CHAPTER SEVEN; SPIDER MAN

❝ and maybe for the first time ever, she felt true moments of joy ❞

[ songs to listen to during this chapter ]

❝ she's all I wanna be, tate mcrae / I know the end, phoebe bridges / I just wanna run, the downtown fiction / edge of seventeen, stevie nicks  ❞

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ queens, nyc - last night ❞

IN THE FORM OF A WOLF Alina hid in the darkness of alleyways safe to remain unseen. All her work to keep the wolf inside at bay failed the moment she got away from Peter, she was just so angry. Her vision had literally become red, she couldn't focus on flying long enough to stay safe. She had to land and shift, it felt more dangerous to do so. So she let herself give and and become the wolf, her fur became white with patches of warm coloring speckled through.

She stayed in the dark until she reached her apartment, she used her strength to push open the back door with her nose and enter. Careful to avoid people, especially Peter, she rushed up to her apartment floor. She crawled out onto the fire escape making her way to her opened window. She steadied herself before jumping in through the window.

Finally feeling some sense of comfort Alina allowed her bones to shift back into their human positions. "I thought the last thing Steve told you was to try and blend kid," a voice all too lovingly familiar greeted just as her human face returned and her eyes briefly shifted from the gold hues of her wolf from and took on the blue mist her magic produced. "I never saw it do that before," the now red headed Wanda said inching closer to the girl who barred her fangs.

Alina groaned as her transformation completed and she felt Wanda place a blanket over top her body. Looking up weakly the brunette still happily said, "Wanda, you're here! It's not safe for you."

Helping the young girl up she countered, "Do you think You're the only one Natasha taught how to hide from cameras?" Wanda lead her to the couch where she had already placed clothes for her, "Remembered it was a full moon and figured you would need these."

"Thanks," she said softly pulling on the clothes she had laid out. Once she got them on she rushed into Wanda's arms, the two of the shared an understanding about the other that no one else did. The accords were created because of them, it could be blamed on the avengers themselves all day long but they knew the truth. Alina would never forget the look in Secretary Ross's eyes when he met her.

He wasn't afraid, but he was disgusted by her, and Wanda. Humans weren't meant to have that power, so to him they weren't human, which was something Alina always knew about herself. But she hated to see it reflected in other peoples eyes, she felt it was the truth haunting her where-ever she went.

Pulling back from her Alina wondered, "Why did you risk coming here?"

Wanda pushed the dark auburn hair of hers back saying, "For you of course. I lived down the hall from you for months, I know how difficult full moons are for you." Alina hugged her again, it had been so long since they last seen each other. Wanda had been like a mother to her, just like Natasha.

The two women understood Alina in ways no one else could, Steve was the father she could never have. He was firm, but always fair with her, and he always did right by her, or at least tried to. Not hearing from the three of them was probably the hardest thing. Especially since she knew Natasha must've gone after Steve after they took down the red room. Her actions with the red room were exactly what had her in New York but she couldn't have herself regret it. Not even when it meant it would be along time before she would see the three of them again.

"Where's Steve and Nat," she asked her curiously.

Moving so they could sit Wanda explained, "They're in hiding I'm not exactly sure. where. We were all going to come but we thought it might drag too much attention your way if they were watching. Steve said it was probable that they may be watching to check for moments like these. Believe me, Steve and Nat have been looking for any chance to come and visit they just have to be careful."

"I want to go with you, let me go with you when you leave," Alina begged with her grabbing her hands. She was liking New York, but she loved the Avengers more, they were her family. She knew she would never see her real parents again, the red room made sure of that, but she still wanted to be with them more.

Wanda shook her head refusing her, "I want that, I would love having you with me all the time. But I know when I was young, I would've given anything to have this fresh start that you have here. I can't take you away from that, you have a life here that you can build and become something more than anyone ever thought you could be. I love you too much to ruin your life Alina."

"But it's what I want," Alina tried to argue.

"No, it's what you believed was your purpose. Fighting wars, battles for the fate of the world, that was never meant to be your life Alina. They abused you and now it feels wrong to be living a normal life, but it's what you deserve," Wanda insisted with the young girl.

"I just want to be with my family," she said.

Wanda put her hand on Alinas cheek telling her, "You always have us, in your heart and your memories. This, this distance is temporary. We are all still family, we all still feel that love, it never can be torn from you." Knowing there was nothing left she could say Alina rested her head against Wanda who held her lovingly. Neither of them knew how long it would last.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

"Did she say you could just let yourself in," Connor whispered to his sister as they entered Alina's apartment. His sister had woken him up that morning to go with her to pick up Alina. Gwen had been almost obsessed with welcoming Alina making sure she felt happy at the school. During their sixth grade year their parents divorced and the two of them were separated till this day.

