A Rose Among Thorns

Chapter Three - Thorn

(Y/n's POV)

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After a long night spent unpacking boxes and setting up furniture, I glance at the clock in the living room: 3am. My mum and I are sat on our black leather couch, a cup of tea in hand. We finally have the chance to properly talk, but I'm so tired - so my mum goes first.
"Our neighbour upstairs is very nice, he's going to show you around the school on Monday. He said to meet him at the bus stop down the road - his name's Peter," she says.
"Uh, how old is he ?" I question, hoping he's not some creep. Peter..cute name I guess.
"He's 16, in your year at school." Mum starts, "and he's very cute." She nudges me with her elbow while giving me a look.
"Muuumm, we just moved in. And I haven't even met him yet!!" I protest, showing her my signature eye roll.

I hug my mum goodnight, and head off to my room. It's all set up now, my double bed in one corner, a desk at the end of it, a dresser and mirror next to the door, my little bedside table with my phone on charge atop it, some bookshelves, and fairy lights, of course. It's nice to have a new room - and for my room to have a new look. It's refreshing and I feel at peace as I climb under my covers, not bothering to change clothes, and drift into sleep. I only hope all the other new things will be just as positive.

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(Peter's POV)

I'm sitting on the roof of my apartment complex, in my spidey suit, trying to call Mr Stark one more time. It goes to voicemail.
"Hey, Mr Stark, it's Peter - Parker - uh, I know you're probably busy right now and that's why you haven't answered these calls, but I stopped a bank robbery today! Yeah, anyway - that's it I guess. Call me when you can. It's Peter, again." I sigh. I know he's a very busy guy, but it does get a bit disappointing when he never answers my calls. And Happy can barely hold a conversation with me, he just gets annoyed and tells me that Mr Stark is busy.

I slump my shoulders and decide to head back home. May doesn't know I'm gone, she thinks I'm studying - but I should probably actually study. I have a physics test on Tuesday, and it's already Sunday evening. I get up and crawl down the side of the building, reaching our fire escape and swinging in the window. I've had a pretty rough day saving the city and stuff, but it's not just that; I feel depleted, school is stressful, and then I've got the "Stark Internship" as well - even though I never even get to see or hear from Mr Stark - and this new neighbour girl is getting me stressed - I get so anxious meeting new people, and it's a girl my age!! What was May thinking?

I chew my lip as I study for my physics test on Tuesday, unable to think clearly. I keep thinking about this girl. I not rate for me to obsess over things - but not this much. I feel some sort of pull towards her, like a magnet, but it's stupid. I haven't even met her! And if I'm getting this feeling already, how awkward am I going to be when we actually meet??

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(Mr Stark's POV)

I'm sitting at home on my couch, finishing up some documentation and statistics on The Avengers' recent missions. Bruce needs it for some presentation thing. I'm almost finished when suddenly I get a nagging thought - my power detector map (for locating out-of-control superheroes), though it doesn't pinpoint an exact location, has been glitching and moving a lot lately.
"Hey, FRIDAY, give me an update on Thorn's location." I ask, knowing she's the only out-of-control superhero that could cause this much glitching in my tech.
"Thorn is now located in Queens. In close proximity with Peter Parker, sir." FRIDAY warns.
"Shit," I curse under my breath. If Thorn doesn't learn how to control her powers soon, it could be really bad, especially if she came in contact with another hero's powers - and she's located close to Peter. It could get really bad - like, nuclear explosion kind of bad. Looks like I'm going to have to reunite with her a lot sooner than I planned...