Chapter Text
The cafeteria was crowded with students going to get their lunch, the mumble of chatter heard all around the room and I look around for the floppy brown curly head of hair of one Tony Stark, a cute small nerdy kinda guy, who I had developed a huge crush on. I scan the room and spot him in between Natasha and Clint. A laugh that could be heard a mile away is like music to my ears as I watch Tony laughing and joking with his friends. I sigh wishing that I could one day make Tony laugh or smile like that. A hand settles on my shoulder, making me jump. “Hey, sorry man didn’t mean to make you jump, you looked like you were staring into space”. I turn to face my friend Brock Rumlow, a quarterback on the school team which I'm captain of. “Hey, no problem I was just thinking about what new tactics we could use in tonight's practice”. I lie covering the fact that I was staring at Tony. “Aww man not more tactics, I can hardly remember the ones we learned last week, dude”. Jack Rollins, Steve's other friend who was also a quarterback on the team, sits down in front of me, blocking my view of Tony. “Dude, get over yourself it's just a few new things, nothing hard I promise, I Just want us to be prepared for our next match against Hydra High”. I say a little annoyed, now that I don't have a clear view of Tony anymore. We continue talking about the upcoming match when all of a sudden the bell ring, as we get up to leave while Brock grumbles under his breath “time for physics, god kill me” “Hey it’s not that bad, you just don’t want to go because you forgot to study for the test last week and don’t want to get your test back”. Physics wasn’t Steve's favourite subject but he did try hard to study for the tests, the only reason he didn't fail was that he didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of Tony, who was in his class. Tony always got excellent marks which was fair because he loved the subject and Steve thought that if he liked the subject too then he would have done better too. While getting up for class, Steve sees out of the corner of his eye that Tony was starting to get up and head to class too, Steve tried to hurry so he could walk past Tony, just for an excuse to bump into him and have a reason to talk to him, even if it was to say sorry. Tony looks at him as he says sorry but doesn't say anything but continues on to class ahead of Steve and friends, whispering to Bruce who was another friend of Tony's friends. “He did it again, he bumped into me, why does he keep doing it?”. “I'm not sure Tony but I think you should just ignore him”. Bruce said with a sigh as he got out his books. Class begins and Ms Hill comes in with a stack of papers, everybody groans. “Ok class so as you know last week we had a test and here in my hand, I have the results and as usual some of you did great and some of you didn’t study at all”. She starts to walk up and down the rows, handing out the results and reaches Tony and Bruce who not surprisingly got 100%, then it was Steve's turn, he looks at it and it has a bold red marker 88%, Steve sighed he had done better than he had expected. From behind him, he can hear Brock and Jack grumbling about their results “shit man I got 56%” “yeah well I got 32% Jack, so don’t come crying to me cause I’m going to be killed by my parents”. Steve turns to show his results to his friend “Well if you studied like I told you then you would have gotten higher than you did” “Shut up Steve, we all know you're secretly a nerd” said Brock while rolling his eyes because Steve always gets higher than them in any tests. “Hey I’m no nerd, I just study sometimes”. Says Steve with an eye roll. A cough comes behind them makes Steve and Jack turn around and see Tony turn back in his seat. *Shit did Tony hear say I don't like nerds!!* he thoughts are disrupted by Brock's voice saying “What’s your problem, stark??” Tony’s ears go red and he slowly turns around to look at the jocks.”Nothing just coughing, I swear” Tony's eyes are wide and as he stares at Brock. “It seemed that you think my results are funny?” Says Brock while cracking his knuckles. “I only coughed, I didn’t laugh I swear Brock, I only cough”. Tony’s voice cracking a bit, his eyes starting to gloss over. “ Well just because your parents are rich and famous and can pay for anything and everything you want doesn't make you better than the rest of us” “Hey Brock lay off him, he said he was sorry”. Steve said while glaring at Brock. *Maybe now Tony will see that I care for him, by me standing up to Brock for him* Steve thinks while smiling at Tony. Tony glares at him and huffs in frustration and says “I can stand up for myself, Rogers” at the same time as Brock says “What the fuck, Steve? I thought you had my back?!” “What?! I mean yeah man I have your back, it’s just you don’t have to be a dick about after he apologized” I say while turning to sit forward and see that Tony has turned back around in his seat again, his neck still red. “Ok class, I know you want to talk to your friends about your results but that can wait until after class, time to actually learn something today,” Mrs Hill says as she writes today's date and the subject of what we're learning today on the whiteboard, The whole class groans.
