[1] Just A Normal Girl | Avallone the Avenger

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Avallone's P.O.V.
I gulped and looked down. Out of all the cafes and restaurants in New York, why did we have to come to this one?
"I wonder what we are doing after lunch." Banner said to Steve. Rogers shook his head and his answer was lost in the sound of Tony and Pepper arriving.
"You little group just got so much better." Tony said, stepping out of the limo. Behind him, Pepper laughed and stepped out, saying, "Who is hungry?" A cheer erupted from the group.
If I wasn't with the New York-famous Avengers, maybe then I could have avoided people staring. But no, my friends did not deem it the right occasion to be quiet.
Sighing, I kept my head low and tried my best to blend into the background.
"Avallone, what's wrong?" Steve whispered into my ear. I looked up into his blue eyes and said, "Nothing." Captain nodded and pulled me closer to him. Blushing, I looked down.
"Is this the Stark party?" An all-to-familiar voice said. "Yup." Tony answered John. "Then your table is right this way,"
John lead us to a table centered in the middle of the cafe. He stood there, smiling, as we all took our seats.
Our eyes locked and I saw him stiffen. A worried expression momentarily touched his face, but was quickly replaced with a smile that every cafe owner wore.
"I hope you will all enjoy your evening." He said, breaking the eye contact, and the tension, and turned to the rest if the group. Tony smiled and nodded.
I was on his left, and on his right was Pepper. Steve was to my left, and to his was Thor. Then came Loki and last but not least, Bruce.
"Shall we make a start?" Tony asked us. We all nodded and I felt myself relaxing. Maybe, tonight, this will be alright.
I spoke too soon.
"Avallone, may I please speak to you?" John's voice whispered in my ear. I nodded slightly and excused myself from the table. Everyone's eyes followed John and I as he lead me away.
"You are with the Avengers?" His voice hissed. I nodded, afraid of where this was going.
"I have been watching you ever since your limo pulled up. It seems that certain men of your group have taken a liking to you." John's voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. I gasped and stared at him, straight in the eyes.
"Obviously, you know who I am talking about." John placed a hand on my arm. "Avallone, I am worried about you. I want to keep you safe. For Macy's sake, and your own."
I nodded, feeling like a child being accused of taking a biscuit when it was actually given to me. "Just keep away from that Captain America and-" I cut him off, with a slap.
"John, I am not a little girl! I do not need to be treated like a child. And I certainly don't need your advice." I spat at him. His eyes grew cold and he replied with, "Last time I heard, you needed serious help."
I stepped back, shocked that he mentioned something that he had promised he would never.
"Wait, Avallone!" He said, running after me, as I made my way back to the table. I turned back and slapped him once more before taking my seat.
"Who was that?" Tony asked me. I glanced up at him, "A friend." He laughed, "Yeah. I should have known. The way you treated him was like screaming out loud that you are friends."
I glared at him and lowered my head.
'Are you alright?' Loki asked me in my head. Yeah, I'm fine. I answered him. 'That's not true. I heard what happened.' My head snapped up and our eyes locked. A surge of anger bubbled in my throat. I started to choke.
"I think, I need to go to the toilet." I announced, getting up. I heard a chair scrape back and light footsteps behind me. I inwardly moaned, but kept walking.
Another pair of footsteps sounded behind me and joined the other. Then they both stopped. Using this opportunity, I walked a little more before doubling back and returning to my seat at the table.
"Are you alright now, kiddo?" Tony whispered his question into my ear.
I nodded, actually feeling calmed down, and stared at the two empty seats across from me.

Third person P.O.V.
Bruce quickly got up when he saw Loki follow Avallone.
He had seen her flare up in anger, and he knew that something was wrong. Maybe it was the god of mischief or that 'friend' she was talking to before.
Banner quickly caught Loki's arm and pulled him back.
The god of mischief turned angrily and scowled at him. "Let her be. Look, Avallone is special. She is special in her ow way. And we do not need you to ruin her, If she goes after anyone, it would most likely be the Captain. Not you. Now let her be." Bruce released his arm and left Loki to think about it.

Avallone's P.O.V.
I smiled at Banner as he filled one of the empty sets. He smiled in return and lunch continued like nothing had happened.
Suddenly, a furious Loki returned to the table and yanked Thor up.
"You will have to excuse us for the rest of the day." He said angrily, pulling on Thor's strong arm.
Tony just nodded and continued with his lunch.
"I regret to say brother, that I can not join you where you are planning to go. I am enjoying myself far too much to leave." Thor said, prying Loki's fingers off his arm and sitting down.
The god of mischief's eyes turned a ferocious blue and he stalked out of the cafe.