Disclaimer: I do not own the Amazing Spiderman or any of its characters. I only own Jaylin Jones and my other OCs. Anything that seems familiar is most likely not owned by me.

After unpacking boxes until her ankle began to ache, JJ finally caved and got herself ready for bed. She was excited for Peter to show her around New York City. Out of all of the places she had moved to, they had never gone to New York. JJ felt a twinge of pain at the thought of her parents, but she pushed it away. After getting ready for bed and laying out her clothes for tomorrow, JJ slowly pulled off her medical boot. Her ankle was still swollen and rainbow-colored. All the injury succeeded with was bringing about a feeling of despair. How did she escape from a car accident with a fractured ankle, cuts and scrapes, but her parents both died almost instantly? It wasn't fair. JJ tried to push her negative thoughts aside. At least she was no longer in a cast. Having to hobble around on crutches was awful. For the most part, her ankle was healed. But there was muscular damage and swelling from the lack of use. Her physical therapist promised her that she'd be out of the boot by the second week of school. That meant another five to six weeks stuck in the torture device for everything but sleeping.

It was the morning after the Parkers had come over for dinner. JJ was still giddy over her text messages with Peter and getting a tour of NYC. She had dressed with a new sense of purpose. She was wearing yellow skinny jeans, a black shirt, and one of her rainbow checkered vans. There wasn't anything she could do about how her medical boot clashed with her outfit, but she was going to pretend it didn't bother her as much as it did. Finally, JJ threw on a dark violet zip-up hoodie and deemed herself ready to go after she grabbed her phone and little backpack with her wallet and other necessities. Deciding on a quick swipe of mascara and a thin line of eyeliner, JJ nodded to herself before she left her bedroom to get some breakfast. Her bedroom was still full of boxes, but it was less box covered than it had been.

JJ ignored Hayley's look of shock at seeing her out of her bedroom. She munched on an apple and sipped a glass of water. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, sending a smile to her face.

Ready when you are -P

Be right out -J

JJ slipped her phone back into her pocket before she stood to leave.

"And where are you going?" Hayley questioned.

JJ fought hard to keep herself from rolling her eyes, "Out with a friend. I'll be back later."

Hayley hesitated before she sighed, "Alright. But be careful! And here, take this. You never know when you might need it."

The pepper spray that Hayley handed her amused JJ to no end, "Thanks."

JJ maneuvered her backpack to slide the pepper spray into it before she limped out the front door. Peter was leaning against the fence holding a skateboard.

"Hey," he greeted.

JJ came to a stop in front of him as she shouldered her backpack, "Hi." she breathed.

"You ready?"

"Lead on."

Peter matched JJ's slow limp as they walked to the subway station. JJ liked that he didn't ask if she needed any help. He didn't really hover over her either. Peter was just there, letting her do her own thing. It was a nice change of pace from the constant barrage of questions that she received daily from Hayley.

After walking in silence for a while, Peter asked the first question, "How are you liking New York so far?"

"It's better than California, that's for sure. It's not as hot here." JJ responded.

"You're from Cali?"

"Well, not born in Cali. I was born in Montana. It's much cooler there. My uh, my parents would move us every time my dad got promoted."

"Oh, uh," Peter stuttered, not sure what to say.

JJ sighed before turning to face him, "I'm sure you overheard me when I said that I wasn't nuclear. I meant that. I miss my parents terribly, but I know that they wouldn't want me to waste my days moping. It's hard, but I'm all out of tears. I can't sit back and watch the world go by while I'm stuck in place."

"How uh, how long has it been?"

"Almost four months. They put me in a foster home until they got in contact with the Robinsons."

"You've been in a boot that long?"

"I fractured my tibia and a few of the small bones in my ankle. I have mad swelling and muscle repair left. I was in a cast for eight weeks. That was torture."

Peter smiled at her bluntness, "How long until you're out of the boot?"

"PT says by the end of the second week of school. But I guess we'll see. It depends on how well it heals."

"You'll be stuck in a boot for the first couple weeks of school? That's rough."

"It is what it is. Now, where to first?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"I don't know. You're supposed to be my tour guide!"

"Alright, alright! Come on."

JJ felt the ease of their banter and the mood of their conversation. Peter was easy to get along with and she appreciated that he didn't treat her as if she was made of glass. They made it to the subway station where Peter mysteriously bought their tickets and refused to tell her to where. She had fun throwing out guesses as they rode the subway into the heart of New York City. After more walking, they ended up at the ferry for the Statue of Liberty. JJ laughed when she realized where they were going.

The day passed quickly, JJ had more fun than she had in months. Spending time with Peter was just easy like that. At the end of the day, JJ found herself on Peter's back as he carried her back home.

"I had fun today," JJ admitted after Peter had put her down in front of her house.

"Me too," Peter agreed.

"We should do it again sometime,"

"I agree."

JJ rocked on her feet before quickly leaning up to kiss Peter's cheek, "G'night."

JJ hobbled into the house with a light blush on her face. She gave Hayley a small smile before disappearing into her room for the night. Maybe New York would be better than she thought it would.