Chemistry & Crushes

The next day, Gwen and MJ were setting up in a small, dimly lit venue, preparing for their band practice. The stage was cluttered with their instruments and equipment as they waited for their two other bandmates to arrive. Tonight was a big night for the Mary Janes. Rumour was that a prominent label executive might be in the crowd, and if they played well, then the band could be set. The stakes were high, and the focus was entirely on the gig. At least, you would think it would be.

Gwen was pacing back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts. But not about tonight. Rather, of Felicia and Miles. “I can't believe this! Felicia’s interested in Miles. She’s probably planning to ask him to go to the dance, too. This is a disaster, MJ!”

“I thought you said you were fine?”

“MJ!”

MJ, tuning her guitar, looked up with a calm expression. “Gwen, you need to chill. She probably hasn't even asked Miles yet.”

Gwen stopped pacing and shook her head. “But it’s only a matter of time! Why wouldn’t he want to go with her? She’s the most popular girl in school. She's stunning, smart, rich…she’s perfect! How can I compete with that?”

MJ set her guitar down and walked over to Gwen, reassuringly touching her shoulder. 

“Gwen, listen to me. Felicia might be all those things, but you’ve been Miles’s best friend for four years. That means something. You’ve been there for him through everything. That kind of connection doesn’t just disappear because someone else shows interest.”

Gwen sighed, feeling a little better but still worried. “I know, but what if he does say yes to her? What if he realizes he likes her more than me?”

MJ squeezed her shoulder gently. “You can't think like that! You need to have faith. And remember, you’re not just some random girl to him. You’re Gwen Stacy. The person who knows him better than anyone else.”

Gwen took a deep breath, trying to absorb MJ’s words. “You’re right. I just need to find the courage to ask him before she does.”

MJ smiled. “Exactly! And you will. You can do it!”

Gwen nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “Thanks, MJ.”

Just then, Margo and Peni, the band’s other two members, walked in, carrying their instruments and chatting animatedly. They joined them on stage as soon as they saw Gwen and MJ.

“Hey, guys!” Margo called out. “Ready for tonight?”

“Almost,” MJ replied with a grin. "But first, there’s something you need to know. Gwen finally admitted she likes Miles!”

Margo and Peni exchanged relieved looks. “Finally!” Peni exclaimed, setting down her guitar. “We’ve been waiting for you to figure that out for ages.”

Gwen’s face turned bright red. “Wait, you all knew?”

Margo laughed. “Of course we did. It was pretty obvious.”

Gwen groaned into her hands. Peni stepped closer, giving her an encouraging smile. “Hey, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We all support you.”

Gwen returned the younger girl’s smile with one of her own.

Peni was a couple of years younger than the rest of the class. She was also a certified genius. Combine those two facts, and it wasn’t hard to imagine that she struggled to fit in her first couple of years at Visions. But, when MJ and Gwen stumbled upon her absolutely shredding on a guitar one day during junior year, it was only a short time before the girl became not only a member of the band but a close friend.

“And now that you’ve admitted it,” Peni continued, “you should ask him out after our gig tonight.”

Gwen hesitated, her earlier determination wavering. “Isn’t tonight kinda soon? I mean, my moment won’t come that quickly…”

“Oh, course it will,” Margo assured her. “Plus, Miles would have to be crazy to say no to you. He’s been into you forever! Why do you think I turned him down when he tried to ask me out.”

“Wait. That’s why you said no to him?”

“Yeah. Why would I wanna date a guy who was into another girl? It’s a shame, though. Miles is cute.”

Gwen glared at the girl, which made Margo and the other two laugh. But Gewn couldn’t hold it for long, and even she had to grin. Once the laughs died down, Gwen looked down at her feet.

“You guys really think I can do this?” she asked softly.

Peni grinned. “Absolutely! And we'll be right here to cheer you on.”

Gwen looked around at her bandmates, their supportive smiles giving her a boost of confidence. She took a deep breath, feeling the nerves settle a bit. “Alright. After the gig, I’ll ask him.”

The band members cheered, causing Gwen to smile and shake her head. They finished setting up their instruments and began their practice, the familiar rhythm and harmony of their music helping to calm Gwen`s nerves.

