A/N: Who's ready for the party? I know I am! :D

Chapter 7

(Evangeline POV)

We finally arrived at the party, which was being held in the industrial section of Brooklyn at Magnus's house, as Izzy explained to me on the way. All the way there, Jace had been making eyes at me, so I felt a little embarrassed at the attention.

The four of us—I assumed that Clary couldn't make it—approached the apartment building, out of which was wafting muffled techno music. Alec in particular seemed really peppy and excited, but that was only to be expected because he was about to see his boyfriend, who I couldn't wait to meet. We went inside and I instantly noticed that the place was packed with Downworlders. They were everywhere! Dancing, laughing, socializing, everything.

Alec suddenly grew animated and yelled, "Magnus!"

Then he ran up to someone who was very tall, and kissed him in front of everyone. It didn't last too long, and then they walked hand-in-hand towards us.

Magnus was well over six feet tall and as skinny as a telephone pole. His hair was sparkly and gelled away from his face, which in turn was covered in glittery makeup. He was wearing tight red leather pants, and a black vest over a bare chest. Overall, he and Alec made a neat pair of opposites, and therefore a very adorable couple.

"Isabelle," he said cordially in a languorous voice by way of greeting, nodding at her and then Jace. "Blond one." And then he saw me, eyebrows rising towards his shimmering hairline. "And who is this? I wasn't aware of another Lightwood."

Izzy told him, "This is our cousin. She lives with us now."

"Pleased to meet you," I said nervously, because I had never met a warlock before, especially such a flamboyant and good-looking one.

Magnus seemed amused. "You look like a combination of these two," he said, pointing a finger lazily to Alec and Isabelle. "How quaint."

My eyebrows furrowed, confused at his wording. "What?"

He laughed exuberantly, and then said, "It's very nice to meet you too. What's your name?"

"Evangeline Trueblood," I responded.

"Evangeline. Lovely name. Well." He stretched lazily, a bit like a cat. "Do enjoy the party, all of you. Alec?" With that, he held out his hand to his boyfriend, who had been staring at him adoringly the whole time he was talking. Alec took it, and the two of them walked away from the rest of us.

Isabelle stared at their retreating figures, smiling. "Typical. They're probably going to make out now. Speaking of which, I need to find a new romantic interest. Should I go with a fey or vampire? I can't decide."

Jace had his sunglasses on, although we were indoors and in a dim room. He suggested, "Go with a vampire. The fey are notoriously high-maintenance."

"Good point. See you guys later," Izzy said, beginning to walk away and then pausing. "Jace, be nice to Evangeline. Talk. Mingle. Show her around."

"I'll be fine," he said airily, putting his hands in his pockets. I registered that he looked very handsome, despite the moderately silly outfit. "Go on. Find a vampire boy-toy."

"I think I will," she told him defiantly, flouncing off.

Then, Jace turned to me, smirking. Abruptly, my pulse sped up. "So, Evangeline. I believe that this is our first conversation."

"I suppose it is," I said back, trying to stay normal.

"Want to go upstairs to the main room?"

I nodded and adjusted my fedora hat. "Sure."

As we started to navigate the crowd, Jace took hold of my hand. When he saw my surprised (and blushing) face, he told me, "It's just so that you don't get lost. There are lots of unsavory types that come to these things."

"Okay," I said. We went upstairs and located an empty couch near one wall, where we sat down and started talking.

Hours later, we were still talking. It turned out that Jace was really funny and surprisingly sweet, and his charisma rubbed off on me a little. I found myself coming out of my shell a bit more as we chatted and laughed like old friends. And it was as if we were old friends, in a way. After only a few hours of conversation, I felt like I had known Jace for years. It just seemed right, almost, and our conversation flowed easily and naturally.

But after awhile, we weren't talking as much. But don't think that that means that we were bored, because we weren't. We were sitting very close together and Jace had put his arm around me an hour before. Now we were both lost in each other's eyes (as he had removed his sunglasses after I pointed out how ridiculous they were), me staring up at his beautiful face. He was so handsome, and charming, and everything that a girl could want. And around Jace, I wasn't as shy as I usually was. It was nice, having a quiet moment or two while the party roared around us.

And eventually, Jace bent his face down just a bit to make our lips touch. I got lost in it for about a second, caught up in the romanticism and drama, until I realized exactly what was happening. I pulled back, alarmed. "Jace, what are you doing?" I whispered, not out of trying to keep my voice down but out of emotion.

"Trying to kiss you," he replied honestly, cupping my face in one of his warm hands and gazing at me. "Why, is everything alright?"

I had just had my first kiss, and it was everything I expected and wanted since I was a little girl. Except for one thing. "What about Clary?"

"What about her?" He lightly kissed me again, the pressure of his lips on mine almost making me lose it entirely.

But I drew back again. "You're confusing me, Jace. Just two days ago, you two seemed so happy, and now you're acting like you're interested in me instead."

"That's because I am interested in you. Evangeline, you're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. I thought I'd seen beauty before, but I was wrong. And you're… nice, too. And smart. Not just a pretty face."

I blushed, both at his kiss and comments. "Really?"

"Of course. I feel like I've known you forever."

I giggled at his sweetness, and this time I leaned in to kiss him.

Eventually he deepened it slightly, removing my hat and tangling his fingers in my long straight hair. And I kissed him back, utterly in bliss.

Until I saw someone standing in front of us out of my peripheral vision. I pulled back in embarrassment and saw… Clary. "Jace?" she cried uncomprehendingly.

"Shit, Clary," he said quietly. "This-"

She shrieked, drowning out whatever response he was forming, "NO! What do you think you're doing?!"

I let my head fall into my lap, unable to believe that all of this was happening. It had transformed from the best night of my life to the worst in just a matter of seconds. My life was over.

A/N: :( I'm sorry, but it had to be done for the purposes of the plot. xoxo