First Fanfiction! I hope you enjoy it! (No copyright intended, all characters belong to Cassandra Clare)

CASTLES MADE OF SAND, CHAPTER TWO

Penny Lane

"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes, There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back."

Alec woke up to bright beams of light the flowed freely throughout his new room. He stretched his back, listening to the cracking sounds as all the tension released from his muscles; and then shot out of bed, not wanting to waste the little, precious time he had to get ready, before his first day at Mount Western Prep. Private Academy. On the outside, to his family, he acted calm and collected, fearless of what the new school -essentially new life would bring him once he set forth into the academy. But on the inside he was shaking, nervous, and about to pass out or possible retch all over the deep chocolate hardwood floors. He wished his mother wouldn't have taken the job offer, by Valentine Morgenstern, that led their family to this new house, in the first place.

Back home on the east coast, he was able to freely take his surfboard, run down to the beach, and let the waves take him, almost everyday -but here, all he could do was walk through the deep, dark woods that appeared endless to him. He missed the calm sounds of the ocean, and the way the light of the sun reflected across the top in beautiful patterns; and now he was subjected to listen to the quiet calms of rustling leaves, and birds singing through the woods out back. Their estate stretched for miles on end, and Alec didn't even understand which way would lead him to civilization, although the probable answer would be down, seeing as they lived on a hilltop. Possibly though, none of that mattered, as long as he had Jace and Isabelle by his side, everything would be fine; they had made it through summer alone and together just dandy.

Isabelle burst into his room, the strong smell of fried bacon wafted into the space around them; and Alec prayed that Isabelle didn't cook it. She was never good at cooking, no matter how much they all had to pretend to like it sometimes when she insisted on making her 'special soup'. There was no convincing.

"Aren't you just so excited!" Isabelle jumped onto his bed, her eyes huge and dark. The rollers -Alec assumed -bounced out of place on top of her head, letting loose a couple of free ink black strands, that tumbled over her smooth ivory forehead. "If you ask me, I'm pretty excited. I mean, new school, new classes, new boys." Her face beamed at the word 'boy', making Alec shake his head. Isabelle had always been the type of girl to move from guy, to guy -never in his life, did he see her without a boyfriend for more then two weeks. The fact that she was already worrying about boys, irked him. He was the territorial and protective big brother, and any guy that attempted to 'woo' her, had to go through him. No exceptions. Isabelle was a pretty girl, with large dark eyes, perfectly sculpted dark eyelashes, a cupids bow that was deep and defined, and ink black hair. She was a pretty girl, that could be taken advantage of; who let others take advantage of her, and he hated that fact.

"Yes Iz, I'm excited. Now if you'll excuse me," Alec stalked his way over to his large ebony dresser, "I need to get ready." Isabelle turned on her toes like a ballerina, and fled the room quickly and soundlessly, leaving Alec alone with his thoughts. He began to shuffle through his drawers, not all to sure what he should wear, and then hating himself for even caring. This was school, and there would be no one there he truly wanted to impress. If someone liked him for his plain grey and or black t-shirts, dark blue jeans, and Levi's, well then that person deserved his attention; but he doubted he would find that person.

There was the sound of thumping hands on his door frame, as he pulled his head through the hole in the top of his t-shirt. Jace, stood there with a tight white shirt, silver chain, and light washed jeans on, his golden hair still wet curls, that stuck to the sides of his face. He whistled as Alec began to lace up his Levi's. "Well, isn't someone pretty?"

"Jace, shut up, and get out." Alec blankly looked up at him, gulping back the uncertainty of Jace's presence that seemed to do quite a number on Alec's being.

"What? Is my gorgeousness making you faint?" Jace laughed loudly, snaking his arms over his large ample chest.

"Hardly. It's actually making me want to puke. Go look in a mirror or something." Alec waved his hand to shoo him away, but knew without a doubt, that, wouldn't work. Alec finished lacing his Levi's, and began to prepare his bag for the day. His class schedule was terrible: English, History, Math, then Biology -that was another thing to add to his list of 'Reasons why I hate my life'. He noticed that Jace still stood in his door frame, pulling at a loose thread on his white shirt. "Are you going to stand there forever?"

