Collisons || Peter Parker ||

|1| One Step at a Time |6|

It wasn't completely silent in the school library, no, it was silence filled with hints of ambience that kept Isabelle from completely losing her mind. The turning of pages would every so often fill her ears alongside the occasional pencil grazing papers furiously as many of the students studied intently.

Many students used their free period to leave, have lunch or simply hang out rather than using it for study as they were supposed to do. Isabelle, not a fan of being so comically behind in school work had made sure to keep on top of assignments and homework. It also kept her mind busy.

Thinking too much would spiral her into a state of panic, a state she couldn't afford to be in when Peter was down the hall in history class. But finalising her biology report in record timing and with no other classwork in sight, the panic had already begun to settle.

A nervous incessant bouncing of her leg had started, to compliment this she brought a slightly shaky hand up to her mouth and began biting down on her fingernails.

Walking by the large open windows was Liz, returning from a spontaneous lunch date with some of her friends. She had barely spared a glance into the library as she walked through the hallway toward her locker, but when she was positive she saw the now newly nervous girl, she stopped.

How her demeanour changed in a short amount of time threw a lot of people for a loop, Liz included. Not only had that caught her off guard, but the sudden change in behaviour between both Isabelle and Peter was something of minor concern.

She was never one to pry so deeply into another's personal life, despite gossip culture being so embedded into their generation of youth. Regardless, she thought the pair made a remarkably cute couple and would hate to see the two split in such a short time.

Entering the quiet and peaceful space imbued her with a need to uphold the respect of everyone else inside the library, her footsteps automatically becoming more careful and planned as she kept the noise made down to a minimum. Once she got close enough to the table Isabelle sat on her lonesome she quietly cleared her throat, attempting to gain the attention of the girl mid panic.

"Hey, Issie — Super random but do you wanna grab something to eat?" Liz's voice was so quiet and delicate, it took a mere second longer than usual for it to process in Isabelle's mind. She was perplexed momentarily, unsure where the invitation came from knowing that the two were friendly but didn't think that their friendship had hit 'eating lunch together' status.

"Oh? Sure... that would be... really nice actually."

Never mind that Liz had literally just returned from lunch, she thought it was the least she could do considering Isabelle was less herself upon her return at the start of the week.

Isabelle carefully and calculating placed her belongings into her backpack, ensuring that there wasn't much of a disruption for the other students. The two had walked out of the Library together in a comfortable silence, but once that barrier between the hallway and Library had been passed over, they felt the relief of no longer needing to maintain silence.

"How are you doing? I noticed you seem... different. Anything I can help you with?" Liz started, a kind smile pulled at her lips which always aided her ever so helpful and caring persona. She was a person who was so genuine in her thoughts, in her words and how she acted toward people it was hard to forget about her impact on every person in her life. No matter how much of a friend they were.

Isabelle gripped the backpack strap tightly, reminding herself that Liz wasn't prying into her life. She was just concerned. As they walked down the long hallway together, the Stark girl tried to think of an answer, on muscle instinct her eyes gazed into the classroom they passed which held Peter's history class.