CHAPTER 1: The Students of Marvel High

Senior year is always an interesting time for high schoolers. From college applications, to proms, year books, credits, exams, graduation, it's a lot. For a special group of students at Stanlee Marvel High, senior year was particularly hectic. There were many interesting students at Marvel High. There were the mysterious twins who spoke in Romanian to each other. An exchange student who was rumored to be African royalty. Some science major who was really into bugs. The good looking blind guy who was into pre-law. There was no shortage of exciting youth at the school, but the ones who took the cake were the special six; Steve Rogers, the corn-fed golden boy student body president and all American voice of the people; Tony Stark, tech savvy genius playboy and heir to the Stark Industries fortune; Thor Odinson, hunky exchange student from the country of Asgardia and aspiring football player; Bruce Banner, shy but Hawking level science geek; Clint Barton, the ever watchful bad boy ; Natasha Romanoff, sexiest girl on campus with serious skills and dripping with mystique. Though each of them were in their own group of friends, the six of them ended up more or less a "team" by the time senior year came to an end. With the last day of school right around the corner, Steve, Tony, Thor, Bruce, Clint, and Natasha all sat back and reflected fondly over their time together. Ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade were all well and fun, but they knew what began a lot of their excitement and formation as a "team"; Tony's birthday just a few months ago.

"Friend Bruce!" a heavily accented voice boomed from behind the shy young man.

Bruce Banner fixed his glasses and turned around. It was the end of the school day, and Bruce was doing his best to get out of there as soon as possible. His girlfriend Betty was sick in bed, and he wanted to hurry to her house and give her the homework she requested. Bruce smiled to himself. Even when she was sneezing and aching she wanted to get all of her work done, regardless of the fact that her teacher excused her of the assignment. He turned to see Thor Odinson, the six foot one football star and prime jock of Marvel High. Bruce was surprised to see him. He had been assigned to tutor Thor on their latest science project. Unsurprisingly enough, the Asgardian sports star was struggling with some of his academics, and the school counselor Mr. Coulson insisted on Bruce helping him out a little. Bruce spent most of his time either hanging out with Betty or studying or both. He had expected Thor to be the typical meatheaded jerk who could care less about good grades and more about chicks and football. To his surprise, Thor was not only fully cooperative but quite friendly. His accent and the way he spoke without contractions a lot was something to get used to, but overall he found his time tutoring Thor to be an enjoyable experience. He actually cared very much about doing well in school, but he merely had trouble understanding American science. During their sessions, Bruce would break down terms simple enough for Thor to understand and Thor would help bring Bruce out of his shell. Asgardians were known for being highly social people, and Bruce was only fully comfortable around three people; Betty, Mr. Coulson, and the science teacher Professor Selvig. Some of the other students were cool, too. Like Virginia Potts and that Steve Rogers fella. And now Odinson as well. It made Bruce feel good to have any kind of companionship with someone so different from him. Thor ran up to him with a smile that glowed like the shoulder length golden locks that covered his head.

"Hi, Thor. What's going on?" asked Bruce.

Thor whipped out a piece of paper from his coat pocket. Bruce almost wanted to laugh. Thor's long ankle length red coat almost looked like a cape sometimes. Bruce took the paper from Thor's hands and raised his eyebrows.

"Impressive." he said.

"My report got a B+ because of your marvelous tutoring! Thank you very much!" boomed the Asgardian.

Bruce smiled and ran a hand through his thick black curls.

"Oh it was nothing. I'm good at what I do." he said.

Thor laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

"I have to come to ask if you will let me repay the favor." he said.

Bruce kept his eyebrows arched and pursed his lips.

"Don't get me wrong I'm more than happy that I'm helping you pass the class, but how were you planning on uh, repaying the favor?" he asked cautiously.

"As you may know, Tony Stark is a friend of mine. Today is his eighteenth birthday and he is planning on throwing a most extravagant costume party in celebration. I am here to ask if you will attend."