"Only if you want me to." Jace gave him a sultry wink. Alec sighed, and ran his fingers throughout his charcoal hair.

"Stop being a douche bag, and tell me what you came here for."

"Mom has breakfast almost ready, and wanted to know how you wanted your eggs." Jace shrugged, looking uninterested.

"I don't want any, just tell her I only want bacon."

"Mkay, whatever you want sweet cheeks." Alec blushed, and thankfully, at the same time that Jace turned on point, and left the room. Alec ran to the bathroom, across the hall, and splashed cold water on his face, not liking the feeling, having Jace in the same room as him, gave him -but not entirely hating it either. He felt a sudden rush of heat course throughout his body whenever alone with Jace, and the rhythmical beat of his heart increased to an alarming rate, pounding against his chest. Snap out of it, Alec said to himself, he's your brother. He never fully understood how he could feel this way, about a guy, especially when that guy was his brother; but it just happened one day, and since that day he has been hiding behind an intricate web of lies to keep his feelings a secret.

After a few minutes of checking over his room, making sure that he wasn't forgetting anything, Alec made his way to the grand yellow kitchen, that literally laid in the heart of the home. Isabelle, who was wearing a barely there peach toned dress, and sheer tights, was resting her forearms on the counter top, talking to their mother, Maryse, about what the day might entail for them all. Alec could tell Maryse didn't approve of Isabelle's choice of outfit, but she didn't say anything; knowing Isabelle would find a way somehow to sneak out like that anyways. Their mother rarely ever 'controlled' them. Ever since the accident, she began to take things in strides: everyday was a new day to be thankful for, in her mind, and why spoil that by getting into a confrontation that would only lead to hurt feelings, and bruised egos.

Jace was stuffing his face full of food, practically inhaling it, and then gulping down a large cup of mango juice. Maryse peered over to the doorway that Alec stood awkwardly in and gave him a coy smile. "I trust you slept well?" She said assertively, although her expression was the complete opposite. That's how his mother was, and he liked that about her. Being able to firmly stand her ground, without breaking her submissive and coy demeanour. Now... Only if Alec had been blessed with those genes...

"Yep, sure did." Alec sauntered his way to her side, and pecked her lightly on the cheek, before grabbing a handful of bacon off of the dish laid out on the island counter top.

"Are you as excited as your sister is?" Maryse shook her head and laughed, raising a red mug of coffee to her pink stained lips. She was clad in a grey structured suit, with a light aqua silk shirt underneath. Today must have been her first day at the office.

"Mom, I don't think anyone would have the capability to be as excited as her," he swung his head around and gave Isabelle a mocking smile. "You guy's ready or what?" Alec asked Isabelle and Jace in between mouthfuls of bacon. Jace gave a thumbs up, as he finished off another glass of mango juice, and Isabelle wiped the corner's of her mouth before smiling and snatching the keys to the Jeep Sahara, off the marble counter top, before Alec had the chance of taking them himself.

"I'm driving!" She beamed brightly, running into the hall, and out the front door. Alec glanced back at Jace, and they both hesitated for a moment, starring each other down...

They both yelled "SHOT GUN!" At the same time, before racing one another out of the house.

Half an hour later, the Lightwood kids, Alec, Isabelle, and Jace, finally made their way to the school. The parking lot and fine green courtyard were sparsely empty -due to the fact they were late, and it was all Isabelle's fault. Another thing she wasn't good at: directions. They ended up circling around the town a couple of times, before Jace insisted on taking over.

