"DUDE, WHAT'S UP WITH THE AVENGERS?"

Eszter furrows her brows, not expecting a question regarding her family so suddenly. The enhanced carried on walking to their Decathlon class, leaving Peter and Ned to trail behind her and Michelle. It wasn't something she was comfortable talking about with people, but the enhanced tends to rant a lot of things with Michelle; knowing she can at least trust the girl, Michelle helps Eszter feel more comfortable to talk about her feelings--which isn't something the enhanced is great at.

"What do you mean?"

"You guys were pretty much all over social media."

"Oh, well, you know . . ." Eszter rambles, unsure of how to talk about something like that. The enhanced didn't particularly want to talk about this, especially not when it involves Wanda. "The Avengers broke up if that's what you're wondering. They had a nasty breakup."

"Like a band?" Michelle sputters into a cackle, laughing at her own joke. Then, Michelle simmers down into a more serious tone. "I'm assuming it's because of the Accords."

Eszter presses her lips into a tight line, trying to avoid the conversation. "Yeah, so how about we talk about something other than the Avengers. I mean, aren't you anti-hero or whatever?"

"Can't I just be a little curious?" Then, she frowns a little. "Okay, to be completely honest, I was a little worried about you. I know how much they mean to you, and from what the news said, Wanda was under custody."

"I appreciate the concern, MJ, really, but it's fresh wounds right now," Eszter frowns lightly, though as she glances up at Michelle, the enhanced musters a small smile.

Michelle nods, though she couldn't deny that she was concerned for her friend. "That's fine, but just know that I'm here for you," Eszter doesn't say anything besides nodding in appreciation. Then, a sly grin cracks onto Michelle's face. "So, tell me, what's up with you and Peter?"

Eszter stiffens, her heart skips a beat, and it felt like her heart dropped to her stomach. How does Michelle know about her little crush on Peter? Surely, Eszter didn't tell her, and she knows Ned couldn't have because she made sure he promised never to speak of it in public; after Ned had discovered her liking to Peter, the boy was too ecstatic that it freaked Eszter out. It terrified Eszter when Ned found out because he was closer with Peter; the enhanced felt that Ned would say it without thinking.

For a while, Eszter didn't trust Ned with her secret.

Now, Michelle had caught on, and that also terrifies Eszter. Although Eszter does tell Michelle things that not even Peter and Ned know, there are certain things the enhanced would rather have no one know.

Quick, play it off.

"Wh--what? No," Eszter chuckles a little too loud, earning a few side glances from students as she continues down the hall. The enhanced can feel her hands getting clammy. "No. Peter and I . . . we're just friends."

Michelle hums in disbelief. "Please," she scoffs, waving her hand. "It's so obvious. You're practically giving him the heart-eyes whenever he talks."

Eszter has never felt more uncomfortable about something than this. She was almost embarrassed. Had Peter ever known, and then he doesn't reciprocate the feelings, Eszter would feel so destroyed; not to mention, the enhanced couldn't take the rejection now that two of her friends know. With Michelle knowing, Eszter can see her friend using this information to her advantage. Like blackmail.

Michelle might be Eszter's friend, but the girl has some tricks up her sleeves.

"Okay, now you're just making things up."

"I won't tell anyone about your little crush on you-know-who."

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's just . . . I'm not exactly comfortable with people knowing," Eszter sighs. "Ned already knows."

Michelle makes a face. "And he's kind of bad with secrets."

Eszter looks at her in agreement as they entered the classroom, finding the rest of the Decathlon team already inside and nearly starting. Michelle and Eszter walk on the opposite side of where Ned and Peter went. Instead, the two pulled some chairs onto the stage and sat on the sidewall.

Just as the enhanced was going to take her seat next to Michelle, a voice calls her first.

"Eszter," the enhanced turns around to see Mr. Harrington beckoning her over, to which she obliged.

Dismissing herself from Michelle, Eszter huffs as she makes her way towards Mr. Harrington. "What's up, Roger?"

The friendly teacher narrows his eyes at the enhanced, though he doesn't look the least bit of threatening as he had hoped. "It's Mr. Harrington, Eszter," he sighs, though his voice was soft. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"

Eszter mocked a thoughtful look, her fingers grazing her chin as she grins with a troubling glint in her eyes. "Since we met, but do I listen? Not really," then, she looks at him confused. "What's up?"

"Eszter, I know things must be . . . tough for you back at home--" He began.

Suddenly, the enhanced grew tense at the thought, knowing that this was bound to happen. Mr. Harrington is a very kind teacher and has been one of the nicest teachers Eszter met, but he tends to play the cool teacher a lot. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate it, but the enhanced really didn't want to talk to a teacher about her problems.

