CHILD one-shots | james b. barnes

[ I Have Parker Luck ]

I Have Parker Luck

[ Second semester calls for the swimming unit, and Angelika is allowed to sit out for her class. But a new substitute teacher apparently didn't get the memo, and forces her to join the other kids in class. In short, Angelika realizes she's gotten a case of the Parker luck. ]

Angelika's first year in highschool
( Peter Parker's senior year )

IT JUST HAD TO BE gym class when Angelika got a substitute teacher. It just had to be gym class where she had to change in the locker room into a swimsuit which did nothing to reveal the deep scars in her back and arms. It just had to be gym class where she was bullied by other girls her age.

It just had to be gym class.

Her day had started out rather well- she'd eaten a hearty breakfast, headed to school with Peter, Ned, MJ and Grace, aced her chemistry test and english test, had the best lunch ever, and had a whole gym period to do her homework. Or well, that's what she had assumed since she'd been doing it ever since second semester started.

But she just so happened to have a substitute teacher who was listening to absolutely nothing she was saying. That's when she knew she had Parker luck.

"My Pa-Father's already submitted a slip." Angelika protested, gripping tightly to her backpack straps. "It's written and signed. I don't need to change for swim class!"

The teacher- Ms. Karen- narrowed her eyes.

"Yes you do. You can't lie yourself out of this young lady." She snapped and Angelika held back a groan.

"Yes ma'am." She said, looking down at her feet, deciding arguing for another ten minutes would only embarrass her further.

She stepped into the girls locker room, where everyone else was changing. She went into one of the bathroom stalls and changed into her back-up swimsuit- prepared for these types of incidents. She was terrified, if she was being honest, because there was no hiding who she was if they could clearly see the words HYDRA branded into her shoulder blade. She reluctantly changed into her swimsuit, but refused to step out of the bathroom.

She heard all of the girls leave the locker room, and she sat on the toilet seat, knees pulled to her chests as she contemplated on hiding or pretending to be sick. The only sound she could hear was the plop plop of the showers, which dripped blood ever so often. Her heart raced as she remembered being hosed down and waterboarded too many times to count.

She heard the locker room door open again and heard Grace's voice.

"Angie? Hello? Are you in here?" She asked with concern and Angelika cleared her throat.

"Yeah! Yeah I'm here Ace. Sorry, I'll be- I'll be out." She said.

She waited for Grace to leave, but the worried friend didn't, and Angelika mustered up as much courage as possible. She stepped out of the stall, eyes glued to the floor.

She heard Grace's breath hitch in her throat and Angelika rubbed the side of her arm with embarrassment.

"Angie, are you- are you alright?" Grace asked, and Angelika sighed.

"It's- it's terrible I know." She said and Grace looked at her sadly.

"So you're. . .the Winter Soldier's daughter?" She asked softly, gazing at her with slight awe.

Angelika nodded, shifting her gaze to reach her friend's. She was surprised by her amazed look. Then the amazement morphed into anger.

"I can't believe Ms. Karen forced you to change! Do you want me to tell her-" she started and Angelika shook her head.