p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222; text-align: center;" data-p-id="41f45875ce98b69d3a3017610ff82a53"Issue 3/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3ffa55180599628848dd65174e59c732" Petra sat on the ledge of a brownstone apartment in Manhattan. She didn't feel good about leaving May all alone after everything that had happened, but after a few days of staying home with her, May had finally had enough and forced Petra to leave for the day, saying something about not wanting Petra to be cooped up in the house too much. Petra still felt guilty. After everything that May had confessed to her, Petra knew that just going out by herself made May nervous. But at the same time, Petra knew that it wasn't good for either of them if she stayed in all the time. It just felt worse, because half the things that May had vented about, Petra was in the center of. And she just couldn't stop./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0b37c1a6f381b2bcb8480e18e241d21d" "What's got you so down in the dumps, Spidey?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="771389f04a2b969a96c0c0b1c6a55f94" Petra jumped. Jackie Storm stood behind her, bending down with her hands on her knees, and smiling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5228dd4b09c46dd7a1ad90f0f04cf45b" "Oh my gosh! Did I actually manage to spook you?" Jackie taunted. "I thought your, what did you call it? Your spider-sense would have told you I was coming!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e9dbbfbee92fbb09a131ec42cc54f5b3" "Give me a few years and I probably would have known, I think it's still developing. Two years ago my senses wouldn't have even alerted me if an eraser was thrown at the back of my head." Petra stated, a little indignantly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8d70ebfe8915ffb2855a76d862664c24" "Absolutely fascinating, hot stuff, now how's-about you answer my question?" Jackie implored. She sat down close, next to Petra, feet dangling in the air./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a51ddfba14adf6080f721c0bea894301" "Huh-what now?" Petra exclaimed a little flustered. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d7a89255620fc09153ae17eac7b3d744" That was something she was still trying to get used to. Petra was known to be a bit of a flirt herself, but Jackie was on a whole other level than her! Gathering herself together, Petra moved past it. "Uh, nothing! Nothing. Just some personal stuff!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="08ed6bfaf448abf41f89c41d16b46ae6" "Oh? What kind of personal stuff, if you don't mind me asking?" Jackie asked, staring Petra in the eyes. Or, well, in her lenses. There really wasn't much to look at when Petra had the mask on./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5dbdb551172d488e2bf0254a884583d7" "I-I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with sharing right now." Petra said. "I know we're friends now, but, I'm sorry, this sounds like such a jerk thing to say, but we're not quite there yet."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="00c4891adf0ec630cadb82e72557af87" "Oh!" Jackie said, drawing away from Petra just a little. "No! You're not a jerk! I just overstep-" Jackie was cut off by a car honking below them. Another car honked back, and soon a whole chorus joined in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8d0e7d7bbf58b32747504ceb7a4a733e" Petra spoke. "It's okay, Jackie! You-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5bef18813acc185d8d9abd615defb533" "What?" Jackie shouted, cutting her off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ab6e6c41e58a3220d10de2ec0b83d625" "I said that it's okay, Jackie!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a208cc248f4abf566e5156a006800eaf" "What?!" Jackie shouted again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="21a8680c029f0ee2f526e013b5eb188c" Petra groaned. Those damned cars just wouldn't shut up, and neither of them could hear each other very well. Petra stood up, grabbing Jackie's hand and pulling her up too./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8afdaaccf562e1847a95ae4536b9591f" "I know a quiet spot we can go to!" Petra shouted, drawing Petra away from the ledge. Letting go of her hand, Petra started moving to the other side of the roof, leaping off and onto the building behind it, with Jackie following close behind. Jumping off of the building, Petra began swinging towards some unknown direction, and Jackie flamed on, keeping pace with her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d3f5a2fa4ae6fdf6ebc49921da8f9b37" "You gonna clue me into where we're going, web-head?" Jackie asked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f29204f3459d1cf499fcbfee7b3ebf08" "I think you'll get the idea when we get there Jackie!" Petra responded cryptically./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6579fab5ef92c1c92af507cbb0e0d310" "Oh, so we're being coy now Spidey?" Jackie asked playfully. Petra could just barely make out a wide grin behind the flames covering her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="889263b27abc4c802097e4df50854046" They kept swinging/flying for a few minutes, until they reached the edge of the island, and landed on top of a building in the shape of a hexagon. Between the building and the water were some trees, with a railing tracing the edge of the sidewalk for people to lean on and look out at the water./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7fe9e4e14a283ea74300a4af1dd7c322" "So, you wanted to take me to a hexagon?" Jackie asked, bemused./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f87698c6463280363f95b8e4e0cf92fc" "It's the Museum of Jewish Heritage, but no, this isn't where we're going!" Petra said, cheerfully. "No, we're going over there!" Petra gestured over the water, and Jackie looked out to where she was pointing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5d976f8f5eafc9ed79f1f41ff2eaca9f" "Oh. Wait, you wanna go to the Statue of Liberty?" Jackie questioned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7fed005955870b07bd9ad83406c47bc0" "Yup." Petra said, making a popping sound when on the p./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7533b91ee4c5ed9aefe5da00e54854e7" "You know, there were probably a lot of other quiet spots we could have gone to. They were probably a lot closer too."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0f53e5be316c9926455ee8e24ad92d49" "But none of them are the Statue of Liberty! Just think of the view we'll have of the city from the top of her head! Besides, ever since I got my powers, I've wanted to climb up to the top, but, y'know, I kinda can't because there's no way to get to ther without a ferry, and I'm not about to ride on one in my costume."