Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for the plot.

Chapter 3

For the first time, since as far back as she could remember, Darcy was actually looking forward to school the following week. Now, don't get her wrong, school still sucked and she hated it with a passion that rivaled a teenage girls crush on Zac Effron. But she finally had made her first friend, and sure he was the janitor so she would probably be made fun of. But he was an extremely hot janitor that probably should belong in a L.L. Bean or Hunting magazine. He had dark blond hair that almost looked brown, piercing tri-colored eyes that seemed to peer into your very soul, a rough but soothing voice, a ruggedly handsome face (with the best resting bitch face ever. It literally screamed I will kill you so leave me alone), and the most ripped arms that she had ever seen. And trust her she has saved pictures of all the male avengers (what? she was still a teenage girl.) Honestly, she was kidding herself. He probably doesn't want to have anything to do with her. She sighed as she thought back on her conversation with him after they had left the principal's office.

Flashback brought to you by Lady Galadriel. Why? Because she has a great voice.

Darcy looked at Clint awkwardly. "So, that was awkward. And embarrassing, and I probably just dug my own grave." she sadly sighed as she gazed at the sidewalk outside of the school and idly scuffed her shoe on the rough cement.

He looked over curiously at her with one of the most adorably confused expressions as she had ever seen. "You really shouldn't feel embarrassed about telling the authority figure what happened. You also shouldn't feel guilty. What they did was awful and dangerous, you are extremely claustrophobic, and locking you in a locker could have done detrimental damage to your mental health. Also, there is no reason to be scared. They will be punished and they won't try to come after you, cause if they do then they will find another thing coming."

She scoffed and just shook her head. "Yeah right, if telling the principal who is not likely to do anything, doesn't make them out for my blood I think it's the end of the world. Besides it's not like anyone really cares." She chuckled weakly as she swiped furiously at her eyes.

"Hey don't be like that. I would care, and if they do bother you tell me and I will make them stop. Trust me."

She stared at him for a moment, "Do you really mean that?" she asked.

"Of course I do. I am not sure if you noticed but people usually ignore the janitor, so having a friend at the school would be nice."

"Yeah...I guess." she bit her lip shyly and glanced at him, "Are you sure you don't want the shirt back?" she figured she should ask one more time, and if he said no then she was totally keeping it.

He waved a hand at her, "Nah I got like ten more of those at home, and if you don't want it chuck it." he reassured her.

She gazed at him for a moment before she wrapped it tighter around herself. "Are you kidding," she asked incredulously. "This thing is so soft and it smells good."

They stood there a moment with him just gaping at her, and her not saying anything.

"Please tell me I did not say that outloud." She finally exclaimed as her face instantly became red. Clint, the ass that he was, was just doubled over laughing. "Ugh! Why does my mouth hate me!"

"Don't worry about it Darce," he platacated, "You have literally made my day, and probably my week as well." He smiled brightly at her, She did not know how the universe was capable of making anyone that looked that warm. It was literally as if the sun had come out on a rainy day.

He shook his head, "Anyways, I should go, and your parents are probably wondering where you are." He started to walk to the street, before glancing back. "Do you need me to walk you home?"

She took a moment to center herself because no guy had ever asked her that before. Of course she knew he meant it in a purely nice guy way, but still...Oh yeah he was waiting for her to reply. "Ah...no. No I'm fine." she cleared her throat. "My cousin's place is down the street. I will be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I will see you on monday." she waved back at him as she started walking away, "Bye Clint."

End Flashback

She sighed, as she entered the apartment she shared with her cousin Maria. When Darcy had been five, her mother had decided that she did not want to raise a child and gave her up. Her cousin Maria however, decided that she would be able to take care of young Darcy. Maria had been part of the air force before she left when Darcy turned ten. Darcy could still remember staying on the different bases and moving a lot. Luckily, Maria decided that she wanted to stay home more. Even though she still had quite a few business trips she had to take.

Darcy looked at the clock, it was 5:15. Maria should be heading home soon, she did not have any work trips on the calendar. She stood and walked to the freezer, and grabbed the ice-cream with two spoons. She put them on the coffee table in the living room before she went to get changed. She took off her ruined sweater and tossed it in a heap on the floor. She switched into a pair of comfy yoga pants, fuzzy socks and put back on Clint's flannel. She stared at herself in the mirror for a moment. The flannel was too big but looked cozy, while her hair looked horrendous, and to top it all off the little bit of make-up Darcy did where had run while she cried. All in all she looked like a hot mess.

She gave herself a pitiful look before she washed the makeup off and ran her fingers through her hair.

The door clicked open and a jangle of keys sounded from the living room. "Darcy, I am home." she heard Maria say from the other room. "I noticed the ice-cream was out, was it a bad day at school?" she was coming closer now. "Darcy?"

Darcy sighed before she put on what she hoped was a reassuring smile, and opened the door to her cousins surprised face.