Once Eliza Stark had took notice that Joshua Meyers was alive and breathing, and after having a three in the morning snack, she tried to go back to bed. But, she couldn't. Her mind wouldn't let her. Thoughts ran around and around her brain like they were on some stupid merry-go-round, having a fantastic time as new thoughts appeared and started flicking the switches that turned on Eliza's anxiety and worry on hyper drive. By six, Eliza had clambered back out of bed and made her way to the large living room. She curled up on the couch with a blanket covering her. For fifteen minutes she searched for a show to watch, and eventually settled on starting The Vampire Diaries – something Killian had been trying to get her to watch.

Sometime after the third episode, Eliza made her way to the kitchen and fixed up some coffee and toaster strudels. As she sat there with her breakfast, Eliza finally tried to sort her thoughts out without the TV to distract her. She had no idea what that nightmare meant – if anything at all. It caused her to feel unsure, and worrisome over the football player. Because, part of her bad feeling was linked with those two other visions she had seen days before. The other part was simply tied with the shock and slight trauma the nightmare had given her. She may act tough, and never exactly show Jasmine and Joshua that she cared too often, but she did. She cared a lot for them. It would tear her down if she lost either friend.

Eliza stayed in her thoughts some as Pepper Potts walked into the kitchen. The redhead, dressed in raggy PJs and a fluffy robe with slippers, quickly noticed the young Stark girl sitting at the counter. The woman raised her eyebrows in slight surprise, pouring herself a cup of coffee. Neither female was used to seeing the other around the house so early. Pepper was usually one to wake up first – or at least, walk around first. Then, once she was gone, Eliza would usually come out from the depths of her room if she hadn't left for school already. It was almost like they were avoiding one another.

"You're out of your room early," Pepper commented.

Eliza moved her shoulders up and down. She didn't say anything as she kept her eyes staring at thin air, bringing the coffee up to take a sip.

Pepper frowned at the response she got – she found it odd. Even though they didn't talk as much as she would like, they still had decent conversations. She looked at the young girl again, and instantly recognized that look. It was on Tony Stark's face far too often than anyone would like. It was the look that the man would have usually after a mission for The Avengers, or after having a nightmare, or just down right worried and anxious. It was the look Eliza was wearing at this moment.

The redhead let out a soft sigh, walking to the seat next to the brunette and sitting down. She took a sip of her own coffee. "I know that look," Pepper stared, "You father has it once in a while."

Eliza tore her gaze from nothing and side-eyed the woman. "What look?" she questioned.

"Have you ever seen Tony drinking whiskey or...coffee, and just staring? Sometimes it's in his workshop with the suits. Other times it's in his office," she paused, "The one where he just looks something is eating at him from the inside out? He usually thinks no one notices."

The college student nodded slowly. She had seen the look once or twice – not often, though.

"Well, it's the exact same one on your face."

Eliza sat up some, brows furrowed and mind slowly moving from her worried thoughts to Pepper's words. "I'm fine," she forced out.

Tony's girlfriend raised her eyebrows. "Eliza, it is okay to worry," said Pepper. "And it is okay to talk to me about it. I know you probably like Silvia more than me, seeing as she knows you beer than I do, but I'm here for you. Just like I am for Killian and Tony, alright?"

Eliza stared at the redhead with a blank expression then. But that expression turned into a frown a few seconds later, and the Stark girl was slowly nodding. "Thanks, Pepper."

She smiled and nodded, slipping off of the stool. "I got to get ready for work, and you for school. I'll see you this afternoon?"

This time, it was Eliza's turn to nod. Without saying anything else, Pepper left with her coffee and two pop-tarts. A few minutes more, Eliza sat on the counter's stool and drank her coffee before retreating to her room to change clothes.

+++

"What's up with you and reading books about history lately?" Jasmine asked, leaning across the table to peer at the book in front of her friend.

Eliza shrugged and turned the page, eyes scanning over the words quickly. After a few seconds, though, Eliza glanced up to see Jasmine trying to read the words of the book upside down. She rolled her eyes, shutting the book and looking at the redhead. "Do you mind?" Eliza questioned lowly, slightly annoyed by her friend.

Jasmine smiled innocently, "Sorry, Ellie. You've just been engrossed in...whatever part of history that is. Just curious."

