Hey Guys! Look who's back! and with a completely new, original, interesting Pepperony story. And how fitting considering we're just around that time. so for those of you who read Fear you've known about this and in cast you didn't know, i also have my other story out, the alphabetical one. The Pieces to the Pepperony Puzzle. You should all check it out. And for those of you Fear fans out there, you'll be happy to know i have the outline for its sequel completed. IT's called...Terror. Now i have some bad news, i will not begin writing it until post IM3. sorry but at least you know I've got everything ready for it and i'm certain you'll enjoy it 10x more than you did Fear. Yeah, the outline is that amazing! Okay so i'm done advertising now haha. Caution, there are most likely typos.
So everyone i hope you enjoy this AU universe. Read, enjoy, review.
Spring Break
*Pepper will be referred to as Virginia until Tony creates her nickname, annoying and weird I know, but stick with me.*
Virginia Potts let out a sigh of relief. Finally she was done with Calculus AB and done with her stickler of a professor, Mr. Grogan. As she walked out of the building wing door of Stanford, fresh warm air hit her face and she breathed it in until it saturated her lungs. Spring break was only two days away. A smile appeared on her face as she thought of the two week long trip she was going to be spending with her boyfriend of two years, Benedict Yancy. Everyone just called him Ben. He too was a senior at Stanford getting his major in Business. He was the vice president of the student run government (SCA) and president of the Art Club. He was also the running back for their football team. Ben stood 6'1' dirty blond, beautiful ocean blue eyes with tan olive skin and very well defined muscles. He was the popular kid around the block and he wasn't the shallow type of popular football jock most would assume. Ben was kind and loyal, very sweet and magna cum laude. She of course was summa cum laude.
Virginia knew Ben would be locked up in his dorm hard at work on his English Project due the next day that he had been working on for weeks; and shed decided to surprise him and drop by to offer some help before going to meet her friends for their movie night. Once she reached the door to his dorm she quickly darted a look both ways to look for teachers, considering she wasn't allowed to go in his room, before silently opening his door hoping to scare him. When she popped her head in the room through the door she froze and stood there, motionless in the doorway. She had to blink multiple times; her eyes had to be deceiving her. Surely she wasn't seeing Ben very naked with their Financial Planning teacher, Mrs. Hobbs, on the couch. A small shriek of disbelief and confusion escaped her lips alerting them of her presence. Her eyes met Ben's and she clutched her backpack strap tighter and turned around and bolted. For two minutes she ran as fast as she could away from him, but the image of him having sex with their married teacher was seared into her mind like a hot iron brand. Buildings and landscape breezed by until finally the one building that mattered appeared and she ran into it knowing she'd find refuge. As she reached her dorm she swiftly withdrew her key and unlocked the door, threw it open, ran past her roommates, and into the bedroom they shared. Backpack was slung into the side of the bed and she into her bed pillow where she clutched it close and finally just let all of her emotions wash over her. She knew her friends would come in soon enough and ask what was wrong but for right now she just wanted to drown her sadness and confusion through her pillow.
Five minutes later and Marissa was the first to silently walk in and sit on the bed and begin to rub her back. Marissa Pryor was a lighter shade of black, 5'9', amber eyes, complete with a small afro of jet black hair always held by a changing, colorful, bandana. She was always the more fashionate one amongst the group, latest dress, earrings, blouse, jeans, and shoes. She was also the more emotionally in tune person. Marissa was Parliamentarian of the SCA and President of the National Honor Society not to mention the Reporter for the French Honor Society. The second amongst their square was Nelia-Sol White. Standing only 5 '7', Nelia was always dressed in jeans and a video game T-shirt. She was a mix of African and Pilipino, making her a coffee with creamer shade. She along with Marissa had chocolate eyes and un-pierced ears. She was also called, 'The Guy', in their friend square. Nelia was the vice president of the National Honor Society and the Yearbook Editor in chief. The third amongst them was Michelle Barita who came in a 5'8', white but not pale, long wavy brunette hair, and also hazelnut eyes. She always wore jeans and a Stanford University Girls Soccer Team hoodie. Michelle was the starting forward for their soccer team and the captain. They all were seniors at Stanford but majoring in different things. The four of them had become unlikely friends in a collective Freshman English class with Mrs. Hostutler. Since sophomore year they had been rooming together and their friendship had only evolved deeper even with Marissa and Virginia having a boyfriend. Nelia was married to video games and Liam Neeson and Michelle to soccer.
