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

CASTLES MADE OF SAND, CHAPTER ELEVEN

Run for your Life

"Well you know that I'm a wicked guy, and I was born with a jealous mind
And I can't spend my whole life, Trying just to
make you toe the line."

Magnus stepped out of English, making sure to leave three minutes after Alec did -as William had said to do. In William's mind, to make this plan work, he needed to be absent for that English class -whatever reasoning he had behind that, Magnus didn't know. Instantly as he rounded the first corner, William was there in all his glory, uprooting Magnus' passage to his next class. He had his arms snaked across his ample chest, and was leaning against a stone pillar that rested near a long stretch of a stark white wall. Students around them, moved like liquid molten lava, flowing constantly, and slow - in clumps together. They all shifted their way around William and Magnus, leaving them be to their conversation. It wasn't as if anyone would actually stop, and take a gander, at what they were discussing -but then again he never knew who could be lurking around a door, easing themselves in on their conversation.

"How did it go?" William asked skeptically, his deep blue eyes trained to Magnus'.

"I don't know if you realized this yesterday, but I doubt you did... He is an utterly bashful person, that doesn't take too kindly to me. I could barely get a full conversation in there, much less get him to face me while talking. Maybe we should forget this -"

"No." William cut Magnus off hastily, his eyes turning a deeper, darker, more sinister shade. "He'll come around. Trust me. Just try to play it up. Remember don't hold back, Magnus." William gave him a stern look, before pushing himself upright from the pillar, and sweeping past Magnus in the opposite direction. Magnus couldn't even begin explain the dread he felt in having to do this. Sure he wanted to become closer to Alec, he had decided that earlier this morning, when he woke up feeling as if he were somewhat elated to be seeing Alec again. But, he wanted to get to know Alec, in a completely natural way -rather than on false pretences, and upbringings. Magnus knew that there would come the day, when Williams plan would come full circle, and he just hoped that it would be easier then he had begun to anticipate -for Alec; for himself.

Magnus wouldn't let it get that far -that was his main plan. He would attempt to gain Alec's trust, but if Alec didn't comply, and open up... Well that would be one thing Magnus was willing to keep hidden from William. It's not as if Magnus even deeply cared for Alec, really he barely knew the guy. It was just the simple way his bottom lip trembled with anxiety whenever he became flustered, or the way his delicate angular eyebrows furrowed together during moments of hesitation, or how crimson and scarlet red his cheeks would flush -those were the things, which caught up with Magnus conscience.

Alec Lightwood was breakable, in Magnus mind. But how breakable was the real question. Now, depending on the course of events to play out, everything would definitely shape and affect Alec's being for better or for worse -although seeing as this plan was made to ultimately hurt Alec, it could only end terribly, of course. Why was William making Magnus do this? Better yet, why had he agreed to go along with this? If Magnus was to think long and hard, the only options as to why he obliged was either: Because deep down, somewhere Magnus couldn't quite deliberate; he had a form of feelings towards William; feelings that shouldn't be there... And didn't usually hesitate, on doing whatever William had told him to do. Otherwise, the remaining explanation would be that if he showed resistance to William, on a plan that shouldn't affect Magnus in such a huge way, William would begin to speculate numerous things about Magnus -and why he seemed to care for Alec, in a way he couldn't elaborate on, already.

Another thing, which gnawed at Magnus mind, was the fact William was insinuating Alec was gay. What other reason would William have for telling Magnus to 'play it up' and flirt with him. Speculating someone was gay, and essentially going in for the kill, was always a fragile situation to touch base on. However... Magnus couldn't deny the slight but significant leap in his chest, at the thought. Alec was something else, really; he had a special quality to him that was so enduring and gravitating. A quality that Magnus was greatly drawn to -as if he were the flies that surrounded the pigs head, in Lord of the Flies. As if he were Macbeth, and held his sheer desire to obtain, that which was not his, but was promised. And that was basically what this situation was; a promise from William, that Magnus would get to spend time, with something he desired... Even if, Alec, was a very small, small hidden desire of his.