Eszter inhales sharply as she stood up straighter, shifting on her feet as she avoids Mr. Harrington's gaze. She understands that she's well-known for working with the Avengers, but having to hear it every day at school was unbearable. There was nothing normal about it.

"Mr. Harrington . . ."

"If you need someone to talk to, you know you can always come to me," Mr. Harrington offers a smile, being as gentle as he can for the fragile student. "I understand if you need to take some time off. Think of me as one of the cool teachers."

It's a fact that Mr. Harrington isn't one of the cool teachers, but Eszter decided not to hurt his feelings as she lets him continue with his little speech. But once he was rounding to an end, Eszter lets out an airy chuckle, waving her hand dismissively.

"I'm fine, Roger, thanks," the enhanced slowly backs away, keeping her smile plastered on her face. "My family problems are not my school problems."

Then, the enhanced turns around and starts making her way back to Michelle, grateful to slip away from the conversation. She was glad none of her teachers bothered to ask her how she felt about the situation back at home, but Eszter was kind of glad that Mr. Harrington was the only one who cared enough to ask.

"I'm just looking out for you, Eszter."

Eszter turns around, walking backward. "It's okay, seriously."

Turning around, Eszter walks away and returns to her seat, sitting next to Michelle. The enhanced huffs as she plops onto the hard chair, catching Michelle's attention as her friend gives her a questioning look. Not wanting to talk about it, Eszter shakes her head. Michelle notes that and obliges.

Eszter has never liked the idea of telling people her sob story to just anyone. Only certain people could hear Eszter's rants because the enhanced knows they won't give her any sympathy. Most of the time, the enhanced finds herself telling Michelle almost anything, and for once, her friend isn't like other people; Michelle doesn't tell Eszter what she wants to hear, but instead, what she needs to hear. Although Peter knows some of Eszter's issues at home, Peter is too soft; he often tells Eszter things she'd want to hear and give off sympathy.

She doesn't want people to pity her.

"Alright, let's get back to work, Liz," Mr. Harrington points at the senior, signaling her to start the practice.

"Let's move to the next question," Liz announces, switching up the cards. "What is the heaviest naturally-occurring element?"

A boy with blue-rimmed glasses, Charles, slams his hand on the bell, smiling proudly. "Hydrogen's the lightest. That's not the question. Okay, yeah."

While Cindy frantically flips through the pages of her textbook, trying to find the answer, a bell had already rung. She glances up to find her teammate, Abraham, lifting his hand from the bell. Annoyed that he had rung without consulting, Cindy glared at her partner, hoping that for his sake, he gets this right.

"Uranium."

"That is correct. Thank you, Abraham."

Abraham grins in triumph, fist-pumping the air. "Yes!" He praises himself quietly.

"Please open your books to page ten," Liz requests.

Suddenly, Eszter bursts into a fit of giggles from the side of the stage with her phone in her hand, watching a video on Youtube. Leaning over, Eszter shows Michelle after she was rewinds the video back to the funny part, the enhanced taps her friend's shoulder. Michelle leans closer and watches the small clip, laughing in response.

Then, Mr. Harrington nearly exclaims worriedly. "Peter, it's nationals. Is there no way you could take one weekend off?"

Curiously, Eszter lifts her gaze at the sound of Peter's name being called, but the enhanced found Peter sitting with Mr. Harrington. It turns out he's trying to bail on the team once again; Eszter should've known. As Spider-Man, most likely going out, hoping that Tony will soon call and need him for an Avengers level threat. However, Eszter knew that wasn't going to happen, considering the man wasn't even in the same country.

It was a little disappointing; however, Eszter wasn't going to stop Peter from trying to reach out to Tony. The enhanced can't let the fact that her discovery of Spider-Man's identity mask her feelings about Peter trying to be a hero. Even with the dangers, Eszter had faced, she wondered if Peter was ready for something like that because the enhanced wasn't. But then again, at that time, Eszter was only 13-years-old and with powers that she had recently gained.

Now, at 15, Eszter wasn't sure if she'd ever go back into the field. Sometimes the enhanced does think about it, but at the same time, Eszter was terrified.

"I can't go to Washington because if Mr. Stark needs me, then I have to make sure I'm here," Peter attempts to reason, keeping his voice low from the class.

However, that didn't work.

"You've never even been in the same room as Tony Stark," Flash calls Peter out, embarrassing him to the whole class. Smirking over to the boy, Flash points a finger at Eszter. "Just 'cause your girlfriend lives with him doesn't mean you met the guy. He's way too important."

"She's not my girlfriend," Peter mutters under his breath, avoiding eye contact.

Eszter doesn't hear Peter's comment, but she raises an eyebrow at Flash. "You know, Flash, I could always recommend you to Tony myself," Flash hums in agreement, grinning in triumph. "But he's way too important."

