Do you like anyone?

(TWO WEEKS LATER)

      I've gotten closer to the Avengers in the short time that past and I'm feeling... happy. For the first time in a very long time I'm happy. Ive realized that I like being happy so I'm trying to hang on tight to this feeling. Peter hasn't acted weird since the night on the roof which I'm grateful for, I don't think he told any of the other Avengers but I could be wrong.        I slip on my purple dress that Tony got for me before walking to my closet and putting on my silver heels. There was this fundraiser thing happening and all the rich people were invited, including, and I quote, 'some of those damn Avengers so that more people will be interested!' Tony wasn't one to back down so here I was, putting on jewelry and styling my hair into a braided bun. (The picture is the dress she's wearing)         I grab my purse and then place some extra makeup and my phone and my charger in it. I walk out of my room and into the elevator. When I get into the kitchen where Tony wanted us to meet up, I saw all the other Avengers were already there.

What Natasha looked like:

What Tony looked like:

What Clint looked like:

What Steve looked like:

What Peter looked like: (minus the long hair)

What Wanda looked like:

         I smiled at Natasha and when my eyes met Peter's I quickly looked away, he looked amazing. Tony clapped his hands and smiled."Okay! Now that everyone's here can we please get going so I'm not late and I ruin my reputation?" He asked.         A few of us laughed but nonetheless we piled into the elevator. Although it was way larger than most we were still a little packed, with me right next to Peter. I move slightly so that I touched Tony instead of Peter. The elevator started moving and I tried to stay and still and small as possible so not to touch anyone as much as possible. Finally the doors opened and we went out one by one. Peter was the last one out as he held the open door button so that it didn't close on me. I smiled and thanked him before we all started walking to the cars parked outside of the building.         There were three cars parked outside. Natasha immediately dragged Wanda into a car and the chauffeur quickly drove off. Tony elegantly got into another car with Clint and then Steve following. That left me and Peter in a car with Happy Hogan as our driver.          The ride was mostly silent before Peter finally cleared his throat and spoke."Er... I don't know if you've met her but this is Ashlyn. She's a... new Avenger." He stated to Happy.         I thought 'new Avenger' was putting it lightly but I was grateful for Pete leaving out some of the... more specific details. Happy merely nodded and then out of the divider so he couldn't hear us.          I feel the atmosphere in the car get more awkward and I started fidgeting with my hands before deciding to break the silence."Is this your first party with the Avengers?" I asked.         Peter nodded. "Pretty much, I've been to a bunch of events with them as Spider-Man but since no one knows my identity... I'm not really able to go to a bunch. There's been one other one at the tower that I went to as Tony's intern.""So you're going to be Tony's intern here too?"Peter nodded again and once again, the car was silent."I... I want to get to know more about you. Like, your favorite color and stuff." Peter finally spoke.I smiled. "Well... my favorite color is blue but how about we take turns asking questions? Hydra taught me a lot about you and the other Avengers but nothing about your private life since they didn't know your secret identity."Peter nods. His nodding was killing me!! He did that wayyy too much. "So I guess it's your turn to ask a question?"      I could feel how awkward this was for him too and I felt glad that at least I wasn't alone.        "Um... do you... have a girlfriend or crush...?"        I felt nervous asking that but I couldn't place why.        He shook his head. "Nah, at my school I'm too much of a nerd to get a girlfriend and I don't really like anyone."        He hesitated before speaking though and the way his eyes drifted away from me, I could tell he was lying. He did like someone. I felt my stomach sink but I didn't know why.       "Oh... your turn then I guess." I said and he thought for a moment before asking his question.        "Do you like anyone?"         It felt like the moment was stopped in time as he asked that. He was looking into my eyes and I couldn't help but look away. Did I like anyone? There was this kid back home... before Hydra. Red head, green eyes, tall. His name was Jack. I had a crush on him and thought I was in love. Then I was taken by Hydra and I had no time to think about him, except at night when I was alone and sobbing and bleeding. Then, I met Abe.          Abe was... amazing. He was like a pain killer and some people say that relationship is unhealthy but with the situation we were in, numbness was what we needed. No matter what torture we had just gone through, we helped eachother fell okay. I was definitely in love, no doubt about that but... he died.          I felt tears threaten to come and I pushed them back down.         Did I like anyone?         The answer should be no. No I didn't like Jack and Abe is dead. There's no one else right? Except... Peter. How did I feel about Peter? He wasn't just a friend. We had... a more emotional connection that we couldn't ignore. I don't know... I don't want to do something I might regret though... I don't want to get used to living someone just to have them taken away again...         "No, I don't like anyone right now." I said.         Peter's face fell slightly but I chose to ignore it. I couldn't get close to someone again. I just couldn't. The car stopped and we stepped out. We were at a not very tall building for New York City. It was more of a mansion in the style of a skyscraper if that makes sense. Happy gestured for us to go inside and once we started walking he drove away. It was nighttime already and I felt nervous walking side by side with Peter like a couple. Peter opened the door once we got to it and we saw the interior and the huge house.         We saw one big room with staircases on either side that were roped off. The big room had a bunch of tables and a large bar with food as well. It was easy to get lost here with the loud music, hundreds of people, and all the tables, chairs, and plants. There was one stage in the very front where I assumed someone would come into to give a speech in a little while. I stood on my tip toes to try and see where Tony or Natasha was but I could find them or any other Avengers. They were lost in the sea of people. Peter stood awkwardly beside me, it seemed he didn't really know what to do either."Wanna go get snacks?" He asked.I nodded and we walked to the bar.