Hey guys. I wanted to thank you all for reviewing. I'm glad you all like the story.
Chapter 10: Line is out.
"I can't handle this. Why me?" Virginia said to Kayla as they walked into gym class Wednesday morning. Upon arriving she noticed a very loud Tony Stark standing in the gym laughing with a group of people.
"What is he even doing here? He's not in our gym class." Virginia asked as the two made their way into the change room.
"Mr. Hobber and Coach Dean are close friends. Every year they like to have contests to see whose class is the best."
Groaning Virginia changed into her gym strip and tried to figure out how she could ignore him. It was getting to be a tedious task since she has class with him every day. Walking out of the change room she saw him smiling to a group of girls that were blushing madly. The two made brief eye contact and the biggest smile showed up on his face.
Thankfully Coach Dean called everyone in so she was spared from his obnoxiousness for a little longer.
"Morning class. Today we're going to play badminton with Hobbers class. Go hit the track for your warm-up laps then stretch."
Virginia pulled Kayla with her to the track, egar to put off talking to Tony.
"Stop fretting. Most girls would die to be in your position." Kayla said as they began their warm-up laps.
"I'm not most girls. Ever since the pep rally I can't get him to stay away from me. On Saturday I saw him at the ice cream parlour and left him with his head up his ass again. Remind me to stop doing that, I don't need any more trouble.
"Oh girl you have it bad. My advice is to just try to keep the talking to a minimum. If Maya finds out she'll rip you to shreds."
The girls finished their laps in silence then headed back inside to stretch.
"Hey Kayla wanna be my partner?" She heard Christopher Walkins say.
"Sure thing!" Kayla said. "Oops.. Sorry Virginia."
Virginia just glared at her best friend and went back to stretching. After stretching out her arms she grabbed a raquet and birdie from the rack.
"Hey partner." She heard a voice say. Turning around she saw Tony standing there with a raquet and a stupid grin on his face.
"What makes you think I wanna be your partner?" She said folding her arms.
"Well considering your friend is partners with Chris and your standing here alone, I figured you'd like to at least have some fun. But if you'd like, you can go be partners with Chrissy. Thats fine with me." He said turning around.
Cringing at the thought of being partners with that obnoxious girl, Virginia reluctantly said yes.
"Perfect." Tony said making his way out onto the court. The pair warmed up by hitting the birdie back and forth. They got a rally going until Virginia unexpectedly slammed the birdie down on Tony. Smiling cockily Virginia wait to receive the bird.
"Oh so that's how you wanna play it, huh?" Tony said getting ready to serve. Suddenly a whistle blew and Coach Dean called everyone in.
"So we're going to play Kings Court singles. Stark you and your partner will start at Kings Court. Games are 5 minutes long losers move down, winners move up. Let's get started." Coach Dean said as he blew the whistle.
"Your gonna regret smashing that birdie Pep." Tony said as he took his spot getting ready to serve. Virginia smirked and got ready to hit the bird. The two battled hard but in the end Virginia won in the dying seconds.
"Well played Pep." Tony said as he moved down.
Virginia got ready to battle her next opponent. She easily won as David had no hand-eye coordination. They shook hands and Virginia waited for the next person.
"We meet again." Tony said as he moved back up.
"It seems like it. Prepare to get creamed." Virginia said with a smile on her face.
Virginia served and watched as Tony awkwardly hit it over. She responded by smashing it deep, Tony couldn't get there in time and watched as the bird hit the floor. Serving again Virginia faked like she was going to hit it hard then lightly tapped it so it fell harmlessly to the floor. She watched in amusement as Tony dove to try and hit it but completely missing it. She started to laugh as he rolled under the net flat on his back.
"Look she has other emotions." Tony said sarcastically as he got up and wiped himself off. By this point she was in tears and holding her sides.
"It's not that funny."
"Oh yes it is." She said dabbing at her eyes.
They got back to their game and Virginia easily beat him for the second time.
"Au revoir, Stark." Virginia said as she waved him goodbye.
She didn't face him again until the last match.
"I didn't see you. Did Mr. Stark loose?" She teased as she served the bird.
"I've got some tricks up my sleeves, so watch out." He said as he returned the serve. She hit it back and watched helplessly as he smashed the bird right at her.
"Using my own moves against me, how childish." She said giving him the birdie.
The two rallied back and forth until Tony jumped up and smashed it to her again.
Tony wiped off his shoulders cockily.
"It's not over yet." She said.
