Every Day ── PETER PARKER²

30. A New Beginning

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       Things could be worse.

       At least that's what Luna was trying to tell herself as she watched Liz hug Liz, both girls tearing up. She eventually tore her eyes away from the two, heart feeling heavy in her chest. Liz Barns was one of the people most deserving of love, and when she finally got it, it was taken away from her. It seemed her circle of friends just couldn't catch a break this year.

      "Luna." She looked up as she was addressed, a tear-eyed Liz Allan standing with open arms in front of her. Biting the inside of her cheek, Luna stepped into her arms, embracing the girl. "Take care of Liz for me?"

      "Of course," Luna breathed, pulling back with a sad smile on her lips. With one last lingering stare, Liz rejoined her mother, leaving the two girls in the hallway. Hesitantly, Luna wrapped an arm around her best friend, bringing the girl into her side. "There's other girls?" It was the best she could offer for her friend, seeing as she wasn't equipped in the 'comforting your friend when her girlfriend's dad turns out to be a super villain' region.

      "Yeah," Liz breathed, shoulders dropping, "there are." It was silent between them for a moment, before Liz let out a sigh. "I'm sorry for making you go out with Danielle."

      Of all things she expected Liz to say, it wasn't that. Luna had taken it upon herself to not think of Danielle, because if she did, she'd feel guilty all over again. Guilty for being the reason the girl lost her last shred of sanity. So she surrpressed her feelings, Liz Allan's deparature proving to be a good distraction from her own chaotic life.

      Luna's eyes traveled over Liz's features, hands grabbing onto hers as she noticed the familiar look of guilt. "It isn't your fault, you know that, right?" Liz quickly broke their eye contact, making Luna's frown deepen. "Liz, you didn't make me go out with Danielle. I liked Danielle, she had us both fooled, so you can't take the blame."

      "It's not your fault either," Liz countered, squeezing Luna's hands when the girl let out a low scoff. "I mean it. You didn't ask for.. that to happen to you, and no matter how much you want to feel guilty for it, you shouldn't."

      It was the first time someone had said that to her. That it wasn't her fault. The bruises left on her hips, the constant shaky hands, the haunting dreams. They weren't her fault. She couldn't blame herself for something she didn't ask for, something she didn't want.

      Swallowing harshly, Luna nodded slowly. "Y–Yeah, I know."

      "Good," Liz breathed, dropping Luna's hands, locking arms with her instead. "So how'd the rest of your night go?"

       A smile tugged at Luna's lips as she was brought back to last night, hearing Peter whine when she accidentally pulled too hard on a strand of his hair, wanting to perfect the braid. "Good, actually," Luna chuckled lightly, Liz raising an eyebrow as a blush dusted over the girl's cheeks. "Peter came over after, and we slow danced to make up for... you know."

      "For a guy who blushed when you'd accidentally brushed hands, Peter is pretty smooth," Liz thought aloud, Luna nodding in agreement. "Since you were busy, I'm guessing you didn't hear about Spider-Man?"

      Luna couldn't help but tense, and because of her close proximity to Liz, it didn't go unnoticed. "Oh, no, I heard," she attempted to speak nonchalantly, unaware of the girl's calculating eyes settled on her. "Coney Island, right? Looked pretty bad."

      A distraction presented itself as the two girls were walking past the library, a few familiar faces inside of the room. In true Liz and Luna fashion, the two girls stopped in front of the glass, waving obnoxiously to their friends in the room. Ned, unable to suppress his grin, waved back equally as eager. Luna let out a laugh as Mr.Harrington said something to Ned, quickly making the boy stop his waving, though his smile remained in tact. Turning to say something to Liz, the words got caught in her throat upon noticing Liz's previously pouting face was replaced by a warm smile, eyes focused on the group in the library.

       "Oh my god." Luna couldn't help but let out an excited yelp as she followed Liz's eyes, finding them locked with Michelle Jones', who wore a shy smile of her own. Luna's outburst caused a few eyes in the library to turn to the two girls, while Liz glared at the girl. Shooting a sheepish smile to the group, she then grabbed Liz, dragging them out of their view. "You and Michelle?"

       "Are friends," Liz finished with a roll of her eyes.

       "Maybe to you," Luna snickered, earning her a shove. "All I'm saying is Michelle doesn't necessarily align herself with anybody openly, but she does with you. You don't think that counts for something?"

       "Bye Luna," Liz dismissed the topic, shooting her friend an exasperated look before parting ways.

        Luna let out a huff as she watched the girl walk away, she only came to school for her sake. What the hell was she supposed to do now? Like the heavens had heard, a familiar faced turned the corner, trailing behind a very unfamiliar face.

       "Hey stranger," Luna made her presence known, smile playing on her lips. Before she could say anything else, she was being pulled into a hug, emitting a laugh from her. Peter hugged her to his chest, his scent invading her nostrils, not that she minded. "Good day?"

        "Mr.Stark wants to see me," he whispered in her ear, pulling back to reveal his wide smile.

        "Okay, big shot," Luna snickered, hands moving up to flatten his collar down. "Swing by my house later to tell me all about it?"

        He nodded rapidly, eagerly leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her lips. "Oh, wow." Luna pulled away from Peter quickly, turning to the previously mentioned unfamiliar face, a man in a suit watching the two with raised eyebrows. "You're Luna."

        Luna's brows knitted together as confusion washed over her features, having never seen the man in her life. She glanced to Peter for a moment, only growing more confused when he flushed, unwilling to lock eyes with her. "Yeah? How did you..."

        "This is Happy," Peter interjected, a look of realization washing over Luna.

        "He's mentioned you in a few of his many, many voicemails he's left me," Happy muttered, clearly unhappy about the unnecessary information shared with him.

        Luna turned to Peter with a grin, only making his blush intensify. "I'll see you later," he mumbled, arms slipping away from her hips and back to his sides.

       "Tell Mr.Stark I said hi!"

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happy luna n peter wowie i like it
sucks it won't last for all that long whoops

also, I have published a new Tom Holland book and I kinda really love the plot for it??? It's called Only You, so if you wanna check it out, I'd rlly appreciate that