"Wait," Cindy interjects, overhearing the conversation. The girl was worried. "What's happening?"

"Peter's not going to Washington," Sally answers from the middle of the floor, studying her notes.

"No," Cindy frantically shakes her head. "No, no, no."

Abraham rings his bell--he likes ringing it for no reason. "Why not?"

Liz pouts, making Peter feel guilty. "Really? Right before nationals?"

"He already quit marching band and robotics lab," everyone fell silent as they shift their attention to Michelle, wondering how the girl know. "I'm not obsessed with him. Just very observant."

Eszter looks at her friend weirdly, wondering how Michelle even knows this. It was a little creepy that Michelle somehow knew about that, whereas Eszter hadn't known Peter done so. But then Eszter glances over to Peter, staring at him in confusion; how come he never told her that he had quit two classes?

"Flash, you're in for Peter."

"Ooh, I don't know. I gotta check my calendar first. I got a hot date with Black Widow coming up," Flash kicks his feet up onto the table, snapping his magazine open as he glues his eyes on the pages.

Abraham clicks the bell once again. "That is false."

"What'd I tell you about using the bell for comedic purposes?"

Eszter scoffs, dropping her hands onto her lap, leaning forward. "Please, you're nowhere near her type."

"How would you know? You barely even see her, I bet."

"I've known Natasha for two years, so yes, I can definitely say that I know her," Eszter smirks, tilting her head with a twitch.

Flash chuckles, flipping to a new page. "Yeah, and now, she's a fugitive."

The enhanced felt like she lost as her grin drops into a deep frown, annoyed that Flash managed to get underneath her skin. Michelle reaches her hand out and calms Eszter, shaking her head as she insists that Eszter ignores Flash. When Eszter meets Peter's gaze, the boy widens his eyes as he shakes his head; maybe he couldn't exactly calm her down, but the way Eszter was glaring at Flash was making Peter a little nervous.

But within seconds of meeting Peter's gaze, Eszter visibly relaxes.

"I'm gonna go check on Peter," Eszter stands from her chair, jutting her thumb in the direction of her other friend.

"Yeah, that's fine," Michelle responds monotonously, waving her hand dismissively as she continues to read her book.

Eszter then turns around and makes her way towards Peter, watching as Mr. Harrington gets up and walks away. The enhanced takes the vacant seat, humming softly as Eszter tries to get Peter's attention. Glancing away from the clock on the wall, meeting the enhanced's eyes once again.

"You know, this team made me realize how smart I can be," Eszter starts. Peter furrows his brows, unsure of where this was going, but Eszter merely continues. "I got the privilege to go to school and get an education."

"What are you talking about? You are smart. You're one of the smartest people I know," Peter compliments.

Eszter smiles as she continues as the tone of her voice began to change. "Yeah, well, when I was younger, I didn't have the best education," the enhanced glances at Peter. "I always felt dumb."

"Where are you going with this, E?" Peter sighs.

The enhanced rolls her eyes with a small huff of exasperation, turning her body, so she was leaning onto the table. Eszter flattens her palm against the table as she gives Peter a look. He leans back into his chair, sensing a lecture from Eszter.

"Jesus," the girl mutters under her breath. "Why is working with the Avengers so important to you?" Eszter keeps her voice down, but she narrows her eyes at Peter. "I mean, you have been missing the Decathlon whenever we have one."

"Because it's--it's something I've been working for. I used to look up to Iron Man since I was a kid, and I still do. But ever since--" Peter lowers his voice, making sure only Eszter could hear. "--Spider-Man, I wanna be a hero."

"You are a hero, Peter. You're a hero to Queens and me."

"It's not the same."

Eszter stares at Peter will a blank look. "Wow, thanks," the enhanced scoffs, falling back into her seat as she crosses her arms.

Noticing his mistake, Peter quickly backtracks his words. "No, sorry, I didn't mean it that way," Eszter merely stares at him. "It's just . . . it's kind of always been a dream of mine."

"Look, Peter, I get it. I can't tell you what to do, but this is important. The team needs you, and you're just blowing us off."

"But Mr. Stark--"

"He's not going to call, Peter," Eszter was honest. She didn't want it to sound rude or too brutal, but the enhanced was nervous at the thought of Peter wanting to make it to the big leagues.

No others words were exchanged before the bell finally rings, dismissing the students. Eszter looks at Peter when he abruptly stands up from the chair, the enhanced gapes at the fleeing figure.

"I gotta go! I'll see you later!" Peter shouts as he swings his backpack around his shoulder, bolting out the door.

"Wait, are we still meeting up--?" But Eszter didn't get to finish because Peter was already out the door.

