Rising Power ~ p. parker

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Just as a preface, this story takes place right before Civil War but Peter is 17 and has been working with Tony for a bit. :)

Don't be afraid to comment! I love hearing from you guys (it always makes me smile) and I could always learn how to improve.

*~*~*

A fall breeze swept a few dry leaves across the pavement. A chill ran up a little girl's spine, making her wish she grabbed a coat before she left. She sat against a tree and tried to ignore the hunger pain in her stomach.

A little boy about her age rounded the corner and rocketed towards the tree she was under. Compared to the girl, he was a ball of energy, nothing holding him back as he sped in her direction. When he reached her, he came to a sudden halt. He was confused. That was his super secret hiding spot, so what was that girl doing there?

"What are you doing by my tree?" the boy asked, pointing at the branches.

He could tell that the mystery girl didn't look too good. She was dirty and her eyes looked tired. The girl felt the pity that radiated from him in her chest.

"Sitting," she responded as if it were obvious.

"Oh." He looked around awkwardly, not really sure what to do in a situation like that. No one had ever visited his secret tree before. "Wanna race to the top?"

The girl, not one to back down from a challenge, accepted with a smirk. "You're on."

He smiled and counted them down. He was already grabbing onto his second branch before she even had the chance to find her footing. He was about five feet above her when she looked up at him and shrugged in defeat on the lowest branch.

"I win! I'm Peter by the way."

"I'm Taylor."

The two of them slid down the trunk of the tree. Peter ran over to the man and woman who had finally caught up and had been waiting for him to finish his race. They bent down so he could whisper something in their ears. Taylor could feel sympathy from the two adults as she sunk back down to her original spot with a sigh. The woman looked back and forth between her family and the little girl. She pursed her lips decidedly, walked over to her, and crouched down.

"Hi, it's Taylor right?" May asked with a warm smile. When Taylor nodded, she continued, "I'm Peter's aunt, and we were wondering if you would like to join us for breakfast?"

*~*~*

"Good morning, New York City!" Taylor whispered to herself as she ripped the curtains back. Morning sunlight flooded her dark apartment.

7 a.m. and the streets were already alive. People were walking to work and talking on the phones. Others drove the cars that zoomed past her building. Lights began flickering on in other apartments across the street. The glowing caught her eyes and she smiled. Watching other people live their lives reminded Taylor that she wasn't totally alone. It was the best part of her morning.

She glanced over at the clock in her kitchen and saw that it was about time to head downstairs. She slipped her bag over her shoulders and tied the laces of her muddy sneakers. After calling out to one of her roommates sipping coffee in the living room, she skipped down a few flights of stairs to wait for her best friend.

She would rather live with them. She had known Peter and May longer than anyone else in her life. They were practically family at that point. May's husband passed away not too long ago, so Taylor didn't want to add any more stress on her. She doubted May wanted another teenager to take care of in a time like that.