Thank you to Harliquinn for beta reading and editing.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and wishing you all a happy new year filled will all things amazing.
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Skye was sitting at a table in the library at her school, working with a couple of other students from class. They were trying to decide on a topic for a history project. They needed to pick a significant person or event from history to write a report on. The entire class was in there in their groups as well. The teacher was walking around keeping an eye on them.
"You know, we could always do Captain America. Very easy to get an interview with him," Rylan said looking at Skye.
"No," Skye said.
"Why not?" Rylan asked.
"Think about it. Would you want us to do a project on your dad?" Skye asked.
"I wouldn't care," Rylan said.
"Neither would I," Cody, the other member of the group said.
"There is an entire museum about him. And there are many other topics we can choose, why don't we do JFK's assassination?" Skye said.
"Another group already picked that," Cody said.
"911?" Skye suggested.
"Already picked too," Rylan said.
Skye googled historical events in U.S. history. "Columbine school shooting?" Skye suggested.
"No," Rylan said point-blank
Skye and Cody looked at her.
"Touchy subject," Rylan said.
"Because it affected your family?" Skye asked.
Rylan nodded.
"We could get interviews with people it directly affected," Cody said.
"She said no," Skye said.
Rylan smiled a bit at Skye. "I get it now."
Skye smiled a bit at her.
"Legalization of gay marriage?" Rylan suggested.
"Is that considered history?" Cody asked.
Skye put her hand up, and their teacher Mr. Heins came over.
"When does history become history?" Skye asked.
"There isn't a cut-off date exactly. What are you thinking?" Mr. Heins asked.
"Legalization of gay marriage," Rylan said.
"The first state to do so was Massachusetts in 2004. 2015 is when it was legalized in all of the U.S.," Skye said having looked it up.
"Ten years for a major event like that can be considered history. I will approve it," Mr. Heins said. "That's what you are going to do?"
They all agreed.
"Perfect," Mr. Heins said as he wrote it down on a paper he had on a clipboard.
The three started to research it.
When the bell rang, they all packed up and started for their next classes.
Rylan walked with her as they had the next class together, too. "This might seem like a weird question. Did we know each other before school here?"
Skye looked at her. "I don't think so."
"The first time I saw you in the halls I thought you looked familiar," Rylan said.
"You ever spend any time in the foster care system or around those who did?" Skye asked.
"Never been in foster care no, and not as far as I know," Rylan said.
"What do your parents do?" Skye asked.
"Both are performers on Broadway," Rylan said.
"I don't know how we would have crossed paths," Skye said.
Rylan nodded.
"My name and image ended up on the news before I came to school here, because of who I am," Skye said.
"No, wasn't that," Rylan said. "I did see that, but I don't know. I feel like we crossed paths somewhere," Rylan said.
"Where about do you live?" Skye asked.
Rylan gave her a street.
Skye nodded slightly. "The Dyer's?"
"They live across the street and down a few houses," Rylan said.
"They were foster parents for many years. I lived there for a couple of years when I was very young," Skye said.
Rylan nodded slowly. "I did hang out there a couple of times when I was really young."
"Just a couple of times?" Skye asked.
"Yeah, my parents stopped letting me go," Rylan said.
"Oh," Skye said. They got to the changing room and went in and changed into their Phys—ed clothing.
"I think you know why they stopped letting me," Rylan said.
"I have a suspicion as to why," Skye said, and she tied up her shoes. "But I don't have any interest in talking about it."
Rylan nodded.
Skye went into the gym and class soon began.
Skye was already feeling a little off, and they were playing a game of dodgeball. Skye hated dodgeball. Not because she wasn't good at it. But because as soon as people caught on to the fact that she had heightened reflexes she was the main target. Normally she was able to contain her annoyance and just play, but today that was not happening. She was dodging the balls, but when she got them she threw harder than necessary.
"Miss Rogers, be careful," the teacher Mrs. Watson said.
Skye heard her but chose to ignore her and continued throwing the ball at a high intensity.
"Miss Rogers," Mrs. Watson said sharply.
Skye took a breath.
"Do not make me tell you again, not so hard," Mrs. Watson said.
"Yes, ma'am," Skye said.
The game was coming to an end. Only Skye was left on her team, and one of Carly's friends was on the other. They both started throwing balls toward each other, both missing.
