Pen-Pal's.

Chapter 20

                           {Clary}

Clary held Max close as she stormed past the rainbow houses that littered the town.
She could practically feel Max's curiosity as he bobbed up and down in her arms.
She felt bad that he had to see her fighting with Jace, but she was too upset to utter an apology to him.

"Are you mad at me?" He said in a small voice, looking as if he was trying to curl in on himself.

Clary looked down at him in surprise, tightening her hold on him a fraction.
"Wh- Of course not! Why do you say that?"

He's wide eyes peered up at her, his lips pouting a bit.
"I-I don't know... You just seem... angry." He offered weakly.

Clary smiled softly at him, pulling him into a hug. She rubbed small circles on his back, hoping it would soothe him the slightest bit.
"I could never be mad at you, Max. Jace and I just had a... disagreement. That's all."

He nodded slowly, twisting his lips to the side. "Okay."

Clary sighed quietly, opening the gate to the Institute. She breathed in the scent of the fresh flowers Maryse had planted recently, letting Max down on the ground. The flowers lifted her mood the slightest bit, taking her mind off the situation that had just unfurled.

"Do you want to come in?" Max said awkwardly.

Clary looked up to see him hovering in the doorway of his home, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
She bit her lip unsurely, debating whether or not she should go in.
On one hand, she seriously needed to think about what just happened. On the other- she didn't want to think about what just happened.

She stepped inside.

                        *         *        *

"-he dies at the end though, so it's not my favourite." Max said, plopping yet another manga comic book onto the pile.

Clary nodded absentmindedly, tugging at a loose thread on the carpet.
Manga comics were splayed across the carpet, creating a circle around them.
Max was kneeling as he sorted through them and Clary had an elbow propped up on a pillow, flipping through the comics she loved most.

"This guy reminds me of Alec." Max said, pointing to a bashful looking character. He giggled to himself and Clary grinned at him, reaching up to ruffle his hair.

"Oh yeah? What happens when I tell Alec that?" Clary threatened, trying to keep the wide grin off her face as she schooled her features.

Max's eyes widened with horror, scrambling away from Clary as if she'd burned him.
"No Clary! Please don't! Please!" He squealed, burying his head into the couch.
Clary laughed as she got up, lifting Max up swiftly so that she could hug him.

"I'm only joking, Max." She chuckled a bit when he scowled at her, crossing his arms defiantly.
"Aw, don't be mad." She giggled as he remained silent. "That's how it's going to be? What if I..." She trailed off, waiting for Max to turn towards her in confusion before she attacked him with vicious tickles to his sides, causing him to squeal in surprise.

"Max."

They both looked up in shock to see Robert standing in the doorway to the living room, looking serious.
He regarded the pair with a stern look on his face, sliding Clary a pointed glare.

"D-dad?" Max said, going rigid in Clary's arms.

Clary set him down awkwardly, well aware of Robert staring at her every move. Max stayed by Clary's side, peering up at Robert with wide, alert eyes.

"You should go, Clary. I'm sure Lucien is waiting for you at home." Robert near ordered, not taking his eyes off of Max.
She didn't even try correct Robert by telling him to call her stepdad Luke, the name he preferred. Clary bit her lip unsurely, glancing at Max.
He seemed to be having a battlefield of emotions playing in his eyes, causing them to dart around the room.

"Bye, Clary." He mumbled finally, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
Clary nodded, squeezing his hand before sliding past Robert, trying not to send him a glare of her own as she went by.

Poor Max.

* * *

(Simon POV)

"Thank you everybody, and goodnight!" He shouted into the microphone, grinning widely at the cheers he received back.

He jogged off stage, nearly tripping over the steps as he went over to the refreshments.
He grabbed a water bottle and gulped it down greedily, enjoying  the cool sensation of it as it worked it's way through his system.

"You just keep getting better and better!" Maureen exclaimed as she bounded towards him.

Simon laughed as he swept her up into his arms, kissing her passionately before spinning her around.
She squealed and locked her arms around his neck, leaving no room for space between them.

"It was all thanks to you, Maureen." Simon said sincerely, pecking her nose quickly.

She gave him a look, smirking before leaning in close to his ear.
"Do I get a prize?"

Simon's eyes widened a fraction at her tone, gently grabbing her by the waist. She didn't seem to notice his hesitation as she smiled widely at him, opening her mouth to say something but the words never came out.

As she glanced behind him, just over his shoulder, Simon was filled with dread.

He turned around, almost in slow motion to see Isabelle standing there, hand cupped over her mouth and looking heartbroken.

"Izzy-" He choked out, but she raised a hand to stop him.

"Don't." Her voice came out strong, despite the tears rolling down her face. "D-Don't say anything."

She looked as if she was in disbelief, as if she hadn't just caught her boyfriend wrapped in another girls embrace. But the heartbreak was all over her face, the fear was in her eyes and her body seemed to shrink in on itself.
She knew. She knew this was real.

"Isabelle, please-" He dropped Maureen's arms from his neck, taking a bold step towards Isabelle.

She didn't seem to notice his closeness, only acting when his hand came to a stop on her arm.
"Don't touch me!!" She shrieked, throwing her body away from his touch.

A crowd of people were after gathering, all whispering and some videoing it.
"Stay away from me." Isabelle seethed before turning on her heel and storming away.

A/N:

Hmm, updating after this long seems illegal :3

Poor lil Max :'3

I'm so tired oml, until next time lovelies!!

*MUAH*

Love always!

K❤️