Not Just a Mundane//An Alec Lightwood Story

- 1 -

Selena's POV

"Simon, when are you going to confess your feelings for Clary?" I asked as we settled into a booth at the coffee shop.

"I-I don't like Clary. What are you talking about?" he replied, his voice trembling with nervousness.

"Don't lie to me. I can tell when you're hiding something." I smirked, and he offered a sheepish smile.

"I know that. I've known you since we were in diapers," he admitted.

"Exactly. So, I know you like her. When are you going to tell her?" I pressed.

"I'll tell her the next time I see her," he rushed, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"No, you won't. I know you too well. You'll chicken out," I stated, crossing my arms defiantly.

"You're right. God, I'm such a loser," he muttered, rubbing his eyes in frustration.

"You're not a loser. You just need to man up a little," I encouraged, placing a reassuring hand on his arm.

Just then, I spotted Clary walking in, her expression clouded with frustration. I quickly withdrew my hand and smiled at her. Simon noticed her, too.

" Give me the professor's names and I...I will end them," Simon declared dramatically.

"Simon, no," I laughed, shaking my head.

" Not like that. But with a scathing e-mail to the Dean," He added with a mischievous grin.

"Don't bother," Clary said, placing a piece of paper on the table. Simon picked it up and began reading.

"I'm sorry, Clary," I said softly, wrapping my arms around her as she slid into the seat beside me.

"You little—" Simon started, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"What?" I asked, taking the letter from him and scanning the words.

"Congratulations!" I read, the words jumping out in bold letters. I turned to Clary, astonished.

" Really? Sad face. Well played, well played." Simon extended his hand for a fist bump, and Clary chuckled, lightly punching my arm.

" Thank you, guys. You know, it's weird," She began.

"What's weird?" I asked, intrigued.

" They kind of liked my assigned work but they flipped out over the drawings from our graphic novel," Clary explained, gesturing toward the illustrations of monsters and symbols scattered on the table.

"You're welcome," Simon chimed in, causing me to laugh.

"Don't take all the credit! I helped too," I chimed back.

"This day will go down in history as the greatest 18th birthday I've ever had," Clary beamed.

"It's the only 18th birthday you'll ever have," I teased, and she rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips.

" Which is why we are celebrating tonight. Yes, with Maureen, after our show," Simon said, just as a barista approached with three lattes, setting one in front of each of us.

"Thank you!" I said, taking a bite of my biscotti.

"So, what's the deal with you and Maureen?" Clary asked Simon, a knowing look in her eyes.

Here we go, I thought, bracing myself for his reaction.

" What deal? No deal. We sing together," Simon replied, sipping his latte.

"You seriously don't know she's been crushing on you this whole time?" Clary asked, arching an eyebrow.

" What? No." Simon exclaimed, his surprise evident.

" Simon, how can someone as smart and perceptive as you not realize that the person sitting right there is in love with you?" She said, her gaze intense as I looked at Simon, raising an eyebrow.

He glanced between us, and I nudged him playfully.

"I guarantee you he's not the only smart and perceptive one who's made that mistake," I added, taking a sip of my latte.

Clary smiled at him, but her expression shifted as she looked down at her drink. I followed her gaze to her latte and grinned.

"That's a latte," I joked, pointing at it.

"But I could have sworn I had a biscotti," she replied, confusion lacing her words.

" Maybe you ate it really fast without even knowing it. It happens to me all the time. When I'm happy... when I'm sad," Simon said, making Clary and me laugh. "But I will replace your mythical biscotti with an actual one."

He offered Clary his biscotti, and she accepted it with a grateful smile.

"Thank you!" she said, her eyes shining.

"You know what? Here's to you! L'chaim!" he declared, raising his latte in a toast.

"L'chaim!" Clary and I echoed, clinking our cups together before taking a sip.

I noticed Clary's gaze drop to the table again, a hint of something unsaid lingering in the air. We talked a bit longer before parting ways, and as I made my way back to my apartment, I noticed the place was empty. Of course.

My mom was the captain of the Brooklyn branch of the NYPD. Our relationship was alright—filled with the occasional argument over trivial matters, but I knew she only wanted to protect me. I dropped my bag on my bed and headed to my room, deciding to get a head start on my homework since I wasn't meeting up with the gang until later.

By 6:30, I had finished my assignments and noticed my mom was finally home. I walked downstairs to find her at the stove, cooking dinner.

"Hey, Mom," I said, walking over to the kitchen counter and taking a seat.

"Hi, honey! How was your day?" she asked, turning to face me with a warm smile.

"It was really good. Clary got into the program," I replied, my excitement bubbling over.

"I know; I saw! I'm so proud of her. She deserves it," she said, her smile broadening.

"She really does. We're going out tonight to celebrate her birthday," I informed her, absentmindedly playing with the charm bracelet on my wrist.

"That sounds lovely, sweetie. Just don't stay out too late, okay? And take care of yourself. If anyone gives you trouble—" Mom began.

"Remind me you're my mom and strike first, in self-defense, of course," I quipped, and she chuckled.

"That's my girl! Now, I'm making spaghetti. Want some?" she asked, reaching for two bowls from the cabinet above.

"Yes, please!" I smiled as she handed me a bowl.

We shared a comfortable silence as we ate together for a little while, enjoying each other's company. After finishing, she excused herself to head into her office. I took that as my cue to get ready, retreating to my room to change into a pair of white jeans and an off-the-shoulder red top. I quickly braided my hair to one side, then grabbed my purse, making sure I had my house keys, phone, wallet, and lip gloss.

"I'll see you later, Mom!" I called out as I headed toward the door.

"Okay, sweetie! Love you, and be safe!" she called back, her voice warm and reassuring.

"I will!" I promised before shutting the front door behind me. As I walked down the steps, I spotted Clary, Simon, and Maureen waiting for me on the street.

"My, my, don't you look nice!" Maureen called out, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Thanks, Maureen!" I replied, laughing as I hopped into the van and settled in beside Clary.

"Ready to go, Selena?" Simon asked, his voice full of excitement.

"Yep, let's do this!" I said, feeling the anticipation in the air as we drove off into the night.