Hey guys! I know it's been a while but I'm done with school and plan on writing the entire summer so hopefully, I'll have new stuff more often. Here is the next installment of The Great Merchandising War, featuring our favorite web-slinger! Let me know what you think!
Saying today was a bad day would be the understatement of the year. From the second I opened my eyes and realized that my alarm hadn't gone off and spilling Aunt May's coffee all over her in my hurry to get to school, to Flash, being his normal jackass self and dumping my backpack from the top of the stairs right as the bell rang should have been and indicator of how today was going to go.
I had hoped that going to work on some things with Mr. Stark would turn the day around, only to find out he wasn't even there and wouldn't be back for a few weeks. The patronizing look from the receptionist wasn't helping as I stood there in the lobby looking like an idiot.
The soft ring of her phone didn't even phase me as I noticed the TV playing one of those daytime news stations.
"No, the trash isn't just in the river folks! Now it's swinging through the air wearing spandex, Spider-Man is the pollution we need to be figuring out how to get rid of!"
Ah, Jameson, or the screaming head that never failed to find new ways to make me feel like shit.
And now this, a new report claiming that Spider-Man was a worse problem than the pollution in the Hudson. I tried so hard not to let it bother me, but today it was just the icing on the cake of a miserable day.
Turning to leave I decided to grab May a fancy latte to make up for this morning. I could at least do one thing right today, making her smile always made the day a bit better.
"Wait," said the receptionist, finally cracking a smile as she put her phone down.
Confused I asked, "What? I thought you said Mr. Stark wasn't in today."
But she must have decided she was done with me, because without saying a word, she pointed at the elevator.
With timing that would have been nice to have when I missed the bus, the doors glided open.
It is officially Peter Parker Cannot Win Day©.
It was Mr. Stark's sister, the one I quickly learned he was wildly protective over. The same sister that I had practically drooled at in that exact elevator two weeks ago, and almost told my secret identity. You know, the same one that was dating Captain America?
So, for those reasons I might be a bit intimidated by even breathing near her.
Smiling, she waved as she stepped out of the elevator.
Oh no…maybe she wasn't looking at me
"Uhh…" I managed, inwardly wincing at how stupid that sounded even to me.
Smile widening, she crushed my hopes that she was waving at someone behind me by making eye contact and heading my direction. Although a very small part of me liked the thought that she remembered me, it sort of made up for Mr. Stark forgetting to tell me he was out of town.
"Hey Peter, we met a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if you re-"
"Remember, ah I remember," I said, wondering why on earth I cut her off.
It looked like she was…relieved?
Brushing a bit of hair behind her ear she said, "Oh good, I was hoping you did. I need your help with something and when Jarvis said you were in the lobby I asked Lauren to tell you to wait."
Lauren, that must be the receptionist. Wait what?
Incredibly confused now, I asked, "You want my help? With what? I mean I'd love to help you, ah to help anyone. I like being helpful!"
Suppressing a laugh, she nodded toward the door.
"A couple things actually, I'll tell you on the way. Unless you're busy right now, I mean I figured since you showed up for internship stuff you would have this afternoon free since Tony wasn't here." She paused, brows furrowing in thought before she asked, "Did Tony have a project for you? He always makes sure his schedule is free when you're here so he can work with you." She smiled and –oh my gosh —she reached over and bumped my shoulder playfully as she went on, "He is always talking about you, I get a bit jealous sometimes."
I blinked, that was a lot of information to process.
One: Anna Stark wanted my help and if I wasn't as oblivious as Ned believed I was, she wanted to get to know me? Two: Mr. Stark cleared his schedule to work with me and apparently, he talked about me to his family?
Maybe today wasn't as bad as I had thought.
Shaking away the internal scream that Mr. Stark cared a lot more than he let on, I said, "Ah well I didn't know he wasn't here. We were going to start on a new design spec."
Her eyes widened in understanding.
"He forgot to tell you he was going to be in Tokyo, didn't he? For a genius he certainly can be stupid some days," she said, making it hard not to laugh at how casually she called him stupid.
"I mean he's a busy pers-"
Cutting me off she grabbed her phone from her back pocket and held it to her ear as she said, "Nonsense! He should have told you, your time is valuable too Peter."
Before I could say anything, her call connected.
"Tony? I wanted…yes, I know what time it is. I wanted to tell you I'm stealing your intern for the day since you didn't bother to tell him you were going to be gone." There was a pause and with my enhanced spider senses I listened in to hear what Mr. Stark had to say.
