I Was Never Yours

Chapter 17

Callie P.O.V

Tonight Harry is staying over, and true to his word Ned and Peter are coming earlier to hang out. At first I was ecstatic that the answer was yes but now my stomach is a bundle of nerves. Peter is coming to my house. I have no idea how to entertain people, and if my Dad or Uncles decide to make things weird then I'll lose all hope of Peter ever liking me.

"It's too high risk." I tell Harry, urging my point that he should pretend to contract mad cow and cancel.

"Callie you're just nervous, which is normal but completely unwarranted." He says, waving my concern away, "besides, no one would believe mad cow." He rolls his eyes. "And girl, you've done so well these last two days, don't waste it!"

I nod, he's right. The stipulation was that Dad wouldn't get any phone calls in regard to my behaviour. If he did my friends couldn't come over. It meant I had to bite my tongue a lot because the bullying had persisted. The Spanish teacher did not hide her distaste for me. But I did it. I made it to Friday without an incident, and all I have to do is make it through these last few classes and I'm home free.

"Okay fine. I'm just so nervous. What if my Dad does something stupid? What if I do something stupid? Peter will never want to hang out with me again!" I howl.

"Ugh, we've been over this! You're adorable, straight guys like girls like you. I mean Jay Rosario is checking you out as we speak."

"Really?" I spin my head around to see the person in question sitting across the cafeteria, his dark head of hair quickly dropping when he sees me notice him.

"Yes, but never mind him, he's an asshole. I know he was trying to be charming while his friends bullied you but he was the one that pushed me down the stairs." Harry reminds me, and I turn back around despite the fact that the dark eyes peering at me through long black lashes makes my stomach flip flop in strange, unwanted curiosity. "And even if he was a secretly nice person, he clearly does stupid things to impress his friends."

I agree and push the boy with the curious eyes out of my mind. Glancing a few tables over to where Ned and Peter are sitting, I turn to Harry, "okay, what do I do tonight? Do I make a move on him or, what?" I ask.

He presses his lips together, looking up to the left in thought. "I don't think you should make a move on him. I mean try and sit beside him and chat. Maybe be a little flirty, but let him make the first move. Atleast for now. You'd need a few more hang outs before trying to have a moment." He nods sagely like a wise wizard.

"Say Harry," I begin, struck with curiosity. "Have you ever had a boy friend?"

"No, not really. I mean there is this guy from my work that I kind of like and I think he might like me. But that's about the closest I've come to a boyfriend." He admits and then quickly adds, " but honey, that doesn't mean I don't know more than you about love and dating." He wags a finger at me and I laugh in response.

"I forgot you had a job!" I say suddenly, "where do you work again?"

"That's all you care to ask? I just basically told you that I'm thwarted in love and you want to know where I work?" He sighs, rolling his eyes. "I work at the movie theatre in the mall on 5th."

"Ah of course, boujé as fuck, I should've known" I snicker.

"I wouldn't call making popcorn boujé but sure." He laughs.

We're interrupted by the bell ringing, signifying the end of our lunch break.
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Peter P.O.V

I turn the combination on my locker, the metal of the lock cold in my hand. After shoving my unneeded books in I slam the door shut and jump in surprise.

Ned's worried face is inches from my own, "oh my god Ned!" I yelp, clutching my heart.

"Sorry Peter, I'm nervous. Are you sure we should go to Callie's?" He says, his face in a grimace. "I mean yes I totally want to go to the Avenger's Academy, it will be awesome, that in itself is probably worth if. But Peter, all the cool kids make fun of her. I don't mean Flash, I mean the jocks, the cheerleaders, they all make fun of her. Won't hanging out with her put us on their radar?"

"Ned it will be fine, we're already nerds, we're already made fun of. And we'll get to meet Ironman and maybe Captain America and who knows who else. It's super exciting!" I assure him, my mind on if I can make a connection with Tony Stark I might be able to have an in with the Avengers. But not only that, there's something about this girl, she isn't all legs and body like Liz, but she's got this feistiness in her tiny little body, and she's really cute. I've been finding my thoughts drifting to her almost as often as I think if Liz, which is saying something.
"Let's go, we're supposed to meet Callie and Harry in front of the school in 2 minutes." I nudge Ned's arm and he follows reluctantly.

We come down the front stairs, Ned just a step of two behind me and I see Callie and Harry waiting beside the large statue commemorating the school's founder. She is leaning against it laughing, her backpack hanging off of one shoulder. I swallow as my eyes run over her in her blue ripped jeans and loose bomber jacket that hangs so low her bottom isn't visible unless she reaches her arms above her head. The haphazard backpack dragging on the coat, revealing a tank top beneath and bare skin, but otherwise she could be naked in that jacket and completely appropriate, the thought makes my face flush and a heat rush to my stomach, I shake it away before it becomes noticeably arousing.

Jogging up I tap her bare shoulder, leaving my fingers tingling. "Hi!" I say grinning. Ned trods up and smiles nervously at Callie and Harry. I feel slightly nervous that Ned will say something offensive accidentally, I know he feels apprehensive about spending time with them. Just then his grimace of a smile evolves into a gawking excitement.

I turn around to see what caused the change of character and see Tony Stark pulling up to the curb just a few feet from us. "Oh perfect, here's my Dad." Callie says, tugging on my sleeve lightly.

Callie opens the door calling, "hi Dad, felt like different wheels today?" She says, glancing up and down across the sleek black body of the vehicle.

"Hey kid, I figured you'd need room for the bags." He replies, popping open the trunk.

She nods and throws her bag in and motions for us to do the same. "Nice car!" I whisper to her and she grins.

Ned is still rooted to the spot, eyes popping as he looks at Tony Stark, who glances at him and then shifts uncomfortably, looking up at his daughter who is about to climb into her seat. Instead, she moves and shoves him hard in the back, "come on Ned, you can gawk later."

"Callie!" Scolds her Dad, but Harry and I just laugh and Ned joins in, mumbling an apology as he climbs into the car.

Once all of us are buckled into the backseat, Callie moves to get into the front and I reach to close my door. But before she is able to do so a voice calls out from the top of the step, "yo Stark!" Causing both the girl and her father to look up.

Callie's face drains of colour and I feel my own stomach drop when I see the group of foul students who are catcalling her. "I thought I told you I wanted to be on the list, or are you just letting them come watch?" The boy's comment is met by a choir of giggles and whistles.

She jumps in the car and slams the door, her cheeks blazing, and I feel terrible for her. "What was that about?" Mr Stark asks, his brow knit into confusion.

"Oh nothing, they just um... wanted to come over or something." She shrugs, fiddling with the stereo.

"Watch what?" He presses and I see her eyes spark in irritation, and for a second I thought they'd changed colour but I must have imagined it.

"I don't know Dad! You're like, a celebrity, kids act weird." She hisses and then more lightly, "I mean, look at Ned."

He turns his head and laughs at the boy staring vacantly at him, mouth ajar, star struck. "Alright, let's go." He says, shifting into gear and pulling away from the school.

Glancing across Ned I see Harry watching Callie, worry apparent on his features. But then changing, he barks out a laugh and I turn quickly just in time to see Callie's middle fingers tucking back in to place. My heart seizes with pride, the more time I spend with this girl the more I like her.