Full Summary: AU. Tony Stark is a sixteen-year-old boy who's life revolves around technology, money and big business. When his best friend Rhodey brings the new girl from school around to meet him, Tony takes an instant liking to her. But will she fall for him like Tony has fallen head-over-heels for her, or will his arrogant rich-boy ways deter her one time too many? Can Tony change for her, or will it be too late?

Rhodey waltzed casually into Tony's lab, smiling as if he had some sort of secret plan. Tony, working on his latest invention, didn't pay any mind to it.

"Hey, T, you know something interesting happened today?" Rhodey said.

"Yeah? What's that?" Tony asked, not bothering to look up from his work.

"There was this new girl at school today, and I think you'd really like her. You should swing by school and meet her sometime." Rhodey explained. Tony shrugged.

"Maybe if I'm in the area. I'm not too interested in dating." Tony commented.

"I'm sure you'd change your mind if you saw her…" Rhodey mumbled as he sat down to do some homework.

~…~

Later that day, Tony was just gathering his things and leaving for home when Rhodey met him outside the lab. Tony hadn't noticed the red-haired girl that accompanied him.

"Hey, Tony, there's someone I want you to meet," Rhodey said, running towards Tony, the girl following closely behind him.

"Yeah? Who would that be?" Tony asked as they met on the street corner outside the lab.

"This," Rhodey said, stepping aside to reveal a shy-looking redheaded girl with stunning brown eyes. "Is Pepper."

Once Tony's eyes ran into hers, however, he didn't pay attention to a word Rhodey was saying. It was like he was stuck. He couldn't seem to avert his gaze to Rhodey to ask him to repeat what he had just said.

"H-hey, there," Tony greeted, "what would your name be?" He asked. She giggled.

"My name is Patricia, but you can just call me Pepper." The girl answered. Tony's playboy smile grew.

"Well, Pepper, it is lovely to meet you. I'm sure you know my name is Tony Stark," Tony said slyly. Pepper giggled.

"Of course I do, who doesn't? You're practically a celebrity." Pepper answered.

"Aw, I wouldn't say that…" Tony said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and walking down the street with her, completely forgetting about Rhodey's existence.

"I knew you'd like her." He said, chuckling and shaking his head at his friend's arrogance.

~…~

Despite Tony's appearing confidence towards Pepper, he was actually very nervous. He hid his hands behind his back because he felt his palms getting sweaty, and he pulled the eventual stutter. He was even watching his every move towards her, in fear that she wouldn't like him. He'd never felt this nervous about anyone before, ever. And feeling it now was making him uneasy; he had a very weird feeling in his gut. The weirdest of all, though, was his overwhelming desire to kiss her, then and there. But he knew he had to hold back if he ever wanted to see her again.

After whisking her away from the corner outside the lab, he took her to a deli downtown to hang out. As they did so, they had a grand old time. Laughing and talking, they found that they couldn't get themselves to stop talking.

After an afterschool snack, Tony offered to bring her home.

"Well, it was really nice meeting you," Pepper said shyly, standing outside her apartment door.

"It was really nice to meet you too. This was a nice break from the lab." Tony responded.

"Well, see you around I guess," Pepper said, opening her door. Before she stepped inside and shut it, Tony stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, maybe we can do this again sometime. Here's my number," Tony said, handing her a small piece of paper. She smiled, waved and shut the door behind her. Tony smiled widely, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked home. Pepper sank to the floor, leaning against her door, sighing in delight.

This, they both thought, was the start to an amazing new relationship…

Omg, that was so cute XD got this idea while watching Iron: Forged In Fire and it's my first real AU story, as far as I recall. Anyways, review?