atelphobia; (n.) the fear of not being good enough.
"Why are you here? Don't know if I hadn't already made it clear -- but I don't wanna be around you."
"I was worried."
"You don't get to be worried about me. Not anymore. Not Ever."
After her kidna...
It was close to nine pm which was when Emma's birthday ball started. By then, the media had gotten word and it was all social media outlets could talk about, waiting patiently for the arrival of Emma Stark.
The 15-year-old girl sat in a limo with her parents, getting close to the building her birthday masquerade ball would be held in. The sparkling dress fit beautifully around her petite body while her white mask sat in her hands, beautiful gold designs over it.
Lidianna had gifted her a crown to wear for the occasion. It was small, but still made Emma feel special. Even though this entire thing was ridiculous, made her feel ridiculous. But she felt pretty. Her blonde hair was loosely curled with perfect makeup on her face. The sparkling eyeshadow really made her blue eyes shine, Pepper told her.
Sitting across from her was Tony and Pepper, both dressed for the occasion as well. Tony in all black while Pepper was in dark blue. Lidianna sat next to Emma in a gorgeous evergreen dress that reminded the blonde that Lidianna really was a Princess. She had her dark locks in a low bun with diamond earrings hanging from her ears.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
But when the limo slowly came to a stop, a cold shiver of nerves overcame Emma when she saw all the paparazzi and reporters lined up in front of the red carpet leading into the building. She gripped onto her mask, her brows furrowing in anxiety. And all of sudden, she wished she never agreed to any of this.
"Don't worry," Tony said and she looked at him, "Just stay by me and your mom. And ignore any questions thrown at you."
Emma nodded right before the limo door was opened, and the flashes of the cameras immediately went off. Brandon Harrington appeared at the door, holding out his hand for Lidianna. She took it and pulled herself out of the vehicle, and instantly, the paparazzi began shouting, wanting a picture of the Avenger.
She didn't pay them any mind, never caring for fame. She already had that back home. She just kindly greeted Brandon and waved at the reporters and photographers as she crossed the aisle into the building. But as she went her way, Tony stepped out of the limo, and as expected, the crowd went crazy.
He smiled and waved at the crowd before turning to Brandon, who was holding his hand out for Emma or Pepper. "I have this," he told the bodyguard, who nodded. He straightened up and took a step back before Tony held out his hand for one of his girls to take.
Pepper did.
"Are you two back together?!" Emma heard someone shout but her parents didn't say anything. They just smiled at the crowd, ignoring any questions and comments shouted at them.
"Where's Captain America?!"
"Do you know anything about Black Widow and Miss America?"
Emma shook her head irritated before Tony stuck his head into the limo, sending her a small smile. "Ready?" he asked and she looked at him, finding his brown eyes glittering at her.
