Assemble (Book 2)

1.3

June 16, 1989

"Anthony Edward Stark." People cheered all around as the youngest boy to graduate from MIT walked the stage. Let's just say, most of them were girls. And I'm sure he's slept with 90% of them in his time at MIT. He walked onto stage, proud and slightly snotty. He shook the hands of his professors and gratefully took his diploma. He had finally graduated college. He had been at the top of his class and despite his horrible attitude, his professors were all astounded and grateful to have him in their classes. His mother and I sat in our appropriate seats, and though we didn't cheer, we were both beaming with pride. If Howard had been here, I'm sure he would've been proud also. But he wasn't here. Because yet again, his business was more important than his own flesh and blood.

As Tony stepped off of the stage, most of the cheering died away. More of his professors who hadn't been on stage, shook Tony's hand. Everyone was very proud of him. Maria was beaming with joy, right beside me, though she was also upset at Howard for not being here. It didn't matter to her in this moment though. The only thing that mattered to her was her son. And his graduation. A large smile stood bright on Tony's face as he waved to the entire crowd, disrupting the ceremony as the crowd started cheering for him again. Maria shook her head, though probably wouldn't say anything to him later because it was a big day for him.

"The graduating class of 1989!" All around, students cheered and threw their caps into the air and families cheered. No more school, no more stress, no more homework and projects. It was all finally over. Maria and I smiled at each other, remembering our graduation from high school, seeing as neither of us finished college before the war started. And then we made our way down the stairs, trying to shove past the rest of the parents and the insanely chaotic crowd. All around students were meeting up with their families and friends we're greeting each other. We had finally found common ground with Tony as he smiled at us. He may have been obnoxious 120% of the time, but he was a good kid. Good enough, at least. His heart was in the right place. That's what I'm trying to say.

I went to give him a hug when 3 very provocative girls pushed me out of the way. Tony actually looked sorry as they grabbed onto him. I felt bad for his mother, who stood right beside me, not wanting to take their shit after having to deal with Howard earlier that day. Tony could see and sense his mother's glare and smiled at the girls but pushed them off. "Let's get out of here." He said, smiling at both his mom and me. "I like that idea." I told him as my arm wrapped around him, giving him a side hug.

We laughed as we got into Maria's car, talking about what had just happened. Tony and I sat in the back, his mom up front, driving. "I thought Maria was going to kill them." I nudged Tony as he laughed. "Mom wouldn't even hurt a fly." Both his mother and I scoff. "I'll have you know that back in the day your mother was feisty." Tony gave me a look that said 'really?' And I nodded. "Yeah, she punched my ex boyfriend in the face once. He was an ass." Maria and I laughed. She still didn't even know the half of it. I only told Bucky. So a total of 3 people knew it happened. Me, Jack and Bucky. No one else needed to know.

"Where do you want to go out to eat?" Maria asked Tony, changing the subject. Tony looked at me and then at the empty car seat where his father should've been. "I don't really want to go out. Can we just go home and order a pizza?" Maria nodded. She would do anything for him. So we went home, where we all changed into our pajamas, sat on the couch and ate pizza. (It was really good pizza by the way.) We laughed and talked all evening, which rarely ever happened in this household. But it was a nice change. A change that was much needed and very welcomed.

As Tony drifted off on the couch, Maria and I cleaned up the mess we had made. We tried to be quiet so Tony didn't wake up but I noticed something was really bugging Maria. I knew she was mad at Howard but this was different. "What's going on Maria?" I asked her. She looked as if she were about to cry. "Howard is working on a project, a new super serum. Hydra is still out there. They're going to want the serum, it's dangerous for him to be doing this." I hugged her tightly as she cried into my shoulder. "It'll be ok. I won't let them get to you. Any of you." I wiped the tears away from her cheeks and smiled at her. "I love you Maria. You're my best friend. Nothing is going to happen to your family." Maria smiled at me, hugging me again. "Our family. You're a part of this family too Clara."