"So," Maryse said, "This is your room. It's got a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, a walk-in closet, a beanbag chair and an en-suite bathroom." She turned to look at him with a smile, "Does this look okay?"

His mouth open, Magnus nodded. She set down the bag she'd carried up next to the door, she gave him another warm smile and walked out, closing the door behind her. There was a faint 'click' and Magnus was alone. He stared at the room, mentally laughing at his past-self for fearing that he might have to share a room. The house was enormous and his room matched.

There was a huge window facing the backyard, he noted the surprising amount of both farmland and forest. The window had a window seat, perfect for his drawing and covered in wonderful colour coordinated pillows. They went well with the enormous puffy bed that was the centrepiece of the room. Magnus allowed himself a brief moment of childish delight when he launched himself onto the bed and let the pillows surround him and the comfort of the bed block out the world for a moment. He laughed and rolled off, sliding across the perfect hardwood floors to check out the bathroom. It was impressive, beautiful marble counters and a shower that Magnus could have shared with ten people. Magnus tried to hide his grin, it was hard to sulk in an awesome room that he was allowed to have for the next three months.

But then everything hit him. He was going to be here for three months. The trip had seemed almost impossible and dreamlike until this point. He'd spent the time torn between having fun and making it an adventure for his mum's sake, and sulking to give him the righteous pleasure of being miserable. Magnus had a week of sulking, that was the deal he'd made with Maryse.

But was a week enough? Was it too much?

Magnus sat down on the comforter, running his hands over the soft material and trying not to cry. He didn't know what to do. He was being torn in two and he had no one to consult. He'd ask Camille but he didn't have the wifi password and there was no phone in his room. Not to mention the hissy fit his mother would throw if she got a big phone bill at the end of the month. Magnus was alone and he wasn't sure he liked his options. The idea of going down there and just trying to join in with the Lightwoods made him kind of ill, because he wanted a moment to be alone and bathe in the self pity. But the idea of sitting alone in this room for three months looked bleaker. He took a deep breath and shook his head. He didn't have to decide right now, he'd wait the week and then make his move.

At some point he fell asleep and by the time he woke up, it was just past seven. There was a blanket on him, carefully draped over him. A meal was also sitting on his desk, a cover to keep it warm and a note saying he could always help himself to something if he was still hungry or wanted anything anytime. Smiling at the note and assuming it was Maryse, he sat in the soft leather chair and started to eat. Magnus opened up one of the fashion books he'd brought, propping it open with one hand and shovelling homemade beef stew into his mouth with the other. When he was done he simply stacked his dishes, set them to the side and dug his art supplies out of his bags.

He drew late into the night, getting some inspiration from the homesickness. He drew almost an entire line that revolved around Camille's eyes. There was a dash of Will in there too, though Magnus would never admit that he missed the arrogant teen. He cracked open his pencil crayons, colouring in the outfits and hearing Camille's laugh while he added a bright gash of green to a stark white cocktail dress. He didn't think he'd miss his friend this much. Ragnor always said that they should be more sentimental, but the rest of them had laughed - with the exception of Jem, who rarely laughed at a friend's expense - (never was just too strong a word). But sitting at his desk, in the middle of Texas, he wished his friends were a little more sentimental, the blown kisses and the hugs bringing a smile to his face. But the lack of seriousness in their goodbyes felt a little frivolous and it made him sadder than he'd care to admit. Magnus added some darker tones to the outfits, trying to give them some dimension. Frustrated with their lack of depth, he put his pencils away and ran a hand through his tousled hair.

Considering how late it was getting, Magnus jumped into the shower for what must have been more than an hour. It was amazing, Magnus being one of those people who loved long showers and considered a short one to be a felony. He rubbed off his makeup and combed the gel out of his hair. Clad only in his boxers - he wouldn't dare sleep in the nude at a place where he was a guest - Magnus went to bed. He turned off his light and tried not to think too hard about what tomorrow was going to be like.

Tomorrow was boring.

Magnus sat at his desk drawing. There were small knocks on the door for meals and by the time he opened the door, Maryse was gone and there was a small tray of food in the hall. The notes on the trays told him to just leave his dishes in the hall. Feeling awfully like he was staying in a hotel, Magnus continued to draw and colour. He sketched for hours by the window, loving the light and barely even needing to look out of the window for inspiration. A sudden shrill cry caught his attention and he almost dropped his sketchbook.

