p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" With winter being on the horizon, the days were shorter and it wasn't long until Annie was in the dark with her suit on. It was just silver leggings with a hoodie and mask, but it had more meaning behind it than the homemade look gave off. There were so many fond memories and Annie could even smell the last remnants of Seattle in the fabric./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" She could almost remember the whir of Harper's sewing machine. It had been their idea, running with the name Annie had randomly come up with. Annie loved the outcome with Harper adding white, fairly intricate wings that connected the arms to the body. Although, it had been beaten up over time, the suit still hid her identity just fine. The last thing she needed was some pissed off evil dude tailing her at school. As long as the now off-white hoodie was able to keep her warm, she was going to be fine./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" For being New York City, there wasn't anything too crazy happening. There were a couple pot dealers, but she didn't see the point in going after them. Unless they were about to kill someone, she didn't see the harm that they could do. It was just a calm, chilly night, which felt wrong for being in such a huge city./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Of course, that was until Annie heard shouting. She tiptoed to the alley and was about to steal some electricity from a street light before going at the robbers when a bright red and blue figure jumped down from the top of a building. Obviously, it was Spider-Man, and of course he would steal her thunder. A part of her wanted to insist that he was overrated, maybe he was, but Annie couldn't bring herself to be bitter. He was better prepared and had a nicer suit./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Instead of fighting robbers and doing neat things with her powers, Annie did small things. Though, she could see Spider-Man swinging his way through the city. Maybe she would meet him someday. Hell, she could have even passed him on the street. It was a big city, so she didn't dismiss the possibility. There was no way to know./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The first day of school had Annie feeling small knots in her stomach, but she wasn't as anxious as she had thought. It was only thanks to Peter and Ned, but she was excited either way. They had even gone to Manhattan the day before to see Times Square. Mainly because Annie apparently needed to see all the touristy places, but it was really because the boys wanted to go to the Hershey's store./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" That little bakery they had met at became their meeting place because Annie was positive she would get lost on her own, even with using a GPS to get there. After their first meeting, Peter and Ned didn't doubt it. They were more than happy to help her get to school. The trio walked to school through the traffic, horns honking all over the place. Rush hour was just beginning and it was only seven in the morning./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "This place is way too clogged, I mean, people aren't even honking at anything," Annie said, looking around at the busy streets./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I don't even notice it anymore," Ned replied with a shrug./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shook her head, her eyes still trying to take in the vehicles along with the tall buildings, "I don't think I could get used to all this."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Classes were a bit awkward with some teachers introducing her. Given the choice, Annie would rather pretend she had been there the whole time. She already had friends in the school, and she wasn't sure that she wanted more than two. All she wanted was people she could talk to, she didn't want to become te popular new girl. Though it was pretty easy to just blend in, taking notes and listening to the music on her phone if she wasn't talking to Ned or Peter. English was the first class she didn't know anyone in./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" With Peter and Ned, she'd had a class with at least one of the pair. It was their self-proclaimed jobs to ensure that Annie didn't spontaneously combust from anxiety. She didn't have the heart to explain that she was extroverted most of the time. Meeting new people wasn't what she minded, it was suddenly being forced to meet too many people at once. All the unfamiliar faces were a bit weird for her, but it would just take some getting used to./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The teacher placed her next to someone named Michelle since that was where an empty desk was. English was probably one of Annie's easiest subjects, only because her dad took some of his college literature essays back home to grade. Growing up around someone who was constantly correcting students made it easy for Annie to make different mistakes instead. Though Annie ended up being quiet during the class discussion since she didn't have a copy of The Great Gatsby on her. Instead, she noticed that Michelle wasn't talking at all and didn't seem to have a reason to be on the outside of the talk like Annie did./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You seem new," Michelle said bluntly./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shrugged, "And you seem like you didn't read the book that the class is talking about."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Yeah, The Great Gatsby is overrated," Michelle replied./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shook her head, "But it's not, and besides, I've read it before. I'll tell you what to say if you help me find my next class."