Black Hood

Another Party

Sophie's POV

"It's not my celebration. Why do I have to find a new dress for this one? My other dress should be fine."

"Sophie, please just choose one. Your father wants you to wear something different," says Pepper.

I groan.

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine."

"And maybe wear something with some colour."

I groan even louder.

"Why should anyone care if I'm wearing something black?"

"Sophie..." she warns.

I sigh and turn to the racks of clothes around me.

"Can I at least wear a dress with a hood?"

"No."

I pull a pouty face. She laughs and shakes her head.

After not very long, I find a pretty red dress with a black sash. I decide to try it on.

"That's perfect, Sophie. You are definitely wearing that."

I rub my arms, not liking how much skin this dress is showing.

"Maybe I should try something else instead," I say, after getting back into my normal clothes.

"No," she says simply, pulling me to the checkout at the front of the store.

I sigh again.

Peter's POV

I'm outside Sophie's room, waiting to accompany her to the party for Loki. The door opens, and Sophie steps out in a red dress with a black ribbon tied around her waist. She looks uncomfortable but beautiful. She smiles when she sees me and I grin back.

Loki's POV

I stare at the entrance of the room, waiting for Sophie to enter. The Man of Spiders comes in, with a beautiful girl beside him, holding his hand. After my initial shock at the girl's beauty, I realise who it is: Sophie.

She glances around the room, as though looking for a friend. Her eyes land on me, and she smiles. I return her smile.

She sees her father and a frown mars her face. She strides towards him.

Tony's POV

"Why were you allowed to wear the same suit as you wore at my celebration, but I had to choose something new? That's so unfair!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Pepper made me choose something new because she said you wanted me to."

"I never told her I wanted you to wear something new."

I turn to Pepper.

"Did you use me as an excuse to make Sophie wear something different?"

She frowns and shakes her head. Sophie looks at her suspiciously.

"Don't lie," she says.

Pepper sighs.

"Fine. Yes."

"Why?" I ask.

"Because girls can't get away with wearing the same thing for a similar occasion like guys can."

"Seriously!"

Sophie glances at Peter. He stands there awkwardly. Sophie sighs, and leaves with Peter.

Sophie's POV

The party passes. Loki approaches. I smile. He smiles back.

"Hey."

"Hello."

We sit in silence. Peter comes back with two glasses of water. He hands one to me and nods at Loki.

Peter's POV

As much as Sophie wants to appear like everything's fine, I can sense something's not.

Loki's POV

Even though she is smiling, Sophie seems unhappy. I want to help her, but she does not seem to want to have anything to do with me.

Sophie's POV

I hope no one can see through me. I'm pretending I'm fine, but I feel worse than ever. I'm hiding my eyes, but I don't think it's working. The noise is suffocating me, growing me. I want to get out. I need to get out.

My breaths come faster. The noise is too much and suddenly, I'm running from the room, out into the hallway. Tears fall fast. I can't cope. I sink to my knees.

Peter's POV

I reach the hallway to find Sophie curled up, sobbing. I kneel beside her and, hesitantly, rest my hand against her back. She looks up. She turns and buries her face in my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her. I see Mr Stark approaching.

Tony's POV

Sophie hears me coming and she looks up. I kneel near her and she flings herself at me, her tears wetting my shirt. Peter looks over at her, concerned.

Sophie's POV

"What's wrong?" my father asks, softly.

I don't say anything.

"What happened?" he asks Peter.

"I don't know. She just suddenly ran from the room."

My father rubs my back.

Peter's POV

The party's ended and I escort Sophie to her room. The tears have stopped, but her eyes are bright red. We get to the door of her room. She turns around and wraps her arms around me. I hug her back.

"Goodnight," she whispers, following it with a kiss on the cheek.

Then she goes into her room.

(Sorry guys. I know this chapter wasn't great. I've been kinda struggling with this chapter and with having enough time to write it. Hopefully, the next chapter will be better.)