Aurum ✧ Peter Parker

✧ ˚ 22 · twenty-two .

┌─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐

As Happy dropped Ava off at school, she thanked him and assured him that he didn't need to pick her up later. If she needed him, she promised she would call. With her backpack slung over one shoulder, Ava headed towards her locker, ready to start her school day.

As she reached her locker, Ava quickly stashed her gymnastics clothes inside and retrieved the textbooks she needed for her morning lessons. Just then, her friends Liz and Michelle approached her, and Liz couldn't contain her admiration when she saw Ava's dress.

"You look amazing! Where did you get that dress?" Liz swooned, her eyes wide with admiration.

Ava smiled, her heart warming at the compliment. "Thanks! I'm not sure, my step-mom got it for me. Look at the tag," she said, allowing Liz to gently move her hair aside to reveal the tag by the neckline.

"Dior! How much was it?" Liz's excitement was palpable, and Ava couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's enthusiasm.

"Probably more than your house," Michelle interjected with a playful eye roll.

Ava laughed, enjoying their banter. "Well, maybe a few thousand. Not that much," she replied with a touch of humour.

Liz laughed at Ava's nonchalance, while Michelle raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Not as much as those earrings, huh?" Michelle playfully remarked, noticing Ava's new earrings.

Ava chuckled, brushing off Michelle's comment. "Yeah, Dad does like to spoil me sometimes," she said with a playful grin, knowing that her father's gifts tended to be extravagant.

As Peter and Ned entered the building, they spotted Ava talking with Liz and Michelle by the lockers. Peter's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Ava in her beautiful dress. He nervously adjusted the strap of his backpack, feeling a mix of admiration and anxiety. Ned noticed Peter's reaction and nudged him teasingly, "Looks like someone's excited to see Ava."

Peter blushed, trying to play it cool. "Uh, yeah, I mean, she does look nice. We're just friends, though," he replied, hoping to avoid any further teasing.

Ned raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile on his face. "Sure, Peter. Just friends," he said in a knowing tone.

As they approached the group, Liz greeted them, "Hey, guys! Ava here is rocking a Dior dress. Can you believe it?"

Ava laughed at Liz's excitement, "Yeah, my step-mom surprised me with it. Pretty fancy, right?"

Peter tried not to stare, but he couldn't help but admire Ava's outfit. "It's really nice," he managed to say, his voice a bit shaky.

Ned, ever the supportive friend, added, "You look great, Ava! Peter's just speechless."

Peter shot Ned a look, feeling his cheeks grow even redder. "Ned, come on," he muttered, embarrassed.

Ava, appreciating her friends' banter, smiled warmly. "Thanks, guys. You're too kind."

As the conversation continued, Peter and Ava made eye contact a few times, exchanging shy smiles. Peter found himself feeling more at ease around Ava, despite his earlier nervousness. He was grateful for the friendship they had built and the chance to get to know her better.

As the day went on, Peter and Ava's coffee date loomed in the back of Peter's mind. He couldn't help but wonder how it would go and what they would talk about. Despite his nerves, he was excited about the prospect of spending more time with Ava outside of school.

At the end of the day, Peter waited for Ava outside the gymnasium. When she finally emerged, he greeted her with a smile, "Hey, Ava. Ready for that coffee?"