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 realised that Stark no longer paid attention to her, she turned to another guy, and started talking.
Stark didn’t stop grinning as he sat next to Ban. She just raised an eyebrow, and started peeling a banana that she brought with 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 from 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 the him, 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 what, you can come in whenever you want, you’ll be my guest…

Ban glanced 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 before her. Ban looked up, and saw a group of girls, who obviously weren’t as pleased as Ban.

- You can’t be serious – Craft grimaced when the grinning Ban walked into the medical room. She was covered in bruises, her clothes and hair messed up, and her mouth was bleeding, but she seemed perfectly fine.

The doctor cleaned her injuries, told her off for being careless, gave Craft another glass of water, then left them alone.

- I had something to discuss with the cheerleaders and some others. Not sure who they were exactly, but now they do look worse than me. Tell me, how was prince charming?

Craft blushed again. Ban was kinda surprised; Craft wasn’t the blushing-kind before. Though she’s never been in love as far as Ban knew, and teasing her with this newly discovered feature was very appealing to Ban.

- He brought me here, everyone looked at us, like we were some kind of attractions, said he was sorry a lot, made sure I was alright, and then he left.

- Now you can’t be serious. I arranged a perfect date with him, and you let the chance slip?

- I didn’t ask for anything – Craft went grumpy. – I don’t want to date him. He’s nice and all, but totally out of my… league.

- You wanted to say reach, but you knew what I was gonna say to that, so you said league. Craft. You’re stupid.

- Thanks for pointing that out – the girl frowned, and massaged her head. – It really got me. My head hurts, I can’t even read.

- Sleep it off – Ban patted her shoulder, and walked to the door. – And Craft… Whatever you’re thinking is stupid. You have a chance with Rogers, and you can be with him.

Craft waved her off, and layed down to sleep.

- If you’re better this afternoon, do you have any freetime? – Ban looked back asking.

- Sure.

- We could go and have coffee, doing some talking. We haven’t talked properly since last year’s end. I bet a lot happened. I want to hear everyhing of your summer.

- Bet you don’t – Craft murmured, but smiled into her pillow.

- I hate you.

- No you don’t – Ban looked around gleefully. The place was nice and cozy, like anyone would expect from a tea-house.

- You asked him where he worked.

- Maybe. Now tell me your summer.

Craft wanted to kill her with a glance but she failed, so she decided that at least she won’t say a word to Ban.

- I know that you spent a few days with Stark…

- Maybe. Or maybe it was a few weeks. Or months. Maybe the whole summer.

Ban stood up and hit the table. She was furious, and betrayed, but Craft didn’t say anything else, just put on ’you deserve this for making me come here’-face.

- You spent your summer with him, and didn’t even tell me?!

Everyone turned towards them in silence, so Ban sit down. The chatter slowly began again.

- It’s no big deal – Craft shouldered.

- It is! I was gonna invite you to my house, cause you know how much I hate being home, and it’d have been so much better if I had someone who actually cares about me, but you said you had work to do, and there you go, having fun and… - her voice slowly grew quieter and quieter until it was just a whisper. Craft papped her arm, worrying.

- Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I’ll explain, don’t cry…

- I’M NOT CRYING! – Ban cried out, causing everyone to turn again. She made a face. – I’m really not. Now tell me.

Craft massaged her forehead again.

- I did what I told you, but I didn’t know that Tony got a job next to our fields. So I was doing my stuff on the farm, and a few days after my arrival I went into town to grab some food, and met Tony there. He wore a suit and looked so formal I didin’t recognise him at first. He invited me to have lunch with him, I had time, I said yes, and it became a regular. He’s not a bad guy Ban.

- You did say that he’s a jerk, on the first day though.

- Yes, he is, but he’s not a bad guy. You’re an incompetent whore too, but you’re not a bad girl either.

Ban laughed.

- I’ll take this as a compliment. You’ll have to invite me to your place once.

- Ban – Craft looked annoyed. – We’re working there. On fields. Crops. Biological stuff. Animals. Plants. No physics and such.