Tony’s POV:
After what seems like an hour of Steve Rogers staring into the back of my head, the bell finally rings and I quickly gather my stuff say a brief “see you in chemistry” to Bruce as I run towards the door and out into the hallway. *Phew I got out before Brock and his gang could say or do anything to me* I sigh and make my way to gym, my least favourite subject. As I am walking I see Rhodey coming out of French with Clint and I make my way to them as I know they have gym too but before I can call out to them, I'm pushed sideways into the wall. “Out of my way Stark, if you know what's good for you!” Brock says as he makes his way to his next class. “Shit, Tony are you ok?” Rhodey, god bless him runs over to see if I'm alright “it's ok Rogers I can handle him” I hear Rhodey mutter to someone. As I'm helped into an upright position I hear a faint “sorry” and turn to see Steve backing away and toward Brock who was getting a face full of Clint, tell him off. “Are you alright Tony? seriously I'm going to kill Brock if he hurt you again I swear” “It’s not worth it, Rhodey” I say as pick my school bag up off the floor, “Let's just get to gym, I don't want to get detention”
*I hate gym, I can’t breathe and my legs are killing me, I hate running I only do it if it’s necessary not for fun* I think as a blonde bullet speeds passed me and I nearly fall over with surprise *There goes Rogers, he could rival Usain Bolt if he wanted to, he’s that fast* I grumble to myself, while watching Steve run ahead of everyone else. *God why does he have to be so perfect with his perfect hair and perfect body and perfect ass, god how can someone’s ass be that perfect I mean seriously. WAIT A MINUTE why am I talking about his ass? I mean it is cute...but I mean...I don’t like him that why do I?* “COME ON STARK PICK UP THE PACE” I jump startled by the volume of coach Fury's voice across the gym hall, I can hear some people laughing as I try and keep up with everyone but fail miserably “Come on stark, can’t you even run without looking like a loser?” I hear someone says while running ahead of me. *God who ever said that is a dick but he’s right I am a loser, I wish I could do something right. Maybe dad was right I am a disappointment* as I run I feel tears starting to swell in my eyes *I think I could pass off the tears as sweat, since my face is red and shining with it.* I think keeping my head low just in case. I hear coach Fury blow his whistle to signal the end of gym and I jog over to the changing rooms.
(Brock’s POV:)
*I’m going to get that Stark kid back for laughing at my grade in physics* I think as I sneak into the boy's locker room. I got a text from Jack saying that gym was over and he would be out in twenty and that everyone was going to the showers so I had a small window of opportunity to go in and steal Stark's clothes and hide them somewhere. I hid behind a row of lockers and spot stark putting his clothes into a locker and walking away, talking to Rhodes. I waited until it’s quiet and sneak up to the locker that Stark was using and thankfully he didn’t put a lock on it, so I take his clothes and run and don’t stop until I’m far away from the locker room. I throw Starks clothes into the nearest bin. *That will teach stark not to think he’s better than everyone else* I think smiling as I wait for Jack and Steve to tell them what I did.