Their mother took Gwen and moved her to Europe until their freshman year of school. Connor came to visit during the summer which was always nice.
Her brother had been living with their father, the Police Chief and the two of them famously didn't get along. After some growing pains, Connor realized the only person he needed was Gwen.

Their parents now once again lived in the city separate but it still allowed the siblings to stay close. Which was all either of them really wanted. However he did happen to notice chaotic things tended to follow the twins. Big, small, dramatic, whatever it be, trouble found them. It became clear again when he saw her knock briefly before she opened the door. "No, but she also left the door unlocked and knows we're coming and as a friend I making the executive choice to open the door," Gwen told him with nothing but glee in her voice.

Two entered the apartment they saw Alina sound asleep on the couch of her home. "Lina," Gwen called out gently coming to join her by the couch, "Lina it's Gwen and Connor, we're here to pick you up."

Slowly her eyes fluttered opened immediately becoming wide as she jerked back seeing them. "My door was unlocked wasn't it," she realized knowing Wanda must've left and forgotten to lock it up. Alina zipped up her hoodie over her tank top.

"Yes, which you shouldn't do. This is the city Lina, someone will break in," Gwen warned as Alina sat up allowing room for the blonde to join her.

"Are your parents around? I like to know when I have to meet them. Authority figures tend to make me uncomfortable," Connor revealed his eyes darting around her apartment curiously.

This made Alina laugh as she pulled her blanket off herself getting up from he couch. The Stacy twins held a glance as she dismissively explained, "If you can find my parents I will give you a million dollars right now." She didn't notice them still looking at until as she got out one of he pre-made smoothies.

"Sounds interesting, do tell," Connor cross-examined leaning forward sitting on her stool in front of the counter.

Alina shrugged confessing with a tight lipped smile, "I live here with my uncle. He works and can afford to not be around all the time so I'm here mostly alone."
Gwen had gotten up from the couch joining them at the counter. Alina could see their pit as she admitted at least attempting to be partly honest, "I never met my parents so if you meet them Connor you can tell me exactly what they're like."

It was hard enough knowing she was never going to meet them, but even harder when she realized she would never even know their story and by effect, she never knew her own. Was she loved? Had someone fought for her or was she given over for ideological reasons or money? Why was she all alone now? Her shoulders slumped naturally just thinking about them, she never even learned their names.

"You uncle just leaves you here alone," Gwen confirmed standing to her feet with a furrowed brow.

"He calls, stops by, Peter's Aunt May checks in almost every morning and definitely every night. Sometimes she sends Peter but yeah, I'm by myself mostly," she admitted as she made her way towards her bedroom. Before they could say much else Alina shifted their attention by saying, "I'm gonna get changed really fast and we can get going."

The siblings waited as she walked into her bedroom to change. "Hey," Connor said nudging his sister who had an interested look on her face, "What's the look for blondie?"

Gwen stepped closer to her brother saying, "She all alone here, that so sad..."

"She has her uncle," tried Connor attempting to make the situation seem not as bad as it probably was for it.

The older twin swatted her brother her eyes narrowed, "Are you stuck on stupid? No one likes being alone that much." The twins were trying their best to be quiet and maybe if she wasn't capable of hearing a literal dog barking two floors above her, among other things. She starred at herself and wondered, did she like being alone, or was it simply the only thing that felt natural to her?

She listened as she heard Connor reply, "Maybe not, but that's why she has us, and Parker too. Sometimes friends are better than any family you could be born into. We know that well enough don't we." His response made the stoic and cold Alina crack as a small smile. It was hard being alone but maybe he was right, maybe she could fill what had been taken by building her own version.

·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ diner bar, queens ❞

Alina had been clenching her fist almost the entire ride on the restaurant. She didn't understand why she was just so nervous, her hands were always her tells. Given their late start their breakfast was leaning more towards brunch now but Gwen said it was fine. Liz and Sabrina were running late from doing something so it worked out better for them all. "I mean honestly I'm not even sure why we planned for so early knowing ourselves," Gwen told her. She followed them through the restaurant to a back table where Liz, Sabrina, and another sat waiting. He had dark brown eyes and dark brown hair that was styled in an afro.

