None of Marvel 's characters or its world belongs to me.
Two and a half months after the previous chapter.
Chapter 10: Date Ready
I woke up this morning feeling the same way I have felt for the last couple of months, unsettled. It's hard for my mind and my heart to understand why this whole other worldly situation has happened to me and how now it is just a struggle to deal with it. But thankfully with each day that passes everything around me become more and more familiar, it has became easier to breathe. My senses slowly fooled themselves into thinking that I actually belong here, well it's better than having skirmish awkward feelings.
Tony has been very welcoming since I came here and he doesn't shun me at all. I know that he doesn't seem like it but he's a creature of habit, just unorthodox habits, either way I got use to him. Sometimes he pries but not as much as other people, you would think that he actually cared about pushing my emotional complicity to far, not! He's been working on multiple projects of his, it only seems like he's working on one to Pepper but she doesn't know half of the questionable things that he does. Whenever I see him doing or carrying something not so normal for most people to do or carry around we just share a brief eye contact and I know that whatever he is doing I don't utter a word about it to certain people until he does.
I have learned a lot about him and his work while i've been here. He barely eats but when he does it's a mountain of things from Burger King. He wears the same clothes for days even if he showers, which is the only thing he does regularly. And even when he's so far in his own zone calculating he can have entire conversations and do other things. To sum it up you wouldn't think that he was a billionaire if you were to only look at his habit,which only really makes him even more interesting.
Steve and I haven't seen each other since I broke my leg when I got surprised from seeing him at the we do talk over the phone at least twice a day and sometimes I think that he's on some kind of mission because when ever I ask him about what he's doing he would only tell me that it's hard to explain. We don't talk about any and everything but of course we I haven't actually seen him since the day I broke my leg and you wouldn't believe that a couple of days later I broke my left arm.
I turned my face away from the beautiful view of the city at my window and rolled over to get out of bed. The carpet tickled my feet all the way until I got to the bathroom. I was wasn't sleepy anymore but I did like to refresh myself in the morning time so eased out of my clothes and let them drop onto the floor. I walked into the shower and relaxed once I pressed the button for the shower sprays on the two walls. When I finished I went back into my room dried off and and I started to get dressed for the day.
As I zipped up my light blue jeans my phone started to ring so I picked up from my bed and answered it.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hi Jessica, it's Steve."
"Oh hi Steve, what's up?" I said.
"Well i'll be back in the city tonight I was wondering if you would like to...ya know catch a movie?" He said. That was unexpected, I have never been asked out before and right now all I could manage was keeping my mouth open and surprise.
"Jessica?" He said causing my already pounding heart to thud, he might have became worried over my lack of response.
"Sure...okay, when?" I asked nervously.
"Really?" He asked like he didn't expect me to agree, why wouldn't I?
"Yes." I said in a course way.
"Great, how about a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema? I could pick you up at 7 o'clock?" He asked.
"Sure, but I think that we should meet there. You can't really get to my house without using GPS and it's not exactly located in any neighborhoods." I said honestly as I looked at he view of the city through my window.
"All right we can meet there." He said.
"Great, so I guess i'll see you tomorrow at seven." I said with an excited smile.
"See you at tomorrow at seven Jessica." He said. After that I expected him to hang up and I think that he thought he did too because I was hearing other voices in the background.
"Hey everybody! The captain just scored a date!" Someone yelled and my eyes looked from left to right wondering who it was.
"Way to go captain!" I heard someone else say and it was accompanied by cheering.
"Really guys?" I heard Steve say.
"What, they're just proud that you're finally putting yourself out there." I heard a woman say. Who was she? I wondered did I know her.
"Yeah but they didn't have to ease drop." He said. And I realized that what I was doing could be called that so I was just going to end the call right there, however...I didn't.
"Sorry capt, we've been holding bets to see when you were going to finally get a date." I heard the first guy from before say.
"Really? Who won?" Steve said in not so entertained way.
"I did, pay up." The women said.
"So what does the lucky lady look like? On a scale from 1 to 10?" The guy from before asked.
"She's beautiful and that's all you need to know." Steve said and I almost died right then and there, okay Jessica hang up the phone, and this time I did. Okay...ease dropping just made me incredibly nervous about tonight. What was I even going to wear? I looked over at my open closet and it hit me that all my outfits were either casual clothes or extravagant dresses for benefits that Pepper and Tony would take me to, when I felt like going or when I needed to get out of the house and Pepper forced me to go.
I've never been a big shopper but right now I wanted to wear something nice for my first date. Hmm... I wonder is Pepper here yet? I decided to go downstairs and check for her and when the living room was in sight I saw Tony with his arms around her. I was just about to turn around and give them so privacy but Pepper saw me before I could walk back upstairs.
"Good morning Jessica." People said with her usual nice smile. I put my hand on the railing and turned around to face them with a smile.