Ban grunted disapprovingly.

- I could upgrade your mechanical stuff. Tractors, for ex.

Craft was stunned.

- Wow. That… That’s actually a not bad idea. A good one. Very good.

- It’s decided then. Hello Steve!

Craft went red again, kicked Ban’s leg under the table, but looked up to Steve, who were blushing too when their eyes met.

- Are you okay now?

- Better.

Ban wanted to press Craft’s head into the table, fast and hard. She tried to telepathy Craft into a faint smile at least, but the small girl stayed serious and slightly pink. Steve cought awkwardly, and took out a note.

- So, your orders? – he smiled, and Ban smiled back so wide like she tried to smile in place of Craft too. – On me, of course.

- Wow, you’re really sweet, thank you! – Ban beamed, and kicked Craft again, who was exemining a napkin. – Sweet, right Craft?!

- Yeah, sweet.

Ban shot a killer look at her, and turned to Steve again, trying to hide her ’she’s a shy stupid foreigner, but she’s up to the Moon for you’ face with a smile.

- I’d like a Coffee latte, and Craft here some milked tea. Please pick one for her, she’ll like it.

- I don’t… - Steve backed, but Ban cut him off.

- She will like it.

She glanced at the silent one, and saw her ears redden, and she noted it as a good sign. Steve smiled sheepisly, so Ban took it as he noticed the traitor ears as well.

- Okay, I’ll be back in a minute.

- I…! – Craft suddenly looked up, flushing red, and Steve went tomato too. Ban started to understand that they indicate each others’ blushing.

- We would like to take it, if it’s not a problem… - she whispered, and Ban’s jaw just dropped.

- I can’t believe you – she said out loud, though she really didn’t plan to. Steve grinned awkwardly, and patted Ban’s shoulder.

- It’s alright, really. Your order, coming up.

As he left, Craft slowly lifted a painted napkin before her eyes to hide from Ban’s death-glare.

Tony got out of his car as fast as he could, and ran after the girls on the pedestrians’ alley.

- Scarlett! Hey Scarlett! Craft!

The small girl finally stopped and halted, so the other one had to too. There was some honking behind him on the street from idiots, who were annoyed by his car parking on the road, but Stark wasn’t a man of small matters.

- Hello Tony!

- What do you want? – they said at the same time with totally different tones. Tony looked at their hands, they both were holding papercups from a nearby coffeehouse.

- I don’t want to argue, it’s already night – said Ban, and wanted to walk away, but Craft stayed.

- I wasn’t thinking about arguing, though it’s just about how you put it. Like, we could be arguing about anything, without any violence, and it could be some other kind of arguement, including pleasant kinds of time-spending, I, actually have a few in mind, which I know you’d enjoy…

- I’m not gonna fuck with you, so fuck off Stark.

- That – Tony grinned – wasn’t in my plans, but if you insist, we…

- I have my own plans, let’s go, Craft.

But Craft just stayed here grinning.

- She doesn’t have anything, but freetime, have a nice chat, gotta go – she waved to Tony, and ran off. Ban blinked, and couldn’t see her anywhere.

- Okay, sorry, I just wanted to talk – Tony poked her arm, and gestured to his car – Can we go?

- What do you want to talk about? - she asked angrily while they were driving off from the city. She thought of this not being a good idea; Stark may want to actually kidnap her, or throw her down from a cliff or anything like this, and it was night and Craft wouldn't start looking for her until morning. So it'll be her fault, Ban hoped she knew.

As Stark did not say a word, she glanced at him. Dark circles under his eyes, that goatie, and concentreted, hard look, frowns. Not the usual face of Tony Stark.

- Will you spit it?

Tony stepped on the breaks, they spin around, and halted next to the road, on the other side, turned a half circle. Ban thought, just for a moment, that they were gonna die.

Stark turned to her, eyes tired, and had a special, never-sen look on his face, that Ban just couldn't put anywhere.