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Both would have helped each other anyways. Annie liked having the chance to truly meet new people, while Michelle saw Annie's class was just down the hall. Despite disagreeing on virtually everything, they couldn't stop talking to each other when they were supposed to be getting through some symbolism worksheet. Maybe it was because they were both so levelheaded and knew what they were talking about. Being able to talk to someone who didn't agree with Annie, but wasn't a jerk about it was refreshing to say the least./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "So why are you here?" asked Michelle, pretending to write something down./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie frowned, "Like in a spiritual way or…"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "No," Michelle laughed, "why did your parents move here?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie sighed, shaking her head as she scribbled some nonsense onto the paper, "That was dumb… my dad's teaching literature at Colombia."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Holy shit, really?! That's insane!" Michelle nearly exclaimed, quickly earning a scolding look from the teacher./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" By the time the class was over, Annie had another friend. Classes went by as they normally could for a first day at a new school. Lunch ended up being one of the least dreaded events of the day thanks to now having three friends./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" She sat across from Ned and Peter, Michelle was at the other end of the table, pretending to ignore them. Though Michelle would jump in with something to say every once in awhile. It felt like Annie had been there for the whole school year. Blending in with her new friends was simple, especially when they were all so nice. Well, Annie figured that Michelle would say otherwise, but that hardly mattered. The calm vibe that was at the table quickly shifted when another male approached the table./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Penis Parker, I see you found the newbie," the guy jeered, a smirk on his face./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Flash, quit being a dick," Ned replied, glaring./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Flash rolled his eyes, "Whatever, I just came to tell the new girl she could get a friend upgrade."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Um… the new girl has a name," Annie muttered, continuing to eat her food./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well what is it?" Flash asked, leaning against the lunch table./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie smirked, "Knulla Dig, people call me Knulla though. But I'd say I found some pretty neat people, so I won't take you up on that offer."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You'll change your mind, Knulla," Flash replied before walking away, shaking his head./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" There was a long, awkward pause as they thought about what was just said. Annie shrugged a bit, going to her food. Being able to act tended to leave Annie being pretty good with lying to people./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Ned broke the silence, "Dude, why?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I didn't like him, so I told him fuck you in Swedish," Annie said, shrugging again./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Wait a minute, you know Swedish?" Peter questioned./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Oh no, I only know a couple cuss words in it. I'm not that cool, my mom knows a bit," Annie responded./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The group continued to eat in silence. As classes resumed, Annie didn't have anything terribly eventful happen. It was just an average first day. She had homework and if she was behind, she would have to eventually catch up. Though her main issue was definitely physics class./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" It had always been a main flaw of hers, and it was easily her most ironic one. Ever since Annie was eleven she had her powers. She was a human physics equation, and that was why the subject always left her frustrated. Of all people, she should have been a genius when it came to physics, but she just couldn't wrap her head around the subject./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" When the school day ended, Annie left her physics class to go home. She was stuck on her own. Peter, Ned, and even Michelle had clubs to go to after school. So Annie put in her headphones and walked back to her apartment./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Walking back to her apartment, Annie didn't get lost, but that was only because of the GPS on her phone. A part of her was tempted to explore the city on her own. What stopped her was her lack of money. She left it all at home. Besides, she didn't have a job so she needed to save what she had./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "How was your day, sweetie?" her mom asked as she entered the apartment./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shrugged, "It was alright, I think I'll be okay there. I mean, I already have some friends."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "That's good. Oh, the moving van showed up, so I need you to unpack your stuff," her mom replied./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie nodded, picking up her boxes from the ground, "Alright, I'll get some of it done."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Though Annie really wanted to go out and see the city again. Maybe this time Spider-Man wouldn't steal her thunder. She had to show that she mattered even while being new. Regardless of whether or not he had a cooler suit than her, she wanted to prove that she could be just as good as him./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie unpacked most of her clothes and blankets, but she couldn't stop staring out her window. It had always been difficult, making excuses to be out of the house. She had gotten in trouble for it too, since she would rarely be where she claimed. Of course, that beat the idea of telling her parents that she was actually a superhero./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Upon finishing, Annie laid on her finally made bed. The evening was very uneventful, having gotten done with nearly all her homework, so she asked to leave to go study. Maybe she could find a way to prove herself./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Hey, can I maybe go study at one of my friends' houses tonight?" she asked when she walked into the living room./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "With whom?" her dad asked, looking up from what appeared to be some papers./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "With this one girl, Michelle, she wants to help me with physics," Annie said, hopeful, making sure to add, "You are the one who wanted me to focus on science."