"CLARY!" The tall boy yelled for his sister, diving around the demonic people that surrounded him.  He heard his heartbeat in his ears and he couldn't focus on all that was surrounding him, his vision started to fade. 

-

"So what does it feel like to be a future student in the academy of art?" Christian Fray asks his twin. Clary sighed, shaking her head. 

"I don't even know if I'll get in. And what about you?" Christian looked away and kept walking, Clary having to walk faster to keep up with his large steps. 

"I don't know what you're talking about." He kept the stone cold look on his face, not looking his twin in the eyes. 

"You know what I'm talking about. You're smart, you shouldn't have to stay here in Brooklyn because of mom and I. We're grown, we can take care of ourselves." 

"I know that, Clary. It's just for a long time I felt the need to take care of you guys, we didn't have a dad, it was just the three of us. Then there was Luke, but still, it felt like you guys needed me." 

Clary walked and turned to him, stopping him on the corner of the street. "Listen, you can get into any school you want. You could get a scholarship in football, and your grades are more than enough. You have all these options, yet you didn't even bother." Christian sighed then, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her towards her future school. 

"I'm fine where I am right now. I don't need an ivy league like all those other kids, I can go to a community college here. I got you, mom, Luke. And Simon too." Clary gave her brother a glance. "Shut up, Fray. Now go, before they change their minds, and don't let you in."

"This discussion isn't over," Clary yelled, running into the school, "I'll see you in a few." 

Christian let out a laugh, as he then waited. It was true, he didn't make a big deal about college although almost everyone was telling him to, including his sister. His mom was always afraid of him going far away, which was part of the reason why he didn't want to. He didn't want to leave his family. He was fine for settling for anything. He had his family and he had friends. Including Simon Lewis. The boy who's been their best friend since they were children. The guy who has made him question so many things in his life. He blamed Simon for most of his emotional problems, but he knew it wasn't Simon. It was him, and his stupid crush, and his stupid feelings. Simon made him look at the world as if it was golden, every day was a bright summer day, like when you go out on the last day of school, breath the fresh air and smile because the weight has been lifted off. 

It didn't take too long for Clary to finally come out through the large doors. Christian stood up from a nearby bench immediately, a look of hope on his face. His sister had been dreaming of this moment, and he didn't know what he would do if she didn't get in. It was as if her dream had become his. Everything his sister achieved felt like his own because of how proud he was. She didn't speak but walked up to him handing a letter. The disappointment on her face was evident. Christian still opened the letter at first furiously, and the first words he saw were CONGRATULATIONS. A part of him, a small pinching feeling that was envious. No matter how happy or proud he was. 

"Oh my god Clary! You're in!" Christian grabbed his twin pulling her into a tight hug, one he was famous for. The boy was the sweetest thing, like a giant teddy bear. "We have to tell Simon, come on, he's waiting for us at the cafe." Clary nodded still in shock over her acceptance. "Let's go squirt." A groan came from the small girl.

"I want to fool Simon, can you go along with it?" 

"You know I'm a terrible liar and secret keeper." Well not exactly, he thought to himself. He's been keeping secrets that would destroy everything that keeps his family in place. His crush on Simon, Simon's crush on Clary, and the fact that a part of him wants to move away

-

"So I'm guessing Christian couldn't go along with it." Simon guessed as the three sat at the table, Christian recently joining after Clary's prank on Simon. 

"You know me too well." Christian laughed. It was days like this Christian wanted to throw himself out the window in frustration. He loved hanging out with Clary and Simon both but sometimes he felt like the third wheel, just like an outlier. Days like these he felt like he didn't even live. Just existed. He had no goal, nothing to look forward. No one to share things with. 

A day like this it felt more like only Clary's birthday rather than his too. 

"Christian." His twin's voice brought him out of his thoughts. 

"I'm sorry what?"

"We're leaving come on. We're gonna meet up with Simon later. And please don't tell mom where we're really going." Clary said. The two got up and started walking. 

"I don't even know where we're going so we're good." He froze realizing he didn't say bye to Simon. "Bye Simon!" He yelled, almost walking into the door that was closed. 

-

For Christian, it was weird turning eighteen. He felt he was stuck in place, not aging, not going anywhere at all. The world was moving too fast for him. 

He sat in his room, his blue jeans, white tee, and a warm leather jacket on. He looked around seeing nothing special. If he were to disappear, there was nothing in this room that would hold significance. Maybe only a picture of his mom, Clary, and himself. His family seemed to be the only thing that made his life seem real.

"Christian, your sister and Simon are waiting for you." His mom says outside the door of his room. Instead of staying outside she walks in, holding something in her hand. To Christian, it looked like a wand, and he was confused as to why his mom was carrying it around. "I wanted to talk to you though. Before you three leave. Your sister wouldn't listen to me." She walked over, sitting on the edge of his bed. She was silent for the moment almost as if contemplating her options. 

"What is it, mom?" 

"You and your sister are special. You're different than other 18-year-olds." Christian looked at his mother in confusion.

"Are you implying something?" 

His mom shoved the stele, unknown to him, into his hand. "This is a stele. Keep it with you, Clary has one as well. You have lived your whole life protecting Clary and me. Things are going to change, honey."

"Mom, what are you trying to say? You're really confusing me now."

"Christian!" He hears Clary yell for him. His mom looked at the door and back to Christian. Last minute she hugged him and whispered into his ear.

"Be careful. Protect yourselves." She let him go, gave a kiss to his cheek and a smile and left leaving him confused and wondering what exactly she gave him.

-

A/N: It's not a lot but here's chapter 1!Hope you like it!