The Avengers: A Change of Fate

Part 3: Chapter 11

Stella stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom. She wore a white collared long sleeve shirt with a light blue wool vest on top and a red and gold striped tie. Classic school uniform apparel. Fortunately, this school had the girls wear khakis rather than plaid skirts. Stella wore a brand new pair of combat boots. They didn't specify on shoe wear, but Tony had refused to let her wear her old boots.

These ones went all the way up her calves, and stopped just under her knees. They were gray, and laced all the way up. Her golden hair flowed over her shoulder in wavy curls. She was nervous. Actually, she was feeling a lot of things; dread, tired, worry, but mostly nervous. Stella checked her mental list again to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, but everything was already taken care of, yet her mind still reeled. There was a knock on her door.

"Stella, it's time to leave," Tony called from outside.

Stella put on her black leather jacket. Usually she'd wear it with a black shirt and jeans with her belt. Her outfit she usually wore now. Widow had told her the uniform was more for on duty stuff than everyday attire, and Stella had to admit she did like this outfit better. Her jacket didn't match her school uniform, but she didn't care. She grabbed her brown leather book bag and left her room. The first criticism she felt she'd get; she was leather obsessed. -But maybe that was true...

Stella met Tony outside her door. He'd drive her in her first day. Transportation was usually provided, but Stella had her own anyway. They drove out in Tony's black Mercedes-Benz SF1. Pepper had been right, the campus was beautiful, and huge. Bigger than it needed to be for a high school academy. Tony pulled up to the main building, and walked in with Stella. Their first trip was to the principal's office to go over a few last details and get her schedule.

"Boy, I hoped I'd never have to go back here," Tony said as they walked to the doors.

"You went here?" Stella asked.

"Yes, but I meant just a high school in general. My father had to put me through several of them."

"You were a bad boy, then?" Stella asked with a bit of humor.

Tony smiled with a mischievous look in his eye, "I guess you could say that. Mostly the classes were too slow, so I got bored."

"I have a feeling I'll be doing the same thing."

Tony gave her a sympathetic look, "Don't worry. This is the last high school I went to. My father practically begged them to let me in. They handled me nicely though, went with my pace, and let me graduate early."

"But you won't let me go my pace, or graduate early," Stella objected.

"I don't care how fast you finish your assignments, as long as you are here for seven hours a day."

"I bet the teachers are going to love me," Stella said sarcastically.

"They'll definitely know you're a Stark. They had my father as well. They're probably going to wonder how you're not blood related."

Stella smiled as they walked through the doors. A desk stood right in front when they walked in. A young woman with curly dark brown hair smiled at them from the desk.

"Hello. Welcome to Steven's Academy. How may I help you?"

Tony smiled back at the secretary, making her blush, "We have an appointment with Mrs. Henderson."

"Right this way, please," the secretary instructed as she stepped out from behind her desk.

Stella elbowed Tony as they followed her, "What?" he whispered incredulously.