Disclaimer – I don't own any of the characters, nor do I profit from this writing. It's purely for my own and other's enjoyment.

Author's Note: This is my first stony fic, so I hope you all like it. Feedback of any form is always welcome!

Steve stared up at the colossal building in front of him as he anxiously shifted the weight of his backpack on his shoulder. It towered four stories high, and spread out three times the length of his old school. It was three times more impressive as well, with huge lawns sprawling out back, and even a courtyard complete with a fountain and dainty stone benches. It was breathtaking, but in a so-panicked-you-can't-breathe sort of way. And right now, the front was completely empty. Apparently he couldn't even go the first day without being late.

With a soft sigh, Steve started towards the great glass doors. He caught a glimpse of his reflection – pale face, golden hair ruffled around his forehead, dark jeans and a light blue t-shirt – before swinging it open to enter a new, terrifying world that was too big and filled with too many people. Immediately Steve wished he was back in his old city at his old high school, completing his last year before graduation with all of the people he knew - not in this posh, rich-kid school that he was only going to because his mother found a possible job here.

Not that he could blame her. They were originally a poor family, and it only got worse when his father died. Steve knew his mother tried hard to give him the best she could with the little that they had, but a part of him still wished they were struggling through back on the edges of New York rather than the middle of Los Angeles.

But instead of his old, comforting, relaxed school, he was stuck in this. Everything looked prim, and perfect, and expensive. The walls were a steely sort of grey, and there were great windows everywhere, including on the ceiling. The whole interior was very modern, but also had a futuristic feel.

Steve was jolted out of his thoughts, however, by a loud 'ehem' and a pat on the shoulder. He turned to see a short, round lady dressed in a blue flower print blouse and a dark pinstripe skirt. She smiled, though her beady black eyes roamed over him in a disapproving manner.

"Why aren't you in class?" she asked sweetly.

"Oh. Uhm, my name is Steve Rogers. We just moved here, and I-," he started, but was cut across by the lady's light laugh.

"Dear, I don't know all the new students by name. Come to the office and we'll get you signed in. You do realize you are late?"

Steve stared at her, trying not to gape. "Well, yes, I do. I'm sorry, next time-," she cut across him a second time.

"Next time you won't be late, will you, dear?" The lady smiled again, then turned to lead him through more glass doors into what he assumed must be the office. "Because this is your first day, I'll let you off with a warning. But this school is the most prestigious in town, and we don't tolerate misbehavior here. Is that understood?"

Steve nodded his consent, but he didn't think she saw. She didn't seem like she had expected an answer anyways. They stopped at the front desk, in which the lady squeezed behind and sat in a chair that groaned beneath her weight. Her sausage-like fingers skittered quickly over the keyboard in front of her.

"Steve Rogers, you said? Yes, well, here is your schedule."

The printer on the edge of the desk spit out a piece of paper and the Lady examined it for a second before handing it over to Steve. She then grabbed a pamphlet out of a plastic stand and opened it up to reveal a map of the school. She took out a red pen and marked off a few places.

"I've circled your classes. I trust you can find them? I'll call Professor Banner to let him know you're late for his Physics class," she glanced up once at Steve, disapproving again, before handing him the map as well. "Now, go to your class," she ordered, ushering him out of the office.

Steve hurried out and headed down the hall, wanting to get away from the lady as quickly as possible. He only stopped once he got around the corner, and pulled out the map to look at it. It was just as, if not more, confusing than the school itself. Steve groaned, heading down the hallway he hoped would take him to his first class.

Room B344, Room B344…. Where was it? He was in section C, somewhere in the one hundreds. Oh, floor three. Right.

Steve found some stairs and headed up several sets until he was at a hallway labelled C3. He roamed past at least fifteen different classrooms, looking for hallway B. Eventually he turned a corner and saw a classroom called 'Earth Science: B336'. Steve breathed a sigh of relief and walked slowly down the hall until he found the room 'Physics: B344'. Through the little window Steve could see who he guessed was Professor Banner animatedly describing something at the front of the class.