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4654d1fbabde2e90a9e0cb8e98340f3e" "And now I, the dazzling Human Torch, am here to fly you across and help you achieve your dream?" Jackie bemusedly said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="756303f0aab51c930456b5b65d875a55" "Right on!" Petra exclaimed. "That's exactly it. We can go to the top, get a nice view, and talk without being interrupted by angry drivers laying on their horns!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="06f11627530b125acea671f3b4e36446" "Well then, climb into my arms, fair maiden! And we shall be off!" Jackie shouted, miming some kind of fairy tale knight./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2a21d4abe0d4309c9e87440ba7de40df" "Oh my god, Jackie! That accent is so terrible!" Petra said, giggling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1360fd371213d7ff214c22367e3a947e" Jackie huffed. "Just hop on already, web-head." She said affectionately./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8e353ca8f51a787c045930f9921ac1a1"em style="box-sizing: border-box;" It's funny, just a few short months ago, Jackie and I couldn't stand each other, but now we're as thick as thieves. Or, would that be 'as thick as two superheroes who punch thieves?'" /emPetra didn't know, but she was just glad to have a good friend other than Mary Jane that she could talk to. Jackie also being a superhero helped. She better understood what Petra's life was like than MJ probably could. Jackie held out her arms, and Petra walked up to her. All of a sudden, Jackie swept Petra off her feet, holding her in her arms bridal style./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8f441a36c559c1056f91cde0498e7eff" "Whoa! I thought you were just gonna put your arms under my shoulders like last time!" Petra said, surprised. She tried hard not to think about how strong Jackie was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2e71c55d4804ae6175b875dd45f43cc2" "Too uncomfortable! And I don't wanna drop you into the Hudson either! I don't want a repeat of your little adventure in the East River that you had a few weeks ago!" Jackie said that last part tauntingly, and stretched her hand out to boop Petra on the nose. Petra swatted her hand away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dd26744db20acf4466a2339b7bd412f3" "Careful now Spidey! It would be a shame if I dropped you!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cf37695fd2ce2cbdcd46416adc09022d" "Drop me and I pull you down with me, matchstick." Petra threatened./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0926c2a989c0651eaae5eea656d378a9" "Whatever, bug." Jackie said, smiling. She reignited herself, keeping the flames off of the parts of her body that were touching Petra. Petra shouted something about spiders being arachnids, not bugs, and with that they took off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a5af238c808d50ef3fb287139e9eee64" As they crossed the water, the giant green woman that had been on the horizon started to grow larger and larger, until Petra and Jackie were right on top of her. Jackie landed on the statue's head, flaming off and gently setting Petra down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c8f010cff0cf977cbac47226cc435c3d" "Wow, you're surprisingly strong, Storm." Petra said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="388f839e63e0e0bb96ab18d2dac95d5a" "Courtesy of the state-of-the-art gym Reed built for the team over in the Baxter Building!" Jackie proudly stated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="71a511cf5c1a93f35b6f077e69f41bfa" Petra sat down, and Jackie moved to sit next to her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="923fa066fc131acdc71788fde44bd00a" "Wow, I think you were right, this is a really great view!" Said Jackie, gazing at the vast expanse of skyscrapers across the water. "The only bad part about this spot is that Jersey City is right behind us. Petra and Jackie both turned their heads, to look at the neighboring city, and shuddered. "Gross." They both said and turned away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="609800e084ae300ac421fcca0819288b" "It's funny, just a few years ago, I wouldn't have been able to see this view very well. Even if I had had my glasses, they would have been too smudged to get a good look. That's one good thing about these powers of mine." Petra casually said, appreciating the good view before her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="742e182d021a142ccb5a4e605926fec1" "Okay, I've really gotta ask, how did you get your powers? Are you a mutant? An Inhuman?" Jackie asked. "Ooh! Did an ancient spider warrior from space grant you his powers before he died so that you could carry on his noble fight against an evil race of aliens?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c0c45dc04f24ce72aa6fee093d4b78e5" Petra giggled. "Okay, I'll tell you, but promise not to laugh!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b5f928168e16be652ad9ae381c632ff3" Jackie raised an eyebrow. "Why would I laugh? Have you ever heard of this guy who fought in World War 2 called the Whizzer? I heard he got his powers from having a blood transfusion with a mongoose!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4c659210b61f86f90d115afc5ebeb75d" Petra shrugged. "I'm not too surprised. I feel like a lot of people with powers got their abilities from blood transfusions. It's kind of getting out of hand at this point."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c8f9dc07c050e478a2bb1af676434038" Jackie nodded sagely. "You can never be too careful about where you get your blood from these days. Now spill!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="228d12116bbc1f5d3238c02645d331b9" Petra held her hands in the air in surrender. "Alright! Alright! I'll tell you." Petra turned to completely face Jackie. "Okay, so about 2 and a half years ago, I was checking out a science exhibit at a lab. The exhibit involved radiation, and apparently, some spider must have gotten in and been dosed with a HUGE amount of radiation. Before it died, it crawled onto my hand when I wasn't looking, and it bit me! I started feeling sick, went home, got some sleep, and then the next thing I know, I wake up, and I've got abs and don't need glasses anymore!" Petra stopped rambling. "Well, whaddaya think? Pretty dumb way to get powers right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9b42e9502ae00659f91ad6c4cf76357a" Jackie laughed. