In Pursuit of Fate (The Mortal Instruments fan fic)

A secret life

 

The last bell finally rang. I got up from my chair with a slight groan; my head was still pulsing with pain. It has been three days since I left the hospital and, even though everyone told me to stay home and rest, I returned to school, determined to continue my life as if the car crash never happened. My best friend Jennifer got up, with a look of worry on her face. I gave a little laugh. “I’m fine”, I said and started walking towards the door, anxious to get back home and rest. I didn’t show any signs of pain at school because I didn’t want my friends to worry, but I still felt exhausted. “Are you su-” Jennifer started, but her question was cut off by my teacher’s voice. “Can I have a word with you, Melanie?” asked Mrs. Smith, approaching me. I cursed in my thoughts, but I just murmured in agreement. I had to tell my story to every teacher today and I felt sick of doing it. “So, Melanie.” she began, leaning on a desk when the whole class left. Of course, Jennifer remained because even the teachers knew we were as close to each other as sisters. “I heard a fraction of what happened to you. I was wondering if you could tell me the whole story.” I wanted to say no, but instead I began: “It was a Saturday evening and, since I had no other plans, my dad took me shopping. It was really late when we were returning home and it had been raining so the road was wet. Even though my dad’s a really awesome driver, we crashed. I hit my head really hard and I started bleeding. Some guy found us, but I don’t know anything about that because I blacked out. I woke up in the hospital a few days afterward. My dad had recovered, but I had lost a great amount of blood so I had to stay for a longer period. My mom gave her blood because she was the only one that matched my blood type. And so I returned home a few days ago and decided to come to school today.” I finished. I could feel tears burning my eyes as they always did when I told someone this story, but I forced them back not wanting to look like a weakling. Mrs. Smith just nodded, shaking the messy bun of white hair on her bony head. She lowered her glasses then put them back on. It was her tick, something she’s been doing for as long as I could remember. Just as I though she wasn’t going to say anything, she opened her mouth to speak. “Has the crash left any permanent damage on you?” she asked curiously as though she’s been waiting for an opportunity to ask her whole life. “I don’t think it has...” I said slowly, trying to remember whether the doctors ever mentioned a permanent damage. “I only have some weird dreams, but they say that’s normal.” She nodded again and then, fortunately, started moving towards the door. “Well, thanks for your time. Get better soon.” she said and gave me a smile. I returned it and left without a word, Jennifer at my heels. “You want to stay outside now?” she asked while we were walking down the front steps of our school. “You know, since it’s our last year together...”she trailed off, looking at me with anticipation. She’s always been like this, I thought, examining her pale face with bright blue eyes and dark blonde hair. She’s always been the one who made plans, organized our New Year’s Eve celebrations...She’s always been the centre of our class, the one who kept us together. And, of course, she’s always been the one all the boys fell for. She has an awesome personality and good looks. And even though every one considers us sisters, it’s not because of how much we look alike. I am not nearly as pretty as she is. My small, green eyes and slicked down brown hair were never as beautiful as her big, blue eyes and long, dark blonde hair. Of course, I’ve never been jealous. I’m not the type of girl who dyes her hair and does everything to look better. I think personality is much more important. “So?” she asked again, this time a little louder. “I’m sorry, I trailed off.” I said and then added “and I’m not going to stay outside, I want to go home.” when I saw her anticipating look. She looked a little disappointed, but said nothing. “Then neither will I.” she said, taking out her cell phone, probably to text someone. “You can stay if it means a lot to you-” I began, but she just raised her hand to cut me off. “No.” she said, putting her phone back into her jacket pocket. “I want to go home with you. It’s your first day back. Besides, it’s like February.” she said with a laugh. “We still have four months till the end of our senior year.”