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" With a little bit more convincing, Annie finally got to leave. Constantly lying did leave a bad taste in the brunette's mouth, but it was necessary. She knew that her parents would never let her glide along in a makeshift costume fighting robbers and the occasional villain. It was insanely dangerous, but she felt like she was wasting her time if she didn't use her powers./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Things were turning out to be quite a bit crazier than the previous night. As Annie glided from building to building, energy catching in the makeshift wings, she saw something. It appeared almost as though someone was being beaten up in an alleyway. It was her chance to show what she could really do. Well, mainly a chance to help someone get out of a tough situation./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Quickly, she glided down, simply absorbing the energy into herself, "Let her go," Annie demanded./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Or what, you'll kill me?" a scraggly man slurred./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Of course the guy was drunk! Still, Annie wasn't scared, quite the opposite, actually. She channeled some electricity from the street light near her and used some of the electricity on the man. Not much, just enough to give him a slight shock. Enough to make him realize she wasn't some loon in a dumb costume./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" It was enough for the girl to get free, though the girl seemed to fall down. The girl was injured, but Annie had to make sure this guy didn't just get away. It was too dark for Annie to see what she looked like. He tried to run away, but Annie quickly set up a barrier of energy around him. Now the man was unable to leave, she looked over at the girl./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Hey, are you alright? I can call for help if you need," Annie said./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The lady shook her head, "I don't need that, you should really let him go, he's just drunk."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "No, he wasn't 'just drunk', he hurt you. I can't let him go like that," Annie replied sternly./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "But he's a customer… if I don't… it's not gonna end up well for me. Just let me do my job," she explained with an anguished tone, rubbing her ankle./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Shit, Annie thought, it almost sounds like a trafficking ring. Getting a better look at the lady, she appeared to be a girl. It was possible that she was around Annie's age. Leave it to her to find a potentially huge network of organized crime before she could even memorize her way home. This wasn't the sort of thing she dealt with in Seattle, and she was left staring blankly. Thank the lord for her mask otherwise she would have looked like such an idiot./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie frowned, "So you have to do this? Like, against your will?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well, I don't mind. If I do well at this then Dar- my pimp treats me very well," the girl responded./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Seeing that the drunk man had passed out, Annie let down the barrier so she could get to the girl. She sat next to her, and Annie saw that the girl couldn't possibly be much older than herself. The girl's short, curly dark hair seemed to be stuck to her face from sweating./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I'm gonna get you out of this, it's not right that you're hurt. We need to get you to a hospital," Annie said, noticing what seemed to be signs of injection on the other girl's arms./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The girl shook her head, "No, I don't need some girl in a silly costume helping me."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "But you obviously do, and I'm going to regardless," Annie replied, though she was definitely not going to admit that she had no clue what to do./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" There wasn't anyone to talk to, or a way to figure out how to help this girl. Unless she physically hid this girl in her room, which was impossible, there was no way for Annie to take care of this on her own. Though as she thought, she could hear some footsteps and looked up to see what was going on./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Why the hell aren't you working, whore? And who the fuck is this?" asked a rather large, clearly sober man./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I'm a customer," Annie replied drily./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "The fuck you are, and what the fuck are you doing with my whore?!" the man yelled./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The man kept getting closer and closer. Annie could smell the cigarette breath off of the guy, and she could tell just how much taller he was than her. It wasn't like she couldn't handle this guy. He was just a regular man and she had powers. She absorbed the energy that she could feel through the streets and shoved him back into the wall./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" He tried to struggle against the barrier Annie held up, a blue green hue appearing the more force she put into keeping the man against the wall. This had to have been the guy that the girl had been talking about./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Hey, wait… what?" Annie heard another voice as well as light footsteps./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie turned to see Spider-Man. It felt insane to actually see the guy so close up. Still, this was her chance to show just what she could do. She shoved the man back again, only making him angrier. Just as Annie stole more electricity from a different street lamp, Spider-Man wrapped the guy in webbing against the wall./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I so had that!" Annie exclaimed, crossing her arms, the barrier of energy going away./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Who're you?" Spider-Man asked before Annie could complain anymore./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Giving a sarcastic curtsey, Annie said, "White Swan, at your service."