Maya Stark

Chapter 18: An Outed Secret, A Flashback, & A Stupid Party Invitation

Yeah, I didn't make many friends my own age. People kept away from me. About a month in, people stopped whispering and staring. Parker and I only talked when necessary, like when the teachers would partner us because, and I quote, "we worked well together". It bothered me but he was one of the like, two people, who would treat me normally. Some people were scared of me, others thought I was a rich stuck-up daddy's girl, and others just ignored me.

    I've observed a couple things. Parker only really had one friend, Ned, though people knew him. I know he has a crush on a senior girl named Liz, only because he stares at her all the time. It's pretty creepy. Like really creepy. Flash didn't give up. Instead of insulting me, he had moved to asking me out. Dad's lucky I haven't punched him yet. Pepper was back in our lives in some form, I'm guessing they're dating again, but I don't pry. I had joined the decathlon team, just by asking, because my dad said I need to join something, and I like showing people up. It was the perfect thing. 

    The only problem was that Parker and Flash were on the team. At least until one day. I was zoned out sitting on the floor against the wall, reading a book, when I heard Flash say, 'You've never even been in the same room as Tony Stark.' He was talking to Parker and I scoffed as I went back to reading my book, still listening.

    'Wait,' a girl named Cindy said, 'what's happening?'

    'Peter's not going to Washington,' Sally says.

    'No, no, no, no, no,' Cindy said.

    A guy named Abe rings his bell. 'Why not?'

    'Really?' Liz says. 'Right before nationals.'

    'He's already quit marching band and robotics lab,' I say, without thinking or looking up. I feel everyone staring at me and look up. 'What? I'm not obsessed with him. Just very observant. Besides my dad likes him.'

    'Flash, you're in for Peter,' Liz says with obvious hate.

    'Ooh, I don't know,' Flash says. 'I gotta check my calendar first. I got a hot date with the Shadow coming up.'

    My eyes widen slightly as I glance up from my book. Parker caught my eye, and I could tell he was trying not to laugh. I roll my eyes at him and go back to reading my book. That was the start of a very aggravating time in my life.

    That night, the video of Parker fighting off the bank robbers and saving some sandwich owner went viral. Walking into school that day, everybody was talking about it. I went to my locker and started opening it, when Parker walked up.

    'I may have a problem,' Parker said, getting to my locker.

    'And why does that problem concern me?' I ask, putting some books in my locker.

    'Ned found out I'm Spiderman,' he said.

    'So?' I ask.

    'So...I may have... maybe... accidentally... told him...who you were...' he said. I froze and turned to look at him.

    'You did what?' I ask.

    'I'm sorry,' Parker said. 'It just...it slipped out and then he knew. I can't exactly take it back, can I?'

    'Parker,' I sigh, closing my eyes. I make sure I get in touch with my emotions before opening them again. 'So now Ned knows each of our secrets? Is this guy trustworthy?'

    'I think so...' Parker said. He did not seem convinced. 'Just talk to him and like threaten him or something. He's probably terrified of you.'

    'He's somewhere behind you waiting for you to give him some signal to come over here, right?'

    Parker nodded slightly with a very guilty look on his face and walked around the corner of the hallway waving Ned over. He came over cautiously and I sighed.