Disclaimer:I do not own nor make profit of the Avengers. It all belongs to the MCU and The Walt Disney Company.
Black Eye'd Penny
"Hey you're Penny Parker right?" I peak out from my locker turning too the voice, it's Bradley Ryan, a senior and a popular one at that. I look behind me to MJ who raises one at eyebrow me, I turn back to Bradley,
"Ummm yay, that's me." He smiles and fumbles with the strap on his backpack,
"Cool." He looks down and then back up at me the amber in his eyes almost seem to sparkle, "Hey is it true that you're rich?" The coy smile I've had on my face falls,
"Excuse me?" I turn around to MJ who sticks her head in her locker and blows out a loud puff of air that sounds like a mixture of a snort and a laugh.
"Ya, someone told me you know Tony Stark personally and that you have a private driver." I purse my lips and tilt my head to the side, "I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date, we can have your driver pick us up and I can show you a nice night." I take a deep breath through my nose and start laughing. I laugh as I grab my books, I laugh as I stuff them into my bookbag, I laugh as I shut my locker and I laugh as I turn grabbing MJ's bicep and start walking down the hallway to the roof for free period where Ned and Harry always meet us. It's only when were half way down the hallway, I stop laughing, and MJ starts up,
"Do you have money that you're not sharing Ms. Parker," I roll my eyes,
"Yay tied up in Swiss bank accounts I can't access." I roll my eyes, "How did it get out that I'm rich?" MJ snorts,
"Did you even listen to the boy?" I shrug,
"I was too busy laughing I guess."
"Ya, you're laugh is terrible." I bump her shoulder, "Tony Stark. Private driver?" She states each one clearly,
"They think I have money because of my internship?" She nods,
"And that driver that constantly picks you up and holds the door for you, whats his name? Forever grouchy? Thats should be my name?"
"Happy." I clarify, she shakes her head,
"Naw I don't see it." I shake my head, a smirk on my lips. I thread my arm through MJ and let her lead the way to the roof, Ned and Harry are already up there..six feet apart, arms crossed, not a single word between them, yup thats Ned and Harry.
"Bradley Ryan asked Penny out." MJ informs both, I shove her to the side,
"Wait what?" Harry uncrosses his arms and takes a step closer, "Really...he actually asked you out?"
"Nice Osborn." MJ throws a distasteful face his way, I match her expression,
"Ya, Harry!"
"Bradley Ryan is like really popular." Ned looks up at me "He never even looks in our direction." Unlike Harry, Ned says states a fact. Bradley Ryan has never looked in my direction before, I sigh,
"He thinks I'm rich" Harry throws his head back and starts laughing, I reach forward and punch his shoulder, I'm careful not to do it hard, he rubs at his arm, his laugh dying down,
"Thats makes sense?" I punch him again, this time a bit harder,
"What are you saying?" His laughter dies down, but theres still a smile on his face,
"Girls ask me out all the time and it's only because I have money," I growl and let my legs give out catching myself on the ground, MJ sits next to me,
"But I don't have any money." Harry sits on the others side of me and Ned across from me, together we create a square,
"You have a driver," Harry points out and MJ smirks,
"You too." I throw my head back and for a second considing screaming. I look back towards him, "I do not have a driver, Happy works for Mr. Stark."
"But he picks you up doesn't he? I mean I have a driver and people know I have money so it makes sense that people associate you with having money you know." It does, in the beginning I would take the subway, but then Mr. Stark asked Happy to start getting me when I was late a few times. I never questioned it, never asked, never expected it, just accepted it. Looking back I wish I had put an end to it,
"Do you think I should ask Mr. Stark to stop?" I turn to each of them, but neither can look me in the eye or say anything. I look down to the ground and purse my lips, "Okay." Ned reaches into his backpack and pulls a bag,
"Dorito?"
…
"So let me get this straight!" Mr. Stark shouts, turning the music down. "You want to stop being picked up from school?" I nod, and Mr. Stark crosses his arms and places a hand on his chin, "uh huh okay, why?" I look away. "Don't lie to me kid," I finally breathe out,
"People at school think I have money,"
"You don't have money."
"Exactly, but because Happy picks me up, they think I'm rich,"
"I'm rich."
"I know, but I got asked out today by a really popular senior because he knows about my internship-"
"Not really an internship."
"Nobody else knows that, and he saw that Happy picks me up so now he thinks I'm rich and wanted "My driver" to pick us up so he can show me a good time." I take another breath, pretty sure I didn't breathe during that whole rant. Mr Stark has his lips pursed and eyes glued to the ceiling,
"So let me understand you, you want Happy to stop driving you here, for the convenience of me, because I know where you are, and what time you'll get here, all because some kids at school think you have money and are now starting to pay more attention to you?" I click my tongue to the roof of my mouth and nod,
"Ya, that's pretty much it." We stand for a second in silence,
"Fine." I step back and look him up and down. Mr. Stark doesn't just say yes to me. Theirs always some teeth pulling, one time I had to actually muster up tears even then he said no and that was just to order food, so him saying yes to this...I'm skeptical.