As Marissa rubbed Virginia's back in comforting circles, Virginia knew it was Marissa's way of saying, 'I'll be right here until you're ready to talk.' Another couple minutes passed by before she rolled over and grabbed for the tissues on here nightstand, Once she had gone through a few of them, she began to speak.
"I…I went to surprise Ben today and…when I opened the door…" Tears began to flow again and she blew her nose as she felt Marissa's hand give her's a gentle squeeze. "I caught him having sex with Mrs. Hobbs." Her body began to shake as sobs wracked her body and Marissa pulled her into a warm hug.
"Oh Ginny I'm so sorry. We can always have Nelia go beat him with her butter sock." Marissa said sadly. Virginia laughed through her sobs as she held onto Marissa and continued to cry. When Virginia was finally all cried out, Nelia walked in with ice cream from Coldstone and Michelle with fries from McDonald's. She gave a small laugh at the gesture and it warmed her heart.
"You guys…give me a hug." She said happily through her sniffles. They set down the food on her nightstand and everyone joined in on the group hug.
"So I was thinking instead of going out to the movies tonight we just stay in and bring them to us. So on that note I present, The Ugly Truth. And I was thinking maybe later we could watch some episodes of Maury." Nelia said handing her the cup of mint chocolate chip ice cream and Michelle handing her the box of fries.
"You guys are the best, thank you." Virginia said gratefully dipping a salty fry into the sweet ice cream.
"What happened Ginny?" Michelle asked not liking the fact her friend was crying.
She kept quiet and Marissa answered instead. "Ben cheated on her." There was clear disgust and venom in her voice.
"Son of a biscuit eating bulldog! Where the french toast is my butter sock?!" Nelia cried outraged as she scoured the room for her weapon.
Virginia let out an uneasy, grateful laugh and said, "No, it's not worth it. He's not worth it."
"That's right! He's not worth your affection." Marissa gently reassured.
"Hey, that means you'll be alone Friday and you'll be alone spring break." Michelle mused aloud.
"Oh that's right; remember to take pictures for me on your cruise." Virginia said trying to appear happy for her friends.
"I don't think so!" Marissa said as her voice took on what everyone called her 'black ghetto side'. "There's no way in hell we'd leave you alone, especially after this." She stated.
"Yeah girl! You're gonna be livin' it up in the sun, chillin' wit us, goin' swimmin' on beaches, getting' drunk as hell, hittin' up the malls, checkin' out the dudes, and playin' video games in the arcade." Nelia said beginning to imagine all the different video games.
"Yeah, exactly! Play some volley ball, order room service, sleep in, and watch scary movies late at night." Michelle added.
"Go to the spa, go shoppin', hangin' out by the pool in our bikini's, maybe have a spring fling." Marissa said with an elbow nudge to Virginia who gave an amused smile in reply.
"Yeah, that all sounds like fun but you only bought three tickets." She tried to argue. A common smile appeared on all the other girl's faces and Virginia looked at each and every one of them skeptically. "You bought me a ticket, didn't you?" She dead panned.
"Yup!" Michelle said happily popping the P.
"Ms. Potts, it looks like you have some packing to do. We leave at six a.m. Friday to catch our 8:30 am flight out of LAX to the sunny city of Miami so we can catch a taxi to the port and board before the ship leaves at four. We're boarding the Norwegian Breakaway; it's the newest ship where apparently all the Miami College kids are going to. Plus they had a limited deal on a two week cruise to the Bahamas, now the rooms aren't fantastic like The Haven, but we each get our own room with a porthole and bathroom so I don't care." Nelia said with a grin.
Virginia shook her head with a smile as she ate her ice cream and fries and sat up against the wall her bed was up against. She shared the queen sized bed with Michelle while Marissa and Nelia shared the other queen sized bed. 'Maybe a getaway will be good for me.' She thought optimistically.
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Anthony Stark, handsome new CEO of Stark Industries leant back in his ergonomic chair, hands folded behind his head, and released a breath of frustration. He had only been CEO for three months and already it felt like an eternity had passed. He'd already gone through at least a dozen, if not more (he really wasn't keeping track) personal assistants in that time. They all were the same profile too; attractive, slender, young, long legs, sexy, and always blond. They had al succumbed to his flirts after only a few days; the longest one held out for a week before jumping him in his office. That wasn't the only complication to the job either. There were too many papers to sign, too many contracts to assign, too many boring meetings, too many restrictions and loopholes, and way too many 'Mr. Stark this (insert lame company name here) is on the phone for you: Mr. Stark, the military wants to know when you're making a decision on the (input latest weapon design figure here): Mr. Stark, the firefighters want to know when you'll be available to have a benefit: Mr. Stark Vanity Fair wants a quote, CNN wants an interview: Mr. Stark this and Mr. Stark that'. Tony was just fed up with it all. What he needed was a vacation.