Bruce's eyes became saucers and his jaw dropped. He had almost forgotten that Thor was personal pals with Tony Stark. As in the heir to a billion dollar company and flamboyant rich boy Tony Stark. Marvel High was by no means a crappy institution, but he along with everyone else wondered just what a Stark was doing attending a public school rather than some private boarding school that resembled a four star resort with books. To add to it, Stark was a technological genius. It was a wonder he hadn't already started going to college by the time he turned thirteen. Tony was known for showing off all his new gadgets and state of the art tech, ordering food from five star restaurants and having it brought to the cafeteria, and arriving in shiny black limos so long that if he wanted to turn a corner on the road he would have to change limos. That Tony Stark. He had been friends with Thor for two years or so now. Hundreds of the students wanted into the Tony Stark clique, but it remained him, Thor, Thor's girlfriend Jane Foster, military enthusiast James Rhodes, future business woman Virginia Potts, and occasionally Steve Rogers.

"Friend Bruce, are you alright?" Thor asked suddenly, bringing Bruce out of his thoughts.

Bruce shook his head and cleared his throat. Thor looked at him expecting an answer. Bruce was unsure. Knowing Stark, virtually everyone in the whole school would likely be there. Things would be big. Things would be wild. Things would be crazy and crowded and loud and uncomfortable and,...probably a lot of fun. Bruce ran his head through his hair again. He was seventeen years old and had never been to an actual party in over a decade. He would be out of his comfort zone for sure, but maybe that was what he needed. Betty was an amazing girlfriend, but he knew he had to do something different if just this once with or without her.

"I'll uh, I'll think about it."

Thor's beaming smile returned.

"I still have your number saved in my cellular device. If you decide to attend, let me know and I will message you the time and address."

Thor clapped Bruce's shoulder one more time before walking around him and heading somewhere else. Bruce chuckled to himself again. Whipping from his body in the strong springtime wind, Thor's long red coat truly resembled a cape.

**************************************************************
Tony Stark strode into Phil Coulson's office without so much as a knock or a word. The balding brunette looked up from his ever growing stack of paperwork on his desk. He sighed tiredly. The school day was over (for the students anyway) and he had a long afternoon ahead of him. Yet there he was, the freshly turned eighteen year old genius millionaire, in a suede black jacket, red tinted sunglasses and yellow undershirt. He gave Coulson a smug shit-eating grin as he lifted his legs put his shoes on his desk, loudly chewing his Hubba Bubba gum.

"Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Stark?" Coulson asked, looking back down at his paperwork.

"Oh come on, Phil. I know it's only been a few weeks since I've been here but I thought we were still on a first name basis here." said Tony, continuing to chew his gum.

"Tony, you know I love our little sessions, but I'm particularly busy today and the last bell just rung. Shouldn't you be out celebrating your birthday?"

"Awwww, Phil you remembered. That touches my soul, man."

"Tony!"

Tony blew a large bubble and popped it, his shit-eating grin staying on his clean shaven face.

"Well Phil, you've got me there. You're right. It's my birthday and it's a Friday. I should be getting ready for my costume party tonight, but I've discovered something that I had to tell you about."

Phil looked up from his paperwork. Tony's grin was still there and his shades were still on, but he'd had enough sessions with Tony to know he liked to wear them when something was particularly bothering him and he didn't want his eyes giving anything away. He could also see right through his sarcasm as though it were glass. It may have taken some time at first when he and Tony started talking, but Coulson was a smart guy. Phil sighed and clasped his fingers together.

"Alright, Tony, you've got my interest. Tell me, what have you discovered that apparently it's bugging you so much you couldn't wait until Monday to tell me?"

Tony smiled triumphantly as he angled his head and spit his gum in the wastebasket. His old man barely spoke a word to him when it wasn't about school, and he wasn't quite ready to tell his friends yet. Rhodey and Pepper would sarcastically dismiss him (though with good reason). Steve was clueless about this sort of thing. Thor, while a nice guy, wouldn't be able to keep his big mouth shut. Yes he got some sort of sick pleasure out of giving Phil a hard time, but Phil was who he went to with personal stuff on his mind. Hell, what else was a school counselor there for? Tony didn't give a damn if it was the end of the day and Phil had work to do. He's Tony fucking Stark and he wanted to talk.

"Well, Phil, as you know, for years now I've kind of been on a non-stop sex spree."

Coulson held a neutral expression, nodding to tell him to continue.

"I mean, I love sex. I love it, but I've never liked anyone."

Phil raised an eyebrow but his face stayed more or less the same.

"But what about-" he started, but Tony held up a hand and stopped him.

"Pepper? Look, the thing with Pepper and I is...complicated. We've dated on and off for the past two years, but things just got awkward."

"Awkward how, Tony?"

