Chapter Text
Fridays were movie nights. As soon as Peter comes back from school they flip a coin, deciding between Footloose (for the hundredth time) or a movie of Mantis’ choosing—usually Disney. Kraglin and Yondu didn’t mind watching with them; despite how much they pretended to. With whiskey in one hand, and the other in the next.
Kraglin always cooked. Every meal, everyday. Mantis hadn’t a clue why—that was until she tried Yondu’s pancakes. She still remembers the taste of ash. But she ate them. Mantis is anything but rude. On purpose, anyway.
Often she’d hear the music from Peter’s tape play throughout the house. Music from the 80s. Nostalgia for a time he never got to see. It was from his mom, he’d told her. Mantis had her own music, of course. But she loved Peter’s. She always looked forward to dancing to any and every song with him. Neither danced well. Both had fun.
This was Mantis’ life now. Life after Ego. Life after Peter’s dads rescued them from a megalomaniacal tyrant, from a jail cell. And Mantis cherished every second.
“Pack up Bug. We’s bringing you two in for yer first day.”
And now it would change all over again.
Ego never let Mantis into the yard, forget a school full of people. She’s lucky he had enough decency to teach her to read and write. She learnt to count on her own.
She wanted to go to school, to be with other kids, but the mere thought of all those people made her head spin.
Peter tried to assure her that he was just as nervous. This was his first year of high school too. But Peter knew how to be around people, he had friends. Mantis would see them through the window in her room. Too scared to approach. She knew all too well her lack of social skills. They’d despise her the second she spoke. But, if her plan was to cling to Peter throughout the year, she’d have to talk to them eventually. She just wants them to like her.
“Girlie you okay back there?” Said Kraglin, staring through the rear view mirror. “You look pale.”
Yondu leaned into the recline of his seat. “I don’t care how cute you are, you puke in my truck and I throw yer ass into traffic.”
“I am fine.” She wrung her hands. “Just afraid.”
“Don’t be scared!” Peter shook her, clearly excited. Now she felt sick. “From now on, you get to hangout with me and my friends all day long!”
Mantis buried her hands into the folds of her skirt. “What if they do not like me?”
“They’d better, if they wanna keep their heads, you tell em that,” Kraglin kissed his teeth. Mantis watched Yondu’s lips quirk up into a smile, and mouth something at Kraglin.
Kraglin flushed.
Mantis frowned, “I do not want to force them to like me.”
Peter’s face was struck with obvious confusion, “Why wouldn’t they like you?”
She looked away from Peter. “Because I am weird,” Her voice was soft.
“Ain’t like Pete’s friends are normal, Bug,” said Yondu. Peter didn’t attempt to argue.
He put his hand on Mantis’ shoulder. “Listen Mantis. All my friends think I’m the coolest person in the galaxy—“
Mantis caught the snorts from Kraglin and Yondu, but Peter continued— “Once they realize I like you, and I really like you, they’ll love you!” His smile twitched. “Well maybe Rocket won’t. He doesn’t like a lot if people-but he-he’ll get there!” He added quickly, noticing how Mantis wilted.
It didn’t seem to reassure her.
Peter sighed. He lifted his hand from her shoulder, catching her attention, and stuck his pinkie out to her.
“I promise.”
Mantis looked at it skeptically, but she knew Peter wouldn’t lie to her. Not like this.
She wrapped her pinkie around his.
“I trust you.”
The two of them jerked forward when the truck took and abrupt stop.
“Alright ya losers.” Yondu peered around his seat, a crooked grin on his face. “We’re here. Y’all need me to hold your hands or—“
Mantis almost took him up on the offer, before Peter interrupted.
“Shut up you prick.”
Yondu laughed.
Mantis climbed out of the truck, reminding herself not to close the door too lightly this time. She walked forward until she felt a pair of eyes on her back. It was Kraglin.
“Good luck kid.” He reached out to pat her on the head. “If Peter or any of his dumbass friends try to rope you into any shit you don’t wanna do, you come and tell me. Okay?”
Mantis nodded, as Quill flipped Kraglin off from the background.
Mantis watched as they drove away, blasting a loud and angry song that Mantis was sure they knew all the words to.
The true reality of what she was getting into finally sunk in once they left. She felt a wobble in in her legs; her head suddenly weighed a thousand pounds more than it did this morning. She steadied herself, brushing some lint off her sweater. She felt someone grab her hand and turned to see Peter grinning at her. She tried to smile back.
He lead her to the giant metal doors at the entrance. Before she could calm herself down, Peter was pushing them open and dragging her inside.
Mantis was taken aback solely from the sheer number of kids she saw in the matrix. Some running and screaming, others looking judgemental and mean within corners or small groups. There were a few kids she noticed, that would run up to each other, sobbing as they engulf one another in their arms. But Mantis could barely focus on the details past the bigger picture; a writhing, screaming, disaster of people.
She was going to die here.
“Quill!” A booming voice called.
Both kids turned just in time to catch Drax sprinting towards them. He slid to a stop as he enveloped Peter in a bear hug.
