My life, my love

5

    I took the card from Tony's hand & left the room with Peter. The group resumed to laughter. Peter showed me around some of the rooms as we traveled to the ground level. We were met with a car & a driver. He doesn't look very happy.

    "Hi Happy," Peter said.
    "It's Mr. Hogan to you," Happy responded.
    "Hi A. Tony said you need supplies for school. I will take you & Parker to get them."
    "Thank you, Mr. Hogan."
    "Call me Happy," he winked.

    Peter was surprised. We got into the car & started driving. Peter was rambling on about the New York scenery, but I my thoughts were preoccupied. I couldn't get HYDRA out off my head. I examined every car for any signs that they would come back for me. I looked over my shoulder at every stop. If they find me, they'll kill me. Or worse- they'll bring me back.
    Happy drove fast, which I appreciated. He probably didn't want to continue listening to Peter go on & on & on about the 'spectacular scenery' that is New York. I saw rats... really large rats.

    "We're here, get out," Happy said.
    "Thanks for the ride, sir."
    "I told you to call me Happy."
    "Bye Happy," Peter said.
    "Not you."

    Happy left. I assume he was waiting for the indication that we were finished with the shopping. 
    First stop: Staples. I thought Staples was a stupid name for a store that had all kinds of supplies. Peter showed me the things I need for school: pencils, pens, notebooks, post-its, folders. Seemed excessive. He continued to walk each aisle gesturing for me to put the items in the cart. 

    We checked out. Happy drove us to the mall, Stark told him I needed to dress better. Sorry that I was held hostage my entire life, asshole.

    "Hey, are you okay?" Peter asked concerned.
    "Yeah," There were a lot of people here. Too many. It made me anxious.
    "Okay let's go!" he chirped.

    Charlotte Russe. Forever 21. Hot Topic. We explored them all. There were baggy pants & dresses. I didn't know what I liked. I picked some shirts, pants, & shoes to wear. Peter told me to try them on in the fitting room. I walk in. It was too small. I started to panic. I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay. I don't even try the clothes on. I wanted to leave so I just threw them at Peter to hold.

We left.

    "Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" Peter asked when we walked out to the car in the lot.
    "No, I'm okay. I already took my supplements."
    "What?" He looked confused. "You only take supplements?"
    "Yeah."
    "Why?"
    "HYDRA."
    "Makes sense. But you are supposed to eat actual food," he emphasized.
    "Oh."
    "Happy can you take us to the nearest Pizza Hut please?" Peter asked.
    "I told you not to call me that."

    Again with the highway & the scenery. I'll admit it, it was nice to look at. I didn't see much from a discrete, unknown underground location.

    "What is this place?"
    "Pizza hut. It is a pizza place! Have you ever had pizza?"
    "Nope" I said looking away. Did he really just ask me that?

    We sat at a booth nearby. Peter ordered at the counter, I remained in my seat. I wasn't ready to interact yet. Peter came back & tried to make small talk while we waited. I wasn't interested in getting to know him. Once I got my information, I would be gone anyways. He handed me a glass. The beverage & the food was good. Peter was great company, but I didn't want to form any relationships.