Unexpected // An MCU Story (Book One)

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One year, six months, and twenty-two days.

One year, six months, and twenty-two days since my mother spoke to me last.

One year, six months, and twenty-two days alone. Forgotten. Left behind. Ignored.

Now it's important to note that her absences most evenings weren't the sole cause of my apparent abandonment. She wasn't around most of the time, but when she was, it was as if I didn't exist.

She ignored everything I did. It happened seemingly out of nowhere. I came home from school one day and didn't exist to her anymore. I couldn't get her to pay any amount of attention to me no matter what I did. Didn't matter if we didn't have any food or if the power got shut off again. She tuned me out completely and left me to fend for myself at the ripe age of seven.

Eventually it got to the point where most days I was unsure of whether or not I was actually alive or if I was somehow a ghost watching life carry on around me. The only way I knew for sure I was still there was because of school. The only person grounding me in reality at that point was my best friend of four years, Peter.

I spent more time with him than I did at my own house, not that my mother would have ever even noticed. He and Aunt May took better care of me than my mom had in ages. If it weren't for them, I don't know if I would have lasted nearly as long as I had.

January 21st was the day she stopped speaking to me. The last day I had what was pretty much the only normal part of my life so far. But fast forward a bit (one year, six months, and twenty two days, in case you forgot) and there I was, walking home from school with Peter.

"Wanna stop by Delmar's?" I asked, digging around in my pocket for some change. "I found a bunch of change in the couch this morning and if I add it to what I'm saving maybe we can get you more of a birthday present than just that lame CD I got you."

"Hey, no way! I love Led Zeppelin!" He argued as we came to a stop before a crosswalk.

"Yeah, but I mean, last year you and Aunt May took me around the city and let me stay the night. I want to do something special for you, too."

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts. We're going."

"Fine." He smiled as we walked across the street and into Delmar's.

"Hello!" I greeted as we walked in, waving to the man we knew so well behind the counter.

"Ah, Ms. Davis, Mr. Parker!" He smiled back. "Always a pleasure seeing my two best costumers."

"Best customers?" I giggled, propping my elbows onto the counter next to Peter. "We don't come here that often, do we?"

"All the time."

"And what would you do without us?" I grinned before turning around and pulling Peter back further into the store.

He wandered off to browse the candy section and I pulled out the money I had found, frowning down at the coins. I'd been saving up for weeks and all I had was $3.12.

I messed with the necklace I wore, which was a gift from Peter from my last birthday. It was a silver moon locket with enough room for a picture inside. There wasn't one in there yet, but I hoped to find one soon. I had gotten it on a particularly bad day, but it made my week seeing it come out of the box. 

Aunt May says it means that even if you can't always see it, there's power and everyone, and it gives whoever's wearing it strength and hope. I hadn't taken it off since.

"Wanna get a sandwich?" A voice said from behind me, tearing me from my thoughts and making me jump. I turned to face Peter. "We can split it."

"But it's supposed to be your birthday present." I frowned, closing my fist over the change.