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Chapter Five: Max's Bestest Friend Ever

"Come on Clary Beary!" Max shouted, running through the stables. "Daddy told me Jace and I could run to town and get the newspapers and messages from the post office, but because Jace isn't here, it means you and me can do it instead! This is so exciting isn't it? I never get to go to town! This is so exciting! Do you think we can stop at the parchment store? The man in town, Mr. Laguino, draws comics and sells them at his parchment store. Do you think we can? Huh, huh?"

"Shhh, Max. We don't want to startle the horses. Of course we can stop there. Do you have anything to trade, or any money? I can draw comics and used to have friends in Africa who drew comics and we would trade comics with each other," Clary replied, helping Max into the carriage. Magnus was sitting in the front and ready to lead the horses into town.

"Really?! That sounds great, Clary. I wish I had friends, but your the only one. I'm so glad I have you. You can never leave me, Clary. Promise me! If you leave me, I'm never going to have another friend."

"Awww, Max. I will stay as long as you need me." Clary's eyes were beginning to water.

"Where are you going to, darling?" Magnus asked. His unique, cat-like eyes had swiveled around and looked at Clary with soft eyes. His hair was blue and spikey. She had found out the man was African, but his parents were actually Americans. They had moved to Africa to help and been captured and killed, leaving baby Magnus to be raised African.

"Just take us into town, we're going to the parchment store first. You do have money, right Max?"

"Um, no. But I really want to get some comics! Come on. Pu-leeaassee Clary!" Max puffed out his lower lip and his eyes became big and pouty.

"I guess I can trade three of the dresses Izzy gave me for a comic book." Clary knew she shouldn't. She only had four dresses including the one she was wearing at the moment.

"Really Clary? You would do that for me? Thanks! I've never had a friend or family member do something like that for me." Clary grinned.

"Let's walk back up to the house and grab three of my dresses. I promise we 'll be back in a few, Magnus." Max smiled broadly.

"I bet I'll beat you up there!" He took off running out of the stables.

"I've never seen him so happy," a voice said, behind Clary. She whipped around a a man was there next to Magnus, leaning up against the carriage. His skin was light caramel and his hazel eyes were fixed on Clary.

"I am in agreement, Kyle," Magnus agreed. "I have worked in this family for years, yet Max has never been as happy as he is now."

"Jordan Kyle," the man- Jordan- said and stuck out his hand to shake Clary's, just like the rich men did. She smiled and confidently tipped her head higher and shook Jordan's hand.

"Clary Fairchild." Magnus' head tilted sideways.

"Fairchild. Do you have another name? I feel as if I know you, perhaps another last name, a family name?"

Clary felt her body tense. "I take my mother's maiden name, though she died when I was young. My family name is Morganstern, but I'd greatly prefer you never ever say that name in my presence."

Magnus gasped. "I knew your mother! What was her name? Jenny, Jessie, Jellin, Jocel... Lynn. That's it! Jocelyn! Miss Jocelyn Fairchild. Bright red hair, green eyes, slender, looked just like you, Clary."

Clary took a step back. "You knew her? My m-mom?" she whispered.

"I hadn't heard about her passing, I'm sorry if that brought up unwanted emotions, Clary." Magnus, frowned and looked at Clary sympathetically.

"You knew her better than I ever did, she was only there for a few years, Magnus. She died, giving birth to my brother when I was five. He was stillborn."

"I'm so sorry, dear." Magnus stepped forward and hugged Clary. Jordan stood there in shock, still leaning against the carriage.

"I'm going to go... feed the horses."

"I better go too," Clary said, almost silently. She pulled out of Magnus' embrace and walked swiftly back up the path to the house.

"Poor girl. She must have had a tough life," He told Jordan, who had backed away from where Magnus was standing.

"Why? She had her father and siblings, correct? I lost my mother when I was eight and I'm okay."

"Oh yes. As if she could forget them, Kyle. Clarissa Fairchild... Her mother, Jocelyn Fairchild- Well, Mogenstern- raised me until I was seven years old. Little Clarissa had been born, she was two, and Valentine Morgenstern, her father, beat his wife until she couldn't walk. Her other son, Jonathan, was a little demon. He always pulled mean pranks on everyone and once, he even tried to drown Jocelyn."

"Oh god," Jordan replied. "I hope Clary adjusts well here. Maia told me Amatis told her that she overheard Clary talking to Jace about Clary's past houses- they weren't very lovely if you get what I'm saying."