"Awkward as in she is one of the handful of people in the world willing to deal with me and my crap. Part of me took that as a sign of love, and we both decided to try and act on it."

"And?"

Tony blew a raspberry and clasped his hands behind his head.

"I don't know, man. We got hot and heavy a few times, but I still wanted to bone other people. I mean, if I was really liked Pepper I wouldn't have those urges anymore, right? We talked about it together, and Pepper decided I was too much for her to handle."

Phil ran his hand over his face. They'd had discussions about his relationship with Pepper before. Virtually everything he was saying wasn't anything new. Big shocker, Tony was a horny teenager with a sexual appetite as big as his ego. As if reading his mind, Tony chuckled and sat up in the chair.

"I know, I know, Phil. We've talked about this already. But I'm not finished."

"So what is this? You've got some second thoughts? You wanna try and give it another try with Pepper?" the man asked, leaving out 'again' as the last word he wanted to say.

Tony slid his shades down his nose, giving just a glimpse of his deep brown eyes.

"If I knew I could make it work with Pepper, I would try again in a heartbeat. Sadly that isn't the case. I think I like somebody else now."

"Okay. What makes you feel this way?"

Tony chuckled again.

"Let me tell you something, Phil. I'm a damn good looking guy. I've got money out the wazoo and tons of charisma. People practically throw themselves at me, and being the good Samaritan I am, I give 'em what they want. If I see someone I find attractive and I offer them my valuable services, they either accept it or they don't. If they don't, I could care less. I just move on to the next. I'm not a damn bloodhound so it's not in me to pursue anyone."

"I know you love to talk, Tony, but I believe there was a point you were trying to make here." said Phil, growing tiresome of Tony's constant bush beating.

Still smiling, Tony clicked his tongue and looked up at the ceiling.

"Well Phil, I believe I've found out there's someone I do want to pursue after all this time. Unfortunately, it's not Pepper."

"Mmmmhmmmm," said Coulson, intrigued once more, "would I know who this person is?"

Tony slid his shades back up his nose, once again covering his eyes.

"You might. I honestly don't know if you've ever spoken with them or not."

Coulson nodded his head.

"Okay then. Do you want to tell me who this person is? What do you want me to do about this situation, Tony?"

Tony took his feet off Coulson's desk and leaned forward, his grin disappearing slightly...Slightly.

"I want you to tell me how to go about pursuing them. I was next to clueless with Pepper and we both know how that ended."

Coulson chewed on his lower lip, trying not to let his composure leak his bubbling frustration.

"Tony Stark, you can't seriously be asking me to assist you seduce one of your fellow students. I'm only going to go so far when it comes to helping you, Tony."

Tony snickered loudly and playfully slapped his knee.

"As entertaining as that would be, no Coulson, that's not what I'm asking. I can handle the seducing part all on my own," he stated wiggling his eyebrows, "This person is on my mind a lot. Like, a lot. I'm not sure what I'm feeling exactly, but I want them. In more ways than one this time. See where it leads. This person is in my English and lunch periods with me, and they'll probably be at my birthday party this evening. What do I do? How do I go about this situation?"

Coulson's lips puckered out as he raised his brows and smiled with his eyes. Now he could see. Tony had a crush, and the playboy was interested in owning the model rather than leasing it. Coulson leaned closer to Tony.

"Well you said it yourself, Tony. You've got tons of charisma. Just approach this person and do something nice. Try being friendly instead of being a showman and see where it goes."

Tony's brows furrowed.

"What if it doesn't work? I mean I'm not seeing it wouldn't cuz you know I'm Tony Stark but, what if, ya know?"

Coulson let a few small chuckles escape his lips.

"Welcome to the real world, Tony."