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Um… what the hell's happening? I can't get up because my leg's fucked, and you just… webbed my pimp," the girl commented, sounding rather distressed./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie gave a nod, "Right, erm… we're gonna help you out."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You said something like that already," the girl retorted./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man seemed to give what Annie could only guess was a confused look, "Don't we just take her to a hospital?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "No! That's where they'll look first. You guys shouldn't have done anything," the girl trailed off./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Alright, alright, I'm thinking… do you have anywhere to go? I mean there's gotta be a place that can help you," Annie rambled, "What's your name anyways?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "It's Tina, and, look, I can help myself." Tina insisted, attempting to stand up as she used the wall as a crutch./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You're in pain and can't even walk. You need help," Spider-Man replied, concern etched in his voice./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "How do you-" Tina was cut off./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Spidey senses, I know when things are happening and how people are feeling," he explained./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie sighed impatiently, "Or you could've just noticed that she's limping around. We need to focus, Spidey, find somewhere for Tina to go. Like a church or a convent or a homeless shelter… a place that could take care of her."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man nodded, picking up Tina, "Yep, also, I saw a church with a homeless shelter a few blocks away… sorry, I should've asked if I could pick you up, I-I meant to, but I don't know you could get anywhere easily without… well without falling."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" They ended up walking, and that was when it all truly hit Annie: she was walking with Spider-Man. She had actually spoken to Spider-Man. Harper was going to completely flip. Especially if she brought up the fact that the guy kind of sounded like a dork. It was true, though, he sounded just as confused as she did./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;"When they finally got to the church, Tina insisted on going in herself, using the wall as a crutch. Though Annie wasn't about to leave until she was positive that Tina was going to be staying in the building. Then both heroes left to go back to the spot. Wanting to make sure that they could arrest the piece of garbage that Spider-Man webbed to the wall/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The only problem was that when they got back the guy was gone. It looked like something had cut through the webbing. Something told Annie that wasn't how things were supposed to work. Of course, she didn't know how webbing was supposed to work in the first place, but the narrowed eyes on Spider-Man's costume concerned her a bit./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You know this means there are more of them, sex slaves and pimps, I mean," Annie said./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man nodded, "Yeah, I know. It'll get sorted out though, you have nothing to worry about."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Exactly, because I'll be taking care of it," Annie insisted./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man paused, "You don't need to, you're obviously new."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I've done this for long enough. Besides, you sound like a fetus," Annie retorted as she crossed her arms./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Um… excuse you. Fine, we can work together on it," Spider-Man replied, sighing a bit, "Mr. Stark is gonna freak if I tell him you're doing this."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well then just don't tell him. Now, if you don't mind, I've gotta get home before my parents flip," Annie said, running off so she could remember how to get home. The last thing she wanted was for Spider-Man to know that she was so new that she couldn't even remember how to get back home./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" When Annie got home that night, she called up Harper, her heart racing with excitement, "You're never gonna guess what happened!"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You saw a roadkill pigeon?" Harper mused, sketching audible in the background./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie rolled her dark brown eyes, as she worked on some trigonometry homework "No, and ew… I met Spider-Man!"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Wait… no shit? I feel like you're lying to me… so you seriously met him?!" Harper asked, the sketching sound stopped./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The dark-haired girl laughed, "Yes, I did, now let me tell you everything."