Steve’s POV:
I get dressed and see Jack is ready so we head out to find Brock. As I’m walking out I see Tony exiting the showers and god he looks so handsome. *Wow he’s got muscles and those abs, damn I'd love to worship them.* I think and I better leave soon or I'll either embarrass myself in front of Tony or I might accidentally get a boner and have to awkwardly explain it to Jack and Brock. “Hey guys what took you so long, I have something funny to tell you, you’ll never believe what I did.” Brock says as he pushes off against the wall he was leaning on while waiting for us. “What did you do?” I sighed running my fingers through my hair to style it. “I stole that stark kid's clothes and threw them in the bin, that’s what he gets for laughing at me in physics.” I freeze “What did you say?” “I said I taught that rich kid a lesson, he’s nobody special so he shouldn't think he is.” Brock says as if it was no big deal. “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!” I shout as I turn to head back to the lockers “What’s the big deal, he just a nerd you need to learn not to mess with me.” Brock shouts after me as I run because I have to see if Tony's ok “Don’t you think you took it one step too far?” Jack says, exasperated at Brock's prank because he might not like the stark kid that much but he doesn’t think he needs his clothes to be taken and thrown in the bin. I run into the locker room to see Rhodes trying to calm down Tony as Tony looks frantically around for his clothes. ”Come on Tony, just borrow mine until you get home or ask clint if he has any spare.” Rhodey asks while watching Tony open and look in different lockers. I hide behind some lockers waiting to show myself. “No Rhodey my clothes can just disappear when I personally put them in my locker myself, this is why I shouldn’t have lent my lock to Natasha. ” Tony says still looking in lockers moving closer to where Steve is hiding. “I know Tony but you can’t just wait here until schools over, there are more gym classes coming so people will be in here and see you. *I’m going to kill Brock, why did he do this to Tony? Tony said he was sorry and he did even care what Brock got on his test so why does Brock care so much?* Steve is nearly lost in his thoughts when a shocked “Rogers?” makes him come back to reality. “What are you doing here? Did you take my clothes? I bet you did or one of your friends did, didn’t they?” Tony says while glaring at me. “what...no..i would never do that!” I say trying for Tony to see that. “Well, Steve it’s kinda suspicious that you're hiding behind a locker,” Rhodey says but Tony's voice rises over him saying “Oh really Rogers then why are you here then? Did you want to see me crying while you stand there laughing at me or did you want me to walk out in front of the whole school? Please tell me Rogers because I would love to know” Tony says, he sounds like he’s starting to get angry, this isn’t what I wanted. “Tony I would never do anything to you, it was Brock that stole your clothes but unfortunately he threw your clothes in the bin.” I plead. “I swear Rogers if I find out you had anything to do with this I going to make you wish you never did.” Tony says while turning away “I’ll take your clothes Rhodey, thank you for offering, I'll make it up to you later honey-bear” “What are friends for?” Rhodey says, smiling at his friend, thankful that he calmed down. “Hey, Steve did the stark kid cry or what??” Brock says coming up behind me. I freeze as Tony turns around to them “I knew you were in on it and you tried to make me believe you had nothing to do with it!!” Tony shouts, as Brock laughs and pulls me out the door *Oh god Tony thinks I was in on it, FUCK HE THINKS I WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO HIM!!* I can feel my body shaking and my eyes start to tear up. I start to feel light-headed. “I-I-I feels sick I think I might go to the nurse’s office!” I stammer as I rush off “Hey man are you ok? Do you need any help” Jack calls after me sounding concerned. “No it’s fine Jack just tell coach Fury that I'll talk to him tomorrow, will you?” “Sure, feel better” Jack calls after me. *Oh god I feel sick, stupid Brock, now Tony is going to hate me forever!* I arrive at the nurse’s office and lie and say I have a stomach ache and she goes to the phone and phoned my mom. As I'm sitting there Tony and Rhodey walk past and Tony turns and sees I'm sitting in the nurse’s office, He glares at me and turns back and walks away. Twenty minutes later my mom comes and takes me home. “Are you alright Stevie? You look really pale.” my mom says as I walk up the stairs. “I just need to lie down for a bit mom.” I say quietly heading to my room. “Well call me if you need anything, I have to head back to the hospital, ok sweetie?” “Sure mom. Sorry for pulling you away from work.” “It's fine honey just feel better,” mom says as she opens the door. “Bye mom” I call as she closes the door. I walk into my room, open my door, drop my bag at my desk and fall onto my bed and bury my head into my pillows and start to cry "How am I going to prove to Tony that I didn’t have anything to do with Brock’s prank?" I say, cry softly into my pillows and I swear I can I could hear my heart break as I see Tony's face glaring at him, being angry at him for something I would never do.