Chapter 13

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    Today will be my last day at North Brooks Middle School. This past week hasn't been bad, besides occasionally seeing Mary's face. I haven't been able to prove myself to the Avengers yet, but I'll get around to it. I'm relieved to be leaving. As much as I'll hate saying goodbye to Junior again, I can't see myself surviving this year with Mary always coming after me. I haven't told anyone, except the principal and my new friend Lauren that today would be my last day.... not even Junior. He'll be so devastated that I didn't tell him sooner, but every time I'd get around to it, he'd give me the brightest smile or the puppy eyes... and I'm a sucker for both. There's no easy way to tell him.

It's six thirty in the morning and I haven't been able to get a wink of sleep. I'm already ready for school. I'm anxious for this last day... this last day to prove myself to my family and to say goodbye to Junior. I've walked around the entire floor, knocking on everyone's door, but there's been no answers. I even peeked into the rooms, but all of them are empty. We never went over who was taking me to school... I still need a ride this morning and maybe some breakfast.

I pace down the corridor and into the elevator. I'll go exactly where I find them every other time they hold a secret meeting. Three floors up and two doors down to the left. They rotate rooms to hold secret meetings in because I always find them and eavesdrop. As the doors of the elevator open, I instantly hear muffled voices. I tip-toe to the second door on the left, listening to the voices become clearer.

A beam of light from the cracked door falls on me. I crouch down on my knees so I'm able to peek in without being noticed. All of the Avengers are gathered inside the room, sitting around a long narrow table. Time to eavesdrop.
 
"We're really going to homeschool her? Are we sure that's making the right call? She's been fine for the past week." Bruce begins.

"Banner, I'm positive this is the right call. I'm not going to allow her to be bullied at school. Besides, she's special. Her intelligence would be wasted at a public school." Tony responds, continuing to stand up for me.

"Maybe she started the fight." Bruce interjects.

"Not Stephanie. I don't think so." Tony replies.

"She is your daughter." Steve implies I probably did start the fight.

"That's true. You've definitely got us into some crazy situations." Natasha chuckles.

"What does it matter? If she did it or she didn't, maybe the girl deserved it." Clint cuts in.

Everyone goes back and forth with the conversation, sometimes defending me and sometimes defending Mary. I wish I could just prove it to them once and for all. This shouldn't even be a big deal- and it wouldn't be if they did believe me.

"I want to believe her, Tony, but she's caused quite a bit of trouble since being here. Sneaking out, getting caught up with Loki, a fight... I mean, her odds are stacked against her." Bruce says, causing the rest of the Avengers to become quiet.

Tony's expression turns to anger, "she's a kid. She's going to get in trouble and make mistakes. But Jesus, whatever you're implying, Banner... I'm warning you."

"That's enough, you two." Natasha intervenes.

Before another word is said, I stand up and open the door. Quickly, their expressions change. As many times as I've walked into their meetings, they look more surprised than ever... or is that guilt? No one seems to know what to say.

"Oh, hey... Steph. How much did you hear?" Steve scratches the back of his neck nervously.

"Enough." I say, crossing my arms.

"We were just-" Clint begins, but I don't allow him to finish the sentence.

"It's fine. I just wanted to tell you guys that I'll find my own way to and from school today." I say, quickly leaving the room and running to the elevator. I rapidly press the buttons to get me where I need to go.

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