Stay with me

Chapter 3: Too long

A/N: Okay guys this chapter has a little bit of sizzy action 😏 I hope you like it!! Please comment if you have any suggestions or to tell me if it's good or not 'cause it would help me improve. If you're reading this then thank you and ily 💖

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The next morning, Simon snuck out of his room. His mom had come to check on him earlier but he pretended to be asleep. He stuffed some pillows under the blanket to make it appear inhabited, and grabbed for the emergency ladder.
It was supposed to be a backup plan if there ever was a fire, but Simon thought this was just as important.
He pulled open the window and soundlessly dropped one end over. He made sure his end was securely fastened to the window and then made his escape.
Simon carefully climbed down the ladder one ring at a time; once he hit the ground, he broke out into a sprint.

Today, Isabelle taught him how to use a sword. She also taught him how to throw knives. It was tricky at first but after a while Simon realized that he had pretty good aim. It made up for his lack of confidence with a sword.
When Simon was a vampire, he had extra speed and strength. He also had fangs. Unfortunately, it was a thousand times harder now. However, Isabelle had said that he was doing good (for a beginner of course). But it still made him smile.

*****

After training, Simon hung out with Clary. They went to a small cafe a couple blocks away from the institute.
It was a cute little place with tiled floors and round oak tables. Inside, it smelled like rich coffee and fresh pastries.

"Grounded, huh?" Clary asked. She wore a little smirk on her face.

"Oh, like you've never done anything wrong," Simon had countered.

He had told Clary everything that had happened since the last time they saw each other.

"I never said that."

"It was implied."

She rolled her eyes.

"I can't believe you snuck out," she said.

"What? You've snuck out before, if I remember correctly."

Clary didn't answer. She knew it was true. Simon took a sip of coffee; him and Clary were never the people who got fancy lattes. Simple coffee was good enough for them.

"Sounds like your training's going well," she remarked.

Simon smiled into his cup. The thought of Isabelle made him feel all jittery; he put down his drink and started tapping his fingers on the table.

He said, "Yeah."

Him and Clary were best friends but he decided not to tell her how he felt about Isabelle. He assumed she'd already guessed. It's not like his emotions were exactly secret; him and Isabelle had dated before he lost his memory.

"I can't wait until you ascend," she told him.

Simon was excited too, but it'd already been almost two months and he'd barely learned anything.

"When will I be ready?" he asked.

She answered, "Well, we've mostly been focused on your memories. But don't worry, once this is all over, we'll go into intense training mode."

"Oh, God."

Clary smiled, which brightened her face.
They drank the rest of their coffee and headed back to the institute.

*****

Simon stayed at the institute for dinner. He knew he would have to face his mothers wrath when he went back home, but he could always stall.
Clary and Jace went out a half hour ago and Simon assumed they wouldn't be back for a long while. Also, Alec was staying at Magnus house and Isabelle's parents were in Idris. Him and Isabelle were alone in the institute.
They sat at the kitchen table, eating soup that she'd prepared. It tasted like muddy socks but Simon ate it all anyways.

"Now I know you like me, since you put up with my cooking," Isabelle said.

She took a sip of tea.
Simon smiled.

"Does it still count if I throw it up later?" he asked.

She punched his arm lightly.

Simon continued, "I should probably go home now." He looked down at the floor.

"Simon."

He looked up at her. "Yeah?"

"Stay with me."

"What?"

"No. Never mind. I- I get it," she said, placing her cup on the table. "You don't want to."

"I want to," he told her. "I want to stay."

She smiled shyly and took his hand, leading him up the stairs.

*****

They walked into her room which was about a dozen shades of black and hot pink. Clothes spilled out of her dresser and lay scattered on the floor. Her counters were piled with makeup and junk. It was a complete mess.
Isabelle signalled for him to wait a second, grabbed a fistful of clothes, and hurried to the bathroom to change.
She emerged a couple minutes later with hot pink pyjama shorts and a black tank top. Her hair fell to her waist, straight and dark.
Isabelle flicked off the light and lied on her queen sized bed. She tapped the spot next to her. Simon came down beside her and turned his face to look Isabelle in the eye. Her deep dark eyes that held many secrets.

"Hold me," she whispered.

Simon didn't argue; he gently wrapped his arms around her. Isabelle sighed and buried her face in his chest. She smelled like vanilla. They were so close and Isabelle's skin was so warm. Her hair tickled Simon's arms as he held her.
He suddenly remembered a night in Idris, with leather pants and desperate kisses. Simon could feel himself blushing at the intimate memory.

Isabelle muttered into his chest, "It's been a long time."

"Too long," Simon agreed.

"I've missed you so much," Isabelle told him. "Do you know how many nights I've stayed awake crying?"

"Izzy."

He heard her inhale sharply, the sound muffled by his shirt.

"I used to call you that," Simon continued. "I remember that now. But there's still lots that I don't. Oh, Izzy. Let me remember."

She looked up at him, eyes sparkling with tears, and nodded. Isabelle rested a hand on his cheek then leaned in. Their noses were touching now.

"Only if you let me kiss you," she said.

"I would be an idiot not too," he replied.

Simon pressed his lips against hers; Isabelle's were warm and smooth. Then, she opened his lips and the kiss deepened. She tasted like mint and tea.
Simon propped himself above her, minding his weight so as not to hurt her. They were a tangle of limbs and suddenly Simon was very aware of the layers that separated them. He could feel her body pressed against his, warm and solid. It felt like someone just shot electricity through Simon's veins. He could feel his hands shaking slightly.
They kissed until they were so tired they thought they would pass out. That's when Simon lay next to her, Isabelle's head resting on his shoulder. His arms held her close.

He kissed her hairline and whispered, "Goodnight, Izzy."