The Avengers: A Change of Fate

Chapter 12

Stella met Captain America in the training room. The exercise was heated to say the least. Captain America didn't lie when he said he wouldn't take it easy on her, but Stella didn't either. Cap may of had a few tricks, but with her rejuvenated mind, Stella avoided them easily. They called a draw after they had exhausted themselves trying to put each other on the ground.

"So how's school going?" Captain America asked as they caught their breath.

"Alright," Stella replied weighing her words carefully.

Captain America still caught on, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's fine now. I'm adjusting," Stella managed to lie.

"You know, Stella. If anything is wrong, you can tell us."

"I know," Stella said with her eyes downcast.

When Stella walked into school Monday morning she found her painting front and center in the display case, her name shining from the engraved metal plate on the corner. Maybe this week would be better. The kids had to get bored of this eventually. Stella was right. The day went without incident, besides a few glares. She was finally caught up in her classes, and was excelling quickly.

Tuesday was the exact opposite. Stella was walking back from lunch. Victoria, Amilia, and her had started eating at a cafe in the food complex. Only a few kids went there, and they all kept to their business. It was peaceful with nice tables outside, and good food. Stella wrestled her way through the halls to her gym class when suddenly she was whisked into the air.

Her books clattered to the floor as a boy lifted her into the air. He slammed her into the lockers so hard her vision blurred and blackened. Her ears rung. She could feel the boy's hands grasping fistfuls of her shirt and pinning her to the lockers, but she was still disoriented. She thought he might be saying something, but it was all noise underwater to her.

Finally, her vision cleared. The boy was tall and built with a black crew cut and dark brown eyes full of hate. He wore a varsity jacket. A football member. He glared into Stella's eyes as she became less disoriented.

"You don't belong here," he growled.

Stella struggled against his grasp, but his grip was like iron. Kids had stopped in the hall to watch, and none of them seemed to want to help her.

"Please, let me go," Stella begged.

"You should of left when you had the chance."

Stella's heart thundered. Her mind raced. She had to get out his grasp, had to get away. There was a knife in her pocket, but he was a defenseless boy, more or less, and she was a trained killer. If she used her knife against him she could easily kill him, and that would not be good. -But if she did nothing, she'd turn into a dragon, and then none of them would live.

"Please, you don't know what you're doing," Stella tried words again.

The boy's face split into a wicked grin, and he laughed, "I think I do."

Were they testing her? Were they seriously that stupid? Stella gave him a serious look.

"You need to me put down. Now."

The boy pressed her harder into the lockers, and raised his fist. Stella finally let her instincts kick in. She kicked him hard between the legs. He dropped her as he doubled over. Nashira crumpled to the floor as he released her. She rose to find the boy on the ground grasping his groin.

"Fighting 101. Don't leave your opponent's legs free when you pin them to a wall," Nashira informed the moaning boy.

She turned away from him and walked to the edge of the circle the students had formed. They stood still and refused to make way for her.