Family

Chapter 16

"Wait".

I heard a familiar voice coming down the hall. The sound of sharp heels echoed off the wall. Theres only one person that can walk the fast in heels. The one who deals with a child that is never surreal...huh, rhymed.

"Thank you. It's a lot harder than you think to do that" she admits, scuffing her shoulders.

"I know...not from experience or anything" I reply, trying to make it less awkward.

Once again, I can't act like normal human being. I guess I'm not normal anyway...in many ways.

"Man, you're so much like Tony" she laughs, placing her hands on my hip.

"Is that a good thing?" I ask, tilting my head.

"Yes...in some ways. Tony can be annoying in many ways. Heck, I date the guy. He acts like a child but you get used to it. Just got to know him...speaking of Tony. Did he ask you?" She asks, standing straight.

"Yeah, I just need to get home and ask my...parents" I lie, not sure how to handle this epidemic.

Sure, I could clear this right away, easy and simple. The things is though is that Tony, my boss, already thinks I have parents. Because of my anxiety, I now fear if I say something different that I never even said in the first place. I may be overreacting but I've grown like that. Dealing with criminals and villains leaves you paranoid. Even being social leaves me paranoid. Basically everything that has a choice.

"Well, I hope they say yes. Looks like they raised a nice boy, too" she compliments, messing up my hair.

"I guess" I chuckle, not realizing what I was getting myself into.

"Hope to see you Friday, Peter" Pepper leaves, turning back to the elevator.

"Wait, um...Ms. Potts" I call, not exactly sure what to call her.

Tony all over again.

"Yes" she walks back, rolling her eyes in a joking manner.

"I don't know when I'm actually supposed to come to work? That's why I came today" I ask, grabbing my arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess we didn't have time to explain that at the awards. Sorry for that. Um, I guess it would be perfect this Friday to talk about" Pepper explains

"Ok...what about tomorrow...and the next day" I ask, talking slowly

"Just...take them off. I'm sure Tony won't mind. And for money, we'll pay the full month amount anyway. Tony has enough money to go around...and again" she chuckles, making me laugh.

"Ok, thanks. I guess this was just the job for me" I joke, not feeling awkward for once.

"Now don't think you don't need to work as hard" she grins, joking around.

"I know. I'll work my best" I inform, blushing.

"I know you will".
-
"How's it going, employee of the month".

"Gwen, it's my second day" I counter, getting into the car.

"Yeah, but you're also the only employee. And you're also the employee of Tony Stark. Iron man. You have to be proud of that" Gwen tries to convince.

"I guess".

"Is that all you say now?" She mocks, glaring at me.

I give an awkward pause, smirking. She knew what was coming and she has to deal with it.

"I guess" I reply, laughing.

It wasn't long until she couldn't hold her straight face. She started laughing along, accepting her mistake.

"Ok, I should of seen that coming. Now please, stop saying that, ok?"

"I-"

"No..." She interrupts.

"Suppose so".

I only laughed that time, making her glare ahead. Loop holes are the best.

"I hate you" Gwen admits, not really serious.

And then, another pet peeve came through my mind. Now if we were friends, I shouldn't do it. But we're best friends. That's a whole other story.

"Whatever" I reply, looking out the window.

She slowly turned towards me. Then came the finger.

"Hey, that's rude" I mock, getting her ticked.

"I see Tony Stark has given you some pointers" Gwen insults, meaning I was being a bitch.

"I knew that was an insult" I confess, laughing.

"What are you talking about?" Gwen asks, now just being confused.

"Well, ms. Potts-"

"Pepper. Just call her Pepper" Gwen corrects.

"Ok, Pepper told me I was a lot like Tony. I didn't really know if that was a compliment or not" I explain, raising my shoulder.

"Honestly, I don't know either" Gwen responses normally.

"Is that an insult?" I ask, unsure why she acted so normal.

"No, not really. I mean, I don't really know the guy but you are a lot like him. It's actually kind of weird" she admits, explaining with her hands.

"How?"

"Well, you're both really smart, same hair color, same height, love building, aren't very social, ending school early. There's only really one thing he has and you don't and that's his-"

"Ego" I interrupt.

"I was going to say humor, but I guess that works too" she smirks, acting snarky.

"Wow. I'm completely knocked out of the water" I mock, waving my hands.

"Like the nursery rhyme" she adds, laughing even more.

Spider jokes, huh. I feel like I haven't heard enough of those.

"Shut up".

"Whatever" she smiles, looking ahead at the road.

It's nice that we can just be mean to each other and just have fun about it. It just felt right that way. I don't know how it would of been if we were still together. It surely would feel different. Really different.

"So, did you get what you needed?" Gwen asks, changing the subject.

"No. It's being explained to me at dinner on Friday" I explain nonchalantly.

Gwen swerved the car, pulling over in the neighborhood.

"What?!" She yells, not sure if excited or upset.

It's hard to tell with her sometimes.

"What?"

"You were invited to Tony's home. A stark home to eat dinner".

"Yeah, what about it?" I question.

"How?" She asks, seeming very concerned.

"He just...asked me. I don't know why but he did. It just happened" I try to explain.

"That's...thats...that's great" she admits, tearing.

"Gwen, why are you crying?" I chuckle awkwardly, not knowing what kind of cry this was.

"I don't know. I just...can't believe this is happening to you. I'm glad things are working out for you, Peter".

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just...proud of you".

I couldn't tell exactly what she meant. These girl emotions were always confusing. I'm just glad she didn't think it was unfair or something. She works just as hard as me and deserves more and ever since her dad...she only deserves more than me.

"Gwen...does that mean I get more shawarma?" I smirk, never mocking her over her giving me shawarma from Tony.

"Shut up".