Oh my god. I didn't just do that. At least Sebastian doesn't suspect me. But oh god what if... Alec's freaking out session was interrupted by Aline.

"Thanks, Alec. For helping out back there. Sebastian wouldn't have listened to just me."

"Why did you do that?"

"I... I guess I'm just tired of it. Bullying those poor Downworlders for no good reason. Plus, Helen didn't do anything to deserve that." Aline said as they walked towards their lockers.

"Who's Helen?"

Aline blushed.

"The girl Sebastian hit. I feel really bad for all of them, you know. I'm thinking of sitting with them tomorrow." She pulled some books out of her locker and looked at Alec. "What do you think?"

Oh hell no. Sebastian would bully her, and then make things terrible for her and all the Downworlders.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Aline frowned.

"Why not?" She asked, sincerely curious.

"Not even considering social status, because I know that's not important to you, Sebastian would make your life a living hell. He would hit you just like he hit Helen."

"The only way he gets away with hitting them is because they're Downworlders. I'm not. And if he tries anything," Aline smiled sweetly. "You can come and save me. You're good with words." Alec raised his eyebrows.

"Me? Good with words?"

"You got me out today, didn't you?"

"I stuttered over every second word!" Alec protested. "Plus, I thought we didn't talk about Downworlder politics." Aline looked genuinely frustrated.

"Alec, you can't just think of excuses for every little thing. Someone has to stick up for them, and if you aren't going to help me, I'll do it myself." Aline began to huff off, but Alec took her arm.

"Aline." He breathed in deeply. "I'll help, but we'll do it discreetly, okay? I just don't want you to get hurt." Aline smiled from ear to ear.

"Thank you, Alec!" She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. Alec could tell it was a kiss of friendship and not lovers. That was another something that they never did; kiss. Alec liked that. To be truly honest, he didn't love anyone. Isabelle always used the word "yet" while looking into his eyes, like she could see into his soul. "I'll get us invited to their club meeting! Discreetly." She added. Alec sighed as she skipped off. Isn't this what he had always wanted? A way to help the Downworlders, without being found out? As long as it all worked out.

Magnus was walking in the hallway next to Helen, who had a a towel to her mouth, which was still bleeding. He asked her if she was okay about every two minutes, until she nearly yelled at him to stop. From then on, they walked in silence. Until Helen randomly popped a question on him.

"What do you think of Aline? You know, the Marked girl that helped me."

Magnus scoffed.

"All she did was say a few words to Sebastard." Helen let a laugh fall out her mouth at Magnus' new nickname for him. "Same with the other Marked boy."

"At least they did something." Helen tried.

"Helen. Darling. We all know," he gestured to himself, "that this is all about your crush on Miss Penhallow." Helen turned as red as a strawberry.

"What? I don't... What are you..." Magnus smirked at her. "She's taken!"

"So what? Have you ever see her kiss the boy? It's for social status. I've been..." Magnus stopped, realizing he almost revealed that he had been stalking the boy. Now it was Aline's turn to smirk.

"You've been doing what?"

"What? Nothing." Magnus scanned the hallway, trying to find something to get him out of this situation. Suddenly, his eyes focused on a girl with flowing black hair walking towards them. "Hey, Helen. Look who it is." He nudged her. Her eyes widened.

"Hi, Helen. Magnus, right?" Aline greeted. Helen's face was very red, but she squeaked out a hello. "I know this is a bit weird and sudden, but is it alright if my boyfriend and I come to your Downworlder Rights Club meeting? We really want to help, but my boyfriend is very adamant about being discreet." She made air quotes as she said discreet. Helen was so shocked that her crush was talking to her, she was frozen, so Magnus took the lead.

"You know, we've never had an offer like this before. And I'm not sure that we can trust you, you're one of the Marked."

"I helped you today!" Aline gestured at Helen, who blushed even more.

"Yeah, but how do we know it's not a setup? Maybe later, Miss Penhallow." Helen tapped twice on his back, the code for 'no'."

"Okay, I get it." Aline said, but looked a little down. "We don't deserve to be trusted. But if there's anything you need, just talk to me." She began to walk away. Helen, still blushing but not as much, called out to her.

"Wait! It's okay if you guys come, but only you two. And don't try anything, okay?" Aline brightened up and wrapped her arms around Helen, but then quickly let go.

"Thank you! I promise, we're just trying to help you. Where are you meeting?" Helen was frozen again after Aline had hugged her, so Magnus recited the address for her just as the bell rang. "See you there!" Aline ran off.

"OMG. Aline Penhallow just hugged me." Helen said.

"Yup, you definitely don't have a crush on her. Not. At. All." Helen playfully hit his shoulder. "See you after school!"