Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cassandra Clare. Story line is mine.

Chapter 4 - Apologies

After taking a shower and brushing out my hair, I braid it tightly and change into my sleep shirt. I sleep well, burned out from my run. And maybe from a cruel teasing of my new roommate. His face made the whole thing worth it, and maybe it's better that he knows exactly the kind of person I am.

He might be okay with a random girl giving him instant gratification, but he needs to know I will never be that girl.

When the sun filters through my wall of windows, I wake and blink, trying to clear the light out of my vision. I flop the comforter away from my body and take a deep breath. Sweat covers my skin and when I stand, the cool air greets me. I stretch my arms above my head and look out at my neighborhood. People are jogging, kids are playing despite the darkening sky. One thing about Portland is that it's always raining here. But I don't think I'd have it any other way.

I put my pink slippers on and open the door into the landing. I hear sizzling and soft voices from downstairs. Once I'm in the hallway leading to the kitchen, I recognize the voices of Magnus and another newer one. Simon.

"Speak of the devil," teases Magnus.

I smile bitterly and blow him a kiss. "I know you love talking shit. Where's Alec?"

"Playing the part of sleeping beauty."

"Can you go wake him up? He's supposed to help me go over competition dresses and we have an appointment in.." I check the clock. 11:30. "An hour. You know how long it take to get there."

Magnus rubs his hands on his 'kiss the cook' apron and kisses me on the cheek as he walks by. I kiss his cheek back and smile, watching his retreating figure.

"Good morning."

I turn to face Simon and shoot him a glare. He sighs and says, "Look, I'm sorry about last night. Message received. I'm so so sorry that I did that to you and I honestly hope that we can get along."

I narrow my eyes and cross my arms in front of my chest. "I don't believe you. That kind of behavior isn't given up so easily."

He flips the pancakes that Magnus left on the griddle. "I wasn't always like this. Being around a girl made me nervous. But I just want you to know that I will try to be that person. I truly am so sorry that I acted that way."

I mess with the hem on my shirt and look up, seeing his dark eyes fixed on mine. "I accept your apology. I hope someday I'll get to know that guy."

He nods and gives me a sad smile. "Yeah, me too."

He looks down at the pancakes as if the answer to all of his questions are in the batter. I set all of the dishes out and sort the silverware.

I hear a loud yawn and when Alec walks into the kitchen, I almost burst out laughing. His hair is sticking up all over the place and his sleep pants with skulls and crossbones and the matching button up shirt are wrinkled.

"I knew you were the hot sibling," I say.

He glares and Magnus hugs him from behind. "He is the hot sibling, Iz. Hate to break it to you."

I laugh and sit down in the cold chair. "You ready for our appointment? I have an idea about what I want for latin, but I don't even know where to start in smooth."

Alec rubs his eyes and plops down in the chair across from me. "I can't do it on my own. Can you come Magnus? You know more about it than I do."

Magnus sits next to him and Chairman Meow immediately takes his seat on his lap. "I was going to take Simon to get some stuff he needs."

I pout and clasp my hands together. "Please? I need your opinion. Alec won't have an opinion. I need to know if there are too many feathers or not enough sequins. I need to know if I look like a cow and Alec doesn't have the heart to tell me the truth."

Magnus flashes me a sympathetic smile. "I agree. But Alec has to be there for final opinion. I won't go without him."

"Do you mind coming along Simon?"

He looks up from scooping the bacon off of the pan and freezes. "Um. Sure."

I smile and cock my head. "Thank you!"

He just nods and sets the bacon on the table. I grab a strip and try it. My eye roll to the back of my head and I let out a little moan. Simon's eyes widen and he coughs. "That's really good bacon. What's your secret?"

He clears his throat again. "Um I don't know. I bake it instead cooking it."

I nod and eat another, smiling. Magnus give me suspicious look. I shrug and take a pancake.