September 23rd, 2017
Observation 10
Peter Parker lead me right to the greatest opportunity I could ever hope for.

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Last night felt like a dream. In fact, Nellie was almost so sure that it was a dream, she kept pinching herself the next morning just in case. However, pinching did nothing other than leave her with a tiny bruise on her arm.

She sat on a bench in Central Park, people passing her by. Some were holding hands; some were walking dogs. No one paid her any mind, so she just sat silently, watching them disappear down the path between the trees. She felt better than she did last night.

Her stomach was no longer in knots, her heart had returned to its normal, steady pace, and she only really had one thought lingering in her head—the kiss she and Peter shared last night.

Her fingertips brushed against her lips; she could remember what it felt like. It was her first kiss, and it happened when she least expected it. It was a good memory, despite all of the other chaos from the night.

"Sorry, I'm late." Peter approached her with a smile, revealing a dimple she wasn't sure if she had ever taken notice of before.

The raging butterflies were awakened in Nellie's stomach, and she felt frantic. Was she supposed to hug him? Would they kiss again? Were they still just friends?

"Peter," his name tasted sweet as she said it, "I'm freaking out."

"Why?"

Because you're looking at me like that, Parker.

"I've never met anyone like Tony Stark, I don't want to make a fool of myself." She replied, suddenly needing a sip of water.

Peter held out his hand for her to take, which she took hesitantly, "You're gonna be fine. He's a super nice guy. Just know that he can be a bit—"

"Judgmental? Passive aggressive? Arrogant?" She was already psyching herself out and it was only twelve o'clock on a Saturday.

The air around her felt heavier than usual. She wasn't sure if this was because of Peter's presence or because Tony Stark was about to arrive, and he was one of the most famous men in the world.

"I was gonna say sarcastic. He's got a charming sense of humor," Peter grinned, his eyes focused only on her, despite all of the people passing around them.

"Charming sense of humor? I'm not quite sure you know what you're talking about, kid." A voice approached from behind.

Tony Stark wore a pair of dark sunglasses, but other than that, he dressed casual and looked way more normal than Nellie had anticipated. It eased her nerves to see that he didn't just walk around in a business suit or in his Iron Man suit all the time.

"Miss Jenkins, it's a pleasure to meet the person behind the penmanship." The dark-haired man extended a hand out to her.

Instantly, she shook it, certain that her hand must be trembling in his grasp.

"Mr. Stark, Nellie has been so excited to meet you. I told her I knew you'd like her story—"

"Your friend here has got some real talent, Parker. By the way, where is that gorgeous Aunt May of yours? I could've swore I told Happy to invite her to this little chit-chat." Stark pulled his sunglasses down, revealing a pair of striking eyes.

Peter's grin faltered, "Well, Mr. Stark, I thought it would be best if you and Nellie talked one on one, actually. I just came to support her."

Stark gave the boy a firm nod, "Right, well, that sure is nice of you, buddy. What do ya say, Miss Jenkins? Shall we take a walk?"

Nellie's eyes widened a bit and she looked to Peter, who was smiling assuringly in her direction. She didn't realize Peter wouldn't be walking and talking with them. What if she said something about him being Spider-Man? Would Mr. Stark fire him if he knew she knew? Did Mr. Stark even have the power to fire Peter? Was the Stark Internship even a real thing or was it just a cover-up Stark made up to keep Peter's identity a secret?

Her mind was growing more and more cloudy again by the second. She glanced over her shoulder at Peter, who had now taken a seat on the same bench she had waited for him at. She walked alongside Mr. Stark, her heart beginning to race again. She was sure Peter and this new world she'd been thrust into surely would give her some sort of stress-induced heart attack.

Nellie began wondering why exactly she was even here right now, walking in stride next to this powerful, brilliant man. Was Peter still going to let her do a cover story on Spider-Man? Did he have some other motive for getting the two of them to meet, still? Did she even need Mr. Stark to do a story on Spider-Man if Peter was actually Spider-man and she already knew him? Wasn't the whole point of meeting with Mr. Stark just to get to Spider-Man? Yet again, Nellie felt as if nothing made sense.

"Miss Jenkins—"

"You can call me Nellie, Mr. Stark," she blurted out, her nerves getting the better of her.

The man nodded and pursed his lips, "Alright, as long as you call me Tony instead of Mr. Stark. It makes me forget how old I actually am."

She looked up at him as they made their way down the path lined by trees, and saw crinkles beside his eyes and laugh lines framing his lips as he smiled. He wasn't as scary as she thought him to be.

"So, Nellie, I'm not sure what Peter's motive was by sending me your story," He began.

Nellie's breath caught in the back of her throat.

"But I was really impressed. You're good with your words, being so young. And the way you wrote about your life—so raw, and honest. It really drew me in, I must admit. Is writing your calling?" Tony removed his sunglasses and placed them in his jacket pocket.