The Meyers brother nodded once, "She's right. Ever since last week you've been, like, sucked into that shit. And acting weird, too- Jaz, did I mention that Eliza fucking called me at three in the morning?" He then turned fully to face his sister, pointing a finger at Eliza in an accusing manner.

"You say that like it's a crime," Eliza spoke as Jasmine nodded in reply to her brother.

"You've told me that three times, Josh," Jaz said.

Josh shrugged, "It should be! I was in a damn good dream, Eliza Martin."

"Why'd you call him anyway?"

Eliza laughed at the boy. But then she focused her attention on Jasmine as she quickly debated on whether or not to tell the truth. She wanted them to know the real reason behind the early morning call, but she didn't want them to know everything else. Because if she told them that, she would have to explain the visions, which in return would have her enemy explained. Therefore spilling out words about her magical abilities. She would then have to explain her family tree – which included bringing up Tony Stark. Eliza didn't want that. So, she stuck with a lie.

"No reason," she shrugged, "Just to be annoying, really."

Josh narrowed his eyes and said, "Damn you for succeeding in that."

Eliza gave an innocent smile in Josh's direction, only for it to stop short when Jasmine shouted out a name that the Stark girl didn't want to hear. "Peter Parker!" Jasmine had yelled, throwing a hand up to get his attention.

Eliza turned her head around and spotted the brown haired boy walking by. He stopped short and looked at their table, forcing a smile at the redhead and the Josh – ignoring Eliza completely. Slowly he walked up to them, "Um. Hi," he said.

"Hey! Where're you off to?" Jasmine asked, "You didn't sit with us yesterday."

"Oh, uh, I'm just sitting with MJ," Peter explained, shuffling on his feet some.

Eliza shifted around in her seat as Peter stood near her; Peter noticed this. Unconsciously both students moved away from each other to avoid one another. Josh noticed, yet didn't say anything – as did Jasmine. The redhead simply smiled at the mention of her fellow redheaded friend. (Okay, Mary Jane and Jasmine weren't exactly friends; they were more or less the two kids who talked during school hours yet avoided each other in public).

"Tell her I said hello, will ya?" Jasmine asked. "Sad you can't sit with us, though."

"Such a shame," Josh agreed, "Don't you think, Ellie?"

Eliza lifted her head and looked at the blue eyed boy. He was grinning mischievously at her. She glared at him, realizing he was noticing the awkward and tense atmosphere between her and Peter. "A catastrophe," she let out sarcastically, teeth gritting together.

"Uh... Yeah," Peter stuttered. He took a short glance at Eliza, she doing the same thing. When they made eye contact, Peter shuffled back and pointed in the direction of Mary Jane. "Better get going."

The Meyers siblings nodded while the Stark girl simply sat still and looked ahead of herself to refrain from glaring at Peter's retreating back. Once he had made it far enough to where he wouldn't hear anything, Jasmine slouched in her seat with a deep frown. She glared over at Eliza for a few seconds before she leaned forward and smacked the brunette up side he head.

"Ow!" Eliza yelled out, swatting away Jaz's hand. "The fuck was that for?!"

"You scared Peter off!"

"No I didn't!"

"Then what the hell was that awkward thing a few seconds ago?" Josh asked, putting himself in the conversation.

"Nothing! I just told him we weren't friends," Eliza confessed, rubbing the side of her head.

Jasmine let out mouth fall open at her friend's words. "Why would you tell him that?!"

"Because we're not? We're acquaintances, and I told him that. I tried to do it nicely but then he just said being nice didn't suit me! He got pissed off, it's not my fault."

Josh rolled his eyes, saying, "Okay, something you said or did made him mad."

"Did you somehow do something that made it seem you were friends?" Jaz asked.

Eliza stared at her for a moment, showing no emotion. "No," she said. "Listen, I don't want to talk about it anymore, so can we please change the topic?"

The two adopted siblings stared back at their friend in slight confusion. Something had to have happened, they knew that much; it was just the possibility of what it could have been confusing them. It was Eliza – the girl who only had two friends at college and whose brother was her best friend. She barely had anyone who was pissed that they weren't friends. It's never bothered anyone, before; it's never bothered Eliza before. Jaz narrowed her eyes slightly as she noticed her friend's attitude about the situation. The redhead was certain that something happened between Eliza and Parker. Though, she didn't say anything and looked at her plate of food.

"So," Joshua shifted in his seat and took a bite of his lunch, "What part of history are you reading about?"