"Malik," Connor greeted him excitedly as he stood up hugging him, "I didn't know you'd be here," he said.

"I wasn't until 'Brina said there was someone new I'd like to meet and curiosity got the better of me," Malik said pulling away looking at the Dranganov teen standing before him. He immediately took notice of her style. She was in low rise jeans, doc martins, and an under-bust corduroy vest that went over her white ruffled sleeved shirt. She was wearing a couple of layered necklaces and a few rings, and Malik loved every inch of her style. Holding out his hand he greeted, "I'm Malik Howard the last of our little group."

Alina took his hand shaking it telling him, "I'm Alina Dranganov."

"Nice to meet you Alina," he returned with a soft friendly smile.

They all sat down with Gwen and Connor on either side of Alina, next to Conor was Malik, then Liz, then Sabrina. Suddenly the circle of it all bad her feel closed in, especially when she realized she couldn't get out. Everyone was blocking her in, she was stuck. The Dranganov teen sucked in a breath trying her best to pretend like she was fine as Sabrina began, "So, after this what do you guys say we go to the mall? I have to buy my sister a present for her engagement so I need to stop by."

"I'm down, I have to start looking for homecoming dresses," said Gwen as she glanced over the menu.

The mention of homecoming caused Alina to sink even deeper into herself even while she tried reading over the menu. Seeing how unnerved she seemed, Connor leaned in whispering just loud enough for her, "Little overwhelmed?"

"That obvious," she said quietly in return her hand glossing over the knife layer out but never fully grabbing it. Part of her wanted to tell them to let her sit on the end, but how would she explain it? For once she wasn't forced to be her trauma and yet it still had its grasp firm around her throat. She could feel it clawing at her, making her want to snap, but she couldn't let it win.

So she reverted back to what she knew, treat it like it was her mission. It was a role, and she just needed to play the part of the new girl who just wanted to make new friends. In a second it was like someone else took over once that thought crossed it mind because there was no stopping her. Alina laughed at herself adding, "I really thought I was covering it better than that."

"A little. You know, if it's any comfort Gwen would probably throat punch anyone if they purposely made you feel uncomfortable. She's aggressively nice like that," he only party joked hoping to help assure her she was okay with them. His sister was the protector of her friends and tended to be almost like an animal attacking people who went after them. Since they met Gwen hadn't shut up about Alina so he understood that, whether Alina knew it or not, she was stuck with Gwen for good now.

Alina glanced at the blonde saying, "I don't know why, not like I'm much fun to hang around."

Hearing that piece of their conversation Gwen interrupted, "Did you just say you don't think you're fun to be around 'Lina?" Everyone looked to her as she awkwardly sat before them trying to think of how to even respond.

"I just don't think I've had the opportunity to seem fun," Alina answered sitting up feeling suddenly taken off guard.

Surprisingly Sabrina refused her statement saying, "I'm sorry, but that's just not true. I knew you were fun the second you started to argue with Flash."

"And just because you don't put your foot on the gas pedal and say fuck it at your first party doesn't mean you can't have fun," Liz encouraged knowing even without staying long or drinking Alina had been more than enough fun.

"But that begs the question what do you do for fun," Malik asked her trying to figure out her interest.

"If I tell you all at once there will be no surprises," the brunette returned purposely trying not to answer.

Connor thought for a moment before offering, "How about instead of the mall then we take 'Lina around the city? Parker hasn't had any time to show her around with the Stark internship and she's a New Yorker now, she has to see certain things."

Sabrina's eyes lit up at the idea pointing at him saying, "I love that, screw shopping." Looking directly at Alina she said, "We'll take you next weekend on a girls trip so we can look for dresses for homecoming, my treat. This weekend, we show you the city."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ central park❞

Alina had spent the entire day with her friends, after they ate they first went to, the Brooklyn bridge. None of them knew it but she had been there before, when she first arrived she wanted to explore the city herself. She flew around and ended up going to all the bridges in New York to see the views and which Bridge had the best. Though they took her to Times Square soon after and that was something she'd never seen.

She loved all the colors the advertisements gave the streets below. The crowd was a bit much but she supposed everyone had to see it. By then they all wanted to play laser tag which was hilarious, especially when she ended up being better than everyone thought her to be. She did have to force herself to be shot, it was only fair. Afterwards they decided to start heading home but not without taking Alina to Central Park first. On there way they stopped at Delicioso coco helado for coconut ice. Now she watched while her friends ran around all of them trying to escape Malik as he chased them with the small water gun he bought at the entrance of the park before walking in.

