A Shadowhunter's Tale

Chapter 7: Bonding with Max

I woke up and got dressed. I quickly changed into a black shirt and boots that I borrowed from Alec and regular colored jeans from Jace. I put on contacts this time because I was so tired of my glasses falling off my face all the time. I really need to buy glasses that are like googles.

   I walked into Max's room. He wore a black turtle neck with black jeans.

   "Wow," I said, "did you choose that outfit by yourself?"

   "No Izzy did," he said, "she said that's what people that read a lot wear."

   "How does she know?" I asked, "Does she even read?"

   "I don't know," he said.

   "Well are you ready to go?" I asked.

   "Yeah," he said.

   "Oh wait maybe I should ask your mother," I said. "What's your last name?"

   "Lightwood," he said.

   I walked with Max behind me. I saw Alec in the hallway. "Oh hey Alec where's your mom?"

   "She might be in the library or where the prisoner is?" He said.

   "Okay, thank you," I said.

   "No problem," he said.

   I walked into the library and there she was. Which was good because I didn't know where Sebastian was.

   I heard her on the phone. "We have to transfer this Sebastian Verlac to the Silent City."

   I knocked on the door. "Come in," she said. She saw it was me. "Oh hi. You didn't have to knock. You could've come in."

   "Sorry Mrs. Lightwood I heard you on the phone so I thought you were busy," I said.

   "Oh no, it's fine," she said.

   "I actually wanted to ask you if I can take Max to go buy some books," I said, "I'll take care of him and I'll take two seraph blades."

   "Yeah it's fine," she said.

   I walked out of the library with Max. "Now we can go," I said, "but first let me get the seraph blades."

    I put the blades in my boots. We began walking out when Clary stopped us. "Hey," she said.

   "Uh hi," I said awkwardly.

   "Am I interrupting something?"

   "Oh no I was going to go to the book store to get Max some books," I said. "Want to join?"

   "No, it's fine," she said.

   "Oh okay then, just tell everyone," I told her.

   "Okay I will," She said.

   "Come on Max," I said.

We walked into the bookstore. Max opened his mouth wide. "Wow," he said, "do they have every book here?"

   "Not really?" I said, "they don't have books that Shadowhunters have but they have books that mundanes read. Come follow me. See?" I pointed at comic books. "There are a bunch of comic books like Batman and Superman from DC Comics, and X-men and the Avengers from Marvel. Mundanes read this. Now let me show you manga books."

   "Okay," he said. I went to a different row and showed him.

   "Let's pick a book out for you," I said.

   "How about Attack on Titan?" He asked.

   "Hmmm how about Pokemon? It's more age appropriate," I said. "Or Naruto it's a little better."

   "Naruto," he said.

   "Got it," I said. I reached for it when my hand touched someone elses. "Uh sorry," I said looking up. Then I saw him. "Jason", the boy from the bus.

    "It's fine," he said. "Hey do I know you?"

    "Um I don't think so."

    "Wait I do," he said, "you're that boy from the bus. I didn't recognize you without your glasses."

    "Wait you know who I am?" I asked.

    "Yeah, so how about you take that book and buy it for you since you went for it first," he said.
   
    "Uh no thanks," I said, "I have the money, but thanks for the offer."

    "Then let me buy you coffee," he said.

   This is awkward, I thought to myself, is he asking me out on a date or something 'cause I thought he was straight. "Sorry I can't right now I'm buying books with this sweet kid," I said. Max smiled. "Max why don't you go see if you want any other books?"

   "Okay Mason," he said looking around.

   "Then I'll give you my number," he said.

    "Um okay," I said handing him my phone.

    "I'm Jonathan by the way," he said putting his hand out.

   "Mason," I said shaking his hand.

   "Um before I leave you are gay right?" He said.

   "Umm no," I said,"I'm bisexual."

   "Then I'll see you around," he said.

   I turned around and saw Max with two books held to his chest.

   "Are those the one's you want?" I asked him. He nodded. "Okay, let's pay then."

   I came out of the bookstore with a bag in my hand. I held Max's small hand and walked back to the Institute.

We entered the Institute and I handed him the bag. "Go ahead," I said, "you can go to your room and read if you want."

   "I want to talk to you about yesterday," he said.

   "Oh okay," I said. "What do you want to know?"

   "How are you so brave?" He asked.

   "Can I let you in on a little secret?" I said. He nodded. "I was actually terrified. The thing is though, that if you're not scared of something you're not brave."

   "Really?" He asked.

    "Really," I said. "Now go on and read."

    "Okay," he said and ran into his room.

    I walked to Alec's room and opened the door. "Hey Alec can yo-" I paused mid sentence seeing Alec kissing Magnus. "Uh sorry. Bye." I said closing the door. I ran into my room and closed the door.

    I heard a knock on my door. "Mason," Alec said, "can we talk about what you saw?"

   "Why? There's nothing to talk about," I said.

    "Come on, Mason," he said.

    "Alec I really don't care what you do with your life," I said, "and don't worry I won't tell anyone." I opened the door. "Plus I'm leaving today."

    "Wait what?" He asked.

    "Yeah, my mom will be worried," I said. "Tell the others I said bye." I handed him the seraph blades and walked out of the Institute.