The Shadowhunters

Too Late

It was complete and utterly awkward.

Will sat there stiffly, watching his oldest friend and most eccentric friend converse with a girl that he was interested in. Magnus had said he had wanted to introduce Will to some

friends and Will, with nothing better to do, had accepted.

He sat there as everyone else talked, Magnus beside him and Tessa so close, yet so far – across from him.

He did not eat the too salty fries, nor did he order the cool ice cream. Will simply stayed silent and still, much like a statue.

And Tessa? She was licking her spoon, her pink tongue sticking out and laughing. Stupid Oreo McFlurry. It was pissing Will off. It made him want to kiss her. Right then. Right there.

"So Will," Magnus said, a grin on his face. He knew how mad Will was. "How was your Halloween dance?"

"Absolutely great," Will said, trying to adopt a cheerful smile. Magnus winked at Will, knowing the answer was the polar opposite. "Met several girls there too."

His answer did not seem to affect Tessa. "You know what?" Will said, having enough. "I'm going to go get drunk and then go home. And don't worry Jem, I'll call a taxi. Bye," he

said stiffly.

"But you're not old enough," came Tessa's reply. Will turned around mid­walk and looked at her. "No one cares enough to stop me," Will said coldly, letting a flash of pain appear in

his eyes before heading to the Pandemonium.

Will curtly left, bracing the night wind of London. He heard the doors to McDonald open, and there Tessa was, holding two hot chocolate in her hands and a bag of fries clamped

under her arm.

"Let's go somewhere else shall we?" Tessa said. Will nodded. "I decided to come with you. You have a car right?" Tessa asked as they walked down the block back to the Institute.

"I need a ride. So you can't get drunk. I don't fancy a car crash."

"Did you just say fancy?" Will asked, amused slightly. His mood was in renewed spirits, happy to be alone with Tessa and so comfortable.

"Why, Mr. Herondale," Tessa said, mocking a British accent. "I believe I did. Now tell me, truly how was the Halloween ball held in the ballroom? Was your evening splendid?"

Then the two teenagers laughed for Tessa's accent was simply horrid. "Well, Tessa," Will said, claiming an American accent. Will's accent wasn't any better really. "My evening was

truly horrible," Will said, tone more melancholy. He reverted back to his regular accent – a British one, laced with the familiar Welsh. "Because you weren't there."

Tessa froze, but Will continued. "You probably think you're just some challenge for me. Like that I'm going to dump you once I get you to like me, but that's not true. The whole

night I was scanning the ballroom for you until Cecily told me you were at another party. Admittedly, I drank a bit," Will said sheepishly. Will led them to a wooden bench facing the

Institute and took one cup of hot chocolate from Tessa. He warmed his cold hands with it, covering the familiar McDonald logo.

"Will," Tessa started but Will stuffed a fry into her mouth before she could continue.

"I've wondered what it would be like to kiss you so many times. Not like the first time," Will smiled wryly. Entranced by her lips, Will swiped a finger over them, wiping the salt