Chapter 6:

Maia looked around. Where is he? The mysterious boy, Bat, had left after walking her to the VIP seats. How did he even know that I had VIP seats? Maia decided to shrug it off as she navigated the packed VIP balcony.

Out of the corner of her eye, Maia noticed another girl trying to make her way to her seat. Apparently, Maia wasn't the only late one.

Maia saw Clary sitting in the corner while her bag saved a seat for Maia. Clary seemed to be gazing into the middle distance, as if contemplating life. Mid-life crisis, Maia thought. I gotchu my friend. Now, where is Simon? Maia turned around but she couldn't find Simon. Why do I feel like I'm the only responsible one?

Maia tried to enjoy the concert without Clary and Simon but it was hard. The lights that flashed in the dark left scars on her vision. She had expected the VIP balcony to be close to the stage but Maia couldn't see anything but a couple blurry figures. Oh well, at least the music was nice.

However, as she kept squinting at the lead singer, Maia felt his features becoming sharper and more familiar. She tilted her head to the side and leaned closer. He looked like…

"Simon!"

Maia covered her mouth but luckily, the music was loud enough to cover her outburst. When she looked back, she saw that Simon was looking at her. His mouth quirked up and he winked at her. Maia shook Clary's arm only to find that it wasn't there. Hell, even its owner wasn't there.

—

Clary was still shaken from seeing Jace in the hotel. The flashing lights and loud, rock music did not help her, and her forehead starting to throb again. She had excused herself quietly but Clary was sure Maia didn't hear her.

Outside, in the dim hallway, Clary curled up against the wall. Her thoughts were running a marathon in her mind. What is he doing here? If he is here, are they here too? Breathing in and out slowly, the girl managed to calm her heart and recollect her thoughts. Whatever I need to do, my priority is to stay away from them. No matter what.

By the time Clary came back, the concert was over.

"Great timing," Maia said as they left the box.

Clary only smiled ruefully and made no reply. As they walked out of the building, Maia updated Clary on what happened when she was gone.

"So I can't tell you what was going on cause there was so much screaming and music and lights and all but I can tell you about the lady making out with her boyfriend next to me not because I like porn or because their moaning was louder than the music, which was true, but because the woman shoved her hand into my vagina and tried to get me to join them," Maia said in a straight face leaving Clary bending over in laughter. Being with Maia made Clary forget her problems.

Wiping tears from her eyes, Clary replied, "Did you?"

"Jesus Christ Clary! And literally Jesus Christ because you need some Jesus. I would never do that. Besides I'm seeing someone."

Maia suddenly remembered her fascinating discovery.

"Oh right, you know my date, Simon?"

Clary instantly sobered when she heard the name Simon. So much for forgetting.

"Yeah. What was his last name again?"

"I don't remember," Maia frowned, "but I do know that he was the lead singer of the band that was performing tonight!"

The Wikipedia page popped up inside Clary's mind. "Ohh, Lovelace right?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Are you going to call him and have sex in his hotel room?"

Maia punched Clary in the arm playfully. She liked to take things slow.

While they were walking out of Eidolon, Maia saw a shadowy figure standing outside. Maia knew immediately who he was.

"Hey Clary can you wait inside for a bit?" Maia pleaded.

"Sure. You can make out as long as you want," Clary said.

Maia smacked her again. Even though they had started to warm up to each other only a couple days ago, she and Clary were like old friends.

The temperature had done a 180 and Maia found herself shivering in her tank top and shorts as soon as she stepped outside.

"Simon!"

The singer turned around.

"Maia?"

"Wassup. How are you doing? Your concert was awesome! Those beats were—" Maia made the Italian hand gesture— "I'm going to download your album as soon as I get home."

"Aww, thanks, Maia."

As an artist, Simon was touched. That was just what he needed to hear after the incident yesterday. He looked down in embarrassment and saw Maia's knees knocking together.

"Holy shit, Maia, you must be so cold. Here, wear my jacket," Simon said as he wrapped her with his leather jacket.

"Thank you," Maia blushed. Bracing herself, Maia blurted, "Do you want to go to karaoke someday?"

—

Simon's mind went blank. When he saw the red-faced girl staring out the window he had felt bad for her and ate with her so she wouldn't feel bad. He had only thought of Maia as a friend and had given those tickets to her as a gift. Or did he? Maybe he had an ulterior motive. Maybe, he had given her those tickets so he could see her again.

Suddenly, Isabelle's face flashed in his eyes. Her eyes were widened in horror and hurt. Her mouth quivered and twitched. Tears streamed down her face and rolled off her chin. The image twisted Simon's heart, shoving guilt and shame into it. But. It was just an image. A figment of his voices popped inside Simon's head.

No, you are not a cheater. Don't do it, one commanded.

But, look at her face! She's blushing, thes other crooned.

No! Don't! The voice was screaming now. Think about Izzy!

She's so cute, the other sighed.

Simon felt his heart beat faster. He couldn't say no. No, it was more like he didn't want to. The tour was stressful. The fans were needy. The reporters were obstinate. Izzy was mercurial. Simon wanted to have fun. To have a moment of silence. A change of pace. He wanted to walk through the streets of the rustic city and sip coffee at a table in front of a cafe. He wanted to laugh and talk about trivial things. Simon wanted a friend he could vent his feelings to.

Besides, who said it was a date?

But…

Come onnnnnnnnnnnnn!

Okay...

"Sure."

Maia's face lit up. Her eyes turned into sparkling crescents and her mouth stretched wide, showing off small teeth. Her cheeks were flushed and beautiful. She was glowing.

Besides, I'm leaving in a week. We'll be nothing more than strangers, Simon assured himself like an alcoholic promises that it will be the last drink.

In the end, however, the drinker will wake up with a pounding headache and a bill they can't pay.

—

The bus came screeching to a stop. Clary while pulling a daydreaming Maia onboard, tripped on the steps. A firm hand reached out to grab her arm. Clary's eyes traveled down the arm to a wiry and thin body to the person's blue eyes. Clary wrenched her arm out of the stranger's hold and hurried up the stairs, dragging Maia with her. The bus roared away leaving a dumbfounded Alec at the bus stop.