Chapter 5:
Maia was hiding behind a potted plant. She had just escaped the crowd and was still haunted by the terror of being stepped and poked by the hyper people.
"Hi."
Maia whirled around. A tall, dark skinned boy was standing behind her. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the mutilated skin on the boy's cheek. Maia felt her insides curl up when she saw his hideous scar.
"Are you here for the concert?" The boy continued, "I'm also going there too. Can I join you?"
"Um, what?" Maia sputtered. "Sorry I came here with somebody. My boyfriend. He's around here somewhere."
Smooth, Maia. Real smooth.
"Actually, I'm just lost. Am I bothering you?"
"No no no no no no," Maia rushed out. She couldn't believe how self important she just sounded. He probably thinks I'm a bitch.
"Sorry, it's just-I'm so sorry. Um, I'm also lost so uh, two brains are better than one anyway so, yeah, you can join me. I mean if you want to, I'm not forcing you," Maia blathered.
The boy smiled
"I'll take your offer. My name's Bat if it makes you feel better."
Maia could only nod because her mouth was clamped shut, the only way to stop her rambling. This boy, with his scar and height, would not be hard to follow in crowds.
—
"Dude, we're up in like fifteen minutes! You done?!" Eric yelled from the stage entrance. "We can't mess up like last time!"
Simon hastily took off his headphones.
"Yeah, I know! Give me a second!" He called back
Ever since the interview, Simon's mind kept wandering back to Clary. He hoped he wouldn't mess up during the performance. Yesterday was a disaster, only their managers smooth talking could cover up their blunder. If he repeated the mistake again, Eric would kill him. Worse, he would be kicked out of the band.
A pair of arms suddenly interlocked around Simon's neck.
"What are you doing here?" Simon asked without turning around. There was only one person who would brazenly do this.
"The seats were overcrowded," Isabelle whined. She knew her arms and waist had permanent bruises from sharp elbows and purses. "The people there do not know the difference between smelling like Eau de Parfum or a flower in heat. Besides," she purred, dragging her hands up Simon's hips seductively, "I had something else in mind."
Simon sighed. He wasn't really in the mood for a quick make out. Eric was waiting.
"You can go to the VIP room if you don't like it here. Here's the pass."
Isabelle's face scrunched up.
"I was hoping I could stay here."
"Sorry but it's going to be pretty hectic back here. You'll just be in their way."
With that, Simon left leaving a disappointed Isabelle holding onto a faded yellow VIP pass in her hands.
—
Clary quickly ducked her head into her hair but forgot that she had chopped off her curtain into a lamp shade.
"Sorry," she muttered as she ran as fast as she could into the elevator.
Her thumb jammed into the button with one on it. Clary cursed the doors for being so slow. Just as the doors touched, they slid open again.
In walked Jace who looked at Clary in amusement. Awkward silence ensued. Clary's turned away so she could glare numbers that slowly changed as if mocking her.
"So, uh, I'm sorry for bumping into you," Jace said, an effort at breaking the tension.
Clary could only nod. Jace rarely started conversations so she was surprised with the sudden change. What happened to acting like everyone was below him?
"Are you here for the concert?"
"Yes," Clary whispered.
Maybe he had changed. Maybe during the years she was gone, he slowly got more and more—
"Honestly, those tickets are a waste of your money. What's so good about dyed hair and piercings?" Jace added.
Never mind.
Clary ran out as soon as the littlest sliver appeared between the doors. She needed to run before Jace doubled back to see her face. However, somewhere deep inside her when she was walking away, Clary wanted Jace to call out to her. Shout her name as she turned to him. Run up to her and grasp her tightly with his arms. She wanted to sink her face into his chest. She wanted to be safe inside him. Clary yearned for him. But it was too late to turn back.