Avengers x Reader // Just Different

Chapter 2

You stuffed the invitation into your mom's old handbag. The silver leather matched your shoes. Your soft (Y/H/C) is pulled back into a curled ponytail. It wasn't the most elegant, but it kept your hair out of your face and made you feel more confident.

You ran down the stairs and opened the door, but stopped to double-check and make sure your invitation is secured tightly in the bag. With your heels clicking down the driveway, you called a taxi to come to pick you up.

While you waited, you ran through things in your head. One, don't tell your story. It made people assume that you are weak and dumb and that you could't do anything. Two, show respect for the attendees. You might not like them, but you had to gain their trust... because who knows? Maybe someday they'd ring you up.

You shook your head. It was a hopeless thought. Your mind forgot it when you saw the taxi pull up.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

"Umm," you looked at the invitation, "Stark Industries."

He raised his eyebrows. "What for?"

Now it was your turn to give him a look. "Isn't your job to drive me there?" you questioned.

He slowly turned around and plugged in the location.

You swallowed, feeling a little bad that you scolded an older man like that. 

"It's, um, really nice  your company drives on New Years," you commented, trying to look bright.

"Not my choice," he grumbled.

You looked down, feeling slightly embarrassed. He's sacrificing his time to get you to a party.

The rest of the car ride was filled with awkward silence.

The car didn't even need to stop before you realized you were at the Stark tower. The giant building generated enough light to light up the city.

You thanked the driver and tipped him a little extra. You turned then again to the Stark tower and looked at it in awe. You followed everyone invited to the entrance, where people give you odd looks for being there at such a young age. Besides, you were only (Y/A), they were, what? 35 and older?

The guy at the front door asked for your invitation, and you meekly handed it to him. He looked at you oddly, but waved you in. You gave him a nod and walked in.

You were glad you chose to wear black, because everyone was wearing the same. Black and white was everywhere, and you couldn't help but gape at it all. It was all luxury. Everyone and everything.

You wandered around, noticing Stark's technology, soaking it all in. You saw the one and only Stark lab, full of expensive equipment and papers on the floor everywhere. As you walked farther from the noise and closer to private rooms, a loud voice interrupts you.

"Excuse me, miss, but this is authorized. I suggest you get out," the automated voice stated.

You clutched your chest, scared to death, "Who are you?" you asked.

"My name is JARVIS, Tony's AI," he replied. 

You gave out a sigh of relief. It was just technology. "Sorry JARVIS. I'll get back the party."

You couldn't help but smirk. You were talking to Artificial Intelligence. Technology. 

"Have fun, miss."

When you returned to the party, you found Stark's friend, Rhodey, telling his stories to a small crowd of people. They laughed, and he smiled in satisfaction. He looked over your way, and you stared down at your glass of water. Though you weren't hoping to draw attention to yourself, you knew that if you wanted to be known, you had to be found. Approachable.

You glanced back up to give Rhodey a nod of recognition, but he was gone.

Avenger's POV

"What your language, Capsicles. Just because it's New Years doesn't mean you get a free pass," Tony scolded. In response, Steve just rolled his eyes. The Avengers just laughed along with him.

Tony turned to keep talking to Steve, but stopped when he saw Rhodey run up to the group with a slightly distressed face.

"Listen, Rhodey," Tony said, "I'm sorry, but we don't really want to hear another one of your 'hero' stories."

"I don't know," Natasha murmured. "Might be better than the ones you men are telling me." She took a sip of wine. Tony gave her a glare.

"That hurt. But there's something you guys need to see," Rhodey said. The Avengers slightly tensed and sat up more. Rhodey turned to Stark.

"Tony, did you invite a woman around (Y/A) to the party?" he asked. 

Tony responded with a confused look.

"Yeah, I assumed so," Rhodey said. "Follow me."

The Avengers stood up and followed Rhodey over to the far end of the room. They saw the young woman, by herself, looking at the city from the view of the Stark tower. She turned away from the window, as if she heard the Avengers there the whole time. Shock rippled through her face, though, but she quickly replaced it with a smile. No one spoke.

Breaking the silence, Tony spoke up, "Hey kid. Aren't you, um, a little young?"