Mrs. Watson looked at her watch. Class was about to end, and they needed to pick up the gym.
"Okay, girls. It's a tie. Class is over, start picking up the balls," Mrs. Watson said.
Skye listened and reached down to grab a couple of balls from around her feet and ended up with a ball being thrown hard at her face.
Skye yelped and dropped the balls in her arms and put a hand to her face where she had been hit.
"Hey!" Mrs. Watson said to the other girl.
The girl smirked.
Mrs. Watson went over to Skye, "Are you okay?"
Skye nodded, her eyes tearing up a bit.
"I'll go with her to the nurse to get an ice pack," Rylan said.
"I'm fine, I don't need it," Skye said softly.
"Humor me and go please," Mrs. Watson said.
"Yes, ma'am. Rylan I can get there myself," she smiled at her friend.
Skye went to the changing room first and changed back into the school uniform before she went to the nurse's office, where she was given an ice pack and told to take a seat.
Skye sighed and sat, holding the ice pack to her cheek. "I'm really fine."
"A dodgeball to the face can cause serious damage," the nurse said.
"I heal quickly," Skye said.
"Just sit here with it on your face for a few minutes while I call your dad," the nurse said.
Skye sighed. "Do you have to?"
"Yes. Why don't you want me to?" the nurse asked.
"Two days in a row I'm hurt at school, he's not going to be happy," Skye said.
"True, but I don't think he is going to be upset with you," the nurse said.
"Not with me, no," Skye said.
The nurse called Steve, but got no answer.
"Know what he was doing today?" the nurse asked.
"No," Skye said.
The nurse wrote her up a late pass and handed it to her. "You can go to class. Come back if it starts to hurt or swells more."
Skye got up and left, going to her locker to get her books for class before she went. She handed her teacher the note and sat down in her spot.
By lunchtime, there was a buzz around the school about what happened.
Skye sat with her friends like normal, and they all looked at her.
"Are you okay?" Anna asked.
"Yes," Skye said. "It doesn't even hurt."
"It looks pretty bad," Lily said.
Skye shrugged. "I'm fine."
"Did you hear what happened to the jerk who did that to you?" Ivy asked.
"No," Skye said.
"Suspended for three days," Ivy said.
Skye shook her head. "Great."
"That's a good thing right?" Anna asked.
Skye shrugged. "I hate being at the center of drama. Everyone talking about me. Having to worry which of Carly's friends is going to come after me next."
Her friends all nodded.
"I love this school, but every day I feel more and more that homeschooling is better," Skye said.
"You do that, the bullies win," Lily said.
"Yeah, I don't really feel like I'm winning," Skye said pointing to her face.
"Things will calm down," Ivy said.
"I hope so," Skye said.
They changed the subject. As they were just finishing eating, Ivy noticed Mr. Fields standing by the door of the cafeteria watching their table.
"We are being watched," Ivy said.
"Oh?" Anna said as they all looked around.
"Mr. Fields is at the door," Ivy said.
Skye looked over at the door, and Mr. Fields signaled for her to come. She sighed and looked at her friends.
"I guess I'll see you all later," Skye said, packing up her lunch.
Her friends all said bye as she left the table and went over.
He saw her face was pretty swollen.
"I was going talk to you in my office, but I think you need to be checked out by Ms. Bates again," he said as he led her toward the nurse's office, where she sat with a new ice pack.
"How are you feeling?" Mr. Fields asked.
"I'm fine," Skye said.
"You're sure?" Mr. Fields asked.
"Yup," Skye said.
Ms. Bates took a look at her face. "I think dodgeball shouldn't even be a sport in high school gym class."
"Do not make me the reason dodgeball is banned," Skye said quickly. "That's the fastest way to make the entire school hate me."
Mr. Fields shook his head. "It would be the fault of the person who intentionally threw the ball at your face."
"That's not what everyone is going to see," Skye said.
"I'm not going to ban it because of one student," Mr. Fields said before he looked at Ms. Bates. "Were you able to get in contact with her dad?"
"No," Ms. Bates said.
"He might have been called away on business, it happens. You should contact Pepper Potts. I think she is listed as second to call," Skye said.
Mr. Fields nodded. "I believe you are correct."
Ms. Bates looked at her file. "I see a Virginia Potts listed as second."