"Just fine?" He turns back to his projections,
"Just fine." He states again and I move to the there side of the table to look at him...
"Whats the catch?" He reaches forward moving a few configurations around,
"No catch, but if you're late-"
"I won't be"
"Alright, theirs some specks over there, double check them." I nod heading over to the desk I usually work at, "Oh and I know we don't usually work on Friday's but I need you here tomorrow, Steve and Nat will be here too, got it" I nod,
"I-"
"Shhh I'm working." He cranks the music back up.
…
"And he agreed to it just like that," I can't help the snort,
"He doesn't agree to anything. He always gets his way or he gets even," Harry laughs at that,
"Sounds like an adult baby" I throw an orange peel at him,
"Only I get to make fun of Mr. Stark." MJ had a dentist appointment and left school at 6th period and Ned's in the Library, leaving me and Harry to wait for him outside the school. Harry throws the orange peel into his bag, he brings one everyday and we tend to split it.
"I could probably get you an internship at Oscorp, one that pays." I roll my eyes, if only I could say the words I want to, "I'm Spiderman" I swallow those words away,
"I like my internship Harry." He shrugs, this is what I always tell him, yet he still offers,
"Speaking off what time do you have to be there?"
"Five." Harry pulls his sleeve up revealing his new apple watch,
"It's 4:20." I shrug pulling apart the last two of my orange pieces,
"So?"
"Have you forgotten how the subway works?"
"How do you even know how the subway works, you don't have to take it." Harry pops his own orange piece into his mouth and chews, a cocky grin on his lips. I chew the last of my own piece of orange coming to one realization...he's not wrong. I get to my feet and shove my last orange piece into my mouth and throw my backpack on.
"Tell Ned bye for me!" It's useless, I know once I'm gone, Harry will just call his driver and leave poor Ned. I'll text him before I go underground. Harry waves me off,
"I'll text you later." I wave at him and run, only stopping once I get to the subways entrance to pull out my phone, and comprise a quick text for Ned before heading down the stairs into the subway. I get on to the tube by 4:30. It's plenty of time to get to the tower and get a little homework done while I'm at it. Usually when Happy picks me up, it only takes ten minutes, not long enough to get real work done. I pull my history book out flipping to chapter on the revolutionary war,
"Penny Parker?" I look up and squint my eyes at the approaching figures. The one in front is Lindsey Breakmear, she's a senior and class president, I also find her to be dumber than a box of rocks, but she's popular so that's all that matters in high school. She's with three of her friends, I know the one behind her one her right. Gobi Hill, but thats only because she's captain of the cheerleading team and I've always wondered who names their kid Gobi? The other two I know are in her friend group but they've never been popular enough for me to learn their names,
"Hi?" First Brad then Lindsey, what have I done to have the popularity gods look down on me? She smiles and reaches forward grabbing my book and throwing it on the floor. Alright so maybe the popularity guards aren't looking down at me as much as frowning in my direction.
"Oops." She smiles, and I watch my pencil skitter across the floor. I look up towards her,
"I don't think that was an accident." She sits down next to me, Gobi on the other side while her two friends remain standing in front of me. Did they follow me on or were they already here, usually I'm more observant than this.
"What if it wasn't?"
"Than it was done on purpose, do you really need help coming to that conclusion?" Her smile disappears,
"Smart mouth Parker." I start to get up but she grabs my arm forcing me back down, "I heard Brad asked you out." I look over to her,
"And?" It hits me, Brad and Lindsey use to date, I distinctly remember them getting elected homecoming king and queen. I didn't stay to watch the ceremony but their pictures were all over the school for weeks after that. Clearly things didn't work out,
"And he's mine" I try to get up and again she stops me,
"Don't worry," I look over at her, throwing her arm off, "You can have Brad. I don't want him," She looks me up and down,
"Go get you're stuff Parker." She says it like a challenge. I get up and head down the isle to get my pencil, I bend down and pick it up. A shiver runs up my spins, I get to my feet and sigh,
"Oh no" I mumble. I turn right as her fist collides with my nose.
…
The bloods already started to set it, I'll never be able to get it out with just a wet wipe and stop blotting at it. I look at my refection for the first time in the elevator mirror and swallow. I'm going to be bruised for longer than I want to be. My exhilarated healing is already pushing my face into the swollen stage, but clearly not fast enough. Dark purple and black blotches at my jawline where Lindsey stomped on me and my eye is already almost completely shut. At least my nose stopped bleeding, all though I feel like the cartilage is broken and my scalp burns from where Gobi pulled my hair. I dare a look at my stomach and lift up my shirt...ohh those are some nice bruises too. At least she kept her kicks to the soft part of my belly, missing any ribs but still creating a pretty pattern on the skin. I let those four girls punch and kick at me for the whole ten minutes it took for the train to stop, at that point they ran out and left me on the floor. This being New York it isn't uncommon, the people getting on the, helped me up, one tried to help clean up and one tried to call the police, I left quickly insisting I didn't need any help. I ran to the bathroom, sitting in one of the stalls and pushing wad after wad of toliet paper to my nose, before getting the courage to run the rest of the way to the tower of the way here, and even managed to avoid Trish, Mr. Starks personal secretary.