Tony looked to his calendar and smiled. Spring break was just around the corner and he was only 21 which meant…technically people his age were still in college and going on spring break. A huge grin spread on his face as he thought of all the girls in their too short bikinis tanning on beaches. "JARVIS, look up cruises to the Bahamas."
"Planning a trip are we sir?" JARVIS asked sounding curious.
"Yes we are J, a two week cruise please."
"Right away Sir." Tony spun around in his chair, hands now folded in his lap, with his warm amber eyes matching the smile on his lips as he waited patiently for JARVIS. "It appears there are two cruises to the Bahamas, one is a Carnival Cruise leaving from Los Angeles and the other is a Norwegian deporting from Miami."
"Hmmm…which one has more stars?"
"The Norwegian Breakaway sir."
"Great, find me the two best rooms." Tony said as the thought of cruising with Rhodey appeared. "Oh and call Rhodey."
"Right away." JARVIS replied dutifully. After a few seconds Rhodey's voice filled up the office.
"Tony?"
"Hey Rhodey!" Tony greeted excitedly. "Got any plans for the next two weeks?"
"Yeah work, so do you." Rhodey reminded sternfully
"No? Nothing? Great! We're going on a two week cruise to the Bahamas on the finest cruise ship, The Norwegian Jewel. It's gonna be all on my dime. Just think buddy, girls in bikinis, free drinks, girls swooning over men in uniform, great food, relaxation-" Tony began to drone on trying to bait his friend into agreeing.
"When do we leave?" Rhodey cut in already hooked,
"We'll leave in my private jet tomorrow at nine a.m. sharp."
"How long is the flight JARVIS?" Tony questioned
"The flight from Stark Industries to Miami Airport is approximately 5 hours and 37 minutes sir."
"Great so we'll just have my pilot push it faster. What time does the ship take off?" Tony asked curiously.
"Four p.m. sir." JARVIS answered.
"You heard him Rhodey. Meet me at the tarmac at Stark Friday at nine."
"Sir, I've found the best two rooms. Would you like to hear about them?" JARVIS asked.
"Sure, Rhodey can hear too."
"The largest suites within The Haven are no doubt the two Deluxe Owner's Suites which include a living room, dining area and wet bar. The bedroom features a pillow-top king-sized mattress that looks out floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound private balcony. The bathroom features an oversized bath tub, two vanity sinks and a spacious shower. All guests staying in The Haven on Project Breakaway will be able to take advantage of the 24-hour certified butler service, poolside valets, Platinum Keycards - to enhance recognition throughout the ship, white tablecloth in-suite dining and of course priority reservations in the ships specialty restaurants, spa entertainment and exclusive invitations to private events. On the Project Breakaway ships, The Haven will consist of 42 suites on the forward area of decks 15 and 16. The area will include a private restaurant, cocktail bar and concierge desk. In the center, there is a two-story courtyard with pool, two whirlpools, private sundeck, private massage rooms, changing area and sauna. The Haven will also feature a private spa and fitness center. Guests staying at The Haven will be pampered with privacy and personalized service. Exclusive benefits include priority embarkation and disembarkation; distinctive platinum keycard; priority boarding of tenders to shore; in-suite espresso/cappuccino machines; gourmet treats delivered each evening; Bliss Collection by Norwegian pillow-top mattress; fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu; along with plush bathrobes, slippers, oversized towels; and more."
"Fantastic, book em' J." Tony said excitedly.
"Right away sir."
"Sounds pretty expensive Tony." Rhodey said cautiously.
"Don't worry about it; it's all on me Rhodey." Tony said care-free.
"Alright, see you Friday Tony." Rhodey said before he hung up.
The phone disconnected and Tony exhaled a happy breath of air as he felt all the stress begin to melt away. "Relaxation, booze, and bikinis, here I come. JARVIS call Happy and let him know he has the next two weeks off."
"Of course sir."
Tony stood up from his desk and grabbed his phone and car keys and rushed out of the building. 1:30 was a reasonable time to leave, especially when he had gotten in early at ten. As Tony sped home he began to imagine what the cruise would be like, but he never once imagined he would fall hopelessly in love with a girl so completely opposite of him and yet so perfect for him.
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Phew, wow that was a mammoth first chapter. Took me a couple hours to do it. But i hoped you're intrigued and so interested you're willing to show it by reviewing! :)
Alright you IM3 die hard fans, 48 days for those of us in the good ol' U.S. of A!