He looked out the window. The Lightwoods were outside. More specifically, the Lightwood children. Magnus scowled at them from his perch. The three of them looked spectacularly happy. He'd dreamed of having a sibling when he was a kid, but had accepted that it was never going to happen.

The youngest was adorable, he had huge glasses that filled his face and a mop of black hair that was just getting slightly too long. He was being chased by what must have been his sister, the same back hair and gorgeous porcelain skin. She was laughing and running after him with her arms our. He was laughing in a high child's voice, both their voices muffled by the window. Watching them was a tanned, golden haired boy. He was watching them fondly and laughing. There was a drink in his hand and he sipped it occasionally. He tried to remember what he knew about the siblings, which was very little. He couldn't even remember the names his mother had tried to tell him. But Magnus had been almost certain there were four. Magnus noted that the golden haired boy was talking to someone, Magnus couldn't see him because of the angle of his window and where the person was standing. He had to assume it was Robert, Maryse's husband or the mystery sibling.

Suddenly Maryse walked into view, brushing her hands off on her jeans and shaking her head at her children. She was telling them something, the girl and boy stopping their game of chase. The sister grabbed her little brother by the waist and placed a soft kiss into his hair. He laughed and squirmed out of her grip. They all followed Maryse inside, the brother even ruffling the little boy's hair. It made Magnus' stomach clench. He loved his friends but had always wanted a sibling. There was something unique about it, having someone who would always be there.

He shook his head and went back to his drawings, making a mental note to get a haircut soon. His hair kept falling into his eyes and it was getting annoying. Hoping that this bizarre town had a hairdresser that wouldn't ruin his wonderful style and make him the social outcast of his high school, Magnus brushed another lock behind his ear. He got further into his drawings, concentrating on the colours and the styles. He drew some flowing dresses, thinking of the wind in the fields.

There was a soft knock on the door. Magnus knew that would be his lunch and he rushed to the door, wanted to ask Maryse about getting a haircut. He threw the door open and met the surprised eyes of a boy his own age.

His mouth fell open.

Somewhere in Magnus' brain, there was a voice screaming at him to stop being so socially awkward. But he was so completely taken by this boy. This stupid country boy who was just standing there confused. This stupid boy who was wearing black and unfashionable clothes that should have had him dying of heat stroke. The stupid boy who was staring at him with those amazing blue eyes.

"Sorry." Magnus blurted, trying to get a hold of his racing mind, "I thought you were Maryse." He realized how weird he probably sounded and tried to ignore the fact that the hottest boy on the planet was looking at him like he was insane.

But the boy suddenly stopped, nodded his head and smiled. Magnus wondered if this was the kid that didn't talk for eight months because he certainly wasn't saying anything now. The boy seemed to have noticed this too and blushed a deep scarlet. Clearing his throat, the boy spoke sheepishly, "Uh, yeah. My mum's downstairs. Do you want me to go get her?" He pointed to the staircase over his shoulder, meeting Magnus' eyes and flushing an even deeper red. Magnus bit back a grin. The boy just got cuter and cuter. Said cute boy was now staring at his feet and biting his bottom lip.

"Nah," Magnus said, waving him off, "It's fine."

The boy nodded, "Right." He suddenly looked up, "Uh, I'm Alec." He stuck out a hand quickly, looking stiff and uncomfortable. He gave off the aura of someone who hated talking to people and only did it because he had to.

Magnus felt a sudden need to have Alec like him, "I'm Magnus." He grabbed the boy's hand and shook it, revelling in the feeling of the boy's rough hand in his own.

Alec laughed a little, the musical noise making Magnus weak in the knees. "I know. I've been bringing you food remember."

"That's you?"

"Oh. Yeah." Alec blushed again, suddenly shy. "Everything's okay right? I noticed you seemed to like Coke the best so I started bringing it more often."

Magnus had noticed the he'd done that. But he'd assumed it was Maryse. The kind notes, the quiet observation, it all seemed like the actions of a mother. But Alec was his mystery food guy and he was cute, young and apparently really considerate.

"Thanks for everything." Magnus said, giving Alec a warm smile. "I love the room and I don't want to be rude. I just kind of want to be alone for a bit. Get my thoughts together and mentally prepare myself and stuff."

