CHAPTER TWO; SPIDER-MAN

❝ if you are always trying to be normal, then you will never know how truly amazing being anything but normal makes you ❞

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ alina's apartment ❞

A NERVOUS PETER PARKER KNOCKED on the apartment door with a smoothie his aunt had given him before leaving for Alina that morning gripped firmly in his hands. He waited a moment but when there was no answer he knocked again this time longer and a little louder, "I'm coming," Alina's voice shouted at him making him jump back at her voice.

Seconds after the door opened revealing Alina fully dressed in her high waisted red jeans and low cut black v-neck shirt with her favorite ankle boots. Something about the colors black and red always appealed to Alina, they complimented her best.

"Sorry," she apologized to him fastening her blood mirror earrings while exiting her loft admitting, "Not used to early mornings that don't come with someone yanking you out the bed if you're late."

"It's fine," he assured her before his eyes fell to the cup his hand and he remembered the smoothie, he offered it to her letting her know, "Oh, my aunt wanted me to give you this, it's a mixed berry smoothie. She thought since you're alone over here you might not have time to have anything for breakfast."

He held it out for her and for a moment she wasn't sure whether or not to accept it. "Thanks," she said finally taking it from him gently. The two began to walk side by side heading towards the elevator, when they were close Peter hit the button getting inside. After getting in the two an awkward silence fell upon them, she could tell Peter wanted to speak but he wasn't allowing himself to.

It was almost as if he was sucking up the all the air in the room with all his forced silence. "How long have you lived in New York," she asked allowing the first thing that came to her mind.

"My whole life," Peter answered with a small grin thinking about his life in New York. His brief smile was enough to make Alina mad, in fact it made her want to hit him. He was so damn happy and it filled her with such envy it could kill them both. Glancing at her he stuttered, "How about you? Where are you from?"

Alina paused a moment thinking about the gravity of the simple question already causing a desire, no, an instinctual need to lie to spare him a harsher truth. It was a question he, and everyone else she would meet today would wonder yet it garnered a lie. She fixed her mouth to say one but when she met his eyes she didn't meet judgment only genuine curiosity. "Varna, Bulgaria originally. I haven't been there in a long time though," she declared unable to lie.

As the elevator doors dinged open Peter wondered, "Then where have you been living?"

Squeezing past him out the door she couldn't help but snap at him, "Can we not talk about me?"

He didn't  even hesitate to continue, Tony had warned him Alina wasn't the most talkative, "Sure, sure that's fine." Again they fell into a silence between them as they walked side by side down the street. After a moment a thought came to mind and he said, "Oh, I have your schedule," reaching into his pocket he pulled out the paper handing it to her. Filling the silence as she looked over the paper he added, "Mr. Stark gave you most of the same classes as me so I guess well be seeing each other a lot."

"Fantastic," she mumbled folding the paper placing it in her pocket as they headed onto the subway platform. It didn't take long before the train arrived and the two stepped into the train. Peter lead Alina to a free spot for them both to stand in the back and the second he could, Peter pulled out his phone and began texting someone. She wasn't sure what exactly, but something compelled her to look over his shoulder to see what it was about.

TO HAPPY

Hey Happy just checking in. Alina is with me too, we're on our way to school now. I'm out of school at 2:45 PM.

Ready for my next mission!

It's Peter BTW.

Parker

Something about his updates made her pity the hopeful fool, but her pity came out as mockery as she questioned him, "Why do you even bother?" Her words brought his head up with puzzled brows, she huffed his confusion forcing her to prod further, "Checking in? He's not going to answer you no how many times you text him. They don't care Peter, only when they need you will they pick up the phone. Freaks like us, people who can't be controlled will always be feared and monitored over being taken care of."

