Chapter 2. The Silver Coloured Road

Made of crystals in the sand, If you want to taste you can

In the city where the people are alone, She held lightning in her hands

She's been cornered by the man, I pretend no answering riot

As we hid it on the hill, we ran

Fuel a mission, With the passion

Fighting still, we ran

Do you know the way, To the silver coloured road

By the city that's run dry

~Crystal Visions, The Big Pink

Nothing was said as the streets passed, but Jem found it hard to even open his eyes. The bike moved through the rush with such speed that it surprised him at how smooth the journey had been. The roar of the motor made him jump each time William revved the engine, and Jem could almost swear he did it on purpose simply to feel him tremble against his back. His heart was pounding in his chest, but when he felt the world passing ease he knew his stop was soon.

"You are going to miss it all with your eyes closed like that." Will smirked as he shut off the bike to ease it into the parking space, and Jem caught his gaze through the mirrors.

"I do not think my eyes open will be any different then closed. You go so fast." Jem set back on the bike, rubbing his wrists to relieve the tension there from the death grip he kept on Will's Jacket. The helmet was too big, and covered most of Jem's blush that was still hard to miss. Finally, when Jem's fingers started to recover from their blood loss he tipped the helmet from his white hair, "I thank you kindly for taking the trouble-"

"Save it," Will interrupted him, and traded the suitcase for the helm, "You need to check in." He turned his back on the youth to reseat himself over the leather. Jem felt his chest tighten with nerves. Was this it? He was just going to drop him off, and leave? There were so many students with their families moving in and out of the campus he felt at any moment he would drown in the current. Where was his building? Where did he go?

Jem found himself suddenly very aware at how alone he was standing in the empty parking space watching Will leave, but he would not be a burden any longer. He could do this. His mother had begged him to stay, and her support was limited. However, he knew a part of her would forever belong here too. He had to prove to her he was able. He wanted to return to her a doctor like his father, and honor their good name. In this he found strength to start this adventure, and pushed his steps forward to move along side the stream of students.

The paths through the University twisted like a stone snake, and Jem was thankful for the old tall trees that seemed just as important as the buildings that held the classrooms. They were a nice reminder of home, and made this concrete jungle feel more real. His heart was pounding in his chest as his smile finally found his lips again when the dorms came into view. His ribs tightened around his heart with the excitement that drummed to his ears, and he was ready to belong. There was so much to see! So much to do! However, he was tired, and the thought of finding his bed pressed him along. Finally, he searched his breast pocket for the paper that had his building's name, and searched for the hall.

"You look lost," A sweet voice that sounded like bells chimed behind him, and Jem turned with a pathetic apology hanging baited on his lips. The girl before him was beautiful in that bookkeeper way with mouse brown hair, and thick-rimmed glasses that perched on her nose. Her cheeks were as flushed as his to be in the sun, and her attire was plain. She wore a name badge that made Jem realize that she must have been part of the student support, but she couldn't be too much older then he. Finally, he straightened his stance, and spoke.

"I am," He smiled proudly, and it was the first thing Tessa noticed of his beauty. He had the sort of smile that met his eyes, and it was easy to ease into her own. "I am looking for," Jem propped the paper beneath his nose to read, "The Griffin House." He admitted finally, having stumbled over the English a little, and it made Tessa giggle lightly. However, she looked at him through a sly questioning glare, and wondered of the truths that he seemed to miss.

"House Griffin? My…" Her eyes swept over him as if confused. He seemed normal enough, but it was very clear that particular set of dorms was reserved for the privileged. Everything about this youth spoke of humble belongings save for the jade bracelet he wore; she could wager it had been expensive. Other then his obvious accent, and his freak coloring—he wasn't much different. His clothes smelled like stale cigarettes, and he looked weather worn. Will. Tessa was not impressed, but of all she knew never to judge a book at first glance. "May I see your paper?" Jem happily passed it to her, and while she was skimming the paperwork his silver eyes shifted again around the campus.

The students were no longer looking at him, but watching as men in all black passed. Their fine suited figures carried objects that appeared to be for an art studio of sorts, but the only sort of arts this school possessed was that of the Political variety—he had checked. They also seemed to be sheltering a boy his age in between them who seemed very annoyed to even be there.

