Simon's life was more cup half full than empty these days. Somehow he'd managed to snag a women way out of his league, and a great group of friends. Plus graduation was on the horizon. The future was bright and the present was beautiful. Could life really get any better?
"How's Maia?"
Ah yes, there was that.
"She's fine," Simon replied, trying to fake a smile. It was rather an odd thing to be friends with two people who weren't talking to each other, and yet still wanted to know everything going on in each other's lives.
"Just fine?" Jordan continued. "Or like mostly fine?"
"Fine, fine," Simon added, with a slightly awkward shrug.
"I don't know why she doesn't want to be friends?" Jordan sighed. Simon didn't reply. He had a rather good idea as to why Maia didn't want to be friends, but he was also sure it wasn't his secret to tell.
"We were friends before," Jordan said. "I mean, I think we were. During those study sessions, and then back in high school before we ever dated."
"I'm not saying anything for sure," Simon began, testing the waters. "But what if she couldn't to be friends with you for the same reason I once couldn't be friends with Clary?"
"I'm not sure what you're getting at?" Jordan inquired.
Simon sighed then elaborated. "What if she likes you again?"
"Ha, like that would happen," Jordan laughed. "I'm not a complete idiot, you know. It might only take a dozen rejections after flying half way around the world, but I do eventually take a hint."
"Okay," he added cautiously. "But let's say for the sake of argument it were true. Would it change anything for you?"
"I'm with Paige," Jordan replied.
"I'll take that as a no," Simon said, resolving to keep his mouth shut and leave the fools to their own problems.
"Though I'll admit it would be nice to know," Jordan added quietly after a moment's thought. "Sometimes I find myself wondering if she ever loved me at all."
And Simon's resolve crumbled to pieces. He knew he'd end up sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, but it wasn't his fault. It was their fault for being so completely stupid!
"Where are the girls anyway?" Jordan sighed. "How long does it take to powder one's nose?"
"Depends how badly their boyfriend's messed up their makeup," Simon sniggered, remembering how he and Izzy had almost been late.
"Well if they don't hurry up I might order without them," Jordan complained. "I'm starving."
"Actually you are only very hungry," Simon corrected him. "Since I know for a fact you had breakfast and lunch today, you are in no way starving."
"That movie you made me watch," Jordan replied. "The one character talked like that…. The really literally guy with the funny ears. What was his name?"
"Spock," Simon sighed. "Good fiction is so wasted on you, my friend."
And just then the girls arrived. Paige and Izzy made their appearance from around the corner. Paige was wearing more casual attire, a nice pair of jeans and blouse, while Isabelle was in a navy blue tight knee length dress.
"You two didn't get up to any trouble while we were gone, did you?" Izzy asked Simon as she greeted him with a light kiss and sat down. Simon always loved it when Izzy showed him affection in public because it usually lead to at least one guy in the restaurant doing a double take. Tonight it was the muscular blonde on their left who was sitting at the bar. He'd been eyeing Izzy up since she'd walked in. Until this moment, it seemed he hadn't realize Simon wasn't her brother or friend zone buddy.
"No more than usual," Simon replied, grinning at his stunning girlfriend.
"Then what's with that smug look on your face, huh?" Izzy asked.
"Oh it's nothing really," Simon replied, the look in question still very much present. "Just enjoying the view." He turned his gaze to watch the now very grumpy looking blonde guy at the bar.
"That guy has been staring at my ass since we walked in," Izzy huffed. Then she turned to face him, very purposely putting her arms around Simon at the same time. Then once she was sure she had the guys attention, Izzy turned to kiss Simon very openly on the mouth. Simon's hands automatically moved up to hold her back as he forget where he was.
"There," Izzy said pulling away from him. "That should teach him a lesson about assumptions." Simon's eyes were closed, and it took him a full minute to find his way back to reality.
"So, have you fools decided what you want to eat yet?" Izzy asked the group as she turned to sit properly in her chair again.
"I'm not so sure about the fool part," Jordan said. "But I'm ordering a burger."
