Explanations
Wednesday 11:28 AM
The excruciating pain came out of nowhere. One moment I was conversing with Pepper by my locker, and the next thing I knew, 'Captain America' had punched me square in the nose. My eyes water as I fall to the floor trying to shield my face from his punches. Steve Rogers continues hitting me a crowd assembles around me. I hear Pepper screaming, “Get off! Someone help me! ” The kids around me are laughing and as I lay still on the floor I wonder what I did wrong...
Tuesday 1:09 PM
“Hey, Stark! Where’s your bodyguard!?” Clint Barton yelled across the cafeteria, causing eyes to stare all around them. I sighed “Just ignore him, Tones, he’s just trying to make you angry” Rhodey reasoned. It was lunchtime and my small group of friends, Pepper and Rhodey, were all conversing. “It’s so unfair. The ‘Avengers’ is Fury’s. favorite they’re never going to get in trouble!” Pepper shouted shuffling pasta in her mouth. “Come on, my love, they’ll get over it!” Rhodey comforted. She rolls her eyes. “Rhodes, it’s been like this since the beginning of the year! And ever since last Friday’s accident, it’s 10 times worse!”
“I mean accidentally breaking kids’ prosthetics is a pretty big deal…”
“Dude it was an accident let it go!” Rhodey all but shouted for everyone to hear. That made the cafeteria go quiet and the whispers begin “Didn’t he hit it on purpose?” Becky, a girl from my 3rd period, whispered loudly. “I’m going to the library” I mumbled getting up from my seat.
I take the quickest route to the library speeding up as I hear footsteps behind me.
“Yo Stark wait up!” Sam hollered running up to me and placing his hand on my shoulder to stop me. I exhale preparing myself for a beatdown.
“Uh - How may I help you?”
I tried not to stutter as I turned around to face the group that had already caught up to me and sam. “What you did was’ no accident” Steve
gritted out getting closer to me “ You didn’t even apologize!” I and Steve stood head to head. I moved my hand to slick back my already-slicked-back hair nervous tick really,
“I know Steve, I didn’t apologize because I’m simply… not sorry” I Shrugged looking up at the man, his face contorted with rage. “Maybe if you weren’t such an incompetent little shit, you would know that prosthetics are expensive!” he took a breath “OH, but I forgot Daddy gives you everything!”
Steve didn’t know me. So why did he have the right to judge? Why was I always their target? “Steve, walk away… now,” Natasha said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Steve sighed. “Watch your back stark,” he said, stomping away. I looked down, deep in thought, as Steve stomped away. “He’s right you know” I looked up, looking around to see the Avengers all walking away except Bruce, a plump brunette that smelled like aftershave, wore khaki shorts and a lab coat.
“You don’t know what it’s like to struggle, or to have a disability,” he mumbled the last part, but I heard. I slumped my shoulders. Bruce was the only Avenger I liked. We talked about science but now I don’t know if we’d ever speak again…
“Bruce, I’m sorry but you don’t know me,” I grumbled, walking away.
When I arrived at the library, a few people were scattered across it reading or studying. I go to my reserved spot in the back. I usually sit in a red beanbag chair, but someone was already there.
The teen looked up from his phone and my eyes widened. “You just gonna’ look at me all day doll?” A smooth Brooklyn accent said with a sly grin, and I quickly took a seat in the blue bean bag right next to him.
Bucky Barnes had a nice gap in his teeth, an eyebrow piercing and long fine brown hair that went mid-shoulder, and milk chocolate brown eyes. He had a mole under his right eye.
He wore Steve’s football jacket and tight black jeans with a nice belt. He no longer had his prosthetic thanks to me.
I took out my English homework and started glancing at Bucky every few seconds. This was the man who almost beat me black and blue for something I didn’t even do, but he scared me..
“You ok?” he spoke as His gaze softened, .
“Why?” I blurted
“Why what? he tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy
“Why’d you hit me?” I grumbled, He sighed
“I hit you because I thought you were dumb enough to make that Instagram post about Natasha. I know it was Stone but y’all were best friends and you were the closer so…” he scratched the back of his head in guilt.
It made sense he and Natasha were close and Stane was constantly hitting on her. The rumor is she beat the crap out of him. I guess he got mad and started a rumor that she sucked him off. It still wasn’t a good reason to punish me for my Ex boyfriends sins.
“So you took your anger out on me…? And you also let everyone believe that I broke your prosthetic for no reason!?” I screeched
“Yeah…”
I scoffed getting up from my chair “Wait!” He yelled getting shushed by the people in the library. “I’m sorry darlin’ let me make it up to you” I rolled my eyes “Yeah absolutely not. Steve threatened me 30 minutes ago” his face morphed into shock “Wait what! I told Steve it wasn’t your fault! I told him the truth!”
“Whatever you told him he doesn’t believe!”
“Tony if you can’t be quiet you have to leave” the librarian assistant Max snapped pointing at the door
I quickly apologized and left thankfully Bucky didn’t follow.
I spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. School ended and I decided to go home. I was exhausted.
I started my journey home. It wasn’t far from my house but I always stop by Lottie’s bakery for a treat.
“Hey Tony, how are you, honey?” Lottie asked, walking over to greet me.
Lottie was a short Italian woman who smelt like lemon grass and always hugged me at the door .
"Please have a seat and we'll enjoy a treat together," she says before walking away. I swiftly take a seat in a booth.
A loud ding from the door announced the arrival of a big group. As I look at them, I understand that Lottie and I won't be able to converse. As soon as I recognize it's the Avengers, I let out a sigh. They were a huge group sitting across from me and their loudness was no surprise, but still irritating.
“Hey, stark, come sit with us!”