Will Them Into Existence

Monetary Monotony

To say the next day was one for the records would be understating it. Tommy, still slightly out of it, stayed home from school- the strain of the monotonous activities of junior year would've been enough to send him onto his back again, let alone the fact that it was Monday- which left Wilbur navigating the hallways without him at the ripe morning hours which had always made their eyes twitch.

In a seemingly rare stroke of luck though, Colby had called that morning as the green haired teen made breakfast for themself and their brother and asked if he could pick them up along with Sam, meaning that at least they weren't completely alone, the presence of their two best friend's awarding them a soft comfort to quell the still lingering chills that they hadn't dared disregard since the weekend.

The beginning of the day had been boring enough, if they didn't think about the fact that they dreaded having to go back into the band room, or the hallway that held the case with the picture that had changed into something they no longer wanted to look at. Standard classes, speeding through the halls to avoid their brother's cheer friends (namely that of Katherine, the redhead who both twins had been massively afraid of engaging with ever since the play night incident a few weeks back), enjoying the lunch either Sam or Dean routinely packed for them now that they were stationed full-time at home (but this time, probably Dean, considering that the crust had been removed from their sandwich, and then the sandwich had been very carefully cut into the shaky but still recognizable shape of a skull), and classically zoning out trying to take notes in the classes that usually also had a short, pink-clad blonde in them.

Around 2:30, however, the day deviated. A voice came over the intercom asking for them to come to the office, and their thoughts immediately jumped back to the weekend- surely Dean had remembered to wipe the camera memory before he left? But then again, they'd both been so worried about Tommy, it would make sense if he was rushing to put the instruments back as fast as possible and the thought of the cameras spaced out in the school's hallways simply slipped his mind. The thought of them hadn't even occurred to Wilbur before the minute, which was saying something, as in the past they'd always obsessed over any possible trails that could tip the outside world off to the terrors that Dean and themself self with on hunts.

They stood from their seat silently, packing their unopened notebook and unzipped pencil pouch back into their book bag, which they'd grabbed since Biology was their last class of the day. The green haired teen nodded to their teacher on the way out, the woman's eyebrows scrunched in concern as she eyed the door closing behind him. They walked to the front of the school solemnly, trying in vain to school their face before reaching the doors. Somehow, despite their experience with stress, it never got any easier.

They reached the front desk, expecting to be told to take a seat and having to wait in tense, anxiety inducing silence for the foreseeable future while they overthought what the office call could possible be about. Instead, the door to the principal's office immediately opened behind the desk, and Wilbur's eyes widened.

"You must be Wilbur." The man in the doorway said, hands tucked into his pocket and sunglasses sitting snugly on his nose. "It's nice to meet you, kid. Let's go for a walk."

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The green haired teen fidgeted with the spider pin on their book bag strap absentmindedly. eyes on the ground as they watched sleek black shoes walk alongside their own battered converse. "So, that's it? You just- you really like our applications?"

The goateed man nodded and stopped walking, pushing his sunglasses down and clipping them to the top hem of his suit. "I did. I liked your applications. You both have very unique and promising qualities." He tapped the side of his pants absently. "But, truth be told, I liked you two before your applications."

Wilbur looked up, eyebrows creased. "What?"

"I hand picked you two a while before the actual scholarship opportunity was sent out. You're the top of your class, and your brother is almost tied with you in GPA. You've both got potential." The man turned and looked the teen in the eyes. "But you, specifically, Wilbur. You've got something that no one else I've ever seen has. I don't know what it is yet, but I'd like the chance to."

The green haired teen spluttered, leaning back on their ankles. The man smiled, a photogenic, for the press thing. "You'd be given the best resources, naturally. I'd supply you with the newest computers, phones, an allowance for personal and work based needs- you name it. You and your brother. I'd take you both as my personal interns, but I think I've got some basis in thinking Tommy would rather spend his time on the PR floor."

"Mr. Stark, that's-" They hesitated, glancing down at their arm and clearing their throat. "That's a lot to think about. I appreciate your offer, sir, I really do. But, I think I should talk to my brother first. He's, uh, he's just a little sick right now."

"Call me Tony, kid. And I understand. You talk to him when he's better- talk to your guardians too- and call me when you've made your decision." The goateed man replied, already pulling his sunglasses back onto his face.

"Call- I don't think I have your number, Mr. Stark." Wilbur said, a laugh in their voice.

Tony took two boxes out of his pocket, one pink and one black. "It's on the phone."

Wilbur opened their mouth, and the man shook his head. "Take it as a token of appreciation. I take pride in seeing the brightest young minds going down a good path. There's one for your brother too."

The green haired teen shook their head, a laugh of disbelief sounding out through the courtyard as the bell signaling the end of the last class of the day sounded. "You seem confident that I'll be calling you back."

The man smiled briefly- a real, full smile- before tuning his face back to one of carefully careless self assuredness. "I'm Tony Stark, kid. I'm always confident."

With that, he walked away, leaving Wilbur stunned as a familiar black impala pulled up to the curb.

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HAPPY CHAPTER TWENTY! i'm having so much fun writing this :)