Hello everyone! How long has it been?! Too long is the answer! Here's hoping to get back to regular updates.
The first question this chapter comes from FangirlofLiterallyEverything (Thank you so much for your lovely review): Which is your favourite TMI pairing? My alltime favourite would have to be Clary/Jace but I also have a soft spot in my heart for Magnus/Alec.
The second question comes from Shauna Kullden (Sebastian is definitely a twisted piece of work! Thank you for your amazing review!): Who's your favourite character? I love both Simon and Jace in TMI. When I'm writing, I really like writing Jace's parts though, mainly his dialogue – I love to play around with his sarcasm and humour.
Feel free to leave questions/comments/feedback in a review – I read every single one and try my best to keep you all happy! Love to you all. Let's crack on with the next chapter!
I quickly reopened my messages to Jon.
Clary: On second thoughts, I might need you after all. Sorry.
A minute after I sent the message, Jon was standing in my doorway his pillows and blanket in hand.
"You never have to apologise Clary." He smiled, bedding down on the floor. "However, it may be worth me getting a camp bed of some sort."
I had a disturbed night's sleep, but Jon was there to help me through it. It wasn't Sebastian troubling my sleep tonight, it was Isabelle. What if she didn't believe me? What if she told people? What was I going to do?
I didn't eat any breakfast in the morning, my stomach already doing somersaults. Mum and Dad had both already left, so nobody forced me to eat and I headed off early before Jon had a chance to get out of the shower. I hoped to bump into Simon before I saw Isabelle, hoping he would coach me through this but how could I tell him about this? Wasn't he supposed to be dating Isabelle as well? No such luck. The first face that I came across was Isabelle's and she was looking at me as though she had a secret waiting to burst forth. How was I going to play this? Sitting myself next to her, I tried not to catch her eye, hoping that we could get through form without having to discuss it.
"Clary?" She finally caught my attention, tapping my hand.
"Hmm?" I turned to face her, lacking interest.
"Are you alright? You don't seem yourself?" She asked.
"I'm fine, just had a bad night's sleep." I seemed to have thrown off her overly good mood which I was somewhat happy about.
"Are you free this Friday? I know its short notice." I half-nodded, not entirely sure what I was agreeing to yet. "Magnus, Alec's boyfriend, is throwing a party – he usually throws them, and I was wanting to know if you wanted to go? Feel free to invite other people but don't go like crazy." She smiled.
"That sounds like a good night. I'll definitely come along, we'll arrange something tomorrow." I agreed with her before I left form room for my first period. I was curious as to why Jace hadn't invited me first, although with all of the drama of yesterday I wasn't surprised that it might have been overlooked. Oh god, I hoped my bruises would subside by Friday.
Clary: So, what's this I hear about a party at Magnus'?
Jace: It totally slipped my mind. I'm not really that big into parties but if you're going, I'll make sure to show my face.
Clary: I'm going to go. What's the dress code like?
Jace: Magnus likes to go all out. Wear a nice dress and you'll be good. Did you tell Iz btw?
Clary: Not yet, I'm not ready yet. I'm trying though.
Jace: It's alright. Take your time.
The day flew over until the only lesson we had left was Sport. As the sun was shining, outdoor volleyball was the chosen sport of the day. I changed alone in the toilets, still very aware of the bruises that adorned my arms. Most of the girls were wearing vest tops with their shorts, I think I was the only one wearing sleeves. It took me a while to spot Isabelle once we got outside, but once I did I felt instantly sick. She was standing on the edge of the field, twirling her hair, talking to Sebastian. Jordan was sitting a little further back on the bleachers, sketchpad in hand. What were they even doing here? The teacher was late so a few of the girls were practicing little cheerleading routines, some of the other girls were sneaking out towards the woods for a cheeky cigarette. I was just stood along the outskirts feeling mighty awkward but not wanting to go anywhere near Sebastian.
"How are you not roasting?" Jordan said, smiling down at me. I turned to face him. He was wearing a baggy t-shirt and a pair of Bermuda shorts, sunglasses adorned his eyes.
"You're talking to me about fashion choices?" I laughed looking back at his shorts. "Jesus Christ, they're loud." Jordan laughed out loud, taking his sunglasses off and attaching them to his t-shirt.
"I'm an artist. I can get away with these things." He smirked. "I'm assuming you kicked Seb to the curb? His attentions seem diverted?" Jordan gestured over to Isabelle and Sebastian who were laughing amongst themselves. I shrugged.
"What can I say? I find it difficult to get on with pricks." Jordan scoffed, patting my shoulder.
"You're hilarious. Although I would love to know what it is that Seb did, just so I don't make the same mistakes y'know." Now it was my turn to laugh.
"There's just something about him. Call it gut feeling or whatever, but he just makes me uneasy."
"Fair play. Your friend seems to be into what he's selling." I turned my eyes back to the pair of them, the space between them practically non-existent. "Looks like your lesson is cancelled as well." Jordan said catching sight of most of the class dispersing, looking like they were heading home. I rolled my eyes. I was meeting Simon at the school gates when school was over to go back to my house to hang, so either way I had to hang about.
"How inconvenient."
"Well, if you've got time, you could help me out with my sketches? I've been trying to extend that tattoo idea." I shrugged following Jordan back up to the stands. Once I sat down, I noticed that even though Sebastian was talking to Isabelle, his eyes were trained in on me. I broke the gaze, looking through Jordan's sketches instead.
"And you had the nerve to call me disgustingly talented? If these aren't perfection on paper, I don't know what is." I said flicking through the pages.
"Is Sport cancelled Clary?" Isabelle and Sebastian sat themselves down on the row below us, looking up at us. I nodded.