"You could get a burger anywhere," Paige reminded him. "Why not get something more interesting?"
"I'm not an interesting kinda guy," Jordan replied simply.
The waitress came to take their orders then. Paige ordered the Fish and Chips which prompted Jordan to tease her about her 'interesting' dinner choice.
"Oh sure, cause Fish and Chips is so exotic," Jordan smiled at his girlfriend.
"It's British," Paige defended herself. Izzy ordered lobster which didn't surprise Simon at all, and finally he asked for Fettuccine Alfredo.
"So, how is Jace coping?" Simon asked his former roommate once the waitress had taken their menus away.
"Um," Jordan replied. "Okay I guess."
"And by that you mean?" Simon asked.
"Well he's trying to stay busy," Jordan explained.
"While at the same time fretting about how Clary hasn't video chatted with him yet," Paige added. "She's been texting him fairly regularly, but never long texts. Just short update like stuff."
"Really?" Simon asked, surprised. He'd already video chatted with Clary more than once since she'd left, and she hadn't mentioned not video chatting with Jace.
"Considering how many times Jace has brought it up," Jordan continued. "I'm gonna go with really."
"I'm chatting with Clary tonight," Simon explained. "Maybe I'll ask her why. I doubt Jace will be comfortable enough to ask."
"I think Jace would greatly appreciate that," Jordan smiled. "Though you'd never get him to admit to it."
"I'll have to tell my brother you have stepped up your Jace watch duties," Izzy giggled. "I hear there was a drunk phone call incident."
"Urg," Jordan whined. "Why'd I get suck babysitting Jace anyway?"
"Because we live with him," Paige giggled.
"Yeah and how did that happen?" Jordan whined. "I moved in with Simon, which it seems translates to living with a mopey sap."
"Oh come on," Simon smiled. "He isn't that bad."
"You haven't lived with him since Clary left," Jordan replied. "I promise he is that bad."
"No he isn't," Paige smiled. "Don't listen to my silly boyfriend, Simon. Jace is entitled to be sad."
"Sometimes it's like we have a kid," Jordan laughed. "A very big kid who could beat us both up between blinks."
"I don't know," Paige laughed. "I think you are both big kids, or did I not catch you two playing video games together at three am last week?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about?" Jordan replied innocently.
"Ha!" Paige snorted.
As the topic changed to classes, Simon had a sudden realization. He was the only 4th year at this table, and therefore the only one set to graduate this June.
"I know you two chose your majors ages ago," Izzy was saying to Jordan and Paige. "But as I chose mine before 3rd year started, and my parents didn't choose it for me, I've still beaten Alec which is all that matters."
"Sibling rivalry still going strong I see," Jordan laughed.
"And I definitely won't turn into a whiny blob when my parents decide it's time to teach me to make money the hard way," Izzy huffed.
"Is that so?" Simon laughed. "What about your Prada purse?"
"Already purchased," Izzy said, raising herself up a little as she spoke.
At that moment dinner arrived, and everyone was far too busy eating to talk much. No one had room for dessert so they simply asked for the check.
"All together or separate?" the waitress asked.
"Separate," Jordan replied. When she returned the waitress placed a bill in front of Simon and another in front of Jordan.
"I'll take that," Izzy grinned, snapping the bill from Simon while Jordan paid for him and Paige.
"After what's happening with Alec, aren't you worried that you'll go to pay and it just won't work?" Simon asked. He'd long ago accepted that being Isabelle's boyfriend came with a certain lack of normal gender roles. Like paying for things. Izzy liked to win the check dance.
"Not yet," Izzy said. "Probably next year." She shrugged.
After that there was a great deal of chairs scraping against the floor as they all stood up to collect their coast. Since this particular restaurant was a little farther away than their usual places, they'd all drive here in Paige's car. As they were driving along the highway, rather than gazing out the window, Simon turned to gaze at Isabelle. Her long ink-black hair was moving gracefully through the air coming in the window. In profile Izzy looked so strong, but Simon knew the soft heart that beat underneath.
