Good news! I know where this story is going now. I've had ideas but I've finally settled on one. Sure, I'll hit road blocks but for the most part, I've got it figured out. But I'd still love to know what you guys want to see more of. I'm thinking about bringing a certain two brothers into this story. I want to but I haven't figured that part out just yet.

Lavendor Queen, your reviews have given me ideas, so thank you lots! I love reading what you guys are interested in seeing happen in this story.

Warning: There's something in this chapter I feel needs a warning before it. But if I put it here, it'll be such a big spoiler so I'm going to put it at the end if you want to scroll down before reading. If not, then carry on.

Thanks for reading!

Words: 3,524

Wrapping her jacket tightly around herself, Ada takes a deep breath of air while letting the school doors close behind her. The air felt colder today, but she didn't mind. Yesterday had started awful and ended up good. Peter wasn't mad at her. She still had her best friend. And playing video games with some of the avengers was something the young teenager never saw herself doing but she had, and it was really fun.

Feed padding against the sidewalk, Ada's steps halt when her eyes land on a familiar face leaning casually on the fence a few feet ahead of her. "Wow," She scoffs and she keeps walking, the boy's feet picking up their pace to keep up with her. "Your nerve amazes me."

"I'm sorry, okay?" Chris says and if Ada didn't know any better, she'd say his voice sounded pleading. "if I got arrested again and my dad found out, which he would've, he'd disown me."

"Yeah? Well, what about me?" Ada stops, turning to look up at him incredulously. She tried to have some compassion for him, she could relate, after all. But she couldn't manage any. "Oh, that's right, you don't care. You're all that matters to you and I don't need someone like that in my life." With that, Ada turns to march away once more.

"Okay, okay," Chris persists, not needing to slow his pace to stay at her slower pace. His legs were much longer than hers, but she was purposely walking faster than normal. "What I did was a dick move, I admit that."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have done it in the first place." Ada mumbles without looking up at him. She'd been having a good day, why did he decide to come ruin it?

"I panicked," Chris steps in front of her, making her stop with his hands on her shoulders, to which she slowly turns her head towards, glaring.

"Don't touch me." Ada tells him calmly, narrowing her eyes into splits until he backs off.

"Sorry," He mumbles, clearing his throat. "Just, let me make it up to you."

"No, thanks." Ada shakes her head, moving around him to continue walking.

"Oh, come on," The blonde boy continues, walking sideways next to the girl so he could look down at her. "What's-"

"If you dare say 'what's the worst that can happen', I will knock your teeth in." Ada cuts him off, holding up a single finger, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He didn't look all too concerned at her threat, which annoyed her, she knew how to throw a punch, thank you very much. But he doesn't say those words.

"Fine, let's just get food or something not illegal." He shrugs, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he walks casually beside her.

"I have to get home." It annoyed Ada, how effortlessly he was keeping up with her. She was straining to walk faster while he was going his normal pace. She curses her short legs then. "I can't be late."

"Alright," Chris sighs disappointedly. Ada honestly hadn't expected him to give in so easily. He was on her bad side right now, they both knew, maybe he wasn't as stupid as he looked and knew when to stop. "Another time, Ada Tinnez."

"In your dreams, Fletcher." But Chris had already disappeared, leaving her words to be heard by no one but herself.

Ada hadn't lied to Chris, she really did have to get home. Not that she would've gone with him if she didn't. It didn't take any longer to get home than normal, she might have arrived even sooner with all her fast walking in an attempt to leave Christopher behind.

The middle-aged man that lives two floors below them was in the lobby of the building. He pays the teenager no mind when she passes by him and into the elevator, pushing the button to her floor. She releases a breath once she's alone. It hadn't been a bad day, but she was tired, she planned on going to bed early.

Closing the door behind her, Ada grins at just the thought of her comfortable, awaiting bed. Maybe she could have a small nap before getting started on her homework.

