Author's Note: Just wanted everyone to know, I made a couple changes to the first chapter that would better fit the story. Beta'd by cloudedstarshine.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the respective characters of the Marvel Universe.

Chapter 1: True Potential

New York, 2034

"Principal Irons will see you now, Miss Stark." The secretary stared at Harley blandly. She groaned, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and stepped into the principal's office. Principal Irons was scribbling something in an important-looking notebook. He gestured to the two red leather chairs sitting in front of his desk.

"Have a seat, Harley. I'll be with you in a minute." Principal Irons had a unique way of speaking that relaxed and made people feel like they weren't in trouble. Harley knew what to expect; she had been here enough times to know the drill. She slouched into one of the chairs and patiently waited for the principal to finish whatever exactly he was doing. Finally, he calmly closed his notebook, folded his hands over his desk, and viewed Harley with what appeared to be a disappointed gaze.

"I really hope these visits aren't going to become regular, Harley," Principal Irons said evenly. "I wanted to inform you that since this is the third time this week you've been sent to my office, I'll have to notify your parents." Harley stared absentmindedly at a spot on the wall behind Principal Iron's head and refused to make eye contact with him. "So what happened today?"

Harley's eyes slid to Principal Irons's. "I don't think it's necessary to tell you," Harley said tiredly. "I'm sure you're already aware of what exactly happened today."

"Harley, I've been nothing but cooperative and patient with you this week," Principal Irons said in a warning tone. "I therefore expect you to be the same way."

Harley turned her focus to a pen holder on the desk in front of her. She genuinely liked Principal Irons. He was devoted to his job as the principal of a private high school and was there to help the students for more than just the salary. She didn't care for inconveniencing him and decided to at least try to be amicable like he requested. "Mr. Ashby asked me to complete an equation on the board and I told him that my attention had been devoted to issues more important than the equation that represented fictional variables. Then he told me that because I have "such a distinguished pedigree," I should be able to complete the equation regardless. I then told him that because I was in a class with nothing but rich albeit intelligent assholes, it did not constitute that I act as such." Harley sighed, realizing how arrogant she sounded. "And you know the rest."

Principal Irons stared at Harley, lips pursed in thought. "Alright, I think that we can both agree that your attitude towards Mr. Ashby was unacceptable. Now I have a question for you." Harley looked back up at Principal Irons. "Could you have completed that problem?"

Harley hesitated before answering, "Yes."

"Then why didn't you?"

Harley's eyes narrowed. "Because I would have been proving Mr. Ashby's point."

"That's a bad thing?"

"When you're the progeny of the great Tony Stark," Harley waved her hands dramatically, "then yes, it's a bad thing."

"Okay, I understand living in your father's shadow can be difficult—"

"Do you?" Harley asked. "Do you really?"

Principal Irons pursed his lips again. "Well, no. I guess not." Harley crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at the floor. Principal Irons sighed sadly. "Harley, I understand there's a lot of pressure on you given the position you're in. I just find it very upsetting that rather than work towards your own goals and actually apply yourself, you intentionally sabotage your future. You are one of the most promising students I have ever met, and you have so many opportunities that others don't. Why are you so willing to throw that all away?"

"You don't know." Harley's chin quivered slightly. "You have no idea what it's like to have people expect so much of you the minute you're born." Harley raised her head, her eyes hard and cold. "My father named me his successor of Stark Industries, and just like that, any chance I had of pursuing any other path was out of the question. Ever since then, people have watched me. Judged me. Compared me to my father." Harley leaned forward in her seat, gripping her knees with her palms. Her voice was slowly rising as she grew more distraught. "I've been told by several people that I have large shoes to fill and I need to work hard if I ever wanted to compare to the almighty Tony Stark! Society has high expectations of me and because of those expectations, there's no way in hell I'd ever be able to anything I wanted with my life! And does anyone care? No! They couldn't care less!"

Harley glared at Principal Irons, who was watching her intently, a look of concern forming on his face. Harley let out an exasperated sigh and slumped back into the chair. She crossed her arms in front of her again and shook her head despondently, desperately trying to hold back tears. "Just…fuck society."

Principal Irons leaned forward on his elbows and folded his hands in front of his mouth. He studied Harley's troubled expression. This was perhaps the first time he had seen Harley openly express herself. She was usually so quiet and isolated. To see her break down under the massive amount of pressure placed on her truly bothered him. After a few more moments of contemplation, he pulled out a slip of paper, wrote something on it, and handed it to Harley. Harley gingerly took the paper from Principal Irons and saw the word Suspended on it, followed by the principal's signature. Harley's brows furrowed and she looked at Principal Irons.

"Harley, given recent events, I'm suspending you from school for the rest of the week. I'll be calling your parents immediately to inform them of the situation. I hope you use this time to think about what you truly want out of life." Harley nodded, still comprehending what just happened, and left Principal Irons's office. While walking to her car, Harley wondered what she really wanted to do with her life. She knew that wanted the freedom to break away from the life chosen for her, but what she would do instead of her predetermined course, she had no idea.