But soon enough, night fell, and their start time began to draw near. The venue began to fill up, and people buzzed with anticipation.

As she adjusted her microphone stand to sit comfortably by her drum set, Gwen noticed Miles walk in with Pavitr and another boy she didn't recognize. He looked a bit older than them. He was also tall, towering over everyone else. Although, Gwen thought part of that might have to do with all the hair on his head. He fit in with the punk-rock vibes, though. Ripped jeans, shoulder spiked leather vest, and piercings just about everywhere you could have one.

It was a distinctive style, and only one word came to Gwen’s mind to describe him.

“Cool.”

Miles spotted Gwen and waved, making his way over with Pavitr and the new guy. “Hey guys! I want you to meet someone.”

The girls moved closer as Miles introduced the stranger. “This is Hobie. He’s the guy I told you about, the one I met in London.”

Gwen smiled before giving Hobie another glance. “So this is Hobie?”

Hobie gave a nod and a charming grin. “Nice to meet ya. Miles ‘as told me all about you lot.”

“All good things, I hope,” MJ said, staring hard at Miles, who chuckled nervously.

“Of course! That’s MJ, Hobie. Band’s leader and namesake. And that’s Margo, Peni, and--”

Hobie turned to Gwen, his grin widening as he cut Miles off. “You must be Gwen Stacy. Pretty sure yer name came up within ten minutes of meetin’ this young’un.”

Gwen blushed as the rest of the band laughed. Miles looked betrayed. Hobie continued, “Plus, I've seen his sketchbook. Got quite a few drawin's of ya in there.”

Miles turned a deep shade of red, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hobie, come on, man!”

While everyone else laughed, Gwen felt touched by how much Miles had talked about her to a stranger.

"So what brings you to Brooklyn Hobie?” Margo asked.

“Jus’ needed a change.”

“Aren’t you in school?”

“Nah. The education system is jus’ a pipeline designed by fascist leaders to turn us into the wheels that keep capitalism spinning. And I don’t believe in capitalism.”

Everyone stared at him, eyes wide.

“Uh…cool…” MJ said after a moment. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Hobie. Any friend of Miles is a friend of ours.”

Peni chimed in, “Yeah, welcome! Hope you enjoy the show.”

Hobie nodded appreciatively. “Looki’' forward to it.”

“See you after the show?” Gwen asked Miles. “There’s something I want to ask you about.”

He looked at her confusedly but shook his head. “Definitely!” 

Laughing, Gwen followed MJ, Margo, and Peni back to the stage to get set up.

The lights dimmed, and the crowd’s chatter hushed as the Mary Janes took their places on stage. Gwen took a deep breath, glancing at Miles one last time. He gave her an encouraging thumbs-up.

As they launched into their first song, Gwen poured her heart into the performance, feeling the music flow through her and guide her drumsticks. She caught glimpses of Miles in the crowd, his face beaming with pride and excitement. It made her smile, warmth filling her heart. Tonight was going to be unforgettable, for more reasons than one.

At least, that’s how Gwen felt until, just as they were finishing their first song, she saw Felicia Hardy walk in. Her entrance was impossible to miss. She looked stunning, her platinum blonde hair catching the light. Gwen’s heart sank as she watched Felicia make a beeline for Miles, greeting him with a bright smile and a friendly hug.

“What the hell is she doing here?”

Gwen struggled to focus on the performance, jealousy bubbling up inside her. For the rest of their performance, Gwen did her best to be professional and stay on tempo. She couldn’t allow her feelings to ruin the band’s gig. 

After the final song, the band received enthusiastic applause and cheers. Gwen couldn't help but smile despite the knot of jealousy still twisting in her stomach. She and the band members quickly packed their instruments and exited offstage, where Miles, Pavitr, Hobie, and Felicia were waiting.

Gwen plastered a smile as they approached the group. Felicia chatted animatedly with Miles, who seemed genuinely interested in what she was saying.

“That was AWESOME!” Pavitr yelled when they got close.

“Brilliant performance, girls.” Hobie congratulated them. “You lot know how to put on a show.” 

Gwen blushed, grateful for his kind words. “Thanks, Hobie. That means a lot.”

Felicia turned her attention to Gwen and the band, her smile bright and welcoming. “Yeah. You guys were amazing! I had no idea you were so talented.”