"Well…" Tessa stated plainly, looking over her glasses at him. "I'll have the help carry your bags up. My name is Tessa Gray, and I'm a second year. You are on my floor." She extended her hand, and Jem took it gently. He gave his name in the sort of sweet way that made Tessa's heart warm, and already she found herself wanting to question him all over again.

"I will not need service to get my bag," He finally said with a small blush creeping up over his skin, and thumbed the handle of the suitcase between them, "I only have one." Before Tessa could argue, Jem was quick to continue. "I have money for what I may need." A privilege he knew, and he didn't mean to flaunt it. However, he could feel the judgment there in her gaze, but did not think poorly of her. He did not think poorly of anyone without just cause. His mother warned him of how things were very different here, but in truth even she didn't understand how severe their two countries were different.

"Oh," She mouthed slightly ashamed at the way she had assumed much of his character, but would finally just smile, "Then come along. I'll show you to your room."

They walked for the better part of the journey behind the men with the dark suits, and both he and Tessa were fascinated by the way they appeared to flock around a boy with hair as black as Will's. His eyes were the same color as well, but they carried such sadness where William's had been nothing but trouble—Jem was sure of it. It was part of his appeal he was sure.

"Looks like you'll be sharing the bathroom with the young Lord." She whispered when the elevator doors closed to see them up to his suite, and Jem felt his nerves shake him. He did not feel worthy sharing even the air with any of titled privileged, but when Tessa reached his door it was confirmed. The men in black suits stood outside the door down the hall form him as if guarding a King. The look on their faces spoke of how they were prepared to stand there all night.

"It is very humble of him to be attending the University, and staying in the hall?" Jem asked looking around the all white room as if he had been slapped in the face. The stark white walls matched the white tile, and the bed without sheets appeared to be something straight from the type of rooms they kept the insane. The look on his face made Tessa smirk—there was a spoiled brat beneath him after all.

"Trust me, Lightwood is only staying here while his loft in the city is being renovated I'm sure. He is not humble, and it seems you are not either." She reached out to touch his shoulder as if to shake him from his shocked state, and Jem turned to her with what she thought was horror in his eyes before he crossed to the other side of the room.

"There is only one window?" The question made Tessa raise her brow in a series of her own, and she wasn't certain how to answer. "It does not open either." He frowned then, and her heart sank with his as she watched him struggle with the latch. He was going to stay in this prison? He couldn't stay here!

"You have money right? Those with money can turn this into whatever they want. All it needs is a few pictures, and maybe a rug. You will have to wait until tomorrow to go to the market, but trust me you won't spend much time here." Jem was suddenly very embarrassed for the way he acted, and swallowed down his sorrow. It was not the room that upset him, but that he was so closed away from the natural world outside.

"Thank you for showing me—you are right, it will suit me just fine." He smiled meekly, and listened to her go on about the rules. Classes wouldn't start until Monday, and that would give Jem the entire weekend to fill this space with anything to break the constant, caging, white. Tessa continued to try and ease him into his life in the dorms, but he didn't listen. He couldn't get over how homesick he was suddenly. Finally, when Tessa left he sank onto the edge of the bare mattress, and ran a hand through his hair before picking up the small pamphlet that gave the meal period. He was not far from one, and if he hurried to unpack he could have a chance to wash up before dinner. A good meal, and a walk around campus would chase away his heartache. He really could do this on his own…couldn't he?

A/N: I didn't have Ky Beta this one, she's graduating this weekend, and I didn't want to be a pest. Really its so small how many mistakes can one person make? Plus. Fanfiction, don't judge too harshly. I loathe writing set up chapters, because I'm SOOOOO eager to get to the story, but if you followed Center of the Sun then you'll understand how important they are. So bare with me as things are a bit slow?

I'm really glad you liked Will so far, but truuuuuuuuuuuust me there is SOOOOOO much more to him. His theme song in this is The Wolf by Fever Ray. It's on the Red Riding Hood soundtrack…go listen. Soooo hot. He's my Judas. All cute and in brown now, but he is daaaaaaaaark. :growls: Big Bad Wolf v. Sweet Little Jem. If you guys could just see this story in my head right now, you would want me to hurry too.

Eyes black, big paws and

Its poison and

Its blood

And big fire, big burn

Into the ashes

And no return

We took you right

From your mother's home

Our temple, your tomb

Can be your pick

Not pawned

The poison is blood

Reviews get updates faster, because they keep my damn Gemini mind going.

Have a great week!