A/N: I really love writing Simon. :D He's so adorkable. Enjoy!
Chapter 31
(Simon POV)
My cell phone was ringing, specifically to the tune of "Bananaphone", thus interrupting my nap. "Uuuuuugh," I groaned unenthusiastically, nonetheless rolling out of bed and answering it. "Hello?"
"Hey, Simon, it's me," said a very recognizable and alluring voice. Jace?! Since when did he even have my number? Did Isabelle give it to him or something? "You sound tired. Are you alright?"
"Never better," I lied, leaning on my bed and trying to wake up.
"Good. I hope you're sitting down, because Isabelle had the best idea that I've ever heard in my life, and I needed to tell you as soon as possible."
I was skeptical, because it wasn't really like Jace to use such a flagrant hyperbole. Unless he wasn't being facetious… "Okay…"
He plowed on, tripping over his words in a way that made my suspicions grow. "Well, Izzy and I were talking about the relationship drama that's been happening lately, and she just sort of suggested that the four of us—you know, you, the girls, and me—should be a… 'quartet', I think was her exact wording. Polyamory. A four-way relationship!"
Words died in my throat, and I was rendered speechless. I couldn't even think properly. It was like an anvil had been dropped on me or something. Like a piano. That made me think about my awkward time in the music room with Jace, which really wasn't helping the situation…
"Simon? You still there?"
"Uh-huh," I intoned vaguely, incapable of speaking clearly.
"Well, what do you think?"
I finally found my voice. "I-I don't know what to think." What would my mother say about a relationship like that, a 'quartet'? Clary's mother? What would society think? It was bad enough that I would be frozen as a sixteen year old boy forever. Polyamory? Really?
"Can you at least acknowledge that it's a good idea?"
I'd dated two girls at the same time in the past, and I'd been regretting it ever since. If we went through with Jace's idea, I'd be dating two girls and a guy… Clary and Evangeline and Jace… "I don't know! I need time to think, okay?"
"Okay," he said reluctantly.
"I'll call you back when I have an answer. Bye," I said, not waiting for him to respond as I hung up the phone.
Then I flopped onto my mattress, looking up at the white ceiling above me and trying to whittle my thoughts down to something intelligible. I was still in love with Clary, I knew that. And I was sort of dating Evangeline. And I was anxious to kiss Jace again, if not more…
But did that mean I wanted a relationship with all of them at once? And I was probably just lusting after Jace (the horror), so a relationship or whatever couldn't possibly work out…
And yet... The more I considered it, the better it seemed. I wouldn't have to choose one of them over the others. Images started drifting through my mind—Clary and Evangeline kissing at Spin the Bottle, Clary and Jace always together, the obvious chemistry between Evangeline and Jace. And then myself kissing Clary, Evangeline, and Jace in that order… And then I started imagining our possible future together, like doing household things and waking up to see all of them with me, or maybe just one or two. The possibilities were endless.
I could feel my heartbeat gaining pace as I considered the four of us together intimately. And living together, never getting bored, because there were just enough options to keep things interesting.
The next thing I knew, I was holding my phone against my ear and the other side was ringing. "Well, that was quick," said Jace, sounding pleased as he picked up.
"Let's try it," I said breathlessly. "I'm not committing to anything, but I'm willing to try."
I heard him laugh. "I'm glad that you agree with me. I have to admit, I was getting worried for about thirty seconds there."
Something occurred to me. "My only stipulation is that you propose the idea to Clary." She was unpredictable and I didn't want to deal with the possible consequences.
"Deal."
Then I thought about something. "Um… Evangeline and I were going to go on a date later. I guess I can bring it up to her…"
Jace laughed again. "Good luck."
"Good luck with Clary," I retorted cheekily. "Well, I guess that's all I have to say."
"Okay. I guess I'll talk to you la—"
"Wait!" I interrupted suddenly, blushing at my next statement. "So, since you want the four of us together, I assume that means you're… attracted to me or whatever." The second it left my lips, I regretted saying it and started mentally kicking myself.
"Simon," he said flatly, "of course I'm attracted to you. It's about time that I stop denying it. Is that all?"
"Yeah, that's all!" I replied in a really weird voice that was equal parts breathy and overly-cheery. "I'll talk to you later or something. Bye, Jace!" Immediately, I hung up the phone and flopped back on my bed, agonizing over my lack of decision making skills in what to say.
The rest of the late morning passed by in a daze, and then I found myself waiting in the Institute for Evangeline, so we could embark on our date and see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I was all jittery from my conversation with Jace earlier, especially because I was going to pitch the idea to Evangeline at some point.
I was leaning on a couch's armrest and fiddling with the cuffs of my button-down shirt until I looked up and saw Evangeline framed in the doorway. She was just as beautiful as always, wearing a very flattering red dress with her hair actually up for once. I hadn't seen her with her hair in a bun before, and it drew my attention to her long, graceful neck. Damn vampire instincts, I thought grumpily.
"You look incredible," I told her.
She blushed. "Thanks. You look very handsome, yourself."
Did I? I didn't usually get compliments. I could feel my chest puffing out instinctively and a smile spreading across my face. "Are you ready, then? The show's at 2:00, so we should probably go…"
"I'm ready whenever you are."
I held out my arm in traditional gentleman fashion, and mimed a respectful bow. "My lady?"
Evangeline giggled and threaded her arm through mine. "Thank you, good sir." Who said that chivalry was dead?
Together, we exited the Institute and started walking towards the subway station in great moods. And so our date officially began. I just needed to find an opportunity to tell Evangeline about Jace's idea…
A/N: Who's ready for their big date? ;) Review! xoxo