She was an ordinary young woman with a simple and quiet life. This is the story of how one decision set her on the course of finding the truth and finding herself. What's her name you may ask? This young woman's name is Bridget.
Bridget Leigh Heiler thought very little of herself when it came to her appearance. She had dark, wavy brown hair that shined crimson red in the light of the sun. Her eyes were of a lighter shade of brown, closer to that of hazel. Bridget had a tanned complexion from the rays California sun.
Young Bridget was adopted when she was 8 years old by two very loving and caring parents she was very thankful for. Her biological mother passed away giving birth to her and her father left her at an orphanage when she was still a baby. She didn't know a whole lot as to why he had left her, but what she did know was that he wasn't able to raise her. Even though she loved her adoptive parents and they took up a huge space in her heart, there were times when she wished she was raised by her biological parents. Not realizing how much it hurt her, a few of her classmates had teased Bridget because she was an adopted child. Her antagonizers also badgered her about her clothing, interests, and every little thing they could think of. Instead of letting it really get to her, Bridget brushed off the taunts thrown at her.
There were two people that helped Bridget get through all of that and their names were Luc and Vanessa. Vanessa was Bridget's first friend and now best friend after settling into her parent's town. She was very outgoing, kept a level head, and can be quite clever when she wanted to be. Luc was everyone's favorite goof-ball and could always put a smile on anyone's face. He had always teased Bridget during their PE class, which they managed to share every year they took it, and how lousy she was at almost every sport.
Bridget wasn't exactly unathletic, but she was a bit clumsy. Probably the only reason why she wasn't completely useless during PE was the fact that her father signed her up for karate classes during middle school. She, as her father put it, needed to protect herself from possible suitors seeking to destroy the hearts of beautiful young women. Bridget scoffed at the idea that her father actually thought she needed to since she didn't find herself remotely attractive. But she still agreed, secretly fulfilling her dream to be a Power Ranger as close as she could.
Bridget thought her high school years went okay. The bullying had subsided since no one wanted to get on the bad side of her best friend, Vanessa. Let's just say Vanessa was well-known as a clever trickster. It was during Bridget's time in high school that she grew a passion for both math and science. She loved the complexity of the concepts of both subjects and how they required quite a lot of thinking.
Bridget graduated high school with her parents in the audience, watching proudly as their now adult daughter climbed up the steps. Bridget's mother was close to tears and silently prayed that Bridget wouldn't stumble over her heels. She had insisted on wearing them, even though everyone knew she probably wouldn't be able to keep her balance. All that worry washed away as soon as her little girl was handed her diploma and she and her husband erupted in cheers. Bridget glanced at the direction of the noise and smiled sheepishly at her parents. She let out a shaky sigh as she shook the hand of the principal and turned to go down the staircase ahead of her.
'Finally', she thought to herself, 'it's officially over.' Bridget was officially finished with high school and was overwhelmed with happiness, but there was still one thought she couldn't push out of her mind. Of course after this she would go to college, but what did she want to do with her life? What career would she have? Was she going to work hard, long hours inside a laboratory as a scientist? She's always loved biomedical science, but was more skilled in mathematics, numbers, figures, statistics, and those kinds of things. All these thoughts and doubts about what lay ahead of her filled her mind as she sat down on her seat just in time to cheer for Vanessa as she made her way across the stage.
Bridget grinned as Vanessa fist pumped the air and yelled, "I told I'd graduate!" to the row of seats closest to the stage, all filled with chuckling teachers. A while after came Luc who swaggered up the stage and took his diploma with the biggest of smiles. Almost every student in the audience cheered for him until he descended the steps and took his seat.
After dozens more students received their diplomas, the principal gave a surprisingly strong speech, sending off the young adults into the big bad world. The ceremony ended on a high when the graduates threw their hats into the sky and the loudest cheer of the day filled the air.
"Woah there, Nessa!" Luc coughed as Vanessa tackled him into a hug.
Bridget chuckled, "Move it ginge! Come here, dude, I'm going to miss you!"
He pulled Nessa over and the three best friends had a group hug.
"CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2004! HIGH SCHOOL YOU CAN SUCK—NO WAIT LET ME FINISH!" yelled someone who managed to get a hold of a mic.
They broke apart, chuckling at the guy who was now being told off by his parents.
Nessa sniffled and said, "You'll come to visit right? And remember to Skype with us? Take pictures while you're there?"
"And give us your future girlfriend's email so we can torture her to death with messages?" Bridget joked. Luc rolled his eyes as he wrapped his arms around their shoulders.
"I'm sure you two'll find her even if I don't give it to you," he replied. Luc was off to college in France where he'll study photography. It came as a shock to many people, but the ones closest to him weren't the least bit surprised. He loved to take pictures of people, places, and really anything ever since he was a child.
"Well then, tu nous manqueras!" Bridget exclaimed.