**************************************************************
Steve Rogers risked another look. He was terrible when it came to being stealthy, but he figured there wasn't any harm in trying. He grabbed his cup and lifted it to his lips. Not quite taking a sip of his tea, he turned his head to the right. There they were. In a booth at the far end of the coffee shop were the two of them; the beautiful but quiet redheaded girl Natasha Romanoff and her ever present partner (Friend? Boyfriend? Cousin maybe?), the infamous Clint Barton. They were both talking to each other and casually eating muffins, seemingly oblivious to Steve's occasional peeks. Steve wasn't so sure why he had the urge to "study" them all of a sudden. Throughout their four years at Marvel High, those two were exclusive company to only each other. Their relationship was ambiguous to everyone because anyone who dared ask received a death glare from Natasha or smart-mouthed remark from Clint. In most cases it was both, and they were left alone to their own shenanigans. Steve remembered during freshman year his yet-to-be girlfriend Sharon tried recruiting her for the gymnastics squad. The captains of the dance and cheerleading teams approached her as well, but it was always the same. Natasha showed blatant disinterest, despite strong rumors of her having superb skills in all three. Everyone guessed it was because of her relationship (or whatever the hell it was) with Clint. There were rumors that she actually did want to join the gymnastics/cheerleading/dance teams but that Clint said no and that was that. Clint, the boy who distanced himself both figuratively and literally from most people. The boy who's snarkiness and sailor mouth could give Tony a run for his money. Always the optimist and not one to succumb to gossip, Steve didn't want to believe that. Everybody has reasons for what they do. Clint and Natasha just chose not to reveal theirs. Steve put down his tea and took out his phone. He had various messages from his friends and other students. Most of them pertaining to Tony's costume party that night. Steve sighed. He was sort of friends with Tony, but he mainly stuck to hanging out with his girlfriend Sharon and his new friend Sam Wilson. A year older than Steve, Steve's childhood friend Bucky was already in college and growing more distant by the day. Excluding Clint and Natasha, Steve was cool with pretty much everybody in school. Raised on old fashioned values from his parents and grandparents, Steve was a firm believer in the power of the golden rule; treat others how you want to be treated. A tall well built seventeen year old, something about Steve just appealed to anyone who met him. He was the de facto leader on any and all group projects. He won student body president in a landslide with nothing more than doing some good deeds and flashing his toothpaste commercial smile. Everyone was friendly to him and he was friendly to everyone. He and Tony butted headed a few times when the Stark Industries heir first started taking classes with Steve, but Steve stuck it out and ended up winning the boy over. A rare feat according to Stark. Steve wasn't one for drinking and wild parties, so he didn't hang out with Tony too much after school but he always enjoyed being his company at school. He also enjoyed talking with Thor. Steve was practically the only one who befriended Thor when the Asgardian first arrived at Marvel High. Accent and all, no questions asked. Thor's popularity didn't start until he was seen in action during football and all the girls talked about how gorgeous he was, but none of that was important to Steve. It also helped that both of them were still bewildered with most modern technology. Steve preferred doing things himself and using basic functional technology and Asgardia was definitely still old fashioned in a lot of ways. Steve looked down at the messages on his flip phone. Sharon sent him a text saying that she was getting her costume ready. Sam saying his costume was finished and that he was on his way to buy some groceries before he left out. Tony saying that he would be running a little late with no explanation why. Thor stating Jane wouldn't be coming but he invited Bruce Banner to the party. Steve closed his phone. Tony's costume party. Steve wasn't so sure he wanted to attend, but it was the weekend and he didn't have any other plans. He finished his weekly assignments early and he didn't have any meetings or anything. Bucky wouldn't be able to make it. Sam was headed to his grandparents' home in Harlem tomorrow and Sharon really wanted to go. Thor suggested that with Steve there he could maybe keep Tony from going too crazy with celebrating his eighteenth. Steve chuckled at that. He wasn't sure what made him such an influence though. He was just being a good person like always but hey, whatever worked, right? Speaking of the party, Steve knew he had to head home soon, shower and put the finishing touches on his own costume. Tony's party wouldn't begin for hours, but Steve always liked being early for anything. Still though, it would be nice to hang out with someone beforehand. Tugging on his favorite blue sweater, Steve downed the rest of his tea and stood up from his table. He looked at the corner again, and saw that this time, Clint was looking back at him. Still munching on his muffin, Clint was staring right at Steve from afar. He didn't look annoyed or scowly like usual. In fact, if Steve wasn't mistaken, he looked observant. Puzzled even. It made Steve feel a bit uneasy, like the eyes of a hawk were gazing at him. Steve swallowed and took a deep breath. He was never one to back down from a challenge and his curiosity was killing him. He threw his tea cup into the trashcan and made his way to the corner. Clint's gray-blue eyes stayed on him with every step he made. Eventually Natasha grew curious as to what Clint was staring at so she turned her head and saw. The tall, handsome faced blond in a blue sweater and jeans came up in front of their table. Natasha sat cross legged, wearing a red v-neck t-shirt, a long black skirt and black stockings. Her fiery red curls flowed down to the middle of her back and her smokey eye shadow brought out the lime green in her eyes. Steve had to shake his head to keep from staring at her for longer than four seconds. Sharon was nowhere near ugly but damn Natasha was killer! Clint sat there, wearing a faded purple t-shirt, black leather pants and an open blue denim jacket, his brownish-blonde hair partially spiked on top. Steve couldn't help but notice his particularly prominent upper body when Clint slid his jacket off. He wondered what Clint did for exercise since like Natasha wasn't on any sports teams at school.

