Jem's POV

I catch Tessa trying to leave early. She wore a mask of emotion and I knew what it meant; I'd been through it too. If it wasn't for Will… I don't know where I'd be. Fortunately, she makes it easy for me and runs right into my chest.

"Where are you going? The party hasn't even really started yet," I tell her before taking her hand and dragging her through the door, back into the party. I look over and see Will dancing with Jessamine. Quietly, I sigh to myself. I knew that wasn't who he was- I got a glimpse of who he was just before something happened. He denies it, won't tell me there's anything different. But I know. I can sense it.

Tessa struggles against me. "I can't… I shouldn't… Jem! Stop!" she commanded me. Nothing was going to make a difference, so I laugh and tug her to the dance floor.

I pray I took enough medicine to last this out.

I twirl her and finally let go of her hand, trusting her, and start dancing on my own, mimicking what she was being earlier today, but there was nothing funny about the way she looked earlier. To others, maybe.

Me?

It was bad.

When someone looks like she did, like she had no purpose, like she didn't belong, nothing good could come of it.

When she looks like you did, that all-knowing voice reminds me. I wince trying to flush out those thoughts; they were what got me here in the first place after all.

With the change of the music, loud and pulsing to slow and legato, I pull her towards me and we begin to waltz. She seems startled by my sudden stop to her quiet shy dancing, but eventually calms herself down.

She stumbles a few times, and it takes everything in me to not burst out laughing. She was beautiful in that sparkle-filled sunset dress, and I faintly wonder where she got it from. It must be an American thing.

Self consciously, she keeps her eyes trained on her feet, trying to make them focus and I smile. I can only imagine what Will despises in her.

She loves books- better yet, she loves Dickens, just as Will does. She has courage. She is caring, loving. The Will I met before he changed would have loved her, but now it's quite the opposite. Something changed. I know that much.

But no matter how close we are, he never seems to want to tell me what. All I know is that I am the only one who sees some bits of the boy he used to be. Jessamine never does, never will. That's why he dates her. Or, excuse me, 'dates her'.

Anyways, he doesn't really care for her. This I know. He needs her for a cover up for something. Cecily, he cares about. He pushes her away. He cares about me, too. But he shows it.

I wish I knew why.

He reminds me to take my medicine when I forget to take it. He never complains like he does with others, instead helps me take it with a caring hand.

I wonder if Will is only acting when he is around - ouch.

Tessa steps on my toe while dancing. "Sorry," she apologizes while her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

I smile lightly.

"What's this?" I hear Will ask, angrily. I whip around to see Will talking to Gabriel and Cecily, who were calmly slow dancing before. Gabriel and Gideon had dismissed their 'girls' earlier today. Gabriel claiming he was going to ask someone else to the dance. Gideon saying he had a crush on Sophie Collins.

I had no idea Gabriel was interested in Will's little sister.

For someone who wasn't supposed to be protective, he sure was.

"Cecily Herondale. What. Are. You. Doing?"

Just as much as he saves me, I have to save him. I pull away from Tessa and go to stand by him, tugging on his shoulder.

"Come on, Will. Let them be. Nothing was happening," I try to reason with him.

He snorts. "You say nothing, I say this worm was dancing with my sister," he says with a hard edge in his voice. Hearing this, Cecily looks at him, with ice in her eyes.

"And dancing is worse than making out this the school whore?" she retorts. Gasps are audible from throughout the dance floor. Jessamine starts to shuffle over, followed by some onlookers and stares at Cecily, like one would stalk their prey.

Tessa pushes her way through the crowd to stand by Cecily. Will glares at her, but not without a look flashing across his face. A look of...disbelief?

Nevertheless, he recovers quickly. I'd have to ask about it later.

"I thought I taught you better, Cecily. What would Mother and Father say? You just called Jessamine a whore?" he asks, taunting like.

Tessa looks at Cecily, pride clear in her eyes. She laughs, this high-pitched squeal of delight as she high-fives Cecily.

"You're the best!" Tessa announces joyously.

Jessamine growls and I can't help but feel a small twinge of fear. Jessamine can ruin Tessa and Cecily's lives.

Will eyes the two, who seem like sisters. "You've grown awfully attached to her, haven't you, Cecily?"

Gabriel butts in. I have the urge to facepalm and tell Gabriel to keep his mouth shut.

"You're seriously just figuring this out? I figured it out at lunch. I mean, man. The way she looked me over as I asked Cecily to the dance was harsh. I scared for my life man, literally scared...for...my life?" Will was giving Gabriel the death stare.

He gulped. "I'd run...like right now," I urge him. "Will," I try to reason, "let's be smart."