Just as she starts to contemplate the idea, Ada stops short when she looks up, any trace of a smile falling from her face as her brows furrow. "Dad?" She asks quietly, her eyes on the man who sits at the dining table. That wasn't overly abnormal. Usually, he was at work or in his home office, but it wasn't odd to find him sitting at the table. What was odd, the thing that catches the teenager's attention is the look on his face and the fact that he's looking at her. Really looking at her. Ada can't remember the last time Nathan actually looked at her. "Is something wrong?"

"Funny," The man mumbles, his eyes looking down at the drink in his hand Ada hadn't noticed before, but his eyes soon find her's again. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"What?" Ada's brows furrow even more, nearly touching in the middle as her forehead crinkles. Her heart starts beating faster now. Had she thanked her luck to soon?

"Nothing coming to mind?" Nathan questions, slowly standing from his seat and walking around the table as Ada shakes her head. Maybe he didn't know, she sure as heck wasn't going to just say it if she wasn't sure. "How about skipping school yesterday?"

Ada's shoulders deflate in defeat. "Half the day." She whispers to herself, thinking it was an important detail that he obviously didn't.

"What?" Nathan's voice was much louder than hers and Ada shakes her head again. "Tell me what you said." The man insists and Ada continues to avoid his eyes. She hears him setting his drink on the table behind him. She wonders how many of those he had before she arrived. More than that, she knows. Three maybe. Possibly four.

"Half the day." The teenager repeats louder, only raising her voice enough for him to hear her clearly. She hated fighting with her father. Her chest got all tight, her stomach winds itself into painful knots. All around it wasn't a good time. "I only skipped half the day." She wasn't sure why she added that bit, the words just spilled from her mouth.

"And that makes it better?" Oh, he was pissed, Ada almost groans, closing her eyes at his voice. It was getting louder with every word he spoke, she knew he'd be shouting in no time.

"No." Ada says, not whispering anymore. It would only anger him further.

"You know," His suddenly calm voice had Ada's head snapping up to see her father closer to her but looking over to the side at nothing in particular. "When I learned this, I thought it was the worst thing you could've done. My daughter doesn't skip school, she knows better. But imagine my surprise when I'm informed that not only did my daughter skip school, she got arrested too."

An unconscious step back is followed by Ada looking down once more. She figured it was really only a matter of time before he found out, she had just really been hoping he wouldn't. "I can eplai-"

"No," Nathan says just below a shout, silencing her. Taking a deep breath, the man clenches his jaw before speaking again. "And not only did you do all that, but you also didn't tell me, even when I gave you the chance too."

What the hell did he expect her to do? Ada thinks with her own growing anger. She knew exactly how he'd react. "What? Did you think I wouldn't find out?" Nathan presses his daughter, taking the step towards her that she'd previously taken away from him.

"Honestly? No, I didn't." Ada looks up at her father, finally meeting his eyes as the rage raises inside of her. Where did he find the right? He couldn't talk to her like he was her father when he hadn't been in a long, long time. "I mean, you never pay attention to anything if it doesn't benefit you!"

The sting barely even registers. Ada has never talked back to her father before. Never. Whenever they fought, it always ended with her admitting to whatever and Nathan storming off to his office. But she was fed up. This man standing in front of her, his hand still raised, wasn't her father. Ada wasn't sure if he ever had been. He had no right to look down on her like he did.

Her hand was on her cheek when she realizes what happened, the pain finally reaching her brain. She looks up, mouth open in shock. Nathan's expression matches her own, looking as surprised as she feels.

It takes a moment, Ada struggling to accept that what just happened actually happened. Had her father just slapped her? Was that real? It couldn't be. Sure, they fought, but he'd never touched her.

Ada was the first to snap out of whatever frozen state she was in. She steps back quickly, shaking her head and immediately turning to the door.

"Ada-" Her father's voice is cut off as she slams the door behind her, her shaky legs carrying her down the hall faster and faster.

The stairs are where she finds herself, running, stumbling down them from one of the top floors. She couldn't stand the thought of sitting still, being trapped in the elevator. Ada barely even notices her heavy breathing and the tears streaming down her face as she shoves her way through the door, her feet hitting the sidewalk heavily.

It was still light out but the clouds cast a shady glow over the city. Ada was glad she'd been cold that day and worn a hoodie over her uniform. She lifts the fabric over her head, hiding her tear-stained face as her feet carry her without stopping.