Eliza gave the guy a subtle thankful look before answering, "Medieval Europe area."

He hummed, and gave a short nod. "Why the sudden interest?"

Without hesitation, a smooth lie escaped her lips. "It's interesting, and I just decided to read up on it."

"Oh!" Jaz shot up straighter in her seat and looked excitedly at her friend, "You should look at the legends of Prince Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table! I don't know if you're interested in knights and kinds, and magic and all of that, but it's very interesting! You might wanna check out that Merlin show as well."

"Oh, God, please don't get her started on that," Josh muttered, referring to his sister's obsession with the show.

As the two siblings started bickering about how the show was good or not, something clicked in Eliza's brain. She sat up a bit straighter as she started gathering her things together in a slight rush. Slowly the quarrel between Jasmine and Joshua died down into nothing as they caught sight of the girl moving quickly to leave. Josh tried to grab a book and keep it to himself to make Eliza stay a second longer, but her fingers instantly wrapped around the thick book and yanked it out of his grasp. She gave him a small glare as she put the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

"I gotta go," she muttered out quickly, starting to walk off. "See you tomorrow!"

Jasmine sat there, baffled by her friend's sudden rush. "Ellie- ah, whatever," she shook her head and looked over at Josh, only to see him jump out of his seat and rush towards Eliza. Jasmine let out a frustrated gasp. She then turned her head to watch as her brother caught up with their friend.

"Ellie!" Josh called and ran up in front of her, making the girl stop in her tracks. "Hey-."

"Josh, what the hell? I gotta go," Eliza interrupted him, trying to step around him.

The blond boy simply stepped to the side to keep the walkway blocked. He stared down at her with a hard look, "I should be saying what the hell to you! You keep suddenly leaving and not giving an explanation."

"It's none of your business anyway," Eliza told him. "Look, just- just let me leave?"

Josh pursed his lips, just staring at her. "What are you keeping from m- from us?"

She sucked in a breath of air, shaking her head and looking away from him for a split second. "It's nothing, Joshua," she spoke, "Nothing important." She stepped around him again, and let out a sigh of relief when he didn't try to step in front of her.

He kept his mouth shut as he watched her leave, looking down to his side as he noticed his sister walking up beside him. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "Has she always been this secretive?"

Jasmine shrugged, shaking her head. "Not since ninth grade. But I'm determined to figure it out." Her eyes narrowed in the direction Eliza went as she said the last sentence, causing Josh to look at her again. "And you're helping." She looked up to meet his eyes, "You ditch and I'm disowning you."

"You can't disown your brother!"

+++

A few hours later and Eliza was found in the city's library with books upon books surrounding her, head lowered and eyes straining to stay open from reading so much. Her book bag and school stuff sat in a chair beside her, forgetting about for the time being, and her legs were crossed Indian style as she sat in her own chair. Her hair was now in a messy up-do, with a few strands having fell out and framing her face. She was engrossed in the book on Arthur Pendragon and the legends surrounding not only him, but his magical servant and his adopted sister. So, it wasn't really it wasn't that all surprising when the brunette jumped at the sound of a simple "hey" and a hand touching her shoulder; her arm spazzing outwards and almost knocking over the cup of coffee she had.

Though, her eyes soon landed on a familiar dark redhead with an award winning smile and kind eyes. The girl's hair was pulled into a high ponytail, arms tightly holding a couple text books, the bag's strap hanging loose on her shoulder. Mary Jane Watson's expression turned into guilt at making the brunette jump, wincing some as the cup almost spilled – though, Eliza quickly grabbed it and set it back in its spot before turning back to the redhead. Eliza's eyes squinted in confusion at seeing the girl.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you like that," Mary Jane apologized.

Eliza shook her head, tucking a few strands of loose hair behind her ear. "It's fine. Um why-," Eliza stopped herself at realizing she barely talked to the girl; only during science would the two converse, and that was usually about the previous night's homework. And Eliza knew for a fact they didn't have science homework. So her mind instantly went to Peter Parker. "You're here about Peter, aren't you?" She asked, eyebrows raising in question.

Mary Jane raised an eyebrow at noticing Eliza's quick realization. "A bit quick to ask me that," she said.

"Well seeing as my friends went bat-shit crazy because of the situation and you're friends with Peter Parker," she shrugged, "It's common knowledge, really. So, Watson, what do you have to say and ask about it?"