Skye chuckled. "I always forgot that's her name. I don't think anyone actually calls her that."
Ms. Bates smiled and called her and explained the situation.
"Is she okay? Does she need to come home? I can come get her," Pepper said.
"She's okay. Her face is swollen. She says it doesn't hurt. I don't know if she is just saying that," Ms. Bates said.
"I'm fine," Skye said loudly.
Pepper shook her head. "In your professional opinion, should I come get her?"
"I think if she keeps the ice on her face, she should be okay," Ms. Bates said.
"Okay, well, let her know I expect that she does as she is told," Pepper said. "I will be there to get her after school."
"Okay," Ms. Bates said, and they hung up. "She wanted me to tell you to do as you are told. And she will be here to get you at the end of the day."
"Okay," Skye said.
"And please come back if the swelling doesn't start to go down soon," Ms. Bates said.
"Yes, ma'am," Skye said. She looked up at Mr. Fields.
"Go, get to class," Mr. Fields said as the warning bell rang.
Skye got up and left the nurse's office. She went to her locker to put away her lunch bag and grabbed her books for science class.
Her last two classes went as expected. She kept the icepack on her face, and the swelling did go down. At the end of the day, she went to her locker and grabbed her stuff. She closed her locker and turned around and saw Carly's two friends, Lucy, and Millie, standing there. They had not done anything to her directly, but that didn't stop her from worrying about what they were going to say or do.
"We aren't going to do anything to you," Millie said.
"What do you want?" Skye asked
"We're sorry," they both said.
Skye nodded slightly.
"We don't want to be involved in Carly's issues with you," Lucy said.
"Okay," Skye said, not really knowing what else to say.
"And when she gets back we plan to tell her to leave us out of it," Lucy added.
"Okay," Skye said again. "I can't say I fully believe you, given Carly's fake apology before things escalated to all this."
They nodded in understanding.
"But you leave me alone, I'll leave you alone, and we can just coexist," Skye said.
They both nodded again.
Skye said a quick bye before she walked away and outside to look for Pepper. She saw her car parked and went over and got in. She said hi to Morgan, who was in the back.
"Hi, what happened to your face?" Morgan asked.
"Got hit with a ball," Skye said.
"Ouch!" Morgan said.
Pepper looked at her. "It doesn't look too bad."
"It was worse," Skye admitted.
Pepper nodded. "Does it hurt?"
"A bit. It's hurts more as the day has gone on," Skye said.
Pepper started the drive home. "We have ice at home for you to continue using."
Skye nodded.
"How are you feeling about what happened?" Pepper asked as she started to drive.
"I don't know," Skye said. "Carly's two friends, who haven't done anything to me directly before, came and apologized. They promised they were going to leave me alone. But I don't know if I believe them, because Carly did the same before all hell broke loose."
Pepper nodded. "Well, hopefully, they mean it."
"Yeah," Skye said. "My dad has been called away, I take it?"
"Yes, everyone has been called to Europe for something," Pepper said.
Skye nodded. "Know how long they will be gone ?"
"A few days probably," Pepper said.
Skye nodded again.
The rest of the drive Skye was quiet and let Morgan talk her ear off. When they got home they all went inside. Skye grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and sat with it on her face.
"There is a piece of cheesecake left, do you want it?" Pepper asked.
Skye smiled. "Yes, please."
Pepper got it for her, getting Morgan something for a treat as well.
"Did someone hit you with the ball on purpose?" Morgan asked.
Skye looked at Pepper, not sure what to tell her.
Pepper nodded. "You can tell her."
"Yes," Skye said.
"Why?" Morgan asked.
"She doesn't like me," Skye said.
"Why not? You are the bestest," Morgan said.
Skye smiled. "I think you're the bestest, too, but not everyone agrees with you."
Morgan shrugged. "They are just stupid."
"Morgan, we don't call people stupid," Pepper gently scolded the girl.
"But a mean girl threw a ball at her!" Morgan said.
"Yes, it was very mean of the girl to do that. But that doesn't mean you should call her or anyone stupid," Pepper said.
Morgan nodded. "Okay."
Skye finished her treat before she got up and put her dish in the dishwasher and the ice pack back in the freezer. "I have homework." She went to her room, changed out of her school uniform, and into sweatpants and a t-shirt before starting her homework. She had a lot of it today.
