Pepper Potts took a deep breath as she stared at the school ahead of her. It was her first day at Atlas High as a junior and as a student.

They had just moved to Malibu. Stark Industries was looking for a replacement and her father was first on their list. Before she knew it, their family packed up and left Maryland. Ocean City had been her home since birth, so it wasn't surprising just how difficult it was to leave it behind. Her best friends were there, her boyfriend was there, and more importantly, her memories were there. It was selfish, but who cared? Peter, her senior brother, told her she was bound to make new friends and find some new guy to drool over, and he was right...minus the drooling over a new guy part.

"Cheer up. I'll let you drive on the way back."

"For the millionth time, I don't care," she responded, a bit annoyed. The two had convinced their parents to let them drive to school this morning, but their dad had been adamant on Peter being the driver since he had more experience. She didn't like it, but it wasn't the end of the world.

"Sure you don't."

She rolled her eyes and started the long walk to campus. They were ten minutes early and she thought it'd get them a decent parking spot. They didn't. "I was thinking. Try it out sometime."

"Ouch," Peter chuckled. "Not about Robert, right? I hate him."

"I thought you two were friends."

"Not after what he did. By the way, who does that and doesn't even apologize for it?"

"He has. Many times. And I believe him; that's what matters."

"I still can't believe you did."

Pepper smiled. They had their differences, but she could always count on him to protect her, which was what he did with Robert when he caught him pressuring her for sex one night during an end of the school year party.

"I wonder if we'll see Tony Stark."

She couldn't help but tease him. "Don't tell me you have a crush on him."

"What? No," he quickly denied, loudly at that. "I just want him to know if he even so much thinks about coming on to you, I'll-"

"Punch him in the face?"

"Yeah! And I know you think I overreacted, but I didn't." She just shook her head and laughed as Peter reminded her that Robert had deserved that punch to the face and a lot more. "And besides, I already know you think he's cute."

She kept quiet, her brother was right.

Tony Stark was a genius, but also too smart for his own good. Rather than making headlines for his occasional invention, he made it for his playboy mannerisms. She didn't see the appeal for such a lifestyle and it baffled her even more when girls sacrificed their morals for a night with him. It seemed foolish.

But she had to admit, Tony was cute. He had a nice smile, a muscular build, tan skin, perfect hair - he was the classic fantasy of what a girl dreamed for in a guy. It also helped that he had a good heart. Lifestyle aside, he was an active member of an organizational charity in L.A. that helped abandoned children. She had no clue what he did, but it made him bearable. Because other than that, he came off as an arrogant asshole.

"Are you even listening?"

She snapped out of her thoughts, not knowing how long she had drifted off. But before she could respond, a voice beat her to it.

"Mr. and Ms. Potts. I'm Mr. Thomas," said the suited man as he came up and shook their hands. "Principal of Atlas High. How do you like the campus?"

"It's enormous," Pepper replied, following Mr. Thomas' footsteps down the hall with Peter.

"It gives all our students an equal opportunity for success."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason," Peter sarcastically whispered.

"Here's the campus map, should one of you get lost," Mr. Thomas said, handing them each a piece of paper. "Peter, your homeroom is the first door around this corner. I suggest you head over now since it's ten past eight."

"Right," Peter responded. With a final wave to his sister, he left in the direction of his homeroom.

"And, Virginia, your homeroom is back where I first approached you. I assume you know where the music room is?"

"Near the fountain," she asked. She remembered seeing such a building.

"Yes." The principal smiled. "Have a great first day, Ms. Potts."

"You, too," Pepper responded, walking off. It was a short walk, and because she wasn't exactly looking forward to starting the school day, she took a longer route. In doing so, she happened to come across two people at each other's throats.

"Do you even realize that?"

"He didn't!"

The couple seemed too entranced in their argument to notice her. Or they just don't care, she thought.

"Then what? You did it on purpose? God, that makes me feel better!"

"I didn't plan to, Wilson. It just happened."

"He took advantage of you. I still don't know what you were doing talking to him to begin with."

She, herself, hated drama, but that didn't mean she wouldn't stop and watch a good fight if there was one.

Finding the music room seconds later, she took a deep breath and walked in. Almost immediately, she felt every eye on her. If there was one thing she disliked, it was walking in late to class.

"Ms. Potts?"

Pepper turned around at the call of her name and saw a middle aged woman smiling at her.

"Here's your schedule."

She took the piece of paper and made her way to an open seat in the back of the class, thinking back to the fighting couple. They wouldn't last. Their relationship was based on popularity - something she never bothered with.

Looking at her schedule, she already knew it was going to be a long day. She couldn't wait for it to be over.