There was a short pause as Mary Jane thought about it. But then her light eyes narrowed at Eliza, causing the brunette's to widen slightly. Mary Jane's lips formed into a straight line as she asked, "Why are you being such a bitch to Peter?"

Eliza blinked in shock. Her jaw went slack and her body went tense at the question, eyes narrowing back at the redhead with anger. "I'm not being a bitch, Watson, he just got pissed off when I said we weren't friends?"

"And so am I, Eliza," Mary Jane raised her voice some, but kept it low so she wouldn't get kicked out of the building. "You invited Pete to hang out with you and some friends, and let him sit with you at lunch. You even went to work together a few times, Eliza, is that not what friends do? Not mention you two had sex – which normal friends don't do, so maybe you aren't really friends but more?"

"Hey, that last part is absolutely none of your business," Eliza abruptly stood up and pointed a finger. "We aren't friends and never will be anything more than, got it? And I was forced by another friend to invite him, so don't pin that one on me. I could care less who sat with me and friends – hell, Flash could sit and I wouldn't give a fuck."

"Then why are you giving a fuck now?"

Eliza frowned but kept the glare, "Excuse me?"

"Eliza," Mary Jane gave a shocked and half-hearted laugh, "You obviously give a fuck about Peter one way or another. You've never gotten this pissed about someone wanting to be your friend before. When Flash tried to get you to date him you were so nonchalant even when he threw insults at you, and when those freshmen girls earlier this year tried to befriend you, you brushed them off and just laughed when they tried to start rumors to others about you. But with Pete..." MJ shrugged and motioned to the girl in front of her, "you're extremely pissed off. I saw you when Jasmine called him over. That's the first seeing you awkward in my years of knowing you. Peter, on the other hand, has always been awkward – but that's beside the point."

The brunette's glare had gone away, but the frown was still there. This time matched with a stoic expression. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stood there. Eliza was a bit shocked with what Mary Jane had just told her.

"I don't care," Eliza forced out, surprised at herself for finding it a bit hard to say. "He's just another boy."

"Another boy you fucked?"

Eliza rolled her eyes at the question, "It was just sex, Watson-."

"Exactly – sex. It's about feelings, Eliza, and I'm sorry you don't seem understand that," the redhead explained.

The more stubborn of the two frowned even more. She didn't like what she was hearing. "It's also about finding someone attractive, and that's- Peter's hot, yeah, so we fucked. Big deal."

Mary Jane licked her lips and sighed, looking up some as she thought. It was quiet between the two girls then. Both thinking about their conversation and what the redhead was going to say next. Thought, neither of them waiting long for her to speak, "You remember Gwen Stacy, right? You two were semi-friends, correct?"

Eliza bit the inside of her cheek. Gwen Stacy and Eliza Martin talked quite a few times throughout their high school careers, enough for the brunette to consider the blonde a friend – and, eventually, for her to form a crush. They sat together at lunch with the few high school friends Eliza had. And then Gwen started dating Peter Parker, and Eliza forced herself away from Gwen. The girl didn't like seeing the person, correction a friend she was crushing dating someone else. So, she removed herself from Gwen's life; honestly, the brunette believed that was the worst decision of her life.

"Sure," came Eliza's short reply. Her eyes moved to the ground near the redhead's feet.

"And you remember what happened?" Mary Jane asked.

"Spider-Man couldn't save her," she mumbled, voice sounding hostile. "Vixen couldn't, either."

Mary Jane raised an eyebrow, noticing the girl's tone. But she chose to ignore it for the time being. "Well, then you remember Peter and Gwen were dating. They were so fucking in love it was nearly sickening, but they were good together so it was amazing. But then she died. Peter was so heartbroken, Eliza, the girl he loved is gone. It's taken him nearly two years to at least go for another girl. And guess what, Martin," she paused and pointed, "that girl is you."

Eliza frowned, finally looking back up to meet Mary Jane's gaze. She then said, "Peter can't like me, Mary Jane."

The redhead shrugged, "It's just a small, tiny crush but nonetheless, he does. I can't change that and neither can you. And you saying you weren't friends," she paused, "he kinda had a reason to be a bit pissed. You lead him on some without knowing."

"Mary Jane-."

"But I think you like him back."

---------

[unedited

this became a lot longer than i intended but i wanted to get a few things across. if you have any questions about the story so far, feel free to ask!!]