Chapter 1: And so it begins….
"But Mom!! I see him on TV everyday!!" I argued. "Why should I go see him?!"
Christine looked at me, my long black hair, glistening brown eyes and stubborn personality.
"Honey, I know you don't want to, but you need to give him a chance." She says to me.
"I could care less if he was an overly protective bozo!! I don't need to give him a chance!!" I said, turning my back on my mom. I heard her sigh and mutter something. From what it sounded like, it was "You're just like him….". Once she was out of earshot, I sighed and walked over to the large window of the living room. Lost in my thoughts, I separated the front of my black halter top and looked at the bright blue light coming from my chest. It was an ARC reactor. I've had it since I was a baby….on it was the "Stark Industries" insignia. When I was born, my heart wasn't really a heart at all…it was one of the four chambers. No one knew why it was like that, but what I know is that my mom had called Stark and told him she needed one of his ARC reactors. He questioned her, but gave it to her anyways (free of charge…..which is kinda creepy).
"Rei….hon, are you ready?" mom asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"As ready as I'll ever be. You're coming with me, right?"
"Sadly, no. Tony's jet is waiting at the airport and….."
PAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (me talking)
Woah, Woah, Woah…..back up just a bit. Ok…..so the deal here is that my dad's a famous freak, right? And now, after 18 years, my mom actually wants me to live with him and get to know him better. Those of you who have seen him on TV know who he is and that he's got a brainy head on his shoulders. Ever heard of the "Jericho Missile"???? Yeah, I thought so….I know what you're thinking… "Oh my Gosh….she can't be his kid, can she?" Well, it's a news flash for me too!! That's right….I'm Tony Stark's daughter. Hi, I'm Reianna Faith (and before you dyslex it, its pronounced RAY-ana…but my friends call me Rugby). Remember that "little affair" that Tony had with Everhart, the reporter? Yup, Christine Everhart is my mom. Apparently, I was some sort of accident. But anywho, Tony didn't even know I existed until a year ago. We ran into each other (literally) one fateful afternoon. I was home for the holidays and I found myself running from a city gang and Tony was running from some paparazzi. While hiding out behind a nearby dumpster, I got to talk to Tony for a bit and I told him who my mom was (He asked!! It wasn't me being random!!). He grew pale after I said her name and then left the alley, and I sat there totally dumbfounded (You would think I would know he's my dad, considering I graduate from Yale University in a year). So I went home to talk to my mom about it and she told me the whooooole story. So now, I'm going to live with Mr. Brainiac for the summer before going back to college. This is gonna get reeeeeeealy interesting…….
PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I walked outside with 2 large dufflebags and threw them in the trunk of my 2010 Camaro. I closed the trunk and looked down at the license plate….. "BUMBLBEE" is what it read. I smiled and laughed a bit….why did I get that plate? Because I was a Transformers freak at the time. Mom walked soon walked out of the house with another bag.
"Mom, I already have my things packed in those other two. Why do I need another?" I asked, pointing to the trunk
"It has a few more shirts, jeans, and other things that you are gonna need. I also put your sketching journal in there."
"Mom! I don't want Tony to see those!" I whined. She gave me "the look" (please don't ask) and I shut my mouth. I went over and hugged her and said goodbye. I then got in my car and started the engine.
"Bye Rei!!! Please try to get along with your father!!" mom shouted as I rolled out of the long driveway. I rolled my eyes and I was on my way to the airport, just knowing Tony would hate me. Why? I still remember his reaction in the alley last year. I got onto the highway sooner than I wanted, then popped in my Kelly Clarkson CD and began to play "Breakaway". In an attempt to clear my head of Mr. Tony Stark, I began to sing with the CD.
Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd stare out my window
Dreamin of could be
And If I'd end up happy
I would pray
Tryin not to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could breakaway
I'll spread my Wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky
I'll make wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And Breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget
All the ones that I love
I'll take risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And Breakaway
Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get on board fast train
Travel on a jet plane
Far away
And Breakaway
I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
I'll what it takes till I touch the sky
I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And Breakaway
Out of the Darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget
All the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And Breakaway
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swingin 'round revolvin doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
But, gotta keep movin on
movin on
Fly away
Breakaway
I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though its not easy to tell you goodbye
I Gotta Take a Risk
Take a Chance
Make a Change
And Breakaway
Out of Darkness and into the sun
But I wont forget
The place I come from
I Gotta Take a Risk
Take a Chance
Make a Change
And Breakaway
And Breakaway!
