Nikki Stark retrieved a piece of fruit and a juice box from the kitchen. A wave of confusion washed over her. Usually, her father would greet her each morning, but minutes ticked by with no sign of him. She sighed, shouldering her bag and activating the AI embedded in her watch.
She knew she didn’t *need* to rely on her powers or her suit for school, but Tony insisted on it, claiming it was for “emergencies.” Nikki was tired of the constant scrutiny, the way everyone treated her differently because of her family’s wealth. She just wanted to be seen as Nikki, not Stark’s daughter. Most students either avoided her out of fear or deference, making genuine connection impossible.
Peter and Ned were different. They saw *her*, not her status.
It was seven AM. Peter was likely still asleep. She began the walk to his house, resigned to taking the bus now that Happy was on vacation. When she knocked, May answered, offering a warm hug and ushering her inside.
“Peter’s in his room,” May said, tidying the table. “Thanks,” Nikki mumbled, heading toward his door.
“Hey, Peter!” she yelled, bursting into his room. A chair crashed to the floor, and she watched, stifling a laugh, as Peter tumbled from his bed.
“Oh my god,” she managed, but her attempt at composure failed, and she dissolved into giggles. “Y-you should have knocked,” he sputtered, shaking his head in dismay.
Nikki reached out, her fingers wrapping around his wrist, and pulled him upright. “Oh, come on.”
“That still scares me,” he said, though a grin played on his lips. “Please stop doing that.” Nikki shrugged, returning the chair to its place.
“How does it feel, anyway?” she asked, watching Peter brush his hair and adjust his bag. They walked side-by-side toward the door.
“Crashing on the floor?” he questioned, opening the door for her. Nikki shook her head.
“No, *me* using my powers to pull you up,” she clarified, and they stepped outside, saying goodbye to May.
“Like a giant magnet,” he explained, as they sat on the curb, waiting for the school bus.
“It isn’t that bad,” Nikki shrugged, taking a bite of her apple, which she'd nearly forgotten. She stared into space, then glanced at Peter, realizing he was watching *her*.
“Want a bite?” she offered, gesturing to the apple. Peter’s cheeks flushed a pale pink, and he shook his head.
Silence stretched between them until the bus finally arrived. They walked toward it, only to be met with a chorus of gasps. Nikki, sensing the discomfort, led Peter to an empty seat. But even seated, the stares didn’t stop.
“Never seen a billionaire’s daughter ride a bus before? Piss off,” she snapped, turning her face toward the window. The stares subsided.
Eventually, Peter drifted off, and Nikki followed, lulled by the distant chatter.
Peter’s eyes snapped open, his senses tingling. The hairs on his arms stood on end. He looked out the window, then nudged Nikki awake.
“What?” she asked groggily. He pointed toward a circular object outside. Her eyes widened, and she slapped Ned across the cheek.
“What?” he protested, facing Nikki.
“Make a distraction,” she instructed.
“WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!” Ned screamed, and they crowded around the window. Peter donned his web-slingers (as Nikki called them) and opened the emergency window.
He jumped, Nikki following suit.
“Can’t my life be normal for once?” she asked Peter, as they ran towards a secluded spot to change.
Peter quickly concealed himself, stripping down to his suit. “Activate rocket boots,” Nikki instructed her AI, and the boots materialized on her feet.
She looked toward Peter, fully suited.
“Let’s go, Parker.”