"Good morning to you too Pepper. Morning Tony." I said while coming down the stairs to meet them face to face.
"Morning Jess. So tell me something." Tony said to me I wonder where this is going.
"Yes..?" I said carefully.
"I say that another black tie event this month is to close to the last one and Peppers says it necessary to be looked at from everybody. Who's right?" He asked.
"Those were not my exact words and are you really using her as a tie breaker?" Pepper said.
"Yup. Jessica?" He asked.
"I guess which ever benefits you more..?" I told him my answer like a question.
"Exactly. People live longer with love and affection from their spouses not wasting time meeting sweaty people basically after your money." Tony said.
"Uh...whats going on?" I asked. Pepper smiled and looked to me with an easing going, worry free expression.
"What's going on is you need a new dress." She said.
"Yes, how did you know that. Have you two been listening to the conversations I have on my cell phone." I said looking towards Tony.
"No. not anymore. But Pepper seems to think that it's necessary to have another charity event so close to the last one we had and it's not necessary at all." Tony said as if he was giving his side of the case to the court.
"It is. But Jessica, you need a dress for something else?" Pepper asked me.
"Yes... I have a date.'' I said before I bit my lower lip. In the back of my mind I wondered why didn't Tony answer my question.
"With who?" Tony asked. Pepper seemed to be searching through her memory.
"Was it someone from one of the charity events?" She asked.
"Oh no." I said surprised that she would ask that. Nearly every guy I met was a total ass. Yes I said ass. You would think with all that money they could afford manners.
"Lets see...Oh!I bet its with Mr. tall,blond and handsome." She said. I'm not surprised that she got it right Steve isn't someone that is easily forgotten.
"Who?" Tony asked.
"The guy that helped her when she broke her leg." Pepper said.
"Oh yeah...I sent him a gift basket. He couldn't just except that." Tony said.
"Tony." Pepper said 'in a leave it alone' voice. So he turned around and headed to the kitchen mumbling. Pepper turned back to me.
"So when are you going out with him?" She asked me with a smile. I swear when it comes to boys she's like my high school best friend. To bad the more we talked about this the more nervous I got.
"Tomorrow at 7." I said with a nod of my head, but Pepper frowned and raised her eyebrows.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"I guess you forgot that I told you last week that tomorrow is the event." She said. Oh crap.
"Oh god, I did. I forgot all about it." I said and then I put my hand on my forehead. Pepper sighed lightly.
"No it's fine. I have less time then I would like to help with this, but we will make this work. Besides it's all worth it when you're not just roaming around the city but willingly going out and doing something with someone." She said with a smile.
"I'm not antisocial." I stated.
"I didn't ask." But the look on her face said that she was thinking it. I knew that she was worried about me, its the whole reason she would badger me to go to events with her and Tony. There was a moment before she spoke again.
"Okay, we better get going."
"Alright. Where are we going?" I asked. I was so excited to go on my first shopping trip for a date. I may be eighteen but I feel so grown up right now. To bad my own mother couldn't help me. I quickly dismissed the thought and put my attention fully back on Pepper.
"A place that will take care of everything my dear Jessica." She said. 'Everything'? I wondered before following her out the front door.
~Time Leap
After a while of driving though the city in silence I sensed that Pepper was looking at me.
"Yes Pepper?" I asked her casually when I turned my head around and faced her.
"Well..?" She started as if hinting at something.
"Well...What?" I said hinting that I did not know what she was hinting at.
"Do I have to force out when did you start dating? I haven't heard much from this Steve since I met him and now you're together."
"Not together This is our first date." I said.
"Oh first date. The first date phase is the best you know.
"Not really." I said. I've never heard of that before.
"Yes really." She said jokingly. She looked at me then back to the road for a couple seconds like she was piecing something together.
I remained silent.
"This is is your first date?" She stated more than asked.
"Yes." I answered simply because I felt a little self conscious.
"Ever." She continued to make sure.
"Yup." I said.
"Then everything will have to be perfect." She with a big smile.
"We don't have to go all out for this Pepper." I said.
"You have to be kidding, when will you ever have a very first date again?" She asked.
"Never?"
"Exactly... But it is after all your choice. Do you want to keep it simple?" She asked me. I could by the way that she looked at me that she wanted me to say no. I thought about how I usually miss out om stuff like graduation ceremony, homecoming, and prom all because I just wasn't into it. I wish I would have said yes not only to make memories but for my mom. Memories like that were as much for parents than they were for adolescents. I wish I gave in for my mom. Not much was different for Pepper she already begged me to go with her and Tony to benefits and parties, maybe this one time I won't put up a fight.
"Okay..?" I said.
"Okay? That sounds like a question. Look i'm not forcing you to do anything Jess." She said.
"No seriously. I want to go all out for this. I'm willingly asking you to please help me to get ready for my first date in any way you can." I said and she gave me a big smile.
