The Other Barton | Natasha Romanoff

Chapter Twenty-One

Now Waverly has never been New York big, but it's big enough to be a well known city in Iowa. Has its own airport, a few schools, a hospital, and even a sports stadium. But it's rarely visited due to the outstanding crime rate. Mostly a drive past kind of city. Except if you grew up here, there's the goods and the bads of it. The goods were if you grew up in district four or five or could afford to commute there. My family on the other hand was in District two, which wasn't terrible but wouldn't be romanticized in any way. However you don't visit for over ten years and it changes a lot.

The airport was still the same. Just now kids I went to school with were now working here. Oddly enough they weren't complete assholes to me either. But I was nice enough to them the last time I saw them so I suppose they'd have no reason to be assholes. I called a taxi and had it drop me off in Central Waverly. Everything was here no matter the district you were in. Grocery stores, delis, book shops, clothing stores, anything that could be window shopped. Currently I was window-shopping for Anthony's Sub Shop. It's a nice little store, a sandwich shop with a little convenience store added in. I would pick up a shift or two when I was younger. Anthony was a nice guy, Anthony Jr was even nicer. The subs weren't the only thing I was going there for though. Peter Parker, a fifteen year old, beyond brilliant kid, with what Tony described as 'spidey thing magic' a very helpful description. One my niece could write up but i'll keep my mouth shut on that part.

The bell chimed as I walked into the shop, where a brunette scrawny boy with gelled back hair greeted me. "Welcome to Tony's Subs and Convenience Shop." He bounced up from where he was originally slouched against the counter staring at nothing. "It's Anthony's Subs." I chuckled while walking over to the counter he was at. "Mmm, right. I always get that wrong." He answered back. "I used to as well, get so used to calling him Tony it's hard to say Anthony right?" I asked, looking over the unchanged menu. "Yeah, you used to work here? I've never seen you here before." He asked back, looking as if he was trying to remember me. "Grew up, and moved out of here. Junior and I used to be real close." I half-jokingly remarked. "Well anyways I'll take an Italian bmt extra wax pepper." I requested. He froze there for a second, still stuck on the remark I made, "Uh, yes ma'am." I just laughed. He seemed like a nice kid, not one you'd guess grew up in a shitty place like this.

"What school do you go to, Waverly High?" I asked, noticing the sweater he had on. "Uh, yeah, I'm a sophomore there. Did you go?" He quizzed back. "Yes, I did. But sophomore year was about as far as I got before I had to take care of my mom full time." I answered, honestly. No need to lie when anyone here could tell him that information. "Ah, gah dammit Petey those damn racoons got into the back again. I'm telling you I need to get a-" A tall slim but built older man with short curly black hair came out from the back. "I'll be a son of a bitch, am I looking at the Brielle Barton?" He announced excitedly. "Oh my god, Anthony Junior. I haven't seen you in years!" I announce back as we meet into a hug. "God, you were talk of the town a few years ago. With that whole Ross situation. Thought I'd see you running back then." He sighed with a smile still plastered. "Ha, I skipped the country then. I'd hate to cut this reunion short but could I borrow Petey here for an hour or so?" I requested. "Anything for you, principessa." He quipped back. "Peter, finish up that sandwich and take a walk with Brie here. She's a good lady, nothing to worry about. I'll cover the rest of your shift."

"Yes, Tony. Uhm Sir. Sorry." He answered. After a moment of him getting his things and collecting himself he handed me my sandwich. "So a uh walk?" He stammered. "Yeah, follow me." I grinned. As we both walked out, I unwrapped my sandwich and broke the paper seal in half. "Here, I'd be rude to not offer." I assured handing him half my sandwich. "Uh, thanks." He mumbled. "God, I haven't eaten all day, but luckily my flight was only three hours." I rambled while taking a bite of my sandwich.

"So you live in the purple palace apartments right? Apartment 2CB?" I casually brought up as we were about a few blocks from. "Yeah? How'd you know? He answered. Sounding confused. "Wanna show me your spider powers? Or should I ask May?" I countered his question. "Don't tell Aunt May!" He stopped walking and said seriously. "So you do have spider powers?"

"Can I still say no?" He asked. I pushed him into an alley near us and pointed at a dumpster, "Show me your spider powers." I stated. "Awh, come on. You know I have them, why do I need to show them to you?" He whined back. "Show them to me." I stated once again. A piece of web came from his arm and shot at the dumpster leaving a spider web on it. "That's sick, Nat would love that." I exclaimed. "Happy?" He queried back. "Yeah, I'm honestly surprised you just showed me that like wow." I confessed, honestly expecting this to be much harder. "You're kinda really scary when you're not just a customer." Peter then confessed back. "Good, fear me." I verified, as I walked out of the alley continuing to the purple palace. "Wait, why are you still walking to my house?" He stammered out catching up to me.

"Going to talk to your aunt. Not about your powers. But about you. She's going to think I'm someone I'm not. You're going to play along."

"No, let's not talk to her." He tried to plea.

"How about this, let's make a deal. We make a detour to my old house, delay the inevitable and I still talk to your aunt and I'll buy dinner?"

He thought on the offer only realizing there was only a block till. "Deal, but I get to swing us there."

"Will I die or get hurt agreeing to this?"

"No."

"Okay, Deal."

He pulled a red mask with web designs on it and put it over his face. "I'd advise to hold on tight, so where are we going?"

"District 2, Halfway street."