CHAPTER TWO. THE DECISION

"LOOSEN YOUR GRIP INCREDIBLE HULK."

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Jocelyn Fray opened the door to see that it was Wren on the other side. She let a smile grace her features at the sight of her daughter's friend. "Hi, Wren," she greeted, moving so that the blonde could enter. "Hey, Mrs. Fray," Wren said, walking into the house. The gift bag that she was holding brushed against her thigh as she walked.

"I'm surprised that you got here before Simon, he always seems to beat you here," Jocelyn joked, closing the front door. "That's because I let him get here before me. Gotta keep his self esteem up," Wren replied. Jocelyn chuckled, "Right." She walked around the couch. "Clary's in her room," she informed. Wren nodded and began making her way in the direction of Clary's room. "Wren," Jocelyn called.

Wren stopped in her tracks and turned back to face the redhead. "Look out for Clary tonight, would you?" She requested. Wren smiled, "I always do." And with that, she continued her journey to Clary's bedroom. Jocelyn sighed, her worry for her daughter growing.

The blonde knocked twice on Clary's door. "Come in," the redhead called. Wren opened the door and entered room. "Happy birthday! Again," she said with a grin. She held up the bag with Clary's gift in it. "Thanks Wren," Clary said with a smile. Wren held the bag out for her. "Here's your gift," she said. "You didn't have to give me anything," Clary said.

"Oh, shut up and open it," the blonde said, going to take a seat on Clary's bed. Clary took the fancy paper out of the bag. A gasp left her lips and Wren smiled proudly. "Are you serious?" The redhead said in awe. She pulled out the case of fancy oil paints and new paint brushes. "I know, I'm the best gift giver. And, I got the good kind. Not that cheap crap that you usually buy," Wren said. Clary gave her a look.

"I love it, thank you," she thanked. "Oh, I have another present for you," Wren said before pulling the small box out of her jacket pocket. She stood up from the bed and handed it to Clary. The redhead opened the box to see a simple silver ring with a peridot, Clary's birthstone. "It's beautiful," Clary said. "And now we match," Wren said, holding up her hand that had a similar ring but with her own birthstone, a ruby.

Clary pulled Wren into a tight hug. "Thank you." Wren squeezed her back before pulling away. "Where'd you get the top?" She asked, examining the unfamiliar top that the redhead wore. "A birthday present from Dot," Clary answered before picking up a green jacket and putting it on. She zipped it up. Wren furrowed her eyebrows. "The jacket ruins the whole outfit. And it covers the top," she said. "That's kind of the point. So that my mom doesn't see," Clary explained and Wren nodded in understanding.

The two then exited Clary's bedroom. Wren heard voices in Clary's living room and saw Jocelyn and Luke. "Hey, Luke, what's up?" Clary greeted, happy to see the man. "Hi, Luke," Wren said. "Hey guys! Clary, incredible drawings," he said. "Oh, thanks," Clary replied. "And I got you these," he continued, pulling spray paint out of a bag.

"Spray paint," he said. "Oh, they're perfect," Clary said. "My gifts were better," Wren muttered to Mrs. Fray, who held a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. "If I catch any of that paint on city walls, I will arrest you," Luke threatened jokingly. "The paint is for Simon's van. I'm insisting they rename the band," Clary replied.

"Oh, yes, please," Jocelyn said. "Yeah," Clary said and Wren nodded. "It's terrible," she said. Luke pointed at something in Clary's pocket. "Did your mom talk to you about that?" He asked. Wren looked over at Clary as she pulled it out of her pocket. "The heirloom. Yeah, it's beautiful," the redhead said. Wren examined the object that Clary was holding. She had no idea what it was and had never seen anything like it. But it was pretty.

She pulled out her pack of gum. "Clary, you're 18 now, and—" Clary cut him off. "What is with you guys? I'm turning 18, it's not like I'm headed off on some epic journey," she said.

"But you are!" Simon exclaimed, making his presence known. His eyes moved over to Wren. "You got here before me," he noted. "Yup," she said, putting a piece of gum in her mouth in smug manner. He rolled his eyes before looking to Jocelyn. "See, we are going to Lombardi's to celebrate your birthday after our gig," he told her. "And why wasn't I informed about this?" Wren asked. "I texted you," Simon said. "You did not," she replied. Simon began pulling out his phone.

"You should come back here after. The city's not that safe right now," Mrs. Fray was saying. "Huh, I could've sworn that I texted you," he muttered to the blonde after seeing that he in fact did not text her about dinner at Lombardi's. "Ah, thanks, Mom, but we're set," Clary said, the three beginning to make their way toward the door.