"What are you…oh god I totally forgot to tell the kid. We were going to work on a new…ah well a new bot for the lab."
She must not know, because he just caught himself from telling her we were going to work on a new addition to my suit. I couldn't keep from smiling, he remembered, and it sounded like he felt a bit bad for forgetting.
Anna rolled her eyes, "Well since you didn't tell him not to be here, I think it's only fair he help out a different Stark. You're going to be gone for three weeks after all."
Glancing at me I could see her asking what I thought with her eyes and I found myself nodding a bit to quickly. I didn't mind helping her at all.
"Yeah sure, just don't coddle him too much, I know how you can get Lisey," he said, yawning at the end.
Grinning she nodded, "We'll see about that, I think we will have loads of fun. Love you bye!"
Hanging up she smiled sheepishly at me, "Now if you don't want to you absolutely don't have to, but…the offer is there if you want to be my intern until Tony gets back."
Nodding again I smiled back as I managed a full sentence without tripping over my words, "Sound good to me, I mean who else can say they got to work with both of you?"
Laughing at that she started toward the door, "I think you'll find it a very different experience. C'mon, I've got a few things I think you can help me out with."
Following her out, I felt the day get much better.
Once in her very very nice car, she flipped the radio on to a surprisingly upbeat pop music station. Looking at her, she must have caught my surprise because she laughed.
"Our secret okay? Tony would be mortified if he knew, can you imagine his face if he saw my choreographed dance moves to the new Taylor Swift album?"
Watching her rock out to a song off said album was hilarious and encouragingly authentic. It was honestly refreshing to see someone be themselves without caring what anyone thought, maybe I didn't need to be so nervous around her.
The song ended and she looked over at me as we came to a red light.
"So Peter, how is school going? Tony says you're at Midtown Science and top of the class."
Fidgeting with my seat belt I said, "Ah yeah I am, don't know about top of anything though. But I like it there, I'm on the decathlon team and we have fun with that."
Raising a brow she said, "Tony could learn a thing or two about humbleness from you, if you're working on design specs with him I know you must be smarter than you're letting on. But the decathlon, that's great! Such a fun way to meet other peers with similar goals, do you have friends on the team?"
She was going to give me whiplash with all these insights about Mr. Stark.
Ignoring that first part I nodded, "Yeah my best friend Ned a few other people from classes I have, and ah MJ."
Side eyeing me as the light turned green, she asked knowingly, "Who's MJ? I think Tony's mentioned your friend Ned before, but not this MJ."
"How often does Mr. Stark talk about me," I asked, unable to keep that question in any longer. Also I wasn't ready to tackle just who MJ was yet. Also note to self, never tell Ned about this or he will never shut up about Tony Stark knowing who he is.
"Well that's part of why I was so glad this worked out, he talks about you probably more than he realizes and I can't help but be curious." She paused for a moment. "Tony isn't easily impressed but you have definitely done so, personally I think he sees a lot of himself in you. But all that aside, he does talk about you quite a bit but never lets me come in the lab when you're working on things, something about me being a distraction to his brilliance."
"You…you really think he's impressed? I mean I just never ever want to assume you know," I said, trying not to grin like an idiot from what she had said.
"A good practice with Tony, but I can promise that he would never put in the time and effort if he didn't see something of value there. Also, while Tony would probably never admit it, he's grown quite fond of you. Everyone else sees it, but he won't acknowledge it," she said, smiling fondly as she spoke of her brother.
Now I was for a fact grinning like an idiot. She was incredibly easy to talk to and had turned my entire day around.
"You know today was honestly pretty terrible but hearing that made it 100 times better. Thanks Ms. Stark, for telling me I mean," I said, hoping she could tell how much I meant it.
"Two things. One, anytime, I'm sorry today wasn't the best. Two, never call me Ms. Stark again, it's way too formal. Anna is just fine, okay," she said, leaving no room to argue. "What made today so bad? If you want to say that is."
Any amount of nerves I had about talking to her disappeared, there was something very disarming about her. She reminded me of Tony, but Anna was so different. So I described everything, from my alarm not going off to Flash dumping my backpack. It felt really nice to just have someone listen, if I wasn't careful, I would start talking about Spiderman problems too.
As I finished, she frowned.
"Yeah that would do it, sounds like a pretty rotten start to the day. Does this Flash kid bother you a lot, he sounds like a real bully." Narrowing her eyes she frowned. "I really hate bullies."
