Maya Stark

Chapter 129: Fuck being vigilante murderers

It went by slowly. Everyday we would be bombarded by crowds, shouted at by random people, and Peter talked me through panic attacks frequently, just so we could go to school. Just so we could get a high school diploma. Just for being a teenager. Peter and I could barely see each other outside of school, and when we did, it's not like we could go anywhere. We found ourselves finding tall buildings anywhere we could, but soon we had to stop that too; helicopters always seeming to find us no matter how well we hid.

I was trying not to fall into a state of depression at each college rejection. Pepper would always open them for me, and the look on her face would tell me each time. She would get more upset than I did. I knew the second I was rejected from the first college, that it was all hopeless. I could get into any school by just saying Stark, dad made sure of that. So, despite the extreme optimism from Peter, I didn't get excited about the letters anymore. MJ and I had discussed it, just between the two of us, and agreed that we didn't stand a change at MIT. We aren't getting in anywhere. If we accept that now, it won't hurt as much.

But I couldn't stop thinking about dad. He always wanted me to go there, it was his top school for me. That is, if I even went to college. It was my top school too, seeing as he went there. I thought it would be cool, and plus I wouldn't have to move away. I knew he wouldn't be disappointed in me. He would know Peter and I didn't do anything wrong. That we were being blamed for something that wasn't our fault. But it still hurt knowing I wasn't going to the one place that would make me feel closer to dad.

The months ticked by and all of them were excruciating. We were all just waiting for the MIT letter. Every time I got a rejection letter, I would disappear into the garage, working on a new suit or another homework assignment. I would detach for a couple hours until dinner was ready, which I would magically make myself fine for. Pepper and Peter were starting to worry about me, but it was the waiting that was making me so much worse. The knowing, but also having a tiny glimmer of hope that you can't seem to squash.

So, in December, when Pepper came into the garage and set the letter down in front of me, my heart skipped a beat. I looked at her, eyes wide, and then back at the letter. My heart was racing. This was it.

'Go,' Pepper said. 'I want you back here as soon as possible, though.'

I pick up the letter and my bag with all my stuff, and give her a quick hug.

'I'm gonna be upset when I get back,' I mumble. 'We shouldn't expect good news.'

Pepper knew about my doubts because she had them to. So she nods, basically agreeing with me, and I head towards my car. MJ was working today at this cute café, so I knew that's where everyone would meet up. Besides, while I was driving, they were already making plan. I was the first one, besides MJ, to get there, and I sit at the counter.

'Nervous?' she asks me, obviously nervous herself.

'Not at all,' I say, my voice cracking. We both laugh slightly. 'You know we probably won't—'

'I know,' she said. 'Let's not tell Peter or Ned that though. You want a coffee?'

'Yes please,' I say, nodding.

She brings it to me and at the same time Ned comes in and sits down next to me. We don't talk, waiting impatiently for Peter. My leg was bouncing, and I couldn't really stomach the coffee. Jitters, I guess you could say. Although in reality, it was more the overwhelming burden and precariousness that this letter held. After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang from the door and Peter stepped in. He holds up his letter and the three of us do the same. He walks over quickly, kissing the side of my head, and sitting down on the other side of me. MJ came over from behind the counter.