Dragonscales

Chapter 40|School

A/N- My drawing of human Thistle.

A breeze wafted through my garden, shaking the branches of the tree I was currently sitting in. Frost coated the plants around me. I leaned my head against the trunk of my apple tree. The fresh morning air was refreshing. I had always hated being cooped up inside. Maybe it was the fay blood coursing in my veins. "Breakfast is ready, my love." Loki stood at the base of the tree. I smiled and hopped down, my feet landing in fresh, powdery snow. Loki lifted up my chin to press a loving kiss to my lips. We linked our arms together as we walked down to the kitchen. 

"Hey, Thistle. Hi Loki." Peter spooned some cereal into his mouth. "What's up?" He gripped his spoon so hard his knuckles turned white. "I think they are villains at my school or something. I can handle it on my own." He confessed. The rest of the Avengers weren't in the kitchen, it was just Loki, Marigold, Peter, Tourmaline, and I. "Just because you can doesn't mean you have to. I'll go to school with you today." I crossed my arms. "You don't have to that!" Peter's eyes widened. "It's okay, spider. You're not weak for asking for help." 

Tony entered the kitchen and went straight for the coffee. "I'm going to school with Peter today." I announced. The man of iron swallowed some coffee before answering. His usual eye bags were less apparent. "That's a horrible idea, kid." I crossed my arms. "I've made up my mind. You can't stop me." Tony took a long sip out of his mug and smirked. "And what are you going to do about your ears, horns, and fangs?" I cocked an eyebrow as dark blue magic shimmered around me. I felt my ears shrink and lose their points. My fangs and horns, the marks of a dragon rider, disappeared. The spray of white freckles across my nose and shoulders shifted into a more natural hue. Tony lost his smirk at my illusion spell. It was my turn to smirk. "I have that covered." 

Snow crunched beneath our feet as Peter and I walked to school. Tourmaline was curled up in my rucksack, around the size of a kitten. I tugged my black coat over my thighs. Ripped black jeans weren't the warmest thing in the world. We reached the school. Teenagers milled around. I caught a few stares, but I ignored them. I probably should've chosen a more natural hair color in my spell. I shoved my hands in my pockets, adopting the expression of indifference most of the students used. A boy waved Peter and I over in the hallway. "Thistle, this is my best friend Ned." Peter motioned to the boy. "Hello, Ned." 

"Peter texted me saying he was bringing a friend from the Avengers to school." Ned smiled excitedly. I believe the human word was fanboy. "You probably know me as Eclipse, then." His smile widened. "Wow! A real life Avenger!" Peter glared at his friend. "I hang out with you every day, Peter." He rolled his eyes. "Are you actually an elf?" Ned asked. "Yeah..." I flashed my pointed ears, quickly recovering the illusion spell.

Must I stay in your backpack all day? Tourmaline hissed. My eyes narrowed. It was your idea to accompany me to school! Ned and Peter exchanged confused looks. "Sorry. Talking to my dragon." I waved my hand in apology. Tourmaline poked her head out in response, squinting in the sudden light. As the hallways got more crowded she pulled her head back into my bag. "I thought Tourmaline was bigger." Ned said. "Thistle uses magic to make Tourmaline smaller." Peter explained.  The first bell rang. Peter pulled my arm toward the first classroom of the day. It had been two years since I had attended classes, I wondered if human school was any different.

"And who might you be?" The teacher asked as I followed Peter into the classroom. "My name is Thistle, ma'am. I'm his friend visiting from another state." I lied through my teeth. "That's a weird name." "I have weird parents." "You may sit next to Mr.Parker. I am Mrs.Snodgrass." I giggled a little bit at her name. "Something funny, Ms. Thistle?" I shook my head. "No, ma'am."

The rest of the class was uneventful. Soon, it became time for lunch. I joined Peter and Ned at their table. A girl was sitting by herself near the end. "That's Michelle Jones." Peter said. I tore off a piece of my sandwich and handed it to Tourmaline. Her head poked out of my backpack. I sneaked another piece of sandwich. Tourmaline hid back in my backpack as someone approached. A boy with slicked back hair and peach fuzz sauntered by our table. He threw a crumbled up piece of paper at Peter. "What's up, Penis Parker?" I instinctively flicked my wrists. Peter put his hand on my arms before the bracelets could form into swords. My hands balled into fists. "Hey, the name's Flash Thompson. What's your name, pretty girl? Want to ditch these nerds and hang out with me?" He asked me. I stood and picked up the ball of paper. "I am Thistle, and these two 'nerds' are my friends. Now kindly leave us alone, Peach Fuzz." I threw the paper ball back at him. He sneered and started to back away. "You just made an enemy, Thistle." 

Ned looked at me. "That's just going to make things worse!" I rolled my eyes. "The worst thing he can do is throw insults, and maybe a few weak punches." "Maybe things at your school in Stardust Grove were different because you're a princess, but kids here are horrible." Ned's eyes widened. "You're a princess?!" People started to stare. "Fantasy video game, nerd stuff." He covered up. 

"Yes. My aunt was queen before she died and my cousin became queen." I explained quickly. I then looked at Peter. "Elves are horrible too. My aunt killed my father because he married a fairy! I was banished from my home for something I couldn't control." Ned was bewildered. "That's some messed up family stuff." "Eh, faeries are different creatures than human fiction." I shrugged. The bell rang, dismissing us to our next class.