No amount of debating was put into the direction she was going in. There was no second-guessing, no questioning. She knows where she needs to go, where she needs to be. Ada wouldn't normally think it was a long trip but she'd disagree now. It felt like forever, sitting on the bus, hood up and head down, ignoring everyone that moved around her until she arrived at her stop.

The sun was getting lower in the sky as more clouds moved it. Ada shuddered. She's never minded the rain, loved it really, but the thunder rolling in the distance sends shivers down her spine. Storms were a whole other story.

The apartment building wasn't much further now. Ada's phone was turned off, tucked into her pocket, untouched. She just hopes he's there.

She rides the elevator this time, up to the seventh floor. She sees no one when she exits, taking a left then a quick right before she stands frozen in front of one of the many doors in the hall. She almost hesitates, her arm stuttering right before she brings her fist down onto the wood, but it's gone as quick as it came and her quiet knocking soon sounds through her ears.

Three knocks, that's all she gives before stepping back, stuffing her hands into her hoodie pockets. She waits, almost reaching forward once again but can't because the door opens, revealing the fluffy head of brown hair she'd come here for.

Peter opens his mouth to speak, his brows furrowed in confusion. He couldn't really see his friend's face but he knows it's her and he has no idea why she's here. Not that he minds, she was always welcome, all his friends are. But before he can get any words out, the boy stumbles back when a weight hits his chest. When Ada hits his chest.

As soon as she sees him, Ada lunges forward and wraps her arms around Peter. She just needs to be with someone she trusts. She needs to feel safe. Peter always makes her feel safe and loved. That's exactly what she needs right now.

Her arms are squeezing him tightly around his middle, her hands gripping the back of his T-shirt. Peter, despite his confusion and the worry bubbling in his chest, returns the hug by wrapping his own arms around her shoulders.

"Hey, okay," Peter whispers when he hears her soft cries. They're so quiet, he's not sure he would've been able to notice them if it weren't for his super hearing. Moving back, Peter gently tugs Ada with him and kicks the door closed and moves them both over to the couch.

"Okay," Peter whispers again, his hand holding the back of Ada's head. Her hood had fallen in her haste to get to him. "Ada?"

"Sorry," The girl mumbles, pulling back into herself and wiping her cheeks with her sleeves.

"It's okay," Peter shakes his head, studying her closely. "What happened?"

At first, Ada only shakes her head. She doesn't want to tell him, she feels embarrassed even if she knows she shouldn't. The shame building inside her, Ada knows she shouldn't feel that, but she does. Maybe she shouldn't have come. But no, she couldn't stand the thought of being home right now. And if she wasn't there, where else was there other than here? MJ and Ned would welcome her, she knows. But Peter was her person.

"I-" Ada whispers, the words becoming stuck in her throat. "Had a fight," Her voice is so quiet, she barely hears it herself but she knows Peter can hear her. "With my dad."

It wasn't the first time she's fought with her father, Peter knows. She'll text him after they do, explaining what happened and how she felt, always apologizing after for complaining to him, for bothering him. He always waves those words away, telling her it was okay. He liked it when she talked to him, vented, told him her problems. And he knows she's always there if he needs to do the same.

But this time is different. He's seen her sad before, tears falling down her face that she would quickly wipe away. But Peter had never seen Ada actually cry before, not like she is now. Something was wrong, obviously. If the scene in front of him wasn't anything to go by, the sick feeling in his gut was.

"Did he-" Peter stops short, his eyes raking over his friend. She doesn't look hurt, other than her red eyes and cheeks from crying. He didn't notice anything else, but he knows that doesn't really mean anything. Biting his lip, Peter watches Ada sniff, continuing to wipe away the tears as they continued to fall. He hates to ask, hates that he feels the need to, but he knows he has to. "Did he hit you?"

He wasn't sure why it was the first thing that came to his mind. Maybe it had just been a bad fight, maybe it got to her more than the others. Maybe she was having a bad day. She has those sometimes, he knows. It took him a long time to get her comfortable enough to tell him about them. But the feeling deep inside him tells him it's not that, it was something more. That's why he asked. He hopes he's wrong, but when Ada's shoulders raise just a little higher, the tears fall a little harder, the hitch in her breath. He knows he's not.

