I keep getting tension headaches and it sucks.
Just thought of some stuff for this story. So, that's going to take me a minute to organize. Yay...but I am excited for what's to come though.
Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing!
Words: 3,263
Ada thought she's had headaches before. And she has, back in the hospital. But the pounding in her head rivals even those days. Maybe, she's not sure, her head hurts too much to think about it.
The sun shines through her window painfully and she buries her face in her pillow. But after a while of nothing happening, she pulls herself out of bed. She winces at her stiff body and clothes from the day before and she changes before leaving her room.
"Goodmorning!" Mr. Stark greets her - very loudly - when she enters the kitchen.
"Volume," Ada groans, hand braced on her forehead. So last night had happened, okay then. "Please, just, shhh,"
"Well," Tony lowers his voice to normal speaking level. Though it doesn't sound like that to Ada. "I'm not the one who went out and got drunk off their ass last night." Ada closes her eyes and drops her head onto her arms that rest on the counter. "We're going to talk about that." She expected nothing less. "After you eat and take these."
Something hits her arms and Ada looks up to see a plate full of food. Eggs and bacon and something else. Mr. Stark hands her some meds for her headache and she takes those quickly. She still feels nauseous but not after she eats. That feels like it should be the other way around but apparently not.
"You know, my dad wasn't very good at...fathering." Wow, great word from a geniuses mouth. Parenting, maybe, Tony? That's a real word. "He wasn't good at listening. So I'm giving you the chance to explain to me what last night was."
Ada chews her lip and looks off to the side. She doesn't have an answer to that question, not really. She was sad, her heart felt like it was being squished in her chest and her stomach was a ball of anxiety, like it is constantly and she wanted to forget? She doesn't want to say that.
"Because," Tony starts again when Ada doesn't speak. "I get a text from Peter, asking if you're home because you never told him. I said I thought you were still out with him to which he responds that you left early because I wanted you back here." Ada closes her eyes and sighs. "And I know for a fact that I never said that."
"I really was coming back," Ada defends but doesn't look at him. "And I didn't mean to lie, I was...leaving so Peter and Mj," She sighs when she realizes how stupid this sounds. "They like each other but won't admit it so I left them together. Like a date but not really." She says in a rush, taking a deep breath when finished.
"Okay," Tony nods after a second, fighting the smile that pulls at his lips. That sounds like something she would do.
"I was on my way back when I ran into Chris," She continues to explain, subconsciously rubbing her knuckles.
"The guy you punched?"
"Yeah, he scared me. It was reflex." Ada shrugs. Tony can't help but smirk. What? He's proud. Not of the drinking but the punching. Wait, that didn't sound right. "And, I don't know..." She shrugs again. "The rest just-"
"Happened?" Ada gives Mr. Stark a blank look at his condescending tone. But his face drops quickly and he sighs slowly. "Come on, kid," He nudges her arm. "Talk to me. You went off without anyone knowing with people I've never met and then you don't answer my calls only to come back late and drunk out of your mind. I was already tracking your phone when you walked in. You can't do that."
"I-I know," Ada nods, her voice lowering in volume to prevent it from breaking. "I'm s-sorry, I just..." Sniffing, she wipes her eyes and lowers her head. "I wanted to forget." She says is so quietly, Ada isn't sure Mr. Stark even hears her. "Just for a bit, I-I h-had a bad day."
When Tony places his hand on the back of Ada's neck, she covers her face with her hands. She brings in a shuttering breath and tries not to cry. "I know," Tony drops his head. He should've seen this coming, honestly. It's not the first time she's done something similar and with everything that's happened, he should've kept a closer eye on her. He'd only thought space would be good for her. It is possible for him to be wrong.
Ada sniffs and wipes her face. She offer's Tony a shaky, weak smile. "My he-head hurts too much to cry." It's a poor joke but it's true. And she knows that if they keep talking that that's exactly what she'll do.
Tony offers her a small smile of his own and uses his free hand to push the hair from her face. Ada leans forward and wraps her arms around his neck. Despite not wanting to talk about everything, Ada appreciates Mr. Stark being there. She knows he's not the most 'get into your emotions' kind of person. But he's trying so she will too.
