Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
School was nearing its end and everyone was rejoicing. I didn't blame them- I was just as excited as they were to leave and be done with high school. The seniors seemed especially excited to leave though half the time the girls just cried and hugged anybody they could. As Bella and I walked side by side to the cafeteria, I could see her glance at the flyers and colorful posters that lined the school's walls. Her expression was blank but I could see the way her top lip curled up slightly, almost as if she hated what she was seeing. I gave her a confused look but she ignored me and pushed the cafeteria doors open, already heading over to her friends. I shook my head and made my way to the food line. I could feel my stomach grumbling and I was beyond ready to feed it something.
"I recommend the smoothie, the strawberry one." I turned around and saw a guy smiling at me. I returned his smile politely and nodded my head, indicating I heard his suggestion. "I'm Matthew." He held his hand out to me and used his other hand to push his dyed black fringe into place.
"Clary." I took his hand and shook it. "And thanks for the suggestion." I turned back around and stepped forward in line. As I waited, I turned back around and looked at Matthew curiously. His green eyes looked curiously at me as I assessed him. His dyed black fringe was straightened better than my hair was. His dark clothing matched his nails but it was the name of the band that was on his shirt that caught my ultimate attention. "You like Nine Inch Nailz?"
"Yeah, you know them?" He tilted his head to the side as he looked down at me.
"Yeah, I do. I love their music." I smiled at him. "'Into the Void' is my favorite song. What's yours?"
"The Perfect Drug." He returned my smile. "I'm surprised someone else at this school likes them."
"I'm not the only one, my boyfriend likes them too," I said as I giggled.
He leaned closer to me. "What a coincidence, mine does too." He smirked and looked behind him at a guy wearing clothes similar to his but his natural blonde hair was pulled into a man bun.
"What's your boyfriend's name?"
"Logan." He replied with a small hint of blush on his face.
"We should hang out sometime," I told him as I piled food onto my tray. We made it to the cashier lady and I smiled at her as I handed her my lunch money. "See if we share a likeness for any other band."
"I'd like that." He took a pen out of his pocket and wrote his number on a napkin he found on his tray. "Call me sometime." He smiled. I returned it and nodded. I grabbed my tray and shoved the napkin into my pocket. "See you around Clary."
"Bye Matthew." I walked away from him and headed over to the table where Bella was sitting. "Hey, guys."
"Hey, Clary." Everyone chorused. They all returned to their private conversations so I glanced around the cafeteria for someone else to talk to. I spotted Matthew and Logan easily and Matthew smiled at me as our gazes met. He waved me over and I nodded. I grabbed my tray and stood up, beginning to head over there.
"Where are you going?" Bella asked me.
"To sit with some other friends. Bye guys." I didn't wait for a response before walking away. I placed down my tray and sat down in front of Matthew, his boyfriend eyeing me curiously.
"Hey, Clary." Matthew smiled at me. "Clary this is Logan, Logan this is Clary."
"It's nice to meet you." Logan smiled kindly at me.
"Likewise." I picked up my smoothie and took a sip from it. "So what were y'all talking about before I came over?"
"College." Matthew groaned and laid his head on the table as Logan spoke. "I'm going to California for college but Matt still has another year of high school left."
"You two seem great together, I'm sure you'll work something out." I smiled at them and Logan returned the sentiment.
"Any idea where you want to go?" Matt asked me as he leaned his head on Logan's shoulder and it took everything in me not to squeal at their cuteness.
"I got an early acceptance to a college but I haven't decided if I wanted to go yet." I picked at my salad as I spoke.
"To where?"
"NYU."
"Isn't that far?" I nodded. "So why haven't you accepted it yet?"
"You think I should?" I asked Logan and Matt curiously.
"Hell yeah, I think you should!" Matt exclaimed loudly, gaining attention from people at other tables. Edward looked over at us but I ignored his gaze. "Getting into any college other than the ones here is major but getting an early acceptance to that school is something that you can't pass up. A million people probably apply to get in early but you were one of the chosen few. Honestly, Clary, you'd be stupid not to go."
"Matt's right. There are probably a bunch of reasons why you're contemplating saying no, and I'm sure they're good reasons, but are they good enough for you to say no and pass up an opportunity of a lifetime? Are you willing to give up your future for those reasons?"
Lunch was over and as I went to throw my leftover food away I went over everything Matt and Logan told me. Was I willing to give up NYU?
⋅˚₊‧ ☾ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ♡‧₊˚
I was upstairs in my room preparing for dinner at Emily's house and Emmett was sitting on the bed staring at me as I did so. "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked suddenly. I looked at him and asked him to elaborate. "About NYU." I sighed and put my scarf down. I walked over to him and pushed his arms aside before planting myself on his lap.
"It just hasn't been the right time." I began to explain. "I wasn't sure if I was going to go and I wanted to be completely sure before I told you."
"You're going babe, no isn't even an option." He said sternly. "But why did you think about saying no?"
"Because of you and Dad mainly."
"Babe, I was serious when I told you I'd follow you wherever you wanted to go. If you want to go to NYU, I'm going to follow you there. But you shouldn't worry so much about your dad, before you and Bella moved in, he was fine. I'm sure he can take care of himself." Emmett did his best to reassure me but I still had doubt coursing through me. "I know you're still overthinking things, so why don't you finish getting ready and we'll finish talking when you get back."
"Okay." I kissed his cheek before getting up from his lap. I walked over to my closet and turned around. "Scarf or no scarf?" He smirked at me and stood up. He walked over to me and kissed me roughly. He backed me up into the wall and his lips left mine. He placed them on my neck and he began to kiss his way over Every inch of skin he could find there. I placed my hands behind his head and trailed my fingers through his short hair.
One of his hands lifted my leg and I wrapped it around him. "Scarf it is." I panted as he sucked on a spot below my ear. He only began to suck harder and roll his hips against mine. "Oh yeah, I need to wear a scarf." I gasped out.