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well then stop with all the lead-ins and tell me about Spider-Man already!" they exclaimed, and Annie had to take the phone away from her ear because of how loud Harper yelled./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" After laughing, Annie started to retell all the crazy events of that night./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" She could almost remember the whir of Harper's sewing machine. It had been their idea, running with the name Annie had randomly come up with. Annie loved the outcome with Harper adding white, fairly intricate wings that connected the arms to the body. Although, it had been beaten up over time, the suit still hid her identity just fine. The last thing she needed was some pissed off evil dude tailing her at school. As long as the now off-white hoodie was able to keep her warm, she was going to be fine./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" For being New York City, there wasn't anything too crazy happening. There were a couple pot dealers, but she didn't see the point in going after them. Unless they were about to kill someone, she didn't see the harm that they could do. It was just a calm, chilly night, which felt wrong for being in such a huge city./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Of course, that was until Annie heard shouting. She tiptoed to the alley and was about to steal some electricity from a street light before going at the robbers when a bright red and blue figure jumped down from the top of a building. Obviously, it was Spider-Man, and of course he would steal her thunder. A part of her wanted to insist that he was overrated, maybe he was, but Annie couldn't bring herself to be bitter. He was better prepared and had a nicer suit./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Instead of fighting robbers and doing neat things with her powers, Annie did small things. Though, she could see Spider-Man swinging his way through the city. Maybe she would meet him someday. Hell, she could have even passed him on the street. It was a big city, so she didn't dismiss the possibility. There was no way to know./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The first day of school had Annie feeling small knots in her stomach, but she wasn't as anxious as she had thought. It was only thanks to Peter and Ned, but she was excited either way. They had even gone to Manhattan the day before to see Times Square. Mainly because Annie apparently needed to see all the touristy places, but it was really because the boys wanted to go to the Hershey's store./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" That little bakery they had met at became their meeting place because Annie was positive she would get lost on her own, even with using a GPS to get there. After their first meeting, Peter and Ned didn't doubt it. They were more than happy to help her get to school. The trio walked to school through the traffic, horns honking all over the place. Rush hour was just beginning and it was only seven in the morning./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "This place is way too clogged, I mean, people aren't even honking at anything," Annie said, looking around at the busy streets./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I don't even notice it anymore," Ned replied with a shrug./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shook her head, her eyes still trying to take in the vehicles along with the tall buildings, "I don't think I could get used to all this."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Classes were a bit awkward with some teachers introducing her. Given the choice, Annie would rather pretend she had been there the whole time. She already had friends in the school, and she wasn't sure that she wanted more than two. All she wanted was people she could talk to, she didn't want to become te popular new girl. Though it was pretty easy to just blend in, taking notes and listening to the music on her phone if she wasn't talking to Ned or Peter. English was the first class she didn't know anyone in./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" With Peter and Ned, she'd had a class with at least one of the pair. It was their self-proclaimed jobs to ensure that Annie didn't spontaneously combust from anxiety. She didn't have the heart to explain that she was extroverted most of the time. Meeting new people wasn't what she minded, it was suddenly being forced to meet too many people at once. All the unfamiliar faces were a bit weird for her, but it would just take some getting used to./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The teacher placed her next to someone named Michelle since that was where an empty desk was. English was probably one of Annie's easiest subjects, only because her dad took some of his college literature essays back home to grade. Growing up around someone who was constantly correcting students made it easy for Annie to make different mistakes instead. Though Annie ended up being quiet during the class discussion since she didn't have a copy of The Great Gatsby on her. Instead, she noticed that Michelle wasn't talking at all and didn't seem to have a reason to be on the outside of the talk like Annie did./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You seem new," Michelle said bluntly./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shrugged, "And you seem like you didn't read the book that the class is talking about."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Yeah, The Great Gatsby is overrated," Michelle replied./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shook her head, "But it's not, and besides, I've read it before. I'll tell you what to say if you help me find my next class."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Both would have helped each other anyways. Annie liked having the chance to truly meet new people, while Michelle saw Annie's class was just down the hall. Despite disagreeing on virtually everything, they couldn't stop talking to each other when they were supposed to be getting through some symbolism worksheet. Maybe it was because they were both so levelheaded and knew what they were talking about. Being able to talk to someone who didn't agree with Annie, but wasn't a jerk about it was refreshing to say the least./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "So why are you here?" asked Michelle, pretending to write something down./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie frowned, "Like in a spiritual way or…"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "No," Michelle laughed, "why did your parents move here?