Updating…oh the joys of blocking out the world and remaining oblivious as I continuously type for heaven knows how long paying no regard to the people who are trying to get my attention and the music blasting in my ears. My house could be burning down and I wouldn't even be paying that any mind. Haha, let me just get to this new chapter.

MethodToMadness

Chapter Eleven: Infatuated

When you're around my body gets a rush (rush)
So you know I'm not in love with you
But this is so far from a crush
So boy I thought I'd tell you the truth
I'm infatuated (infatuated)
Infatuated with you
I'm infatuated (infatuated)
And I don't know what I'm gonna do

"Okay Pepper you are freaking me out! You've been zoning out way too much lately…" Tori scolded as she plopped down next to me on my bed. This caused the bed to creak and I nearly fell over by the force of the bounce she created. Being under heavy duty grounding always had the exception of Tori. My father knew just how important she was considering she was the only friend I was actually allowed to have.

"Have I really? I haven't noticed…" I responded with just as much enthusiasm as her, which wasn't much may I remind you. She pouted in response as she turned into a crossed legged position that was facing me. I avoided her scrutinizing eyes.

"I understand you have the attention span of a fish…" She began. My eyes narrowed into a death glare and she gave me that 'you-know-I-love-you' smile that seemed to make everything better automatically. "But never in my days have I seen you simply just zone like you're in deep thought; I mean that is like a first." Once again I glared at her.

"Are you going to make a point or keep insulting me?" I questioned quirking an eyebrow. She laughed lightly in response.

"Sorry, force of habit," She laughed giving me a dismissive wave. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest as I lowered my head, waiting for her to continue. "But seriously, what's on your mind? You can tell me…"

I glanced up at her to see genuine concern etched across her face. Her brown eyes were locked on me, giving me an expectant look. It was like her face was frozen in that certain expression because she failed to move in the minute I was examining her. After having a minor stare down, I released an exasperated sigh.

"It's Tony…" I breathed before falling back into my bed. In retaliation I received a groan and a click of the tongue. She fell back into the bed next to me so that we were lying side by side but I kept my gaze on the ceiling.

"That pretty boy rich kid has been the focus of your thoughts for a while now…" Tori commented flatly. A small smile came to my lips as to what she referred to Tony as. It was obvious Tori was not Tony's biggest fan but she tolerated him to some extent.

"Yea…" I sighed, almost in a defeated manner. Tori was a hundred percent correct, and not that it scared me, but it had me slightly worried. Never have I thought about one guy this much and not only because I was forbidden to have any contact with the male species…there was much more to it than that.

"Why do you suppose that is?" She asked gently. The change in tone reassured me that I was talking to my best friend; the girl who would keep anything and everything I told her a secret. That was something I loved about Tori. She was the type of person who listened and never liked to burden people with her own problems…although sometimes I wish she would let some of that weight go. That was one of the reasons she denied her feelings for Rhodey.

"I don't know…" I muttered truthfully. I was really at a loss as to why Tony had become the main focus of my thoughts. It was always this push me-pull me thing. One minute he's holding me to him in an affectionate hug and the next he's telling me has no interest in commitment…well he didn't say it in those words exactly but I knew what he meant. He was basically saying "I'm too busy with Iron Man." Or that's how I perceived it.

"The guys an enigma Potts," Tori began bringing back her stern, slightly sarcastic tone. This made me expect one of her psychological lectures that always made me wrong and her right. "He's confusing, he's a teaser, and he's slightly oblivious…but there is one thing clear about him and that's the way he acts around you. I think he likes you." She finished firmly. I snorted in response as my stomach knotted at the thought.

"Yea right!" I laughed forcefully. Tori sighed from my side and I kept my eyes glued to the Iron Man poster that was tacked to my ceiling. The guy has only been around for at least a month and people were milking the hero for what he's worth in merchandise…and I was shallow enough to give into it.

"I'm serious Pepper. It may not be clear to you but from the guy's first day he has been showing a very high interest in you." Tori pointed out. I didn't respond and she took this as the signal to continue. "Look, I'm not trying to get your hopes up because I know that you like him too…but I'm just saying that going for it never hurts more than regretting that you didn't."

"You should take your own advice…" I mumbled glancing at her. I took in the blankness of her face and I quickly regretted the comment. She bit her lip and nodded before turning to face the ceiling once again.

"Wanna go drown or completely sad love lives in a gallon of cookies and crème ice cream?" She sighed as her hands traveled down to her stomach. We exchanged looks before nodding in agreement.

"As long as you don't keep the tub in your lap like last time." I commented in a sing-song tone. Tori laughed lightly as she slid off the bed with me following her.

"When it comes to ice cream it is every girl for herself." She laughed. I smiled in return. I may regret not doing anything when it came to Tony but I would regret getting hurt too. I'm sure Tori could understand that; that was what she has been protecting herself from…

"Okay people get to work on those presentations or take an F for the day." Mr. Malcolm deadpanned from his desk. I rolled my eyes as Tori shot me a smile before lifting from her seat to join Rhodey as expected. I forced a smile in return as Tori passed Tony who was approaching me.

"Potts…" He greeted dryly. I quirked an eyebrow at him before turning away to cross my arms over my chest.

"Stark…" I responded with less enthusiasm. He cracked a slight crooked smile before claiming Tori's seat. I pulled out my Pride and Prejudice book which I was scheduled to read the first twenty pages of last night, however I found eating my weight in ice cream as a much more appealing way to kill time.

"I managed to finish the book." He said tossing his book onto the table. I blinked in shock as I glanced between the book and his nonchalant expression. I understood he was a supposed genius but to me that was simply ridiculous. "I also came up with a thesis to base our presentation off of."

