Power

Texts and calls

I told Wanda I was tired and thanked her for showing me the room. After she left, I pulled out all the stuff from my backpack.

"Good God, Tony, you are awful at packing'" I thought, as I pulled out the crumpled up clothes.

I hung them in the closet and put the rest of the stuff on my nightstand. It was just my books and a picture of my dog, Roomba (he earned his name by always eating the crumbs I dropped on the carpet before I could even bring a vacuum cleaner).

I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw him. I missed him so much. I wondered what he was doing at home right now with mum and dad.

I then went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I looked awful with that bandage wrapped around my head (although Bruce did a much better job than me), with dried streams of blood on my cheeks and a face so pale it made my round, green eyes look like an alien's.

I took a quick shower and rinsed my hair with cold water (careful not to wet the wound), then washed my face and changed the bandage. I already looked a little better. I changed into my pajamas and got under the bed's fluffy blanket. I took my phone out and texted Peter.

me: Hi! Sorry for my little outburst this morning :(

me: I have newsss

me: I had to leave my dorm so I'm kinda...living with the Avengers now ig 😅

me: I'll explain everything at school tmr !!

He didn't answer. He was usually sleeping at this time. I now had to call my parents... I felt sick and nervous and started biting my nails.

I called my mum. The voicemail came in.

"Uhm...Hi, mum. Please don't be mad at me. A lot has happened lately and I didn't have the courage to tell you. I'm sorry. I had to leave the dorm..."

And I told her everything. Then I begged her to let me stay with the Avengers. I told her they offered me a position in the team (Just like Peter) if I trained hard enough and she didn't have to agree with me being an Avenger, but at least let me stay there. I told her that there was no point in her and dad coming all the way from London. I told her I was safe and wished to stay here more than anything in the world. Then I sent the message and went to sleep with my chest feeling both heavy and light at the same time.

                                                                                               ****

I suddenly wake up from my dream and I rub my eyes. The sun was rising outside. I let out a yawn before opening them. What time is it? Did my alarm already ring?

I DIDN'T SET AN ALARM.

Oh God, I was going to be late for school!! I jump out of bed and hastily check my phone, then let out a sigh. 7:50 am. Thank the lords I didn't oversleep. I lay back in bed and check my messages.

Peter: Um...you're living with the Avengers? wdym? 😅 I'll save u a sit on the bus. Keep me updated !!

Then I see a message from my mum.

"Call me when you wake up!"

That doesn't sound too good.

I swallow the knot in my throat and dial her number.

"Hello?"

"Hannah, Thank God! You scared the hell out of me! What the hell were you thinking, not letting us know you got beaten up at school? What kind of incapable parents to you think we are?? I'm really disappointed."

"I know, mum..." I said in a brittle voice. "I'm really sorry. But I want to stay here. I need to. This way I can still go to school with my friends and sleep in a safe place. And I get a chance to train myself and help other people...I mean, how often do you get a chance like that as a kid? To be an Avenger? I want to do this. I beg you. Please, please let me stay."

She paused.

"I don't know...it doesn't sound right".

"But it is! Peter knows these people and they have been really nice to me..."

"But what if you get hurt or something else happens to you? No, you should just come home. I'll check on the plane tickets".

"Mum, please. I need this right now. I know you agree with me and I feel really good about this decision. Please...Please."

She didn't say anything. We just stayed in silence.

"I'll talk to your dad...we'll see, ok?"

I felt my chest relax.

"Thank you. Thank you so much! I love you!"

"I love you, too. But please don't hide anything from me ever again."

"I promise."