“Thanks,” Gwen responded, hoping her words came across as more genuine than they were. “Who invited you?”

Felicia seemed taken aback by the question. MJ elbowed Gwen in the side and glared at her.

“What she means is that we didn’t know you were into rock music. At least, not ours. It’s a surprise to see you here.”

It was a nice recovery, and Felicia went right back to smiling. “Oh, that makes sense. And I was surprised to be here myself. Wouldn’t have come if Miles hadn’t invited me.”

She turned to direct her smile at him. “I texted him to see if he was free to hang out tonight, but he told me he was coming to see you guys play. I was a little disappointed, which I guess he noticed, so he told me I should come too. Isn’t he the sweetest?”

Miles blushed as Felicia wrapped her arm around his and beamed at him. Gwen clenched her hands into fists, nails digging hard into the skin. Margo and Peni exchanged nervous glances.

“And I’m glad he did! You were so good. I’ll have to show up to the next one!”

“That won’t be--”

“Sounds great,” MJ replied before Gwen could say something rude. Her tone was polite but guarded. “Thanks, Felicia. Always nice to get a new fan.”

Felicia clapped her hands together. “And before I forget. I’m throwing a party at my parents’ condo in SoHo this weekend. You all should come. It would be great to have you there!”

Gwen’s heart skipped a beat. The last thing she wanted was to spend more time around Felicia, especially at a party where she could be even closer to Miles. But when she glanced at the boy, he looked so excited, and she knew he would want to go. So she forced a smile and nodded. “That sounds fun.”

“Awesome!” Miles cheered. “Thanks for the invite, Felicia.”

Pav was just as excited as Miles. Hobie’s demeanor hadn’t changed, so Gwen couldn’t tell what he thought. But MJ, Margo, and Peni gave her supportive looks, completely understanding why this wasn’t great news for her.

“We’ll try to come by. Thanks for thinking of us,” Margo replied.

Peni nodded, adding, “Yeah, we appreciate it. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun.”

Felicia smiled warmly. “Great! It’s going to be a blast. I hope to see you all there.”

As Felicia returned to talking to Miles, MJ leaned close to Gwen and whispered, “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. Just stay calm.”

Gwen nodded, grateful for her friends’ support. Thoughts of asking Miles to the dance were thrown out the window. Add in another girl who seemed intent on getting close to Miles, and Gwen’s anxiety was only growing with each day that passed.

The night of Felicia’s party arrived, and the gang walked towards her parents’ condo in SoHo. Everyone was excited, chatting about how much fun it would be and what it would be like to attend a party hosted by someone as wealthy as Felicia Hardy. Everyone, that is, except for Gwen, who was stewing silently, her mind racing with thoughts of how to keep Miles out of Felicia’s clutches.

MJ, Pavitr, Peni, and Margo were animated, discussing the party’s possibilities. "I bet the place is going to be huge," Pavitr said, his eyes wide with anticipation.

“Probably filled with fancy snacks and drinks,” Peni added, grinning.

“It’s just a regular party, guys.” Gwen scoffed. “You’ve been to them before.”

“Yeah, but not in Soho, Gwen,” MJ responded. “We’re about to get a taste of the high life.”

Gwen glared at her. “What happened to ‘We’ll figure this out’? They’re supposed to be on MY side!”

“What? I know, we’re all punk rockers, and it should be ‘fuck the wealthy,’ but still, who says we can’t enjoy how the other side lives for once?”

“Oh, whatever,” Gwen muttered, slowing down so she was slightly behind the group and didn’t have to hear their chatter. She’d told herself she would try to hide her annoyance and worry about the night, but they weren’t even at the party yet, and she was already failing. She pulled her sweater closer when a cold gust of wind blew. Winter was starting to set in.

Looking up, Gwen noticed that Hobie, walking alongside Miles, didn't seem as excited as the others. Gwen filed this observation away for later, focusing on her immediate concern, keeping Miles away from Felicia.

When they arrived at the condo building, a doorman greeted them and directed them to the elevator, which they used to ascend to the penthouse.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a spacious, luxurious condo filled with people from Visions Academy. The party was in full swing, with music playing, people dancing, and groups mingling in every corner of the vast living space. The decor was modern and elegant. Gwen didn’t even want to know how much a place like this cost.