Peter isn't an easy to anger person. Never really has been. He was actually proud of that fact. Sure, his other emotions were different, they weren't as easy to control as his anger. But now he feels rage swell inside him. He clenches his teeth, his muscles tightening.

A sniffle pulls him away from the rising anger and Peter relaxes when he looks back at Ada to see her sitting straighter. "Maybe I'm overreacting." She whispers and Peter is shaking his head before she can even finish getting the words out.

"No, no, no, no," Peter quickly says, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "No, you're not. He never should have done that, no matter what. It's wrong."

"It was just a slap." Ada whispers, the tears no longer falling down her cheeks. "He's never done that before."

"It doesn't matter." Peter tells her sternly but his voice is still soft.

Ada looks up to him then, her dark blue eyes meeting his for the first time that night. The look behind them feels heavier than the building he was once buried under. It's not the first time he's seen it there, the storm raging on behind the walls she's built. It's one of the reasons, the main reason, he told her who he was that night.

Peter didn't take his identity lightly. He wasn't one to throw it around, tell people here and there. It was something he liked to keep close to him. Telling someone was a big deal. Ned and May only found out because he'd been careless. MJ figured it out on her own. But he's happy they know, although he still worries. But he made the decision to tell her that night, after hearing the story she told about her mother. The emotion that she tried and failed to keep from seeping into her words. The weight she held behind her eyes. Peter doesn't think he fully understood everything that was there but he knows. He knows that look. He's seen it in his own eyes many times. He never regretted telling her, never will, he knows. She was alone, had needed someone in her corner and he knew he had to be that person. He was that person and would continue to be as long as the world allowed him to be.

He'd known he made the right choice by telling her who he was. He's glad he did. He barely knew her then, but he knew he wanted to be there for her as more than just Spider-Man but as Peter Parker too.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Ada asks into Peter's silence, aware that the boy had been trapped in his thoughts.

"Yeah," He nods quickly. "May's still at work, she'll be home later."

Ada nods, wiping her face once more when a thought hits her. "You can't tell her."

"What, Ad-"

"No," Ada cuts him off, her eyes pleading with him. "Please."

Opening and closing his mouth, Peter stares down at her before reluctantly nodding. Now wasn't the time to argue with her over this. He didn't want to argue at all. "Okay. Are you hungry?" Ada shakes her head and Peter isn't surprised. He doesn't feel hungry either. "You can borrow some clothes if you want." Just as the words leave his mouth, thunder ripples through the air. It had been mostly quiet until now, or maybe she just hadn't noticed.

Coming back to herself, Ada nods and follows Peter to his room and takes the offered clothes before changing. He'd offered to let her shower as well, Ada almost accepted but decided against it.

Instead, the girl wraps her arms around herself, the sleeves of Peter's sweatshirt dropping past her hands. She climbs onto the bottom bunk, sitting back against his pillows. She doesn't know what to do now. She doesn't feel like talking nor sleeping, but just sitting there sounded as bad as those other things.

Ada thinks Peter can tell what she was thinking because the next thing she knows is the boy sitting next to her, his laptop sitting on his legs as he types. He's on youtube, she notices, turning her head to look at the bright screen. There was a small crack in the upper left corner, she wonders how that happened.

"Alright," Peter whispers when he clicks an hour-long vine compilation, well aware of her loves for the short videos. "Volume good?" He asks after setting the device on the bed between them, adjusting the screen so they could see.

"Yeah," Ada whispers, turning to offer him a small smile. "Thank you."

"What are friends for?"

Warning: Child Abuse (I hate myself) It's not super descriptive.

Well, there we have that...um, yeah. I have the next chapter, and I think the one after that, written, so I'll try to update soon.

I really want to know what you guys think! Reviews feed my motivation to write, so you know, if you feel like leaving one...or not, that's okay.

I appreciate all of you! Have a great day! Or night! If you're reading this at three am, maybe get some sleep.

Bye, until next time!

'-'