"Yes he will," Peter assured her, "Mr. Stark needed me in Germany he's not like––"

Cutting him off Alina interjected harshly, "He needed you because everyone else valued their freedom more than they valued being bossed around and controlled by the corrupted politicians. And maybe he's not exactly like Secretary Ross, but he allows and actually helps him so he's no better. All he Tony is, is different." Her certainty in his character seemed to flatten the boy, which only made Alina feel as if she'd kicked a puppy. She swiftly found herself telling him, "Look, I'm sorry. I-I don't mean to sound so harsh, but that doesn't make what I said wrong."

Shrugging it off he returned optimistically, "It's okay, I get it you have a different story with Mr. Stark than I do. But that doesn't mean Mr. Stark won't need me again, or that he'd make the same mistakes."

"I guess there's no harm in you believing then," she sighed allowing the conversation to end there. It was clear they were both viewing Tony in a different light than the other. As they rode in silence however, Alina thought about how Peter was desperately trying to contact Tony. He was a kid trying to get approval from his idol who was barley giving him the time of day, it was a little sad. After a while the train stopped and Peter tapped Alina's shoulder leading her out. Walking out she saw they were at 36th Avenue Station, which was right next to Midtown High.

Nearing the school Alina stopped, it was as if the walls holding up the building were greater than most threats that had trapped her before. Unlike all the other places she had been forced to go, this place she had to hide who and what she was completely. There wasn't a little room to be the real her, not that Alina had much of a grasp to who she even was at all. Feeling that she wasn't near, Peter turned back around finding her frozen face locked on the school.

"Alina," he questioned as she stood frozen from her own fear of having to actually go through today, "Are you okay?"

Snapping out of it Alina found herself stammering for words, "I uh, I'm fine. It's just, uh, I, um––"

Her stumbling words left him with the idea no one had confirmed up to he point, "H-have you ever gone to high school?" Alina kept her mouth shut making him add shocked, "Have you ever been to school at all?"

Finding her voice she admitted trying to seem much more confident than she felt, "No, I haven't. Not any kind you would recognize anyway."

Trying to ease her nerves he stepped closer to the scowling widow assuring her, "Alright, um, well stick close to me. I'm not too good at the whole high school thing myself but maybe if you're not alone it won't be as bad."

For the first time since she had met him she felt grateful for his presence. Alina nodded sheepishly agreeing  as she looked at the building, "I just wish I was home already, away from all this." The only place she wanted to be right now was the Avengers compound, or even the tower, maybe she'd be cooking breakfast with Wanda. Or watching her and Vision cook, she always liked the talks she had with them. She might've even have been jogging with Steve, that would be before playing chess with Natasha.

Alina just wanted to be home...somewhere she wouldn't be feared, hunted, called a freak, or made into a weapon. Just someplace she could shut her eyes and know she would be protected from her past coming back for her. Alina knew hydra, and whoever else knew about her had to be searching for her. She didn't feel safe anywhere, and now she felt she was the danger to wherever she went now. Home would be so much easier.

Teasing he told her with a smile,  "You've got the power to demolish this place with the wave of your hand, you've got this." Alina smiled at him for his attempt at encouragement as he gestured for them to start walking. The brunette followed Peter as he led her downstairs to street level where football fields stand surrounded by fences.

The pair strolled down the sidelines and approached the main building. Alina looked around seeing students playing all kinds of sports on the field. The pair climbed a flight of stairs, Alina, so lost in everything she was seeing walked forward not seeing a car heading towards her. Before she even realized what was happening Peter grabbed her arm yanking her back to safety stopping her from being hit  by a convertible driven by a slick-haired teenager.

"What's up, Penis Parker," he asked teasing Peter who rolled his eyes as the students chuckled at his weak attempt at a joke. Peter suppressed a sigh as the boy caught a glimpse of Alina. In awe of the new face he foolishly asked, "Wow, and you are?"

Alina huffed rolling her eyes, "So out of your league," she replied flatly. Pulling herself from Peter's grasp Alina walked towards the building as everyone laughed hearing her response.

