When she entered the room she searched for one guy… And Bruce, yes, he’s there she likes Bruce, waves him, and if bruce’s here that means that the other guy is too, to whom she pays no attention.

Yes, there he was, and God, he really is growing out a goatie, and it really makes, it’d make him manlier and sexier if Ban were interested, which she’s not. Definetely not.

He noticed her.

- Hey Scarlett – he half-grins, one eyebrow risen, and turns to Ban, causing all of his company to look at her too. Bruce smiles sheepisly, but that doesn’t lighten the other guys’ and girls’ annoyed looks.
He’s elegant. Dark shirt, a tie and styled jeans, but crap, he does look hot.

- Never thought I’d see you here – Ban said, and walked up to her fav desk, not too far from Stark, but not too close either.

- He goes to this class – spat a girl, whom Ban has never seen around, but had light brown hair and a miniskirt, so she knew that Stark screwed her in the summer, or last night or whenever, and that’s why she’s with him.

- But you surely don’t, so fuck off – Ban told her and sat up on the desk. The girl opened her mouth to say something very rude, but when she realise that Stark no longer paid attention to her, she turned to another guy, and started talking.
Stark didn’t stop grinning and he sat next to Ban. She just raised an eyebrow, and started peeling a banana, she brought her for lunch.

- I know you missed me – said Stark, and laughed at Ban’s faked choking scene.

- Sure I did – she smiled. – Not.

- You’re not even interested in what I did during summer?

- When was I? – Ban looked him in the face, but he was too close, and shit, that goatie, it should be ridiculous, not sexy. Before she could even realise, she blushed and looked away, munching on her banana. Stark did look a bit surprised, so Ban started talking to drive them off the topic.

- I mean, why should I even be interested? Do you realise that we’ve hated each other since the first time we met, and never really talked about anything but maths, not like I want to talk about anything else, don’t get me wrong. Really, I’m not sure if I ever wanted to talk to you about anything, get it, what’s with this goatie, it is ridiculous, I’ll start laughing any minute now, and how come the tie and the shirt, you used to dress like – me – ehehe, nope, you used to look like someone who just… dunno, you wore the same few t-shirts with band-emblems…

Ban realised that it was a lot quieter in the room, and more people just looked at them, and Stark too, he had a confused look on his face.
She suddenly felt vulnerable, betrayed and feverish. Her face went red in a second.

- Scarlett…

- You shouldn’t be like this. This shouldn’t be like this.

Ban didn’t want to sound hurt, but she did, and she couldn’t bear it, so she just jumped to her feet, and they were trembling, and she felt like crying, so she just hurried out of the class threw the half-eaten banana into the bin, and locked herself in the ladiesroom, cause she thought she’d throw up.

-… and Tony just made a joke of it, but I think that something’s up with Rachael.

- If we’re talking about her, something’s always up.

Bruce shot uncomfortable looks towards the girls, who checked them out. He knew very well, that the eyeing were dedicated to Clint’s bottom, which was undoubtly attractive in his tight shorts he used for practice, still, he felt exposed. Clint never noticed, he just winked at the girls, and enjoyed the attention.

- I like her – Bruce frowned, so Clint corrected.

- I like her too, she’s just a bit… messed up? In a good way. You never know what she’s up to. And yeah, she’s cool, but… See? Now what the hell is she doing by the football field?

- Hey Craft, hey, hey, hey, what are you reading? – Ban hopped down next to the little girl. Craft looked troubled.

- You’ve never asked this before.

Ban’s eyes widened.

- You weren’t reading. The book is closed on your lap. Are you sick?

- No – Craft’s ears flushed. – You seem sick, pale and your eyes are red, what happened?

- Nothing, why aren’t you reading, you always read-

- I’m listening to you.

- … but you weren’t reading even before I got here, what were you doing, you always read, even when I’m talking to you, you told me you can’t stop, so tell me, you were daydreaming, planning something, no, you read during planning too, you were writing, yeah, you can’t read while writing, but wait, there’s nothing to write on, hahahh, you were totally checking out the rugby players, so-

Craft squealed, and her face went red in a minute.

- Holy shit, you were checking them out. You were never interested in boys this way, you couldn’thave changed too, you weren’t looking at them like this, so it must be one specific, only one, which one is it?

Craft was more annoyed then red now, she just picked up her book, opened it at a random page, and barked at Ban.

- I’m reading, better? Now shut up and tell me why were you crying after meeting Tony, and I am listening.

Ban looked wasted.

- You don’t yell at me. You never did, why would you start now? Are you sure you’re Craft? Craft is quiet and sweet, and listens to me everytime, always, and calm, and not interested in love and is always reading, but you were with Stark in the summer, he must have changed you, tell me, are you dating, oh god, you are dating, aren’t you, and you were just daydreaming, and nevermind, you make a beautiful couple, but he’s an ass, how could you do that-

- Ban, you’re blabbering a load of shit-nonsense again – Craft became really worried. – I’m not dating Tony and-

- She calls him Tony, that’s why…

- Ban, pull yourself together – she turned Ban’s face towards hers. – Or Stark will overtake you, he will be better.

Ban sighed.

- He’s good-looking now, and I’m still not, he is better now than me… in at least one aspect.

Craft looked horrified.

- This is not the reaction I was expecting.

- Sorry for being a letdown.

Craft seriously considered slapping Ban really hard, but a wandering basketball did her job, though their faces being so close, it hit both of them.

- Sorry! – the guy shouted from the field, and rushed towards them, climbing through the benches. Ban wanted to yell his head off for making Craft cry and hide under Ban’s arms, but then she looked at her friend again, saw the deep blush on her, basically everywhere, and that she was hiding not from the ball but the guy himself.

Ban looked up smiling at the player. The gorgeus player, she corrected herself, and again, the gorgeus, sweet, worrying player.

- Are you alright, I’m so sorry, my hand slipped…

- Nah, it’s okay, I’m fine, but Craft here might need some help…

The mentioned person shook her head under Ban’s protective arms, and clang to her t-shirt like it was a life-belt. Ban ignored her.

- Could you take her to the medical?

- No need, I… - Craft mumbeled from behind Ban, but she grabbed at her armpits, and lifted her into standing position. Craft was horrified, scared, and teary when he looked at Steve, and when the boy noticed her tears he reflected Craft’s expression.

- I’m so sorry… Annie, was it? I’ll buy you a cup of tea next time… You know, you can come in whenever you want, you’ll be my guest…

Ban galnced from one to the other in confusion – she obviously missed something here, but she was sure, she did the right thing. She drew her hands back from Craft, who stumbled, and would have fallen if the guy didn’t catch her.

- This looks really bad, I’m so very sorry… - he just picked Craft up into his arms; he obviously thought that the girl was dizzy because of the ball-hit. Ban was more than amused by her friend’s surprised look.

- Steven Rogers, by the way.

- Rachael Scarlett, but call me Ban. I have some stuff to do so please take good care of Craft. Her head is a sensitive little thing.

- I’m fine…

It was just a powerless try from Craft as Steve walked away with her, and Ban was really-really pleased with the result.

She only stopped smiling when some shadows appeared befor her. Ban looked up, and saw a group of girls, who obviously weren’t as pleased as Ban.