"Yeah, no, definitely not," Pepper's voice reaches Ada's ears before she turns the corner and the teenager stops. Eavesdropping bad? Yes, but fun and/or informative. "She's not ready."
"But we are though, right?" Mr. Stark asks. Ada's brows furrow at their words. The hell are they talking about? Something inside her tightens and she decides to make herself known before she hears something she can't unhear.
"Hey," Both adults heads snap towards her. She narrows her eyes. "Talking about anything interesting?"
"Nope," Mr. Stark shakes his head and shares a look with his fiancée. "What are you up to, kiddo?"
"Nothing," Ada shrugs and leans on the back of the couch. "Was uh, just wondering, I mean I was thinking that..."
"Out with it,"
"Can I paint my room?" Ada blurts out after Tony's words. The grey walls were getting to her. And the...everything. Everything was getting to her. But paint, she could handle that. Maybe.
"Of course, yes," Ms. Potts nods quickly and smiles. Ada cocks her head to the side slightly, surprised by her reaction.
"Okay," The teenager says slowly. "I was just looking at colors," She turns to Mr. Stark to make sure it was okay with him. He smiles and nods. "And was hoping to get Pepper's opinion."
"Yeah, okay," Pepper nods and stands. Ada smiles and turns to head back to her room.
"Pepper?" Tony whispers to his fiancée, gesturing to nothing with his hands.
"Ask her," Pepper whisper shouts back before following Ada to her room.
"I can't decide," Ada sits on her bed and turns her laptop towards Pepper when the woman enters. "There's this blue but eh, I don't know. Then there's this maroon. But I really like this dark green, it's very..."
"Planty?" Chuckling, Ada nods and enlarges the picture of green. "I think you already know what you want."
"Yeah," Ada mutters and looks off to the side. "So, yeah. What now?" She looks to Pepper with questioning eyes and the woman smiles fondly before pushing some hair behind the girl's ear.
"Now, we get the paint. Some paint rollers, paintbrushes," She lists off with her fingers and looks around the room. "Probably some painters tape and plastic to cover the floor. I'm not a good painter." She tells Ada and the girl laughs.
"Well, I like to think that I am," Ada shrugs. "So I'll do around the door frames and stuff." An idea pops into Pepper's head but she files it away for later. Because right now, she has to go buy paint with her daughter.
"I thought you guys were getting paint," Tony hides his smile as he watches Pepper and Ada enter the apartment, their arms full.
"We did," Pepper nods. "We also got other things." She was able to convince Ada into getting more things for her room to match the new wall colors. She didn't go too crazy. She hopes Ada will maybe go through her things soon. Her old things from her old room. Pepper thinks it'll be good for her.
"It was all Pepper," Ada points to the woman after freeing her hands. Ms. Potts only gives her a look that she shrugs at. "Um, you wanna help us paint?"
"Sounds like fun," Mere minutes later the three find themselves in Ada's room. The carpet near the walls is covered in plastic to prevent paint stains. Everyone wears clothes they don't mind getting paint on.
Ada takes a brush while Tony and Pepper take rollers. Mr. Stark might have steady hands but she decides the get around the edges herself. There's tape if she wants but she doesn't feel like going through the trouble of putting it up when she doesn't think she'll need it.
Pausing, Ada glances over her shoulder to see Tony and Pepper on the other side of the room. Both are smiling and Pepper swats Tony's hand away when he dabs her nose with a paint-covered finger. The teenager's own lips twitch up and she turns back to her wall. But instead of painting around the door, she draws lines in a precise way until happy with the 'picture'.
Mr. Stark slowly appears in the corner of her eye. His hands are folded in front of him and he looks at the new paint on the wall before looking down at her. "Is that supposed to be me?" He asks, pointing to the rough, green outline of his face.
"Mhm," Ada hums with a nod, pursing her lips.
"Striking resemblance," Pepper says from behind them both. "Got the facial hair right on point."
"Thank you," Ada looks over her shoulder and nods to the woman.
"Hm, yes," Tony nods and turns towards them so he can stand next to the large painting of his face. "We could be twins."