"I'm meeting Simon after school so there's no point in me heading home." I explained to her.
"Well I'll stick around whilst you wait." She smiled, but she was looking at Sebastian, making it blatantly obvious that the reason she was sticking around was for his benefit. "Hey Jordan – are you busy on Friday?" Isabelle piped up, and my eyes instantly fell on Sebastian. He could barely contain his smug grin.
"I think so – why?" Jordan asked, looking unsure.
"My brother's boyfriend is having a party on Friday night. It's quite a smart dress code but they're really cool parties – he really pushes the boat out. Sebastian is going so I thought you might want to come as well?" Jordan looked like he was weighing it up.
"Are you going?" He asked me, and I nodded lightly. "I'm game."
"It should be a fun night, I for one am looking forward to it." Sebastian chimed in, his hand resting on Isabelle's bare knee. It made my stomach squirm and I vowed to myself that I would at least try to have a word with her.
"I'm going to have a walk back to the school to grab my bags, you coming Isabelle?" She nodded, hopping to her feet. I said a quick goodbye to Jordan as Isabelle gave Sebastian a light kiss on the cheek. I waited until we were definitely far enough away before starting up the conversation.
"Can I have a word with you a second about something Isabelle?"
"What is it?" She asked, still smiling.
"It's about – Sebastian." I said slowly. Her face faltered slightly.
"I know what you're going to say. I know that I went on a date with Simon but I just seem to get on better with Sebastian, but don't worry I'm not going to lead Simon on, I will tell him-"Isabelle trailed off.
"No, Isabelle, that's not really it." I muttered, trying to think how to go about this.
"Oh?" She asked, looking miffed.
"I just don't think he's a very nice guy. I wouldn't want you sort of getting really into him just for him to let you down or hurt you. I just think you need to be careful with him, there's just something off." I tried to explain it best I could, best I felt comfortable with.
"I knew you were going to say this. He told me you would do this."
"He? Who? What?" I muddled, confused at what she was getting at.
"Sebastian. He said that you would try and put me off him. He told me all about it Clary." My heart fell to the very pit of my stomach. She knew? "I know that you asked him out on a date and that he declined. But really Clary, I don't think you should take that out on me. Jordan seems into you though, and I asked him to Magnus' party for that reason. So why don't you try and focus on yourself a little more, instead of on me and Sebastian? I don't want to fall out with you over this, let's just pretend this didn't happen, okay?" Before I had a chance to pick my jaw up from the floor, Isabelle was skipping off towards the school. Why hadn't I thought about this before? Of course Sebastian would have gotten in there first with his manipulation, why on earth was I surprised?
Clary: I tried telling her. She wasn't having any of it. I think she's just going to have to figure it out for herself. Sebastian can't keep a front up for long though and I don't think he'll hurt her. We'll just have to keep an eye out.
Jace: Thanks for trying. Talk later.
I frowned a little at Jace's reply. He seemed a little off? Shoving my phone into my pocket, I grabbed my stuff before heading up to the gates to meet Simon. Simon was there waiting for me, and as soon as I reached him, I wrapped my arms around him hugging him tightly.
"Hey, what's that for?"
"I've had a bad day, sorry." I sighed, pulling back.
"I'm not complaining, are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?" Simon asked as we started the walk back to my house. I started to feel uncomfortable. Was it my place to tell Simon about Isabelle and Sebastian? I had to talk about this though.
"I'm not sure if you know that Isabelle had a date with Sebastian yesterday?" I trailed off.
"I had an inkling." Simon admitted, looking slightly downcast.
"Well, I think he's turned the charm on because she seems to be falling for him hook, line and sinker."
"More like stinker…" Simon muttered, I could tell he was feeling bad about this just from the poor humour.
"I tried to have a word with her about him but I guess it was just too little too late. He got there first and now she thinks I'm jealous. So Jace is pissed at me because she's his sister and obviously she's now potentially hanging around with a violent creep." I sighed and Simon wrapped his arm around me.
"It's not your fault Clary. You did what you could, no one blames you. You're the victim in all of this." I shuddered at the word. We'd reached my house and I quickly let us inside before we slipped upstairs into my room. Simon set some comedy show up on the TV as we lay down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Who'd of thought our lives would ever be this complicated…" Simon trailed off.
"I know. Why couldn't we have just stayed toddlers?"
"I feel that. Alas what I would give to only worry about what flavoured crayon I would be chomping down on that day or whether Stacey was going to fight me to play with the buggy."
"You loved that buggy." I said.
"You used to love sitting in it." I laughed, images of Simon pushing me around in that buggy flashing through my mind.
"I'll always be here for you Simon, I hope you know that." I muttered after a little while of silence.
"I'll always be here for you too, regardless what happens. You'll always be my best friend."
"I hope so."
"I know so."
"I have to ask – is this Isabelle thing beating you up?" I asked. Simon shrugged.
"I mean, I'm not thrilled about it. But there's nothing I can do about it. I'm not going to judge her for it, because you've said yourself that he's known for charm offensives. So all I can do at this point is wait really." I felt bad for him but it was the Simon I'd always known – full of optimism.
"How would you feel about coming to a party with me on Friday?" I asked, sitting up.
"Who's party? Who's going?" Simon questioned.
"Well its Magnus' and Alec's party. But Isabelle and Sebastian are going, I said I'll go but I want someone there. Please." I smiled my most charming grin. Simon sighed.
"Fine. I'll go. But you're watching this new season of Arrow with me tonight whether you like it or not!"
Thank you everyone for sticking with me! I love reading your reviews and hearing your feedback, hopefully I will be back tonight with another update for all of you lovely lovely people! All of my love, until the next time! ~Sapph