I quickly hopped in the Elevator swiping my badge and access codes . How am I going to face Mr. Stark...Mr. Rogers and Ms. Romanov are here today too...great. I clench my teeth, staring hard at my reflection...wait. I turn my head to the left and reach for my ear, it's gone. My Tagus piercing..it's gone. My heart speeds up about twenty beats faster. Uncle Ben gave me that earning. It had to fall off when Lindsey started stomping on me. I have to go back. I reach for the elevator buttons when the door opens. If I'm fast enough I can close it and get back downstairs without Mr. Stark noticing until he checks on the cameras...or at least until F.R.I.D.A.Y says something,
"Penny you're late" Mr. Stark calls reminding me of our agreement. If I was late Happy was going to start picking my up again, all for Mr. Starks convenience and not my own. I swallow and step off the elevator. Mr. Stark is behind the bar, his back towards me. Mrs. Potts is next to him both talking to someone, or someones. Mr. Rogers and Ms. Romanov, "Ya she didn't want Happy driving her anymore, thinking I was doing her a favor as if I would do anyone a favor. It's all about me." His sarcastic tone carries as I step closer into the room keeping my footsteps slow and silent. It's Mrs Potts that that notices me first, a laugh in her voice as she turns, immediately the smile drops from her face,
"Oh my god." She moves out from behind the bar her heels clicking, this cause's Mr. Stark, Mr. Rogers and Ms. Romanov appear from behind where she stood,
"Kid?" Mr. Stark's voice questions, the minute his eyes find my face he's walking "Penny" He never uses my real name, it's weird hearing it come from his voice. Mrs. Potts reaches me first, her hands touch my face carefully before she pulls away quickly,
"What happened?" She speaks fast, Mr. Stark is next to her before I can even answer,
"Who did this?"
"I got jumped." I mumble, Mrs. Potts grabs my my elbow and pulls me to the bar,
"Sit down, Tony get some ice." I let her pull me to one of the bar stools and I even let her push me into it, I'm too focused on uncle Ben's earning, how could I have lost it.
"Let me see" Ms. Romanov puts her hand on Mrs. Potts and gently pushes her away to bend down and look at my face, "Nose is broken."
"What!" Mrs. Potts steps back as Mr. Stark comes through ice pack in hand he pushes it to my completely swollen eye and grabs my hand to hold the ice,
"Do we call a doctor?" He asks,
"Yes!" Mrs. Potts exclaims anger in her voice that he would even have to ask. I try to stand up only to have both, Ms. Romanov and Mr. Stark place a hand on each shoulder and push me back down,
"No," I argue,
"I can push it back in place," Ms. Romanov states calmly, I lean back away from both of their touches,
"No" I'd rather have it broken,
"Just let her push your nose back into place," Mr. Stark looks down at me, using the only eye I have I raise my brows,
"Let her push YOUR nose back into place."
"It's will only hurt for a second," Ms. Romanov explains grabbing a rag off the bar, "Put this in your mouth." I lean back, holding my hands up to fight her off,
"Just let me have a broken nose." Mr. Stark rolls his eyes and turns to the right,
"Rogers would you care to help." Mr. Rogers gives me a sad expression,
"Sorry Queens." He reaches up and grabs my arms, before I really know whats going on he has my hands behind my back in a vise grip.
"Somebody call J. Jonah Jameson!" I shout, Mr. Stark leans down, bar towel in hand,
"Shushy now," he places in my mouth, "bite hard." Oh my god, their going to let Ms. Romanov fix my nose. Mrs. Potts speaks up,
"Are you really going to do this right here?" Mr. Stark turns towards her,
"Where should we do it, the kitchen?"
"Maybe a doctors office, Tony!" She exclaims. If their wasn't a towel in my mouth I'd agree,
"Take a deep breathe," Ms. Romanov coaches, I shake my head before she placed one hand on the bridge of my nose and feels around,
"Oh my god." Mrs. Potts turns away. Suddenly Ms. Romanov places her fingers in my nostrils and yanks hard. I scream into the towel, before Mr. Rogers let go of my arms and Mr. Stark takes the towel out of my mouth and claps his hand on my left cheek,
"Hey, no passing out. Good spiders who want pizza don't pass out," I didn't realize I had closed my eye until I open it and blink the black spots away,
"We're getting pizza?"
"No,"
"I didn't think so." I sway in my seat. Mr. Rogers grabs the ice pack from my hand and places it back over my swollen eye, unlike Mr. Stark he doesn't force me to hold it. Someone grabs my arm and places a cold soda in my hand and brings it to my mouth forcing me to take a drink. Lemon Lime, my favorite, I take another drink and another until I finish the can and it's taken away, suddenly the bar stool I'm sitting on is turned and Mr. Stark is in front of me, hands on the arm rests, eyes hard on mine.
"Tell me honestly, who beat the actual snot out of you and where?" I swallow and reach up taking the ice pack Mr. Rogers is still holding. I can't admit it was the subway and I can't tell him I know who did it,
"I don't know." He pushes his lips and nods,
"Okay," He turns to Mrs. Potts, "Call aunt May."
