Chapter 3:
Maia looked around. She had been waiting for ten minutes in a restaurant called Taki's and her blind date still wasn't here. She was getting more and more flustered as the seconds ticked by. Whoever her mystery date was, her opinion of him was sinking quicker than a ship's anchor.
Maia had just made up her mind to leave after too many quizzical stares from the customers when someone tapped her shoulder. She twisted to see a man towering over her. His glasses slipped down his nose when he looked at Maia and his hair mastered the messy look many boys could only dream of. When he looked at Maia, his lips split into a toothy grin. Maia knew this boy was her date.
Their magical moment was ruined, however, when the boy opened his mouth and said, "Are you from Tennessee? Cause you're the only ten-I-see!"
Maia's face fell immediately. Puns were the bane of her existence.
The boy must've noticed because his confident stance gave away.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I just don't know any good conversation starters and," the boy paused to take a breath. "Honestly, are you my mystery date? Cause I don't want to embarrass my real date by going with a random person I think is hot."
Maia was already in love with him.
"You're cute," her mouth said, before she could stop it.
The boy stopped his ramblings.
"Um, what? Thanks, I guess?"
The blushing couple made their way to the table to order their food. Despite his outer appearance, Maia's date was really sweet.
"So, I like music, Star Wars, and Overwatch," the boy said when they decided to say their hobbies.
"Oh, me too!" Maia chimed excitedly. "I love Overwatch! I also play…"
Maia was too busy chatting and laughing with her mystery date to notice the time. She couldn't believe how many common interests they had. Maia made a side note to rate the dating app five stars.
Time flew by and Maia did not know that they had spent two hours together until a waitress politely told them that there were customers waiting. Donning their coats, Maia and her date got up to leave. Maia was too absorbed with her date that she did not notice a boy sitting in a booth in the corner holding a picture of her. When he saw her and then her mystery date, the boy's expression became stormy and he crumpled the picture.
Maia's date opened front door and held it for her. They hugged goodbye with plans to meet again. Just as she was walking down the street, she remembered something.
Dashing back to the boy, she asked, "I'm sorry, I never got your name."
"Lewis, Simon Lewis," was the reply.
—
Clary was making a green tea mocha when a group of girls walked in chatting loudly.
"Omg, did you guys hear?!" one screeched.
"Mortal Instruments are in town! And we got tickets!" another literally howled.
"I think I'm going to faint. Eric is so hot!" another gushed.
"Not as hot as Simon!" the last one argued.
Clary wanted to shut the Instagrammers up but was intrigued when they mentioned Simon. They might not even be the same person but still. It had been three years and she wanted to see what he was up to.
Clary typed Mortal Instruments into the search engine in the computer lab. Wikipedia was the first to pop up. Clary clicked on the link. The first paragraph said Mortal Instruments was formed seven years ago and debuted three years ago. The band currently consists of four people.
Clary's eyes scanned the webpage until she saw the name Simon… Lovelace. Not the one she knew. Disappointed, she turned the computer off. Clary chastised herself for feeling hopeful. She had ran away. Why would she expect them to chase her?