Mantis took this time to study him, seeing as it was her first time up close. He was tall and muscular, with an olive complexion and a cleanly shaved head. She looked to his clothes, a tank top and sweats. Simple.
“Oh my friend,” Drax cried, “it is good to see you.”
“I saw you... yesterday...” Peter squeaked, his face began to turn red.
Drax gently placed him back on the ground, ruffling his hair. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mantis staring up at him.
“Do not be alarmed Peter,” Drax spoke quietly, “but there is a tiny woman staring at me.”
Quill ran a hand over his face. “That’s my sister, dude.”
Mantis felt her face flush. She really wanted Peter’s friends to like her. Now was her chance to—
“Oh. Forgive me Bug-woman, I didn’t expect Peter’s sister to look so disgusting.”
Mantis froze.
What.
Peter pulled back and punched Drax’ shoulder. It looked like it offended him more than it hurt.
“Dude!” Peter growled. “The fuck is wrong with you!?”
“What? She is horrible to look at.” He paused, then crouched down to Mantis’ height. “That is a good thing. Ugly people are loved for their personality, pretty people never know who to trust.” He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Mantis’ eyes darted back and forth, from the ground to the ceiling. “Thank... you?”
Peter looked like he was about to scream.
She took a breath and stuck her hand out. “My name is Mantis.”
Drax took her hand, and Mantis witheld a squeak as she felt her fingers collapsing under his grip.
“I know.”
Drax let go of her, and began talking to Peter.
Mantis wouldn’t mind flinging herself into a hole right about now.
She stared at the tiled floor of the school, berating herself. Stupid! Stupid! Of course he knows your name, why wouldn’t Peter tell him that? And what kind of normal kid shakes hands when—
“Mantis?” Peter waved a hand in front of her face, earning her attention.
“Your sister is very spacey. Perhaps she has some sort of disease?” Drax inquired.
Mantis felt the heat rise on the back of her neck.
Peter brushed him off, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go find our classes.”
Before Mantis could say a word, she was being dragged through a harsh crowd of teenagers. She was shoved and trampled. Even when she tried to push back, she was far too small to make an impact. Children of all shapes and sizes squirmed around her. Eventually, she lost Peter’s grip— and by extension— Peter.
With a shallow and quickened breath Mantis stumbled backwards, immediately bumping into another person.
“Sorry! I am so—“
Mantis turned to face a tall, muscular girl. Her hair was muted blue and buzzed, and her skin was close to transparent. But what really caught her attention was her amputated arm and glass eye.
“Sorry...” Mantis didn’t know whether to be terrified or awestruck.
The girl studied Mantis, quickly looking up and down her small frame. She seemed unimpressed. Then, just as quickly, she looked at the ground. Mantis followed her gaze, noticing a bright yellow pencil on the floor.
“Oh!” Mantis gasped. She bent down to pick up the dropped tool, and heard another girl scream out in the distance.
“Nebula! Come here!”
As Mantis rose to deliver the pencil, the girl in front of her had completely vanished.
“Mantis!” Peter grabbed her arm, startling her. “Where’d you go? We found your class.”
“I can carry you there, since you are weak and easily pushed around,” Drax offered, suddenly appearing beside her.
Mantis declined, a bit lightheaded, opting to follow Peter to her class. As she walked, she looked at the pencil in her hand. She grimaced, it was chewed in some places, the eraser was worn and the lead was to blunt to do anything. Still, she carefully placed it in her skirt pocket and continued walking.
***
This was the day she’d been dreading. The first day of high school, a.k.a. the day she would have to reunite with her older siblings. With no room or basement to lock herself in, and no hideaway to run to. Just the thought of them of made her nauseas.
“Nebula.”
Especially her.
“Hello Proxima,” snarled Nebula. Proxima stood tall and proud. Flinging a long white ponytail behind her. Many mistake her usual smile and lifted brows for an expression of playfulness. Nebula knew better.
Her smile seemed to widen at the toxicity in Nebula’s voice. “Aw what’s the matter Nebbie? I’m just trying to give you a warm new welcome.”
She heard the snickers of her brothers behind her.
She hated everyone in this fuckin family.
“You should go look for your class,” said Ronan. He was barely taller than Nebula, disgustingly pale and skinny. He was the only one in the group that wasn’t at all related, but wanted so badly to be included in their family. Nebula would give him her spot any day.
“Why don’t you? Aren’t you still flunking a few freshman courses?” Nebula stifled a smirk. “We might have a class together.”
Ronan looked about ready to fling himself at her, stopped only by an arm stretched in front of him.
“I would withhold judgement,” said Ebony Maw, Nebula’s eldest brother. Pale with sharp cheekbones and slicked back hair. A nark. “Thanos was not very pleased with your academics last year.”
Nebula resisted the urge to spit on his shoe. I don’t care.
Proxima sighed, twirling a silver strand of hair around her index. “You know how I adore babysitting you Nebula, but I have my hands full.” She smiled, not unlike the cheshire cat. “Come find us at lunch once you learn how to talk to your elders.”