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it dumb, but it's certainly a unique way to get your powers!" Jackie's face then turned a little more serious. "You don't think the whole radiation part could have any negative side effects on you, do you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7ba544381be241620cac1c9cdb86deac" Petra scratched the back of her head. "Well, right before my powers kicked in, I was so sick that I thought I was going to die, but other than that, I can't think of anything bad happening to me like that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a02f4048b2d752f7e94577b55b122bb4" They fell into a comfortable silence for a little bit, just sitting there and staring out at the city. The mid-afternoon sun beat down on Petra, and her costume wasn't really helping her to regulate the heat, but she powered through it, choosing to enjoy the fact that she was sitting on the Statue of Liberty's head. She didn't think anybody before her and Jackie had ever been on top of it like this. Petra thought that was really cool. Below them, boats full of tourists passed by. People began noticing the two superheroes sitting on top of the giant national treasure and started shouting, trying to get their attention, and taking pictures. Petra and Jackie waved for a bit, before turning to each other again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="299a329fc58c27247f858de58d258225" "So, do you have any plans for the fall?" Petra asked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e69c4fd610fa2480d29987180d24bafa" "Ugh, Reed and Sue made me enroll in college. I thought I would be fine with my high school diploma, but that's not enough for them." Jackie said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b17b0332274d4837e27a249059be6d2f" "Oh. Where did you enroll?" Petra questioned, now starting to get a little curious./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6ec5d77badb5b6d6e21f2046b6c4f8e6" "Empire State University. Why d'you ask?" Jackie said, cocking one of her eyebrows./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4510c628a88c30881e36298edb7cfd6b" "Oh! Uh, no reason!" Petra squeaked out. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Shit, I never thought I'd end up going to the same college as the Human Torch! This had better not make anything complicated! /em"So, ESU huh?" Petra said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="eb847e844934d49e205a9742d5659fb7" "Yeah. Even though I keep griping about it, I will admit I am a little excited. Maybe I'll be able to start branching out, try new things, you know?" Jackie asked. Petra nodded. "Since you're SO obviously the same age as me and a nerd on top of that, I'm guessing that you either already started college or you're starting this semester. What school will you be attending?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f858955491639d7fac25b410c4516970" Petra was unsure if she wanted Jackie to know they would be going to the same school. It's not that she didn't think she could trust Jackie with that information, but Petra didn't want Jackie looking around campus, trying to figure out which one of the many students was secretly her best pal Spider-Woman./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cc368e047c0f82c6150e73b71841d80c" "Oh! You know, I'll be around! At a school!" Petra was doing a terrible job trying to dodge the question./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="006646e67dbf5fc727a41e334c8aab72" Jackie groaned. "Ugh you're not on this secret identity stuff again, are you? I just don't get it, wouldn't things be easier for you if you just unmasked yourself? Look at me and the rest of the Four! Or most of the Avengers! We do just fine without a secret identity!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="294ccde672355b9dcfc33daa37dd7f5c" "It's to keep my loved ones safe! None of my enemies can track down where I live and hurt them if they don't know who I am!" Petra explained. "And besides, I think everyone would treat me differently if they knew. I like to keep these two parts of my life separated as much as possible."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d42752175baebb32d46941f6f1031482" "Now THAT I can understand. You get famous and suddenly everyone you meet acts like your BFF's. Like, no dude. I DON'T want to ride in your car with you. We've barely even had a conversation before now, and somehow you think I wanna hang out with you? Ugh!" Jackie passionately shouted. "But if you revealed your identity, I bet you wouldn't get so much bad press all the time! I think that's part of the reason why the Bugle goes after you so much. You're faceless, and it lets people draw all sorts of conclusions, or project their own fears onto you, regardless of how much your actions say otherwise!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1a90157b7f1f139fcc91a6e708b96778" Petra nodded. "I think you're right about that part, but it still doesn't change a thing. I can't risk it. And I'm not the only one out there who hides their identity. I mean, look at Daredevil, or Iron Man! Nobody knows who they are! Well, I know who Daredevil is."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="55671981244532af1cd60fcde9f2f3e8" Jackie smirked. "And I know both of their identities. Perks of being in the FF!" Jackie dropped her smirk. "But I still don't know who you are. I guess I can see where you're coming from with the whole secret identity thing, but I don't see why I can't know!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5a9b53034334cece672e64e2d91c2be4" Petra sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you or anything Jackie. I just think I need to wait until I'm ready to tell you who I am, that's all."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8e7201559a703cb66ee16e98f34518d9" Jackie nodded, she was clearly a little bummed out that Petra still refused to tell her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="429df8fca11436b54c1c3a09dae50da0" "Um. I can tell you a little about myself though." Petra said. She felt uncomfortable, but she knew that she had to tell her this./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3cef93b5de9372e810360bf5c3995e2e" "Really?" Jackie asked, smiling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e24c82f5cb32c88215c7689341da8bf2" "Uh, yeah. Sorry, just give me a minute, I need to work myself up to it." Petra said nervously. Jackie gazed encouragingly at Petra, a soft smile on her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="85a77c166b4ab7025f4f83281e9b613b" "Okay, uh, I won't just build up to it or anything. I'm trans." Petra spat out, a little quickly. No matter how many times she had to come out to people, it never got any easier. Jackie's face made an expression of surprise. Petra didn't try to apologize for making Jackie feel 'uncomfortable' like she used to do when she was younger. She was more mature now, and she knew her own self-worth. If anyone had a problem with it, then that was just it. It was their problem, not hers. Petra still hoped that Jackie didn't have a problem with it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="fa51e3b049c7f05e973c512648f8aa48" Jackie's face broke into a grin, and she pulled Petra into a hug. "I'm happy that you trusted me enough to tell me that Spidey! Thank you!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="fb25097bd8d63e7f1ba43a28946fa8af" Petra hugged Jackie back. "I'm happy you're not being weird about it or anything! A lot of people I know have been, well, really weird about it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b50a843e9018347eb88044711e079a61" Jackie sucked in her breath, and they broke their hug. "Sheesh, that sucks. So your pronouns are she/her, right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7729b9386931bf66fa9c0063e5cfcfe4" Petra nodded, giving a little salute with her fingers. "Spot on!