The rise of the White Widow

But they're dead

As we enter the living room, Nat asks, "Did you have fun?" Her eyes sparkle with genuine curiosity.

I can't help but grin widely and nod in response. "It was super fun! I haven't felt this free in a long time"

Nat smiles back at me, clearly glad that I enjoyed myself. "That's great to hear"

After a moment of silence, she continues, "Sooooo, you've had a lot of time off school lately." She raises her eyebrow at me expectantly.

I groan at the reminder of my upcoming return to school. "Do I really have to go back?"

Nat laughs softly and nods. "Yes, you do. Education is important"

Reluctantly, I agree. "Ugh, fine. But I don't have any of my stuff with me"

Stark interjects with a reassuring smile. "Not to worry, it's all in your car"

"Oh yeah! Thank goodness," I laugh, temporarily forgetting about my school-related stress.

Stark sends Happy to go and fetch my stuff from the car while Nat adds some advice on how to handle my return to school, "When they ask why you've been absent, just say you had some family issues. That should be enough"

I slam my head onto the table in defeat before admitting out loud, "I'm going to be so behind, though"

"You'll be all right," Nat says encouragingly.

"I guess," I mumble uncertainly as I grab the bag from Happy's hands and rummage through it.

Finding my sketchbook within, I open to the page with the drawing of Jessica I left off last time. I hold it up, looking at my work thoughtfully.

"At least I'm probably not behind in art," I say with a small, hopeful smile.

The next morning, I wake up bright and early. I change into my jeans, the cozy hoodie Nat gave me when we first met, and my brand new Converse sneakers.

Making my way down to the kitchen, I prepare a steaming cup of coffee for a little extra boost. Nat enters the room with a warm smile, "You still have that hoodie?"

"It's mine now" I laugh.

Nat laughs, "Alright", "Oh and also I'll drop you off at school this morning"

"Thanks," I reply, gratefully taking a sip of the rich coffee.

As I take my spot at the breakfast table, I see Nat assembling a lunchbox and she hands it over to me once it's ready. I place it carefully in my bag alongside my books and notebooks. I pause to grab my phone and check the time, realising it's getting late. "We should probably head out now," I suggest.

Nat agrees with a nod and takes her keys from the hook near the door before we both head downstairs towards the garage. Once we're seated in her car, she starts up the engine and we begin our journey to school.

"Mind if I plug in my phone to play some music?" I ask as we pull out of our driveway.

"Of course not! No need to ask," Nat replies warmly.

I connect my phone to the car's audio system and select one of my favorite songs, "Back in Black" by AC/DC.

As the first few chords fill the air, Nat smirks and asks, "AC/DC fan, huh?"

With a nod and a smile, I confirm her guess as we rock out together and make our way to school.

Upon arriving at school, I wave goodbye to Nat as we part ways. I head to my first class, which happens to be Art. As is my routine, I settle into my usual seat, taking out my laptop and opening up a game of Sims 4 to pass the time until the teacher arrives. When she shows up, she looks at me with a surprised expression but chooses not to comment on my presence.

The class proceeds as usual, but halfway through the lesson, an announcement over the PA system calls me to the principal's office. I reluctantly obey, feeling a pit form in my stomach. As I sit down in front of his desk, he stares at me intently before addressing the matter at hand.

"We've noticed that you've been absent for a few weeks now," he says sternly. "This is unacceptable."

I shift slightly in my chair before responding. "Um, well, there have been some family issues"

He nods solemnly. "I understand that life can be difficult sometimes, but I need to discuss this matter with your parents as well. I've reached out and they should be arriving shortly."

My heart catches in my throat and I start to say that they can't come in because they're dead when the door behind me opens and there they are, smiling as if nothing was wrong.