Proxima turned on her heel, strolling off with the others in tow. Each had a fierce grimace stuck to their face. She knew they were directed at her.
“I’ll never understand why you willingly hang out with them.”
Nebula scowled, she knew that voice.
“As if your band of clowns is any more ideal. This has nothing to do with you.” Nebula turned to the voice, her gaze grew sharper. “I do what I please.”
Gamora scoffed. “Sure sure.” She brushed past her sister. “Your class is on the second floor by the way, #243.”
“I don’t want your help.”
Gamora stopped. “Right, that’s why you hang out with them.” She looked at Nebula. “Because you’re a bitch.”
Nebula jerked forward, and had it not been for the other kids in front of her, she would’ve tackled Gamora to the ground. Instead, Gamora walked away.
Nebula tightened her hands into fists. She had to refrain from hurting a soul. Well physically anyway. Just for this first week— until Thanos left town. He had made it clear what would happen to her in the incident that he had to bribe the board out of another suspension or worse. Nebula doubted he would even bother to waste the money on her, but valued her working limbs too greatly to test him.
She made her way to class, choosing the desk furthest from the others. Other kids were distracting, not to mention annoying. Classes seemed to take hours on end to pass, each teacher rambling on and on about classroom rules and circulars. It felt like centuries before she got to third period, and every second of it she wanted more and more to bang her head against her desk.
Occasionally she’d peer around the room; looking for wandering, or focused, eyes. She took a mental note of the kids staring at her. Most in fear, others in apparent mockery. She’d make sure to pay the amused faces a visit when this week was over. She took a look at the clock.
Ten minutes of class left. Nebula almost groaned as the monotone voice of her current teacher continued on about ‘respect in the classroom’. What a waste of time. That’s all any of this was.
The ding of lunch bells was met with excitement from every kid within her classroom’s walls, aside from Nebula. She was instantly filled with dread. Maybe listening to hours of bullshit wasn’t that bad. At least, compared to what came immediately after.
It didn’t take her long to find Proxima’s table, namely because of the sheer size and build of Dwarf. He looked uncomfortable squeezing his legs under the short table, and Nebula almost laughed at his struggle. It dawned on her that none of them had noticed her yet. She could run off, hide in a stall until fourth—
“Nebbie~” Proxima sung, waving her over.
Fuck.
Nebula grumbled under her breath, inwardly cursing the genius that decided making Juniors and Freshman eat together was a good idea.
She took her seat next to Corvus, who’s hoodie was pulled too far down over his face to be convenient. At least he was quiet.
“How was class?” Ronan sneered, “Were you good for teacher?”
Nebula glared. “I didn’t see you there, weren’t skipping were you?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Corvus grin and snicker.
Ronan glared back.
“Play nice little sister,” said Proxima. “You’ll be around us like this for two years. You’d better learn some manners in that time.” She tilted her head, the feigned innocence was sickening. “‘Less you want me to complain all about you to Daddy?”
She wanted so badly to challenge her. To take the corners of her smile and rip them right off her face. But she’s done that before, and it didn’t go much in her favour. Proxima’s frail frame was just as much a trick as her smile. Beyond that, she had an impressive pull with Thanos. Even without being his favourite, he trusts in her word completely. One slip up could cost Nebula a leg.
She fixed her eyes on the table.
Nebula heard Dwarf spit on the ground, shortly followed by an offended gasp from Maw.
“Dwarf! That is strictly against school code! What will people think of Thanos’ reputation with children so rude?!”
Dwarf coughed and hacked. “Tastes like dogshit.” He dropped the plastic fork back into the grey pasta.
“I told you not to eat it,” Corvus snickered.
Dwarf whined, “Used to be the only edible thing on the menu.”
Maw scowled. “It is highly reputation damaging to leave food uneaten.”
“Yer right,” Dwarf said. He looked to Nebula, sliding the tray over. “Eat it for me.”
She watched the pasta slosh in its bowl and felt the hairs on her neck rise.
The disgust must have been written all over her, as she felt her brows knit together involuntarily.
Proxima cooed. “Oh don’t worry hun, I’ll help you out.”
Nebula felt her hand on her head. Her long black nails digging into her scalp. Just as she was about to swat her off Proxima slammed her face first into the bowl.
She heard the others howl with laughter, though it was muffled by any of the disgusting food that entered her ears. The sauce that seemed to hold the pasta together dripped onto her clean shirt and leather jacket. Her favourite jacket.
She knew there were kids laughing throughout the cafeteria, anyone that caught a glimpse of what had happened either cracked up or stared. She felt eyes on her from everywhere. She was frozen, unable to wipe so much as a single piece of pasta from her face. Embarrassment soon became boiling anger. She shuddered at the thought of making the other kids who laughed regret ever setting foot into her school.
Just for the first week. Nebula’s knuckles turned to white as she tightened her already clenched fists.
She turned around and met eyes with a girl across the cafeteria.
She glared.