Back to Tony’s Point of view

I watched Steve walked away. My chest sank. I really did need friends here. I had no one. It took guts for me to get out of the car right now. I made my way to class. Steve was in the class. I hadn’t realised that before. To make things worse, Pepper had said she wasn’t going to be used like that.

I got out of the car and went to my class in silence. The thought of me just ruining my one shot at friendship filling me up. I am alone. I will always be alone.

Clint decided he was going to sit next to me in class.

“Hey. That girl of yours doing okay?” He asked. I didn’t want to speak to him. “Are you ignoring me? Hey you okay? How’d you get that bruise on your face?” He was throwing questions at me. I was getting annoyed.

“Please leave me alone.” I whispered.

“Oh. Do you think you’re hard? You think you’re made of iron? Come on ironman. Play the game.” He shoved me. I looked at him and he shoved me again.

I moved seat. I moved next to the red haired girl from before. What was her name again? Natasha. She shot a glare at Clint and he went quiet.

“Thanks.” I whispered.

“No problem, Anthony.” She said. I looked at her. “What?”

“It’s Tony. Not Anthony. I don’t like being called Anthony.”

“Oh sorry.”

I let out a sigh. The only thing going through my head right now was ‘she could be a friend. Don’t push her away too.’

“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”

She looked at me and smiled. I didn’t know why she was smiling though.

“So you’re gay? ” She whispered. I froze. What if someone had heard that? “Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’m pansexual.” For some reason, that made me smile a bit too. It relaxed me a little bit. I am glad I’m not the only none straight person in this school.

“Thanks for sharing, Natasha.”

“Nat. I don’t like being called Natasha.” I laughed. Suddenly I realised that I did need friends. And when Steve came in the classroom, guilt overcame me. I hadn’t even realised he was in my class. He looked at me briefly and I frowned.

“Sorry, Nat. I can’t stay in here. Not with him.” I said and left. Nat followed me for some reason.

“What’s going on, Tony? I didn’t even know you knew Steve.” She said.

“I don’t know him well.” I said. My eyes shut. “I don’t wish to talk about it.”

“Alright.”