And that god damned white t-shirt Alec had on today, which fit snugly to the frame of Alec's torso -showing off the strong muscles which lined and coiled his back and chest. Oh, did it ever do a number on Magnus' hormones. Not that he would ever admit that; but he was crazy attracted to Alec -even if his outfits consisted of nothing but plain colors, distressed dark blue jeans, and beat up cream colored Levi's.

Magnus made his way to the band room, which was located on the far east side of the Academy, shoving thoughts of Alec, and William to the back of his mind. Thankfully band was away from many of his friends classes, he didn't have to risk them seeing him along the way, and wondering where he was going. The class was nearly empty -never full. There wasn't many students at their school who took fascination in an instrument. Mount Western was known for their outlandish sports academy, and art program -two things, Magnus would never be good at. He couldn't draw a simple cat, for the life of him; let alone play some type of sport, which would cause him to perspire. Magnus shuddered at the thought.

He spotted the halo of bright silver hair, which rested in regal waves, and the tall, lean body of James, bent over to open his violin case. Magnus smiled, knowing that if there was ever one person in the world that could make him smile, and or make his day that much better, it was James. He was wearing a grey stripped long sleeved shirt, black straight legged jeans, and gleaming orange suspenders. Typical Jem, Magnus thought, as he walked up to him.

Clary knew Magnus read books, and James knew he played the piano -but that was as far as it went. And those two, were the only ones he let in, because he knew they could be the least judgeful of the bunch. Of course Magnus and William were the closest, but not necessarily the type of friends that shared things about their lives with one another -more so, shared moments together in the now.

"Band class was just not the same without you yesterday, Jem." Magnus shock his head from side to side, thoughtfully, and placed a tentative carmel hand on James' shoulder. James smiled up at him, and after releasing his violin from the confides of its case, stood up straight -not nearly the height of Magnus, but still quite tall.

"I would have been here, had it not been for the radiation. I guess Will didn't tell you guys," James shrugged nonchalantly; which caused Magnus to cringe. Upon arriving to pick up William the day before, Magnus had just suspected that James was to take his own car to school. He didn't stop to think that really, William could have gotten a ride with James instead of him.

James had always been so open and carefree about his cancer with all of them -in some way, he explained that it made him not feel weak to something that he was soon to conquer. Of course he was afraid sometimes, when his brittle bones shook under the weight of the circumstances; but showing that fear would only make the reality that much harsher, in James mind.

It had been three years since James was diagnosed, and it had been three years of vigorous radiation he had to handle. Many times, Magnus and William had to comfort James when his sickness took a toll on his body, and he retched up more than half of his weight. But now, as of the last couple of months, James was now anticipated as a survivor; and the shape had finally returned to his body and face.

He had been told that soon he would be home free; as long as he was there for regular check-ups every once in a while. Magnus could remember that day so vibrantly, because the glint and shine returned to James' liquid silver eyes, in a way they never shown before. He was a survivor, and that was all every last one of them ever wanted.

Other than Magnus, James was William's best friend -they indeed lived together, and when living with someone you become accustomed to the things about them; learning to trust and love them. But even if William and James were best friends, he rarely ever told him of his elaborate plans and schemes, because they always seemed to worry James. He left his schemes and plans for Magnus to endure, knowing he could bear the weight of them on his shoulders -while James could not. William would never deliberately leave James out of the loop in scorn, rather he did it so James couldn't get worked up. He cared for James in a way, that none of them would ever be able to understand. He was always protecting him from things he didn't need to be shielded from. But that was William's nature; because when you care for someone so much, you do whatever you can to protect them from harms way, even if they didn't need and or want it.

"So tell me, has anything interesting happened so far?" James pried, as he took to tuning the fragile strings on his violin. Magnus had yet to take his spot in front of the black lacquer grand piano, which was nestled at the far back of the room. "I know, it's only been two days really," he chuckled briefly.

"Will hasn't said anything to you?" Magnus asked quizzically, tilting his head to the side, in wonder.

"You know how Will is." James gave Magnus a pointed look before continuing. "But I could definitely tell something bothered him before he left for Camille's last night." James assessed, and sat down on one of the many grey riser steps which lined the room. All around them now, the few people that were in the class, began to tune their instruments, and settle their sheet music upon their stands.