Paige dropped Izzy and Simon off first. Simon waved goodbye as Paige's car pulled out of his driveway and disappeared down the road. Sometimes it was strange to Simon that he didn't live with Jordan anymore. It was funny how life's little changes creep up on you to the point where all at once you realize how very different your life is now compared to years ago.
"Life is a series of small events," Izzy stated as Simon voiced his musing thoughts. "They build up so slowly we can't really see the full impact of them until later."
"Sure, but there have got to be some major moments that matter more than others," Simon argued.
"You can look at it that way," Izzy disagreed. "But in reality, those major moments are shaped and predetermined by the many small ones leading up to it." She paused then added. "Kinda like how the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. You can't see what is right in front of you."
"Any more words of wisdom, oh wise leader?" Simon asked, grinning.
"Here is never as interesting as over there," Izzy continued. "Now is never as amazing as then, and the future is always brighter than now." She paused to turn and face him. "You may think where you live is uninteresting, but to someone born on the other side of the world, your boring is their exotic and visa versa."
"You know, for someone majoring in Social work," Simon chuckled. "You sound like a philosopher."
"I may be taking a few electives just for fun," Izzy smiled at him. "Plus I've recently become addicted to educational youtube channels." She sighed.
"Can't blame you there," Simon chuckled. "I keep procrastinating studying by watching 101 Facts videos with Sam. They're so addictive."
"Urg," Izzy sighed, moving closer to rest her head on his shoulder. "Speaking of studying, I have a test tomorrow."
"And thanks to timezones, I have a video chat with Clary in about," He checked the clock on his phone. "Five minutes."
"It's so strange to think that it's first thing in the morning for her," Izzy mused. "While it's past ten here." She yawned hugely then added. "Alright, thirty minutes of studying then I'm going to sleep. Night." She kissed him on the cheek, then walked off towards their bedroom.
Alerted to the sound of his phone going off, Simon answered the video call on Whatsapp.
"Hi," Simon waved to his best friend who's image now filled his entire phone screen.
"Good morning," Clary smiled back. "Or I guess it's goodnight to you. Time Zones are weird."
"Yes they are," Simon laughed. "So how's Paris?"
"Well the people at the school are nice enough, but when I venture farther away from school not so much," Clary explained. "Like when someone bumped into me, they didn't even say sorry!"
"How un-Canadian of them," Simon replied in mock horror.
"I know right!" Clary agreed, either missing his sarcasm or choosing to ignore it.
"Anyway," she continued. "My classes are super interesting. I'm learning all kinds of amazing things. And meeting really cool people who are all very interested in how well I speak French. I mean I'm not against learning French, but at the same time I didn't realize people would be so against me speaking English."
"Clary," Simon began. "We've done this video chat thing a few times now, and I just have to ask you something."
"What is it?" she replied.
"Why aren't you video chatting with Jace?" he asked. Clary hung her head, all the joy in her face gone.
"It's just so much more depressing," Clary finally admitted. "With you I can just see you and that's fine, but with Jace if I see him I want to touch him and I can't."
"But you can't let that stop you from calling him, Clary," Simon urged her. "He's going crazy wondering why you aren't. You two can't get by on nothing but short texts for ten months!"
"It's nine and a half months now," Clary corrected him. But then she sighed as if resigned to the worse. "And I know."
"So you'll call him?" Simon asked. "Soon?" Clary took a deep breath, but she agreed.
"Good," Simon said with energy. "Now that we've got that out of the way, you were talking about new people you've met."
"Enough about me," Clary replied. "How are things back home?"
"Well Alec's been cut off by his mother," Simon began. "And not taking it well. Maia wants Jordan back, but won't tell him because Jordan's happy with Paige. So that's a giant mess which no one is talking about, expect to me it seems. Izzy is perfect as always."
"Apart from missing my phone calls," Clary began. "How is Jace?"
"Okay I think," Simon replied. "He's been trying to stay busy, which has translated to joining every University Club he can get his hands on."