"We can only hope, Kyle. We can only hope."

}~{}~{}~{}~{

"Thanks so much Clary! Did you see that it's a series? We should go back soon, Clare bear. That was totally awesome! Do you think Daddy will let us go back soon? I really hope so, because that was so much fun."

"Of course we can, Max! You'll have to beg your Dad a whole lot but he'll probably say yes. Now go inside, you little comic worm," Clary said as she got out of the carriage and lifted Max out after her. "Thanks Mag." Magnus smiled big and nodded at Clary.

"My pleasure, SF. Keep smiling, girlie. It makes you look so pretty." Clary grinned.

"What's a comic worm?" Max inquired, staring up at Clary with his big eyes.

"Well you are a bookworm, but we bought a comic book today so your a comicworm now! Anyway, go inside Maxie. I think Maia or Amatis made dinner."

"You haven't even met Maia yet though Clary!" Max shouted. Clary smiled.

"But you have little comicworm so go inside and eat. You can introduce me to Maia when I come in, okay? Now go on comicworm. Eat. Dinner. Go." Clary pushed him towards the path that led to the house.

"Clary-"

"Go Max," Clary said, laughing. Max smiled, before racing up the path to the house.

"So you had a fun day?" Jace's voice asked, coming from behind Clary.

"Yes, it was ah-mazing. We had so much fun, thanks Jace!" She whipped around and there he was, gorgeous and golden like always.

"I'm glad," Jace said, his eyes taking in Clary's sweaty face, crazy hair, and dirty dress. Clary flushed.

"I'm afraid we had so much fun, I didn't pay attention to my appearance."

"I noticed," Jace said and Clary blushed. "You look gorgeous."

"What?" Clary glanced up. Jace looked away.

"Nothing. I didn't say anything. What did you think I said?"

"Nothing," Clary said, turning away and turning a fair shade of pink. She had totally imagined that, hadn't she? This guy wouldn't say something like that to her.

"I just came to say that I'm happy your first week has gone well with Max."

"Thank you, Jace.

"You're welcome." Then Jace walked out of the stable.

Clary turned around and Kyle stood gaping at her.

"What's you problem Kyle?" Kyle only shook his head at her.

"I don't know how you do it, Fairchild. He has never in his life said you're welcome to anyone. You are the first."

"Well Whoopie doodle," Clary replied and waved her hands. "Gosh I have to change. Do you think I could get Amatis to make me another dress?"

"Why?" Kyle asked. "You already have four. That's more than other plantations give you."

"I know, I know. But, I traded all of them but the one I'm wearing now to get Max that comic book." Kyle gasped.

"You really love the kid, don't you? You've only spent a week with him!"

"I can't help it Kyle. Truly! He's adorable and I just don't want him to have a Childhood like mine was. He needs a friend, even I have half a friend."

"Whatever, girl. Yes you could probably beg Miss Izzy or Amatis to get you more dresses."

"Ugh, and soon," Magnus joked holding his nose and coming up behind Kyle.

"Haha. Very funny Maggie. Just don't forget who got to sit in the carriage while someone else ran around and had fun working all day. Not many people can say they enjoy working."

"Woah, SF striked back!" Magnus exclaims. Kyle's face shows confusion.

"SF?"

"Duh Kyle. Spitfire."

"Ohhhh," Kyle said and hit hit fist against his head. "That was stupid."

"Yes, darling we know it was," Clary said in a fake-caring voice.

"Why people say your sweet, I'll never know."

"Hahahahahahaha, Clary being sweet," Magnus laughed and Clary swatted him before looking at Kyle.

"Honestly he's right. I'm the girl who attacked Alec for trying to heal her."

"It's not your fault, Clary," Magnus reasoned. "They didn't go through the things you did. By the way, how's that going? Healing well?"

"Definitely. Anyway, I got to go in, help Amatis and Si, meet Maia. I promised Max he could introduce me to her."

"Aww," Magnus interrupted and Kyle smiled too.

"Tell Maia I love her extra today-Way more than yesterday... It's an inside joke," he added at the confused faces in front of him. "Whatever, go have fun and enjoy your work. See you at dinner?"

"Naturally," Clary grinned and bounced away.

And though none of the slaves realized it, a golden boy was hidden outside of the stable, considering every single word he'd just overheard.