i still hate you , pietro maximoff

Part Three

11 years ago- age seven

Wanda and Ashlynn had grown closer all throughout first grade.

Over the summer between first and second grade, they spent the first month together.

The last month of summer they didn't see each other at all.

The first day back at school, Ashlynn was really excited to see Wanda again.

Ashlynn saw her best friend and walked up to her with a smile on her face.

Wanda had been laughing with Pietro but as soon as she saw Ashlynn she donned a look of disgust on her face.

"Go away, pest," Wanda sneered.

"Wanda-" Ashlynn started.

"She said go away. So go away." Pietro interrupted as he pushed her back.

Ashlynn walked away with tears in her eyes.

She kept walking until she got to class and she sat at the very back, away from everyone else.

The teacher hardly noticed she was there.

Ashlynn spent the rest of the day, fighting back tears and avoiding everyone.

At recess she went outside and sat by a tree.

Ashlynn started drawing little ladybugs in the dirt and all of a sudden ladybugs appeared where the drawings had been.

Ashlynn gasped and the ladybugs crawled over to her.

One of the smaller ladybugs crawled up her leg, and all the way until it rested on her finger.

"Hello little ladybug." Ashlynn whispered, staring at the ladybug on her finger.

"Hello miss." The ladybug responded and Ashlynn backed up, hitting her back against the tree.

Pain not only went through her back, but her entire body as well.

"Is miss okay?" The ladybug wondered.

"Uh- yes. I'm okay." Ashlynn's face still showed shock and disbelief.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Where are my manners! I'm Dot. You are my master. What is your name?" The ladybug, now known as Dot, inquired.

"I'm Ashlynn. But you can call me Ash. H-how are you speaking to me? How can I understand you? How can you understand me? Where did you come from?"

"Woah miss Ash. One at a time. I can speak to you and you can understand me. No one else can understand me. I don't know why. And as to where I came from, I think you made me when you were drawing. I remember seeing u drawing from far away, then being right in front of you. All I know is I'm supposed to do what you say."

"Well I definitely don't want to be you master. How about you can be my friend?

"F-R-I-E-N-D" Dot spells out. "I like the sound of friend. I can be your friend."

While Dot and Ashlynn were talking the few other ladybugs scurried away and recess had ended.

One of the teachers realized Ashlynn didn't come in with the other kids and came to come get her.

"Ashlynn, honey. Recess is over. And, please set the ladybug down." The teacher said as she walked up to Ashlynn.

"Yes ma'am." Ashlynn responded as she put Dot in her pocket before walking in with her teacher.

"Aww did the little pest get caught up outside talking to her imaginary friends?" Wanda snickered amongst Pietro and her other new 'friends'.

"No." Ashlynn said fighting back tears as she made her way to the back of the classroom.

After school

Ashlynn got home that day and was greeted by her adoptive mother.

"Hello Ashlynn!" Lucy exclaimed as she enveloped Ashlynn in a hug. "Make any new friends today?"

"Um-sort of." Ashlynn pulls Dot out of her pocket. "This is Dot. I know she's a ladybug, but she likes me."

"Okay honey. I just want you to be happy."

Ashlynn went to bed that night, tears streaming down her face, with puffy eyes.