Aurum ✧ Peter Parker

✧ ˚ 19 · nineteen .

┌─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐

Ava's heart raced as she rifled through her locker, her frustration evident. "Where the hell is my history book?" she muttered.

Liz, her friend, stood beside her, amused by the sight of the young genius struggling to find a simple textbook. "Don't worry, you can use mine. I don't have history until tomorrow," Liz offered, handing over the book with a playful smile.

Ava sighed in relief, leaning her head against the locker. "Thank you, Liz, you're a lifesaver! I overslept this morning, and I was so tired last night that I didn't get my stuff ready. I'm surprised I managed to pack my gym gear."

Liz raised an eyebrow, teasingly curious. "What kept you up so late last night? Dinner with Thor? Another celebrity gala? Maybe a trip around the city with Iron Man?" she joked, well-aware of Ava's connections.

Ava laughed, her mind drifting to her secret night-time adventures. "Er - homework," she quickly replied, knowing she couldn't reveal the truth about her burgeoning powers just yet.

Liz effortlessly unlocked her locker and handed Ava the history textbook. "Here you go. So, have you given any more thought to joining the academic decathlon team?"

Ava smiled, remembering a similar conversation with her best friend, Sarah, at her previous school. "Not really. Between gymnastics and my robotics project, I'm pretty occupied."

"Come on, Ava! Last year, we were this close to winning, and just imagine the awe on other teams' faces when they see THE Ava Stark joining us!" Liz said excitedly, her enthusiasm contagious as she took hold of Ava's hands.

Ava couldn't help but feel a tug at her heartstrings. She knew Liz was right. Joining the academic decathlon team would be an opportunity to showcase her brilliance and contribute to something bigger than herself.

"Do you really think I can make a difference?" Ava asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

Liz's confidence radiated as she nodded vigorously. "Absolutely! You've got the brains and the brawn, Ava. Together, we'll be unstoppable. It'll be a wild ride!"

Ava felt a mixture of uncertainty and excitement, but Liz's infectious energy won her over. "Alright, I'll give it a shot. Let's see what the academic decathlon team can achieve with a touch of Stark genius!" she declared, a newfound determination in her voice.

Liz cheered, and the two friends shared a knowing grin. "Come on, let's get to gym class before all the good lockers get taken," Liz said, grabbing Ava's hand as they walked toward the locker room.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

Ava's heart raced with a mix of nerves and excitement as she followed Liz toward the gymnasium for her first gym class at the new school.

Liz sensed Ava's apprehension and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Ava. Gym class here is a blast! Coach Simmons always has something fun planned for us."

Ava tried to smile back, grateful for Liz's support. "I hope so. It's just... everything is so different here."

Liz nodded understandingly. "What was gym class like at your old school?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Ava shrugged, "Much calmer. Less people, and we called it physical education. We didn't really do much—usually netball or lacrosse."

Liz playfully raised an eyebrow, teasing her friend, "Oh, la-di-da, the fancy sports!"

Ava couldn't help but roll her eyes, but a playful smile formed on her lips, "Daddy's money." She shrugged.

Liz burst into laughter at Ava's response. "Okay, Miss Stark, I see you!" she teased, giving her a playful nudge.