|| LONGING || EDITTING

|| Chapter Fifty - One ||

Arizona managed to achieve a normal standard of social skills; Arizona hadn't been told whether Clint had made a decision or not, but, either way, Arizona was surprisingly enjoying going to school and being able to make friends with those whom she was able to reconnect with and new friendships. Arizona was making her way down the road the next day when she spotted Peter, she ran up to him and jumped to walk with him, "Hey, Pete,"

He smiled, taking an earphone out, "Hey, Zona," He greeted as they walked up some stairs, they walked across the road and he grasped Arizona as the pair quickly avoided being hit by a convertible driven by Flash Thompson, the teenager grinning at the pair.

"What's up, Penis Parker?" He called out, receiving a chuckle from people standing around, Arizona glared at Flash, her taking a step toward his car and went to kick at the back of his car but Peter pulled her back so her foot had missed the vehicle.

Arizona turned her head to look at Peter with confusion, said brunette shaking his head and pulling her toward the school, "Why'd you stop me? I could've dented his perfectly dentable car," She complained, gesturing to Flash's car.

Peter sighed, shaking his head, "He's not worth it,"

Pouting like a child, Arizona entered the school with Peter beside her, her immediately trying to find Flash so she could hit him but instead raised her head to watch the small television showing off the school news report, Betty Brant and Jason Lonello both being the news anchors, "Rise and shine, Midtown Science and Technology,"

Jason then gave the camera a forced smile, "Students, don't forget about your homecoming tickets," Still staring at the camera, he addressed Betty, "Do you have a date for homecoming?"

Betty, also still staring at the camera, smiled falsely, "Thanks, Jason, but I already have a date,"

Arizona ignored the science projects everyone had created around her and soon turned to follow Peter, still only being a few weeks new to the school and ended up beside his locker, Peter took off his jacket and Ned put a finger to his lips as he saw Arizona spot him, she nodded and soon, Ned's hand popped up behind Peter, the brunette oblivious to the Palatine Lego figure over his shoulder, "Join me, and together..." Ned began, trying to imitate the Emperor Palpatine, "We'll build my new Lego Death Star,"

Peter whipped around with wide eyes and childlike wonder, "What?" He whisper-yelled excitedly, him glancing around to see cheerleaders give him a judgemental look, them complaining to one another at how lame Peter and Ned were, Arizona went to kick the girl who had said it but Peter held her back, "No way! That's awesome!" He exclaimed before pinching his brows at Arizona, "Why're you so determined to kick people today?"

Arizona shrugged, then glared at the girl who complained, and said girl looked at Arizona, the cheerleader shifted uncomfortably as Arizona pointed at her then dragged her index finger across her throat whilst Peter continued to hold her back before the trio walked away from his locker.

"How many pieces?" Peter asked.

"Three thousand, eight hundred, and three," Ned answered.

The redhead scoffed, "That's crazy," She then arched her brows, "And what, exactly, is a Lego Death Star?" Ned stopped in his tracks, Peter grimacing at Ned's genuinely shocked expression - said teenager's mouth was dropped wide and eyes bulging out of his sockets. Arizona glanced at Peter as she hugged her book, "Did I ask a question that broke Ned?" Peter shook his head with closed eyes, the response being sarcastic and Arizona looked at Ned who ceased to function and bit her lip, "Ned? I'm sorry for breaking you?"

Peter then nudged his best friend, "It's okay, we'll force her to watch Star Wars and then she'll know," He reassured.

As if Peter had just cured him, Ned smiled instantly, "Okay," He shrugged; the trio began to walk once more, "You want to build it tonight?" Ned asked, "Nixie can help," He suggested.

Arizona went to agree but Peter cut in before she could, "No, I can't tonight - I've got the Stark -"

"Mhm," Ned cut him off, nodding, "Stark internship,"

Arizona drowned out their conversation, her looking around before Peter stopped in his step, Arizona soon gasping loudly when she spotted Cat with another girl. Cat looked extremely afraid and Arizona didn't hesitate to run toward them, her almost tackling Cat, "Jesus!" Cat squealed.

"Sorry, Ren-Bear," Arizona chuckled, then looked at Liz; said girl was very beautiful, with raven curly hair that parted in the middle and ended just below her shoulders, and dark chocolate brown eyes. Her ebony skin was smooth and complimented her plump lips that glistened from the lip gloss she wore, "Hello, Liz," She introduced.

The older girl smiled, "Hey, Zona, I was just showing Cat around, wanna join?" Liz offered, tucking her hair behind her ear as they begin walking, her looking down the hallway to catch Peter's eyes for a fleeting moment, Arizona noticed and furrowed her brows, glancing at Peter then back at Liz her almost instantly pouting and linked arms with Cat. Cat chuckling at something Liz said, but the chuckle seemed rather forced as she clung deeper to Arizona.

--xXx--

Arizona was standing on a ladder in the cafeteria, listening to Liz who was directing her where to hang over the clock. Peter and Ned are sat beside one another, watching Arizona give Liz a baffled expression, "Did Zona do something with her hair?"

Ned shook his head, "No, I think she's straightened it today and it failed,"

"We should probably stop staring before it gets creepy, though," Peter suggested.

A voice interrupted what they belied was a discreet conversation by Michelle Jones, "Too late," Peter and Ned turned to see Michelle sitting at the other end of their table, book in hand, and alone, "You guys are losers," She squinted her eyes.

Ned gave her a bewildered expression, "But then why do you sit with us?"

"Because I don't have any friends,"