"Well I have P.E first block, catch you guys later!" Jace called, as he fell into a sprint towards the large dome shaped building that said 'Physical Education' across it, in the schools colors: Red, White and Gold. Isabelle and Alec made their way into the halls of the grand entrance; the inside and outside resembled the look and atmosphere of old Victorian mansions, with carefully crafted sculptures that lined the walls. The lockers were a pristine white lacquer, reaching the top of Alec's height -which was extraordinary for him. Being insanely tall, had some perks, and likewise downfalls. The floors were a dark marble material, that was waxy enough to reflect even the smallest form of light. School bulletin posters were sparsely pinned to the walls, most reading: 'Elective Campaign starts, October 1', 'Homecoming! Get your tickets now!', and various sport clubs sign ups. They only poster that stood out for Alec was the soccer one, seeing as that was the only sport he could play.

"I think my class is down that hall," Isabelle spun, and pointed down the west hall, that was brightly lit by skylights overhead, "do you think you'll make it to class okay?" Isabelle said mockingly, before patting Alec on the shoulder.

"Yes, I don't need to be babied Iz." Alec swatted her hand away, and hiked his backpack higher on his left shoulder. She gave him a loving smile, before skipping her way down the west hallway, and turning around a corner to the right; her black inky waves followed graciously behind. Alec reached into his bag, and found his class list and map; the school was huge, and likely he wouldn't make it in time to his first class: English. But there was no point in not trying.

"Hey, are you lost?" A small voice came from behind him, which nearly startled Alec to death. He swung around, and stood face to face with a normal looking teenaged guy: Brown scruffy hair, chocolate eyes that were blocked by a set of reading glasses, and a t-shirt that said 'How do you like d'em apples?', with a picture of Isaac Newton on the front. He had an honest, trustworthy face, and small thin pink lips.

"Uh... yeah, I guess I am." Alec shrugged.

"I can help you out with that," the guy snatched Alec's class list from his hands, and gave the snow white piece of paper a quick look over, "Oh dude, you have English with the Shadows." The guy returned the paper, shaking his head as if the news he was just given told of an uncertain death.

"The Shadows?" Alec asked earnestly, furrowing his eyebrows tightly together.

"The snotty kids that live on the hills. They're the rich ones that don't need a scholarship to come here. Usually they opt. out to take English first block, so they can chill and or sleep -it's a pretty laid back class." He nonchalantly said, "unless you get on Ms.G's bad side, then you're screwed."

"Why are they called the Shadows?" Alec felt stupid for having to ask questions. It was obvious enough that this guy, that he didn't even know the name of, didn't want to spend his morning in the hall trying to navigate and explain for Alec.

"Because they're everywhere." The guy shrugged. "So do you want me to take you there or not?" Alec nodded his head, as they fell into step beside each other. The farther they went down the hall, the more anxious Alec got. His hands were suddenly clammy and hot, a feeling he hated, and his heart picked up its pace tenfold. "A peace of advice: Stay away from the guy that's tall, black hair, blue eyes, and the other guy with the cat eyes. If you see a girl with bright red hair, tell her to meet me at the band room during lunch -she's probably the only nice one, and my best friend, Clary. You two might get along."

"So, stay away from the kid who resembles me, and the cat kid? But go for the ginger?"

"Watch what you say around her, that one is very assertive and determined. She won't take the comment 'ginger' lightly." The guy stopped abruptly in front of a bright orange classroom door. "Well this is it, good luck dude." He said, and turned away to strut the hall in the opposite direction.

"Thank you -?" Alec called after him, wondering what his name was.

"Simon!" He yelled over his shoulder; the frame of his slender body fading into another hall... Leaving Alec alone. Well, here goes nothing. Alec thought before grasping the brass handle of the door.

A/N: I am so happy even for the little amount of reviews I got, truly! It does give me the drive to continue to write this story (: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I have decided that it will probably flip back and forth between Magnus' and Alec's perspectives -but once in awhile it might have Alec's perspective for multiple chapters. (You'll be able to clearly tell who it is). The next chapter should be up in the next two days... sorry if that might be a somewhat long wait, but I need to catch up on a few things that are going on in my life at a moment.
Stay tuned for more!

Amber,