Alone

34: Trip to D.C.

Elizabeth POV:

"So what is this again?" Happy asked as he handed me my bag and my math club jacket.
"The academic decathlon, in DC." I said as i places my bag on the ground and put my jacket on.
"Okay, well just let Tony and I know if something goes wrong." Happy said sounding unsure of me going. i shook my head and laughed picking up my bag off the ground.
"You know, I do have powers right?" I said wiggling my fingers letting the darkness come off my fingers, Happy rolled his eyes and laughed, walking around to the drivers side of the car and opening the door, he waved and got in and then drove off.
I turned around and looked at the school and then walked to where everyone was supposed to meet. I looked at my phone to see a text from Peter saying he was going to be there soon, I then looked up to see eight people with the same yellow jacket waiting by the bus, they turned and smiled.
"Hey Elizabeth! Are you ready for your first Academic Decathlon?" Liz said with a smile.
"Yeah, thank you guys for letting come on such short notice." I said as I stood between Ned, and Liz. Flash winked at me as he leaned on the bus, I turned away looking at Ned now. I checked my phone and waited for Peter.

Peter POV:
I ran quickly through the crowd of students making their way to their classes as I rushed to the bus, praying they would not leave me. Finally I spotted the bus and everyone waiting outside of it. I slowed down as I saw Elizabeth. She smiled as she talked to Ned, Liz and few of the other students. As I watched her it was like everything was in slow motion, she then turned around and saw me, her smile widened making my heart leap.
"Hey it's Peter!" Abe said making everyone turn and look at me, shock on their faces, as i had previously said I would not be joining them on the trip.
"Peter?" Liz said with a confused look.
"Yeah I was hoping that maybe I could rejoin the team." I said, hoping they would let, or all our plans would crash down.
"No! No way! You can't just quit on us, stroll up and be welcomed back by everyone." Flash said walking up to, his voice full of annoyance. I opened my mouth to say something when I was interrupted by Mr. Harrington.
"Hey! Welcome back Peter!" he said walking off the bus. "Flash you're back to first alternate."
"What?" flash said confused.
"He's taking your place!" Abe said from behind him, sounded amused as he said it. Everyone giggled, I looked at Elizabeth who smiled.
"Can we go already? Cause i was hoping to get some light protesting in." Michelle said speaking up.
"Protesting is patriotic. Let's get on the bus!" Mr. Harrington said motioning to the bus, Flash took off his jacket and tossed it to me aggressively, then everyone began to get on the bus. Elizabeth stepped towards me and we waited for everyone to get on first.
"you got the ear pieces?" I asked stepping closer to her and speaking quietly. As we stood there her scent radiated off of her, she smelled of flowers and vanilla, it was a sweet silky smell, I love that smell.
"Yeah, though if Tony or Happy find out I took them, Im in big trouble." she said with a slight smile on her lips. "come on let's get on the bus." she turned around and entered the bus, I stood for a moment smiling to myself then entering. Once on the bus I sat down next to Elizabeth. Ned sat in the back holding the tracker. After an hour of driving Liz began to quiz us.
Elizabeth participated getting every one of the questions she answered correct. Soon i answered a question and turned to Elizabeth jokingly showing off. Elizabeth playfully rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Very good Peter, glad to have you back." Liz said giving me a shy smile, I turned and smiled back.
"Glad to be back." I answered. I looked back at Elizabeth who no longer had a smile on her face, she looked at Liz then looked down at her hands, soon she realized I was looking at her and smiled again. Soon Liz began to start another question when my phone began to ring.
"It's Happy." I whispered to Elizabeth and I stood up, we then both stood up and walked to the back of the bus, where Ned sat.
"Hello?" I said putting up the phone to my ear.
"I got a blip on my screen, saying you left New York." Happy said.
I put the phone down covering the microphone and looked to Elizabeth confused, "Tracker." I said quietly, I then put it back up to my ear.
"I'm, it's just a school trip. It's nothing. Look Happy, I gotta say, you tracking me without my permission is a complete violation of my privacy." I said, Ned pointed tot he tracker that was locating the bad guys with a questioning look on his face, "That's different." I whispered back.
"What's different?" Happy said sounding concerned and annoyed.
"Uh, nothing look, it's just the Academic Decathlon, it's no big deal."
"Elizabeth is going to that put her on the phone so I know for sure you're not lying." Happy said , I sighed and handed the phone to Elizabeth who's at in the seat across from me. She grabbed it raising one eyebrow then put it up to her ear.
"Hello?" She paused then before talking again, "yes... I know... happy-.... okay i will... alright, bye." she handed me the phone and smiled. I put the phone back up to my ear.
"okay, it sounds like it's no big deal, but remember i'm watching you, and um, watch out for Elizabeth,"
"I will, bye Happy."
"Bye," I hung up the phone and sighed.
"That was close." I said with a light laugh. Elizabeth giggled and nodded agreeing.