Gah! I know, again, it's been forever, but this time it was final exams for classes. I'm not quite done with school yet, but I did manage to finish this chapter. I promise to try to update more during the summer, but it will be just as busy as the school year.

Also, I know it's really short, but my chapters are all really short, so it's not a surprise. I was going to make it longer, but a certain friend of mine forced me to finish tonight.

Anywho. Here you go. ^.^

The whole three hour seminar would have been interesting and helpful, had Jace not been so distracted by Magus's ever constant gaze on Alec, who seemed like he was staring right back. No one else seemed to notice this, too busy laughing at all of Magnus's jokes and in raptures with everything he was saying.

"Man, this guy was totally worth the wait!" Justin whispered enthusiastically, and Jace grimaced when he saw Alec nod and smile in reply, his eyes never leaving Magnus.

"He's alright," Jace muttered, and Justin looked at him, raising his eyebrows and smirking. He'd known Jace long enough to know exactly what was going on in that brain of his.

"Cool it, Jace. It's not like we'll ever see him again," Justin whispered so that Alec couldn't hear.

"… I am also a substitute for the French professor, as she is on maternity leave. If any of you wish to ask me any questions, that is where I'll be," Magnus said happily, his eyes flashing to Alec again.

Justin swallowed, looking over at Jace. "… Or not."

"God, he was so amazing, wasn't he? He knew exactly what he was talking about," Alec gushed, Jace walking stiffly beside him. It had been like this for the last ten minutes, Alec gushing about Magnus while Jace stayed quiet. Finally, though, he replied.

"Well he is a warlock," Jace pointed out quietly. "He's probably killed a Shadowhunter or two in his day."

Alec frowned at Jace. "You don't know him, Jace. Don't say that."

"Oh, and you do?" Jace snapped, and instantly regretted it. Alec's face sort of fell before going into an unreadable mask.

"I don't know what your problem is, Jace, but until you figure it out and adjust your attitude, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't talk to me."

Alec walked away quickly, leaving Jace shocked into silence. Well. He didn't know Alec had it in him to be snippy.

Alec was walking quickly down the hallway, when he bumped into non other than Magnus Bane. Magnus looked a bit irritated at first before he saw who it was. Immediately, he smiled.

"Well. What a cliché, romantic-comedy way for us to meet," he commented as he extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Magnus Bane."

Alec eagerly shook his hand. "Oh, yes. I know. I just saw your seminar. You were amazing. The talk about demon energies? Absolutely inspired," Alec told him quickly, then blushed. "Oh, and I'm Alec Lightwood."

Magnus gave a smirk. "Well, Alec Lightwood, I'm so happy you liked my lecture," he said, pulling his hand away and tapping his chin with his finger. "I do hope that you liked it enough to help me with something. I need an extra pair of hands to help me move things around in the French room. Would you mind?"

Alec quickly shook his head. "No. No, sir, absolutely not."

Magnus smiled. "Wonderful. And please, do call me Magnus."

The Shadowhunter smiled awkwardly. "Alright… Magnus."

Nodding, Magnus led Alec to the French room. Though, because the dark-haired Nephilim was standing in front of the warlock, he didn't see him toss a glittery wink at a certain golden haired friend of his.

Jace, having run after Alec when he got his bearings, witnessed this whole exchange with a deep frown. And when Magnus winked at him… he might as well have slapped him across the face. The feeling would be the same.

Fine, Jace thought, storming back to his room. If that's the way you want to play it, that's how I'll play.

If Jace had to compete for Alec's affections, that was what he would do. It was worth it.

Jace walked back to the dorm and immediately got on his laptop, opening iTunes. It would be cheesy, he knew, but Alec had once mentioned that he liked good, old fashioned cheese. So he popped a blank CD into the computer and began scrolling through his songs.

About five minutes later, Justin entered the room. "Hey, Jace. I was wondering if you were okay after… Wait. Are you making a mix CD?" he asked, incredulous.

Jace nodded. "Yep. For Alec."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "… Why? Is it his birthday?"

Shaking his head, Jace took the freshly burned CD out of it's case. "Nope. I've gotta win him. So I'm making him a CD."

Justin stared at him for a long moment before busting out in laughter. "Okay… First of all, you've already won him, haven't you? I mean, Matt told me he found you guys all cozy this morning in bed together. Second of all, if he isn't yours, you honestly think it would just take a CD? Alec is harder to crack than you give him credit for. He's not just one of the girls you pick up at Taki's. He's golden."

Jace looked up at Justin with a scowl. "Do I have you to compete with too?"

Laughing, Justin shook his head. "Nah, man. I'm as straight as a line. But I do know quality when I see it, no matter what gender. You both have it, and you mesh. If you could just get your fucking acts together you'd be perfect."

Jace clenched his jaw. "Well, this is just the first part of the plan. Trust me, Justin."

Justin shrugged. "Do whatever you want. Just don't be an asshole and fuck it up. I actually like this kid and I'm afraid he won't hang out with us anymore if you're more of a dick than usual."

When Alec arrived home, it was late. Not ridiculously so, but late enough to be dark. He glanced around the room for Jace, but couldn't find him. But what he did find was a note and a CD on his bed. He picked both up curiously, reading the note first.

Alec, I got a pass to go to my godfather's for a few days. In the meantime, here's a CD to help you think of me while I'm gone. Also, sorry for being such a giant dick in the hall today. Hope you've forgiven me by the time I get back. -Jace.

Alec smiled a bit and put the CD in the player, laying down on his bed and staring at the ceiling. Though he'd spent all day with Magnus, and found out he was gay, he'd spent the whole day thinking about why Jace may have acted in the hallway. The only reason he could think of was that Jace had been… well, jealous. It was a strange thought, but it was the most probable.

Closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep, Alec thought of Jace, and wondered if Jace was thinking about him. Which, of course, he was.