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Makawalu Akana sits on a rooftop of a New Year’s Eve party with a bunch of superheroes.
Mom and Dad think she’s at her friend’s house which she technically is—
Maka sighed. Just another lie. She never used to lie this much — especially not to her parents.
She hears someone come up but her Spidey Sense didn’t go off, so she knows she’s not in danger.
“Mind if I join you?” A voice said from behind her.
Maka shrugged. “You can.”
“Thanks.” She sits a bit away from Maka. “I’m Alani. People know me as Loa.”
“Hey.” She knows about secret identities but she thinks she can trust her.
She thought the same thing about Bullseye.
She shook her head as if that could chase the thoughts away. “I’m Maka or Spider-Girl.”
Alani’s brown eyes lit up. “Nice to meet you, Maka. What are you doing up here? Is the party overwhelming?”
Yes. “No.” She quickly denied.
“No shame. It’s a lot for me, too. I saw Iron Man flying and decided I needed a break.”
“It’s a little overwhelming.” Maka admitted. Bullseye never liked when she needed breaks or needed help. He never said she was weak but it was always implied with his sigh and frown.
“Totally. Especially with enhanced senses—“
“It’s not just that.”
Alani paused. Was that the wrong thing to say?
Maka sighed and bit down her anxiety. “I made…a lot of mistakes these past few years. This will be the first New Year’s in 3 years that I wasn’t with Bullseye.”
Alani tried to stop it, Maka can tell, but she saw the frown before it disappeared.
“What happened with Bullseye wasn’t your fault. You were just a kid.”
Maka turned away. “You don’t know me.”
She and Alani sat in silence for a bit as fireworks went off in the background.
“You’re right.” Alani said after about thirty seconds. “You made mistakes. We all do. You’re going to have to learn how to live with them.”
“I…don’t know how to do that.”
Alani hummed, thinking. “Forgive yourself. Give yourself the kindness you give others. Take a deep breath of all the mistakes and release them.”
Maka took a deep breath—
Cheating at competitions.
Helping Bullseye.
Fighting Bailey and Ms. Marvel.
Fighting Daredevil.
Alani’s words rang in her ears as she heard the people on the ground counting down.
“5…4…3…2…1!” Maka released the breath. “Happy New Year!”
“Feel better?” Alani asked. She turned to the older mutant.
“A little.” Maka admitted.
“Baby steps. It’s not easy to heal.” Alani said.
“Thank you.”
Alani smiled widely. “Happy New Year, Maka.”
Maka matched her smile. “Happy New Year, Alani.”