I just started another story...I really need to stop doing that but I'm super excited for it.

Thank you guys so much for reading and reviewing!

Sorry for the short chapter.

Words: 1,104

The sunlight shining through the curtains creates a direct beam shining right onto the nightstand. Ada sits in her desk chair and twists herself back and forth with her toes. She glares at the highlighted drawer. It's a terrible hiding place. That makes her stomach do weird things. Hiding place. Because she has to hide it.

An odd noise escapes her throat, her eyebrows furrowing almost painfully as she leans forward, resting her forehead onto her knees. She knows deep down that she shouldn't be doing what she's doing and she always hates herself - more than normal - after she swallows those little tablets or drinks things she shouldn't. But before those moments of overall self-hatred, she's too weak to stop herself.

It was just one, she told herself at first. To be able to sleep. She had just wanted to sleep but her mind wouldn't shut off. Then it was another the next night. Then her headaches got worse so she takes something for those now. The hole she dug herself didn't become apparent until it was too late to get herself out. She needs it, that's why she does it. Not because she wants to. She needs to.

Standing, the teenager moves to crouch in front of the piece of furniture she's come to hate. The top drawer slides open with sickening ease. She glances towards her locked door before grabbing the extra beanie and pulling it into her lap. The sleeping pills Lexi somehow got her - she chose not to ask - unfortunately, worsen her headaches so she numbs those with her own pain meds. That she's almost out of.

"Then what?" Ada shakes her head when she realizes she spoke out loud. Grumbling, Ada covers the...stuff back up in the hat before putting it back in the drawer. She moves onto her bed and grabs her sketchbook, picking up her pencil. But when she brings it close to the paper, she can't stop her hand from shaking enough to actually draw the right lines.

With an aggravated groan, Ada tosses - definitely doesn't throw - the book across the room. She drops her head into her shaky hands. They do that a lot these days, she's noticed. Has anyone else? Head suddenly snapping up, Ada winces at the sudden movement. She's paranoid. Is she being paranoid? Is it obvious?

Scoffing to herself, Ada drags her feet into the bathroom. She rubs her eyes and looks in the mirror. Thank the makeup lords for concealer. Ned will be back soon - his trip was extended - so she'll have to go see him. She doesn't mean that in a bad way, she loves Ned but she doesn't like people at the moment.

A knock on her bedroom door has Ada scrambling. She checks her reflection once more and straightens her clothes before going to answer. Pepper is standing on the other side, smiling down at her. The teenager raises a questioning eyebrow.

"Can I come in?" Ada looks behind her before nodding and opening the door the rest of the way. Pepper looks to the mostly closed curtains but doesn't say anything. "I'm sorry we've been busy lately, I feel like I barely see you anymore."

"It's fine," Ada mumbles. She hates to say, but she prefers it that way.

"No," Pepper shakes her head softly. She sits on the edge of the bed and motions for Ada to join her. She does, posture stiff. "I know," Ada thinks her heart jumps into her throat at those words. "That you don't feel completely at home here," What was with that pause? Is Pepper trying to give her a heart attack? "And I'm sorry we haven't, that I haven't been there like I should. I'm- I need you to know that I'm not trying to...replace, anyone," She pauses and takes a deep breath, Ada continues to watch blankly. "Especially when I say this. But I haven't...been the best mother for you."

Ada looks down at the word, wringing her fingers together. She swallows more than necessary. She hadn't exactly thought about that. After her mother died, it took a while to accept that she'd never come back. That she would never get her mother back. It didn't matter if her father remarried or something, she knew she'd never accept anyone to take the position again. Pepper was one of her guardians now and she really appreciates the woman, but she hadn't thought about her being...her mother. And she's not, not really. Right? Not technically unless she adopts her. But that's an entirely different rabbit hole Ada doesn't want to go down.

"I want you do know you can talk to me, about anything," Ada is drawn out of her head by the woman's voice but she doesn't lift her head. "But that's not why I came here," She smiles, trying to ease any tension in the room. "I was thinking we could go out for dinner. Me, you, and Tony. It'll be nice to get out together."

Does she have a choice, Ada wonders. Yeah, she could say no, she knows that but that would make her a horrible person. "Yeah, okay," She nods and Pepper nearly deflates with the breath she releases.

"Okay, good. Tomorrow night?"

"Sounds good," Ada nods and Pepper looks as if she wants to talk more but decides against it. She rests a hand on the teenager's shoulder before pushing to her feet and leaving the room. Ada sighs. Pepper might have been trying to make her feel better, but she only feels worse.

An hour later, Ada's staring up at a ceiling. Not her ceiling and not exactly a blank ceiling. "How did the streamers get so high?"

"Ladder," Lexi responds to the question quickly.

"Ahh," Ada nods, eyes still tracing the colorful lines. "Why though?"

"I like them," Lexi shrugs before turning her head to look at the other teenager in her room. "You wanna go to a party tomorrow?"

"Can't, I have a dinner thing."

"With who?"

"With..." Ada trails off and sips whatever she's drinking when she realizes she doesn't know the answer to that question. "People." Guardians? That might be their legal position or whatever, but Ada hates that word. "Maybe I'll stop by after."

"Yay," Lexi cheers quietly but excitedly.

"Hey, can I stay here tonight?"

Our little family have dinner out next chapter. I wonder how it'll go? (Well, not really, I know exactly how it goes. I just want to know what you guys think.)

And Pepper, she's trying but being a mother - despite taking care of Tony for many years because we all know she's basically the reason he's still alive - is new territory for her. I see Pepper as very naturally maternal, but that doesn't mean this won't be hard for her.

Thanks for reading!

Teasers: She's squeezing through the doors before they're even fully open. / That might have made her feel comfortable at one point, but now all she fills is trapped. / "But this isn't a debate." / Ada feels an uncomfortable pressure on her chest. / "I think you might be wrong about that."

'-'