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5e1c87cbf35d14a079831c46f7bccfdc" "Well, since you just came out, I might as well join in. I'm bi!" Jackie happily exclaimed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="12a10dd18f0ed896f67524940af78321" Petra laughed. "Yeah, I kind of figured."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b05141d077514a19fca53e81dfdde851" Jackie made a confused humming noise. "What? How?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f2b20260b75bce6f1fb548fe6688a414" Petra deadpanned. "Jackie, you're a celebrity, do you know how many dumb articles about your dating life pop up in my news feed? People our age gossip about it all the time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="40982625ecdfbcfdf1917e7c6cb7d5d9" Jackie scratched the back of her neck. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that, ha! Sorry."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7e1baccb5651c055e5c1762c3dc66650" Petra laughed. "No, don't apologize! Thank you for sharing! Um, I'm a lesbian, by the way."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7c160b4cd7497605caf0ae008c0fb3b5" "Oh, I see, you've got one more of the letters in the acronym than I do, and now you think you're better than me, I see how it is!" Jackie playfully said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9359f544fa85cf8377c94c809014f254" Petra laughed. "Alright, I think it's time we left, I wanna get home a little earlier tonight, I have to check on, uh, something."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5cf53438473993b690e8a45d9ef65517" Jackie scooped Petra back into her arms, and Petra made an indignant squeaking noise. They took off into the air and headed back to land./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0ec3e8653d57d89e009e3de49d7a5aa4" "Alright, where do you want me to drop you off, Spidey?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="136fa0f762882a97e860c89e0038462a" "Just drop me off somewhere in Queens, I can make my way home from there!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="09e76e89e5bbd3ff8ccd7ffcac332103" Jackie dropped Petra off, and the two started saying their goodbyes. Just as Jackie was about to leave, Petra put her hand on her shoulder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1b45879241637e3e97605454a51ac98e" "Hey, Jackie? Thanks for hanging out with me today, I really needed it." Petra tried her best to convey how grateful she was, but it was really awkward with the mask blocking her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="235027f635163ad322df2800efeeac57" Jackie smiled and pulled Petra in for a hug, then flew off towards the Baxter Building, waving to Petra as she went. Petra made her way home, changing out of her costume on the roof of her house, and then walking in through the front door. A swell of panic made its way into Petra's chest, as she walked into the living room, fearing that she would see May lying unconscious on the ground again, hurt, or worse. Petra's fears were quickly quelled when May walked out of the kitchen, holding a large ceramic bowl filled with batter./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7957a329dab697d03663923f2a181653" "Petra! I heard you coming in! How was your day?" May asked, happy to see her niece./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c14d81e548ecbbc3883195c246c99aa3" "It was actually really nice! I met up with a friend and she and I went to-um, we went sightseeing!" Petra said, almost slipping up and admitting that she hadn't gone "sightseeing" so much as she was sitting on top of one of New York's most iconic sights./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="41f2e97f175bdc0d4c49412bdf0f4516" "A friend, huh? Is this the same 'friend' that you've been spending so much time with lately?" May questioned, shooting Petra a knowing look./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="df0ee9ce38aefb7c08d10e063e033942" Petra blushed. "No! I mean, yes! But it was nothing like that! We're just friends!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="83b46d0452aa9e3deb0919f362c325d6" Aunt May arched one of her eyebrows. "Uh huh, sure. Tell me one thing though, is she cute?" Aunt May said, a shit-eating grin growing on her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dd2fe8cd54b0e11f34c42cf22269e604" "Okay! This conversation is officially over!" Petra quickly shouted, before changing the subject. "Whatcha makin' there, May?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cf697a7a0c535dac6c27ee5c3fd02035" May rolled her eyes at Petra's obvious attempt at avoiding the conversation. "I started making dinner early, I thought it would be fun to have breakfast for dinner, so I'm making us some pancakes."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b8bcac6e07a09c5bfd8778f0e773f4e3" That made Petra excited. Today had been a nice change of pace, nothing too dramatic, no supervillains and barely any crime, spending time with a friend, and now breakfast for dinner to top it all off. It was perfect./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="23f308c4d438fd9ccfd5269896ab1932" "Sweet! I'm gonna put my bag in my room real quick, and then I'll come back down and help you!" May nodded and headed back to the kitchen, and Petra jogged up the stairs to her room. She opened her door and stepped inside, dropping her bag beside her bed. She then unzipped it and pulled out her costume. Petra brought it up to her nose and sniffed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="89c451c2df0312bdf2ca9894fe7e700a" "Ew, guess it's time for you to be washed again. I really need to make more copies of the suit so that I don't have to wait until after I do my laundry to go out. Too bad I don't have enough in my budget for that." Petra said to herself. After folding the costume's shirt and pants, she kneeled down and placed the items neatly under some other clothes that she kept in the chest at the foot of her bed. She then shut the chest and closed the padlock on it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a938d2a9dabdd6d7534de9822e230d4e" Standing back up, she looked over at her window. MJ was in her room too. She noticed Petra and opened her window, gesturing for Petra to do the same. Petra smiled and walked to hers, just about to unlock it, when a crashing noise from downstairs caught her attention. The ever-present dread that had sat in the back of Petra's mind for the last few days filled Petra with panic. The blood drained from her face, and she turned and darted out of her room, shouting for May, and leaving Mary Jane confused, staring after Petra./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222; text-align: center;" data-p-id="8917caab382596a95f085f75b4fd4e43"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"To Be Continued.../span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3ffa55180599628848dd65174e59c732" Petra sat on the ledge of a brownstone apartment in Manhattan. She didn't feel good about leaving May all alone after everything that had happened, but after a few days of staying home with her, May had finally had enough and forced Petra to leave for the day, saying something about not wanting Petra to be cooped up in the house too much. Petra still felt guilty. After everything that May had confessed to her, Petra knew that just going out by herself made May nervous. But at the same time, Petra knew that it wasn't good for either of them if she stayed in all the time. It just felt worse, because half the things that May had vented about, Petra was in the center of. And she just couldn't stop./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0b37c1a6f381b2bcb8480e18e241d21d" "What's got you so down in the dumps, Spidey?