"There something we can help you with, Steve?" Clint asked.

Natasha gave Steve the faintest of a smile on her lips.

"We noticed you looking at us. You could've come over any time you know." she said.

Steve frowned at them.

"Really?" he asked, genuinely surprised, "But I thought you two never wanted to talk to anyone but each other."

Clint let out a chuckle, surprising Steve even more.

"We do make it seem that way, don't we?" he said,

"Truth is Steve, there aren't a lot of people out there like us. We may be picky about who we talk to but we aren't the antisocial delinquents other people have made us out to be. Well, at least not antisocial ones."

"To be honest, we're surprised this is the first time you've approached us. We trust you're not gonna ask if we're sleeping together?" asked Natasha.

Steve's eyes widened as he jumped a little. He wasn't sure why he was caught off guard by their bluntness. Tony talked this way all the time.

"I will admit I'm curious about you two's relationship, but I also know that's none of my business." Steve replied.

Clint and Natasha looked each other, nodded then looked back at Steve.

"Alright you've got our interest." said Natasha.

Steve arched an eyebrow.

"Wait a minute, is this really the first time someone was approached you and actually wanted to converse instead of asking what you are to each other?" he asked, shocked at the information.

Natasha brushed some of her curls away from her cheek and smirked.

"Most of the time they try to start off with bullshit small talk before either hitting on me or sizing up Clint when it comes to that subject. I have a very particular skill set, which makes me a very particular person."

Steve smiled triumphantly, causing Clint to look at him with an arched eyebrow of his own.

"What are you so cheeky about Rogers?" he asked.

Steve shrugged at the pair.

"Just happy I passed the test. I noticed when you saw me you didn't look like you wanted to shoot me."

Clint put his forehead in his hand, shuddering with silent laughter.

"Everyone thinks I want to kill them. Rogers, let me tell you a secret; I see better from a distance. I'll admit I'm touchy, but really if it looks like I'm mad at someone I'm probably just focused."

"Thennnn does that mean over half the students at our school are full of crap?" Steve risked asking.

Natasha shrugged her shoulders and sipped her coffee.

"You're not the first person to pass our test, but I'll admit you're the most honest and talkative." she said.

"So anyway, what'd you come over here for?" Clint asked, his eyes continuing to search over Steve.

"Well I'm sure you two have already heard that it's Tony Stark's birthday today and he's throwing a costume party. I don't know what you were planning on doing tonight but I felt like being nice and inviting you."

Natasha's green orbs squinted at Steve. Clint looked intrigued, but she remained suspicious.

"Seriously? Us? At Tony Stark's party? Why?" she asked, completely serious.

Rolling with the punches, Steve simply smiled warmly at her and shrugged again.

"Why not?" he asked back.

Clint and Natasha looked at each other again, having another conversation with their eyes. It amazed Steve how they could do that with each other. Clint was the first to bring his gaze back to Steve.

"Costume party you say?" he asked.

Steve nodded in reply.

"Kind of last minute as shit but, what the hell? You in, Nat?"

Natasha looked at her coffee and lightly bit on her index finger.

"I do have an outfit I've been saving."

She looked at Steve and grinned.

"Alright, Rogers. We'll go."

Steve clapped his hands together and smiled from ear to ear as he pulled a pen from his back pocket.

"Great! What do you say you two go get your costumes together and meet me at this address around say, six?" said Steve writing down his home address on the white strip of Natasha's cup.

Clint gave him a mock salute and smirked.

"Captain, it would be my genuine pleasure."

Steve snickered at the nickname.

"'Captain'?" he asked.

Natasha gave a full smile, surprising both Steve and Clint.

"Oh don't act like you don't know, Rogers."

A/N

If anybody read this, thank you lots. I hope you caught all the references thrown in there. Next chapter will include a lot more interaction. ~Jesse Edwards