Ned makes his way over to Eszter, searching for Peter but frowns upon not finding him. "Where's Peter?"

"Off to do whatever Peter does."

💜

Eszter walked outside when a honk captures her attention, pulling the enhanced away from her phone. A black vehicle drove up the pick-up area in front of the school, but the windows' darkness prevented Eszter from seeing who was inside. But somehow, it was as if Eszter did know because she smiles at the sight, recognizing the car. Maybe Eszter was a little confused, unsure why they'd be here at a time like this.

The dark-tinted windows rolled down, revealing a familiar face; Eszter smiles once she sees the blonde locks in her view, bright blue eyes piercing back at Eszter's green eyes. The enhanced had barely seen Pepper since moving in, but Eszter knows Pepper is a busy woman. Even when they have time together, Pepper and Eszter always enjoy their time together; most of the time, Tony doesn't tag along, but when he does, it's usually tense between Eszter and Tony.

Pepper peeks her head out from the window, chirping. "Eszter, hi!"

"Hey, Pep," Eszter smiles, though she furrows her brows in confusion. The enhanced walks closer to the sleek car, peeking through the window; from the back window, Eszter notices another familiar friend in the front seat. "Hi, Happy."

From the front seat, Happy nods. "Kid."

"How was school?" Pepper opens her door as she scoots across the seat as she makes room for Eszter, who hops into the empty seat.

Eszter shrugs, slamming the door shut. "Nothing too special," the enhanced beams, reaching over and pulling her seatbelt around here, clipping it locked. "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see you, but what are you doing here? I thought you were busy at work?"

"Well, I am the boss of my own company, so I managed to squeeze a little 'you and me' date," Pepper smiles happily, beginning to list their plans. "We're going to go dress shopping, maybe get something to eat, and just . . . hang out."

Happy changes gears and rolls out of the school, taking the two onto their first stop.

Eszter moves her backpack onto the car's floor, giving herself and Pepper more room in the backseat. The enhanced was excited to spend some time with Pepper; Eszter couldn't wait to do so. Compared to Tony, Eszter has seen more of Pepper than the man, and it was a little disappointing, to say the least; however, the enhanced didn't mind as she was avoiding Tony, and the thought of seeing him fills Eszter with a wave of boiling anger.

Unlike Tony, Pepper didn't make Eszter's life a living hell.

However, that doesn't mean Pepper isn't as scary as she thinks. In fact, the woman did lay down the rules and her disciplines where they're needed; it was no secret that Pepper was the scary parent.

"Oh, that's nice of you, Pep."

"It's no problem," Pepper beams before her smile slowly falls at the sight of the contraption around Eszter's neck, surprised that the enhanced was still wearing it; from what she heard, Pepper thought Tony was planning on taking it off. Apparently, Eszter is still on lockdown. "I've been looking forward to this day since you started school."

"Yes. I've dreamt of a day I'd take my little girl shopping for a homecoming dance, and I know you're not my daughter, but it's the closest I got."

Eszter hums softly, heart-swelling at the love radiating from Pepper. "I know we've only known each other for two years, but . . . you've always felt like a mother to me," the enhanced smiles gratefully, earning herself a smile from Pepper. "Even if you did ground me."

💜

"How about this one?"

Eszter glances up from the many racks of dresses, a darker tone and less vibrant, but once her eyes caught onto the dress that Pepper was holding, the enhanced stared at it. The dress was like the many other dresses that the woman had sent her before, nothing like the kind that Eszter seemed to be interested in.

It was a beautiful piece, but it was nothing that strikes Eszter's attention. When Pepper pulls the dress out from the rack, the woman held it up and in front of the enhanced, picturing it on Eszter. Peeking down at the dress, Eszter realized this dress was threaded with floral fabric over the actual dress, flowers wrapping around the waistband before disappearing towards the dress's skirt; the dress is more frilly and puffy.

The dress didn't speak to Eszter. It wasn't something she can see herself wearing, but from the smile plastered on Pepper's face, the enhanced couldn't possibly ruin this moment for her. A look of distaste musters onto Eszter's face, even if the enhanced tries to cover it up; Eszter didn't like how the dress was too bright and decorative of flowers.

Noticing the way Eszter was staring at the dress, Pepper pouts as she lowers the dress. "You don't like it . . ."

Eszter meets Pepper's gaze, quickly trying to cover it up. "What, no, no," the enhanced snatches the dress, attempting to admire the dress. "It's--It's . . . I mean, it's . . . poofy," Eszter grazes her hands over the top half of the dress. "And don't get me started on the . . . you know--" the words were lost on her tongue, unable to form or describe anything.

"You don't like it. I knew it. I should've known," Pepper shakes her head, disappointed by herself. "I haven't been around, and I barely even know what you like."

