Author's Note: Thanks Joyfulelf, I'm glad you liked the chapter. I kind of figure you would.

Seven days seemed like a lifetime, not to mention the negative thoughts that frequently invaded her head, didn't help either. She knows that she has a good chance of being adopted by Tony Stark, but he could turn around and adopt a much younger child. But as she tries to fight the negative, it turns out useless when the resident bitches are quick to remind her, how no one would want her. The door to the library opened causing the fourteen year old to groan.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't our favourite pathetic dreamer." taunted a sixteen year old with dark blonde hair. While another girl, sixteen with light blonde hair giggled.

Athalia rolled her eyes and picked up the nearest book, it happens to be Twilight Saga: New Moon. She didn't care to much about the story. She seen the movie, but anything is better than listening to those two. But apparently, they had other ideas. The light blonde girl snatched the book and tossed it across the room.

The dark blonde laughed before plucking Athalia. "You're so full of hope it's sad."

Athalia closed her eyes as she felt a familiar burning rise, that she has been fighting for ten years. She got up but was pushed back by the dark blonde teen. She had been going through this for the longest and now she couldn't take it. When her eyes snapped open, they were bright gold and a animal-like snarl erupted from her throat. A loud scream made Athalia snap out of her daze, her eyes back to pale blue. Her eyes widen when they landed on the dark blonde. The older teen was lying on her back with a black eye and a busted lip.

Athalia gasped, as she covered her mouth with her hands. "Stacey, I'm so sorry-"

The light blonde, Liz glared at her. "Get out of here you freak!"

Athalia lowered her head and ran out of the library with tears falling down her face. She ran out of the house and towards the stables. She entered the barn and slid down Hawkeye's stall door. She buried her head in her arms and started to cry. She'll never be adopted now. No one wants a dangerous monster as their child. The sounds of boots against the wooden floor caused Athalia to look up and see Thomas standing over her.

"I guess you're here to tell me how much trouble I am in for what I did to Stacey."

Thomas sat by his friend and pulled her close. "Macy didn't say anything, but Stacey deserved it. She and Liz has been bullying you far too long."

Athalia leaned her head against her friend's shoulder as tears continue to fall down her face. "Do you think I'm a monster?"

Thomas shook his head, "No and I'm sure neither will Tony Stark."

The sixteen year could tell that she was still shooken up. He stood and quickly left the barn, before Athalia could question her friend's action. Thomas came back with one hand behind his back. Athalia was about to ask but a soft yelp stopped her.

Thomas chuckled before removing his hand to show a small brown puppy. It was a german shepherd -collie, husky mix. Different shades of brown fur, white chest, stomach, muzzle, paws and the tip of the tail was white. "He was originally your adoption gift but I think you need him now."

Athalia smiled before standing up and hugged the older boy. "Thank you. He's beautiful."

Thomas smiled before giving the puppy over. "The people at the shelter named him Douglas."

Athalia hugged the puppy, who licked her face. "Douglas is perfect."

"Athalia."

The teens looked towards the barn entrance and seen Macy with a suitcase. They shared a look before looking back at the woman. "Macy what's going on?"

"Thomas, halter Hawkeye and take him to the front. There's a trailer out there." with a heavy sigh, Macy turned to Athalia with a small smile. "Mister Stark has decided to adopt you. You are now Athalia Stark."

Athalia couldn't believe her luck. She was going to be adopted. With a deep breath she grabbed the dark purple suitcase and headed towards the front, where there was a long limousine with a trailer hooked to the back. With one last look at the orphanage, she picked up Douglas who followed her from the barn and got in the limo. She waved to Macy and Thomas before the limo started to drive away.

-O-

Athalia was amazed at the scenery but was confused when the limo stopped at a ranch. But that disappeared when she got a good look at the place. There was a mega large mansion, that looked like a old castle from a fairytale, with a large A on top. There was a large barn with a small house not far.

"I take it, you like what you see."

Athalia screamed as Douglas began to bark. She moved her pale blue eyes from the area to the direction of the voice to see none other than Tony Stark. "This is amazing, Mister Stark."

Tony wrapped a arm around the teen and headed to the house. As a man with light brown hair grabbed Hawkeye and took him to the stables as Douglas followed his owner. When they entered everyone in what looked like a living room looked towards them. A sixteen year old with light brown hair, looked up with narrowed sliverish blue eyes. A girl with long golden blonde hair smiled and walked over.

"Hi, you must be Athalia. I'm Torunn Thorsdòttir."

Athalia smiled back and shook the younger girl's hand as a boy, fifteen with red hair and bright blue eyes walked over and shook her hand. "James."

Athalia looked towards the boy with light brown hair, expecting him to introduce himself. He just glared and left. A new voice caused Athalia to turn and see a sixteen with brown skin and long black hair.

"That's Nathaniel for you. I'm Samira by the way."

Tony finally thought that was enough for Athalia for one day and ushered the girl towards a arch-way on the other side of the living room. "Alright, young lady. We have a lot of things to go through tomorrow."

Athalia nodded and picked up Douglas before following her new dad.