Earth, 5 months later
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at my alarm clock, it was almost ten. Best perks of summer, getting to sleep in everyday. I smiled and stretched my limbs on my queen size bed. I looked out my one-way glass window to see New York City. My dad's new project, Stark Tower, in Manhattan finished just a few days ago. My room had a canopied queen size bed with black and white sheets and pillows. Two black drawers on both sides of my bed with two bright red lamps. I had a black wardrobe, shelf, desk, and chair. The wall was white with white Christmas lights hung up around the room. I climbed out with my feet touching the soft white carpet.
I ran a hand through my now cut hair, I cut it into a one side longer than the other bob. But now it looked like a little mess but I cared less. I walked out through the empty living room to the kitchen where I saw a note on the fridge,
There's some money in your drawer to buy some food, your dad is putting the finishing touches on and is hooking up the power tonight then we'll celebrate. I'll be back around 8 see you then.
-Love Pepper
I smiled, looks like I have to go outside, I walked down the hallway into the bathroom. I took a shower and walked back to my room in a robe.
"JARVIS do you know any good diner's nearby"
"There are five diners within a mile from the tower." He replied as I changed
"Which one has good milkshakes?"
"Miller and Son's Diner has the best milkshake reviews."
"Great thanks JARVIS"
I changed into a pair of black high waist shorts with six gold buttons on them, a pink transparent lace shirt with a black bandeau, and white high top converse. I bushed my hair and put on a black leather jacket and a little bit of make up on before grabbing the money and leaving.
JARVIS sent the directions to my phone and fallowed them until I found the place. I've been so nervous to be on my own in this city. So many people, alleys, buildings, it felt like a giant concrete maze. I walked inside the diner and sat at a booth. The waiter gave me my menu and I looked at my options. After deciding what I wanted to order, I looked up from my menu. There where some parents with their kids, a young couple, a group of teenage boys in the corner making a bunch of noise. I saw the chef, a large old man, telling them to stop bothering the other customers but the boys flipped him off.
I rolled my eyes, this was the main reason why I've been single for so long, and my generations of boys act so dumb and immature. I looked in front of me to the booth in front of me, I saw a young man. He had neat blonde hair, blue eyes, and strong jawline he was wearing a white buttoned up shirt rolled up to his elbows. His shirt was able to reveal the outline of a strong chest, arms, and shoulders. He moved his head to me and I grabbed my menu and put it in front of my face.
"Excuse me"
I jumped and turned my head to see a couple with a young girl standing shyly behind the woman's leg. I put a hand over my beating heart and put on a friendly smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't hear you" I said "how can I help you?"
"If it's not much of a bother, my daughter wanted you to sign this." The man handed me a picture of me in my black dress from the party my dad held after he came home from the Middle East.
"Oh it's no problem, do you have a pen?"
"Here" The mother pulled a pen from her purse and the girl stepped closer to me, she had a pink shirt, jean jacket, black and white tights, and a pink tutu. Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail with a butterfly clip in it.
"What's your name?" I asked
"Selena" She said
"What a beautiful name" I said making her smile, I signed the picture and gave it to her.
"Thank you"
She left with her parents smiling and I looked up to see the young man smiling at me. When our eyes met he picked up his menu and acted like nothing happened. I smiled he seemed cute, the waiter came back and I placed my order. I heard the boys giggle and I looked over to see them glance over to me.
"Hey Stark" One boy with long hair said "I got something for you to sign"
He stood up on the round bunch and put his hand on his crotch making all his friends laugh.
"Holy crap" I said getting up from my booth "you're a dude. The hair and eye make up really threw me off. And your boyfriends aren't helping you look better too."
The customers went "Ooh" and the smile from the boys face fell. He jumped down and some people moved fearing to be caught into a fight.
"Say that again bitch" He snarled, "I dare you"
Before I could reply someone cleared his or her throat loudly behind me, I turned around to see the blonde man from the booth. He stood a few inches tall than me and I realized his chest to waist ratio, damn.
"Try calling her like that again, I dare you." He said
"She's a dumb bitch who needs to be put in her place." The boy said behind me, I turned around and slammed my fist onto his jaw knocking him to the ground.
"That felt good" I said and turned to the rest of the boys as my hands glowed "Anyone else?"
They all shook their heads no.
"Then leave and don't ever come back" I warned "and take your friend with you."
The boys ran out of the booth and two dragged their friend out and the employees and customers applauded. I turned to face the man,
"Thank you, I knew you where going to stand up against them." I said
"It's no problem ma'am I just hate how boys treat women today." He said and reached his hand out "I'm Steve Rogers"
"Kida Stark" I put my small hand in his large one and shook it
"I've seen that new tower you built, I can see it from my apartment." He said
"Yeah honestly I just moved here a few days ago, I'm still trying to learn my way around."