Nellie stammered, "Yes, I'd like to think so. My dream is to work for the New York Times, sir."

Tony scoffed, shaking his head, "Sweetheart, you're far too talented to end up writing for a newspaper. You need to be writing novels; your books need to be on the shelves of every Barnes and Noble you can think of. And trust me, I don't give out compliments to just anyone. I can really be a dick sometimes."

Nellie let out a giggle; Tony Stark definitely wasn't some professional, high class businessman. He knew how to laugh and make people laugh. Nellie decided maybe she didn't have much reason to be so nervous in his presence.

"I don't know about that—"

"You're really going to argue with me?" Tony stopped dead in his tracks, an amused smirk on his face. "Have you not heard, I'm kind of a genius? Believe me, I see talent in you, kid."

Again, Nellie found herself smiling, "Thank you, Mr. Stark—Tony."

"So, is everything you wrote true? Do you really call your foster mother Bad Breath Brenda? That's kind of harsh, don't you think?" He teased, and she could tell because he still had that cocky smirk plastered across his aged face.

"I'm just pulling one over on you. I called my ex-girlfriend from high school Feet Fungus Francis."

Nellie nearly snorted; he sounded so dry as he spoke, but he was quite the comedian.

"If Peter or Happy didn't tell you why they wanted you to read my story, why did you take such an interest? And what happens now?"

Tony looked over at her, "Wow, you really cut to the chase, huh? I took an interest because Happy read me the title of your story. It really resonated with me."

Nellie was taken back; how could Tony Stark possibly relate to her in any way?

"The Shattered Pieces of My Past Won't Leave Me Scarred," Tony continued. 

Just hearing the title of her life story coming from him, felt surreal. She still couldn't believe Peter had done this for her. Knowing someone like Tony Stark could really help her make connections.

"I didn't have the best relationship with my father," Tony explained, something that Nellie had never heard about in the media. Maybe it was just too personal for Mr. Stark.

"Howard Stark," Nellie intervened. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Oh," Tony brushed it off, though she could see real pain behind his glassy eyes, "He died when I wasn't much older than you, kid. It was a long time, ago. But you see, I didn't know the truth about his death until recently, and it made me feel the loss all over again. You understand?"

"Yes, sir. Sometimes a certain smell or song will make me think of my Dad, and I miss him. Then I remember that he left me and didn't think twice about it. And it feels like I've been abandoned all over again." Nellie didn't think she'd feel so comfortable around Tony as to tell him even more about her life. Though, he'd already read her story, so there wasn't much he didn't now know about her.

"Most kids your age take their parents for granted. You and Peter, you're different. I respect you. You know what it feels like to suffer, even if you are so young and fragile." Tony resumed walking, gesturing for Nellie to continue on, too. "Emotional abuse is often swept under the rug. I'm proud of you for being so open about your experiences. I want to help you, Nellie. I really do." He stated, looking down at her kindly.

She felt surprised, but also grateful, "Help me with what, sir?"

Tony pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and proceeded to unfold it as they strolled. Nellie watched carefully as the tiny square unfolded into a crisp, white sheet of paper. Tony slipped the thin sheet between her shaky fingers.

"This is an acceptance letter."

Nellie squinted, examining the text closely.

"For the Stark Internship? Like Peter does?" She inquired, confused as to whether or not Peter actually did do work for Mr. Stark, or if it was as she had thought earlier, possibly just a cover-up.

Tony shook his head, "Not quite. This is the Stark Scholarship. I usually don't do scholarships for high school students, but I know Midtown is a science and tech school, and way out of your budget. You wrote about your foster mother using government funding meant specifically for your needs—totally illegal by the way—for herself. I did some digging the past few days and come Wednesday morning, Social Services is going to come for you and will be placing you with someone else. I don't want you losing your place at that school, kid. This scholarship is more than enough to take care of the rest of your high school years, in addition to wherever you choose to go to college afterwards. Does that sound good?" He gave her a smile, his teeth so white they nearly glowed.

Nellie felt tears brimming in her eyes, "That—that sounds good to me, sir. I don't even know what to say."

Not only was Tony presenting her with a full ride through the rest of her education, he was also getting her away from her current foster home and into one that would potentially be a better fit.

Tony Stark placed a warm, calloused hand on her back and gave it a gentle pat. His brown eyes were full of life and generosity. Nellie felt overwhelmed with gratitude, and she had no control over the single tear that managed to escape her eye.

"Hey now, no tears, alright? I don't have kids, so I'm not too good when it comes to comforting hormonal teenagers." He chuckled, his hand still resting on her back.

"You don't have to say anything, Nellie Jenkins. Just promise me you will keep writing, because that kind of talent will take you places, kid."