"Pep . . ."

"Eszter, you don't have to get something that you don't want just because I liked something."

Eszter looks down at the dress, a little glad that she could stop pretending, but the enhanced still didn't like the idea of hurting Pepper's feelings. She places the dress back into the rack, unsure where it once was, but Eszter tucks it in between the dresses. Being honest about her own set of ideas from Pepper's is a start.

"Well, for starters . . . pink isn't really my thing," Eszter notes, watching Pepper's facial expression for any signs of offense or upset, but the woman was more interested than she had thought. Eszter walks away from the pink poofy dresses and directs her attention towards the dresses without the extra attention."

Pepper nods as they lead away from the pretty pink dresses and towards the more simple and darker tone dresses, some that were less poofy than those they had looked at. It wasn't that Pepper was upset that Eszter preferred something other than what she had picked; in fact, the woman was more than happy to hear Eszter put in her input, suggesting her own type of dress other than Pepper choosing for the enhanced. Even the dresses Eszter seems interested in had caught Pepper's eyes, but the enhanced had skipped over them, so Pepper knew not to choose something Eszter didn't like.

Finding herself in a small section of reds, blues, greens, and blacks, Pepper hums carefully as she shoves the dresses apart, digging through the red first.

"Okay, so you're more into something simple," Pepper nods in understanding, shuffling through the racks as she began to pick one that's more appropriate for the enhanced. Eszter glances over to Pepper, already looking through the black dresses. "How about this?" Pepper picks out a beautiful red dress, and it was a perfect length and body picturing. "It's a little off the shoulders, but I think it's the perfect amount of length. What do you think?"

A smile cracks open onto Eszter's lips, interested in the dress just as much as Pepper is. The enhanced grins as she nods, glad that the woman finally understands Eszter's taste in fashion; not a single complaint from the fact that Pepper can't dress Eszter as she had hoped, but it felt nice. Dress shopping with her adoptive mother, feeling like she could have this moment in her life, granting her another chance. Eszter was grateful to have someone like Pepper.

The two began to hunt for more dresses, finding anything that strikes Eszter's attention, and whenever Pepper found anything, the enhanced would instantly take. For a while, the enhanced refused most of the dresses that were too expensive for her taste, and even though Pepper assured that the price was no issue, Eszter continued to refuse. Nevertheless, Eszter picked a couple out, and the two women made their way to the fitting rooms.

"Okay. Make sure you come out. I wanna see how they look," Pepper helps the enhanced by placing the rest of the dresses onto the hooks in the fitting room, relaxing once the heavy feeling eases from her grasp.

Eszter moves out of the way for Pepper. "Do I have to get approval?"

"Yes, of course."

"I'm fifteen, Pepper," Eszter chuckles, stepping into the fitting room before closing the curtain right after her. "I shouldn't need permission for the dress that I choose for homecoming."

"Uh, yeah, you do, Eszter. You don't know how boys are--they think about girls, and next thing you know, they're having sex."

Gasping, Eszter pokes her head out from the curtain, eyes wide in horror. "Pepper! I'm not gonna . . . you know," the enhanced pulls herself back into the fitting room, shaking her head as she mutters quietly to herself. "Jesus."

There was a loud scoff. "Yeah, you better bet you won't. I would skin you if you ever did," Eszter blushes in embarrassment, changing out of her clothes for the first dress. "Besides, you're still my baby, and you're not allowed to grow up."

The enhanced shuffles herself into her first set of dresses, squeezing her way into the semi-tight dress. Eszter pulls the red dress up and poking her arms through the armholes, pulling it up to her shoulders. Then, the girl turns around and looks at the mirror, zipping herself up as far as she can go. Once the dress is on, Eszter examines herself briefly before turning back towards the curtain; the enhanced pushes it open and steps out barefoot.

"Sorry to disappoint, Pep, but that's just part of life," Eszter says as she holds her arms out with a questioning looking, waiting for Pepper's decision. The enhanced likes the dress, but she didn't like the design of it. "Yay or nay?"

Pepper instructs Eszter to spin around, to which she obliged; the blonde woman scrunched her face in thought as she examines the dress for a moment, making Eszter spin around until she finally faces Pepper. With a final decision, Pepper dislikes the dress and helps Eszter move onto the next one.

"So, do you have anyone you plan on going with?"

Eszter pretends to think more about her choice of date for homecoming, humming loud enough for Pepper to hear. She struggles a little out of her dress, but Eszter manages to slip out of it. Onto the next dress, Eszter stares at it for a second, unsure of how it was supposed to go on, so the enhanced skipped the dress; she didn't want to stand here and struggle to try to get into the dress, so Eszter wanted to keep it going.