"Maybe I can help you walk back to the tower, after you finish."
"I'd like that" I said smiling back
We went back to our tables but I grabbed my plate and sat down at his booth across the table from him.
"Have you lived in Manhattan all your life?"
"Well I'm from Brooklyn I moved here to take in some new things." He said looking out the window next to us
"What do you do?" I asked and he turned to me "I'm sorry I'm trying to get to know you first."
"I'm a soldier"
"Did you just get back?"
"Yes"
"How long have you been gone?"
"A really long time" He said then our food arrived
We ate our food and continued our small talk and when we finished the waiter put a large chocolate milkshake between us with two straws and cherries on top of whipped cream.
"Best milkshake in New York" Steve said
We drank our milkshake and he sat up and gave me his arm, I smiled and took it. He opened the door for me and I thanked him. We continued talking and he would point out restaurants he used to go to as a kid.
"Where you a popular kid in school?" I asked
"Honestly no, I looked a lot different back then." He said "If you saw how I looked you wouldn't be here with me."
"I don't need to know how good someone looks when they have a strong heart."
We both looked at each other and I smiled at him, he smiled a little and walked me to the door of Stark Towers.
"Thank you for walking me back here" I said
"No problem as long as you got back home safely"
"Here" I pulled a pen from my purse and an old candy wrapper, I wrote my number and gave it to him. "Here's my number, if you ever want to show me the sights again."
"I will"
He grabbed the paper and touched my hand in the process, I felt butterflies burst in my stomach and I smiled more. When he turned around to walk away I did the same and walked inside. I walked into an empty elevator and a huge smile on my face appeared. The doors opened when I arrived at the apartment and saw my dad in the living room.
"Hey dad"
"KIDA GET DOWN!" He yelled
I turned around and saw a rocket fly out, I ducked to the ground and looked up to see the rocket open up to form into another Ironman suit.
"Really dad?" I asked, "Why did you make this one?"
"Just in case there's an emergency" He said helping me up "you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine"
"Really you where smiling and giggling like a school girl."
"I was not," I said in a high voice
"Your cheeks are turning red," He said pointing to my face as his suit came off
"They're not" I said laughing
"Did you meet a boy?"
"No are you kidding me?" I scoffed and laughed as I slowly walked backwards to my room "Dad it's me you know I don't date um bye."
I ran down the hallway and disappeared into my room. I closed the door and jumped onto my bed smiling. I spent the rest of the day reading while waiting for him to call. I waited for an hour until my phone rang.
"Hello"
"Hey this is Steve from the diner, is this the right number?"
"Yeah it's Kida" I smiled "how are you?"
"Good um there's this new Italian restaurant that opened by the park. I was wondering if you want to go." He said
"I'd love to" I said my heart jumping "meet me at Stark Towers at eight thirty ok."
"Great I'll see you then"
"Bye"
"Bye"
I jumped off the bed jumping in excitement and letting out a little high-pitched scream. I immediately ran to my closet trying to find something good to wear. I pulled out a bright red high waist skirt, and a black and white patterned with the short sleeves covering my shoulders, and black stilettos. I put it on and straightened my hair. I put on a little bit of make up and put on a black leather jacket and grabbed a black leather clutch. I put in my phone, chap stick, and some mint gum. My heart was pounding and I could stand still. I opened my drawer to put my make up away when I saw it.
The necklace Luke gave me, I still had it but I haven't touched it since he left. I picked it up and wiped the dust off the gem. I pulled it out and just stared at it, a voice in my head told me to put it on. But I couldn't, I can't go back and live in the past I have to move on.
"Kida" I turned around to see Pepper wearing a white shirt and jean shorts. "are you going out?"
"Yeah I'm sorry I forgot to tell you"
"It's ok, who's the guy?"
"Why do you assume it's a guy?"
"I don't assume I know" She smiled "what's his name?"
"Steve, he's amazing, a complete gentleman tall muscular." I said then looked down realizing I'm still holding the necklace "I'm just nervous though, this is the first time I've been on a date since Luke."
"Kida" She walked to me and gave me a hug "I know you where upset when Luke left, but just remember to not let him control you. You deserve a good man, all I ask is for you to be safe. And if he hurts you, I'll let Tony kill him."
"Thanks Pepper" I looked at my alarm "I got to go I'll be back before midnight"
"Be safe and have fun"
~Chapter song~
I've been starin' at ya
And I could do it all night
You're looking like an angel
With that kind of body needs a spotlight
-Who's that Boy? By Demi Lovato