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie sighed, shaking her head as she scribbled some nonsense onto the paper, "That was dumb… my dad's teaching literature at Colombia."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Holy shit, really?! That's insane!" Michelle nearly exclaimed, quickly earning a scolding look from the teacher./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" By the time the class was over, Annie had another friend. Classes went by as they normally could for a first day at a new school. Lunch ended up being one of the least dreaded events of the day thanks to now having three friends./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" She sat across from Ned and Peter, Michelle was at the other end of the table, pretending to ignore them. Though Michelle would jump in with something to say every once in awhile. It felt like Annie had been there for the whole school year. Blending in with her new friends was simple, especially when they were all so nice. Well, Annie figured that Michelle would say otherwise, but that hardly mattered. The calm vibe that was at the table quickly shifted when another male approached the table./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Penis Parker, I see you found the newbie," the guy jeered, a smirk on his face./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Flash, quit being a dick," Ned replied, glaring./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Flash rolled his eyes, "Whatever, I just came to tell the new girl she could get a friend upgrade."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Um… the new girl has a name," Annie muttered, continuing to eat her food./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well what is it?" Flash asked, leaning against the lunch table./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie smirked, "Knulla Dig, people call me Knulla though. But I'd say I found some pretty neat people, so I won't take you up on that offer."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You'll change your mind, Knulla," Flash replied before walking away, shaking his head./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" There was a long, awkward pause as they thought about what was just said. Annie shrugged a bit, going to her food. Being able to act tended to leave Annie being pretty good with lying to people./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Ned broke the silence, "Dude, why?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I didn't like him, so I told him fuck you in Swedish," Annie said, shrugging again./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Wait a minute, you know Swedish?" Peter questioned./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Oh no, I only know a couple cuss words in it. I'm not that cool, my mom knows a bit," Annie responded./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The group continued to eat in silence. As classes resumed, Annie didn't have anything terribly eventful happen. It was just an average first day. She had homework and if she was behind, she would have to eventually catch up. Though her main issue was definitely physics class./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" It had always been a main flaw of hers, and it was easily her most ironic one. Ever since Annie was eleven she had her powers. She was a human physics equation, and that was why the subject always left her frustrated. Of all people, she should have been a genius when it came to physics, but she just couldn't wrap her head around the subject./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" When the school day ended, Annie left her physics class to go home. She was stuck on her own. Peter, Ned, and even Michelle had clubs to go to after school. So Annie put in her headphones and walked back to her apartment./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Walking back to her apartment, Annie didn't get lost, but that was only because of the GPS on her phone. A part of her was tempted to explore the city on her own. What stopped her was her lack of money. She left it all at home. Besides, she didn't have a job so she needed to save what she had./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "How was your day, sweetie?" her mom asked as she entered the apartment./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie shrugged, "It was alright, I think I'll be okay there. I mean, I already have some friends."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "That's good. Oh, the moving van showed up, so I need you to unpack your stuff," her mom replied./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie nodded, picking up her boxes from the ground, "Alright, I'll get some of it done."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Though Annie really wanted to go out and see the city again. Maybe this time Spider-Man wouldn't steal her thunder. She had to show that she mattered even while being new. Regardless of whether or not he had a cooler suit than her, she wanted to prove that she could be just as good as him./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie unpacked most of her clothes and blankets, but she couldn't stop staring out her window. It had always been difficult, making excuses to be out of the house. She had gotten in trouble for it too, since she would rarely be where she claimed. Of course, that beat the idea of telling her parents that she was actually a superhero./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Upon finishing, Annie laid on her finally made bed. The evening was very uneventful, having gotten done with nearly all her homework, so she asked to leave to go study. Maybe she could find a way to prove herself./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Hey, can I maybe go study at one of my friends' houses tonight?" she asked when she walked into the living room./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "With whom?" her dad asked, looking up from what appeared to be some papers./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "With this one girl, Michelle, she wants to help me with physics," Annie said, hopeful, making sure to add, "You are the one who wanted me to focus on science."