Peter wore a smile letting out a breath in shock as Alina walked off. "What the hell is her problem," he asked. Hearing him Alina couldn't help herself, she covertly flicked her wrist automatically making the air in his tire fall flat, "No, no, no! Baby no!"

Looking back at the scene Peter rushed up to her and warned her, "You can't do that, Mr. Stark won't like that, even if it was incredibly awesome."

Smugly she returned defiantly shaking her head as she walked backwards, "Mr. Stark isn't here, and they're my powers which I get to choose how to use. Despite what the government and he think, I can do whatever the hell I want even if they think I'm a freak for it."

Shaking his head Peter fought his impressed smirk as he followed a proud Alina into the building. Peter tapped Alina's elbow pointing her in the direction of their lockers, as they reached their lockers Peter wondered, "Have you ever had a locker?"

"Yes," she bit back narrowing her eyes remarking, "I was held captive Peter but I wasn't completely cut off."

Peter watched as Alina twisted the dial and tried to unlock it but she didn't know she had to turn the dial the opposite way at least once. He was about to tell her so when she muttered something under her breath and it popped opened, "See, I figured it out," she told him.

"Not exactly what I had in mind," he replied as he opened his and took off his jacket.

Shrugging as she placed some of her books inside she said, "Well I did it and I feel like that was the main point." Peter didn't say anything else about it, it was obvious that wherever she was she didn't live a normal life. She could practically sense this, so she opted for saying nothing else as she began putting some things inside. Somethings like her books, she didn't really have anything else to put inside.

Frankly she felt herself wanting to get out of the hallway in general, she could feel people starring. She hated being starred at, and the cheerleaders standing right beside her weren't exactly doing a great job at hiding their curiosity. Just as she shut her locker and turned, a boy with shaggy black hair with a plump build approached  holding a Lego figure over Peter's shoulder. Imitating Emperor Palpatine he said, "Join me, and together... we'll build my new Lego Death Star."

"What," wondered the Parker boy trying to ignore the cheerleaders obvious disgust towards them. Seeing what was in his friends hand he beamed, "No way! That's awesome. How many pieces?"

Ned who oblivious to the cheerleaders, and Alina's presence he replied, "Three thousand eight hundred and three."

"That's insane," said Peter.

"What's insane is that I have no idea what's even happening right now," Alina spoke up breaking their concentration on each other. Up until that point Ned had thought she was there with the cheerleaders. He was so used to them being ignored by girls he thought she was another one of them.

Looking between the two of them Peter quickly introduced, "Oh yeah, Ned this is Alina-" suddenly he stopped not sure if he was supposed to use her real name or if that even was her real last name. There was so much about her he just didn't know.

Filling in for him what he clearly was stuck on Alina covered effortlessly, "Jesus Parker do you still not know how to say my name?" Peter let out a nervous laugh as she told Ned, "Alina Dranganov." Alina may have not have been comfortable with her current environment but she was literally trained for high stress situations where she'd be out of her element. She long ago learned how to mimic people when she was in these kind of moments.

Alina had held out her hand for him which he nervously shook telling her, "Ned Leeds. H-How do you know Peter?" Peter is so lucky however he did meet her, Alina is gorgeous, Ned thought staring at her as if she were some painting in the Louvre.

Peter was clearly never built for a life of lying, his eyes practically fell out of his head. Once again she formulated an answer for them both with little thought or effort, "The Stark Internship, I just moved to the city for it actually."

Kindly Ned offered, "Wow, you two are so lucky! Do you maybe want to build it tonight?"

The brunette smiled but before she answered it was Peter who lied this time, "We can't tonight. We've got the Stark-"

Knowing how the sentence would end as the began walking down the hallway together Ned hummed finishing, "Stark internship."

Alina stayed silent as Peter mumbled, "Yeah, exactly."

"Always got that internship."