- I love you, I had an accident, and I changed. Stuff like that.

Ban felt like she was nailed, or more likely screwed to the seat. She felt the blush sneaking up to her face, and she didn’t want it, this whole thing, she didn’t want any of it, why did she even agree to go with Stark? And what does he want with her?

Did he actually say he loved her?!

Ban gasped, and tore her eyes away from Stark, breathed deep, then looked back again. Stark was smirking. Smirking.

The blood started plumming so hard in her, she thought her ears would break, she became so angry, the world reddened.

- Fuck you Stark! Don’t ever try talking to me, I’m not your plaything, I’m your enemy, remeber last year, we’re against each other, so fuck off, I never want to see you again out of class, no, I don’t even want to see you there, but I can’t do anything about that, and don’t even talk to Craft, I won’t let you, leave us alone, asshole.

She stumbled out of the car, and started walking back to the city. She didn’t even look back when she heared the tires schreeching, but Tony didn’t go past her, he went towards to whatever destination he had in his mind originally.
When she couldn’t hear the sound of the car, she stopped, leaned against the wall, next to the road and burst out in loud, hysterical cries.

It was late night when she got back to the dorm. She has never felt so wasted before – it took a great mental and physical effort to got up to the floor where her room was. She opened the door quietly, not to wake Craft up, and she didn’t turn on the lights either.

On a second thought, it was Craft who left her with Stark, so it was her fault, let her suffer too. She slapped the lights on, and planned to yell at Crafts face when she wakes up blinking, but the bed was done, and empty. Ban took a few steps back, and sat on a chair.

- She’s with Steve – Ban said out loud, and opened the door, and forced herself to walk slowly, or at least in a normal pace. She found Steve’s room, knocked, but got no answer, so she opened the door and peeked inside. There she found the familiar blonde hair, and grand figure, tugged under a blanket.

- Steve. Pssst, Steve!

No answer. Ban slided into the room, and patted the sleeping boy’s leg.

- Wake up!

The guy satu p suddenly, half-opened eyes, and get out of the bed. Ban almost screamed as she realised two things; the guy wasn’t Steve, but some long-haired giant, and he was totally naked. He honoured her with a smile, that supposed to be friendly, stood up, and took her hand for a kiss.

- I am Thor, a student of transfer from farther lands.

Ban was stunned, and she couldn’t forget Thor’s nakedness. She glanced to the other side, and there she found another bed, done, like Craft’s was.

- Is this… Steve Rogers lives here too? – her voice was weak and high.

- Yes, Steven is my great friend and we do share our chambers. If you are searching for him, I can not help you, however I can offer you…

- I need him – Ban cut in, and eyes wide, she ran back to the other wing, the girls’ section, and started shouting.

- Has anyone seen Annie? Annie Crafter? Does anyone know anything about her? After seven o’clock. Has anyone seen her?

The doors slowly opened, tired, sleepy girl-faces appeared, and got out to the corridor, but no one said anything useful; most of them has only seen her at the football field. Yelling started on the other wing too, boys came first of all Thor, still naked, so some of the girls just jumped back to their rooms, and the boys behind him started laughing.
Thor beamed at Ban.

- Sweet lady, if you insist on finding Steven, it must be an urgent matter which cannot be held back. I can offer you his mobilephone- number.
Ban grabbed Thor’s mobile, and called Steve. She could only hope that he was with Craft, and he didn’t left his phone in his room.

- If you’ve finished your talking with Steven, please send my device back to me – Thor asked politely, and retrieted to his chamber. After the woken inmates realised that the fun was over, they went back to their rooms too.
The phone was ringing so long, Ban thought of hanging up, but then Steve picked up, and his voice was cracked and tired.

- Sorry Thor, I won’t be back, some…

- Steve, it’s me, Ban, Rachael Scarlett, Craft’s not back to the dorm, do you know anything about her?

After a long pause, while she nearly died, Steve answered.

- We’re in the hospital.

Ban hung up and started running.