A couple of hours later her phone rang. She looked at it before she answered.
"Hey, Dad," Skye said.
"Are you okay?" Steve asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Skye said. "I take it you talked to Pepper."
"Pepper and your school," Steve said.
"I'm really okay," Skye said. "I've been icing it."
"Good," Steve said.
"How long are you going to be gone for?" Skye asked, hoping to get a different answer than Pepper had told her.
"A few days," Steve said.
"Okay," Skye said, disappointed.
"I'm sorry, Peanut," Steve said.
"It's okay. You are doing your job. I understand," Skye said.
"I promise this weekend we will have a father-daughter day. We can go to the movies, just us," Steve said.
Skye smiled. "Okay. Sounds fun."
"Please behave for Pepper. Love you, Peanut," he said.
"I always do. Love you too, Dad," she said before they hung up.
Skye sighed and finished her homework just as there was a knock on her door.
"Yes?" Skye said.
Morgan came in. "I was told to come and get you for dinner."
Skye smiled and got up.
The two went into the kitchen, where they sat with Pepper for dinner. After dinner, Skye looked at Pepper.
"Is it okay if I go for a walk?" Skye asked.
"It's already getting dark. I think it's better you don't," Pepper said.
Skye let out a breath. "Okay." She helped her clear up the dishes from dinner before she went back to her room and called Tucker.
"Hey, Skye," Tucker said.
"Hey, Tuck," Skye said.
"How was the aftermath of yesterday?" Tuck asked.
"Well, one of her little friends chose to hit me in the face with a dodgeball while in gym class. Yes, it was intentional. We were told to start picking up the balls. I was bending over to pick one up, and she threw it at my face," Skye said.
Tucker sighed. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's already gotten to its worst state and is already healing. I'm very thankful for the accelerated healing," Skye said.
"Yeah, I would be too," Tucker said.
"How was your day?" Skye asked.
"Wasn't great," Tucker said.
"What's wrong?" Skye asked.
"My boss got an anonymous email saying that I was on drugs, and obviously there is a no-drug policy at work. I had to get drug tested, and my probation officer was called. It was a whole thing. Obviously, it came up clean, but I have no idea who would even think I was on drugs," Tucker said.
"Shit, with all the drama I forgot to mention. My dad spoke with your aunt and uncle when they were all at the school after the altercation. Your aunt and uncle told my dad that they are concerned because they think you are on drugs and that they assumed you and I were getting in trouble together and such," Skye said.
Tucker sighed.
"I swear I planned to tell you, just everything happened so fast," Skye said quickly.
"I know, it's okay," Tucker said. "I'm not angry with you."
"Do you think they would actually go to your boss though?" Skye asked.
"I don't know if they would. But I wouldn't put it past Carly," Tucker said.
"I'm confused. I get why she hates me. She still thinks I sold you out, but what is her issue with you?" Skye asked.
"Because I told on her for giving you a hard time," Tucker said.
"Oh, so it's a new anger at you," Skye said.
"Yeah," Tucker said. "We used to be close. Being raised in the same house, we kind of grew up as siblings, except her parents definitely made a distinction in how they treated us. She's a spoiled brat. No other way to describe it. I was always treated less than. My basic needs were covered, but that's about it. There was nothing extra."
"I'm sorry, Tuck," Skye said.
"Not your fault, but obviously being removed from the house we grew more and more apart, and then you two crossing paths and all the drama. I have no energy or want to be around or communicate with people like her, family or not. Her mother isn't much better. I remember before my parents passed. I remember my dad and uncle arguing about my aunt. I was too young to really understand, but I remember enough to know that my parents did not like my aunt. I'm sure that didn't help when I was basically forced on them," Tucker said.
"Okay, but that's not your fault. You shouldn't have been held accountable for your parent's feelings. You were a kid," Skye said.
"I know, but when it's all you know. When they are the only family you have. I was, like you said, a kid. I didn't know what else to do. I'm old enough now that I can choose, to some degree, the contact I have with people," Tucker said. "And I have chosen to go no contact. And sending an email to my boss could be Carly's revenge."
"I know you came up clean, but are you in any trouble?" Skye asked.
"My probation officer is annoyed because he thinks I have come in contact with people from my past who want to hurt me," Tucker said.
"Wait, are you supposed to be staying away from me?" Skye asked.