"No," I stand up, but Mr. Stark turns and pushes me down so fast I'm surprised how easily I fall back into the bar stool.
"This is easy Penny, where and who!" He practically shouts in my face,
"Tony-" Mr. Rogers starts, he's still behind me, but Mr. Stark silences him with one stare, before turning his gaze back towards me. I swallow,
"Subway, four girls from school."
"Why didn't you defend yourself?"
"With four on one? I could of really hurt them and then it would have been suspicious."
"You can defend your self if you're getting the literal shit beat out of you."
"Language-"
"Can it Rogers," I take a breath, Mr. Stark stands up pinching the bridge of his nose he looks down at me, "We have to call aunt May." My heart speeds up,
"But I told you-"
"Kid, your face is 50 shades of black and blue. Their is no way you are going to heal by the time you go home tonight, I can't in good conscience not tell you're aunt."
"You have no conscience." I grumble, Mr. Stark points a his finger at me,
"You are right." He drops his hand and sighs, " Kid this didn't happen to Spiderman, it happened to Penny Parker, May needs to know."
"He's right," Ms. Romanov, mumbles reaching down to blot my nose, she pulls the napkin back reddened as if by magic,
"Please no," it sounds pathetic, but I'm hoping Mr. Stark will take pity on me and agree. It's a dumb idea because it's then I notice Mrs. Potts gone, probably already on the phone with May, just great.
"I'm sorry, Kid" I sigh, feeling the pull in my bruised stomach, I'll keep that one to myself.
"I lost my earring," I mumble, keeping the tears out of my eyes,
"We'll get you a new one." I shake my head, swallowing a lump in the back of my throat,
"You can't," Mr. Stark and Ms. Romanov look down at me, "Uncle Ben gave it to me, it was his,"
I slump over, doing my best to keep the tears in. That earring was the only thing I always had on me. It was a memory that started off pretty bad and turned into one of my favorite days. I had just turned 13 and begged aunt May to let me get my tragus pierced, after a few days she agreed and took me to get it done. I hide it behind my hair just as Aunt May had asked until she could bring the subject up to uncle Ben, but three days later we were at the breakfast table and I moved my hair behind my ear. He saw it and he was mad, angry that Aunt May hadn't come to him so they could make the decision together, her responds was simple,
"It's only her ear, it's not like it's a belly button piercing."
my responds
"I'm too fat for that."
Uncle Ben had reddened at that, but gave us the silent treatment and went to work. He came home later that night with a small box. I was doing homework, he came into my room and sat on my bed, small box in hand. He told me about how he got his ears pierced when he was 18 and bought a pair of diamond earrings. He told me about how his mother, my grandmother who died years before I was born, hated them and made him take them out. He said that her hating them made him want them more and he swore he never wanted to be like that. He handed the box over revealing a single diamond earring. He lost the other one years ago, but kept the other one, because in his own words, they were real diamonds and he did spend a lot of money on them. We hugged, we went for ice cream, and once my ear healed I immediately put the earring in and uncle Ben smiled. Other than to clean it, I've never changed the jewelry. I reach up and touch my empty ear, it's almost like losing him all over again.
"May's on her way." Mrs. Potts steps into the room again. I wipe a rouge tear away and swallow the growing anxiety in the back of my throat. Mr. Stark turns back towards me and grabs my right hand, I'm still holding the ice pack and he makes me press it back over my eye.
"Was she mad?" I mumble without looking up to anyone in the room,
"Of course not." Mrs. Potts voice is soft, I sigh when a hand snakes it's way under my arm,
"Lets get you cleaned up before your aunt gets here and has a heart attack." Ms. Romanov pulls me to my feet and directs me towards the bathroom. I humor her, mostly because I'm afraid of her. When we get into the bathroom she motions for me to hop up on the sink then she holds her hand out, "Pepper will wash it for you." I look down, dark red stains decorate the front of my shirt seeping deep into the fabric. I'm a women I know how hard it is to get a blood out of clothing, but when I look up Ms. Romanov still has her hand out. I sigh and and take it off and hand it over. Now I'm left in my sports bra. Ms. Romanov looks down to my stomach and holds the shirt out towards the door where another hand grabs it. Heels click down the hallway. Mrs. Romanov grabs one of the washcloths off the wall.
"I think those are decorative" I whisper, she ignores me and throws it in the skin drenching it in cold water, she wrings it out and olds it out to me. I take it and turn to the mirror wiping away the dried blood from my nose and lip. I wince forgetting the pain. Mrs. Romanov take the wet cloth from my hand and starts dabbing,
"How's your nose?" I wince when she presses too hard into my bruised cheek,
"Better." I didn't realize until now, that forcing my nose back into place took some of the ache away,
"Is the only reason you didn't defend yourself because of your secret?" I nod,
"High school only last another two years, I want to get through as undetected as possible."
"Is this the first time these girls have bothered you?" She pulls the clothe away and turns the skin on rinsing the blood off,
"Yes, if I keep my head down I won't have to worry about them."
