It All Started In A McDonald's...

snippets of random shit

"What are you trying to say about me?" I asked, mocking offence. My gaze returned to the window, just in time for me to catch a glimpse of the reflection of metal in the distance. I narrowed my eyes in the direction, and I think I saw a human shape. Then I realised I was catching a rare glimpse of Barnes on patrol.

Hm. I wondered how different patrol would be in the morning. Maybe he stopped school buses crashing or something.

MJ and I made our way to our lockers, and I definitely didn't nearly forget my code. I frowned at the inside of it. Someone, and I had a pretty good idea who, had written on a note, "Welcome back, loser." I grabbed a random textbook, before slamming it shut. To MJ, I said, "Just tell me you weren't the one to leave a note in my locker."

"Even if I was, you'd still do what you're going to do anyway, wouldn't you?" she asked, while I eyed up my target.

"Yep."

"In that case, no, it wasn't me."

"I'll be off then."

He didn't see me coming as I approached, leaving me with the perfect surprise opportunity. Minding my strength, because I didn't want to a) cause a scene and get suspended again, or b) actually break his nose again, I used my textbook to whack Flash in the face from behind, before saying, "It's nice to be back, shitbag."

Ah, the respective nicknames.

And Flash's expression when he spun around? To die for.

"You're actually back?" he spluttered in disbelief, looking up at me because he was a midget. (Two inches smaller, but still a midget.)

"Yeah, I am," I said. "That's a stupid question. You have any more?"

Before he could even speak though, we were interrupted by a shout of "Jamie!" and me getting hugged by my shortest and also newest friend.

Dammit Ned. Flash was the one who was supposed to be getting embarrassed.

But secretly, I was happy to see him too.

Even though this hug was awkward.

"Ned!" I returned, not nearly as heartily as his exclamation had been. I awkwardly removed him from my person, and my eyes looked up to see my other friend waving behind his more excited bestie. It was weird seeing him in the context of school, and I think we were both thinking that. "Hey, Peter."

"Hey. Nice to know you still live," Peter winked at me. I laughed internally at the irony.

"You too." I turned to Flash. "You know what this means now I'm back? It means Peter's got his bodyguard back, so no more bullying, are we clear?" Also it meant you'd have the real threat of a violent, knife-wielding god after you, I thought, but I didn't say it. Flash shrugged, so I repeated my question. "Are we clear?"

"I guess," Flash said, and that would have to do, because the bell rang and he darted off.

"Little shitbag," I muttered.

"Ah, he's not as bad as he used to be," MJ shrugged, coming over to join us, slinging her rucksack over her shoulder. Before I could argue, she continued, "Let's get back to school then, yeah?"

The days flew. The week finished before I realised it, and I hadn't been to the Tower once in those three days. Maybe Loki wasn't kidding when he said he might never see me again.

The teachers weren't too pleased to have me back. Probably didn't help that I completely ignored all the work I was meant to do, meaning I was even more behind than usual. However, I was regarded with slightly less hostile looks from my fellow classmates, which I found strangely gratifying. By Friday, I had actually talked to some people, people who barely acknowledged my existence before. Granted, all they said was a comment on how nice my hair looked, despite knowing me a year and a half, but it was something.