Sighing I nodded, "Yeah, I don't really get why he hates me specifically so much but its nothing I can't deal with. He's a jerk to a lot of other people too."
Humming thoughtfully, she said, "You know Tony had bullies when he was close to your age too, the other kids hated him because he was so much smarter than them. Although he didn't help matters by telling them they were right, and he would always be smarter than them. I doubt you're antagonizing Flash like Tony did to the people who bothered him. He would understand if you ever mentioned it to him, he really can't stand stuff like that either."
I was learning so much about Mr. Stark, stuff I never would have otherwise. I couldn't help the laugh at the thought of him doing that, it was very easy to imagine.
Shaking my head I said, "Yeah no, I'm not really trying to encourage him to make my life miserable. I can only imagine what going to school with him must have been like."
Glancing over she smiled as we stopped at another light.
"You can ask you know, if there's anyone who knows Tony best, it's me and Pepper."
"Actually, it was you I wanted to ask about, if that's okay," I said, finding my nerves had disappeared entirely.
Surprise showed on her face, but she didn't look irritated at all.
"Oh, ah yeah of course. Ask away, I'm practically an open book," she said, looking back to the road as a bike messenger zipped in between cars.
So I did, I asked her everything from how she liked running SHEWO—or Stark Humanitarian and Egalitarian World Organization—to what it was like to balance working as a nurse and dealing with the press. It was almost like talking to May, except younger. If only it was as easy to talk to girls my own age. If I was older, or she was younger I could see myself having a serious thing for her, which would be bad for all sorts of reasons.
Scratching the back of my neck I asked, "Ah this is weird, but how old are you?"
She wrinkled her nose up in thought.
"Hmm twenty-seven I think."
"You think?"
She laughed at the obvious confusion on my face.
"Tony is the glamorous one, I'm the mysterious one. The short answer is I honestly don't remember, the long answer is classified."
If eyebrows could merge into a hairline, I'm sure mine would.
"C-classified? What does that mean? Well I know what the word means but what are—"
Cutting me off she said, "It's a very long story Peter, but the ah eventful part of my life is mostly over. You'd have to have Avenger level classification to hear all of it."
It took a lot to not blurt out that I practically did, or at least I would soon. Hopefully.
Continuing she said, "I can tell you that I'm just happy to have a normal life. Or at least as normal as it can be with the company I keep."
She only continued to get more interesting, but I didn't think she'd appreciate more questions.
"Sounds like there's a lot more to you than one might think."
It was in that moment that I could very much see that she was Tony's sister, a smirk that could rival him crept across her face.
"You have no idea."
Shoving down a thousand more questions about just what that meant, I snorted.
"Yeah, you're definitely his sister."
She just laughed in reply before changing the subject back to just who was this MJ person.
Several stops later, I felt Anna giving me a knowing look as my stomach made this awesome dying whale sound. Embarrassed I awkwardly smiled,
"This is one of my favorite places, best Mexican food you'll find in this city. I meet with a friend here every so often, you'll love it. They have big portion sizes," she said, suppressing a laugh as my stomach growled loudly.
Stupid spider metabolism, if I didn't eat enough each day it wasn't a good thing. This place looked cheap so I think I could afford it, I wasn't going to ask her to pay and I sort of wanted to impress her. Not that she made me feel like I had to, I just wanted to.
Parking, she put some money in the meter and then pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to a sleezy looking guy sitting on the sidewalk. Seeing my look she smiled, "That's Alfonzo, he always makes sure no one jacks my car when I'm here with my friend. Plus, he promised me that once he has enough saved he's going to get himself a real pair of tap shoes, isn't that right?"
He nodded, shooting her a wide toothy smile.
Grinning at Alfonzo she looked back to me leaning close like she was telling me a secret as she loudly whispered, "He's gonna be big."
With that we went into what I am positive is the most suspect looking restaurant I had ever been in, but Anna didn't seem to give it any mind as she started chatting with the server like they were an old friend. Watching her for a moment I couldn't help but understand why Mr. Stark was so protective of her, she seemed like the kind of person that would be kind to anyone and that could get you in a lot of trouble when you were surrounded by the kind of people she was.
Sitting at the table she motioned me to I started to look at the menu.
"Wade is going to be jealous once he finds out I brought someone else here," she said, biting back a laugh.
"Who's that," I asked, wondering if this meant it was special that she brought me here.