"Is that how you want it to be?" She reaches up dabbing at my brow,
"You think I was stupid for letting them beat me up?" I ask and to my surprise she smiles,
"Not at all, I've let the KGB capture, beat and tie me to a chair to which the dangled me over a abandon saw mill." I open my mouth but nothing comes out, "What I'm saying is read the situation and look at everything through all angles. If these girls are going to leave you alone after this, let it go, but if they come back..." she trails off dropping the washcloth in the sink, the water a now dark pink,
"Her name is Lindsey, she's a senior. Her ex asked me out yesterday, she did this to make sure I wouldn't say yes, got her three best friends to help her out." I swallow,
"Hell have no fury like a women scorned," Ms. Romanov dictated opening on of the drawers searching around until she pulls out a small Johnson n Johnson first air kit,
"I told him no, he only asked me out because he found out I have an "Internship" with Mr. Stark." I watch her pull out a bandaid and tear the backing off,
"Does she know that?" She smooths the bandaid over my right brows and I try my hardest not to flinch, it doesn't work,
"This was just to reaffirm my answer." Suddenly Mrs. Potts appears with a shirt in hand. She opens her mouth but closes it when she see's my bruised stomach. Ms. Romanov takes the shirt from her and without hesitation brings it over my head and forces my arms into it, pulling it down to cover everything,
"Oh Penny," Mrs. Potts frowns,
"It will be gone by Monday." I reassure her. It's doesn't work that sad expression is still on her face. Ms. Romanov closes the small first aid kit and drops it back into the drawer,
"Thats all soap, water and modern medicine can do." I slide off the bathroom sink and on to the floor, I turn to the mirror. The dried and sticky blood is gone, and the cut above my brow has a pretty little beige bandaid over it, leaving the trail of bruises to tell the story. Mrs. Potts holds her arm out beckoning me forward,
"Come on Penny I set up the couch for you." I let Mrs. Potts steer me down the hallway however when were half way down she stops me and pushes me against the wall and holds out her cellphone,
"Alright I want these girls full names and grade." I stare at her phone and then look up at her and realize she was listening in on along, quiet as a mouse, even in heels...she's terrifying.
"I don't want to involve the police."
"Were not going to involve the police," I breathe a sigh of relieve "Were going to contact the school board, their colleges and future employers." My mouth drops,
"Heel Pepper." Mr. Stark comes out of nowhere,
"Tony," Mrs. Potts warns, but he's already slinging his arm around me and leading me away, "Seriously though she's going to get those names one way or another," I roll my eye and let him lead me into the living room where Mr. Stark has set the couch up with a pillow and blanket. I stop and turn towards him,
"Just do it." He crosses his arms,
"Do what Nike?"
"Yell at me, tell me you were right." Mr. Stark rolls his eyes,
"I'm always right, but I think you're ouchies are punishment enough for now anyway." My swollen eye agrees with him, but my head knows something else is coming, I sigh realizing how tired I am. Then I really begin to feel the pain in my face and swallow back rising emotion,
"How can a person do this to another person."
"Easily unfortunately." I sigh as Mr. Stark pulls the TV remote out of his back pocket and hands it over. I take it and head over to the couch plopping down, "Will you be okay?" I turn the too large TV on and lean back,
"Not a child." I sigh,
"Agree to disagree" I turn looking back to Mr. Stark, but he's already disappeared. I lay back, switching the TV to the history channel and relax forcing my mind to forget as much as possible from today, it doesn't work.
…
"Penny" A soft voice calls, while thin fingers run through my scalp, it feels good and I find myself leaning into their touch. I slowly open my eye, my other eye still swollen shut,
"Mmm aunt May?" She smiles down at me, her eyes are sad though and she grabs an icepack off the pillow, I didn't fall asleep with one so someone must have placed it there, "You didn't have to leave work." When had I even fallen asleep?
"Who did this to you?" I sigh and sit up, I reach up to rub the sleep from my eyes wincing, forgetting the state of my right eye. Aunt May grabs my wrist and brings my hand down,
"I was jumped." Aunt May reaches up, her fingers gently rub the bandaid Ms. Romanov placed there
"This is the second time-"
"Second!" I look behind aunt May, of course Mrs. Potts and Mr. Stark would be here too. Aunt May turns,
"The first time was less than a year ago, right after you got back from you're business trip," Mr. Stark furrows his eyebrows and looks towards me,
"Germany" I mouth bringing my fist up. I left with Happy after the fight at the air port, sporting a black eye thanks to Captain America. Unable to hide it I told Aunt May I got jumped walking home, it was the best cover. Mr. Starks eyes blink, confusion turning to May turns back to me, I lower my fist and give her a pout,
"You had a black eye, although it was nothing like this. Sweetheart I don't want you taking the subway more,"
"I have to get back and forth to school?"
