Chapter 8:
Authors' Note:
Surprise! Surprise! A new chapter... With school being almost finished... I will be posting new chapters every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Hope y'all enjoy the new chapter of Living Life as Best as Possible!
Today was the day. Counselor appointment. The day had already started off bad because Peter was in a really, really bad mood. He woke up that way, not sure why. Maybe it was because of what had happened at school. When Tony had called Peter down for breakfast, Peter plopped himself down in his seat.
"You okay, kid?" Tony asked while setting a plate of food down in front of Peter.
"Just peachy." Peter replied, not looking up once.
Tony sighed. He watched the kid eat his food or rather just poke at it with his fork.
"Not hungry?" Tony asked, trying to figure out what was wrong.
Peter didn't say anything. Instead, he threw the fork down on the table, got up and slammed the door to his room shut. Tony stood in the kitchen and took some deep breaths. Something was wrong and he needed to find out. He gave Peter fifteen minutes to himself before going to his room.
"Pete, what's going on?" Tony asked as he made his way to sit next to him on the bed.
Peter had his head in his arms, laying down on the bed. "I am fine. Leave me alone."
"Let me help you. What do you need?"
"Nothing." Peter's voice cracked.
"You have nothing to be nervous about with your appointment, Pete." Tony said, as he rubbed Pete's back.
"Why do I have to go to some stupid therapist?" Peter questioned angrily.
"I suppose you don't have to. I think it would be good for you to." Tony said patiently.
"I don't need anyone's help. Not yours and definitely not some strangers."
Silence hung in the room. Tony had an overwhelming urge to give the kid a piece of his mind. However, that was the last thing Peter needed. His thoughts were interrupted by Peter.
"So, are you going to yell at me and force me or are you going to leave me alone?"
"Neither." Tony stated with no emotion behind it. "I want you think about it and if you change your mind about going, then we will leave at 1:30 to be there by 2." Tony patted Pete's back softly and leaned over to give him a kiss on the back of his head.
"I love you, kid. I am just trying to help." Tony said as he left the room and closed the door.
Tony, Pepper, and Morgan left Peter alone, not wanting to make him angrier. It was almost 1:30 and Tony looked at his watch, wondering if Peter was going to come out and decide to go. 10 minutes later, Peter made an appearance. Morgan immediately came running up to him and hugged his lower waist.
"Uh, Mr. Stark? C-Can we go?"
Tony looked up from what he was doing in surprise. "Yeah of course."
"I know we will be late, but I accidently fell asleep." Peter said, keeping his eyes on the floor.
When they got to the counselor's office, Peter kept his earbuds in his ears. He didn't want to talk to anybody at the moment. Tony left him be after making a futile effort in having a conversation with Peter. It ended up being mostly one-sided. After what seemed like forever, a very nice man came out.
"Peter Parker?"
Tony nudged the kid, as he shook the counselor's hand.
"Hello, Peter. I am Dr. Zhago. It's nice to meet you." Dr. Zhago held his hand out.
Peter shook his hand, not saying anything. They made their way to a separate office.
"Have a seat, Peter. You can have your guardian stay or he can wait outside."
"Stay, just in case I don't like you." Peter mumbled.
"Peter." Tony rebuked.
Dr. Zhago attempted to break the ice by getting to know Peter. After very clipped answers from Peter, Dr. Zhago noticed that the earbuds were still in his ear.
"What kind of music do you like, Pete?"
Peter shrugged his shoulders, not giving a response. Tony went over to Peter and knelt next to him. He gently took the earbuds out and let them hang over Peter's shirt.
"Pete, it's not very nice to keep your buds in with music playing, while Dr. Zhago is trying to get to know you." Tony admonished patiently. "Leave them out of your ears until we are done, okay?"
Peter groaned dramatically and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Dr. Zhago decided it was time to try to figure out Peter and what he was going through.
"Pete, Mr. Stark told me a little about you and what's happened. Are you ready to talk about it?" asked patiently.
"No."
"Pete, I want you to know we are here for you, to help you. It's always good to tell someone how you feel. You like to write or draw?"
"I write tons of essays for English, so no not really."
Dr. Zhago chuckled. "What do you like to do then?"
"Make stuff, like tech and engineering."
"Could you show me something you have made next time you are here?"
Peter nodded his head and for the first time that day he smiled a little. Well the appointment could have gone better, but at least Peter went. Tony was worried the kid would fly off and be belligerent. Tony stopped and got Peter a large chocolate milkshake on the way back home. He may have gotten a large one for Morgan also and let her drink it before dinner, and made Morgan swear to not tell her mother.
Tony never really worried about the kid's grades until after May had passed away. Peter had missed a month of school. When he returned, he was receiving some fairly low grades. Tony and Pepper were concerned but didn't say much figuring it was just the change.
"Mr. Parker, I need to see you after class." the teacher called out.
Peter groaned. He knew that the essay he had turned in was complete trash. The teacher, Mr. Himms, waited for the rest of the class to leave after the bell rang to go over to Peter. "Peter, I know you have had a rough couple of months. This is the third assignment you have failed in my class, since you have been back. Also, you didn't turn in five other assignments. If you need help or need extra time, just let me know next time, instead of failing or not doing it at all. I know your grades are important to the Stark Internship, but I am afraid I have to give you detention. While your there you can work on your five assignments, you didn't turn in. If you finish them, I will give you full credit. " Peter nodded and crumpled the detention slip into his backpack.
