Ugggghhh. I was sitting in Biology, slowly dying. We were reviewing cell structure, and I already know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, so what else did I really need to learn? Not like I was ever going to use any of this. I must have been hardcore zoning out, because Peter jabbed me in the side. I glanced sideways at him and he mouthed back, "Are you okay?"

I rolled my eyes and, after checking the teacher wasn't looking first, nodded then mimicked a yawn. He looked back at his own paper with a small chuckle, and went back to writing his notes. I sighed and turned my attention back to the front of the class. I suppose I should also be paying attention; this was after all one of the classes I struggled the most with. Mentally groaning, I did just that, managing to stay on task until the end of class, when the bell thankfully set me free… so that I could go to Algebra, the other class I struggled a lot in. Woohoo.

Flash sat next to me here unfortunately. He had been on good behaviour ever since that disastrous field trip, but I should have known it was too good to last. And of course, he saw as the teacher handed back our last assignments…and the massive 40 circled at the top of my paper—and the note from the teacher telling me to see her after class.

He turned to me with a sly grin, "So, still certain you're not going to need any help to graduate?"

Ignoring him, I began flipping through the assignment, wincing as I reviewed my mistakes. There were several throughout, but I had also done absolutely horrific on the large, multi-step question that made up a large portion of the grading.

He poked me with his pencil, "Hey, I'm talking to you, or are you too stupid to realize that?"

Still looking at my paper, I responded, "I realize it, I just don't want to talk to you."

"You do know there's no winter soldier around to come protect you now? We're back on my territory now. I think you'd do best to pay attention to me. Better for your health."

Did he think he was some kind of mobster?

I cast him the barest of glances, "Are you trying to threaten me?"

He gave an awkward cough and leaned closer, "See, you can catch on to things. Let's see how well you can keep up." He slid a note into my backpack, "Read that after class."

And he turned frontward, clearly done with the conversation. I did the same, outwardly paying attention as the teacher began the lesson. But my heart was pounding in my ears. Why did he think he could threaten me? Why didn't he just say it out loud? Why was a note now involved? Did he know that Tony was my dad? But he'd mentioned the winter soldier…so had he figured out I was related to Uncle Bucky?

I registered nothing from the entire lesson, then forced myself to pay attention as I went to talk to the teacher.

"You wanted to see me?"

She pursed her lips and looked me over, "Yes, you did shockingly poorly on this assignment. Tell me, truthfully, did you study?"

I had, for at least six hours. I nodded.

"Hmm, then did you not try very hard while you were actually doing it?"

I shook my head, "I did try, I swear."

She eyed me calculatingly, "Then there must be something missing between my teaching, and your learning, Miss Y/l/n, since you are the only one in this class to score below a 75…and so far below at that." Ouch. She continued, "There is only one conclusion to draw. You require a tutor."

"I—"

"And not Mr. Parker, or anyone else in your little group. Friends always mean well, but sometimes friendship gets in the way of properly helping someone. No, I have just the person—Flash Thompson."

No way in hell.

I shook my head vigorously and gave her a pleading look, "Please, anyone but him!"

She tsked, "There is no one better. He had the best grade overall on that assignment, and specifically on the question you struggled so much with as well."

I straightened my back, "I will not work with him."

"You will, or I will not give you the opportunity to redo that assignment and improve your grade. And that grade is worth a great deal indeed, as it is one of the largest assignments in this course. Unless you get above 80 on absolutely everything else between now and the end of the semester, and get a 100 on the exam, you will fail this class,"

She looked me up and down, "I do not see much chance of that happening, do you? So, I think it is in your best interest to have Flash tutor you."

I grabbed for one last lifeline, "I'm not so sure Flash will want to—"

"Already taken care of. He will assist you, and he will not boast it about the whole school—discretion is a very valuable skill— or he will not receive a coveted reference letter from me. I have connections at MIT that he hopes to take advantage of, you see."

So, she was blackmailing us both! Not seeing any other course of action, I sighed, and nodded as I mumbled, "Fine, I will talk to Flash."

She clapped her hands together, "Excellent. I shall see you tomorrow. Now you had better get going or you'll be late for your next class."

Checking the time, I realized she was right, and bolted out of the room. I landed in my chair in Media Studies, between Liz and Rose, just before the bell rang. They gave me amused glances, but didn't get the chance to ask anything as Mr. Moring called the class to attention. Pulling out my notebook, I saw Flash's note. Grabbing it too, I carefully opened it up inside my opened notebook.

'I know your secret, and soon everyone else will too. Unless you do what I say. Meet me after school. Third floor water fountain."