Cecily's POV:

"He probably only wanted to be kind," was Tessa's response to Jem dancing with her.

Oh BS!

Jem hasn't done anything with anyone since the dawn of time. He never went on dates, never asked anyone out, especially never danced with anyone.

The way he was looking at Tessa, how he had to rip his eyes away from her to go help Will (Ugh, Will, you always ruin the most romantic of moments) was just plain adorable. Yes, Gabriel and I had a great time, but my eyes couldn't help but to wander to Tessa, who was dancing with the person who never dances.

This was a big deal, and she was acting like it was absolutely nothing.

How could she ever believe that?

That, or she's being modest.

Or Jem asked her not to say anything before he went to go help Will.

Or they are already secretly dating! I know, I know, I'm getting way ahead of myself. But if nothing happened, then why did Tessa blush when I asked her about it, like she was avoiding it this whole time?

There must be something she isn't telling us. Nothing else could explain the way her face switched colors immediately when the topic was brought up. Why wouldn't she want to talk about it? It's Jem! He is pretty cute, not hot, but cute.

But perfect for Tessa.

I give Sophie THE-look and she raised her eyebrows at Tessa as well.

"Tessa, dancing with someone isn't nothing and Jem is always kind, but he doesn't ask anyone to dance," Sophie told her, a hint of envy in her voice.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Surely he's danced with someone before," Tessa assumed. At our blank stares she adds on, "Surely he's liked someone before?" but her confidence was lost.

She stared blankly at us.

"You mean to tell me no one-"

"No one, Tessa, only you!" I tell her enthusiastically.

She stares at me, wide-eyed. Disbelievement, surprised, and a twinge of fear was plastered on her face, clear as day. Maybe I read her wrong. Perhaps she doesn't like him. But hasn't everyone at least thought about dating Jem?

What if she had someone back at home that she wasn't talking to. Maybe it was Alec or Magnus!

"Do you have anyone back at home? Alec or Magnus perhaps?" I ask her, curiosity getting the best of me.

Astonished.

And definitely not in a good way. In a I-can't-believe-you-just-said-that way.

That was one thing I didn't expect to see written all over her face.

"No! No no no no no," she rushed to reassure us. "Magnus and Alec are together, they are so cute together." She looked at us and giggled. "Malec forever!"

After staring blankly at her for a few seconds I finally understood. They were gay.

As far as I know, no one at this school is gay. But maybe people didn't want people to know? But that didn't mean it wasn't as adorbs as any other couple!

"How long have they been together?" I ask her, excitement flowing through all of my words.

"Since the dawn of time," she tells Sophie and I, giggling. "No one really remembers a time without them being together."

Sophie smiles lightly. She doesn't seem uncomfortable, just more surprised.

"So…" I prompt her. "Tell us everything about Gideon!"

Sophie's face turned a shade of deep ruby red. Even deeper than Tessa's face had been when I asked her about Jem.

"He-he's very kind," she stuttered. Tessa's grin took up her whole face. I began laughing and in no time at all, Sophie and Tessa were laughing with me.

What a bunch of giggling idiots!

"That's all?" Tessa asks, suggestively and flirtatiously. I bite the inside of my cheek in attempt to keep myself from laughing.

Sophie hits Tessa's arm, lightly and teasingly, her blush turning even deeper (if that was even possible) shade of red.

"It doesn't hurt that he's handsome…" Sophie admits, sending us into a fit of laughter yet again.

In the corner of my eye, I catch Will whispering urgently to Jem and Jem looking sick. Jem is deathly pale, but when Will realizes this, he brings deathly pale to a whole new level.

I watch as Will half carries Jem out of the room, probably taking him back to their dorm, without anyone realizing. Well, except me of course.

Why did he look so afraid? What does he fear?

He doesn't care about anyone or anything, right?

But...he was about to pound Gabriel's face in last night when he was dancing with me, he obviously cares for Jem. The worry on his face haunted me.

It reminded me of the time when I fell out of the big oak tree by our house that he dared me to climb. Ella rushed over and Will did too. He looked so frightened, and not just that he knew he was going to get in trouble.

He looked scared for me.

But Ella was gone now. And with her, she took Will. My brother. It's hard not to think she was selfish, taking him with her as she lost the light in her eyes. Her death hurt me, but not like it hurt Will. I know that it hurt him. Unfortunately, him being the relentless Will he was, would never admit to something being wrong. He never cried with us, not even at the funeral. His face was stern and hard, and not long after that, that became his normal day-to-day expression.

I take that back. He did cry.

But he didn't mean for me to hear. I know he didn't.

I haven't had the guts to admit to him that I heard his midnight wails.