Will hated that over-clean scent of hospitals and medicine stores. It always reminded him of Jem's hospital visits. When they were younger, Charlotte had taken Jem to his doctor checkings, but as years went by, Will had taken over quite perfectly of all Jem's caring.
Jem was everything he had. Jem was his conscious, his comfort, his reason... Everything.
Few times in past couple years Jem had got so weak, Will had called ambulance middle of the night and had practically torn Charlotte away from Jem to go with Jem by himself instead.
Lung-cancer. That's what doctors had finally found from Jem's lungs for causing his blood-coughing and trouble of breathing.
"And what you need young man?" Older woman asked and Will handed her papers Jem gave him.
Woman eyed the papers and shook her head, "Mrs. Brandwell usually get this boy's medicines from-"
"Well Charlotte is currently busy, deal with it and give me the god damn medicines- or if my brother dies because of you, I build his coffin of your fat bones." Will snapped.
Woman was very still, looking Will with shocked expression.
Will closed his eyes, thinking how Jem always said: "Take deep breath and count to ten. You'll find it's easier to hold back your temper."
"I'm sorry." Will muttered, fixing his blue eyes to older woman's face, trusting that his adorable puppy-look worked on this woman as it worked for every other.
Woman nodded slightly and went to get Jem's medicines. Will flashed a charming smile to her and paid the medicines before breaking to run and headed towards the orphanage.
"H-hey, excuse me..." Gentle female voice called after him.
Will rolled his eyes, his handsomeness was his blessing and his curse.
"What?!" He asked, slowing down and turned around but kept walking backwards- not willing to stop.
Brown haired, lovely young woman walked towards him and reached her delicate hand to give him something.
"You dropped this." She said, gray-blue eyes shining warmly.
Will took small package she held for him. "Thanks..." He muttered, checking his plastic bag had he dropped anything else. Jem needed all of these, if he was so careless... But everything was there.
"Thanks." Will said again and looked at the girl again.
She smiled. "You welcome."
"Look, no offence but I'm in hurry." Will said and turned around, running across the street and back to orphanage.
When he came back, he found Jem and Charlotte from kitchen having sandwiches. He run upstairs to drop Jem's medicines there and went to join them.
"Ah, Will, where have you been?" Charlotte asked.
Will, panting slightly from all running, sat down next to Jem. "Out."
"Without me?" Jem said with pretended hurt and Will grinned, patting Jem's shoulder.
"I met quite a lovely young woman. I might introduce you two later."
"Aah, that explains the color on your cheeks." Jem teased.
Will blinked. "I don't-"
Jem looked momentarily confused, then he smiled again. "You did meet a girl out there, didn't you?" He asked in low voice so Charlotte won't hear.
"Passing by- yeah." Will shrugged.
Jem laughed, "You're blushing Herondale."
Will slapped Jem's shoulder lightly, barely able to hide his grin "Shut up."
"Will, Jem." Charlotte said and two boys turned their attention to her. "As you know, the ladies who came here this morning were interested of meeting you, and-"
"Don't bother anymore Charlotte." Will said. "We're almost 18, we will leave soon and move to some flat on our own and we're out of your sight."
Charlotte sighed, "Will... You know quite well why I don't like the idea the two of you living alone."
Jem looked down to his hands which were resting on his lap.
Will looked at Jem and then Charlotte, blue eyes flashing like thunder. "We're not kids anymore Charlotte. I've managed to take care of Jem pretty damn fine. And he's not helpless himself."
"Yes, I'm aware of that." Charlotte said patiently.
Jem looked up at Charlotte again. "I think, it's not much use to sent us to any foster-family now anymore. We are almost 18, we don't need guardians then."
"But you do need money, and place to stay." Charlotte said. "Those ladies, are rather rich and they have no children of their own, no family. They don't have energy to raise little children, and they need someone to take over their fortune when they pass away. They saw picture of Will, and they wanted to adopt him. I told them that Will won't come alone, and they were agreeable to take Jem in too. They are aware of Jem's condition, and they even offered to pay all necessary operations for him..." Charlotte's gaze fixed on Will. "Jem could get into operation now and he could live normal life. Longer life."
Jem was speechless, but Charlotte knew that Jem won't go anywhere without Will. If Will refused to go, Jem would refuse as well without even trying to talk his friend over.
Will looked at Jem and then back to Charlotte. "That kind of charity comes with price. What they want from us?"
"They want family."
Jem and Will looked at each other.
"We can meet them, but we're not agreeing to anything yet." Will said and stood up. "Jem."
Jem nodded and stood up as well, leaving with Will to upstairs.
"I don't think they want us just to give their fortune for us." Will said as they closed door of Jem's room behind them.
"I find that quite weird as well." Jem said thoughtfully, sitting down to his bed.
Will went to look out of window. "I have a feeling they want something from us."
"Or rather from you." Jem said. "They didn't want me originally. They wanted you. By your looks. Makes me rather wonder why..."
Will shuddered. "That brings up most disturbing images to my mind..."
Jem smiled. "Your twisted imagination always have to add something disgusting to everything. What were you thinking? Serving two old women wearing nothing but underwear? Oh I'm sure they'd like it."
Will made gagging sound and Jem laughed.
"Hey,.. That's the girl who- I mean.. Who I saw today." Will said suddenly, pointing out of window.
Jem stood up and walked over to look out as well.
"The brown haired one?"
Will rolled his eyes. "How many others you see there?"
Jem pointed to some distance away from brown haired girl. There was blonde girl who looked around in disgust.
"There. Or am I imagining a terrible snob wandering near by our precious shelter? I must be more sick than I thought."
"Will! Jem!" Charlotte called from downstairs.
Will and Jem looked at each other and shrugged before going down.
"Will and Jem, this is Theresa Gray and this is Jessamine Lovelace." Charlotte introduced. "These are William Herondale and James Carstairs-Herondale."
Jem smiled friendly at new girls and Will narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Call me Tessa, everyone does." Brown haired girl said with kind smile.
"Ah, well then you must call Jem and this is Will." Jem said.
"Tessa and Jessamine are here temporarily. Their parents are dead and no relatives could take them in- so we offered to take them here until their situations are cleared." Charlotte said.
"Are you two sisters?" Jem asked.
Tessa chuckled and shood her head and Jessamine made disgusted sound. "Noo! Isn't it obvious we're nothing alike." Jessamine said.
Jem and Will looked at each other and shrugged.
"Could you show Tessa and Jessamine to their rooms?" Charlotte asked from boys.
"Dear me, always a tour guide duties..." Will said.
Jem patted his shoulder. "Take comfort from that you make quite hilarious guide indeed."
Will grinned, "That I do." He indicated Tessa and Jessamine to follow. "Come on Tessa and Ms. Dramaqueen."
Tessa laughed and Jessamine looked horrified. "What you called me?!" She said in nagging tone.
"I think he found out your inner most secret." Tessa said and went after Will and Jem to upstairs.
"I hate them! I hate this place" Jessamine muttered while following after them.