"I have an idea," Mr. Stark steps forward, "I have a driver that has nothing to do from three to six, he can pick Penny up from school and take her here and home." Aunt May turns,
"No thats too generous, we can't-"
"Oh I insist," Mr. Stark cuts aunt May off his eyes trailing up to me, a coy smile on his lips, he always get what he wants. I give him my best angry look, it's hard with only one eye. Aunt May pauses seeming to think about it. She'll say no she's too proud,
"Well-"
"Aunt May!" She turns placing her hand on my cheek,
"You're my responsibility Penny and this has happened twice in less than one year. You can walk to school and take the subway during the day, but once school ends and the sun starts to set Mr. Stark's driver will pick you up," She turns to Mr. Stark, "Is that all right?"
"Of course." His tone it like a child gloating that he got the last ice pop in the freezer. I bite my lip form saying anything in front of aunt May instead I stick my tongue out at him, but quickly stop when aunt May turns only to have Mr. Stark stick his tongue at me. Mrs. Potts elbows him.
"Then it's settled, come on sweetheart." Aunt May gets to her feet holding her hand out,
"Let me grab you a ice pack for the road." Mrs. Potts turns heels clicking to the kitchen,
"Thank you, Mrs. Potts." Aunt May drapes her arm around my shoulders protectively pulling me to the elevator,
"It's Pepper." Mrs. Potts holds out a ziplock bag filled with ice,
"Thank you." Aunt May takes it with a smile and pushes it to my eye gesturing for me to hold it myself. Aunt May grabs my arm and pulls me into the elevator, Mr. Stark raises his eyebrow smiling as the elevator closes, boxing aunt May and I in,
"Are you mad?" Aunt May turns towards me,
"Of course not, why would you think that?" I push the ice down to my bruised jawline,
"You were in a hurry to get out" She looks around,
"Have you seen this place," She shivers, "It reminds me how poor we are."
"Aunt May!" She shrugs and reaches forward pushing the ice back up to my eye,
"What?" She shrugs, "You said you were working your way into the will.." For the first time today I laugh,
"Thanks aunt May."
"What happened?" She changes the mood with just one sentence, I sigh,
"I don't want to talk about it,"
"It's a good thing I don't care then, spill!" I growl and turn away,
"Can we wait till we get home at least?" She holds up her hands,
"Fine, fine, but we will talk about it when we get home."
"Fine."
"Fine." We both stand in silence,
"Do you think next time you come here you could steal some silverware?"
"Aunt May!"
...
I turn my phone off and stow it under my pillow, both Ned and MJ have been texting me non-stop, Ned asking why Harry and I abandoned him, MJ asking me to bring lemon heads to school Monday. Apparently her dentist appointment did not go well and now she's prohibited from buying sweets. I promise myself not to turn it on until tomorrow. Aunt May appears in my doorway,
"Chinese is on the way, spill." I look up at her, she's changed into into a beige tank top and grey sweatpants, her hair taken out of it's bun and curls around her shoulders,
"Did you order extra egg rolls?" She pops her hip,
"Maybe,"
"Chicken or pork?"
"Both, you may have one of each if you tell me who beat your face into the pavement, otherwise you can watch me eat six in a row." I roll my eye and knock the ice bag, it's mostly just water now,
"It was four girls from my school."
"Four?" She comes into the room and pulls my desk chair out, "Those aren't street rules," I hold my hands out,
"I know."
"You know I sent you to Midtown because it was suppose to be a safe school, with nerds, nerds don't beat up other nerds,"
"Nerds who are threatened do." Aunt May leans into my chair and tilts her head
"Penelope Parker did you threaten her?" She smiles, "And if you did please tell me it was like some Delores Umbridge taking over the school kinda thing." I sigh
"One," I throw my pillow at her, "Stop rereading those books, and second, one of the popular kids found out I had an internship at Stark Industries and asked me out because he things I'm rich. "
"One," Aunt May throws the pillow back at me, "You can pry them out of my cold dead hands, and two did you break it to the kid that we live in a two bedroom apartment that leaks?" I shake my head and plop the pillow under my neck,
"I just told him no, but someone told his ex-girlfriend and-" I motion to my face, "-her and her friends did this to me." Aunt May takes a breath and tilts her head,
"I hate to say it, but I feel better knowing this was a high school thing and not a random attack or mugging like before," I look away, I wonder how long I'll keep that from her.
"Thanks" May holds her hands out,
"I said I hate to say it," I smile, "Put that ice back on you're eye." She reaches forward shoving the bag of water back on to my face. She sits back down, "what are you going to do?" I gawk at her with my one eye,
"What do you mean what am I going to do? Aren't you suppose to call the school and turn into a mean aunt and defend my honor; or go to the girls house and threaten to sue or beat up her father."
"I already called the school and they told me since it happened off school property theirs nothing they can do and apparently that girl lives in Hunters Point and they have a door man that won't let you in without a key or your name being on some kinda list so were kinda stuck."
"What?" I breathe out, "You knew this own time, how did you know and why did you make me tell you if you knew?" She shrugs,
"Pepper told me, but it was important for YOU to tell me. Remember this is a no-secrets household." I bite my cheek, that's not the first time she's said that and it won't be the last.
"So, my only options are to go back to school and deal with it?"
"You could beat her up." She encourages, "I'll defend you." I could, but I won't.