Alec just nodded, "Well, if you ever want a tour or something I could drive you into town." He suddenly got all flustered and started to ramble, "But, that's only if you want, I mean if you don't want me to than that's fine. I don't want you to feel like you have to-"

Magnus cut him off with a smile, "Sure, maybe in a few days?"

"Sure." Alec smiled a little bit, "Sounds good. Do you need anything?" He was looking a bit more comfortable now and it made Magnus' heart swell.

"Nothing really," He shrugged, "I just wish I could talk to my friends. I think I'm going to go crazy sitting in this room. But at the same time I don't think I'm ready yet." Magnus laughed a little, "I probably sound crazy." He was the awkward one now, staring at his feet and wishing he hadn't sounded like such a lunatic in front of the cutest boy Texas could have ever offered.

But when he looked up Alec was just nodding thoughtfully, "I know what you mean." He bit his lip and suddenly held up one finger. "Wait here for one second." He rushed off, running down the hall and into one of the doors. Magnus noted that they actually had names on them, starting with 'Jace' closest to him and 'Max' furthest away. 'Isabelle' was right next to 'Alec' and across from them all (next to Magnus' room) was an unmarked door that Magnus had to imagine was another guest room or Maryse and Robert's room. He tapped a finger absently on the doorframe while he waited for Alec.

Alec came running out of his room, skidded to a stop in front of Magnus and presented him with something. There was a broad smile on his face and he was watching Magnus excitedly. Magnus grabbed the object and felt his mouth stretch into a smile. It was a cell phone. A sleek, probably brand new phone that looked pretty expensive.

Suddenly his smile disappeared, "Alec." He said, holding the phone back out to him, "I can't use this. It will cost a ton to call New York." Alec shook his head and closed Magnus' hand around the phone.

"Don't worry about it."

Magnus' mouth fell open, "You're kidding me. You want me to just run up your phone bill talking to my friends across the country?" This boy couldn't be serious. There had to be some limit to Southern hospitality. Magnus would have assumed that enormous phone bills were that limit. Alec was looking at him with smile, almost laughing at Magnus' disbelief.

He shrugged his shoulders, "My parents are pretty rich, even if you talked on that phone for hours it would be fine. Oh, do you have a pen?" Alec's fingers were twitching, probably a nervous habit. They would tap against his leg slightly and Magnus noticed after a few moments.

"Uh, yeah."

He handed Alec a pen, watching him confused. He grabbed Magnus hand and scribbled a random series of letters and numbers on it. "That's the wifi password."

Magnus laughed, staring at the small neat writing. "You, Mr Lightwood, are an angel. I could kiss you." He meant it as a joke, but the words had Alec blushing and hastily retreating, giving Magnus a wave and rushing into his room. He closed the door behind him quickly and within a heartbeat Magnus found himself staring at an empty hallway and a neatly presented sandwich. There was a Coke, a small note that said 'Bon Appetit!" and a fresh apple. He gently picked up the tray and went back into his room, phone in hand. Magnus closed the door with his foot and switched the tray for his sketchbook. Suddenly inspired, he started to draw.

He drew the blush on Alec's cheeks and the blue of his eyes. He incorporated everything into the clothes, from the nervous twitches to the brilliant white smile. Magnus found himself smiling as he drew, thinking of the adorable boy with the blue eyes that was across the hall. He ate the sandwich too, careful not to get any food on his drawings.

By the time he'd eaten his lunch and finally stopped drawing because his hands were cramping, the sun was low in the sky. Magnus tossed his sketchbook on the desk and grabbed the cellphone Alec gave him. He punched in Camille's number and waited for it to ring.

"Hello?" She sounded confused and Magnus laughed.

"Hey stranger."

He could hear her smile over the phone, "Is that really you?"

Magnus laughed loudly at that, grinning himself and picking at a loose thread on the bottom of his shirt. "Of course it's me. I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere and needed some serious talk time. You will never believe-"

"Where the hell did you get the phone? Isn't this going to cost an insane amount?"

Camille, ever the responsible one, thought instantly of the cost, "Yeah but the Lightwoods are covering it and they're loaded."

"I see." She sounded wary and Magnus rolled his eyes. "Wait a second." There was a fumbling on the other side and when she talked again her voice was echoing slightly.

