Without You I'm Nothing

Chapter 1

We were stopped in the hallway, Jess and I. Hands to our mouths, giggles spilling from them. "You can both laugh in detention. "Mr Gallagher said, handing them both a detention slip. He turned on his heels and walked back into the classroom we were sent out from.

"We haven't even done anything.." I groaned, knowing my Dad will kill me when he finds out I have detention for a fourth time this week. "Cheer up Callie, least you're with me." Jess nudges me, I give her an unconvincing smile and look at the slip, muttering "My dad is going to kill me.." Jess' eyebrow raises, "Your dad? Try my Mom." We both know our parents can be pretty scary. After all, they are the Avengers.

"Yes but your Mom forgets after a while. My Dad goes on and on about it like I'm a thorn in his skin." My Dad is Tony Stark, Genius Billionaire with a Hella big attitude. My Mom, on the other hand, is a lot more gentle, her names Pepper. Everyone loves her.

"Ah c'mon Callie, maybe they won't be as mad this time? But either way. We should head there now before we get another detention for turning up late." I nod in agreement as we link arms and make our way to detention.

A couple hours later we both emerge from the classroom, giggling once again. I take a look at my watch and sigh. "4 Pm. My Dad will be here to pick us up." Jess takes my wrist and looks at my watch, then looks at me. "Well, we better not leave him waiting then." She once again takes my arm but drags me to the outside parking lot to where my Dad is stood against his flash car. Spinning the keys around his finger. "Detention. Again. You're treading on thin Ice Callie. " I look down, not wanting to meet eye contact and climb into the car beside Jess. Her hand rests on mine which turns the corner of my lips up. Kind of like a twitch. But she notices as she returns a smile.

The journey home seemed longer than usual. There was too much awkward silence. I had never wished to have gotten out a car so fast as he pulled up into the courtyard of the mansion we lived in. I take my school bag and walk inside, Jess close to my side.

"Detention. Seriously girls?" We're greeted by Jess' Dad, Steve. He let out a disappointed sigh and shook his head, turning his attention to Jess. " Your mother's waiting for you in your room. I suggest you move your behind and get there quickly. " Jess' smile faded as she nodded, giving me a quick glance before running upstairs to her room. Pepper walks out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel and walks over smiling. "Hey Honey, how was your day?" I smile slightly "Alright I guess, apart from the detention." My dad had followed me in, standing close to Steve as he looks at me. "Yes. You're grounded by the way. No phone. No tv. " He holds out his hand as I reluctantly give him my phone, he smiles softly and kisses my forehead. "Maybe it'll teach you not to mess around in class." I roll my eyes, not really in the mood for one of his 'if you listened you'd be as smart as me' speeches. I just nod and make my way up to my room, it's so quiet recently being as a lot of the team has gone on a few missions. Every room is almost empty right now, some doors are ajar as I peak in to see if anyone inhibits them right now but no luck. I get to my door and frown, there's a note stuck to it. I pluck it from the door and hold it in my hand.

Mete me in our hidey-spot.
I hve sumfin 2 show u.
B thre in 30 mins.
U no who this is.
Xx

I laugh slightly, knowing Jess wrote this from her choice of grammar. I enter my room, throwing my bag to the ground and take off my school uniform. I have just enough time for a quick shower before I meet her. I grab a set of chill-out clothes and a towel, heading into the ensuite I have and turn on the shower. My hair doesn't need washing as I did that this morning so I tie it back into a bun and step into the stream, smiling slightly at the warmth as the water runs down my body. I grab the loofah and the soap and begin washing all over, spending a little extra time in the region's that may need more attention. I spend a good 15 minutes, just stood under the stream letting the water runoff me before getting out and wrapping myself in a towel. It makes me shiver from the cold chill I get from not being under the stream no longer. But nonetheless, I dry myself and step into the clothes I had brought in. Once my hair is taken down from the bun it was in, I look in the mirror to see the curls that had formed from the humidity in the room. Groaning I grab a brush to try to tame them but it only makes it worse as they are now puffy and static. I look like a poodle that has been blow dried. I sigh in defeat and tie my hair back into a ponytail which now makes it look like I have an afro, attractive I know. But I have no time as I need to go meet Jess. Last time I was late she didn't speak to me for a week as punishment. It was the hardest week of my life. I really do not want that happening again. I walk back into my room, kneeling on the floor and taking off a loose floorboard under a rug, revealing a secret stash of goodies. After contemplating on which I should take, I settle for a share bag of crisps and a box of chocolate and head out to our hidey-spot. We had discovered this place a few days back without realising. You walk down the hall towards the upstairs library, take a left turn and head to the left wing staircase. To the right of the staircase will be a hidden button near one of the panels. After pressing it another panel under the stairs opens, I squeeze through the gap and find Jess sitting there with hot chocolates ready. Biting my lip I take a seat, smelling the chocolate in the air brought back so many memories.

"Glad you could make it. Certainly took your time. " Jess' eyes were stern, I cowered back a little before she let out a loud mighty laugh. "Lighten up Callie. You're not in trouble." I sigh in relief and put down the snacks, opening them. "So what is it you wanted to tell me?" I ask. Glancing at her before taking a chocolate and popping it into my mouth. She didn't answer me for quite some time. I look back up to just see her staring at me. "Jess are you okay?" I begin to worry, she's never usually this quiet. "Yeah.. yeah it's just... Callie... I-" before she could finish we hear a loud bang which makes us both jump. We both quickly rise to our feet and head out to find the source of the bang.