Tucker let out a chuckle. "Yes and no."
"Tucker, I will not be the reason you end up back in jail," Skye said.
"I said yes and no," Tucker said. "I'm supposed to stay away from people I got in trouble with. But my probation officer knows I spend time with you and has spoken with the police. Because you have stayed out of trouble for over a year he is accepting it. He thinks because the people you are around are good examples, it's good for me to be around you."
Skye started to laugh. "So I went from being a bad influence to being a good influence?"
Tucker chuckled. "I guess you did."
"I guess I have lost all my street cred," Skye said, still laughing.
Tucker laughed. "I guess so. But is that a bad thing?"
"No," Skye said as her laughing subsided.
"Does your dad have concerns about us hanging out because of what my uncle and aunt told him?" Tucker asked.
"He brought the conversation up with me. I told him I think I would know if you were using drugs around me at least, and that obviously we haven't spent much time together outside of here so when would we have gotten in trouble together? He made me promise that, if you did start to get into trouble or I found out that you were using, I wouldn't spend time with you," Skye said. "But he didn't say we couldn't spend time together. And if he didn't want me to, he would say so."
"Okay," Tucker said.
"It's weird to have any adult trusting me, trusting my judgment," Skye said.
"Yeah, you're lucky," Tucker said.
"You'll get there soon," Skye said. "Just keep doing what you're doing. How long is your probation?"
"It's the full two years they can give a minor. So I'll be eighteen before I'm off probation," Tucker said.
"Urg," Skye said.
"But it's better than being in jail," Tucker said.
"I used to think that I'd rather be in juvie than in the shitty group homes," Skye said.
"No, trust me, it wasn't better," Tucker said.
"I believe you," Skye said.
The two kept talking.
Around ten there was a knock on Skye's door.
"Hold on, Tuck, someone's knocking on my door," Skye said before putting a hand over the speaker on her phone. "Come in."
Pepper went in. "Do you realize the time?" she asked with a smile.
Skye looked at her phone. "Oh. No, I didn't. Tuck did you realize the time?" she asked, putting the phone back to her ear.
"I did not," Tucker said, looking at the clock on his nightstand. "We should probably hang up."
"Yeah, probably," Skye said.
They said goodnight and hung up.
"Sorry," Skye said to Pepper.
"Nothing to apologize for, you were having a good conversation and lost track of time," Pepper said with a smile. "I understand."
"Can I ask you a question?" Skye asked.
Pepper sat on her bed. "Yes."
"How old were you when you had your first boyfriend?" Skye asked.
Pepper smiled. "I was seventeen."
"Was it because you had to wait to be allowed to until seventeen?" Skye asked.
"My dad used to tell me I wasn't allowed to date until I was married," Pepper said.
Skye giggled.
"But, thankfully, my mom helped me with that," Pepper said with a smile.
Skye nodded.
"Your dad says sixteen," Pepper said.
"He does," Skye said.
"But you don't want to wait?" Pepper asked.
"No, but I will respect the rule and wait," Skye said.
Pepper nodded. "That's probably the best choice. But you are thinking about Tucker?"
"Yes," Skye said smiling big.
Pepper smiled. "The benefit to the fact that you two have been friends for so long is you know you can just be friends, and when the time comes, if you both are still interested, you can take it to the next level."
Skye nodded. "I just hope he doesn't find someone else before then."
"Well, if he really does like you, he will wait. If not, he is not worth your heart," Pepper said.
"He already has my heart is the problem," Skye said. "I don't fall for people easily. He is the only person I have ever had real feelings for."
Pepper nodded. "That is hard. But worrying about the future of your relationship won't be good for your current friendship. So just be his friend, and leave the future for the future."
"Okay," Skye said.
"Now, how does your cheek feel?" Pepper asked.
"Fine, I think it's already healing," Skye said.
"Still looks swollen. I'm going to get you some ice. I want you to use it before you go to bed," Pepper said.
Skye nodded. "I'm going to shower first, though."
"Okay, I'll let you do that," Pepper said as she got up and left the room.
Skye took a shower and got into her pajamas before crawling into bed. Pepper came a few minutes later and gave her the ice pack. Skye held it on her cheek.
"Good night," Pepper said.
"Good night," Skye said.
Pepper left her room again, letting the girl sleep.