"I'll take your picture with your new twin," Pepper pulls out her phone and when she points it at him, Tony throws his arm around Ada's shoulder and the girl smiles right as the picture is taken. "Perfect." She'll frame that later.
An hour later, they're all sat on the floor eating pizza. The walls have they're first coat which is drying. Ada stares for a moment before she realizes she's literally watching paint dry and shakes her head.
"I can't believe you let Peter corrupt you," Tony gestures towards the pineapple pizza and Ada snorts.
"He didn't change my taste buds," Ada tells him before taking a bite of her food. "And it's not my favorite, I was just in the mood for it." She shrugs.
"I've seen you eat much weirder things," Pepper reminds him and he nods once in agreement.
"And we move on before I lose my appetite," Ada mumbles and takes another small bite of food. She's having a good day. She managed breakfast and now lunch. Maybe she'll be able to eat dinner as well.
They manage to finish painting by the end of the day. Tony leaves the girls to change a few things around the room. Well, they sort of kick him out but...whatever. Dinner is nice, Ada eats a little but is still mostly full from lunch. And they all watch a movie before heading to bed.
For the first time in a while, the teenager wakes up with no memory of her dreams. She never thought she'd be so happy for...nothing. She greets her...guardians? with a smile but passes on breakfast. She has another idea in mind.
"Need any money?"
"Nope," Ada shakes her hand and quickly hugs Pepper. "Thanks, though. I'll be back in a bit." Placing a kiss to Mr. Stark's cheek, Ada rushes from the apartment.
Her walk is quick. She hadn't realized how close the coffee shop really was to the apartment until she was paying attention. The bell above the door rings when she enters. Jamie catches her eye and smiles his dorky little smile. Ada fights her own lips as they struggle to lift into a large grin.
"Goodmorning," She greets the tallboy and taps the counter in between them.
"It's better now," Jamie says slyly and Ada huffs. Chuckling, the boy shakes his head, a few strands of hair falling into his face as he does. "Want the usual?"
"Sounds good," Ada nods and steps off to the side, waiting until her order is ready.
"Are you aware that you have paint in your hair?" Jamie asks when he sees her again only a few minutes later.
"Yeah, I couldn't get it out." Ada grabs the lock of hair in question but drops it just as quickly.
"So," Leaning his elbows on the counter, Jamie looks up at her. "I've been here since the crack of dawn and the manager likes me, so I can take a break. You know, if you want company for breakfast."
Ada purses her lips and looks off to the side as if considering his offer. "Yeah, yeah, I think that would be okay."
"Alright," Jamie smiles and walks around to meet her. No need to actually tell anyone he's going on break. "C'mon, this is the best table."
"The best table, huh?" Ada questions as she slides into the booth across from him. It felt like any other table to her. Though the window did provide a good view of the street.
"Yeah," Jamie nods. "From outside, people can't really see you but you can see them. Same goes for inside. It's like no one looks over here but you can observe everyone else."
"People watcher, are you?"
"Oh, it's great." He nods and pulls the second cinnamon roll towards him. "I'll pay for this, by the way."
"It's fine," Ada shakes her head with a small laugh. "So I've been wondering, you're here like, every morning."
Nodding, Jamie swallows before answering. "Yeah, I don't know, I like working mornings. And afternoons. Some nights." He huffs a laugh. "I just uh, like to keep busy, I guess."
"Yeah, I get that," Ada mumbles and sips her drink. "It's just weird, I don't think I can imagine you without the apron, it's like a part of you." She jokes, ignoring the fact that she has seen him without it. But he doesn't need to know that.
"Feels like it is sometimes. It's actually very convenient, you know, extra pockets and stuff. Though it hides all my amazing T-shirt."
"Ooh, that's not good. I love a good T-shirt," Ada shakes her head in disappointment.
"Yeah, got a lot with bands, even ones I don't listen to," Ada can't help the loud snort that escapes her. She covers her face in embarrassment but Jamie just smiles that boyish smile of his. "If we ever meet when I'm not at work, maybe you can see one."
"Oh, so you're not here twenty-four-seven?"
"That's funny. But no, I have a life..." Jamie pauses and looks back to the counter. "That's a lie, I don't really."