There was never really thought of going with anyone if Eszter is honest. For a while, the enhanced considered going with her friends because she didn't exactly plan on asking Peter, not wanting to make things awkward if she had. Not only that, but no one had bothered to ask Eszter, and the enhanced doubts anyone would consider taking someone like her to homecoming. And it wasn't that Eszter particularly cared because she doesn't, but the enhanced was hoping a certain someone had; although, the enhanced doubts that would happen any time soon.

"No, I was kind of thinking of going solo," Eszter nods, telling herself that she doesn't need a date to feel worthy or anything else. "Being with my friends is fine."

"What, why?"

"I don't know if you've noticed, but--" Eszter walks out in another dress, twirling in the process. Then, she stops once she was facing Pepper with a frown. "Everyone is kind of afraid of me."

"No, too revealing," Pepper waves her hand as she beckons Eszter back into the fitting room, frowning sadly once the teenager disappears behind the curtain. "Sweetie, they're not afraid. They just . . . don't understand."

Eszter sighs as she closes her eyes for a brief moment, bowing her head as she knew that was far from the truth. It was nice of Pepper to make excuses for the other students, but the woman isn't the one being stared at like she's some kind of freak of nature. Eszter has to go through this feeling every day for the rest of her life, and with the dampener presented to the world, Eszter has no way out. This was her life now.

"I have the ability to make people see their worse nightmares. The ability to move things with my mind," the enhanced chuckles bitterly, slowly shifting her gaze onto the lit mirror as her eyes fell onto the blinking dampener. A sickening feeling settles in her belly. "But even with the dampener . . . no one likes me."

Pepper frowns at the curtain, wishing she could hug Eszter, but the woman knows how hard it must've been for the enhanced to be able to confess her feelings to her. Unlike the beginning of their relationship, Eszter was finally becoming more comfortable with expressing herself to Pepper. As far as Pepper knows, Eszter isn't the type of person who generally likes talking about her feelings, always feeling uncomfortable or wanting to shed the feeling and mask it with a facade.

"Well, what about Peter? He's a nice boy."

Eszter freezes inside the fitting room, cringing as she wonders if Pepper knows about the girl's liking to her best friend. Even if she did, how would Pepper know? Eszter hadn't told anyone besides Ned and Michelle; never did the enhanced mention the fact to Pepper unless Eszter has a horrible memory and might've told the woman without realizing it.

Play it cool, Eszter tells herself.

"What about Peter?" Eszter turns the question back to Pepper, being as calm as she possibly can; however, the enhanced was feeling way too nervous.

"Well, I know you two are good friends, so why not you two go together?"

Oh, that's good. Pepper doesn't know.

Chuckling loudly, Eszter smacks her lips. "No, no. Peter and I are just friends, Pep. If we did, that would be--that would be really weird," it was silent behind the curtain, and it was making the enhanced panic, so she continues. "Besides, Peter is thinking of going with this girl, Liz."

"Liz?"

Once Eszter gets her new dress on, the enhanced examines herself. A black dress is off the shoulder but with puffy sleeves around the bicep and slowly tightens around the forearm. The dress swoops low on the chest but enough to cover Eszter. The body of the dress hugs her own, sitting on the enhanced perfectly. Eszter shrugs her shoulders as she wonders if the sleeves will bother her, but to her liking, the enhanced was able to raise her arms into the air; the fabric between the sleeve and the dress was stretchy enough to grant Eszter mobility.

"Oh, uh, she's a senior from school," Eszter frowns at herself, a little gloomy. "She's on the Decathlon team. Peter has a huge crush on her."

Pepper coos. "Awe, that's sweet."

No, it is, was what Eszter really wanted to say. She wanted to get this overbearing feeling off her chest and finally come clean to determine whether or not her feelings for Peter are what she assumes. However, Eszter didn't need to test her feelings for her best friend because the enhanced knew very much that she has a crush on Peter; the feeling blossomed some time ago, Eszter wasn't sure when, but as far as the enhanced knows, she gets nervous around Peter.

Peter is Eszter's best friend, and that's all that they'll ever be.

💜

Later after the day with Pepper, Eszter was finally dropped off at Peter's apartment around 7 p.m. By the time the enhanced had made it to his apartment, Eszter wonders whether Ned had arrived. Fishing her phone from her pocket, Eszter sends a quick text message to Ned as she makes her way up several stairs. By the time she found Peter's apartment, Eszter knocks on the door, waiting patiently for someone to answer.

Swinging the door open, May beams once she notices Eszter. "Hi, Eszter. Are you here for Peter?"

"Hey. Yeah. Peter, Ned, and I are supposed to build Ned's new Death Star."