I kinda hoped it was, nothing against Tony but I wouldn't mind hanging around Anna more often.
Glancing up I caught a contemplative look on her face as she said, "Well that is a loaded question, what would you call a kidnapper turned friend?"
Choking on my water, I looked at her wide eyed and waited for her to continue.
"Oh it's nothing to worry about Peter, he's actually a sweetheart underneath the mask," she said.
Mask? Just what kind of trouble did she get herself into?
"Ah well, if you say so. I'm sure you wouldn't spend time with someone that was a threat," I said, trying not to overthink it.
"If you think about it, everyone I spend time with is a threat in their own way."
Seeing her look down quickly, I wondered how often she felt scared for the people she cared about. I worried about Aunt May and my friends every single day, I can only imagine how Iron Man's sister felt.
"It can't be easy," I blurted out, "Being around people that are always in danger."
Amber eyes snapped up and for a second it felt like she was looking in my head before she nodded.
"Most people think it's a life of glamour and adventure, but you're right."
"You worry about them," I said, knowing she did.
Before she could answer the server came back with two huge plates of food. When I looked at her questioningly, she just smiled, "I hope you don't mind but I ordered ahead."
Seeing how good it looked I shook my head, "Ah no, this looks amazing."
A lull fell over the table as we both ate, that thing they say about good food silencing a room definitely applied to this.
It was only after the server dropped off a plate of churros that she spoke again.
"Every single day."
It was so soft, if it hadn't been for my enhanced senses, I wouldn't have heard her.
Looking up, I saw a somber sort of acceptance in her eyes.
"When you're ordinary like me, it's even harder to watch people you love fling themselves into life-threatening situations on a weekly basis because there's nothing I can do to help. Sometimes when I'm being selfish, I imagine that my job is harder. Watching them go fight and not knowing if I'll be able to put them back together when they come back."
She really was like Tony, he always worried about everyone. I wonder if he knew how it affected her.
Before I could say anything, she went on, "Sorry Peter, I didn't mean to be a downer. I just can't help but worry about the team."
"The team," I asked, instantly kicking myself for that being the question I asked.
Her good mood seeming to come back she smiled, "Well of course! We're the world's most dysfunctional family. Though I'm about to really let Tony have it when he gets back."
Tilting my head as I stuffed another churro in my mouth I asked, "Wahs tha…ah sorry, why's that?"
Shaking her head, she said, "He's holding out on me but he can't keep the kid to himself forever."
Surely, she couldn't mean…
"Who, ah or what are you talking about," I asked, secretly really hoping it was who I thought.
"Spider-man of course, Tony has had him officially listed as a reserve Avenger for months now and he still hasn't let me meet him," she said, a bit of a pout taking over her face.
It was very hard to hold back the idiotic grin, but I managed. Not only was I technically an Avenger but it felt pretty dammed good to know someone like her wanted to meet me, ah Spider-man I mean.
"You want to? I mean the news says some pretty awful stuff about him," I said, remembering Jameson's rant from earlier.
For the first time a rather nasty look crossed her face as she said, "You mean the garbage from the Daily Bugle? Not only is everything they say about him completely unfounded and taken out of context, I wouldn't trust Jameson further than I could throw him. I'm still mad I can't sue him for slander, because I would in a heartbeat."
A bit awestruck I swallowed the last churro with a loud gulp.
"You really think that? That he's not a bad guy," I asked.
Narrowing her eyes, she nodded, "Of course I do. Frankly I find it deplorable that the press is going after the kid, just last week Tony was talking about how he brought back someone's lost dog and if that isn't the most wholesome thing I've ever heard I don't know what is."
I couldn't really stop the smile this time, it was really nice to hear something like that after how hard the news had been on me lately.
"Ah I'm sure he'd like knowing that."
Smiling at me in an almost playful way she said, "If you see him, tell him for me yeah?"
"Me? Ah I, I doubt I would run into him. He seems like a busy guy ya know? And I've got no reason to see him, like I'm too busy at school, or with the internship," I said, suddenly panicked that she knew way more than she was letting on.
She just laughed as she paid the hostess and started for the door, motioning for me to follow her.
"Of course not, I'm sure you stay far away from any sort of trouble."
She definitely knew something, but I was starting to think that wouldn't be so bad.
Being Anna's intern was so different than being Mr. Stark's and it had only been one week, Tony still had two weeks before he got back. It had been really fun so far, Anna was always busy with something and even if it wasn't something I could help much with she found things that felt important for me to do.