Virginia served the birdie and Tony easily returned it. Virginia lightly tapped it and it just made it over the net.
"Thirty seconds." Mr. Hobber called out.
"Your mine." Tony said as he waited for the serve. Virginia served it nice and high, Tony took this as his chance and smashed it into the back court.
"I win!" He shouted victoriously.
"Are you kidding me? That was totally line." Virginia said pointing to the line where the bird rested.
"Bullshit. You just made that rule." Tony defended.
"Did not. Hey Mr. Hobber, line is out right?" Virginia asked.
"Sure is." He said totally clueless to the battle going on between the two students.
"See told you." Virginia said mockingly.
"Paybacks a bitch." Tony said as he turned away.
"What are you so happy about?" Kayla said walking up to her.
"I just proved that girls can play sports and are more than just sex dolls. But i'm pretty sure I just invited myself into his world."
Man she can play. Tony thought as he sat down at his regular table with his lunch. He wasn't able to focus at all during Physics, it's not like he needed to pay attention any ways but still. Pulling out an apple he watched as Rhodes and Happy sat down next to him.
"Hey boys, how's life?" Tony greeted.
"Just peachy." Happy said roughly.
"Oh stop being such a baby. Happy obviously doesn't understand that when things come out of the oven, they'll be hot." Rhodey said chuckling.
Tony spit out apple as he started to laugh.
"Way to go dumb dumb." Tony said slapping Happy on the back.
"Whatever." He replied turning away.
"What's up with you?" Rhodey asked.
"So there's this girl and I swear she's nothing like the others." Tony began.
"You need to stop. You already have a great girl why do you need to fuck it up?"
Yeah but-" Tony started when a pair of cool hands made their way over his eyes.
"Guess who?" A voice said.
"Could it be my girlfriend?"
"Correct." She said squealing.
"So whatcha guys talkin about." Maya asked as she made herself comfortable on Tony's lap.
"Nothing just talking about guy stuff." Tony responded warily. He hoped she hadn't heard him talk about Pepper.
"Well that's boring." She said running her fingers through Tony's hair.
"Say Tony" She said putting her fingers under his chin and making him look at her. "Maybe after school we could finish that thing we didn't get to finish on Saturday.."
"As tempting as that sounds I can't. Howard comes home today and Mom wants me there for it, since I haven't seen him in awhile." He said waiting for her to internally combust.
"Come on Tony you can see him another time." She said sticking out her bottom lip.
"You obviously didn't understand when I said I haven't seen him in awhile. I need to make a call." Tony said as he unlatched her arms from around his neck and left the cafeteria.
Tony wandered through the halls and let himself get caught in his thoughts. This is crazy he thought. I don't even see him so why do I care. Tony banged on a nearby locker and kept on walking.
Letting himself calm down he thought about Pepper. Running his hands through his hair he thought about a girl he doesn't even know and how she's slowly taking over his life. Sighing he made his way to the locker room and sat down in front of his locker.
"Tough day?" He heard a voice say.
Looking up he saw Coach Dean standing there with a half smile on his face. Coach Dean knew about his family problems and went out of his way to help Tony.
"Wanna talk about it?" Coach Dean asked handing Tony a Gatorade. He opened it and took a long sip.
"Nope. I need a spotter." Tony said as he changed into his shorts.
"Sure thing." Coach Dean said as the two made their way to the weight room.
Tony spent his afternoon working out. The two had a competition to see who could wall sit longer. Tony won it in a landslide holding it for 10 minutes. Coach Dean excused him for Mechanics and Business, he even let him skip walk through.
"Why don't you come for dinner tomorrow night? Rebecca keeps asking about you."
"I'll keep it in mind." Tony said as he walked out of the locker room.
Walking out to his car at the end of the day he noticed Pepper standing by herself.
"Hey Pepper." He said with a happy smile on his face.
"Oh, it's you."
"Of course it's me. Who else?" He said standing next to her.
"I didn't see you in Business, skipping out again?" She said.
"No, I actually was planning on-."
"Save it, I was kidding." She said. He watched as she looked towards the parking lot then at her phone.
"I have to go."
"I'll walk you." He said walking with her towards the parking lot. He said goodbye as she got into a car and drove away. Rubbing his eyes he made his way to his car and hopped in. Turning on the radio, he gripped the steering wheel and drove home.
When he arrived at Stark Mansion he grabbed a water bottle and went straight for the workshop. Punching in his code he was welcomed home by the smell of gas and new paint. Instantly relaxed he sat in his chair. It had been a long day. Getting comfortable he leaned back and closed his eyes.
