Simon was waiting in the library, wringing his hands as worry creased his forehead. Clary and Jace came in together and sat in the loveseat together, opposite Simon.
"Hey Simon! What's up? Isabelle said you wanted to talk about something important…" Clary said, trailing off as she saw Simon's worried face. Simon was the only vampire to have stepped into the Institute. No one knew exactly why, but Clary speculated that it had to do with the Mark of Cain that she had drawn on his forehead.
"Clary, I know I should've told you," Simon began, "and I'm really sorry I didn't, but you were all busy and in a way it was better that you weren't there." Clary and Jace looked at Simon in silence, waiting for him to continue. "I told my mom," he said.
"What did she say?" Clary asked concerned.
"You told her?" Jace said looking amused. "I really hope you didn't use the speech recommended in that book Luke gave you. However caring it may have been, using a gay speech to tell your mom that you're a vampire is just…wow.." Jace said, lost in his own thoughts.
"I did not tell my mom using that speech! I'm not that stupid you know!"
"Stop!" Clary said sharply. "Jace, don't say anything. This is serious. I know you were going to say some sarcastic remark. This is not the time for this!" Clary said exasperated.
"I was not going to say anything witty back, and even if I did, it would be to defend myself!"
Clary merely rolled her eyes and beckoned to Simon to continue. "What did she say Si? How did she take it? You should've told me! I would've helped you know! And I'm not so busy that I can't even take out some time for my best friend!" Clary said, upset with Simon's decision.
"I know, but it was better without you. She started crying Clary! Crying! She locked herself up in her room and kept blaming herself about how it was her fault. About how she'd let down my father, and how I'd go to hell. It was terrible. She pretended not to care, she really did, but I could see the hurt in her eyes. She still loves me, I know that, but she looks at me warily, as if I'm not the same! And my sister, she keeps denying it. As if denying it is going to make it go away, as if it's going to make me come back to life. Let's face it, I'm dead!" Simon shouted, his marble face impassive and impossible to read.
"Oh Simon!" Clary said sympathetically, getting up to comfort her best friend, and completely ignoring the fact that Jace was there, "its ok, she'll get over it, and at least she accepts you, and if there is anyone to blame for all this its me!"
"No," Simon said, looking deathly serious, "no Clary, no. Never, ever, at any point in your life do I want you to blame yourself for this. Ever! Do you understand Clary? Never! Promise me! Promise me now!" he said, getting eerily protective and hyper.
"I promise Simon, I promise," Clary said, scared by the look on Simon's face. "Anyway," she said, trying to change the subject and shake away the feeling of fear that she had felt a few seconds ago, "what are you going to do now Si?"
"You know how I told you I wanted to go to high school and lead a normal life? Well, I don't think I can, not with my mom looking the way she is. I can't stay here anymore Clary, so I'm going to Idris. Vampires are allowed there now, and there is something I need to do."
"Ask out Maia?" Clary asked happily, her former fear had dissipated upon seeing Simon look so happy. She was glad that Simon had found the right person. She was beginning to fear that she had broken his heart forever. And his unusual behavior a few minutes ago had really frightened her.
"Is it that obvious?" Simon asked smiling to himself. Maia had been made Luke's second in command and was representing the werewolves in Idris. "Yes," Clary said, "it's very obvious that she likes you too. I'm sure you two will be very happy in Idris."
"Really?" Simon asked, all traces of his previous seriousness gone, replaced by a childish grin on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes," Clary said confidently, hugging Simon.
"Ahem!" Jace said interrupting, "I hate to break up this little reunion, but its time for dinner. Don't worry," he said seeing Clary's face, "I ordered take out. Thank god Isabelle didn't cook anything. Anyway, while we wait, Simon you said you wanted some advice…at least that's what Isabelle told me. She was probably wrong though…" he said.
"No, she was right, I do need help from you actually," Simon said, gracefully getting up from the sofa. "I was kinda hoping you could tell me exactly how to ask out a girl. You know, since I'm going to ask Maia and all…" he said. Jace grinned. "You've come to the right man Simon!" he said, putting an arm around Simon's shoulders. They both disappeared down the corridor, leaving Clary in the library gaping.
"I liked it better when they hated each other," Clary said laughing.