She'd also gotten my phone number after that first day and was always sure to text me if she was working a shift at the hospital she volunteered at and wouldn't be around. Feeling the buzz of my phone in my pocket I glanced down and saw her name light up on my phone, funny she never texted me when I was still at school. Trying my best not to have my chemistry teacher notice, I opened the text.
Hey Brainiac, I'm nearby do you mind if I pick you up today?
Another one came through as I was typing back, no it was two.
I'll give you a lift back to May's later, there's only a few things to do today.
I've got churros :D
Anna and her never ending stream of emojis, she really was so funny.
Sounds good, be out in 15
"Mr. Parker! Is there something more interesting on your phone that you would like to share?"
So much for not being caught. Looking up at my teacher I shook my head saying, "Ah no, just something for my internship. Sorry."
Keeping my head down for the rest of class I let out a sigh of relief when the bell rung. Ned bumped me with his elbow as we left the classroom.
"Was it an avengers alert? Ooh or was it a personal text from Tony Stark? Maybe a mes-"
Cutting him off I shook my head, "No, remember how I told you I'd been doing other stuff this past week? Well I've been working for Tony's sister Anna."
His mouth fell open for a second before he managed, "You mean like the Anna Stark? Mastermind behind one of the largest non-profit relief organizations in the world? The same woman who started the fund for medical expenses of people affected by hero related damages? Oh yeah and she's dating Captain Freaking America?"
"Since when do you know so much about her," I asked, not knowing Ned was a fan.
Shooting me a look he said, "Um she's pretty awesome, did you not know all of this? And dude, she's like totally hot."
Shoving him off I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah well she's really nice too, she was who was texting me in class," I said, slamming my locked shut as I grabbed my backpack.
"You have Anna Stark's phone number?!"
"Dude! Shhhh, can you not tell the entire school Ned," I hissed at him, hoping no one was paying us attention. Luckily no one was ever paying us attention, picking up my pace, we headed outside.
"Sorry dude, that's just so cool! Does she know about you being…you know," Ned whispered, giving me a weird look.
I still wasn't sure if Anna knew about me being Spider-man or not, if she did know she was really good at acting like she didn't. And I wasn't sure if Mr. Stark wanted to keep her out of it or not, but it was getting hard to keep myself from letting it slip when she would ask me how I was. Or to pretend scratches or bruises were just from being clumsy or from Flash, she was definitely smarter than that.
"Do I know about what?"
Seeing Ned's eyes get really wide, I had a pretty good idea who was standing behind me, if her voice hadn't given it away already.
"I was about to get stuck in the carpool line so I figured I would just park and come find you," she said, giving us a smile.
The rest of the hall had gone silent and I could feel everyone staring at us, whispers starting to buzz in the background. Before I could say anything, she focused her smile on Ned and stuck out her hand.
"You've to be Ned! Peter's told me all about you, I'm Anna," she said, waiting for him to shake her hand.
Blinking for a second, he finally pulled himself out of the trance he was in and awkwardly shook her hand.
"Ah wow, oh my gosh Anna Stark knows who I am. Okay this is normal, totally normal, uh hi," he said, letting go of her hand.
She laughed, "It's nice to meet you. You wouldn't want to come with us would you? I know the internship keeps Peter super busy and today I've got some drop offs that I was going to have him help me with," she trailed off, leaving the question hanging. The ridiculous grin on his face was answer enough for her apparently, as she turned and motioned for us to follow her.
"Perfect, I've got the SUV today, so we've got plenty of room. Do you like churros Ned," she asked, glancing back at us.
As he was about to answer the one person I had hoped to avoid rounded the corner. Flash, this is just great.
"Hey Parker, running off to that fake internship of yours again," he said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Actually yes, Peter is one of the best interns my brother has ever brought on. I'm going to be hard pressed to give him back to Tony once he's back," Anna said, eyes fixed on Flash, a disapproving brow raised.
The look of shock on his face would be something I would remember forever, the click of Ned's phone taking a picture as he grinned at me only made it all the sweeter as Flash tried desperately to cover as the whispers in the hall got louder.
She just smiled at him, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"You know, it wouldn't be like Peter to lie about something like this. Maybe next time give people a bit more benefit of the doubt before you assume they're lying alright?"
Not giving him a second glance, she resumed chatting with Ned as the two of them started towards the door. I just shrugged at Flash, not even trying to hide my grin as I followed them.