"She's a senior, she graduates in like two months, I'll just deal with it." The door bell rings, thats the plus side of living a block away from the Chinese restaurant, they deliver fast,
"If that's how you want to deal with this I'll follow along, but remember if she bothers you on school grounds call me, and if you do decide to knock the snot out of her, remember closed fist."
"Aunt May!" She stands,
"Keep your elbow close to your body."
"Aunt May!" She heads for the door when the bell rings again,
"If you break her nose on the first punch she's down for the count." I throw the bag of water at her, of course she dodges it, "Don't forget kidney shots."
"Get the door!" Finally with a smile and fist punch she leaves, "I get extra egg rolls right?"
…
"Can I touch it?"
"No" I swat MJ's hand away. A full weekend and all my bruises are gone however my black eye stands strong. Although no longer swollen shut and purple, green and yellow bruising still remains, I'll give it another day and it should be faded enough to no longer be visible.
"I wish you would have called me then we could have taken them together." MJ growls
"Not me," Ned looks to both of us with wide eyes. "I would have been the first beaten down." He smiles, "Although coming from Lindsey I don't think I would have minded." MJ punches his shoulder, hard, "ouch!"
"She beat your best friend, check your crush,"
"Thank you."
"Hey you didn't text me all week IIIIIIIIIII-what happened to your face?" Harry steps back focusing on the green and yellow splotches around my eye,
"Don't worry about it."
"Lindsey and her friends beat her up." Ned frowns. I sigh,
"MJ." Her fist collides with Neds bicep again,
"Ouch, stop it!"
"Lindsey did this to you?" His demeanor changes and he hugs his backpack strap tighter, I hold my hand out,
"Harry, don't worry about it, I have it under control."
"And by under control you mean not at all." MJ points out in the same monotoned growl, I roll my eyes turning to her an annoyed expression on my face,
"MJ." With out taking her eyes off me she closes her fist and punches Ned again,
"Ouch!" He reaches up to rub his arm, "Penny I didn't even say anything that time," MJ smiles. I reach between the two and separate them farther,
"MJ, Ned is not your punching bag, Ned stop upsetting MJ."
"How am I upsetting her?" Ned cries rubbing his arm more vigorously,
"You're here aren't you?" MJ smiles coyly,
"You guys are too much." Harry sighs,
"Find another friend group" MJ turns, I grab her and push her down the hallway in the direction of her english class,
"Take a walk." She does but not before turning and smiling at me. I turn back to Ned, "Ned, Spanish, Harry we have art." Ned grumbles but turns, I grab Harry's elbow and drag him along,
"Were you avoiding my all weekend because of what happened between you and Lindsey?" I shrug,
"I avoided everyone all weekend."
"So, not jut me?" I nod, and Harry takes the hint that I don't really feel like talking and allows us to walk in silence until we get to the art and music building, My arm threaded through his the whole time.
"Your earring?" I let go of his elbow and step back, reaching for my right ear, "It's gone."
"Oh..you noticed?" I haven't thought about it all morning, I could punch him for bringing back this emotion. Harry grabs my wrist pulling my hand down, "I lost it...you know."
"You never changed it." I nod,
"Ya well, now I'll have too." I brush past him into the classroom, he's not far behind me and when I sit down turning to the board, Harry gets the hint again and we sit in silence waiting for class to start.
…
"Do you have your internship today?" MJ asks mouth full of PB&J, she rips the other half of the sandwich off and hands it too me,
"No," I bite into the sandwich happy no one is here to tell me to chew with my mouth closed, "but Happy gets to drive me home anyway." I roll my eyes,
"I though Mr. Stark suspended the car service?" Harry pulls out a cutie and starts ripping into it,
"That was before this." I motion to my face, "He had a talk with May and both decided it was a good idea. So let the rumors spread, because Happy will be here five days a week now." Harry holds out an orange piece, I grab it and stuff in my mouth...peanut butter and jelly accompanied by an orange, real ladylike Penny Parker.
"Have you seen Lindsey today?" Ned asks, MJ turns towards him, and instinctively he flinches, but she's not going to hit him,
"Why would you ask that?" Ned sits up straighter,
"I just heard she was looking for you."
"I was, and I heard nerds hang out on the roof." I'm on my feet before the others, turning towards the staircase, of course it's Lindsey,
"This is a school for nerds." Ned tries to defend from his spot on the ground, Lindsey and her three friends just laugh, I snap.
"Don't laugh at him." Lindsey turns a evil looking smile still on her face,
"Or what?"
"Say that to me!" MJ strides past me. I jump forward catching her around the waist and pull her back. Lindsey laughs again, this time she scrunches her face up. I push MJ back because she will fight Lindsey and were on school grounds the last thing I want is for her to get suspended or expelled,
"Leave Lindsey, don't you have class?" She reaches up as if to examine her cuticles,
"Were all on bathroom break, I just came up here to make sure you're following my orders." MJ bumps my shoulder,
"You're orders?" I reach out grabbing MJ's wrist and pull her back behind me again,
"I'm not dating Brad, he's all yours, if he even wants you." I should regret saying that, but after letting her beat me on the subway, I'm feeling brave. She stops smiling and steps closer,
"What did you say Parker?"
