DISCLAIMER : ALL CHARACTERS, THEMES AND SETTINGS USED IN THIS STORY BELONG TO CASSANDRA CLARE, THE TRUE CREATOR AND OWNER OF THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS AND INFERNAL DEVICES SERIES. I OWN NOTHING THAT YOU RECOGNISE.

Isabelle Lightwood smiled smugly as she tapped the piece of paper she'd just placed on the table in front of her two best friends, Clarissa Morgenstern and Cecily Herondale. "Take a look at that."

Cecily squinted at the leaflet, "Come one, come all. To all the lost souls out there, I invite you to the party of the year. A rocking good time awaits you, starting 9.00pm at the residence of MAGNUS BANE?!"

"Shhh," Isabelle hushed theatrically. "Announce it to the world, why don't you?"

Cecily frowned, "You're not planning to actually go, are you?"

"Course I am," Isabelle answered, tucking the leaflet back into her purse. "And so are you. Trust me, it's going to be awesome!"

Cecily protested, "But Izzy, it's a Downworld party!" She looked around the crowded cafeteria, then lowered her voice to a dramatic whisper, "Aren't you afraid someone will SEE you? Come on, Izzy!"

"Come on, Eelsy," Isabelle answered back, imitating her tone to perfection, "Loosen up a little, will you? I know this guy that goes to Alliance Public High School, and he's really hot. Like, seriously. And I bet he could score a couple of dates for you two. Trust me girls, have I ever led you wrong?"

"Frequently," Cecily drawled whereas Clarissa let out a sigh that sounded suspiciously like surrender. "The last time you said that, you blew up my bathroom."

Isabelle, smelling success, let out a sharp whoop of delight, "And do you remember how much fun we had that time? That's the spirit, Clary! We are so rocking this party scene!"

"Are you talking about that Downworld party on Saturday?"

Clary, Cecily and Isabelle glanced up as Aline Penhallow and Jessamine Lovelace, Isabelle's fellow cheerleaders joined them at their table.

"You bet I am," Isabelle said, greeting them with a grin. Clary just gave a small smile whereas Cecily was out and out glaring at them. She detested the two girls in front of her and their fake behavior. Aline and Jessamine were exactly the type of girls who would pretend to be your best friend and then stab you in the back immediately if it gave them any benefit. It was disgusting. She couldn't understand why Izzy liked them.

Meanwhile, Aline was smiling- smirking- at Isabelle. "Great, Jess and I were just going to go shop for some new outfits, you coming?"

"Um, don't you have class later?" Clary voiced timidly.

Jessamine sneered at her, "Oh, that's right, can't have any of us skipping class can you? Little Miss Goody. Angel forbid anyone actually have fun around here."

"Lay off, Jessamine," Cecily cut in angrily. "Don't act such a cow just because you're jealous Clary isn't some dirty little slut like you are."

Jessamine's cheeks flushed a dull red, "Whatever! I'm outta here!"

Aline got up too, "So you coming or what?"

Clary stared hopefully at Isabelle. She really hoped Izzy wouldn't cut class and go off with them. She knew Aline and Jessamine were bad news. They were reckless and irresponsible, and didn't care about anyone but themselves. Clary knew they were in for a rough fall one day. She just hoped they didn't drag Izzy, her best friend since preschool, with them.

Isabelle shot Clary a thoughtful glance, almost as if she knew what Clary was thinking. It wasn't necessarily a long stretch, seeing as they knew each other so well. She turned back to Aline, "Nah, thanks but no thanks, Aline. If I get caught, I'll be in so much trouble with my mom.. like you wouldn't believe. Catch you at practice?"

Aline rolled her eyes, "Yeah, whatever." As she walked away, Clary breathed a small huff of relief.

"Ooh, I hate that bitch," Cecily muttered as soon as Aline ws out of earshot.

"Mmm, Jessamine can be a pain sometimes," Isabelle admitted as she sipped at her drink.

"Not her," Cecily said disgustedly. "Though admittedly, I hate her too. I was talking about Aline Penhallow."

"She's not that bad," Isabelle mumbled, not really meeting their eyes.

Cecily snorted, "Right. She's downright evil, that girl. Did you hear what she did to Jem Carstairs?"

"No. What?" Clary asked curiously as Isabelle acted uninterested.

"She cheated on Jem. Messed around with another guy while he was getting treated for that sickness of his in London. Poor Jem. He's such a sweet guy. How could she do that to him? She doesn't deserve him," Cecily ripped up her napkin as she fumed.

"And I suppose you know someone who does?" Isabelle asked, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Cecily blushed light pink, "Shut up, Izzy. He's just sweet, that's all."

Isabelle grinned evilly, "And you just want to eat him all up, don't you, We all know you've got a penchant for the sweet desserts."

"Izzy!"

"Alright, Eeelsy. Sheesh, calm down. It's not like I'm going to rat you out or anything. I've kept Clary's crush on Jace a secret all this time and he's my brother's best friend. Obviously, I can be trusted with this."

Clary looked around nervously, "Izzy, keep your voice down."

Isabelle rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay. I won't say anything. I swear on the life of my cat."

Cecily giggled, "You don't have a cat, Izzy. Church Jr. belongs to Alec."

Isabelle stood up and gestured imperiously at her friends, "Enough talk. Let's go to class. And after that, we shall shop! When I'm done, you two will be the hottest girls at that party!"

Clary and Cecily shared a LOOK. At the same time, they both shook their heads in defeat. "Isabelle…"