house but I stopped, I pulled off my bracelet and left it in her coffee table. If she did come back to her house, at least she'd know that I'd been here to say goodbye.