Gifted

"One plus one is two. That is fact number one of today." Peter's new class teacher said, fixing her skirt as she stood up, closing the attendance register. "Who can tell me what two plus two is? Who's got it?"

"Four." A squeaky little voice prompted, making Peter roll his eyes so far back, it made him dizzy. 

"Excellent, Donna." Ms Carter smiled, giving Peter the same look Steve did when he threw a fuss.

"It is. Two plus two is indeed four. Okay, who wants to try three plus three?"

"Three plus three?" Peter sat up, genuinely frustrated. "Really?"

"I beg your pardon?" Ms Carter's eyebrow shot up. But Peter knew how adults worked so it didn't bother him.

"What kind of school is this anyway?"

"It's the kind of school, where students don't speak without permission." Ms Carter said, her smile wavering.

"Alright, but everyone knows it's six."

"Nobody in this classroom speaks... unless they're called upon. Okay? Is everybody clear on that?" She said, eyes looking over the class before turning back to Peter.

"Yes, ma'am." The chorused, making Peter huff.

"Good. Peter, can you stand up please? Stand up." She ordered, making Peter want to flick her ear. "Stand up, babe."

"These questions are for you, because you're so advanced." She said, hoping to put the little monster in his place so they could all have an early recess. "What is nine plus eight?"

"Seventeen."

Peggy blinked, taken aback at how quickly he replied, as though he knew exactly what question she was going to ask him.

"Yeah, yes, it is. That's good. What is… fifteen plus seventeen?"

"Thirty-two."

Oh. "Yeah, that is... That is right. Alright then... Well, what is 57 plus 135?"

"One hundred and ninety two."

"Yeah. I… Can you tell me… What 57 multiplied by 135 is?"

Peter stood there silent, and Peggy could finally breathe in again. The little boy was certainly gifted but a little too cocky for his own good. She'd have to have a chat with his parents. "Okay." She said, smiling at Peter to tell him that he didn't need to feel embarrassed. She turned back to the class, "Who can tell me what four–"

"- 7695." Peter cut her off, watching as her eyes widened.

"I don't think anyone can do that." A boy in a blue onsie mumbled, making Peter scowl at him.

"The square root is 87.7." Peter continued then, watching his teacher stare at her calculator that read "87.721149103" in shock. "And change."

"Now," Peter said, crossing his arms defiantly, "what does ad nauseam mean?"

"I have very strange kid." Peggy mumbled to Maria Hill, the teacher of the class next door as she let the kids back into the classroom after recess later that morning.

"I have 27 strange kids." Maria teased, making Peggy smile despite the morning she'd had."

And then Maria's eyebrows shot up as she looked over Peggy's shoulder.

"Oh, God, see ya." She squeaked, closing her class door quickly, making Peggy turn around, eyes wide in confusion.

"Good morning, Miss Carter." It was the principal, Mr. Pierce. "Good morning." Peggy said, slapping a smile onto her face.

"Mind if I sit in?" He asked, smiling back his stellar smile that made Peggy want to smack him about the head.

"Not at all." She said instead, considering the consequences she'd have to face from the school board for assaulting Alexander Pierce.

"Okay, class." She walked into the room, watching Mr. Pierce close the door. "I have a treat for you. I would like to introduce you to our principal Mr. Pierce."

"Good morning, first graders." He said, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"Good morning, Mr. Pierce." They sang back, making Peggy smile.

"Are you ready for a great year?"

"Yes!" They exclaimed. Only, Peter stuck his hand in the air, snatching Peggy's smile away.

"Yes, Peter?"

"He's the boss?" Peter asked, making Peggy redden and Mr. Pierce raise a brow in amusement.

"Mr. Pierce is our principal, Peter."

"Okay," Peter said, leaning back in his hair, crossing his arms, "Now I want you to get on your phone and call Steve and tell him to get me out of here!"