"Sounds fun!" May exclaims cheerfully. The woman moves aside and opens the door wider for Eszter, beckoning the enhanced inside. "Ned's in his room waiting for Peter. He's not home yet." May moves aside and shuts the door after Eszter enters, but the woman quickly stops her before the enhanced got too far. "Oh, just keep the door open, okay? I know that you're all friends but . . . you know how it is."

Awkwardly, Eszter nods as she spins back on her toes, hiding her face once the enhanced could feel her cheeks heating up in embarrassment. It wasn't like Eszter hadn't heard that before, but each time she does, Eszter can't help but feel awkward whenever May talks about it.

Nevertheless, Eszter makes her way into the familiar apartment, already knowing her way around the small home of the Parkers. As Eszter passes the small kitchen, May shouts an offering of some snacks, but the enhanced politely declines. It wasn't that she wasn't hungry; Eszter knows May isn't the best at cooking, so she tends to refrain from letting May cook.

Pushing Peter's bedroom door open, Eszter is greeted with an already half-built LEGO Death Star. Eszter was surprised to see Ned had already begun building the LEGOs without them, making the enhanced gasp loudly.

"Ned!" Eszter exclaims loudly, scaring Ned as the boy jumps in his spot from the floor. Ned's eyes widen in surprise as they meet Eszter's, a hand shooting up and laying over his chest. "What happened to all of us building it together? You were supposed to wait."

Eszter looks at Ned with an exasperated look, gesturing her arms up as her green eyes gazed down at the LEGOs. A sheepish smile musters on Ned's face as he glances between the Death Star and Eszter, trying to come up with something to explain why he had started before them. Plopping herself on the empty floor across from Ned, Eszter picks up a random piece of LEGO discarded on the ground.

"Sorry. I couldn't wait anymore."

"Ned," Eszter whines, slouching a bit as she tosses a piece of LEGO at Ned.

Catching the LEGO, Ned pouts. "I'm sorry!" Glancing between the leftover pieces, the Filipino boy pushes the Death Star closer to Eszter. "Here, you can build the rest of it if you want."

However, Eszter shakes her head. "No, it's fine. I want to build it together," the enhanced glances between the pieces and the Death Star, unsure of where the pieces go. "I'm not even sure where this goes . . ."

"Oh! Okay, uh, here," Ned twists to pick up LEGO pieces and checking the instructions to see which each piece goes. Passing the paper over to Eszter, the girl takes it with a small thanks.

Checking the instructions, Eszter began scavenging through the pile of LEGOs. "Where's Peter?" She wonders as she slowly began to build the Death Star.

Ned shrugs. "Don't know. May let me in. I've been waiting for an hour or so."

"An hour? When did you get here?"

He thought about it for a second. "Uh, I think around five."

"Why'd you come so early?"

"Because I wanted to start building this--"

"Here, this goes right over there," Eszter interrupts, passing a LEGO piece to Ned, pointing at the other side of the Death Star.

Ned takes the piece and places it where Eszter said. "I got excited and wanted to get started. When I got here, I was just waiting and waiting," he shakes his head. "It was really tempting."

"So you decided to build the Death Star by yourself," the enhanced interrogates, narrowing her eyes at friend playfully. "For shame."

"I would've taken it away," Ned lies, unaware of the fact that Eszter could still sense that.

Chuckling softly to herself, the enhanced mutters. "Sure," Eszter sing-songs.

"Okay, maybe I wouldn't, but still."

Eszter and Ned sat in silence as they continue to build the Death Star together, and occasionally, the enhanced uses the instructions as a reference sheet to building the LEGO. Nevertheless, it was fun. Eszter never really gotten to play with LEGOs growing up, not that she knew much about what they were, but when Ned introduced them enhanced, Eszter actually enjoyed them. However, when Eszter stepped on them, the enhanced had cursed many more words than they've ever heard her say.

💜

Peter quietly opens the window and crawls inside, using his foot to close it behind him. Then, the hero crawls across the ceiling as he observes the door, making sure May hadn't heard him sneaking inside. Peter continues his way through the ceiling as he quietly crawls towards the door. He pauses; with a small string of web, Peter slowly closes the door after making sure May was out of sight. Slowly, the door creaks shut before the hero detaches his limbs from the ceiling, dangling from his fingertips.

Jumping down quietly on his feet, silent like a cat, Peter twists the door handle and shuts his door completely. With a sigh of relief, Peter turns around but freezes at the sight of two people in his room, petrified. The air from Peter's lung felt vacuumed from his system, leaving the boy breathless when his gaze met Ned's surprised gaze. His body had gone stiff, and not sure what to do; Peter stood there like deer in headlights.

All three friends stood frozen in their places, aware of the fact that Peter had crawled inside the room and with his Spider-Man suit. But to make matters worse, Ned had just witnessed Peter crawling from the ceiling. How was either of them going to explain something like this? Peter gawks back at Ned in shock, staring between Ned and Eszter.