"Am I on speaker?" He asked, already knowing the answer. He could see them in his mind's eye, the five of them all sitting in Camille's enormous bedroom. Will would have sat on the bed, lounging back and pretending to sleep and ignore them all. Camille would sit in her ridiculous high-backed chair, examining her makeup in the mirror of her vanity and straightening the bottles and containers that covered its surface. Tessa and Jem would both sit on the bed, Jem sitting near Will because they're never far apart and Tessa perched on the edge because she always feels slightly awkward at their houses. Jessamine would lean against the wall like she's too good to sit and will look at her fingernails all the time, acting bored. Ragnor would most likely sit on the floor because he's odd like that and sometimes he'll sit with Magnus on Camille's plushy, white couch.

There was a flurry of noise on the other side, some cheers and he could hear even Jessamine laughing.

"Hello there." It's Will now, cocky and almost smug sounding. "How's the middle of nowhere treating you?"

"Not bad. How's home?"

Jessamine sighed loudly and Magnus had to bite back a laugh, "It's boring as hell. The party the other night was horrible. Someone spiked the drinks and people were passing out and barfing everywhere. The night ended depressingly early." Magnus found himself nodding, appreciating Jessamine's dramatics for once. It was easy for the others to miss out on the important details. Jessamine always told him exactly how things had happened, with the occasional exaggeration.

"But Jessamine met a cute guy!" Tessa cried, giggling, "She's in love!" Tessa, sounding girly for once, stretched out the 'o' and was making kissy noises over the phone.

Magnus raised his eyebrows, "I thought she had that thing for your brother?" He asked Tessa, surprised that Jessamine had been so quick to move on from Nate, seeing as the two of them had been so serious in the past few months. Jessamine had been crushing on him for years, sneaking out to go to parties where she knew Nate was going to be and eventually buddying up with Tessa. That was how the group had met her, Jessamine trying to get to Nate through his sister and landing the group one of their key members. Magnus would forever thank Jessamine for being a crazy stalker, seeing as it got him another close friend.

"Nothing is happening with Nate." Jessamine sounded slightly put out. "I think he might be a lost cause."

"You're kidding me!" Will screamed.

"Calm the fuck down." Camille protested, "My parents are still here asshole. Have a little consideration."

"Will?" Jem asked, "Consideration for other people? Are you kidding me?"

Magnus laughed, "True Jem. Explain Jessamine."

Will was nodding, Magnus could practically feel it, "Yeah. You've had us stalking Tessa's brother for years and now you're suddenly over him? Liar."

"Fine. I'm not over him okay? I'm just trying to get out there and meet other people because he's clearly not interested."

"I think you just need to be yourself." Tessa said, "I'll try and talk you up and then the two of you just need to talk. You're always so flustered around him."

"Oh my god. He thinks I'm crazy doesn't he?"

"Uh."

"Tessa!"

"There may have been a few questionable stories." Tessa sounded sorry and Magnus could imagine that small smile she always gave when she felt bad for one of them.

There was a thud and Magnus knew that Jessamine must have been standing by the wall and sunk to the floor. Will was laughing loudly and he could hear Ragnor giggling. Ragnor was probably one of the only males Magnus knew that full-on giggled. It was both creepy and adorable in a weird way that Magnus would never be able to fully explain.

"Okay." Camille said, silencing them all which for Magnus meant that she was holding her arms up and giving them all that look. It was a classic Camille look and it got scarier the longer you went without doing what she wanted. "There is a real question that has to be asked here. The issue of Jessamine's love life will have to wait."

"What could be more important than the failed love life of a lonely teenage girl? I thought that was one of the most important things in the world." Will said sarcastically.

Camille sighed, "Obviously not. Can anyone else guess the important question?"

Unsurprisingly, Ragnor was the only one to speak up. His massive crush on Camille probably fueled his need to try and please her. Magnus felt a surge of pity for the other boy. It was hard to love Camille, especially when she wouldn't even give Ragnor a second glance. "I'm guessing it has something to do with Magnus?"

"Yes!" Camille sounded pretty happy and Magnus could hear Ragnor's heart skipping a beat. "It has everything to do with Magnus!"

"Well," Magnus said, smiling widely, "What's the question?"

"How are the Texan men? Any hotties?"

