Mr. Bane, how often do I have to tell you that your so-called friends are not real friends? If they would let you take the blame for pulling the fire alarm this morning," Mr. Lightwood said as he looked at Magnus' student file.

"I don't know what you mean. I did it. You got me red-handed," Magnus said.

"Well, Mr. Bane, there is a time and place for having fun, and school is not that time or place. You need to buckle down and study to pass this year."

Magnus smiled, but a knock came from the door before he could say anything.

"Come in," Mr. Lightwood called out.

"Hey, Dad."

When Mr. Lightwood's son came into the office, Magnus couldn't talk if he wanted to.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I can come back later," Mr. Lightwood's son said.

"No, no, it's okay. I'm glad you came by."

"Okay?"

"Alec, this is Magnus Bane."

Alec turned to look at Magnus and looked right into his eyes. Alec swallowed hard. Then he smiled when he regained his senses back.

"Nice to meet you," Alec said.

Magnus smiled at Alec.

"Nice to meet you, too."

Alec finally pulled his eyes away from Magnus, which like to kill him inside, to look at his dad. Robert looked at his son.

"You're new here, and Mr. Bane needs some new friends. Maybe you two can be friends."

"Dad, you can't pick our friends for us."

Alec looked at Magnus. Then back to his dad.

"I don't mind," Magnus said, smiling at Alec.

Alec smiled back at Magnus.

"Okay, well, it's lunchtime. Would you like to sit with my friends and me at lunch?"

Magnus looked at Mr. Lightwood, who nodded at him. Then he looked at Alec with a smile.

"Sure, sounds good."

"Okay."

"Magnus, please wait out in the hall for Alec. Also, I want to see you back here Monday before the end of school," Mr. Lightwood said.

Magnus nodded and left the office.

"Alec, you needed to talk to me?"

"Yes, Dad. My money hasn't come in yet, and I need some for tonight, please?"

"Sure, anytime, Alec."

"Thanks."

Alec came out of the office, but Magnus wasn't there. Alec waited, but still, there was no Magnus. So he went to the lunch room. When he walked in, he saw Magnus talking to his friends. So, Alec headed over to his friends. Jace, his brother, looked up and saw Alec coming.

"Hey, Alec."

Someone stopped Alec. Alec turned to see Magnus.

"What happened to you?" Alec asked in annoyance.

"I needed to talk to one of my friends. I'm sorry. I didn't wait."

Alec looked at him.

"Do you still want to sit with us?"

"Yes, Alec. Don't be mad at me, please."

"I'm not mad, Magnus.

+TBC