Power

Change

  Tony flew me back to the boarding school in his helicopter. The view made me feel somewhat dizzy, so I tried talking to him to stop thinking about it.

"Uhm...Tony?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"...Thanks" I said.

He smiled.

"You're not easy to help". he replied.

"Well, you're not that easy to trust either" I add.

"What are you talking about? I'm the coolest Avenger there is. Everybody wants my help".

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Your ego was talking louder than you."

He smirked.

"So are you gonna tell me truth?"

My face dropped. I guess there wasn't a better time to talk about this than right now.

"I...I don't really know how...It's...It's like I...kept it inside for...for so long that...I just...can't-"

"Try." he interrupted me, giving me a soft smile.

I took a deep breath.

And I said one word. And another. And another. And it got easier and easier with each one. Then I let out a whole sentence. And by the time we landed, I was sobbing and had just told everything that happened to me since I got send to the boarding school. The story of every punch and hit, every mean prank where I got locked in the dorm so I would be late for school, every insult, every time they stole my lunch or destroyed my stuff. The story of how they banged my head against the sink. That's when I started crying, talking about how I trusted them and ended up bleeding on the cold bathroom floor. How every part of my body hurt and so did my soul. How I was too broken to ask for help. How I didn't tell anyone about this until now.

We stood in the helicopter in silence. He didn't say anything the whole time, just listened to me sob as I covered my face with my palms. I felt like an idiot for crying in front of him (for the 3rd time now). 

When I stopped, my voice was still croaky and trembling.

"I'm sorry- God, I'm such a mess, it's pathetic. I'm sitting in an Avenger's helicopter, weeping like a little baby and I'm 14, for God's sake." I said angrily, wiping my nose with my sleeve. "You probably have such a low opinion about me right now."

"Look at that, you told me your age!" he laughed.

I gave him a harsh look. His face got serious.

"Kid, come on, now. Have a low opinion about you? Every one of us Avengers have their own trauma. We're a bunch of screw-ups, if you will".

I laughed through the tears.

"But that's what makes us fighters. And you know what? With the right training, I think you could be one of us, too."

I was speechless. I looked at him in shock.

"W-you mean that?'

"Sure I do. I think you'll make an even better job than Peter. That guy hasn't been through enough to belong with us 100%" he laughed.

"So Peter isn't only Spiderman, but also an Avenger? Right, not important right now'" I thought.

"So...you're inviting me to be one of you screw-ups?"

He thought for a second.

"Yeah! Wanna grab your stuff and move in right now? I could talk to your parents and the school. ...Which you WILL STILL BE ATENDING" he added before I could say anything.

I guess I really underestimated this man's kindness. I didn't know what to say. I haven't felt this happy in a really long time. An Avenger...imagine that! My life was suddenly taking such a spin that it was overwhelming. I normally wouldn't trust a stranger, but now that I know Peter knows him I see no reason for saying no. And I never have to share a room with those girls again. I was safe.

I. Was. Safe. They couldn't hurt me anymore. I escaped. 

I suddenly got really overwhelmed.

"I...I-yeah. Yes. Yes! I'd love to live with you guys! I don't even know what to say...Thank you! Thank you so much!" I clenched my fists, determined not to let more tears out, not even happy ones. It made me feel too exposed.

He smiled.

"Let's talk to the school and get back your stuff from those...idiots." he said, watching his language.