"Incoming call from James Rhodes."
Groaning Tony sat up and rubbed his eyes. Glancing at the clock it read 5:37pm. I must have fallen asleep he mused.
"Hello?" Tony said as he answered the call.
"Tony hey, why weren't you at practice?"
"I had something I needed to do."
"Oh well. I hope you know i'm here for you."
"Thanks. Keep your schedule free tonight." And with that Tony hung up. Getting to his feet Tony took a shower in the en suite that was in the workshop. He dressed in blue jeans and a dress shirt. Jogging up the stairs he saw his Mom fussing with someone over the phone. Grabbing a snack he waited until she was finished.
"Rough day?" Tony asked.
"You wouldn't believe it." his mother said tiredly. "I've been running around trying to prepare for your fathers homecoming."
"It'll be fine." Tony said smiling.
"He'll be here in about an hour. Try to get the workshop cleaned up, you know he'll like his space clean."
"Yes ma'am." Tony left to go downstairs after kidding Marias cheek. Opening the door he realized that the workshop was in disarray.
"Jarvis, play playlist 2 and make sure Dummy and Butterfingers are functioning."
"With pleasure Sir." The AI faithfully responded.
Tony began to clean as music blasted throughout the speakers.
"Hey Butterfingers, wanna clean up this mess? Tony asked snapping his fingers towards a pile of metal shavings on the ground.
Wrapping an extension cord, Tony noticed that it was almost time for his father to arrive. Putting away the cleaning supplies, he locked up the workshop and jogged up the stairs.
Grabbing the remote Tony changed the channel to the stock market and walked into the kitchen. Tony smiled as he realized a big meal was in the works for his fathers arrival.
"Mr. Stark has arrived. He shall be present in approximately 1 minutes and 56 seconds." Nervously Tony took a gulp of water and sat on a barstool pretending to look through his phone.
"I'm home." Came a ruff voice.
Tony smiled as he heard his Mom greet Howard. Walking to the foyer Tony noticed the huge smile on his mothers face.
"Hey Dad." Tony said shaking his fathers outstretched hand. "Long time no talk."
"What's for dinner? I'm starved." Howard said as he walked to the kitchen.
Tony watched as Howard made his way to the kitchen. Once again no hug Tony thought as he followed him.
"I'll take my dinner to go, I've got some things to work on down in the shop."
"But Howard you just got here." Maria pleaded. "Relax a little."
Howard ignored his family and took his dinner downstairs. Tony watched at how easily Howard brushed off his family. Pulling his Maria into a hug, he tried to comfort her.
"Shh, it's okay. Lets sit down and have dinner. He'll come around." Tony said rubbing her shoulder.
Sitting down at the island, Tony dished up dinner to his Mom then to himself. Dinner was quiet, Maria was off in another world. He tried to make conversation but she wouldn't bite. He was about to ask about her work when she suddenly got up and left without a word.
Sighing Tony cleaned up the dishes and made his way down into the workshop. Opening the door he strode towards his computer and sat down. Tony saw Howard looking at the hot rods with a bottle of scotch in his hand.
Tony turned away and pulled up holograms of his Stark Phone. He fiddled with the inner workings when a loud crash made him jump out of his seat.
He turned and saw Howard on one knee with an assortment of tools laying around him. Hurrying over, Tony tried to help him up.
"I don't need your help." Howard said as he pushed Tony away.
"Obviously not, just accept the help."
"Fuck you Tony. I don't need your wise-ass comments." Howard said stumbling over to the couch.
"We don't need you here Howard. You obviously don't see what you do to Mom every time you leave and when you get home, you blow us off like we're nothing." Tony said unemotionally. He left the workshop before he could hear his fathers response.
Sighing Tony made his way to his room.
"Jarvis, call Rhodey." Tony said as he stood in the middle of his room.
"No answer Sir. Would you like me to call again?" Tony rubbed his temples. I thought I told him to keep himself free.
He didn't know what else to do, his workshop was taken over by his maniacal father and his friends were gone. Punching his wall, Tony made his way to the gym. Taping his hands, he started to lightly punch the bag. Letting himself go he didn't realize how hard he was punching the bag until it was too late. Panting slightly, Tony looked down as blood started to seep through his tape job. Ignoring the sting, he made his way back to his room. Pulling off the tap, Tony stripped down to his boxers and went to sleep.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I won't be updating tomorrow because it's my 16th birthday. So ill see you Friday. Remember to review.