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" With a little bit more convincing, Annie finally got to leave. Constantly lying did leave a bad taste in the brunette's mouth, but it was necessary. She knew that her parents would never let her glide along in a makeshift costume fighting robbers and the occasional villain. It was insanely dangerous, but she felt like she was wasting her time if she didn't use her powers./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Things were turning out to be quite a bit crazier than the previous night. As Annie glided from building to building, energy catching in the makeshift wings, she saw something. It appeared almost as though someone was being beaten up in an alleyway. It was her chance to show what she could really do. Well, mainly a chance to help someone get out of a tough situation./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Quickly, she glided down, simply absorbing the energy into herself, "Let her go," Annie demanded./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Or what, you'll kill me?" a scraggly man slurred./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Of course the guy was drunk! Still, Annie wasn't scared, quite the opposite, actually. She channeled some electricity from the street light near her and used some of the electricity on the man. Not much, just enough to give him a slight shock. Enough to make him realize she wasn't some loon in a dumb costume./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" It was enough for the girl to get free, though the girl seemed to fall down. The girl was injured, but Annie had to make sure this guy didn't just get away. It was too dark for Annie to see what she looked like. He tried to run away, but Annie quickly set up a barrier of energy around him. Now the man was unable to leave, she looked over at the girl./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Hey, are you alright? I can call for help if you need," Annie said./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The lady shook her head, "I don't need that, you should really let him go, he's just drunk."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "No, he wasn't 'just drunk', he hurt you. I can't let him go like that," Annie replied sternly./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "But he's a customer… if I don't… it's not gonna end up well for me. Just let me do my job," she explained with an anguished tone, rubbing her ankle./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Shit, Annie thought, it almost sounds like a trafficking ring. Getting a better look at the lady, she appeared to be a girl. It was possible that she was around Annie's age. Leave it to her to find a potentially huge network of organized crime before she could even memorize her way home. This wasn't the sort of thing she dealt with in Seattle, and she was left staring blankly. Thank the lord for her mask otherwise she would have looked like such an idiot./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie frowned, "So you have to do this? Like, against your will?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well, I don't mind. If I do well at this then Dar- my pimp treats me very well," the girl responded./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Seeing that the drunk man had passed out, Annie let down the barrier so she could get to the girl. She sat next to her, and Annie saw that the girl couldn't possibly be much older than herself. The girl's short, curly dark hair seemed to be stuck to her face from sweating./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I'm gonna get you out of this, it's not right that you're hurt. We need to get you to a hospital," Annie said, noticing what seemed to be signs of injection on the other girl's arms./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The girl shook her head, "No, I don't need some girl in a silly costume helping me."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "But you obviously do, and I'm going to regardless," Annie replied, though she was definitely not going to admit that she had no clue what to do./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" There wasn't anyone to talk to, or a way to figure out how to help this girl. Unless she physically hid this girl in her room, which was impossible, there was no way for Annie to take care of this on her own. Though as she thought, she could hear some footsteps and looked up to see what was going on./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Why the hell aren't you working, whore? And who the fuck is this?" asked a rather large, clearly sober man./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I'm a customer," Annie replied drily./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "The fuck you are, and what the fuck are you doing with my whore?!" the man yelled./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The man kept getting closer and closer. Annie could smell the cigarette breath off of the guy, and she could tell just how much taller he was than her. It wasn't like she couldn't handle this guy. He was just a regular man and she had powers. She absorbed the energy that she could feel through the streets and shoved him back into the wall./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" He tried to struggle against the barrier Annie held up, a blue green hue appearing the more force she put into keeping the man against the wall. This had to have been the guy that the girl had been talking about./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Hey, wait… what?" Annie heard another voice as well as light footsteps./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie turned to see Spider-Man. It felt insane to actually see the guy so close up. Still, this was her chance to show just what she could do. She shoved the man back again, only making him angrier. Just as Annie stole more electricity from a different street lamp, Spider-Man wrapped the guy in webbing against the wall./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I so had that!" Annie exclaimed, crossing her arms, the barrier of energy going away./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Who're you?" Spider-Man asked before Annie could complain anymore./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Giving a sarcastic curtsey, Annie said, "White Swan, at your service."