The Course Of First Love (And High School Crushes)

Chapter 7

Soon enough, a week had passed and Raphael had left. Magnus was, for now, unexpectedly organized, and meticulous in his work, and knew how to lead a very diverse group of people in and out of a working environment. For better or for worse, Alec managed to avoid Magnus most days since he started. Alec was still blissfully unaware of the cause of the twisting and burning feeling inside him which flared up every time Magnus was in the room with him. The feeling had started slow, like a soft itch, and had grown with each day but if there was anything Alec knew how to do by now, it was to live with uncomfortable feelings without dealing with them. Alec pinned his frustration on the never ending stress of the job and his parents.

The party Magnus organized to celebrate his first official day as their not-so-manager-manager was small, only the core employees were invited. No management since nobody, including him, liked their noses snooping around for gossip while everybody was trying to have fun and let loose. In true Magnus fashion, he decorated the bar with extra lights and glitter and closed an hour earlier for a "private event". Those who were off shift showed up earlier and had a few beers while waiting for the rest to finish their shift. It was a slow day and, as per usual when these sorts of gatherings happened, mostly for birthdays, Alec was the one working. He never felt bad about it, he took joy and pride in the fact that others could have fun while he took over the boring work part.

This time, he felt different. The morning shift and those who were free showed up at 8 PM and slowly gathered until 9 PM. Some others got invited, mostly significant others or best friends who integrated with the workgroup. Jace brought Clary, his girlfriend, Maia invited her friend Simon who was also Clary's friend, who in turn invited Isabelle, Alec's sister who was friends with most of them. She was one of their regular customers, always coming in early for coffee or in the evening for cocktails. It was funny to think about how in such a big city they managed to find a group of people who already knew each other in one way or the other.

Alec was close to closing up. It was a bit before 9 PM and they close at 10 PM today, the only benefit to this whole soiree. He was working the bar solo, the waiter he was left with was a student they hired so everyone else could have a free day or work in the morning. In retrospect, that was the nicest thing Alec saw any manager do for their employees. Speaking of managers, Magnus was holed up in his office the whole day and Alec kinda missed the occasional teasing he'd get every time Magnus took a little break to walk around the bar and stretch his legs.

His brows furrowed and he looked at the glass he was rinsing in the sink with mild confusion. Raphael never came by to see how they were doing, to check if they needed help or anything. Magnus did that, but Alec was never the one to accept help even if he broke his own back under the pressure. After getting rejected a few times, Magnus started coming by when the work got slow. He'd sit at the bar, sip a cocktail, and talk, gesturing wildly with his hands, laughing sweetly. Alec smiled at the thought, still looking at the glass in his hands.

"Missed me?"

Alec's face blanched as he looked up, the glass slipping from his hands and cluttering loudly as it fell into the sink. Magnus was leaning against the bar, his eyes half hooded and tired but he smiled at Alec, holding back a laugh.

"Jesus, Magnus," Alec breathed out, "Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"I didn't, or at least I didn't mean to. You were just so lost in your thoughts that it would have been unwise to pass up the opportunity." He smiled wide and leaned closer, mock whispering, "What's got your pretty head spinning so fast?"

"Nothing," Alec mumbled and continued to sort the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

Magnus hummed, "A man of mystery, I see."