Chapter 1

"Claire Montgomery! Get your skinny butt out of bed before I drag you out! You'll be late for school!" My mom shouted upstairs at me. Our Chicago town house was small, so mom's words were loud, and clear. Mom was generally carefree, unless you got on her nerves, then you'd better watch out.

"Fine," I grumbled, as I got out of my wonderful, brand new queen-sized bed and shuffled to our bathroom in my pink and blue polka dot flannel pyjamas. Winter had just set in, and they didn't call it the windy city for nothing!

"What do you want for breakfast pumpkin?" she called put as I got in the shower.

"Just toast thanks!" I shouted back. I clambered out after seven minutes under the hot water and ran around in my towel, trying to locate various articles of clothing. Finding my favourite flower-print jeans and cream shirt, I got dressed hurriedly, and attempted to revise for my chemistry test. I didn't really need to, but it was better to be safe than sorry. The words my mother had crammed into my head every chance she got since I was a baby. I then quickly slipped on my favourite purple Vans and dried my long, dark brown hair, deciding to leave it in its natural waves.

Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I ran downstairs to my Nutella covered toast, and class of milk.

"Slow down Claire-bear, you'll be sick if you eat any faster. You won't be late," mom reassured me as I began to gobble down my breakfast. Managing to consume the plate in less than five minutes, I then dashed back upstairs to gather my books and brown leather jacket.

"Wow, only fifteen minutes. I believe that's a new record," mom said jokingly as I loaded myself into our grey SUV. I stuck out my tongue as she pulled out of our driveway and onto the busy Chicago streets. In this traffic, I was most definitely going to be late.

Fifteen minutes later, my high school became visible. The bell had just gone, so if I rushed, I would get to my first class on time. As mom came to a halt in the school parking lot, I jumped out after giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you tonight honey! Have a great day," she said, before returning to the road, and heading to work. Wasting no time, I crashed through the front doors to find students still wandering to their classes. Thank god! After cramming all my things into my locker, I walked as calmly as I could to the science labs. Of course I had chemistry first up.

"Miss Montgomery, late again I see?" Mr Grayson stated as I strode into my classroom.

"Sorry," I said with a small wince as I took my seat.

"It's a good thing you're at the top of the class, otherwise I'd be very worried," he said with a chuckle as he handed me my test. I accepted it gratefully, and begun. It was the easiest test so far. My mom and I both had no idea where I got my science brain from, because it certainly wasn't her, and I didn't know who my father was. Since I was born it has just been me and her.

"And that's time everyone! Hand your tests to the front please!" Mr Grayson said out of nowhere, bringing my mind back to chemistry. Right on cue, the bell sounded for recess.

After grabbing my bag from locker, I headed straight to the cafeteria to find my very best friend, Olivia Jenson. She was a total airhead, but I loved her so.

"Claire! Over here sister!" she called across the cafeteria, instantly grabbing my attention, and the attention of every other student who was seated. With a roll of my eyes, I headed over to her grinning face. Liv came from a big family, and wasn't really the quiet type, like I was.

"How's life been?" she said as she offered me a bite of her apple pie.

"Pretty dull. You?"

"Ditto."

'Claire Montgomery, please report to the front office. Claire Montgomery to the front office please'.

"Claire? What have you done?" Olivia asked, trailing behind me as I stood from the round table and began to make my way to the office.

"Nothing, well, nothing's coming to mind," I said nervously.

I slowly entered the front office.

"Claire Montgomery?" the woman behind the desk inquired.

"Yes."

"You can go straight through to Mr Vaughn."

"Okay, thanks," I said, still not knowing what was going on.

With every step I took down the hall, the nervousness in my stomach just continued to grow. I knocked politely on the door before opening it, and gingerly stepping inside. Mr Vaughn was seated at his oak desk. Sitting in front of him was a policeman, and another executively dressed woman.

"What's going on?" I asked. All three heads turned to face me.

"Ah, Claire. Have a seat," Mr Vaughn said. I didn't like where this was going. He then gestured to the police officer.

"Claire, I'm Detective Thomas, I am very sorry to inform you that there was a very serious car accident involving a lorry. No one survived."

"What are you saying?" I asked. I could already feel the tears beginning to well up in my eyes.

"Claire, your mother was involved in this accident, she didn't survive." I broke down. Tears began to invade my face, as well as loud sobs. Olivia was in stunned silence behind me. My shaking legs were no longer able to hold me, as I was about to flop to the floor; Olivia jumped in, and held me up.

"This is Jane Wood, from Child Services. She is here to inform you that if he agrees, you will be moving in with your father." My tears stopped, and it was my turn to be in stunned silence.

"My, real father?"

"Yes, he lives in New York; your father is Tony Stark." Olivia and my jaws flew open.

"Okay. Now, I know this is a very difficult time for you, Claire. But, it has already been arranged, on your behalf that you will be staying with the Jenson's, until a more permanent living situation is decided," Jane said. I just nodded in reply.

"We can contact him for you. You will have a reply, in the next few days, a week maximum." Another nod. The whole 'you're going to meet your father' thing was still sinking in, and that my father, was Tony Stark.

"Olivia's mother is on her way to take the both of you home," Mr Vaughn said as comfortingly as he could. Olivia supported me the whole way down the hall, and back to my locker. I slowly collected my things, and followed Liv out to her mom's car. Her eyes were red and puffy, she'd been crying too.

"Come on girls, let's go home," she said kindly.