Breakaway….
Still keep my eyes on the road, I got so absorbed into the song that I almost missed my turn onto the freeway. Quickly turning on my right blinker, I made the sharp turn (and got a whole bunch of people ticked at me in the process) and got on to the on-ramp. I'd been driving for nearly 30 minutes and I was already feeling irritated. Why? Even though I loved driving my "Bumblebee", I wanted to get up and move. But I knew that if I didn't get to the airport on time, Mom would have my hide. The city's airport wasn't fair from where I lived, but I wished it was farther. I hated Tony….and yet he was my father. As much as I wanted to deny, I just couldn't. Looking over to right side of the road, I saw my exit was coming up and I groaned. I REALLY didn't want to go to the airport and ride in…HIS jet. And then, almost as if it was a miracle, my cell phone rang (with Breakaway as my ring tone!) and my boyfriend's name came up on the caller ID.
"Hi Mike! How's it goin?"
"Hey Sunshine! I'm fine, thank you. I was wondering what's on your agenda for tonight."
"Aw, shucks. I can't do anything tonight, hon. Because, as we speak, I'm driving to an airport. I'm spending the summer with my father."
"Dang…I was gonna take you to Olive Garden. And since when does your father care about you? He ditched your mom and you, as I recall."
"He doesn't care, Michael Stane! It was my mom's idea!! And ditz-brain is just going along with it!!!"
"Hey, no need to snap like that. I'm just stating the facts."
"You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just not looking forward to this."
"I can tell. Well, let me know when you're coming back to Yale, Sunshine. I miss you"
"I miss you too, Mike. Oh, crap. There's my exit, I gotta go."
"Love you, Sunshine!"
"Love you too. Bye." And then I hung up. The airport was just around the corner, and Tony's jet would be waiting for me. I took a left turn and pulled in to the parking lot of the Sunset View Airport.
"Can I help you, ma'me?" says a woman at check in box.
"Yeah, there's a flight reserved for Reianna Faith Stark. I'd like to pass through so can get to my father's jet." I reply, trying to sound as nice as possible. The blonde woman gave me a surprised look. "Figures......she doesn't believe my last name is Stark…"
"Do you have a flight pass, Ms. Stark?" she asked. Her response surprised me, but I pulled out my pass (which my mother provided) and showed it to her. She took it, looked it over, and handed it back. I said thanks and proceeded threw the newly opened gate. I figured Tony would probably have sent one of his smaller jets to come get me……..but I was wrong. I got around the corner of the hangar to see that Mr. Brainiac had sent the biggest jet I had ever seen in my life. There was a stairway leading up to the entrance, and a man standing at the top. I pulled my Camaro up as close as could (which, from the driver's side, was only a few steps).
"So are you the flight attendant?" I asked the man as he came down the stairway.
"Nope, better than that, I'm Tony's best friend. Names Rhodey." He says, grabbing my bags from the trunk. I rolled my eyes and quickly grabbed the bags back.
"I think I can carry my own bags, Rhodey." I say, attitude lacing my voice. I quickly ascended the stairway with Rhodey close behind. I heard him mumble something, but I didn't catch it all. I got inside the jet, and I nearly fainted. There was a High-Def, Plasma screen TV, a large hot tub right underneath it, a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, and the biggest (and most comfy) bed I had seen in my life. I stood there with my mouth gaping…..Tony sent this?! For me?! I heard Rhodey snicker behind me.
"Rhodey? Did Tony really send this for me? Or is this some kind of mistake?" I asked, flopping down onto the bed.
"Nope, No mistake. Tony told me directly that he wanted the biggest jet sent for you, Ms. Stark."
"Call me Rugby. Are you positive he didn't say smallest jet?" I questioned. Rhodey chuckled and his attempt to stay composed went down the drain.
"I'm positive, Rugby." He replies "Hey Jimmy! Take us up!" he calls to the pilot. I laid back down on the bed. I was flying from the North-Eastern corner of Nevada to Malibu, California.
"Hey Rhodey?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for coming. This would be really hard if I didn't have someone here."
"No problem. It's an honor to be with Tony's daughter." Rhodey's eyes sparkled with joy and pride. Not only was an Air Force Captain, he was a great friend. I closed my eyes and fell asleep as I felt the plane move forward and take off. I was going to see my father…..a part of me wanted to, but the other didn't want anything to do with him. Which side do I buy?