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Um… what the hell's happening? I can't get up because my leg's fucked, and you just… webbed my pimp," the girl commented, sounding rather distressed./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie gave a nod, "Right, erm… we're gonna help you out."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You said something like that already," the girl retorted./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man seemed to give what Annie could only guess was a confused look, "Don't we just take her to a hospital?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "No! That's where they'll look first. You guys shouldn't have done anything," the girl trailed off./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Alright, alright, I'm thinking… do you have anywhere to go? I mean there's gotta be a place that can help you," Annie rambled, "What's your name anyways?"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "It's Tina, and, look, I can help myself." Tina insisted, attempting to stand up as she used the wall as a crutch./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You're in pain and can't even walk. You need help," Spider-Man replied, concern etched in his voice./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "How do you-" Tina was cut off./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Spidey senses, I know when things are happening and how people are feeling," he explained./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie sighed impatiently, "Or you could've just noticed that she's limping around. We need to focus, Spidey, find somewhere for Tina to go. Like a church or a convent or a homeless shelter… a place that could take care of her."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man nodded, picking up Tina, "Yep, also, I saw a church with a homeless shelter a few blocks away… sorry, I should've asked if I could pick you up, I-I meant to, but I don't know you could get anywhere easily without… well without falling."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" They ended up walking, and that was when it all truly hit Annie: she was walking with Spider-Man. She had actually spoken to Spider-Man. Harper was going to completely flip. Especially if she brought up the fact that the guy kind of sounded like a dork. It was true, though, he sounded just as confused as she did./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;"When they finally got to the church, Tina insisted on going in herself, using the wall as a crutch. Though Annie wasn't about to leave until she was positive that Tina was going to be staying in the building. Then both heroes left to go back to the spot. Wanting to make sure that they could arrest the piece of garbage that Spider-Man webbed to the wall/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The only problem was that when they got back the guy was gone. It looked like something had cut through the webbing. Something told Annie that wasn't how things were supposed to work. Of course, she didn't know how webbing was supposed to work in the first place, but the narrowed eyes on Spider-Man's costume concerned her a bit./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You know this means there are more of them, sex slaves and pimps, I mean," Annie said./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man nodded, "Yeah, I know. It'll get sorted out though, you have nothing to worry about."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Exactly, because I'll be taking care of it," Annie insisted./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Spider-Man paused, "You don't need to, you're obviously new."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "I've done this for long enough. Besides, you sound like a fetus," Annie retorted as she crossed her arms./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Um… excuse you. Fine, we can work together on it," Spider-Man replied, sighing a bit, "Mr. Stark is gonna freak if I tell him you're doing this."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well then just don't tell him. Now, if you don't mind, I've gotta get home before my parents flip," Annie said, running off so she could remember how to get home. The last thing she wanted was for Spider-Man to know that she was so new that she couldn't even remember how to get back home./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" When Annie got home that night, she called up Harper, her heart racing with excitement, "You're never gonna guess what happened!"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "You saw a roadkill pigeon?" Harper mused, sketching audible in the background./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" Annie rolled her dark brown eyes, as she worked on some trigonometry homework "No, and ew… I met Spider-Man!"/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Wait… no shit? I feel like you're lying to me… so you seriously met him?!" Harper asked, the sketching sound stopped./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" The dark-haired girl laughed, "Yes, I did, now let me tell you everything."/p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" "Well then stop with all the lead-ins and tell me about Spider-Man already!" they exclaimed, and Annie had to take the phone away from her ear because of how loud Harper yelled./p
p style="color: #888888; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19.2px;" After laughing, Annie started to retell all the crazy events of that night./p
