Bridges Of Time

Chapter 6

Summary:

Desserts, courtroom, classroom banters.

2004
Idris High, Cooperstown

Magnus and Camille are one of the first ones to enter the history class that morning. There's only a handful of other students, and most of them are busy with their respective history projects. Alec and his friends are yet to arrive. Camille grabs Magnus' hand and takes him to the back of the classroom to occupy the last seats. He hates sitting at the back. "I don't want to sit at the back," he voices his displeasure to his friend.

Camille is quick to snap back at him, "You're anyway a class-topper. What difference does it make if you sit at the front or the back. Stop being a wuss, Magnus." She pulls his backpack from his shoulder and settles it on the seat next to him. Magnus resigns and peeks out of the window, hoping to catch Alec as he walks into the class.

But Alec is nowhere to be found.

"...and then I told Maia off that if she's so interested in sucking up to Alec Lightwood, why doesn't she get in his pants," Camille laughs, yapping about another council meeting she attended right this morning.

Magnus is going through his book, uninterested in what she has to say about the council, "Mhm, yeah." He hopes Camille doesn't ask for his opinion because he hasn't been listening to her for a few minutes now. There's nothing else she speaks about other than how inefficient Alec and his team is and what it would have been like had the students voted someone else for the position. He chews the tip of his pen, vigorously tapping his foot on the metal footrest of his table anxiously. Alec's absence in the class is beginning to bother him, when the boy finally enters the class. Magnus' attention shoots up in his direction, and he sees Joshua Byrne entering the class alongside Alec. Joshua is the school's quarterback, and one of the most "handsome" students in the entire batch.

Alec is laughing at something Joshua is saying, his eyes closing up and crinkling. He slaps Josh's arms and bursts into a deeper laughter. Magnus feels his toes recoil inside his shoes as Alec's palm stays on Joshua's arm longer than it has to. He swallows the thickness in his throat, feeling a pang of discomfort all over.

"I cannot believe this," Magnus overhears Alec tell Joshua, his voice cracking with laughter.

"I am not lying," Joshua comments.

Magnus' foot-tapping increases as Alec takes his usual place in the class, 3 seats ahead of him this time, "Oh, look who's here," Camille notices Alec's presence and makes a snarking remark. "Mr Perfect and one of his many minions."

Magnus bites the inside of his lower lip and then turns around to face Camille, "Can you give it a rest for one day? Your life seems to revolve around Alec Lightwood and tearing him down," He snaps at her sharply. Camille furrows her brows, confused at her friend's outburst. It's uncharacteristic of Magnus to react this way to anything she says.

"Why are you so touchy today?" She laughs, but her tone is rather loud and attracts the attention of the class, including that of Alec's. Everyone goes quiet, looking in their direction for drama to continue. "Alright, fine. Chill." She resigns.

Alec's eyes tear off from Camille and meet Magnus', who is staring at him with fury. Alec notices the unusual look in his eyes and tips his chin to greet him. Magnus acknowledges the gesture and rolls his eyes, his focus returning to his books. Confused by Magnus' coldness, Alec resumes his discussion with Joshua until the history teacher Mr Dieudonné walks in.