CHAPTER ONE. THE EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY

"I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!"

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"What if they don't like me?" Clary Fray asked for the umpteenth time that morning. Wren Holland rolled her eyes at her friend again as she loaded empty plates into the basin in her hands. She sighed as she looked at the mess that the customers who had previously resided at the table had made. The mess she would clean up because the person who was supposed to be working this shift, a girl named Emma, was running late. Again.

Sometimes, Wren really hated that her mom owned a restaurant.

When Helena Holland got The Spicy Angel up and running, Wren, who had been thirteen at the time, had been thrilled. She was happy that her mother's dream was finally coming true and that when she turned fifteen, she'd be able to work there. Five years later, she hates it. More than anything.

"Then they don't like you," Wren said with a shrug as she carried the basin with her as she walked to the restaurant's kitchen. "That isn't a very reassuring answer, Wren," Clary pointed out, her face showing distress. "Well when I gave you reassuring answers, you continued to ask that same question so, I'm all out of reassurances," Wren replied, handing the basin of dishes to Bobby to be cleaned. He made a face as he looked at the full basin. "I know," Wren told him, patting his shoulder and turning back to Clary.

"You're not supposed to be back here," Wren pointed out to her friend. "Wren, I'm freaking out about this interview with the Brooklyn Academy of Art and I could really use some encouraging words from my best friend," the redhead said. Wren rested her hands on her friend's shoulders. "You, Clarissa Adele Fray, have absolutely nothing to worry about. You're an incredible artist and crazy talented; more things to add to the list of why Clary Fray is so great," Wren said.

Clary sighed. "And those interviewers are gonna love you and your work because they'd be crazy not to," Wren said. Clary nodded her head as she thought over the blonde's words. "What if they're crazy?" The redhead asked next. Wren's hands fell from the girl's shoulders and she narrowed her eyes. "I can't with you, Clary. I literally can't," she muttered before moving past the girl and exiting the kitchen.

Clary followed after her friend, the distress never leaving her face. "But what if they are?" She asked again. "Then they're crazy," Wren replied. Clary's lips pursed. "Should I call Simon? He's always good at calming you down," Wren said. "No. Your reassurances are more than enough," Clary said. Wren gave her a look.

"Okay, maybe call Simon," Clary said. A smile spread across Wren's face and Clary smiled back before a light laugh left her lips. "Do you feel better now, Fray?" Wren asked as she made her way back to the table she was originally standing at. "Much," Clary replied. "Good, now go to your interview before you're late," Wren said.

Clary nodded her head. Wren gave her a brief hug before pushing the girl forward. "Knock 'em dead, Fray," Wren called after her. She looked around the restaurant to see a few people looking at her.

"What?"

••••

Wren's brief shift ended not too long after her conversation with Clary as Emma had finally shown up, apologizing profusely for being late and promising that it wouldn't happen again. Wren had only shrugged and assured her that it wasn't a big deal. But if it were to happen again, then she'd have to talk to her mom. Simon had come to pick her up after her shift and drove them to Java Jones, where they had planned to meet Clary to learn if she had gotten into the Brooklyn Academy of Art.

"She got in, right?" Simon asked as they walked into the café. "I don't know Simon, I can't see the future," Wren joked. "I mean, she had to have gotten in," Simon continued, pretty much ignoring her words. Wren rolled her eyes and began walking to the front counter. "I'm gonna get us some drinks," she told him. "You know what I—"

"You've ordered the same drink for years, Simon, I know what you want," she said. He smiled a goofy smile, pushing his glasses up his nose. "And this is why, you're the best friend ever," he said. She grinned, "I'm telling Clary you said that." She quickly walked away as he began to protest, chuckling to herself.

She ordered her and Simon a drink, opting to wait until Clary came to order hers so that it wouldn't get cold. As she walked to the table Simon had picked, she saw a crestfallen Clary approaching it as well. "Give me the professors' names and I, I will end them," Simon said. Both Wren and Clary gave him looks. "You know, with a scathing email to the Dean," he reiterated.

The blonde shook her head and sat down. "Don't bother," Clary said, setting the folded up paper onto the table and sitting down as well. Wren snatched up the paper as Simon reached for it, causing him to roll his eyes. She unfolded the paper and read the word, 'CONGRATULATIONS!' at the top in red. She gave Clary a "really" look before handing the paper to Simon. Clary only grinned at Wren's reaction.

"What?" Simon said happily. He looked up Clary with a smile. "Sad face? Really?" He asked and Clary laughed. "Well played, well played," he continued, the two fist bumping. "Thank you," Clary said. The barista walked over with their drinks and set them on the table.

"Thanks," Wren said before remembering to order Clary a drink also, adding a biscotti with it as a congratulations. The barista nodded before going to make Clary's coffee. "You know, it's weird. They kind of liked my assigned work, but they flipped out over the drawings for our graphic novel," Clary was saying. "You're welcome," Simon said with a chuckle. "Um, that graphic novel was my idea," Wren reminded them.

"Yeah but I brought it to life with words and Clary, with pictures," Simon retorted. "Still my idea," Wren sang. "'Still my idea,'" Simon mocked causing Wren to stick out her tongue whilst Clary laughed at the two.

"This day will go down in history as the greatest 18th birthday I ever had," Clary announced. "Technically, it'll be your only eighteen birthday," Wren corrected. Simon nudged her and gave her a pointed look. "Am I wrong?" The blonde asked. He playfully rolled his eyes before looking back at Clary.

