Chapter 2, Everybody!

P.S. I don't own MI (or anything else for that matter) at all. Ugh.

Song: Fix You, Coldplay

Alec rounded a corner, sprinting toward his and Isabelle's wing of the Institute. The wallpaper blurred into streaks as Alec's converse pounded down the carpet-padded hallway. Tears were already streaming down his face when he burst into Izzy's room. She was sitting at her vanity mirror putting on Barbie-brand makeup when she heard the door slam open.

Alec saw the surprise on her multicolored face as she took in the sight of him. It was no wonder. I bet I look like crap. Alec glanced in her mirror on impulse, just to confirm his fears.

Alec's midnight-dark hair was defying gravity, sticking out at the sides and straight up at the top. His fighting gear was still on from training, except that it was dusty and looked slept in. A cut oozed blood from Alec's hand. God, I didn't even notice. What scared him the most, though, were his eyes. His usually calm deep-blue irises were hectic, the rest of his eyes were red and puffy, swollen. A sob escaped his chest.

Isabelle, snapping out of her second-long trance, came to his side and guided him onto her Cheetah Girls bedspread. "What is it Alec? What happened? Did you get stung, bit, scratched? Did Jace hit you too hard? Here, I'll get my stele." Geez, just what I need right now. My sister playing my mom. Well, I guess she is just trying to help.

"No, Izzy. It's nothing like that."

"Well, what happened? Are you sure you didn't get hurt? You look pretty messed up. Here let me…

"No. Stop. I don't need an iratze. Just listen to me! Okay? Are you going to stop looking for demon stings?"

Izzy looked taken aback. "Yes?" It sounded more like a question than an answer to Alec's ears.

"Good." Alec took a long, shuddering breath, trying to blink away the tears. But the prospect of what he was going to do just made him start crying again. After a minute of this, Alec realized that he would have to give up on being macho during this particular conversation.

"Izzy, sissy, I think… I think… No. I know… Izzy. I'm gay."

Isabelle sat up straight like she had just been shocked by an empty socket and stared at him.

Alec sobbed so hard he almost threw up. The look on her face. That horrible look on her face. It's all over. I'm done. Dead. She thinks I'm a freak. She'll tell mom. Oh, God. She'll tell Dad. No. Isabelle looked scared of him. Bewildered. Slowly, her face relaxed again. That dreadful look on her face faded into something thoughtful and sad at the same time. She looked down at her hands as if to study them. Finally, after a pained silence, Isabelle Lightwood looked up at her brother.

"Alec. Alec, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I looked at you that way. I just… I've never met someone… Mom and Dad… I'm sorry. I'm ashamed of myself."

"It's okay, Iz. I think I would have looked at me that way too."

"Oh, Alec. You shouldn't say that. You've done nothing wrong. Hell, Alec. You should Not say that. You can't. Don't you dare start being ashamed or hating yourself for this. It's just the way you are. Neither you, nor I, nor anyone else can change it. And I don't think they should. Alec, you're perfect, just the way you are. And I love you, just the way you are. Nothing could change that. Especially not whether you like girls or boys."

Alec did not know that he had been holding his breath. He let it out in a whoosh and looked at his sister, half expecting her to take it all back. "You really think that?"

"I know it. With my whole heart." Tears ran down her cheeks, leaving tracks of mascara running down her face. The tiara that had been sitting on her jet-black hair was now slightly askew. Suddenly, she grabbed Alec's hand and pulled him closer to her. He rested his head on her shoulder and listened to their sobs mixing together in a harmony of relief.

When their tears had finally run their course, Alec broke the hug and curled up on Izzy's Cheetah-clad bed, using her new whip as a pillow. Isabelle hesitated for a moment and decided to go back to her vanity mirror, knowing that Alec was going to be okay without her.

"Izzy?" Alec asked quietly.

"Yes?"

"You said H-E-Double Hockey Sticks."

"It'll be our little secret."

Alec didn't quite know which secret she was talking about, but he knew that he would keep both of them hidden deep in his heart.

"Izzy?"

"What is it, Alec?"

"You look like a clown."

Isabelle sighed. "Yes, I know, Alec. I'm switching to Covergirl."

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