“Wow,” MJ breathed, taking in the scene. “This place is incredible.”

“Yeah, this is something else,” Margo agreed, looking around in awe.

Miles turned to Gwen with a smile. “What do you think, Gwen?”

Gwen forced a smile. “It’s... impressive.”

“And gaudy as hell.”

As they made their way further into the condo, they were greeted by Felicia, who looked stunning in a stylish black dress and heels. She radiated confidence and elegance, and Gwen couldn’t help but feel insecure as she compared Felicia’s look to her own basic outfit: black leggings, jean shorts, and a Nirvana t-shirt paired with Converses. She noticed that Miles’s eyes lingered on Felicia, which deepened her feelings of inadequacy.

“Hey, you made it!” Felicia exclaimed, hugging each of them in turn.

“Thanks for inviting us,” MJ said, returning the hug. “This place is amazing.”

Felicia beamed. “I’m so glad you think so. Help yourselves to drinks and snacks. There’s plenty to go around.”

The night wore on, and the gang mingled, danced, and enjoyed the party. Gwen kept a watchful eye on Miles, doing her best to steer him away from Felicia whenever she got too close. But there was only so much she could do without being too suspicious.

She was standing next to Miles near the food table when Felicia rushed up to them.

“Miles, come on,” she said, grabbing his wrist and dragging him. “I want you to meet my parents.”

Gwen couldn’t even begin to protest before the two were gone, and she was left alone. For the next hour or so, Gwen caught glimpses of him at random moments, laughing and having a good time, always with Felicia. A pang of jealousy stabbed at her heart each time she saw them together.

She finally got so fed up seeing them together that she needed to escape. She slipped away from the crowded rooms and went up to the terrace, seeking peace and quiet.

The terrace was a stark contrast to the bustling party below. It was much quieter, with only a few people scattered around. Most were still down inside, enjoying the festivities. Gwen took a deep breath, savoring the cool night air. Looking around, she noticed Hobie standing by the railing, staring out at the city skyline.

She walked over to him. “Hey, Hobie. What are you doing up here?”

Hobie glanced over at her and smirked. “Parties like this ain’t my style. Too much showin’ off wealth. And I don’t--”

“You don’t like capitalism,” Gwen finished for him, grinning.

“Damn right I don’t.”

Gwen chuckled, feeling some of her tension ease. “I get that. I…I’m not having that much fun either.”

Hobie raised an eyebrow but didn’t press her further. Instead, he simply said, “Welcome to the club, Gwendy.” 

Gwen smiled, not entirely sure about the nickname but letting it slide. “Thanks, Hobie. It's nice to get away from it all for a bit.”

Hobie nodded, leaning against the railing. “Yeah, sometimes you need a break from all the noise.”

They stood in comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts. Gwen felt a sense of relief being away from the party, away from the sight of Miles and Felicia together. Up here, she could breathe, think, and not worry about what was happening downstairs. It helped that Hobie was easy to talk to.

They started to bond a bit, talking about various things. Hobie revealed that he used to be in a band himself. 

“Used to play guitar for a punk band back in London. Good times.”

“Really? What was your band called?”

Hobie chuckled. “We called ourselves the ‘Spider-Punks.’ Don’t ask me why. The lead was off his rocker when he came up with that one. Played a lot of underground gigs, anti-establishment anthems, ya know.”

“Sounds awesome,” Gwen said, impressed. “What made you leave the band?”

“Life, mostly. Things changed. We all moved on,” Hobie replied with a shrug.

“Yeah, I get that,” Gwen nodded, thinking about how her life had changed over the last few months. “Soooo, I’ve heard Miles’s version of how he met you. What’s yours?”

“Well, the first time I met him,” Hobie grinned as started talking, “He was wanderin’ around London lookin’ like a lost puppy. I took him under my wing, showed him some real street art. Not the mainstream crap. Got up to a bit of mischief, but nothin’ too wild.”

“Why do I get the feeling that your definition of ‘too wild’ is way different from most people.”

“Eh, probably.”

“And Miles went along with it?”

“...with some convincing.”

Gwen laughed, picturing Miles protesting some idea of Hobie’s but going along with it anyway because he wanted to impress the older boy. “Sounds like you two had a blast.”

