Chapter Text
Almost every amazing story begins along with high school… Well, at least a few ones. Kids rushed to make it in time, some took theirs to say hello to their friends, others talked about their vacations and well, others couldn’t wait for vacations again.
On the other hand, newbies Thor and Loki looked at the situation with two different perspectives. Thor, loved by everyone, had arrived with excitement towards this new life in America with his typical positive attitude, meanwhile his brother Loki, a pale (kinda emo) kid, felt disgust for leaving his comfort zone back in Australia, thanks to his father Odin and his work transference.
Thor glanced at each lost and misbehaved student with a big smile on his face, while Loki wanted to vomit.
“It’ll be a great year” The blond one thought at the same time the black haired sibling cursed inwardly the moment he stepped on that plane.
For Steve Rogers it wasn’t a usual year start. He had begun his new position as the Captain of the football team, and next to his best friends Sam Wilson and “Bucky” Barnes they would take the team to the Nationals –as they promised to the old leaders-.
When walking into the facilities Steve took a deep breath and grinned with his eyes closed. He was basically the school’s pride, and well, vice versa.
"What the fuck are you doin’? " Bucky’s voice woke Steve from his thoughts.
"His fetish is to smell the desperation and fear from people, don’t you see he’s doin it right in front of the school?" Sam answered while checking his phone.
Steve glared at both of his friends, for him, his school was valued, at least when it came to sports.
"Y’all both so immature" He answered while shaking his head. His friends laughed and kept walking.
"Bye guys! Have a nice first day!" Clint Barton shut the car door nonchalantly and quietly said to his mom an “I love you” from the window as a goodbye, meanwhile his cousin Natasha, shouted her aunt to “Please record the Ancient Aliens special” while stepping out of the back seat.
"It’s been nine years and she still brings us the first day" Clint muttered with a small grin.
"Yeah, but sadly she doesn’t does it the rest of the year…" The readhead answered. "Well my friend… Here we are" She added while putting on some dark shades. Her cousin imitated her and both smirked with complicity. They made their way through the crowd and disappeared into it.
Next to the shady par, a shy boy with glasses tried to blend into the crowd. That kid was the gifted Bruce Banner, the boy had a way above the average IQ, and his work in biochemistry had earned him Ivy League school offers in freshman year, but for unknown reasons he chose to stay in high school.
He walked in his favorite place from all school –the science lab- and went to his spot next to the teacher’s desk, when somebody grabbed him sharply by his arm and lead him to the back of the classroom, making him sit on one of the last desks.
"You will hang out with me now" Bruce stared confused at the kid talking to him. Tony Stark, the rich and popular kid from school. However, Tony was a prodigy like Bruce, but his family didn’t want to send him to college at such a young age. He proved many times before that he was genius, but not a very grown up boy.
Tony glanced at Bruce with a raised eyebrow. They weren’t exactly the best friends. They knew each other since middle school but never exchange more than a few words, because of Tony’s outgoing and arrogant personality and Bruce’s shyness, even though both shared the same interest in many things.
Bruce frowned not so sure about what Stark wanted. However, he wasn’t in the position to deny any kind of friend requests.
"All right".
Tony grinned at his new partner, whom answered as well.
Meanwhile, a few desks beyond, Arnim Zola watched envious the scene.
The Swiss and weak boy hated his classmates… Even more after what they all did to him.
But he would get his payback.
"All right girls get in your positions! We’ll do this right!" The strawberry haired girl shouted with excitement. It was the back to school tradition, and cheer captain Pepper Potts was making her job by cheering up the other girls. Next to her, the blonde Sharon Carter watched wary.
"You think the new girls will make it? I don’t think they remember the…"
"S…" Pepper interrupted her best friend. "The perfectionist in here is me, and besides, this is for fun! No judges".
The blonde sighed.
"Dating Tony has made you moony" Sharon complained.
"No. More chill… All right, five, six, seven, eight!" The cheerleaders got ready for the typical back to school assembly, in which the school band joined the cheer squad for a kinda pep-rally event. They all started singing and chanting the school motto while doing the usual choreography all around the school, where students would follow them all the way to the gym where the principal would give some pep talk, the presidential speech, and finally some other news like extra-curricular activities and clubs sign ups.
The rest of the students started to follow the cheer squad, some joining them, others wishing they weren’t there. But it was tradition. Everybody had to have the Hawk Spirit.
Well, it was that or else detention for two weeks.
"I don’t understand all this hype… They could just call us to the gym" Jane Foster, a smart and quiet girl complained. "This type of activities… They praise ‘em! But the astrophysics club don’t even get a mention".
"Blame Fury not me" Her best friend Darcy Lewis answered while following the mob in the crowded hallways. Jane rolled her eyes, every time she tried to talk to Principal Fury for some reason some inconvenience happened. "Well well well, hello new boy" Darcy’s words caught Jane’s attention.
"Nothing personal but your well well wells could consider a lifeless mannequin" Jane mocked her friend while trying to walk. Too many people.