"What?" Luc asked, his face twisting into a frown.
"It means 'We'll miss you', idiot," Vanessa replied, "Learn a bit more French will you?"
He gave them his goofy grin and they all hugged one last time before taking the obligatory pictures with family and friends. They said their goodbyes, but no one teared up yet because they'd all see each other at dinner later that night. Bridget groaned when her parents dragged her over to her math teacher for the past two years, Mr. Morrison.
"Mom, the guy hates me!" Bridget protested. She tried tugging back her arms with as much force as she could without ripping the long sleeves of her gown. It was no use, it was her father that held on to her, keeping a firm but not forceful grip on her.
"Bridge, don't be silly!" she replied. Her mother and father sighed at her attempts to escape. After all, they didn't see how this would be embarrassing.
After a strong push forward from Bridget's father, and tripping over her heels, Bridget gathered up what remained of her dignity and courage. She sighed as she mentally crossed off "ninja" on her list of possible occupations.
Bridget held her head up to show some confidence and greeted her former teacher. "Mr. Morrison!"
He put on one of his smiles that are specially used for when parents are around.
"Why, hello Bridget! Mr. and Mrs. Heiler," he said as he shook the hands of her parents, "you must be very proud of your daughter's accomplishments!"
He's such a formalist. He's probably so stiff from all the work he does. He's not only an AP mathematics teacher, but he also subs for some biology and chemistry classes as well. One time he took a leave of absence to attend a party held by Tony Stark! THE Tony Stark! Bridget couldn't help but feel jealous at the obvious sign he's enough of a genius to hang out with one of the most brilliant and talented men in the world!
"It's nice to meet you!" Bridget's parents said with grins on their faces.
"Do you mind taking a picture with Bridge?" her mother asked. Bridget held back another groan. Well, she minds!
"Oh of course, it would be my honor!" Mr. M said with a genuine smile. Bridget quirked an eyebrow. He would've never said that if it weren't for the fact that her parents were around. The man hates her! Ever since Bridget corrected him in her trig class one day, he had been very cold to her. She hadn't volunteered to answer since.
Bridget plastered on a rigid smile as her father snapped the picture. "Thanks," she muttered.
"Good luck Ms. Heiler," he said as he pulled out a white envelope from his jacket, "Please don't open this until you get home."
Bridget raised her eyebrows as she said thanks again. She took the envelope with so much care it looked like she thought it would explode the moment she touched it. What could be inside it? It felt like a sheet of paper was inside, but she wasn't sure. Her mind wondered what the envelope held as she walked to the parking lot with her parents. She decided she was over thinking things when the thought of it holding a strain of anthrax crossed her mind. She watched way too many procedural cop shows.
Bridget opened the door to their car and slid in, hiking up her gown in the process. She closed the door with a loud thud and buckled her seat belt just as her father started up the car.
"So home first, then we'll have dinner with Nessa and her mom?" Bridget asked as she kicked off her lofty heels. She let out a content sigh when her sore feet were loosed free and resisted the urge to start massaging them.
"Yeah, we're going to a buffet, right?" her father asked as he pulled out of the parking space. Bridget rolled her eyes at his reflection in the mirror. Honestly, this man and his relationship with food—they're inseparable!
"Yes, Dad!" Bridget answered with a huff.
When they got home, Bridget sat down on her bed and opened the envelope. She relaxed when she saw no sign of the powdery substance that would infect her with anthrax. She was just being ridiculous! Inside there was a letter that read:
Dear Bridget,
You are one extraordinary student! I'm glad to have had the privilege to be your teacher your last two years of high school. Knowing you're talented in both mathematics and mechanical science I'd like to gift you with an opportunity to work with one of our world's greatest scientists, Tony Stark. Enclosed with this letter is another, with I recommending you to work with him at Stark Tower. I wish you good luck in your future, Bridget, and I know you will do well.
Sincerely,
Mr. J. Morrison
Bridget started shaking as she scrambled to find the other letter. She couldn't believe it! Mr. Morrison, the man she thought hated her guts, just gave her a letter recommendation to work with Tony Stark! She screamed with joy at the top of her lungs as she hurried to the living room where her parents sat waiting.
"Mom! Dad! Look!" she struggled as she gasped for air with each word.
Bridget's parents quickly read the letter from Mr. M as she held up the letter of recommendation with a smile.
Her mother squealed with delight, while her father said with a glitter in his eyes, "Well, hon', we know you love math and science, but isn't Stark Tower all the way up in New York?"
"Yeah, but it's not like I'm leaving for there now," Bridget replied finally having caught her breath, "I've still got college to go through, dad."
He tried to frown, but a grin fought through and took over his face. Bridget walked over and hugged the both of them. She took the letter from her father's hand and smiled to herself, thinking about her future out there in the big bad world. She's just been given an opportunity to make something more herself, and she as sure as hell is going to take it.