At dinner time, Morgan was busily chatting about her barbie dolls. Tony was distracted by Peter. Peter just kept his head down and didn't say a word. Peter decided he wasn't in the mood to eat, so he got up from the table to go to his room.
"Um, where are you going, Peter?" Pepper asked slightly concerned.
"To my room. I am not hungry."
Tony raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and said, "Peter, you need to at least sit with us. Come on bud."
Peter glared at him, "No."
"Pete, I know you have had a rough time with school, but there is no need to be rude."
With that, Peter just walked off. Tony was going to go after him, but Pepper stopped him after hearing the slam of Peter's door. After dinner had been cleared, Tony went to Peter's room to find out what was wrong. He just wanted to be there for him.
"Pete. Can I come in?"
Peter had his earbuds in, blasting music. He was desperately trying to finish some homework. When Tony entered the room, Peter was pretty sure he was in for a lecture, he soon wouldn't forget. "Pete, what's wrong? Did something happen at school?"
Peter just shrugged and said. "I am fine."
"Pete, it's not like you to just stomp off and not eat."
"I just wasn't hungry okay? Gees…." Peter's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
Tony thought for a moment. "Pete, if something is bothering you or if you need to talk, you can talk to me or Pepper. Okay?"
Peter just nodded and gave a subdued thank you.
The next couple of days had gone by until Tony got a call from the school. The school principle has notified him that Peter had 3 detentions in the last 3 days. Also, he was told about the poor grades and the missed homework assignments. When the phone call ended, Tony was upset and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was definitely frustrated with Peter. He was doing his best to live a normal life. When Peter and Morgan had been dropped off at home by Happy, Tony and Pepper were in the kitchen, discussing what to do about Peter.
Tony immediately spoke when he saw the two kids come around the corner. "Hey, Peter. Come sit over here with us for a few minutes. We need to have a serious conversation."
Morgan ran off to her room. Peter knew that they knew about detention and from the looks of it and everything else bad too. Tony beckoned Peter to come sit at the bar stools in the kitchen. Peter dropped his backpack on the ground. "Pete. I want you to tell me exactly how school has been. Be honest, bud." Tony said firmly but with concern in his voice.
Peter gulped and did not dare look up at his guardian's eyes. "I-I got d-detention three times. And uh, I-I haven't been doing so well in my grades. I-I am s-sorry." Peter choked down a sob, desperately trying not to cry.
Tony deadpanned, turning to Pepper. She took a moment to think, "Peter, you are so smart. I don't understand why you are getting in trouble at school. We want to help you, but we can't do that if you don't tell us anything."
Peter remained silent.
Tony went around the counter to Peter and pointed at his backpack. "Get your backpack and find those detention slips, the missed homework, and the failed grades, now."
Peter immediately ran over, dug around in his backpack until he found all of what was asked for. Tony and Pepper looked over them for a few minutes. Tony was completely out of his league. He didn't know how to handle this. In the meantime, Peter just sat at the barstool and hid his face in his arms.
"Peter, look at me."
Peter looked up wide-eyed and he looked like a kicked puppy.
Tony said. "I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed and worried I am. I let the first couple of low grades go because I knew you were grieving and depressed. Are you still so depressed that you aren't ready for school yet?" (too harsh?)
"N-no, sir."
Tony rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, trying to think.
"I am really sorry, Mr. Stark. I am trying." Peter said, voice cracking.
Tony nodded. "Work on what you can tonight, and we will talk more later." Peter nodded and left without looking up once.
It had been several hours, and Peter hadn't been out of his room. Tony was worried and went up to check on him. "Pete."
Peter was lying face down in his pillow. He had hoped his sobs were quiet enough that Tony wouldn't hear. Unfortunately, a loud sob ripped through Peter, causing him to start coughing.
"Pete, are you okay?"
Peter managed to stop coughing, "yeah, I am fine."
Tony looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Pete, I want to help you through this. We will get a tutor or do whatever we need to do."
"I am sorry. I will do better. I p-promise."
Tony couldn't help but smile, "I know you will cause if you don't, I am going to kick that spider butt."
Peter looked wide-eyed at him. "No, n-no that won't be necessary." Tony ruffled Peter's hair and laughed. However, the conversation was interrupted when four-year old Morgan ran and jumped onto Peter's bed.
She climbed on top of Peter's shoulders. "Horsie. Horsie."
Peter quickly rubbed his eyes. He then ran up and down the halls and stairs with Morgan. Peter really enjoyed being a big brother to Morgan. She was the sweetest kid ever. A little while later, he realized there were no more giggles and screams. He went over to Morgan's room and carefully put the sleeping girl under the covers. He just smiled at her for a minute and then left the room to go join his guardians in the living room. They spent the rest of the evening watching a movie. Before the movie had ended, Peter himself fell asleep. His head resting on Tony's lap. He gently woke him up and guided the half-awake 13-year old to his bed. Tony could have never imagined his life without the two sleeping beauties next to him.
Author's Note: Hope y'all enjoyed! The counseling appointment went differently than I had planned. I had planned for it to go super bad, but it went a different route. I just hate to make Peter seem so angry and sullen all the time. Anyways, the next chapter will be revolved around his birthday. Have a great week!