"Then check for yourself" Darcy answered while pointing with her index finger the other side of the hallway.
Thor, the new kid from Australia grinned fascinated with the American tendency to be extra with things like the first day of school.
"Who’s that?" Jane whispered astonished.
"No idea… Let’s talk to him".
"Darcy, no… Gosh!" Jane tried to keep her friend still by pulling her by the arm but she was already halfway through from the walking sunshine boy.
"Ugh, I can’t wait till we get out of here" Natasha muttered while walking behind the crowd.
"Out of… The hallway or school?" Clint asked.
"Both. I mean, look at them! It looks like they’re getting paid or something".
"It’s pretending to love your life as a lost teen and the misery that school brings Nat. It helps to deal with it, you should try it sometimes".
The redhead sighed.
"Besides… It’s fun" Clint answered while he made his way to the cheerleaders and joining them, increasing the hype.
Natasha rolled her eyes and kept her nonchalant pace.
"Y’all are young, naïve, know nothing from life, messy, with zero common sense, even some of you ain’t got a future, some… I don’t even know what you’re here for, yes Kevin Johnson I’m talkin’ to you son, just leave, I think that in the McDonald’s from ‘round the corner are hiring".
The bleachers got in complete silence while a pale and skinny boy got up and left speedily.
"He’s gone already? ‘Kay, the thing is, I hope that y’all graduate, someday. If you need something, don’t bother me, I’ve got a busy life, bother vice principal Coulson" The mentioned grinned broadly "He likes to help with teen drama and shit" Coulson closed his eyes and shook his head. Well Principal Fury was… Special. "Now, Maria Hill with the presidential speech".
The principal’s speech ended with confused applauses, mostly because if they didn’t cheer Fury would give The Glare and the glare only meant Detention.
"Well, first of all…"
"Thank you miss Hill that was an amazing speech. To conclude, chess club, swim club, tennis, baseball, basket, volley, footie, chemistry, physics, reading, knitting, theater, acapella clubs and all that shit is open to sign ups" Fury announced.
Jane was shocked.
Vice Principal Coulson leaned discreetly and whispered something to Fury, reminding him something.
"Right! I almost forgot about it".
The astrophysics squad president felt a glimpse of excitement.
"Today will be Mexican food day because I’m an amazing principal" Everybody got excited for the only important thing Fury said.
Jane was resigned.
"In my culture, we eat tacos without ketchup because it’s a disrespect towards Mexican ancestors" The richest kid in school, T’Challa, spoke with a disgusted look in his face while looking at his friend James Rhodes fill out his taco with ketchup.
"They eat tacos without ketchup because it’s just gross. Rhodes what the hell are you doing?" Tony Stark answered staring at his friend.
"Well when there’s no salsa you gotta do what you gotta do, man…" Rhodey defended himself.
"It’s disgusting" T’Challa added offended.
No one really understood the reason T’Challa and Tony were friends, the only similarity they had was that both were rich, but they were completely different. T’Challa was polite, well mannered, and respectful, with good character and attitude. And Tony was… Tony.
"Who’s the dark lord?" Stark asked. The boys on the table looked at the cafeteria’s entrance, where Loki Odinson was standing awkwardly.
"That’s Loki" Bruce Banner spoke. "He’s new, came from Australia and hates America".
"How’d you know?" Rhodes asked.
"He sat next to me in geometry. I watched him write on his desk I hate America.
Loki moved all around the cafeteria with awkwardness, people stared at him and talked, and he didn’t like being the center of attention when he was in disadvantage.
Suddenly, loud as always, the football team walked in. Tony rolled his eyes at it, and apparently there was a new boy with them.
Thor saw the uncomfortableness in his brother so he called him in with his new friends.
"Brother come, let me introduce you to James, Sam and Steve. They are from the football team" The boys grinned at the pale kid. "This is Loki, my brother".
From his table, Tony Stark was in shock. "Point break is Edward Cullen’s brother. Who would’ve imagined".
"Come, sit with us" Thor invited his brother.
Loki was about to go accept, but then he started remember his entire life.
I’m always Thor’s shadow, I had to hang out with his friends, I played with his toys, I had to do the activities he liked.
No more. He thought.
Loki saw the kid that sat next to him in history class, eating alone at the back of the cafeteria.
"Actually, brother, I already have someone to sit with, thanks for the offer" Loki turned his back to them and walked in the opposite direction, going to the pale and weird kid. He held out his hand.
"Loki Odinson. Australia".
The boy –who saw everything- hid his smirk.
"Arnim Zola. Switzerland".
Thor watched his brother with concern, but decided to let it go and give him space, considering in Australia he didn’t have much, it was for the best. His parents always made Loki go out with him. But they were already grownups and the kid Loki sat with looked harmless
But Thor’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice shouting.
Peter Quill, the party boy from school had an announcement.
"This Friday at my house we’re goin’ crazy!"