“Yeah, we did,” Hobie said with a nostalgic smile. “He's a good bloke, that Miles.”   

Gwen recalled something Miles had said. “He mentioned that you helped him figure out some stuff. What was that about?”

It took a moment for Hobie to respond, and when he did, he didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he said cryptically, “I just helped him open his eyes a bit so that he could see differently. People get so comfortable with one way of life that the possibility of change never dawns on ‘em. End up missin’ out on somethin’ great.”

It was a more serious answer than Gwen expected. She looked at him, curiosity in her eyes.

“Are you speaking from personal experience?”

Hobie smirked, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Maybe.”

There was another brief period of silence as they enjoyed the cool night air and the twinkling city lights before the faint sounds of ‘Sunflower’ started to blare from back down in the party, catching Gwen's attention. She smiled wistfully.

“Miles loves this song,” she said. “I'm sure he’s having a great time.”

Her smile faded as the thought of him with Felicia returned to her, darkening her mood. Hobie noticed her frown and raised an eyebrow.

“When ya planning on askin’ Peter Pan out?” he asked suddenly.

Gwen looked confused. “Peter Pan?”

Hobie smirked. “I mean Miles.”

Gwen blushed before a thought occurred to her. ‘Wait, is that why you’ve been calling me Gwendy?”

“Well, yeah. Classic love story, innit?”

Gwen’s blush deepened as she grumbled about the comparison. But then she sighed and gloomily leaned back over the railing. “I’m not sure I will. I’ve failed every time I try. Plus, Miles is probably having fun with Felicia. ” She spat the girl’s name out, her frustration evident.

Hobie leaned against the railing, observing her quietly. “Why do ya think ya keep failin’?”

Gwen shrugged, her shoulders slumping. “Every time I try, something gets in the way. It’s like the universe is against me.”

Hobie chuckled. “The universe ain’t against ya, Gwendy. It’s just...timing. And maybe a bit of nerves.”

Gwen looked at him, her expression torn. “It’s more than just nerves, Hobie.”

Hobie was quiet for a bit, contemplating her words. Then, he suddenly spoke up. “I don’t believe in love or soulmates. The concept doesn’t appeal to me. But I can tell that it does to you. I’ve only been in town for a few days, and I can see how deeply you feel for Miles.”

“...I’m afraid, Hobie. I want things to work so badly for us that it’s scary to even think about it not working.”

Hobie nodded, understanding. “I get that. Fear of losin’ what ya have is powerful. But, stickin’ with what's comfortable just ‘cause it's safe...that’s no way ta’ live life.

Gwen sighed, looking down at her hands. “It’s just...Felicia's perfect. How can I compete with that?”

Hobie leaned closer, catching her gaze. “It ain’t about competin’. Miles sees ya for who you are, Gwendy. Not for who Felicia is.”

Gwen bit her lip, the words sinking in. “You think he sees me that way? Honestly?”

Hobie smiled softly. “Yeah, I do. But you gotta give him the chance to show ya. Tell him how you feel.”

Gwen felt a surge of determination mixed with fear. “What if it doesn’t work out?”

Hobie shrugged. “Then, at least ya know. Better than spendin’ your life wonderin’ what if, right?”

Gwen let out a wry chuckle. “That’s funny. MJ said the same thing to me.”

“Maybe you should start listening then. Don’t end up in that place, Gwen. Trust me. It’s hell to climb out of.”

That serious look from earlier was back, but there was no humor to try and cover it up this time.

“So…you were speaking from personal experience earlier.”

Hobie didn’t say anything, but he gave a slight nod.

“What happened?”

“...tell ya what. Ask Peter Pan out, and I’ll share that story.”

Gwen looked at him, her eyes searching his face. “You think I owe myself to look for something great?”

Hobie smiled softly. “Yeah, I do. And you and Peter Pan, that could be great. Maybe it won’t be easy, but it’s worth takin’ a chance.”

Hobie was unprepared for Gwen to wrap him in a hug from the side.

“Thanks, Hobie.”

He smiled and put an arm around her shoulder. “Anytime, Gwendy.”

Just as they were about to end their embrace, Miles appeared. He looked slightly puzzled to see the two embracing.