Alina was slightly curious as to what he could be up to because he certainly wasn't really with Tony but opted to just listen as he told Ned, "Yeah, well, hopefully, soon it'll lead to a real job with them."

The Dranganov teen couldn't help but mock, "That would be so sweet."

Peter gave her a slight nudge with her elbow as he urged her to drop her clear, and unwavering sarcasm whenever the man was mentioned, "Right?"

Happily thinking of the idea himself Ned voiced, "He'd be all, 'Good job on those spreadsheets, Peter. Here's a gold coin." Both Alina, and Peter sent him a look making him add defending, "I don't know how jobs work."

"That's exactly how they work," replied Peter.

"Oh," he chuckled as he added, "I'll knock out the basic bones of the Death Star at my place. And, and then I'll come by afterwards."

Alina was listening until she noticed Peter had appeared lost in thought. She followed his line of sight seeing he was starring a pretty dark-haired girl talking with her friends down the hall. He had a crush, Alina thought. She'd never had one and always wondered what it felt like, to feel that type of connection with someone. As she brushed her hair back and their eyes meet for a fleeting moment, and he was mesmerized. Seeing she wasn't truly needed for anything else, she decided to sneak away before they noticed. It wasn't as if she wouldn't be able to find her way around herself, right?

. * ✦ . ◍ ∘ . * ✦ ‧ ∘ ⊹

Maybe she had been too hasty, maybe asking Peter to show her to homeroom would've been a little helpful. She had already missed it, everyone was in first period now but she was still too stubborn to ask for help. She had helped topple governments, finding a classroom should be easy enough. Frustrated she pulled out the small map the school had given her running her hand across it muttering, "Semita revelare." She watched as her blue mist danced through the unseeable seems between the paper.

"I saw you," a voice said instantly making her drop the map. She turned to see a girl, around her age with bronzed skin color and tight coiled curls. Frankly Alina had always been jealous of people with true curly hair. "Nervous huh," she said as she approached and Alina grabbed her map concealing it again.

"That obvious," Alina replied almost in admiration of the girl before her.

The much taller girl smirked repeated herself, "I saw you come in with Peter. You're losers new neighbor huh?" Alina nodded sheepishly, "Where do you need to be..." trailing off unsure of her actual name.

"Alina," she said before looking back at the schedule she received she said, "Video making with Berman."

"Michelle, and you're in luck, I was heading back there now," she said gesturing for Alina to follow her.

"How did you know I was Peter's neighbor," Alina asked as they made their way down the hall.

"He wouldn't shut up at lunch saying another Stark Internship kid would be moving into his building," she told her standing right before the door to the classroom. Alina nodded a little surprise he was so excited to meet her, especially given who she was. She never saw herself as anything other than an experiment or a weapon so she never assumed anybody else would either. And given how dismissive she was when they first met, Alina thought he probably regretted meeting her by now.

Michelle didn't say anything the rest of the way and Alina didn't have much left to say. When they open the door there was a man standing at the front of the room with glasses and flat brown hair the end around his jaw. "Ah! You must be Alina," The man said making her give a silent nod.

Speaking to the entire room the teacher introduced, "Guys, hey this is our new student from..."

Suddenly the nerves she had earlier she answered, "California."

A little shocked at how far she'd come he replied, "You've come a long way and we're glad to have you." Looking back at the kids he said, "This is Alina Dranganov guys do your best to make her feel welcome. You can take a seat next to Peter in the back."

Alina turned seeing him in the back looking surprised probably not having looked up until she walked in. She ignored the stares as she found her way to the back to sit with him. "Did you have trouble finding the class," Peter asked.

"I made do," she mumbled shamefully opening her notebook.

