Chapter 16

Athena walked through the halls of Midtown and entered the math classroom with the hopes of joining the decathlon team. "Hi, Mr. Harrington," Athena greeted to make sure she didn't scare him or anything. "What can I help you with, Athena?" Mr. Harrington asked.

"I was wondering if I could join the Decathlon team?" Athena asked and Mr. Harrington nodded. "Well, that's perfect timing. We are in need of an extra member," Mr. Harrington said and Athena nodded. "Sweet! Thank you," Athena said and she started to walk out of the room. "We're leaving for Washington D.C. early tomorrow morning," Mr. Harrington informed.

"Okay. I'll be there," Athena said as she walked out of the classroom.

Athena arrived home and immediately went up to her room to pack. As she was sorting through clothes, her phone started to ring. Athena searched through the pile of clothes on her bed to try and find her phone. Soon enough she found it and answered it.

"Hey, Athena, it's Clint," The voice over the phone said.

"Hey, Clint. What's up?" Athena asked as she tried to multitask. "She remembers everything," Clint said and Athena stopped what she was doing. "What?" Athena asked.

"She remembers you and she was to talk," Clint said, Athena had no idea how to react. To say she's nervous would be an understatement. "Athena? Are you still there?" Clint asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm still here. Just in shock, I guess," Athena said.

"Look, kid. You don't have to talk to her until you're ready," Clint said.

"No, I want to talk to her now. I'll be at Headquarters in a couple minutes," Athena said and she hung up the phone. Athena quickly left her room and towards where she assumed Happy was since he was unloading trucks from the tower.

She saw him with a clipboard in hand, which made her feel guilty about going up to him. So, instead, she turned around and decided to take the bus.

Athena walked up to the field base and walked inside. Athena tried her best to find where Natasha could be, but she still couldn't shake the nerves. Athena walked past one of the rooms and heard Clint's voice. She stopped in her tracks and looked inside. She saw Clint standing by a computer talking to Natasha.

Athena took a deep breath before walking into the room. "Oh, hey, kid. When did you get here?" Clint asked as he noticed Athena walking into the room. "Just a couple of minutes," Athena said and Natasha stood from her chair.

"Clint, can I talk to her alone?" Natasha asked and Clint nodded. "Of course," Clint said as he walked out of the room. "I'm so sorry, Athena. I didn't mean for any of this to happen to you," Natasha said.

"It's not your fault," Athena said.

"Yes, it is. I could've talked my way out of the whole mind-wiping thing. Then you wouldn't have had to grow up without a parent," Natasha rambled.

"Natasha, it's okay. I don't blame you," Athena said and from that point, the two of them talked about their lives. Athena has always wanted a mother-daughter bond with someone. Now she can have that with her actual mother.

After an hour of talking, Natasha looked at the time and noticed how late it was. "You should get going. It's getting late," Natasha said and Athena looked at the clock as well. "Yeah. Bye," Athena said as she walked towards the exit.

After packing and getting some sleep, Athena was on her way to Midtown. Within a few minutes, Athena saw the high school coming into view.

Happy stopped the car and she got out and walked over to the bus. She joined MJ next to the bus and set her stuff down.

A few minutes after Athena showed up, Peter did and rejoined the team. People started to get onto the bus. Athena walked on and took a seat next to MJ. She took out her phone and her headphones and started to play. Soon enough, the exhaustion from the last couple of days took over and she fell asleep.

After what felt like a few minutes of sleep, MJ lightly nudged Athena awake. Athena looked over at MJ and took an earbud out. "We're here," MJ said and Athena looked around the half-empty bus. Athena quickly stood up with her bag in her hand and started to walk off the bus.

"Are you okay?" MJ asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Athena stated and she joined her class in front of the hotel. Once Mr. Harrington did a headcount, he led the class into the hotel where they all received room assignments. Thankfully for Athena, she got MJ.

The two of them walked to their room. Once they got to their correct room, they unlocked it and went inside. Athena sat her bag down on the nearest bed before sitting down on it. Athena looked at my phone and it was eight at night. MJ then left the room, leaving Athena by herself for a moment.

Athena heard the door to her room open. "The whole time is going to the pool in a couple of minutes, you wanna go with us?" MJ asked and Athena sat up. "Sure," Athena said.

Athena stood up and changed into a swimsuit. She grabbed a towel and as she was about to open the door, a series of quiet knocks sounded on the door. Athena opened it and saw Liz standing there with a few others. "You guys ready?" Liz asked with a smile. "Yes," Athena said and she pushed the door open wider for MJ to grab as she walked out.

They all arrived at the pool. Athena sat near MJ most of the time until she decided to dip her feet into the pool. Then Athena received a worried text from Ned. Athena got out of the pool and walked over to MJ. "I'm gonna head up to our room," Athena stated.

"I'll go with you," MJ said and Athena nodded. The two of them grabbed their towels and walked toward their room.

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