Chapter 8: New Years'

I know, I suck! I haven't been on FanFiction for months! I don't like getting on the computer so I just stall on writing, and then I got a tablet for Christmas and it broke the second I finished writing this chapter, so I had to return it, which takes me a while since I actually have a life and then I have to rewrite this chapter, have someone beta it, and then... well I just posted it. So sorry! I am staying home sick today and I will spend the whole time writing! (But I really am sick, so it might not be that great)

Next two chapters will be when it goes down, so keep a look out!

And, as usual, thank Jillessa!

Disclaimer: yadhayhada Cassandra Clare.

Tessa's P.O.V.

I looked in the mirror, frowning at my reflection. God, I hated the days when I actually looked good but no one would even see me. On the days I looked like shit, I was usually surrounded by people. Just my luck, wasn't it?

I sighed, pulling on a large sweater, one that went almost to mid-thigh. I admit, over the past few months I panicked. Seeing myself crushing over two guys that were dating each other seriously lowered myself-worth. So I went back to the foster home that took care of me before the Fray's welcomed me into their family to help out.

Obviously, I wanted to be home for the holidays, so I came back on Christmas Eve. Now it was the New Year's Eve, and I am back together, and looking good. I pulled on a runaway strand of dark hair that escaped from my braid. My makeup was so on point, you couldn't even tell I was wearing any. My jean leggings and over-sized sweater look was getting famous, so it didn't look weird anymore. I had a long pendant necklace with my signature angel on it, which actually complemented the outfit. I was looking good for once, and I felt good too.

I pulled out the most worn book on my shelf and perched myself in my favorite window seat, starting the book from a random page. All of a sudden, flash, flash, flash, a light was shining right in my eyes, blinding me before it swung away again.

"What the hell…" I muttered, pulling myself up farther to see out the window. There was little white spots where the snow hadn't melted in the shadows, and it was suddenly dark out—how long had I been reading?—but what caught my eye was a person, his face hidden in the shadows of the yard. Suddenly, the figure stepped forward, and in the window across the strip of grass was Will, holding a flashlight and a notebook, a wicked grin on his face. He held up the notebook.

'Hi!' It read. Before I could stop it, a grin spread across my face. In seconds, I was on my knees scrambling for a binder and pen in my bench.

"Hi!" I wrote back, a huge smiley face beneath it. He was already writing the next card, and I waited anxiously to see what it said.

"Party at my house. You want to come?" the sign read, and he pleaded with his eyes, making a puppy dog face at me, though he could barely control his smile. I chuckled and wrote back immediately.

"Can Clary come?" My next sign read, and he ducked his dark head to write on the paper.

"She's already here." He was laughing his head off, but he dropped the pen and paper and ran off, probably to join the party. I sighed and continued staring, trying to decide if it was worth it to go over there. I may or may not have showered and redid my makeup while thinking about it. And curled my hair. And started digging through my closet for some dressy clothes that could pass as casual. Finally, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a plain shirt with a white jacket and decided to go, but just for a little while.

Hey, Will had giving me a personal invitation. Who else gets the honor of him asking them through a window, the words written on a paper, hand delivered?

Just when I was pulling my arm through the sleeve, my door swung open with a horrible screech, and I jumped back so I wouldn't get hit by it.

"Clary!" I shouted on instinct, moving to see her from the corner across the room where I had fled when the door swung.

"Isabelle!" a familiar yet not common voice shouted back, smooth as silk and night. I giggled, unable to help it. I guess I'm in a good mood.

At least... I had been.

"You're wearing THAT?" Isabelle gasped, fluttering her hand and in front of her face dramatically. "It's a party not a playdate!"

I looked down, frowning. "I thought this was cute…" I muttered, pulling on my shirt sadly. "Don't you like it?"

"You thought wrong, because I don't like it. I mean, it's perfectly fine, if you're say... going to mow the lawn... but for a party? Of course not." She grinned suddenly, clapping her hands together. "Looks like someone is getting a makeover!" She cheered and swung my closet open, stepping inside boldly. I turned in frustration and took my jacket off, throwing it across a chair next to my bed.

"Good luck" I grumbled, pulling my shirt off, too. I normally don't undress in front of strangers, but Isabelle was not the type I'd be self-conscious around. Her personality, first off, and the fact we have almost the exact same figure second though she is often much more showy with hers. "I don't really have party clothes." I sighed and undressed to my underwear and tank top, throwing everything on my chair. I turned to the closet to see what on earth could be taking her so long.

"Where'd you go?" I shouted when I found no one there, but I couldn't help but wonder how she got out without the door squeaking.

"Clary's room!" she responded. "Get in here!"

In seconds Isabelle explained that Cecy and Ella were sleeping over, so they were making a slumber party out of it. Maia, Magnus, Alec, everyone would sleep at my house with Clary. Right after the party.

"Which leads me to this moment… Tada!" She grabbed my shoulders and spun me towards the mirror, causing me to giggle. It was so silly and child-like that I couldn't help but giggle some more, causing Iz to chuckle as she mussed my hair a little. But I did look in the mirror, and I looked… graceful. She had my hair pinned up in a sort-of-updo with braids everywhere somehow disappearing in the bun. She put me in one of her short dresses, just like the one she's wearing but with straps and in red. I am tall, but not as tall as Isabelle, so the dress hit right and it was in the middle of my thigh.

I can't even explain the makeup, coppery and shimmery in some places, hard brown in others. Somehow, she made my face look softer, more delicate, but made my eyes glow in an ominous grey, though they sparkled and had a bright glow.

"Wow…" I breathed, falling towards the mirror in wonder. "Is that really me?" I laughed and spun towards Iz, whom had a very self-satisfied look on her face, radiant in her own stunning outfit.

"Yup. And you look fantastic. How about we get to the party and see how many flies we catch." She turned with an over-dramatic flair that seemed natural to her, letting her hips sway. I smiled, suddenly warm on Iz. She was actually a pretty good friend. And then-oh no- I felt my mouth open, and I couldn't control it.

"You mean Maia, right?" Iz whirled around, her dark eyes ferocious and animalistic, and holding a mascara wand in her hand. Years' worth of pain buried the hurt, and anger covered everything else. And then she burst out grinning.

"We'll just wait and see." She said grabbing my hand as she started to run out of the house, dragging me along. I tripped after her, stumbling every five seconds, until we got to the door.

"And you're one to talk, with your crushes on Jem and Will," she said, and I looked down, heat rushing to my face like lava, flushing my cheeks a light pink. "But it's okay. I think they like you, too."

"What?" I gasped, turning to stare at her with wide eyes, and an amazed look on my face. "Did you really just say that?"

She only smirked, and placed a finger over my lips. "Shh. I'm not going to tell you anymore, until you get your butt out here and we can go join the fun at the party!"

Rolling my eyes slightly, I followed her out the door, hearing the music from their backyard get louder as we got closer to their house.