. * ✦ . ◍ ∘ . * ✦ ‧ ∘ ⊹

❝ midtown high [ cafeteria ] ❞

Alina had survived literal murder attempts and yet, nothing could compare to the boringness she had endured all day. There wasn't much she hard learned today she hadn't already known. Most of the new information came in social interactions, such as lunch. She sat with Peter and Ned but she could tell they couldn't have been the most loved people judging how little people had joined them. By little she meant, no one other than her. She watched as Peter stared at a girl, taller and older helping another girl, this one shorter and blonde hang up a homecoming banner.

"Did Liz get a new top," Peter asked, the Dranganov teen rolled her eyes reaching into her bag pulling out her phone.

Ned, who had been staring just intently as his friend replied, "No. We've seen that before, but never with that skirt."

"We should probably stop staring before it gets creepy, though," reasoned Peter still not taking his eyes off her.

Alina opened her mouth to say something but Michelle beat her to it by saying, "Too late." All three of them turned to see her sitting at the other end of their table, "You guys are losers."

The brunette snorted her laughter as Ned asked her, "But then why do you sit with us?"

"Because I don't have any friends," she answered from the other end brings her attention back to the book.

. * ✦ . ◍ ∘ . * ✦ ‧ ∘ ⊹

Alina was waiting for Peter to finish with his decathlon team before they were going to be heading home. While she waited she saw Liz and the same blonde talking for a bit before they said goodbye and Liz walked into the same room the decathlon team was practicing. Alina had expected her to say nothing and pass her by but before leaving the blonde made sure she stopped, "You're Alina, right?"

"Yeah, and you are," Alina nearly grilled in return looking her up and down. The blonde couldn't help but feel as if she was in the scope of a riffle for a moment before Alina made her face soften.

Despite the cold tone Alina had, the much taller blonde smiled offering out her hand saying, "I'm Gwen, Gwen Stacy." Alina took her hand shaking it, she wanted to pay closer attention to her but she couldn't help but overhear Peter. He wasn't at practice like she thought, he was quitting. "So where are you from," Gwen asked which Alina was sure was the end of a longer sentence.

Snapping herself out of the conversation she was ears-dropping on she answering with the first thing that came to mind, "Virginia."

"I've been there before, and listen I know getting used to a new school is hard so I wanted to give you this," Alina watched her as she took out paper and jotted something down. As she finished she handed the paper over saying, "That's my number you can call me whenever for whatever." Alina was too stunned to speak as the blonde finished, "And if you're up for it there's a party this weekend you should come."

The only thing Alina could say was, "Thanks."

Gwen smiled telling her, "You're welcome," checking her phone and seeing the time she added, "I gotta go but I'll see you tomorrow."

The brunette waved as she walked saying, "See you," softly. Once Gwen was gone Peter soon came out, "Took you long enough," she said as they made their way through the double doors out.

"Sorry had to deal with that soon rather than later," he explained as they walked through the empty campus. They were leaving a little early, most kids in the school were just there for extra curricular things but at least Peter was supposed to stay.

"You didn't have to do that, quit the team," Alina encouraged as they continued walking. Peter looked stunned not knowing she had even heard him, she was no where near him at the time. Pointing to her ear she said, "Fun little perk, makes hearing you throw away your life kinda hard to miss."

Instantly he defended, "I'm not throwing my life away, I'm just not on the decathlon team."

Heading down the stairs she argued, "If you're giving it up for your 'Stark internship' then yes you are. Believe me Peter, you'll regret missing those normal moments." As she finished and they came to a stop in front of a fence much taller than either of them. "Why did you lead me down the creepy back exit Peter," she asked him.

This time Peter seemed proud of himself, "It's quicker this way, thought you knew that," he teased making her narrow her eyes his way. Before she knew it, Peter jumped high hoisting himself above the fence before landing on the other side safely. Looking back at her he returned, "You coming or do you need help?"

Alina shook her head telling him, "You really think you're funny don't ya Parker?" The teenage boy shrugged waiting for her to make her own way over. Just to be safe, she looked over her shoulder and when she saw no one she began floating off the ground. Following right after him Alina landed safely on the other side.