"That doesn't sound good," Clary said, looking guilty.
"Don't you worry about Jace," Simon told her. "Just call him regularly and enjoy the Paris life."
"Paris isn't perfect," Clary said after a moment. "I mean the air is kinda gross."
"Way to burst my bubble there Clary," Simon laughed. "The city of love and air pollution were not connected in my mind until right now."
"Always here to help," Clary laughed.
After that, the topics remained light and fun, focusing on their friends, school and fun facts about Paris, for almost an hour until Clary had to sign off and get to class. Simon too knew he should be in bed. Yawning as he bid his best friend good night, Simon went to check on Izzy. His girlfriend was already in bed, fast asleep. Smiling, Simon got ready for bed, then settling down next to her. Though she was definitely sleeping, Izzy moved closer to let him hold her.
Simon woke the next day a little earlier than he'd expected. He didn't have class until that afternoon and had planned to sleep in. This plan had been ruined by the loud voice coming from the living room.
"Stupid useless people!" Maia's voice carrying into his bedroom.
With a sigh, Simon checked the time. It was ten o'clock so he really had nothing to complain about. Dragging himself out of bed, Simon went to figure out what kind of useless these people were exactly.
"I am so done with this computer!" Maia cried as he entered the room.
"Good morning to you too," Simon replied.
"So I finally gave up and took it to the Geek Squad, or whatever at the electronics store and get this, over a hundred dollars later they said my computer is fine," Maia exclaimed. "Stupid useless tech guys. I bet not a single one of them knows what a URL even is! Arg!"
"Okay, now breath," Simon told her. "Life as we know it isn't ending because you're computer sucks."
And like that, her anger disappeared. She collapsed into a chair looking rather pathetic. Simon decided she needed a hug.
"It's a good thing your computer isn't broken," Simon told her as he got up and went over to her. "Isn't it?"
"The desktop icons are vanishing," Maia groaned. "The guest login is gone too. Something's wrong."
"Did you tell the tech guys that?"
"Yes!" Maia exclaimed, her anger coming back with a vengeance. "They just said I probably forgot that I deleted them. Idiots!"
"Alright bring it in," Simon said holding his arms out. "Yep that's right, this hug is mandatory." Maia laughed slightly, but accepted the hug.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but I bet Jordan could fix it," Simon said.
"I know," Maia whined. "It's just- I can't face him. Not after everything."
"Have you considered the fact that you might owe him the truth?" Simon asked.
"What do you mean?" Maia asked.
"Well I may have been out with him last night, and he may have mentioned something about wondering if you ever cared about him in the first place," Simon replied.
"May have been?" Maia scoffed, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Alright. Was out with," Simon corrected. "He's happy with Paige, and I think it would be a relief for him to learn your time together was real. I don't think it will hurt, Maia. And I know you need the closure to move forward with Bat."
"Urg," Maia groaned. "When did you get all wise and annoying?"
"Not sure," Simon chuckled. "But I blame Izzy."
Sorry for the slow updates guys! The next chapter I've started but the one after is finish so if I can just get this next one done there should be two updates coming at you quickly. :) I hope everyone had a happy Easter and as always I would love to read your thoughts on my chapter. So you think Simon is right and Maia should tell Jordan how she feels? Or do you think that will only lead to disaster? Please leave me a review and let me know what you think! ^_^
Sneak Peek Chapter 130
"And doesn't that help you to understand how Magnus felt at the start?" Jace asked. "Why he fought you so hard about you paying for everything?"
"No," Alec replied, but Jace knew he was lying to make himself feel better.
"You can't fool me," Jace laughed.
"Urg!" Alec groaned. "Why is stupid life trying to make me see things differently!?"
"Life did nothing," Jace chuckled. "It's your parents you have to blame."
"Stupid parents," Alec grumbled.
"Oh yes how hard it must be to have two wealthy, loving and devoted parents," Jace said his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a chore this must be for you."
"Oh shut up!" Alec snapped, throwing a pillow at his best friend.