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="771389f04a2b969a96c0c0b1c6a55f94" Petra jumped. Jackie Storm stood behind her, bending down with her hands on her knees, and smiling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5228dd4b09c46dd7a1ad90f0f04cf45b" "Oh my gosh! Did I actually manage to spook you?" Jackie taunted. "I thought your, what did you call it? Your spider-sense would have told you I was coming!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e9dbbfbee92fbb09a131ec42cc54f5b3" "Give me a few years and I probably would have known, I think it's still developing. Two years ago my senses wouldn't have even alerted me if an eraser was thrown at the back of my head." Petra stated, a little indignantly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8d70ebfe8915ffb2855a76d862664c24" "Absolutely fascinating, hot stuff, now how's-about you answer my question?" Jackie implored. She sat down close, next to Petra, feet dangling in the air./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a51ddfba14adf6080f721c0bea894301" "Huh-what now?" Petra exclaimed a little flustered. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d7a89255620fc09153ae17eac7b3d744" That was something she was still trying to get used to. Petra was known to be a bit of a flirt herself, but Jackie was on a whole other level than her! Gathering herself together, Petra moved past it. "Uh, nothing! Nothing. Just some personal stuff!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="08ed6bfaf448abf41f89c41d16b46ae6" "Oh? What kind of personal stuff, if you don't mind me asking?" Jackie asked, staring Petra in the eyes. Or, well, in her lenses. There really wasn't much to look at when Petra had the mask on./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5dbdb551172d488e2bf0254a884583d7" "I-I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with sharing right now." Petra said. "I know we're friends now, but, I'm sorry, this sounds like such a jerk thing to say, but we're not quite there yet."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="00c4891adf0ec630cadb82e72557af87" "Oh!" Jackie said, drawing away from Petra just a little. "No! You're not a jerk! I just overstep-" Jackie was cut off by a car honking below them. Another car honked back, and soon a whole chorus joined in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8d0e7d7bbf58b32747504ceb7a4a733e" Petra spoke. "It's okay, Jackie! You-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5bef18813acc185d8d9abd615defb533" "What?" Jackie shouted, cutting her off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ab6e6c41e58a3220d10de2ec0b83d625" "I said that it's okay, Jackie!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a208cc248f4abf566e5156a006800eaf" "What?!" Jackie shouted again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="21a8680c029f0ee2f526e013b5eb188c" Petra groaned. Those damned cars just wouldn't shut up, and neither of them could hear each other very well. Petra stood up, grabbing Jackie's hand and pulling her up too./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8afdaaccf562e1847a95ae4536b9591f" "I know a quiet spot we can go to!" Petra shouted, drawing Petra away from the ledge. Letting go of her hand, Petra started moving to the other side of the roof, leaping off and onto the building behind it, with Jackie following close behind. Jumping off of the building, Petra began swinging towards some unknown direction, and Jackie flamed on, keeping pace with her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d3f5a2fa4ae6fdf6ebc49921da8f9b37" "You gonna clue me into where we're going, web-head?" Jackie asked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f29204f3459d1cf499fcbfee7b3ebf08" "I think you'll get the idea when we get there Jackie!" Petra responded cryptically./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6579fab5ef92c1c92af507cbb0e0d310" "Oh, so we're being coy now Spidey?" Jackie asked playfully. Petra could just barely make out a wide grin behind the flames covering her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="889263b27abc4c802097e4df50854046" They kept swinging/flying for a few minutes, until they reached the edge of the island, and landed on top of a building in the shape of a hexagon. Between the building and the water were some trees, with a railing tracing the edge of the sidewalk for people to lean on and look out at the water./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7fe9e4e14a283ea74300a4af1dd7c322" "So, you wanted to take me to a hexagon?" Jackie asked, bemused./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f87698c6463280363f95b8e4e0cf92fc" "It's the Museum of Jewish Heritage, but no, this isn't where we're going!" Petra said, cheerfully. "No, we're going over there!" Petra gestured over the water, and Jackie looked out to where she was pointing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5d976f8f5eafc9ed79f1f41ff2eaca9f" "Oh. Wait, you wanna go to the Statue of Liberty?" Jackie questioned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7fed005955870b07bd9ad83406c47bc0" "Yup." Petra said, making a popping sound when on the p./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7533b91ee4c5ed9aefe5da00e54854e7" "You know, there were probably a lot of other quiet spots we could have gone to. They were probably a lot closer too."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0f53e5be316c9926455ee8e24ad92d49" "But none of them are the Statue of Liberty! Just think of the view we'll have of the city from the top of her head! Besides, ever since I got my powers, I've wanted to climb up to the top, but, y'know, I kinda can't because there's no way to get to ther without a ferry, and I'm not about to ride on one in my costume."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4654d1fbabde2e90a9e0cb8e98340f3e" "And now I, the dazzling Human Torch, am here to fly you across and help you achieve your dream?" Jackie bemusedly said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="756303f0aab51c930456b5b65d875a55" "Right on!" Petra exclaimed. "That's exactly it. We can go to the top, get a nice view, and talk without being interrupted by angry drivers laying on their horns!