"Yeah, we will take a rain check," Simon began before he stopped in his tracks. "Wait. Do I smell chicken cacciatore?" He asked and Jocelyn nodded with a smile in the hopes that they would stay. "Simon, your gig," Clary reminded. "Oh, you're singing?" Luke questioned. "Yes, big gig. And by big, I mean not so," Simon answered with a wide smile.

Luke chuckled and Wren smiled. Jocelyn pulled Clary into a tight hug. Clary made a choking noise, "Losing circulation here." Jocelyn released her, "Breakfast, you and me, tomorrow. Promise?"

"Yep," Clary replied. Wren was patiently waiting, her eyes on her phone as she scrolled through Twitter. "Mom uh, Mom? Mom, you have to let me go. I'm biologically and legally an adult," Clary said. Mrs. Fray pulled away. "Yeah. That's what I'm afraid of," she said, moving some of Clary's hair. "Shall we?" Clary asked. "Yes. Piggy back ride for the birthday girl," Simon said. Clary hopped onto his back.

"No fair, I don't get piggy back rides on my birthday," Wren said as they began walking out. "That's because I give you piggy back rides literally every other day," Simon retorted. Wren pursed her lips, "Touché."

••••

Wren, Clary, Simon, and Maureen were sitting atop Simon's van before Champagne Enema's gig. Wren really hated that name and couldn't wait for them to change it. Wren had attempted to pitch ideas to them, but she wasn't that creative and Simon didn't like any of her ideas.

She didn't blame him, they were pretty bad. But, not as bad as his.

"My mom is so overprotective lately," Clary was saying with a chuckle. Maureen laughed as well whilst Wren tapped away on her phone, looking up a band name generator to figure out what Simon and Maureen should change it to.

"What about, Indie Wolves Of New York?" The blonde suggested. "That's pretty cool," Maureen complimented. "Thank you," Wren said. "I don't get the wolves thing," Simon said. "The generator asked for an animal, I wanted to do something different from a dog," Wren explained. "You got anything else?" Simon asked. Wren sighed and began scrolling through the ideas that the generator offered whilst Simon addressed Clary's previous statement.

"So, do you remember in Aliens, when the alien queen was defending her eggs from Ripley?" He asked the redhead. "In this scenario, is my mom Ripley or the alien queen?" Clary asked back. "Both," Simon said. "What?" Maureen asked. "A mother defending her young," Simon replied. "Defending me from what? I spend all day in an art studio. My life couldn't be more mundane. Besides, I really don't know much about when she was young," Clary said.

"Oh, just do what I do and get all the dirt from your relatives," Maureen suggested. "Well, I would if I could, but she doesn't have any. And my my dad died before I was born," Clary replied, looking down. "So, you have no one? No uncles, no aunts, no third cousins, twice removed?" Maureen questioned.

"No, just me and my mom. Just like Wren," Clary responded. "So you don't know anything about your family either?" Maureen asked. Wren looked up from her phone. "I know a little. My mom and her parents had a falling out after she met my dad. They didn't like him much. And she didn't really get that much support from her other family members so she left," Wren answered.

"And your dad?" Maureen asked next. "Things between him and my mom didn't really work out. I don't know where he is now or if he's even still alive," Wren answered before returning her attention to her phone. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable talking about her family with someone she didn't know all that well.

"It's why the Lewis clan has added five chairs to every seder since pre-school," Simon informed. "Mmm," Clary hummed. "One for Clary, one for Jocelyn, one for Wren, one for Helena, and one for Elijah," he continued. "Of course," Clary said. "Can't forget about good ole Elijah," Wren joked. "Obviously," Simon said. "Yes, obviously," Clary added.

"You guys don't think that's a little bit suspicious? You not knowing anything about your family? Your mom could be hiding some deep, dark secret," Maureen said to the redhead. "Maureen, it's not possible," Clary dismissed. "No, no, think about it—"

"No, seriously. My mother is incapable of concealing anything from me," Clary interrupted. "Simon and Sons," Wren said, listing off another band name. The three looked at her. "Maureen is a girl," Simon pointed out. "Then Maureen and Sons," she said. "But I'm not her son," Simon retorted and Wren groaned. "You know what, come up with your own band name then."

••••

Wren swayed slightly along to the words that Simon was singing. She had to admit, even with all of his annoyingness, he was talented. Maureen was really good at harmonizing with him. All in all, it was great.

The blonde couldn't really relate to the words the two were singing though. She did not want to be young forever. Immortality isn't something that seemed appealing to her. She felt that she'd get bored of the world if she lived forever. She kind of already was. And age had never really been anything she thought about. While other people were stressing over whether or not they have wrinkles, she was  stressing about more important things. Like what he hell she was going to do with her life.

She continued to listen to the two perform. What she began to notice, however, made her frown slightly. Simon's eyes, for the most part, remained solely on Clary. He'd occasionally look around at the rest of the audience, meeting the blonde's gaze where she'd send him a reassuring smile and a thumbs up. But for the most part, his eyes were on the redhead sitting next to Wren. It made her sigh. She wished that someone would look at her the way Simon looked at Clary.