Chuckling, Ada nods. She does things but she would say she has much of a life herself. "Tell me about yourself."
"What is this, a date?" Jamie questions and Ada shrugs. "Well, I still live with my mom but don't hold that against me, I can't yet legally live on my own."
"Does that mean you want to?"
"Nah, I love my mom," He shakes his head and moves his lips to one side. "Don't see her much though, she works a lot."
"What does she do?" Ada asks in interest, lazily sipping her drink.
"She's a doctor. Yeah, I'm proud." Ada's smile grows until her teeth show. Jamie copies her expression. "Half brother. He's older, lives...somewhere. Don't see him often." Smile faltering, the teenager shakes his head before continuing. "Anyway, what about you?"
"Not much to tell," Ada lies. Pepper was able to keep her name out of the news and any pictures at first. But she's been out with the woman a few times, she couldn't stop anyone from posting pictures of them then. But it wasn't breaking news, she doesn't think anyone really cares. "Um, only child, a few close friends. I like to draw."
"Any good?"
Snorting once again, Ada nods. "I like to think I'm okay."
"Show me some of your work then." Squinting her eyes, Ada hums before pulling out her phone. She opens her camera rolls and finds her art album and pulls up one of her favorites. A painting she did a while back of the sunset over the city. Maybe not very original, but she's proud of it.
"Wow, I think you're a little better than 'okay'," Jamie takes her phone when she hands it over. It's rude, he knows, but he slowly slides over to the next picture. "Who's this?" He turns her phone screen back to her in question.
"I friend of mine, MJ." She's sketched everyone she knows. She doesn't usually show them, though. And is it weird she's thinking about drawing him? She barely knows him.
"This is so good," Jamie turns the phone back to him, taking in the drawing before Ada slowly takes her phone away from him. "How long does that take?"
"Depends," Ada shrugs and sets her device down on the table beside her. "Few hours, few days."
"Favorite color?"
"Red,"
"Of course," Jamie gestures to her hair. "Love that, by the way."
"Thank you much." Ada nods to him, placing a hand on the top of her hat. "Yours?"
"I'm pretty basic, green," He looks her in the eye. "Blue."
"Miller," Someone calls out and both teenagers turn their gazes to the counter to see another worker looking at them. "Breaks long over, dude."
"Oh, right, sorry," He calls back with a dismissive wave. "Um, guess I got to go," He points towards the desk but doesn't move from his seat.
"Yeah," Ada sighs but smiles. "This was fun."
"It was," Jamie nods and chews the inside of his cheek. "Fun enough to do again?"
"Uh..." Ada nods. "Yeah, yeah,"
"Okay, great, um..." Glancing towards his coworker, Jamie motions to give him a minute. "Well, I'm here a lot but for when I'm not, could I get your number?"
"Right, that's a good idea," Ada takes his phone and puts her name and number in it. "I will see you later then."
"Yeah, see you later," Jamies says just as his name is called again. "I got to go." Chuckling, Ada waves him away before getting up herself. She throws her trash away and goes to leave, smiling at the boy behind the counter before she does.
Everyone has different opinions on Ada's relationships. Some people like Jamie, some don't. They like her with other people, so on. I know which way I'm going with this - though I would be lying if I said I don't second guess myself when someone expresses that they like another path. But I love knowing what you guys think, what you want to see. And they're still teenagers here, you know, who knows what life will be like when they're adults. Things change. Maybe after I've completed this story, I'll do like a follow up when they're all older or something, what do you guys think about that?
How do you guys think about the way Tony handled Ada coming home drunk? What do you think this means for the future?
I'm super excited for you guys to read the next few chapters! I'm also trying to focus on one of my many other wip. People are waiting on those updates. Some might never come, if I'm honest and I just hate that so much. But this story will be completed, don't worry.
Teasers: Muffled sobs fill the small room, bouncing off the wall and hitting the teenager's ears / She leans against the wall when a dizzy spell hits her but her smile doesn't falter. / Her palm makes contact with his cheek and he falls back in shock from the slap, blinking his eyes in shock from the stinging sensation.
Dude, I forgot the teaser. Had to add it ugh. I hate that
'-'