Chapter 1
Peter could swear some days that he was the living embodiment of bad luck. He had thought that he had kept track of his absences but apparently not so, as Mr. Harrington had just informed him.
10 MINS EARLIER
"Now that practice is over for the day, it's time for a bit of good news," Mr. Harrington announced. Heads swivelled as the teens scattered around the room tuned into their teachers vice.
"Due to the teams spectacular performance at nationals-" the teacher was cut off as cheers went up around the room.
"AS I was saying, "Mr. Harrington stressed when the cheers died down, "due to the teams performance at nationals, we as representatives of Midtown, have been invited on an exclusive tour with one of the world largest companies. Now, in the spirit of a bit of fun, the school has decided to keep you on your toes and keep the destination a secret. I can however let you know that it will be undertaken in two weeks to today."
The news that they wouldn't be told where they were going was met with exasperated sighs and shaking heads. Students curing the faculty for what now seemed the billionth time, nothing was ever straightforward.
"Now, now. I know your all going to love it when we get there, and if I'm being honest with you, even I am excited for this trip. It truly isn't something you get the chance to do every day," Harrington placated. "Alright, grab a form on your way out, and I expect it back to me at practice next week. Mr. Parker, hang back please, I need to speak with you for a second."
Students around the room packed up and headed for the door, Mr, Harrington ensuring that each collected their form. Peter bit his lip, nerves on end as he stuffed his textbooks into his bag. This couldn't be good. Every time Harrington glanced at him, it was with this pinched look. The teen said a reluctant goodbye to Ned, as his friend shuffled out the door and into the corridor. After the room had cleared, Peter sidled up to where his teacher now sat at the front of the room.
"You wanted to speak with me sir?" Peter asked, attempting to avoid direct eye contact.
Now it was Mr. Harrington's turn to sigh, "You know Peter, you're one of the best kids I have. Honestly in my opinion you should already be at college rather than stuck around here. But just because you probably already know the content doesn't give you an excuse to skip school."
Shit, Peter thought, he thought that he had kept track of his missed days. Was he going to be kicked off the team?
Harrington continued, oblivious to Peter's internal panic, "I know what the team means to you, it's a place that you can actually extend yourself. It's the reason why I keep you on the team, but you can expect that there wouldn't be any consequences. I'm sorry Peter, but the school has decided that as punishment you won't be attending the field trip with the rest of the team. On the day of the field trip you won't be required to attend school as the faculty has decided to use one departmentally mandated teacher planning days. I really an sorry Pete."
Peter felt as if he had been slapped in the face, although the little voice in the back of his head whispered that it could have been much worse. He managed a jerky nod and turned away from the teachers desk.
And so this is how Peter finds himself wandering down the now empty school halls cursing his bad luck and his apparent lack of attendance. One blessing though that he wasn't required to school his face at school the day of the field trip. Peter can just imagine that Flash would have given him before the team would have left for their mystery tour. Looking up from his feet, the teen caught sight of Ned and MJ hovering at the schools entrance, obviously waiting for him.
"What's with the long face nerd?" MJ questioned, taking in the utterly dejected look that had overtaken Peter's face. Ned looked up from his phone and nodded as if seconding MJ's question.
Peter sighed, "I can't go on the field trip, missed to many days of school apparently."
Ned grimaced, "That's shit man, I thought you were keeping an eye on that?"
" So did I Ned," Peter replied, "so did I, apparently not well enough though." The three moved from the entrance, heading down the stairs and onto the street.
"Well Parker, if there's one thing to be glad of at least, it's one less day of listening to Flash's crap,
"MJ quipped in an obvious attempt to make him feel better. "It's probably going to be shit anyway, capitalism and all that."
"MJ's right Peter, in fact I'm almost jealous," was Ned's follow on, giving the other teen a supportive pat on the back, "I'll see you tomorrow man."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," he said throwing a small wave after his best friend as Ned made his way to where his parents car was waiting.
"Later Loser," MJ called as she turned and made her way down the street to the bus stand.
"By MJ."
Peter turned in the opposite direction, down the street, wandering around the corner to where a black Audi was waiting idle. The teen breathed a sigh of relief as he slipped into the Audi's back seat, dropping his bag next to his feet. Peter looked up to see Happy giving him a look in the rear-view mirror.
"Long day Kid?"
Peter sighed again, "You could say that. Apparently I've got to many absences to go on the AcaDec field trip, the upside though is that I get to spend the day at home rather than at school."
Happy smiled at that, "Your dad will be happy to have you for the day at the very least. Maybe you can keep Tony out of trouble for the, I be grateful, your mum would be to."
Peter snorted. Everybody knew that Peter had his dad wrapped around his pinkie finger, not even Pepper herself could rival Peter in Tony-herding.
"When's the trip supposed t be anyway Kid?"
"Two weeks from today." That made Happy smile even brighter.
"Sounds like it won't just be Tony you'll be keeping out of trouble then, that's the week that Keener is supposed to be up."
That made Peter smile. In the despair of missing out on the field trip, it had totally blanked the teens mind that his boyfriend would be in New York. Peter and Happy spent the rest of the ride to Stark Tower in silence, with Happy's focus on the road and Peter's day dreaming about Harley. Peter was glad that his dad had re-bought the tower after the threat of Thanos had been dealt with. It was much closer to his school than the now destroyed compound upstate. Also the fact that he and Harley shared a room was another perk of the tower. It had been two years since the return after the Blip, two years since the two of them had met. They had been going strong, even over the occasional long distance, ever since. Before Peter realised, Happy was pulling into the drop bay in front of Stark Tower.
"Thanks Happy! I'll see you tomorrow," Peter said, collecting his bag and exiting onto the sidewalk.
"I'll see you tomorrow Kid."
Happy pulled away from the curb to go to whatever job was next on the list. Peter looked up at the glistening windows of Stark Tower, taking a moment to appreciate the beautiful piece of architecture. He took pride in it, has was after all, a Stark.