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="06f11627530b125acea671f3b4e36446" "Well then, climb into my arms, fair maiden! And we shall be off!" Jackie shouted, miming some kind of fairy tale knight./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2a21d4abe0d4309c9e87440ba7de40df" "Oh my god, Jackie! That accent is so terrible!" Petra said, giggling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1360fd371213d7ff214c22367e3a947e" Jackie huffed. "Just hop on already, web-head." She said affectionately./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8e353ca8f51a787c045930f9921ac1a1"em style="box-sizing: border-box;" It's funny, just a few short months ago, Jackie and I couldn't stand each other, but now we're as thick as thieves. Or, would that be 'as thick as two superheroes who punch thieves?'" /emPetra didn't know, but she was just glad to have a good friend other than Mary Jane that she could talk to. Jackie also being a superhero helped. She better understood what Petra's life was like than MJ probably could. Jackie held out her arms, and Petra walked up to her. All of a sudden, Jackie swept Petra off her feet, holding her in her arms bridal style./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8f441a36c559c1056f91cde0498e7eff" "Whoa! I thought you were just gonna put your arms under my shoulders like last time!" Petra said, surprised. She tried hard not to think about how strong Jackie was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2e71c55d4804ae6175b875dd45f43cc2" "Too uncomfortable! And I don't wanna drop you into the Hudson either! I don't want a repeat of your little adventure in the East River that you had a few weeks ago!" Jackie said that last part tauntingly, and stretched her hand out to boop Petra on the nose. Petra swatted her hand away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dd26744db20acf4466a2339b7bd412f3" "Careful now Spidey! It would be a shame if I dropped you!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cf37695fd2ce2cbdcd46416adc09022d" "Drop me and I pull you down with me, matchstick." Petra threatened./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0926c2a989c0651eaae5eea656d378a9" "Whatever, bug." Jackie said, smiling. She reignited herself, keeping the flames off of the parts of her body that were touching Petra. Petra shouted something about spiders being arachnids, not bugs, and with that they took off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a5af238c808d50ef3fb287139e9eee64" As they crossed the water, the giant green woman that had been on the horizon started to grow larger and larger, until Petra and Jackie were right on top of her. Jackie landed on the statue's head, flaming off and gently setting Petra down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c8f010cff0cf977cbac47226cc435c3d" "Wow, you're surprisingly strong, Storm." Petra said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="388f839e63e0e0bb96ab18d2dac95d5a" "Courtesy of the state-of-the-art gym Reed built for the team over in the Baxter Building!" Jackie proudly stated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="71a511cf5c1a93f35b6f077e69f41bfa" Petra sat down, and Jackie moved to sit next to her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="923fa066fc131acdc71788fde44bd00a" "Wow, I think you were right, this is a really great view!" Said Jackie, gazing at the vast expanse of skyscrapers across the water. "The only bad part about this spot is that Jersey City is right behind us. Petra and Jackie both turned their heads, to look at the neighboring city, and shuddered. "Gross." They both said and turned away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="609800e084ae300ac421fcca0819288b" "It's funny, just a few years ago, I wouldn't have been able to see this view very well. Even if I had had my glasses, they would have been too smudged to get a good look. That's one good thing about these powers of mine." Petra casually said, appreciating the good view before her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="742e182d021a142ccb5a4e605926fec1" "Okay, I've really gotta ask, how did you get your powers? Are you a mutant? An Inhuman?" Jackie asked. "Ooh! Did an ancient spider warrior from space grant you his powers before he died so that you could carry on his noble fight against an evil race of aliens?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c0c45dc04f24ce72aa6fee093d4b78e5" Petra giggled. "Okay, I'll tell you, but promise not to laugh!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b5f928168e16be652ad9ae381c632ff3" Jackie raised an eyebrow. "Why would I laugh? Have you ever heard of this guy who fought in World War 2 called the Whizzer? I heard he got his powers from having a blood transfusion with a mongoose!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4c659210b61f86f90d115afc5ebeb75d" Petra shrugged. "I'm not too surprised. I feel like a lot of people with powers got their abilities from blood transfusions. It's kind of getting out of hand at this point."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c8f9dc07c050e478a2bb1af676434038" Jackie nodded sagely. "You can never be too careful about where you get your blood from these days. Now spill!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="228d12116bbc1f5d3238c02645d331b9" Petra held her hands in the air in surrender. "Alright! Alright! I'll tell you." Petra turned to completely face Jackie. "Okay, so about 2 and a half years ago, I was checking out a science exhibit at a lab. The exhibit involved radiation, and apparently, some spider must have gotten in and been dosed with a HUGE amount of radiation. Before it died, it crawled onto my hand when I wasn't looking, and it bit me! I started feeling sick, went home, got some sleep, and then the next thing I know, I wake up, and I've got abs and don't need glasses anymore!" Petra stopped rambling. "Well, whaddaya think? Pretty dumb way to get powers right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9b42e9502ae00659f91ad6c4cf76357a" Jackie laughed. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it dumb, but it's certainly a unique way to get your powers!" Jackie's face then turned a little more serious. "You don't think the whole radiation part could have any negative side effects on you, do you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7ba544381be241620cac1c9cdb86deac" Petra scratched the back of her head. "Well, right before my powers kicked in, I was so sick that I thought I was going to die, but other than that, I can't think of anything bad happening to me like that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a02f4048b2d752f7e94577b55b122bb4" They fell into a comfortable silence for a little bit, just sitting there and staring out at the city. The mid-afternoon sun beat down on Petra, and her costume wasn't really helping her to regulate the heat, but she powered through it, choosing to enjoy the fact that she was sitting on the Statue of Liberty's head. She didn't think anybody before her and Jackie had ever been on top of it like this. Petra thought that was really cool. Below them, boats full of tourists passed by. People began noticing the two superheroes sitting on top of the giant national treasure and started shouting, trying to get their attention, and taking pictures. Petra and Jackie waved for a bit, before turning to each other again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="299a329fc58c27247f858de58d258225" "So, do you have any plans for the fall?" Petra asked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e69c4fd610fa2480d29987180d24bafa" "Ugh, Reed and Sue made me enroll in college. I thought I would be fine with my high school diploma, but that's not enough for them." Jackie said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b17b0332274d4837e27a249059be6d2f" "Oh. Where did you enroll?" Petra questioned, now starting to get a little curious./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6ec5d77badb5b6d6e21f2046b6c4f8e6" "Empire State University. Why d'you ask?" Jackie said, cocking one of her eyebrows./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4510c628a88c30881e36298edb7cfd6b" "Oh! Uh, no reason!" Petra squeaked out. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Shit, I never thought I'd end up going to the same college as the Human Torch! This had better not make anything complicated! /em"So, ESU huh?" Petra said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="eb847e844934d49e205a9742d5659fb7" "Yeah. Even though I keep griping about it, I will admit I am a little excited. Maybe I'll be able to start branching out, try new things, you know?" Jackie asked. Petra nodded. "Since you're SO obviously the same age as me and a nerd on top of that, I'm guessing that you either already started college or you're starting this semester. What school will you be attending?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f858955491639d7fac25b410c4516970" Petra was unsure if she wanted Jackie to know they would be going to the same school. It's not that she didn't think she could trust Jackie with that information, but Petra didn't want Jackie looking around campus, trying to figure out which one of the many students was secretly her best pal Spider-Woman./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cc368e047c0f82c6150e73b71841d80c" "Oh! You know, I'll be around! At a school!" Petra was doing a terrible job trying to dodge the question./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="006646e67dbf5fc727a41e334c8aab72" Jackie groaned. "Ugh you're not on this secret identity stuff again, are you? I just don't get it, wouldn't things be easier for you if you just unmasked yourself? Look at me and the rest of the Four! Or most of the Avengers! We do just fine without a secret identity!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="294ccde672355b9dcfc33daa37dd7f5c" "It's to keep my loved ones safe! None of my enemies can track down where I live and hurt them if they don't know who I am!" Petra explained. "And besides, I think everyone would treat me differently if they knew. I like to keep these two parts of my life separated as much as possible."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d42752175baebb32d46941f6f1031482" "Now THAT I can understand. You get famous and suddenly everyone you meet acts like your BFF's. Like, no dude. I DON'T want to ride in your car with you. We've barely even had a conversation before now, and somehow you think I wanna hang out with you? Ugh!" Jackie passionately shouted. "But if you revealed your identity, I bet you wouldn't get so much bad press all the time! I think that's part of the reason why the Bugle goes after you so much. You're faceless, and it lets people draw all sorts of conclusions, or project their own fears onto you, regardless of how much your actions say otherwise!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1a90157b7f1f139fcc91a6e708b96778" Petra nodded. "I think you're right about that part, but it still doesn't change a thing. I can't risk it. And I'm not the only one out there who hides their identity. I mean, look at Daredevil, or Iron Man! Nobody knows who they are! Well, I know who Daredevil is."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="55671981244532af1cd60fcde9f2f3e8" Jackie smirked. "And I know both of their identities. Perks of being in the FF!" Jackie dropped her smirk. "But I still don't know who you are. I guess I can see where you're coming from with the whole secret identity thing, but I don't see why I can't know!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5a9b53034334cece672e64e2d91c2be4" Petra sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you or anything Jackie. I just think I need to wait until I'm ready to tell you who I am, that's all."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8e7201559a703cb66ee16e98f34518d9" Jackie nodded, she was clearly a little bummed out that Petra still refused to tell her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="429df8fca11436b54c1c3a09dae50da0" "Um. I can tell you a little about myself though." Petra said. She felt uncomfortable, but she knew that she had to tell her this./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3cef93b5de9372e810360bf5c3995e2e" "Really?" Jackie asked, smiling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e24c82f5cb32c88215c7689341da8bf2" "Uh, yeah. Sorry, just give me a minute, I need to work myself up to it." Petra said nervously. Jackie gazed encouragingly at Petra, a soft smile on her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="85a77c166b4ab7025f4f83281e9b613b" "Okay, uh, I won't just build up to it or anything. I'm trans." Petra spat out, a little quickly. No matter how many times she had to come out to people, it never got any easier. Jackie's face made an expression of surprise. Petra didn't try to apologize for making Jackie feel 'uncomfortable' like she used to do when she was younger. She was more mature now, and she knew her own self-worth. If anyone had a problem with it, then that was just it. It was their problem, not hers. Petra still hoped that Jackie didn't have a problem with it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="fa51e3b049c7f05e973c512648f8aa48" Jackie's face broke into a grin, and she pulled Petra into a hug. "I'm happy that you trusted me enough to tell me that Spidey! Thank you!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="fb25097bd8d63e7f1ba43a28946fa8af" Petra hugged Jackie back. "I'm happy you're not being weird about it or anything! A lot of people I know have been, well, really weird about it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b50a843e9018347eb88044711e079a61" Jackie sucked in her breath, and they broke their hug. "Sheesh, that sucks. So your pronouns are she/her, right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7729b9386931bf66fa9c0063e5cfcfe4" Petra nodded, giving a little salute with her fingers. "Spot on!