"Malik," Liz squeal as she ducked behind a tree. The Dranganov teen chuckled watching as Sabrina and Gwen snuck up behind her hand held her in front of Malik allowing him to spray her.

Alina shook her head and as she watched she noticed she no longer saw Connor. Just as she began questioning his disappearance she heard footsteps approaching her from behind. She felt the barrel of a gun touch her shoulder. The feeling instantly made her roll her arm bag grabbing the arm of the shooter pulling them forward smacking the gun out of their hand. Moving fast she spun out of their grasp coming to her feet, "Do not spray Alina with water, noted," Connor said as he laid stomach first on the ground.

"I'm so sorry," she said feeling a bit shaken as she bent down holding out her hand to help him up.

Connor looked up grabbing her hand acting as if he was going to use it to stand. Instead he yanked her back down towards him causing her to fall down next to him. "Don't knock things out of Connors hand, noted," Alina joked laying flat on her back next to him giggling.

"See, now we both know something new about each other. Today wasn't so rough now was it," Connor teased nudging her leg with his leg.

Looking up at the sky she answered, "No it wasn't. But in the spirit of knowing more about each other, what happened with you and Peter?"

The Stacey teen had a tight lipped smile asking, "What makes you think something happened?"

Alina flipped herself onto her stomach to look clearly at him before she replied, "You mean beside the fact you just tensed at the mention of it? Okay, how about the fact you always try and sound like you two are more distant than you are."

"How could you know that," the blonde taller teen wondered never having anyone notice what he felt about Peter before.

The brunette feigned innocence telling him, "I'm pretty good at noticing the words someone chooses. It tells me things like you're deflecting to avoid answering."

Connor chuckled knowing she was right as he tore at the grass, "Well you're not wrong. Peter and I were good friends, despite how somewhat...awkward he is. I went through a rough time after my parents separated and he was there for me."

"Sounds like Peter," Alina said softly waiting for the problem to be explained.

"He's a good person but to make a long story short...we just were different people with different ideas about what we wanted form life and how we saw the world," he explained distracting himself with playing with the grass while he spoke.

"What does that mean," pushed the Dranganov teen.

Finally looking at her he wiped his mouth telling her, "Just know it boiled down to us just being different people. I want to be a teenager, Peter wants to save the world. He's one of the best people you will ever meet, but he does come with high expectations. I couldn't meet his."

He half expected Alina to argue but she sighed admitting, "Peter is a very good person but I know how that can make you feel like it's not enough. Like you're not enough. He doest ever make you feel like that, it's more me trying to just hide all those things people won't like I guess. People always told me growing up there was something wicked about me, but in some of the best and worst ways, he makes me want to be better."

"Careful," Connor began, "Trying too hard to meet his and everyone else expectations might just drag you under."

"Hey, you two," Gwen shouted grabbing their attention drying off the parts of her hair that had gotten wet, "You guys come with us or not?"

"Were coming," he shouted back at her still only looking at Alina. She was so effortlessly pretty and never even noticed it herself. As hard as it was, Connor got up holding out his hand to help Alina. The brunette took his allowing him to hoist her up when she was up she did notice just how tall he was compared to her, and how he towered over her. He let her hand go the two joining their friends and their conversation fading into their memories.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ alina's apartment ❞

"So how was day your today? Did you have fun," Connor asked as he and Alina walked down her apartment hallway.

Swallowing her zip of her strawberry milkshake she answered, "I did actually. It was nerve racking but...a much needed break I think."

They stopped in front of her door allowing him to reply, "Good, I could tell you never really did this kinda thing before." Seeing the puzzled look in her eye he elaborated, "Hang out in a group of teens before but you held yourself together. None of the normies noticed anything."

It wasn't until then that Alina started thinking about how many times Connor noticed something about her no one else did. Which, for Alina wasn't normal at all. "Why do you pay me more attention than anyone else? I don't need you watching out for me all the time," she said somewhat defensively without trying to.

"I don't doubt that but everyone needs friends," Connor answered her simply not being offended by her tone easily. Alina didn't understand him, it was like every time he was around he only ever felt one thing. Interest. She couldn't understand it, she couldn't explain it but she just knew he had an expressed interest in her.

"I'll see you at school then," Alina said quickly trying to say goodbye.

Alina put her key in her door trying to unlock it as he said, "Yeah, sure. I'll text you tomorrow, night 'Lina." The brunette gave him soft smile before opening her door quickly going inside.

Alina's outfit next chapter