"You're dumb, are you deaf too?" I see the punch before she even throws it.
…
"Happy you took a wrong turn,"
"Shut it smart mouth." I lean back, knowing he's not taking me back to my apartment, after a second of silence he looks at me through the rearview mirror, "did you drive your elbow?" I nod,
"Just like you taught me." I can see a faint smile on his lips.
"Good girl," I take my chances and lean forward,
"Think that we can pretend this whole thing never happened?" His smile disappears,
"Not a chance."
…
We get to Avengers tower in record timing, and to my surprise Happy parks the car and gets out with me. Usually he just lets me out in front of the tower, but he's determined to make sure I get to the elevator. He follws behind me and then when we het there he steps inside with me, using his own badge and codes, now I know theirs no way I'll be able to get out of any of this.
"Were really doing this?"
"What May says goes." He doesn't even look at me when he says this, I turn and grumble,
"Since when do you do everything May ask?," He doesn't answer, "You're being weird Happy." The elevator doors open and Happy pushes my inside,
"Meeting room." He gestures, meeting room? I understand why when we open the door, it's an Avengers meeting,
"Woah, Woah, closed meeting alert, why are you both here?" Mr. Stark turns his chair around and stands, Happy pushes me forward, I reach around and slap his hand away and take a breath,
"Mr. Stark I have come here today to inform you that I have been suspended for two weeks therefor my internship is suspended for two weeks...also I might need a lawyer." Mr. Stark blinks and takes a step back,
"Thats was a lot to take in, lets start with why you're suspended from school." I sigh,
"I got to into a fight, however I didn't she swung first...I just finished it." Again he blinks, once, twice, three times before speaking,
"What? Friday you let someone beat the crap out of you on the subway and now your fighting at school?" I nod, Mr. Rogers opens his mouth, but all without turning to see it, Mr. Stark holds his hand up, "Quiet Rogers." He shuts his eyes and brings his other hand to squeeze the bridge of his nose, "And why do you need a lawyer?" I swallow,
"Lindsey's father told me he was going to sue me...as they put his daughter on a stretcher...and loaded her into the ambulance...after I broke her jaw," Mr. Stark opens his eyes and looks up,
"Isn't that the girl on the subway." I nod, "You broke her jaw?"
"That's my girl!" Ms. Romanov praises from her seat,
"Nat don't encourage her to fight," Dr. Banner chides, Ms. Romanov just leans back in her seat a smile on her face,
"Why not when it's a fair fight," Mr. Rogers leans forward,
"Finish whats started,"
"Steve!"
"And they only suspended you?" I shrug
"It was a he said, she said situation, three of Lindsey's friends said I threw the first punch and three of my friends said she threw the first punch. However Lindsey's father donates a lot of money to the school and threatened to pull his checks and Harry's dad donates a lot of money to the school and Harry threatened that his dad would pull his checks they suspended both of us for two weeks." It really was an interesting shouting match in the principals office. Mr. Stark snaps his fingers,
"We'll get you the best lawyer." Dr. Banner throws his hands up. Mr. Stark turns to Happy,
"Wait why are here."
"The school would only release her to a parent, but because of what happened Friday, May couldn't get off, so she told the school to release her to me, take her here and then straight home. Although apparently May's not mad, Penny just has to go to the school everyday at 4 and pick up her homework, so May wants her home. " Mr. Stark turns to me then back to Happy,
"So May's not home right now?" Happy shakes his head,
"No, not till tonight." Mr. Stark purses his lips,
"Alright, in that case, it's pizza night, lets order!" I step back, I don't believe him,
"Are we really getting pizza?"
"You broke a girls jaw and got suspended for two weeks, you made me proud, of course we're getting pizza. Avengers un-assemble." Mr. Stark throws his arm around my shoulders and leads me out of the room,
"Tony, only I get to say that...Tony..Avengers un-assemble!"
"Steve hates when I do that." He looks behind him, "I have something for you." I let him pull me down the hall, passed the living room, kitchen and into his room. I never been in his room before. It's huge and all the walls facing New York are floor to ceiling windows. He also has a round bed which is different, I find my legs taking me to the window. This man has the best view in all of New York, it's gorgeous, "You like?" I turn just as Mr. Stark comes out of the bathroom,
"I'm jealous."
"Ya well mot people look at my life and feel that way," He cross the room and holds out a small blue box, "Here." I take it slowly reading the top, Tiffany & Co,
"What is it?" He reaches behind his head to scratch his neck
"Well open it, don't just stare it." He mumbles, I lift the box finding a single diamond earring. This wasn't cheap, I close the box and hold it out,
"You know I hate when you buy me stuff." He doesn't reach to take it,
"Ya, well I can't return it, theirs only one so..." He turns heading for the door, he stops his hand on the door handle, "Out of my room." I can't help the smile on my face. This earring is the only way Mr. Stark can say, "I care about you." I close the box and hold it close, I'll put the earring in later.
"I want pepperoni on my pizza." I tell him walking out, he closes the door behind us,
"You'll get sausage and like it."