Smirking now, Magnus said the following words with a smug pleasure, "There happens to be a very attractive male right in my house."

"Excuse me?" Jessamine's voice radiated jealousy and Magnus laughed.

"Camille is physically unable to close her mouth." Will said, his voice filled with mirth, "I don't think she will be able to speak for some time."

But at that moment Camille squealed, "How hot?"

"Oh honey," Magnus said, "He's definitely a ten."

Tessa groaned, "You lucky bastard."

"Why is that a good thing?" Jem, bless him, sounded incredibly confused. "Won't it just be kind of awkward? What if they hook up but then break it off?"

"Oh," Jessamine said, "That's not the case. He won't have to work hard to see him, Magnus' hottie will always be right around the corner. And think of all the risky rendezvous they can have, sneaking around. Magnus will have to try and keep a straight face at dinner while they play footsie under the table." She sighed, "You are going to have fun with this boy Magnus."

Ragnor seemed confused too and Magnus laughed, "So, Magnus is going to have fun on his trip because there's a hot boy in the same house."

"Exactly!" Camille shouted, "Now, details! What does he look like? Muscles? Voice?"

Magnus' grin returned, "He lives on a farm Cam. He has glorious muscles but not too much. Just enough so he's not skinny, but he's not a weight lifter."

"Amazing." Will said, his sarcasm reaching impossible levels Camille shushed him instantly and Magnus took that as his cue to continue his description.

"He's got sort of shaggy black hair, the most amazing blue eyes. He has a deep voice that's all smooth and makes you weak in the knees."

"Oh Jesus." Jessamine said, "I want one."

"Don't we all." Tessa said, her voice taking that tone it always did when she smiled.

Camille sighed, "Is he gay?"

Magnus frowned, "I have no idea. Not that I can't change his mind."

"You're going to change his sexuality?" Ragnor sounded deeply disturbed, "No offense, but I don't think it works like that. You can't make gay people straight so I don't think you can make straight people gay."

"Not like that," Magnus said, "I think he's gay but in the closet. He was a bit too embarrased when I smiled at him and he practically asked me out. Not to mention the blushing."

"He blushed?" Camille sounded eager.

"Like a little school girl."

All the girls laughed and Tessa cheered.

"What?" Jem asked, though Magnus could tell that he was smiling too.

"No straight guy would be that embarrassed during a normal conversation," Camille explained, "Even in a conversation with Magnus."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're attractive cheeks." Camille said, "And the blush probably means a crush. Which means-"

"He's probably gay." Jessamine finished.

Magnus tapped his fingers lazily on his leg, smiling and thinking about how adorable Alec was. His smile faded when Camille announced that they should probably go.

"It's fine." He said, trying to sound upbeat and indifferent. Magnus had almost forgotten how far away they were and how much he missed them. It was easy to talk to his friends and get lost in the moment.

"Sorry," Camille said, taking him off speakerphone, "There's a party tonight and I want to make sure Jessamine looks delectable in case a certain someone shows up-"

Magnus cut her off, "I get it. I just miss you guys I guess."

"We miss you too."

He smiled, "Hey say 'hi' to everyone for me. And have fun."

"I'll try my best." She said softly, "We really miss you like crazy. Say 'hi' to your hottie for us." Magnus laughed, loving even the idea of Alec being his hottie and hoping that he could make something of that.

"He's not mine yet."

"But he will be." Camille sounded as confident as Magnus wished he felt.

Too soon he was calling goodbye and hearing everyone holler it back. They hung up and Magnus was stuck listening to the dial tone. He checked the time and was relieved to see that he hadn't been talking for hours. He was going to take advantage of being able to talk to his friends but Magnus didn't want to abuse the Lightwoods' generosity.

Magnus leaned back on his window seat, resting his head against the cool glass and smiling softly. He didn't want to tell his friends but he had no intention of having a summer fling with Alec. He'd flirt with him a little, but there was no way Magnus was going to get into a serious relationship with someone who lived so far away. He knew himself and he knew that if he started something he'd just end up with a broken heart and a hatred for the guy who thought he could do it without getting attached. So he made a promise to himself, he wasn't going to fall for Alec, no matter how cute his Texas accent was and no matter how many adorable notes Alec left Magnus. But looking out the window, Magnus knew deep down that he was going to break that promise.