She then rolled her eyes and they narrowed at the boy who continued singing pretty much to Clary. She was getting sick of this. Simon silently pining after the girl who didn't notice and never would unless he said something. Did something. Anything was better than nothing at this point. The boy had had feelings for the redhead for far too long. And if he wasn't going to do something about it, she would.

It was decided: Wren Holland was going to get Clary Fray to fall in love with Simon Lewis. How was she going to do that? She had no clue. But she was determined to figure it out. If not for his sake, for her own sanity. She was tired of hearing him go on and on about how amazing Clary was and she was tired of watching him follow her around like a lost puppy. So she either needed to figure out a way to get them together, or figure out a way to get him to move on.

Because if she had to hear one more thing about how soft Clary's hair looked, she would start ripping out her own. And Wren would not look good bald. She just wouldn't.

As Champagne Enema's set came to a close, Wren began plotting. Her squinted eyes were not on the two as she clapped almost robotically. Clary looked over at her, recognizing her thinking face. "Don't think too hard, you'll pop a blood vessel," the redhead joked. "Maybe that's what I need," Wren muttered. "What?" Clary asked, her voice holding concern.

Wren shook her head, "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just thinking about... never mind it's not important." Clary continued to look at her. Wren stared back, tilting her head to the side as she did. "Take a picture it'll—"

"Oh shut up," Clary interrupted, laughing at the almost joke. The two stood and made their way over to Simon and Maureen. "You guys were amazing," Clary complimented. "Thank you," Maureen responded. "Yeah, thanks," Simon said. Wren sighed and grabbed Simon's arm. "I actually have something I wanna talk to you about real quick, we'll catch up," the blonde said before dragging Simon away from the two.

"Ow ow ow. Loosen your grip Incredible Hulk," Simon said. Wren released her hold on his arm and turned to glare at him. "You are the most aggravating person I've ever met," she began. His mouth fell open as he gasped at her briefly. "W-what did I do?" He questioned. "Nothing! That's the problem," she responded. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I'm not sure I follow," he said slowly and she groaned.

"Look, I'm getting rather annoyed with your whole, 'I like Clary but I'm gonna keep it a secret' bullshit," she said and he was quick to shush her. "Lower your voice," he said, taking a step closer. She rolled her eyes. "You're going about this whole thing all wrong. You can't just keep waiting for Clary to realize your feelings. Because she won't. So you gotta tell her," she continued.

"No no no no no. Nope. Nuh uh. Not happening," he said, shaking his head rapidly. Wren crossed her arms. "Why not?" She asked. "B-because I can't just tell her. Then she'll know," he said. She stared at him through narrowed eyes. "You're such a wuss, Lewis," she insulted. He began sputtering and she held up a hand.

"It's time for you to take action. And I'm gonna help. I'm gonna help you get Clary to fall in love with you," she said. His mouth fell open again. "Wha—"

"I know, I know. I'm amazing and a good friend. You don't have to tell me," she said. "I-I don't need nor do I want your help," he said and she scoffed. "Oh you definitely need my help, trust me on this. And I'll be happy to offer you my services. For fifty bucks an hour," Wren said. His eyes widened. "I'm kidding. Fourth nine," she rephrased.

Simon let out an incredulous laugh. "You're joking, right? That was a joke?" He asked. "College is expensive, yo," she said and he laughed again. "If I decide to take you up on your offer, and that's a big if, I'll give you twenty bucks flat, nothing else," he said. "Hell no, that's not enough," she replied. "We're supposed to be friends, I shouldn't have to pay you at all. You should want to do this out of the kindness of your heart!" He retorted.

She sighed, "You're right. So I'll do it for thirty an hour." His eyes narrowed and he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "You're a horrible person. I don't even have that kind of money," he said. "You have your bar mitzvah money," she retorted. "I am not giving you my bar mitzvah money!" He exclaimed. "Hey, some of that money came from me, so you can just give it back," she proclaimed. "Actually, it came from your mom," Simon corrected.

The two glared at each other for a few moments. "One hundred dollars flat, nothing more nothing less," she negotiated. He gave her a look. "That's a good deal, Simon," she said. He thought about it for a moment. "Seventy five," he reasoned. She bit her lip before sighing. "Fine," she relented and he smiled.

"So, are we doing this?" She asked and he nodded, holding out his hand. She took it and shook it. "But you don't get paid until after Clary and I get together," he informed.

"You're a little shit."

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I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I honestly couldn't be bothered to edit it lol. So if you see any grammatical errors, please point them out in a kind manner. Please vote and comment as long as it's not about me updating. Have a nice day.