"So you can fly," he realized amazed with what he'd seen her do.

"Sort of," she answered as they started walking again, "It's more me using my magic like a jet pack, but that doesn't sound as cool so, let's just stick with flying."

"What else can you do," Peter wondered his mind racing with endless possibilities.

Playfully she answered him, "If I told you all the things I could do it might make you feel inadequate."

Alina walked a little ahead of him as Peter stood stunned muttering to himself, "Amazing."

. * ✦ . ◍ ∘ . * ✦ ‧ ∘ ⊹

❝ delmar's deli-grocery ❞

"I'm telling you 'Lina, you're gonna love this place," Peter insisted leading her inside a small corner deli. The whole way back home Peter kept telling her she had to try to these sandwiches he had when he was on his way home. As soon as they walked in Peter greeted the older Hispanic male, "What's up, Mr. Delmar?"

Mr. Delmar smiled at the young boy telling him, "Hey, Mr. Parker. Number five, right?"

Peter picked up jelly in a plastic bag a placing it on the counter as he said, Yeah, make it two, one for Alina. Um, and, uh, with pickles, and can you smush it down real flat? Thanks."

"You got it, boss," said the clerk.

Mr. Delmar looked to the Dranganov girl asking, "And what are you doing hanging out this one? School assign you to fix the hopeless case of Peter Parker?"

"Hilarious," Peter told him.

Alina laughed telling him, "More like the other way around, I just moved here. Peter is taking pity on me and helping me get comfortable here."

The older male nodded understanding her, "I see," looking to Peter he warned him, "Well she seems like a nice kid Peter, you take care of her."

Peter smiled insisting, "I will." Something about the way he looked at her while he said it made Alina avoid his eyes.

Changing the topic as they waited, Mr. Delmar asked him, "How's your aunt?"

"Yeah, she's alright."

Mr. Delmar turned to speak to his staff in Spanish, "La tía de é les una italiana muy bellissima." Alina chuckled knowing he wasn't exactly wrong calling his aunt an hot Italian woman.

It seemed both Mr. Delmar and Alina thought he wouldn't understand what he meant. Yet, Peter surprised them both by saying in fluent Spanish, "¿Cómo está tu hija, eh?"

Had she been drinking water Alina was pretty sure she would've spit it out. And for some reason, the sound of the language falling smoothly from his lips made her cheeks flush as she hid her face from him. The deli staff hooted behind the counter amused by the teenager. Delmar's grin however faded as he said, "20 dollars."

Peter instantly reminded pointing at the menu hanging above them, "It's five dollars."

Mr. Delmar nodded knowing full well his own prices, "For that comment, ten dollars."

Alina chuckled watching as Peter haggled, "Hey, come on, I'm joking. I'm joking." As he pulled out some cash paying for both of their sandwiches insisting, "Here's five dollars."

While the older man playfully grumbled, Alina started moving around the deli as they waited for their food finding a cat further down the counter. "Who is this," she asked petting the cat on the head softly feeling it rub its head into her palm. Alina always loved animals and wanted them around but she was never allowed to have them. 

Joining her at her side, Peter started petting the cat as well greeting, "This? This is my friend, Murph? How you doing, buddy?"

"He's so cute," she said admiring the mixed color of fur on the chunky cat a smile finding its way onto her face she hadn't allowed Peter to see before.

Returning from putting in their order Mr. Delmar asked the teenagers, "So, how's school?"

"Ah, you know, it's boring. Got better things to do," he insisted.

"Stay in school, kid. Stay in school. Otherwise, you're gonna end up like me," said Mr. Delmar gesturing to the store around him.

This time it was Alina who spoke telling him, "This is great, believe me I've met a lot of people and you seem happier than most."

Mr. Delmar held his grin telling them, "Best sandwiches in Queens." Soon their sandwiches were finished and the two teens were on their way out.