Eszter's eyes were blown wide, unsure of what to do in a situation like this as the enhanced couldn't believe her eyes. There wasn't anything Eszter could do. How would she cover this up? Ned has no idea that Eszter knows about Peter's secret. Never mind the fact that this wasn't something the enhanced can tell, it wasn't her secret to say; Ned was bound to find out, just as Eszter had said, but Peter didn't take her seriously.

Quick on her feet, Eszter jumps up from the floor as she gapes at Peter, giving the boy a look. What were they supposed to do now?

Suddenly, a crashing noise disrupts the silence, causing Eszter to jump from the sudden noise behind her. Turning around, Eszter found their finished Death Star sitting on the floor, broken into the pieces as it lays on the floor by Ned's feet. Trailing her eyes upward, Eszter takes in the way Ned was staring at Peter in total disbelief.

Hearing the noise, May calls from the kitchen. "What was that?"

"Uh!" Peter's voice cracks under pressure. "Nothing! Nothing." He assures his aunt before turning back towards his friends, horrified.

"You're the Spider-Man," Ned couldn't believe it. "From Youtube."

"I'm not," Peter frantically shakes his head, trying to deny his friend's accusation that was actually true. Clicking the spider logo on his chest, Peter's suit deflates from his body as it falls to his ankles. "I'm not."

"Oh, my--" Eszter gasps as she awkwardly turns around on her toes, placing her hands on her hips as she stares at a wall with posters. Her face was heated, hot enough to warm up something cold if Eszter wanted to.

"You were on the ceiling."

"No, I wasn't. Ned," Peter cries out, frustrated. "What are you doing in my room? Eszter!"

"May let us in! You said we were gonna finish the Death Star!"

Eszter clears her throat, keeping her gaze away from Peter. "How about you put some clothes on," she suggests, tapping her feet as she purses her lips.

"You can't just bust into my room--!"

May suddenly opens the door as she chuckles softly to herself, fanning the smoke-filled air, coughing a little. "That turkey meatloaf recipe is a disaster. Let's go to dinner," May removes her hair clip, letting her long hair flowing behind her back. "Thai? Ned, Eszter, you want Thai?"

"Yes," Ned answers.

"No," Peter interjects abruptly, shaking his head. "He's got a thing."

"A thing to do after . . ."

"Okay," May smiles, then she points to his half nudity. "Maybe put on some clothes. You've got female company." She tells, walking back out the door as she leaves it wide open. "And don't close this door, got it?"

Eszter blushes to herself, bowing her head as she waits patiently for Peter to get dressed. The only thing Peter does is put a sweatshirt on, leaving him pantless.

As soon as May walked out of the room, Ned's jaw slacks open, looking back at Peter. "Oh, she doesn't know?"

"Nobody knows! Well, Eszter and Mr. Stark know because he made my suit, but that's it!"

"Wait. Eszter, you knew? Actually, don't answer that. That was a stupid question," Ned shakes his head, but his eyes widen like a child on sugar high. "Wait, that means you both were in Berlin together? Tony Stark made you that? Are you an Avenger?"

"Yeah, basically."

Eszter shakes her head in denial, bursting Peter's bubble. "No, he's not," turning around in hopes that Peter was dressed, but the enhanced turns away when she realizes the boy was not. "Dude, pants!"

Peter makes a noise as he fishes out some sweats from the pile of clothes on the floor, not caring if they were dirty or not. "You can't tell anybody about this. You gotta keep it a secret," shuffling between his feet as he wiggles the sweats up to his waist.

"A secret, why?"

"Seriously, Ned? It's so obvious," Eszter exclaims sarcastically, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"You know what she's like. If she finds out people try and kill me every single night, she's not going to let me do this anymore," Peter whines, begging. "Come on, Ned, please."

"Okay, okay, okay. I'll level with you," Eszter huffs in relief, turning around slowly to make sure Peter was dressed. Ned shifts his gaze between the two heroes. "I don't think I can keep this a secret. This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, guys!"

"Ned!" Eszter smacks his chest.

"Ow!"

"Ned, May cannot know. I cannot do that to her right now, you know? I mean, everything that's happened with her, I . . . please."

They pause for a brief moment, all three friends sharing different looks, but Ned can see how serious Peter was. Knowing this was important to his best friend, Ned sighs understandingly; a secret he had kept with him from Eszter, Ned knew he should respect Peter's secret as well.

"Okay," Ned says.

"Just swear it, okay?"

"I swear," Ned promises.

Peter sighs in relief. "Thank you," stressed, the boy began to pace the room as he runs his fingers through his hair. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Can I try the suit on?" Ned asks.

"No."