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5e1c87cbf35d14a079831c46f7bccfdc" "Well, since you just came out, I might as well join in. I'm bi!" Jackie happily exclaimed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="12a10dd18f0ed896f67524940af78321" Petra laughed. "Yeah, I kind of figured."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b05141d077514a19fca53e81dfdde851" Jackie made a confused humming noise. "What? How?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f2b20260b75bce6f1fb548fe6688a414" Petra deadpanned. "Jackie, you're a celebrity, do you know how many dumb articles about your dating life pop up in my news feed? People our age gossip about it all the time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="40982625ecdfbcfdf1917e7c6cb7d5d9" Jackie scratched the back of her neck. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that, ha! Sorry."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7e1baccb5651c055e5c1762c3dc66650" Petra laughed. "No, don't apologize! Thank you for sharing! Um, I'm a lesbian, by the way."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7c160b4cd7497605caf0ae008c0fb3b5" "Oh, I see, you've got one more of the letters in the acronym than I do, and now you think you're better than me, I see how it is!" Jackie playfully said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9359f544fa85cf8377c94c809014f254" Petra laughed. "Alright, I think it's time we left, I wanna get home a little earlier tonight, I have to check on, uh, something."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5cf53438473993b690e8a45d9ef65517" Jackie scooped Petra back into her arms, and Petra made an indignant squeaking noise. They took off into the air and headed back to land./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0ec3e8653d57d89e009e3de49d7a5aa4" "Alright, where do you want me to drop you off, Spidey?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="136fa0f762882a97e860c89e0038462a" "Just drop me off somewhere in Queens, I can make my way home from there!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="09e76e89e5bbd3ff8ccd7ffcac332103" Jackie dropped Petra off, and the two started saying their goodbyes. Just as Jackie was about to leave, Petra put her hand on her shoulder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1b45879241637e3e97605454a51ac98e" "Hey, Jackie? Thanks for hanging out with me today, I really needed it." Petra tried her best to convey how grateful she was, but it was really awkward with the mask blocking her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="235027f635163ad322df2800efeeac57" Jackie smiled and pulled Petra in for a hug, then flew off towards the Baxter Building, waving to Petra as she went. Petra made her way home, changing out of her costume on the roof of her house, and then walking in through the front door. A swell of panic made its way into Petra's chest, as she walked into the living room, fearing that she would see May lying unconscious on the ground again, hurt, or worse. Petra's fears were quickly quelled when May walked out of the kitchen, holding a large ceramic bowl filled with batter./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7957a329dab697d03663923f2a181653" "Petra! I heard you coming in! How was your day?" May asked, happy to see her niece./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c14d81e548ecbbc3883195c246c99aa3" "It was actually really nice! I met up with a friend and she and I went to-um, we went sightseeing!" Petra said, almost slipping up and admitting that she hadn't gone "sightseeing" so much as she was sitting on top of one of New York's most iconic sights./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="41f2e97f175bdc0d4c49412bdf0f4516" "A friend, huh? Is this the same 'friend' that you've been spending so much time with lately?" May questioned, shooting Petra a knowing look./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="df0ee9ce38aefb7c08d10e063e033942" Petra blushed. "No! I mean, yes! But it was nothing like that! We're just friends!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="83b46d0452aa9e3deb0919f362c325d6" Aunt May arched one of her eyebrows. "Uh huh, sure. Tell me one thing though, is she cute?" Aunt May said, a shit-eating grin growing on her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dd2fe8cd54b0e11f34c42cf22269e604" "Okay! This conversation is officially over!" Petra quickly shouted, before changing the subject. "Whatcha makin' there, May?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cf697a7a0c535dac6c27ee5c3fd02035" May rolled her eyes at Petra's obvious attempt at avoiding the conversation. "I started making dinner early, I thought it would be fun to have breakfast for dinner, so I'm making us some pancakes."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b8bcac6e07a09c5bfd8778f0e773f4e3" That made Petra excited. Today had been a nice change of pace, nothing too dramatic, no supervillains and barely any crime, spending time with a friend, and now breakfast for dinner to top it all off. It was perfect./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="23f308c4d438fd9ccfd5269896ab1932" "Sweet! I'm gonna put my bag in my room real quick, and then I'll come back down and help you!" May nodded and headed back to the kitchen, and Petra jogged up the stairs to her room. She opened her door and stepped inside, dropping her bag beside her bed. She then unzipped it and pulled out her costume. Petra brought it up to her nose and sniffed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="89c451c2df0312bdf2ca9894fe7e700a" "Ew, guess it's time for you to be washed again. I really need to make more copies of the suit so that I don't have to wait until after I do my laundry to go out. Too bad I don't have enough in my budget for that." Petra said to herself. After folding the costume's shirt and pants, she kneeled down and placed the items neatly under some other clothes that she kept in the chest at the foot of her bed. She then shut the chest and closed the padlock on it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a938d2a9dabdd6d7534de9822e230d4e" Standing back up, she looked over at her window. MJ was in her room too. She noticed Petra and opened her window, gesturing for Petra to do the same. Petra smiled and walked to hers, just about to unlock it, when a crashing noise from downstairs caught her attention. The ever-present dread that had sat in the back of Petra's mind for the last few days filled Petra with panic. The blood drained from her face, and she turned and darted out of her room, shouting for May, and leaving Mary Jane confused, staring after Petra./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222; text-align: center;" data-p-id="8917caab382596a95f085f75b4fd4e43"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"To Be Continued.../span/p