. * ✦ . ◍ ∘ . * ✦ ‧ ∘ ⊹

❝ queens botanical garden ❞

Alina hated to admit it, but Tony was right. Being normal was something that she wanted, being with kids her age was exactly what she longed for. Though she took joy in knowing he was still wrong about one thing, being happy in New York didn't make her miss her family less. In all honesty, no matter how fun and amazing it all seemed there, she would always want to be with them.

"What did I tell you," Peter said as they both still ate their sandwiches.

Nodding as she swallowed another bite before she answered, "Okay, there's a first time for everything, you were right. These sandwiches are fantastic!"

"Okay so does this earn me a free question," he asked her.

"You've earned it yes, but no promises I'll tell the truth," Alina told him in response almost joking.

Peter chuckled carrying on with his question nevertheless, "Why didn't you sign the accords? How did you get out of not doing it?"

The question sent her into a daze for a moment, "You don't like small talk do you Peter," she replied deflecting.

"Not always, but come on, don't deflect," he said genuinely curious as to how she'd managed to do it.

Alina sighed finishing her bite before answering, "Fine, we'll play a game then. I answer something honestly, you get to do the same. Anything some doesn't answer, the other gets a second question. Deal?"

"Deal," he agreed moving his sandwich off to the side, "You answer first."

"Because my whole life I was used by movements to kill innocent people for no other reason than they were in someone's way. A lot of bad things happened to the world because I wasn't given a choice, signing the accords would just be me willingly doing the same. The avengers want to do the right thing, help everyone, governments? They want to help themselves get more power, which is exactly why they feared us. People like Wanda and I were the tipping point for them, owning us is like owning their own military with just one person. I couldn't take the chance I'd be used again," Alina explained to him as briefly and honestly as she could.

"That wasn't how Tony described it," Peter said thinking back to the reasons he was given for Steve's betrayal in Germany. He was told that Steve had gone against 117 countries wishes and he had to be stopped.

At the mention of it Alina stiffened telling him, "Yeah well people could fill a book with all the half truths Tony Stark has told people."

The Parker teen couldn't help but ask her, "Why do you hate him so much?"

Alina shook her head reminding him, "Oh no Parker, it's my turn. Why do you trust Tony?"

He thought about it for a moment, why did he trust him? "Because despite all his flaws Tony still does what he does because he wants to help people. No one can be right all the time, but he never stops trying," he tried explaining to her the best he could. From his answer Alina confirmed something she had already thought, Peter was a hopeless optimist to his own fault. Just as she was a cynic much to her own demise. "Why do you hate Tony," he asked her again.

"I don't," she admitted to him, "I'm angry with him, more so than I have ever been but I don't hate him. What's your favorite thing about being Spiderman?"

Peter smiled thinking about it before he answered, "The ability to stop something bad from happening to someone, or just helping them." Checking the time he realized, "Speaking of, I have to get going." Alina watched as he got up quickly before asking, "Do you want to come?"

"No," she told him simply.

"Why not," he asked her curiously.

Standing up getting ready to find her own way home she told him, "Listen Peter, you want to help the world because you see hope for the world to change. Me? I've seen enough of the world to know I don't owe it a goddamn thing anymore." She could see his face fall flat so she encouraged, "But hey, I'm glad that their are people like you that do feel the need to do so. If you run into trouble though you can call me."

He offered her a small smile telling her, "Thanks, you'll be fine getting back from here right?"

She nodded replying, "I'll be fine, you get going. You're losing daylight staying here." Peter hesitated a brief moment longer before he turned rushing to go change into his suit. Once alone Alina started walking, she didn't know where she was going but she had nothing else she'd rather be doing. As she walked the streets she realized this was the first time she was truly free and allowed to do anything. Coming to the end of the street she looked around seeing if she could find anything to do. Her eyes focused in on the store across the street, remembering she had money from Tony. She smirked making her way across the street narrowly avoiding the cars before getting inside the building.