The Aftermath Chronicles: A TMI FanFic

Part 6

Jace was worried about Alec. He hadn't come to dinner the previous night and had only left a note in dining room telling everyone to go out and have a good day. Isabelle looked incredibly guilty. She had grabbed a muffin and quickly left the Institute. And Jace himself had a bad feeling.

 But Clary wanted to go to an art museum.

Jace told himself he'd take care of Alec just as soon as they got back. How long could an art museum take?

They took the trolley to the San Francisco Museum of Art and wander through a few galleries before stopping for lunch. 

The museum was pretty empty for Saturday during the summer.

Jace picked at his fries. He hadn't felt good all day. Was it because of Alec? 

Clary went on and on about her favorite pieces. Art seemed to be one of the very few things that got her excited. Her green eyes were alive with a beautiful passion.

Her words went right through Jace; he couldn't hear what she was saying. All that existed was her. And Alec.

"Are you done?" Jace asked, cutting her off.

She didn't see offended. She seemed worried.

"Jace--"

"Something's wrong," he said, suddenly avoiding her eyes. They asked too many questions. 

"Should we go back?" she asked. He wanted to tell her no. He wanted them to enjoy the day. A quiet day with just them.

"Yes," he said. She gathered her things quickly, ready to go before he had even stood up.

..........

Isabelle went back to the Golden Gate park. She had packed a lunch and a book to read. She just couldn't remain in the Institute knowing that Alec was in there. 

Apologizing wouldn't be enough this time. 

Charlie arrived a few minutes after she had arrived, settling underneath the same tree they had met at.

He stood over her.

"I had a feeling you'd come back," he said, timidly.

"Yeah?" She didn't look up at him. He sat beside her, both of their backs leaning against the tree trunk.

"Isabelle? Is something the matter?"

"I said something," she admitted. "I yelled at Alec."

"Siblings fight," Charlie said.

"But Alec and I don't. And the things I said were really bad," she said. 

"Did you apologize?"

"I can't just apologize," she said. "He's miserable. And it's not just my fault. He had to leave his boy--"

"I know about your brother's boyfriend," Charlie said.

"I suppose everyone knows," she said.

"So he's pretty upset," Charlie concluded.

"Yeah," Isabelle said. "Do you have any leads on the warlocks?"

"No," Charlie said. "I think the only way we're going to get answers is if we talk to a warlock and obviously they are very rare around here."

"So you'd need a local one?" Isabelle asked. Charlie nodded. That ruled asking Magnus out.

"So I figured we could just sit around and watch for one."

"They're definitely around here," Isabelle said. "I saw one the other day."

"What time?"

"One-ish," Isabelle said. "Why?"