“Hey, everyone is leaving,” he said, his eyes flickering between Gwen and Hobie. 

Gwen thought she saw a hint of a frown on his face and quickly stepped back from Hobie, feeling self-conscious. “Oh, okay. Thanks, Miles.”

The three of them returned to the party, where the rest of the group gathered their things and prepared to leave. Felicia was saying her goodbyes.

“Thanks for coming, everyone!” Felicia called out, waving at them. “I hope you all had a great time.”

“Thanks for having us," MJ replied politely. “It was a great party."

“Yeah, Felicia. This was amazing,” Miles gushed. The platinum blonde’s cheeks turned pink, and she waved him off. It made Gwen want to throw up.

Hopping on the elevator, the group descended back to the ground. But as they stepped outside into the cool night air, Miles suddenly paused. "Wait, I left my jacket inside."

Gwen, who was the last of the pack, quickly volunteered. “I’ll go get it.”

“Wait, Gwen. You don’t have to--”

“It’s fine, Miles. It’ll only take a second. Be right back.”

Gwen didn’t tell him the real reason was she didn’t want him to be alone with Felicia for one more second tonight. 

She turned and hurried back into the building, taking the elevator to the penthouse. As the doors opened, she saw Felicia standing there with Miles’s jacket in hand, clearly having been expecting Miles to return for it. She looked a bit caught off guard to see Gwen instead.

“Oh, Gwen,” Felicia said, recovering quickly. “I have Miles’s jacket here.”

Gwen approached, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took the jacket. “Thanks, Felicia. I appreciate it.”

There was a palpable tension between them as Gwen turned to leave. Just as she was about to enter the elevator, Felicia called out, “Gwen, wait a sec.”

Gwen turned back, trying to mask her irritation. “Yes?”

Felicia hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Is there something going on between you and Miles?”

Gwen felt her heart skip a beat. “ Um, no, there isn't. Why do you ask?”

Felicia glanced down at the jacket in Gwen's hands before looking back up. “I was planning to ask Miles to the dance.”

Panic surged through Gwen. “I... I don't think that’s a good idea.”

Felicia raised an eyebrow. “Why not? He’s not dating someone already, is he?”

“No. He’s not dating anyone.”

“Then… what’s the issue?”

Gwen stuttered, unable to come up with a coherent response. “I just... I don’t think it would be a good…match.”

Felicia seemed confused by Gwen’s answer before a knowing glint in her eye. She smirked.

“Oh, I get it. You want to ask him yourself, don’t you?”

The smug look on Felicia’s face set Gwen off, and all of the jealousy she’d been holding back bubbled over. “No, I just don’t think Miles should go with a snobby little princess like you.”

The words shocked both girls, but Gwen didn’t take them back. Felicia’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Well, I don’t think Miles would want to go with a trashy punk-rocker either!”

Gwen’s face flushed with anger, but she refused to back down. “You don’t even know him, Felicia. You just like the idea of him. Miles deserves someone who cares about him, not just looking for another trophy.”

“What makes you think I’m looking for a trophy? You don't know me!”

“You haven’t shown any interest in Miles until this year, just like the other girls at school. If he were still the same skinny kid from before, you wouldn’t even look at him!”

Felicia scoffed, stepping closer. “Fine. You’re right. I hadn’t thought of him that way until now. But you’ve had four years, Gwen. You could’ve made a move on him too, but you didn’t. Not until he came back this year looking hot as hell. You’re no different from me or the girls you’re complaining about! What makes you think you deserve him more than anyone else?”

Gwen glared at her, the tension in the air almost tangible. “Stay away from Miles,” she hissed.

Felicia crossed her arms, her expression defiant. “You had your chance, Stacy, and you didn’t take it. Miles is fair game.”

The two glared at each other, both unwilling to back down. Finally, Gwen turned and stomped back to the elevator. Her mind raced with fury and determination as she slammed her finger on the button for the ground floor. She made sure to steel her face before she rejoined the group outside.

“Here you go, Miles,” she said, offering him the coat, which he took gratefully.

“Thanks, Gwen. It’s chilly out here.”

As they walked away from the building, Gwen vowed she wouldn’t let Felicia sink her claws into Miles. She had to find the courage to ask him to the dance, no matter how scared she was. It was time to fight for what she wanted.