"Wow, why don't I let you do the project on your own." I muttered more to myself than him, however he caught the remark and chuckled lightly in return.

"I don't think you want a bad grade so you'll have to do something." He pointed out. I nodded as I flipped the book over letting my eyes skim over the back to get the general understanding of the book.

"It's basically the average love novel…" He inserted tearing me away from the back of the book. I gave a mental groan on that small bit of information. Just what I needed, some more romance. "I figured the main romantic conflict is going on between Elizabeth Bennet and some guy named Mr. Darcy…in lames terms he's arrogant and uptight while she is independent and won't take his crap."

"Remind you of anybody…?" I commented lowly. He quirked an eyebrow at me before a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. I lowered my head and avoided his gaze as I tried to focus on reading the back of the book…or I could at least pretend to be focused.

"You're funny." He said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms over my chest. That thick and heavy feeling began to fill the air once again and this time I accepted it for what it was. Sexual tension was something I have become accustomed to by now. Tony made sure of that.

"Wasn't trying to be…" I practically snapped. I had made it clear that I was not going to make this easy for him and I thought the only way to do that was to imitate the only person who made every body's lives difficult while still managing to shut them out: Victoria Cyrus.

"Whoa, what's up with the attitude?" He shot back as his brow furrowed. My expression softened. Okay, maybe imitating Tori down to the snippy attitude and crude comments was not exactly something I could pull off, but it was worth a try.

"Nothing…" I sighed flashing a forced smile as I cracked open the book. After reading the first two lines I shut the book and flashed another smile. "Why don't I save the reading for later and you tell me your thesis?" I offered. He gave me a blank stare before shrugging.

"I came up with the questioning idea of the love-hate theory." He said.

"Ooh, how original." I said sarcastically with an ignorant smile. He locked his blue eyes on me and as if he had given me a command my smile faded and I bit my lip to stop myself from saying anything else.

"Yes the idea is platitudinous," He began. I gave him a blank stare due to the fact that he could have been speaking a different language for all I knew. "It's cliché…" he offered. I made an 'o' with my mouth while nodding and he rolled his eyes. "But going in deeper with this theory we could identify the good points that a love-hate relationship can bring."

"What good points could it possibly bring?" I laughed lowering my head, thinking more about our own relationship than the one between Elizabeth and Darcy…It was actually ironic how this book would even relate. Maybe I would enjoy reading it…that is if I actually open it and focus enough to get the reading done.

"Well…" He dragged out. It was then that I felt a hand cup my cheek and lift my head back up. My breathing hitched as he locked eyes with me. It was the most amazing feeling and yet losing my capability to breath was never a good thing. "It creates interesting conflict…"

"S-So, maybe people can do without conflict." I stammered. I mentally cursed myself as I tried to remain calm. However the fact that thinking straight was becoming difficult and I was losing sensibility was not exactly helping in the calming process.

"It makes the relationship more alluring." He pointed out paying no regard to my counter comment. I swallowed nervously as I tried to keep my heart from pounding in my ears. "It gives the relationship fervor and excitement…"

"T-That's understandable but…"

"It intensifies sexual strain…" His thumb gently stroked my cheek causing a blush to spill over, bringing color to my face and to distract me slightly from his hand that was gently resting on my knee. A shock came from his touch that had my breathing labored. "Creates pleasure through tension and satisfaction through temptation…"

I was oblivious to the fact that he was leaning into me and I was inching my way towards him as well. His eyes darted down to my lips and my already pink cheeks turned bright red. I became unconscious to my surroundings and the fact that I was sitting in the middle of English class didn't seem to hinder the enticement.

"There is an exhilarating feel that comes with it…" he continued. I really couldn't argue there. After everything that has transpired, looking back I can say that I have dealt with that exhilarating feel more than once. His lips were dangerously close to mine and I mentally willed him to close the gap between us. He only had to move a few more centimeters and I would be content…

Well he did move those few centimeters but he turned his head so that his lips brushed against my cheek missing my lips entirely thus making my heart drop in disappointment. His warm breath tickled my ear and he chuckled lightly making me bite my lip.

"It nearly makes it impossible for the two people in the relationship to resist due to the increase of desire for what you do and do not want at the same time." He said lowly. I took in a deep breath as I tried to focus on anything but the close proximity. I began to squirm, straightening my back and fiddling my fingers in anticipation.

"R-Really? Go on…" I stammered anxiously. He chuckled once again but I could hear him mocking me as he did so. However right now I wouldn't care if the school was being held up by aliens. My mind was blank, my heart was pounding so fast that they would need to call a hospital and my breathing had yet to catch up.

"Just think about how an infatuation works…it's not necessarily love but it holds the pleasure of enticement, craving, lust, opposing connection and I have always found something fascinating about such a relationship." He said as he pulled away. As he did so I became more aware of what was going on around me and my eyes darted around the room nervously.

Nobody was paying any mind…well except Tori who was biting her lip and fighting back a smile…or a laugh. I don't know which one. I shot her a glare and she quickly returned to her own work with her cheeks puffed up as she coughed out a laugh.

"So do you like the idea?"Tony questioned ripping my attention from Tori and onto him. My cheeks which were reducing in color seemed to turn bright red again as I forced a smile and nodded frantically. He smirked at me in a knowing manner and I shook my head once his blue eyes were no longer boring into me.

All done. Yay another chapter done is another accomplishment in my book…and I did all of it with a major headache! Man I need to find my glasses…well anyhoo my problems don't matter. What matters is you pressing that grey and green button and giving me feedback. I wanna know what you think. Thanks for reading and please review.

MethodToMadness