Miss Fire

I wake up the next morning with my cats, Motley and Crue, crying to get out of my room. A yawn escapes my lips as I throw my feet over the side of bed. Crue is rubbing up against my legs, crying, until I get out of bed and pad towards the door and open it up. Both black cats run out of the room as I walk into the bathroom and start my morning routine.

Once I’m finished getting dressed in my usual black attire, I place one of my many cross necklaces around my neck and take one final look in the mirror. Satisfied with my look, I head out of my bedroom and walk into the kitchen to feed the cats and myself.

As I’m getting my morning bowl of Fruity Pebbles, my phone goes off. A groan escapes my lips as I look at the caller ID and see that my agent is calling, “this better not be bad news. Like bad news that I don’t get a day off from the press and charity events.”

A sigh escapes her lips which means bad news, “you’re free from press and interviews but there is a charity event at Stark Industries, you’re personally invited.”

“As in Tony Stark personally invited me?” I question her, “why do I find that highly unlikely?”

“I’m not making this up, I just got a call from the CEO of Stark Industries, Tony invited you. If you don’t believe me, the CEO gave me the address of his tower, you’re more than welcomed to go there.” My agent informs me.

“Text me over the address, I’m going to have to hear this for myself.” I tell her before hanging up the phone. If I was some kind of scientist or business exec, this would make sense. But I’m the author of a sci-fi book, Tony Stark wouldn’t have any need to speak to me…

**Tony**

“Why is this girl so important?” Pepper asks after informing that Daisy Hayes is coming over to see me, “I mean she must be something to get your attention. “

“She’s nothing special,” I tell her, “her blonde hair was messing and her make-up half assed. She’s not a model or an actress; she’s a writer, an honest to God published writer.”

“How do you know all of this?” Pepper asks as she gives me a questioning look.

“After JARVIS face traced her to the name, I sort of searched her files.” I shrug, “did you know she was in beauty pageants? She also was going to be in Miss America but dropped out due to the death of her parents.”

“You sound worse than your average stalker!” Pepper exclaims, “what’s so special about this girl?”

Just as I’m about to open my mouth, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see Daisy Hayes standing behind me; dressed in all black.

“Yea, I kinda want to know the same thing?” Her southern accent more evident now than last night.

“Security breech!” I exclaim, causing the two blondes in the room to look at my weirdly.

“I was let in by your butler.” Daisy explains.

“JARVIS let you in.” I told her, “He’s an AI; you know what those are right?”

She gives me a dirty look before crossing her arms over her chest; making her breasts more prominent, “I’m a blonde, not stupid.”

I throw my hands up in defense, “I never said you were; I just assumed you---”

“Don’t assume anything Mister Stark.” She seethes, “I’m not your average girl.”

“I know, you proved that last night.” I remind her. “And please, it’s just Tony.”

She looks at me with a questioning look then all the sudden, realization sets in. An annoyed sigh escapes her lips as she shakes her a head bit, “I should have known it was you, Mister Stark. I couldn’t have be lucky enough to find a normal down to earth guy at these things.” She scoffs, “thanks for the invite, though. But sadly I’ll be declining it.”

“Why!?” I question her in a frantic tone. ‘I mean, why decline a party with yours truly?”

“I’m not that kind of girl,” she simply puts, “I’m also nothing like what your normal party guest is. I’m not a scientist or the CEO of a big company. My family didn’t make any sort of advances in technology. I’m just a writer, that’s it.

“I’m not a model or an actress. My appearance is trashy and my accent is apparently too southern. I’m average all American girl, Mister Stark; not something you dabble in. So thank you for the invitation once again but I’m going to decline it…” With that she leaves, leaving me standing there stunned. No girl -with the exception of Pepper- has ever talked to me like that.

Pepper walks up to me, watching the young blonde getting into the elevator while putting a hand on my shoulder. “I think that’s a no…” I glance at Pepper before returning my attention to the disappearing Daisy. I can’t believe she turned me down. I’m Tony Stark!

**Daisy**

“What do you mean you’re not going!?” My agent yells at me when I meet up with her for lunch at the café a couple blocks from Stark Towers.

“I’m not going.” I repeat myself, “I was probably just invited because I’m something nice for Tony Stark to look at. I’m not some eye candy.”

“You were in Miss America, need I remind you.” My agent sighs, “this’ll be a good way for you to get your name out there. Stark’s events aren’t just for noble prize winners and heads of big time companies. There are many authors that attend these things. If you can get a big time author to read your stuff, you’ll be golden.”

My eyes roll and a sigh escapes my lips, “you’re making me go to this thing aren’t you? Despite the fact I personally told Tony Stark I won’t be attending.”

“I’m sure Tony isn’t going to take no for an answer,” she smiles. “This is Tony Stark we’re talking about…

Notes

chapter title credit: Unstoppable by Charm City Devils

Daisy