Chapter Twenty-Two

"Stop touching it," Flash hissed at Peter as Peter tried to move the gray toy soldier so that it stood up more clearly on their diorama. Their history class was packed with students who were putting the finishing touches on their history projects. Peter was just surprised that him and Flash had managed to work together this far without actually killing each other. "You're going to make it worse."

"You didn't put enough glue." Peter protested as he touched the gray soldier again. "That's why they are falling."

"It's not crooked, it's fine. Just leave it."

Peter and Flash had avoided the topic of May and Peter's bruises across his neck and face. He knew that Flash probably still thought that May was abusing him and Peter didn't know how to correct him without spilling anything. So instead he remained silent and Peter was just grateful that Flash hadn't brought it up again.

They had worked on their project for a couple of days between Peter's remedial tutoring sessions and Flash's SAT prep. Flash had even meet Scott and they had bonded over football, completely oblivious to Peter's lack of interest in sports. The bruising across his face hadn't completely went away, so instead he had been relying on cheap concealer and a whole lot of lies. He had told MJ, May, and Ned that it had been a Spiderman incident

Mrs. Greenberg clapped her hands to get the class's attention. There was a bright smile on her face as she gave the following announcement. "Class, the school has an amazing surprise for you. Please grab your staff and head to the auditorium."

The class immediately erupted into excited giggles and Peter watched as MJ rolled her eyes. Flash looked upset as he grabbed his backpack. "I hope it's not another stay drug free assembly. We've had three of those already this year. If people don't want help them let them suffer."

Peter pretended that he couldn't hear as he grabbed his bag and joined MJ and Ned for the surprised assembly. "Where do you think that we're going?" he asked feeling slightly out of breath.

MJ shrugged as she searched into her bag for her worn out copy of War and Peace. "Beats me, but I already have my entertainment."

"Maybe they are cancelling school for the rest of the year," Ned said hopefully as he tried looking around the hallway for clues. "Or maybe it's another alien invasion."

"Don't jinx it, please." Peter nearly groaned as they stood in line with the rest of the students waiting to get in.

They were suddenly interrupted by a stunning blond wearing a bright red suit with gold heels. "Are you Mr. Parker?" she asked and Peter nodded. "I need you and your friends to come with me, please. We have reserve seating at the front." Peter looked at her in confusion. Usually Peter and his friends were left at the crowded section in the back. The woman must have sense Peter's confusion because she whispered. "Courtesy of Mr. Stark."

Mr. Stark? Tony was here? Peter's hands started sweating and he desperately wished that he could go into a bathroom so that he could retouch his makeup over his bruises. Before he could ask any more questions the lady in the red suit practically dragged MJ, Ned, and Peter towards the front row seats of the auditorium.

Every inch of the room was covered in red and gold streamers and balloons and attractive women in the same red suit and gold heels were everywhere. Some of them were carrying forms while others carried monogram pens. The whole room screamed of Tony Stark. Yet he couldn't see him anywhere.

He needed to get out of here. Now. Tony was a literal genius and Peter had a feeling that Tony wouldn't be so easily fooled especially since he could tell when it was the last time that Peter went on patrol. But before Peter could get out of his chair, the lights turned off and ACDC started blasting through the room. Tony stepped in with a brilliant smile and wearing a three-piece suit. The room immediately erupted into cheers.

"Welcome everyone," Tony said with a bright smile. "As everyone knows my name is Tony Stark-" MJ who was next to Peter rolled her eyes. "And I am here to give you exciting news. This upcoming summer Stark Enterprises will be hosting a summer camp for those of you who are interested in the STEM field-"

"That is so cool!" Ned whispered excitedly as he turned to Peter. "We should sign up, Peter."

Peter nodded, but he was still staring at the floor trying to avoid Tony's eyes which was kind of hard since he was literally standing in front of him. "I decided to pursue this opportunity because of a promising young intern. A fellow classmate of yours, Mr. Peter Parker showed me that Midtown High has many promising young minds-" Tony trailed off and he froze when he saw Peter. He had finally seen Peter's face and he was tracing the bruises on his face that had been poorly covered by the cheap makeup. He had trailed off and had barely managed to regain his composure. He did though and he sat up. "And now these lovely ladies will tell you everything you need to know if you want to get into the program."

The rest of the presentation finished twenty minutes later and Peter had already been planning his escape. He had thought that Tony would be busy with eager fans. But he was wrong because Tony was pushing away all of his fans desperate for autographs and was immediately walking towards Peter.

"There he is," Ned gasped as he started patting down his hair. "Do you think I should ask him for his autograph even though I meet him before or is that too weird?"

MJ rolled her eyes as she searched her bag for her protein shake. "Get a grip, Leeds."

"What happened to your face?" Tony practically spat as he wiped away the cheap makeup. Peter winced as his rough hands touched his swollen face. "I can practically see it from the other side of the room and that cheap makeup is not helping. What the hell happened?"

"Will you stop?" he said as he looked around and noticed that half of the school was looking at him with curious faces. "You're embarrassing me."

"He got it from you know. . ." MJ wiggled her eyebrows in order not to attract attention. "You know."

Tony raised a dark eyebrow as Peter flushed bright red and he could feel his skin becoming prickly like it always did when he was caught in a fib. "That's odd because I haven't received an alert from Karen-is it that Flash kid? Is he bothering you again? Happy told me he was trouble-"

"It's not Flash-"

"Hey Penis," Flash decided at that moment to let his presence known. He had an annoyed look on his face. He was balancing an I-pad. "Did you print out the report because-"

Much to everyone's surprise, Tony didn't let him finish. Instead he gripped Flash by his shirt collar and pulled him up. Flash was too shocked to look afraid. "Listen you brat, are you the one hurting Peter? Because if you are, I have no problem kicking your sorry ass-"

"Mr. Stark!" Peter gritted his teeth as he pulled on the sleeve of his expensive suit. He could feel hundreds of eyes on him as Tony practically beat up Flash. "Let go off him! Let go off him now! Let's go!"

-End of Chapter Twenty-Two-