The Shadowhunters

Angst, Tears, and Madness

Will sat in the Institute attic alone, head in his hands. He had been here with Tessa before… as they simply talked about

everything and nothing. About the latest classics or the latest heartbreaks. This was their place. Will shut his eyes tightly.

Everything he thought about, everything he looked or heard… all reminded him of Tessa. Books – Tessa's obsession with them. Food – the day where Will had announced to the

cafeteria that Tessa was his girlfriend. Vacations – when he had taken Tessa to Hawaii. Horses – he had taken Tessa horseback riding. Grass – Tessa hated stepping on grass. It made her feel as if she was killing plants every time she walked. Flowers – the day he had gotten Tessa those white flowers. Even a simple scent would bring his mind straight back

to Tessa, because he would think of how that scent could not even compare to Tessa's.

Will was clearly off his rocker. He was going to do it today. He was going to break it off with Tessa. Then he groaned. His time with Tessa had been so short. It been a week

they were 'official.' A week. Will needed Tessa to go back to New York. If she didn't, it would hurt them both even more if they had to see each other in the halls or anywhere,

really.

Will collapsed in a heap as he began to sob. Will, someone who hadn't cried since Ella, let his vulnerability show in that moment as he cried for the break he was going to have to make. For the two hearts he was going to crush – his and Tessa's. His time with Tessa was now timed and he cried because he couldn't give her one last kiss or hug. If Will told her

the reason why she had to go, she would stay because she was just that stubborn. Will needed to be harsh and cold, just like his mother. And that would break his heart. Will loved

Tessa's stubbornness. Her willingness to fight. But if she fought, Will would lose, because him fighting against Tessa was a losing battle.

Will looked up, his eyes bloodshot and swollen, but cold and determined. He steeled his emotions, willing them away as if that would help. Silently, he descended back into the

Institute and back to Tessa, to break their hearts.

…

Will was already in the Institute gym when Tessa met him there. She was already dressed in workout clothes and was surprised when she found Will in his black pea coat, looking

incredibly grim. "Something wrong?" Tessa asked.

Will looked up, his eyes ice cold. Tessa almost flinched. An unexplainable sadness filled her as she continued to look at Will. Something was wrong.

"Will?" Tessa asked. Tessa neared him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. Will backed away, out of her reach. Tessa couldn't help but feel slightly hurt.

"Will?" Tessa said again.

"Sit down," Will said. Tessa flinched at his tone. It was the same as Mrs. Herondale's – cold, terse and detached. His blue eyes were as icy as his mother's. In that moment, Tessa

saw everything she didn't like about Will – everything she had seen during her first week at the Institute, before he changed into the real Will. The Will who didn't hide behind his icy mask. But now, as Tessa looked at Will, she saw the same cold mask of indifference on his face.

"We're over," Will said.

Tessa didn't register his words until two seconds later. What? She couldn't speak, as if her throat had closed up. This was the Will who had been asking her out for the longest time. Who had told her that he loved her before. Who had kissed her ever so lovingly and had comforted Tessa.