"Alright, that's just what i'm going to do." She said. I could've said no but I didn't want to this time. She was the one helping me out and I was grateful. And hey I couldn't complain lots of girl would most likely did the same thing on their first date too. This is going to be so much fun.
When we got to the store an associate with wavy brown hair and a pleasant smile greeted us at the door. And apparently pepper and her knew each other.
"Hello Pepper!" The lady said with a smile.
"Hello Cheryl!" Pepper said before they held each others hands and began to chat like old high school friends. They brought almost a playful atmosphere around us as they excitedly complimented each other. When they were done Pepper turned to me and took my hand.
"This is my friend Jessica, she has an important date tonight. I need your help making her perfect for it, the works." Pepper said.
"Hello Jessica." Cheryl said.
"Hello." I said shyly. Oh gosh why do I feel like a little girl, i'm adult! Speak up Jess! "How are you?" I asked.
"I'm alright. Are you ready to for what we have in store for you?" She asked me. Somehow I don't think i'm just walking away with a dress.
"As ready as i'll ever be." I said honestly, there is no preparing for this.
~Eight Dresses Later
I was not happy with Pepper right now. I hate trying on clothes, it's so continuous and boring. I guess the reason that I didn't complain was because Pepper was doing this for me to make my first date the perfect night... Okay that's not the only reason. My main reason is that I really want to impress Steve. It's not only because he is Captain America but he's as sweet as he is strong, and I find that really attractive.
Thinking of Steve made me feel kind of bashful. I knew this not only because of the butterflies I felt, but also the heat that pooled to my cheeks. Then suddenly as quickly as the heat came it intensified and not only on my cheeks but it spread to my back and my hands as well. I knew what was happening and it had nothing to do with my feelings for Steve. I lifted my hand up to see if the fire would and it did. Flames arose from the tips of my finger then it started to cover most of my hand. I shook it and tried to get it to blow out but every time I did it would immediately come back.
"Come on, come on. Not now. " I whined. How was I going to explain myself if I ruined this dress.
"Jesse? Are you okay?" Pepper asked form out side of the door.
"No, I need a little help." I said. I put my hand away from the dress and lied, something that my secret ability was making me become really good at.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just 'that time' Pepper." I stated.
"That time'?..Oh! Oh! Do you need anything?" She asked.
"Some pads would be more than appreciated." I said blowing at my hand soundlessly.
"Okay, i'll be right. Don't go anywhere." She said.
"I won't." I said. After I heard her leave I started to wave my hand again. "Come on, go out." I sighed before I stated to repeatedly breath in and out slowly and then I sat down to repeat the process.
"Be at peace. It's okay everything's going to be okay. Nothing is wrong. Relax." I told myself and it was working. I laid my head against the wall and closed my eyes as I controlled my breathing. It wasn't long until my entire body felt like it was back to normal so I looked at my hand. The fire was gone. I shook off what just happened and stood up.
"Jessica?" I jumped when I heard Pepper call my name and knocked from the other side of the door.
"Yes?" I said.
"I have your things right here, could you open the door?" She said.
"Okay." I unlocked the door and she handed me the pads in a bag before she left the changing room. I opened the box and took out one rapped and put into the pocket of my jeans. After that I sighed and finally put on the last dress I had in here
"Hmm. Not bad."
When I came out Pepper lit up brighter than when she saw any of the other dresses.
"Now this only is just lovely. It brings out your curves and it's not too show. And the light color really compliments you." Cheryl said.
"Thank you. What about you, do you like it Pepper?" I asked her.
"I love it. It's the one, the perfect dress. You look beautiful. It's just causal and pretty enough for the occasion." She stated looking at happily before she looked back up to my face. "But what do you think about it?" She asked.
"Its beautiful and it's actually comfortable. I like it a lot more then the others." I said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, definitely." I said before picking up the part of the dress near my mid-thigh and swung it gently. Then I turned around and looked in the mirror and watched the bottom part flow gently through the air. The dress had a black strapped top and a flowing salmon colored bottom, I almost felt embarrassed because of how good this dress made me look.
"Okay, than we'll take it Cheryl." Pepper said before she turned to me. "After this we will do the finishing touches on the second floor.."
"Hm? Finishing touches? The second floor?" I asked and then I turned to Pepper and Cheryl who had excited smiles on their faces "What's on the second floor?"
"We have a spa and salon on the second floor." Cheryl said proudly.
"This is why I love this place." Pepper said. Why do I feel like I have been tricked?
For the next three hours I found out that beauty knows no pain, but I do.
Hello my wonderful readers! I know that it has been almost a year since I have updated but it was a very stressful and busy year. I hope that I am able to dive into this story and finish it, it hasn't really left off yet for when things really start happening to the main character. Thank you all for sticking it out and still holding on. And I hope that we will all stick it out to the very end.