Getting in the car—sitting in the back as Ned had already claimed the front—Anna looked back at me, "So it seems like everyone at Midtown is a big fan of Spiderman, I saw at least five different people wearing shirts and all sorts of posters. That's pretty cool, I'd love to get my hands on one of those t-shirts."
"Peter knows Spi-"
Cutting Ned off as quickly as I could, I said, "I know the person that makes them! Ah, if you really want, I can ask about getting you one?"
Eyes lighting up she nodded, "Yeah I would love that! If you can get to me by Friday, I'll wear it when I do the interview for the Bugle, it will make the whole thing worth it to know it made JJ's blood pressure rise."
I would make the shirt myself if it meant that would happen.
"I'll have it by tomorrow," I said, unable to help the grin at the idea.
The past two weeks had been so great, Flash was leaving me alone, Anna had brought Ned along a few more times and he was totally riding the popularity boost it gave him, and I had the Bugle article cut out and pinned on my wall.
She'd taken to picking me up after school, I was almost getting used to it instead of swinging over to the tower. I could stop my grin; she was wearing the shirt again today. Waving at her, I jumped over the side of the door into her convertible and she just laughed. But I noticed it wasn't as happy as it usually was.
"Hey, you okay," I asked.
She nodded, "Oh yeah, it's just that Tony got back last night, and I talked him into letting me come pick you up one more time."
Oh…that's right, he was supposed to be back yesterday. I had completely forgotten.
"He, ah he probably wants to work on those design specs," I said, not as excited as I thought I would be that Tony was back.
Seeming to sense it, she bumped me with her elbow and smiled as she said, "Maybe I'll just have to steal you again sometime, Tony can't keep you all to himself anymore that's just not fair."
The idea of both Starks fighting over me was both anxiety-inducing and an eternal bragging point.
"If you ever need help, I'm sure I can find the time. It's been really fun actually, Mr. Stark doesn't get me churros," I said, hoping it would make her laugh.
Doing exactly what I had hoped she snorted, "Tony just thinks he's the cooler sibling, but you and me know the truth."
Getting back to the tower quickly, I waved at Lauren the receptionist as we got in the elevator.
"Don't let Tony work you too hard," she said, as the ding of the elevator signaled our floor.
Before I could answer, the man in question spoke up as we got out of the elevator.
"Enjoy stealing my intern? You really ought to…what are you wearing?"
Anna rolled her eyes and went over to give her brother a hug.
"Yes, I absolutely did, and if you're not careful I'm going to do it again. Isn't the shirt great? Peter got it for me and then I've ordered like five different ones since then," she said, glancing back at me with a grin.
For the first time ever, it sort of looked like Mr. Stark was lost for words as he looked at her shirt and then to me.
Finally, he said, "Right so you're a fan of the Spiderling now, I'm hurt sis. Really, I am. And what is Cap going to say?"
She just shook her head and headed back for the elevator, winking at him over her shoulder.
"You're just jealous, see maybe if you hadn't kept him all to yourself then this wouldn't have happened. Later boys, have fun," she said, waving at us as the doors closed.
"Hey, ah Mr. Stark? Does Anna…does she know? You know that I'm," I asked, trailing off as he rubbed his face.
Giving me a look, he said, "Anna knows everything, of course she knows. But that's beside the point! This is breaking the rules, you're not even playing."
I knew it! She knew the whole time but for some reason still treated me like a normal kid. She really was something.
Frowning in confusion I asked, "Playing? What are you talking about?"
Sighing he said, "It's a little friendly competition that's all, see who can get my sister to wear their colors the most. And as much as I hate to say it, I think you get extra points for that cover shot on the Bugle. At least this knocks Katniss down a spot," he muttered, heading back to the lab.
Thinking for a second I said, "You mean like in those really old movies where football players would give girls those funny looking jackets, but just without Anna guessing what you're doing?"
Not looking back he said, "Not another word. Just be glad I don't ban you from the game. Now did you want to work on those specs or not kid?"
Grinning I said, "Yeah I'm coming. Ah Mr. Stark, did you really set your hair on fire when you were building your first engine, Anna was telling me about it."
All I got was a groan and a muttered, "And this is why I didn't introduce you, I knew the two of you would be trouble."
Hope you enjoyed this! I've got several more of these in the works and hope to have some more out soon. Just wanted to say all the messages yall have sent me over the past few months have really meant a lot to me, love you guys so much! Stay safe out there!