Steve glanced around him once, then back to the classroom door. He didn't particularly want to go in half-way through class and endure the stares of everyone else in there, but he didn't have much of a choice if the lady downstairs really had called ahead. With one deep breath, he knocked lightly on the door, then opened it slowly.

Professor Banner turned to him, smiling widely. "Ah, are you Steve?"

He nodded, inching his way through the doorway.

"Wonderful! Class, this is our new student, Steve Rogers. Where are you from?"

Steve answered a couple of the teacher's questions, though he was distracted the whole time by all the students staring at him. Well, all save two, both of whom were oblivious he had entered, probably because they were too busy laughing loudly about something. One of them was short with mousy brown hair and Steve's eyes grazed over him pretty fast. The second, though, held a sort of air around him that demanded attention.

He was sitting in a relaxed manner, yet seemed to tower above the other people in the class as if he thought – no, knew – he was better than everyone else. The way other people glanced at him gave him a very arrogant feel. Granted, he was handsome; he had a very attractive build, not too buff but nicely toned and muscled, which showed easily through his tight white t-shirt. His dark brown hair was brushed up and splayed perfectly over his forehead. And he had a handsome enough face, too, made of smooth planes and angles to emphasize all the right parts, and even the beginning of a goatee. Lastly, his eyes were dark chocolate brown, and captivating, and… Staring right at him.

Steve hadn't even noticed the two boys stop laughing and start staring back at him. His face flushed red and he quickly looked away, appalled at himself.

"Are you two done? Show a little bit of respect to your peers," Professor Banner scolded them, then turned to Steve again. "You can go find a seat now. We're just starting Kinematics. Did you learn up to there in your last school?"

Steve nodded, then quickly hurried to the back of the class to sit in the corner across the guy he had accidentally been staring at. He didn't make eye contact with anyone else, instead pretending to be interested in taking out his books and paper.

Professor Banner resumed with his lecture and continued teaching, though Steve barely heard any of it. His thoughts were consumed by embarrassment and the will that his mom would announce that they were moving back to New York tomorrow. And, despite his rejection of the thought, Steve kept seeing the guy's eyes in his mind. It wasn't until the end of the class that he couldn't take it anymore and ended up glancing over at him again. And, just like the first time, his gaze met those deep brown pools.

Steve blushed furiously again and looked back down at his work. He could feel those eyes on him for the rest of class, though, and he once again cursed himself for ever walking into this classroom. It was a complete relief when the bell finally rang and everyone got up to leave. Breathing a sigh of relief, Steve started packing his things away until he noticed someone standing beside his desk.

He slowly looked up to see the same dark-haired guy standing in front of him, his eyebrows raised and a smirk splayed across his lips.

Steve's eyes widened slightly. He opened his mouth to say something – apologize, anything really – but the guy beat him to it.

"Tony Stark. And you're Steve, right?" he drawled out, swinging out a chair from a nearby desk to sit across from him. Steve barely nodded before Tony continued on, leaning back in the chair as he did and lacing his hands behind his head. "Look, Steve, you seem like a nice guy – which is why I'm going to help you out. I'm kind of the – what would you call it, top dog? – around here, so I am the one person you don't want to get caught up with. And, despite your cuter-than-average ass, I just don't think it would work out."

Steve gaped at Tony, his words barely registering. "My what?"

"So," Tony continued, mostly ignoring him, "I just don't want you to think there's any chance where there isn't one. It's just not really fair, you know?" he stood up, stretching. "See ya around then, Stevie."

With that, Tony picked up his backpack and sauntered out of the classroom, not even sparing a second glance back. Steve stared after him, somewhat confused, but mostly shocked. Did Tony just… Did he really think he… When it had been him staring at…

Steve groaned, putting his face in his hands. First day of school and not only was he late and could barely find his classes, but he'd practically made enemies with the most popular guy, who also happened to think he was gay and in love with him. A small voice added, he also thinks you have a cute ass.

Steve internally snarled at it to shut up and he quickly grabbed his bags and flipped out his map to see what other classes he'd have to endure by the end of the day.

Clearly he wasn't off to a good start.