"We are celebrating tonight. Yes, with Maureen, after our show," he said. "Absolutely," Clary said. A look crossed over her face and Wren sighed, anticipating the girl's question. She picked up her tea and took a sip. "So what's the deal with you and Maureen?" The redhead finally asked. Wren placed her mug back onto the table and rested her head in her hand. She swiveled to look at Simon, her eyebrows raising playfully.

"What deal? No deal. We sing together," Simon replied. The barista came back with Clary's coffee and biscotti. "You seriously don't know she's been crushing on you this whole time?" Clary asked next. Wren snorted quietly. Oh the irony. "What? No. No," he denied. "Simon, how can someone as smart and perceptive as you not realize that the person sitting right there is in love with you?" Clary asked.

Wren snorted louder. Now this, this was truly ironic. Simon sent her look and she just took another sip of her tea. "I guarantee you I'm not the only smart, perceptive person to make that mistake," Simon said. "No you are not," Wren said, taking a bite of her muffin. Simon gave her a look that said "really?"

"I didn't say anything!" Wren responded. A look of confusion crossed over Clary's face as she looked down at the table, or something on it. "That's a latte," Simon jokingly stated the obvious. "But I could have sworn I had a biscotti," Clary answered. "Maybe you ate it really fast and didn't even notice," Simon replied back.

"Simon, the barista literally just set it down, how could she have eaten it that fast?" Wren said. "It happens to me all the time. When I'm happy, when I'm sad," he looked off into space as Clary laughed. "It's possible," he stated, a pointed look directed at the blonde. "I'm happy, and my muffin is still here," she told him. "That's because you're a slow eater," Simon retorted. "Or maybe you're not happy enough," Clary joked.

"Yeah, sure," Wren replied with a playful eye roll. Simon looked back over at Clary. "I will replace your mythical biscotti with an actual one," he said, giving her his biscotti. "Thank you," Clary replied. Wren finished off the rest of her tea. They really needed bigger mugs for tea, she was always finishing hers fast.

"You know what? Here's to you," Simon said, holding up his mug. Clary picked up her mug and the two looked to Wren, who didn't notice their stares. Simon cleared his throat. "Uh, Renny." She looked up at him and he held up his mug a little higher, indicating that he wanted her to pick up hers. "I finished my tea," the blonde informed. "Just pretend," Simon replied. Wren picked up her empty mug.

"L'chaim."

"L'chaim."

••••

Wren threw another top onto her bed, hanger and all. She was trying to figure out what was appropriate to wear to Simon and Maureen's gig. It wasn't that big of a deal and she could honestly just have worn jeans and a T-shirt. But Wren Holland overthought everything and was extremely indecisive.

"Go with the blue top from that boutique on 24th, it looks great on you," Wren heard from the door. She sighed gratefully, and turned to her mom. "And pair it with one of your thousands of black jeans," Helena added with a cheeky smile. "Okay, I only have like, two pairs of black jeans thank you very much," Wren said, going to her closet to grab the blouse her mom was referring to and a pair of black jeans.

She set them on her bed and picked up the discarded clothes and went to hang them up. "Hm, I thought you had more seeing as you only wear black jeans," her mom said. "I do not only wear black jeans. And I like black jeans, is that a crime?" Wren retorted. Helena walked further into the bedroom as Wren exited the closet. "It should be," she said.

"Shouldn't you be at the restaurant?" Wren asked. "Emma dumped a whole tray of food all over me and I had to come back here to change," Helena answered, rolling her eyes. "I think it's time you fired Emma, mom," Wren said. "What happened to, 'giving her another chance' and 'the benefit of the doubt'?" Helena asked, referring to Wren's previous words whenever her mother mentioned firing Emma.

"Well, you've given her way too many chances now, mom," the younger blonde responded. "She needs the money and I don't have time to hire any new employees right now who could replace her," Helena said, taking a seat on Wren's bed. "I could always hire someone," Wren suggested. Helena laughed, shaking her head. "As much as I love you and trust and value your judgement, I am not putting the fate of The Spicy Angel in your hands," she said.

"You exaggerate way too much," the younger blonde said, tugging off her current T-shirt and swapping it with the blue blouse. "Exaggerate? You remember that guy with the blue hair that interviewed for a host position?" Her mother asked. "Yes, he was very nice and would've been an excellent addition to the restaurant," Wren said.

"He literally said that he wanted the job to improve his ability to read people so that he can figure out their weaknesses in order to destroy them," Helena said incredulously. Wren pursed her lips, "At least he was honest."

Helena chuckled and stood from Wren's bed as the girl sat down and began pulling on her boots. "Where are you going again?" Helena asked. "To see Champagne Enema," Wren replied, lacing her boots. "What the hell is that?" Helena asked. "Simon and Maureen's band," Wren answered. "They changed the name again?" Helena questioned.

"Yup. And you all call me indecisive," she replied before standing up. "And after, we're all gonna go out for Clary's birthday," she continued, walking over to her desk to pick up the bag with Clary's present in it. "How long do you plan to stay out? You still have to do that thing for the online college classes," Helena said. "Already did it mom," Wren said.

"Oh, okay. Well, don't stay out too late, alright?" She said. "Yeah," Wren said, already walking out of the door. "I mean it, Wren," Helena called after her. "Got it. Bye mom!"

Helena sighed, fixing the bed slightly before leaving the room.

°°°°

As a my birthday gift to all of you, here's chapter one! I hope you all enjoyed it. Please be sure to vote and comment (anything but update please). I'm still sad that Shadowhunters got cancelled but I have so many ideas for this book!