"Okay, so," Magnus eagerly said, and sat down beside him, "there are three newbies that just started yesterday. Jace, Izzy, I believe, and Alexander. I only really met Jace this morning, when Clary and I walked over from the gymnasium -and I saw Alexander walk through the front doors with the sister. Alexander somehow got on William's bad side yesterday in English... And I seriously have no idea how..." Magnus leaned in close to James, "mind doing some dirt Jem? Digging some information out of Will?" Magnus whispered, and raised his left eyebrow high in question.

"For you, I'll try," James returned with a bright smile. "It's quite uncharacteristic of Will, to dislike someone so fast. Tell me more about this Alexander."

"For starters: He likes to be called Alec. Charcoal, black hair, darker than mine, and suspiciously bright lake blue eyes. Tall, just a couple of inches shorter than me, which says a lot. Very easy to get a rise out of; blushes like a mad man, it's pretty adorable -" Magnus caught himself at adorable, and didn't continue on. Turning his face away from James, a fraction to his left.

Mrs. Morgenstern, or Ms. Fairchild as she liked to be called during class, bounded into the room, nearly stumbling her way over to her music stand in the front of the music room, with a stack of paper in her freckled hands. A tangled scarlet bun rested high on her head, with a small pencil sticking out sharply at the end. She was adorned in a grey painting smock, with bright vibrant colors of purple and neon green splashed across it. As well her arms were marked with different colors, and a small strip of orange crossed from the apple of her cheek to her ear. Clary's mother was the schools art teacher, and music conductor.

Firstly, successfully, known for her amazing art work, which was sold at high auctions around the world, and secondly, barely, known for her key sense of sound and rhythm. "Today will be a free day! Take out whatever sheet music you intend to work on, and have at it." She announced to the class. Magnus could hear a few 'woots!' from the back of the room. Her eyes were bright and livid; she was definitely stressed over whatever class she had minutes before. "Now, if you'll just excuse me for a couple of minutes..." Mrs. Morgenstern shuffled through the snow white papers she held in her hands, and before leaving the room, gazed up from under her fiery bangs, to glance towards the spot where Magnus and James sat, and gave them a bright smile.

Obviously being best friends with her daughter, Clary, and son, Johnathan, would gain them respect. "Do you plan on playing the violin today Jem? Or should we just skip out, and head over to Dante's, for an early lunch?" Magnus asked, bolting straight up from his seat, grabbing his black Marc Jacobs bag.

"Hmm," James arched his feather like pointer finger under his chin, "I believe, I prefer the latter," He smiled, and placed his violin back into its case along with the perfectly rounded cream bow. "Let's go before she gets back. She won't miss us too much -I believe we would be seeing her fairly soon in the next couple of hours tonight, and over the weekend anyways." James smiled, and shrugged on his black bomber jacket, which laid on the step just behind him.

"Mhm, tis' true -the weekend part. I happen to have previous engagements tonight," Magnus added a bit half-heartily.

"You have a date? I thought you were over being in a relationship, after what happened with that one girl, Willow?" James gazed at him earnestly; concern faintly lacing the silver of his eyes. Oh, witches like Willow always set his nerves running wild. Dating someone who was just as equally into their looks as you were, was never a good combination. Magnus shuddered at the mention of Willow.

"No. Well, not unless you count, two parents, and three kids as a date..." Magnus chuckled, as they made their way out of the classroom, and out the front doors of the Academy.

"I would definitely count that as a date," James joked, a little too honestly.

"Well then yes, Jem, I have a date with a rather gorgeous family."

A/N: I hope that when reading this you get the sense that Magnus is deeply confused at the beginning, and flips back and forth between different view points of his own. It's hard to write like that, lol.
AND woah! 75 reviews (: (of course I had to update sooner, you guys are awesome!)
Also, Willow = Woosley Scott, essentially. Because I did want Magnus to have a past relationship, that wasn't neccessarily Camille. (But it couldn't have been a guy, in this case.) And I hope you guys like Jem! He's just a very carefree person, that is loving, understanding, caring, and will do anything for his friends.
Now, I don't exactly know when the next update will be... So bare with me!

Review prettys! Let's get it to 1000! Or else I ain't continuing. (Totally kidding, i love you guys, I wouldn't do that.)

Amber,