Growing Pains

Chapter One: Growing Pains

July

"Jesus Peter!" MJ yelled across the pool, holding her book upside down in an attempt to rid it of the water that joined its pages after your best friend jumped into Liz's pool.

"Oh come on MJ! It's our freaking grad party! Get your head out of that book, I promise it will be there tomorrow!" you giggled, causing a small crack to form in her hardened exterior. From the small smile that snuck onto her face spilled a mumble of agreement as she took off her coverup and joined the group in the pool. Ned and Peter continued their game of Marco polo but now with a third player while Liz sat to your left absolutely glowing in the sun as you both bathed in the warmness that soaked into your skin. Flipping over to your stomach, the cool grain of the sun chair melted away like the stress off your shoulders in the rays that hit your back. A content smile adorned your face as your favorite accessory on most days but today it was a little bigger. The soundtrack to your life was the laughter of your 4 best friends and Aunt may tossing burgers on the grill and you wanted to loop the song for eternity. This bubbling gratitude showed itself in the form of a wider smile you flaunted throughout the day.

"Kids! Burgers are done! Come up on the deck yeah?" Aunt May's voice seemed to prompt the apocalypse as MJ, Liz, and Ned sprinted past each other, trying to be the first to the food. A smooth chuckle behind your back sent butterflies to your stomach as you heard Peter exit the pool.

"Not hungry?" he teased, grabbing the towel off the concrete next to you.

"Just trying to enjoy the moment a little longer" you smiled, stretching your legs out a little before sitting up and facing the brunette in front of you. A semi-dry hand extended in front of you as he finished drying off his hair.

"M'lady" A giggle escaped both of your lips as you accepted his hand to get off the low sun chair. "You don't have to wait up for me, I'm gonna clean up down here a bit, will you tell aunt may i'll be there in a second?"

"Sure, don't take too long. Not sure how much will be left after MJ gets her hands on the food" you poke, sliding on your flip flops and heading up the deck. "Aunt May, go grab a seat! You've done enough,"

"Y/N, you're too sweet" she sighed as you took the apron off her and handed her a made plate.

You flipped off the grill letting it cool before you scrubbed it down and closed it. "Peter said he would be right up Aunt May"

"Of course you would know," Michelle snickered quietly causing a blush to raid your cheeks. You found your seat next to Ned as you put your feet up across his lap. The empty chair next to you was soon filled by Peter.

Ned's head dropped a little as he played with the last fry left of his plate. "Man, I'm gonna miss this"

The mood grew somber for a second before you gently slapped his arm, "Ned! There's nothing to miss silly! The three of us got chosen for Stark apprenticeships and MJ and Liz will be right across the street at NYU!"

"Yeah, you're not getting rid of us that easily" MJ chuckled, lifting the spirits of the table around us. Aunt May was the first to go inside. As food was eaten and laughter took over most of the conversation, the sun drifted lower and lower into the sky and the only illumination came from the LEDs lining the porch. Somehow you found yourself curled up on Liz's lap while MJ stretched out over Peter and Ned.

"An-and remember when Ned accidentally stole Mrs. Hairns textbook!" MJ cried, laughter and tears emerging from her face as you all mirrored her expression.

"I thought she was gonna kill me" he laughed, furthering your fit of giggles.

After this, Ned was the next to enter the house, not that it surprised anyone. He was practically a zombie without his mid-day nap. Then about an hour later, it was MJ, citing her tiredness to 'putting up with you fools all day'. Leaving just you, Peter, and Liz.

"Man what a day," Liz sighed as the three of you walked down to the lawn, blankets in hand. You laid them out and each found your spot under the stars."I'm really gonna miss you guys"

The bottom of your throat contracted slightly as tears welled in your eyes. "Yeah, I'm gonna miss you too."

"Y/N, What about what you said earlier! You guys can't be losing hope this early." Peter nervously retorted.

You braved back the tears and half heartedly agreed,"Yeah, yeah, you're right... I think I'm gonna call it a night." The two called goodnight to you as you climbed the stairs and enter the dark house. After showering the chlorine and dirt from the day off, you got into your pjs and went to set your alarm. Crap. You crept down the stairs to retrieve your phone from the lawn. You quietly opened the door and pattered onto the deck.

"Peter... Things are gonna change after today... I just wanted to let you know..." You froze at Liz's queue, peering over the bannister onto the lawn below you. "I am afraid of losing you guys.... I'm afraid of losing you..."

Peter swept the hair behind her ear and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Nothing will come between us... or the group... I promise."

Famous Last Words...

My heart dropped into my stomach as I quickly snuck back into the house and to my room. When I collapsed, I let the tears fall freely.

August

"I can't believe my babies are leaving the nest!" Aunt May cried as Peter packed his last box into your car. Aunt May insisted on seeing you out before you drove upstate.

Peter's face turned a bright pink as he closed the trunk and turned around, "Aunt May.. We're only like an hour north.."

"That's an hour too far," she retorted, pulling both of you into a tight hug. "Stay safe, drive slow, and call me when you get there!"

Your eyes teared as the warm safety that encompassed you dropped with her arms. "Of course Aunt May, Love you" Wiping your eyes, you hopped into the car with Peter copying you on the passenger side.

"Ready?" he sighed, a smile replacing the frown that was seen on his face just moments ago.

You turned the keys and released a sigh of content as well when the grumble of the engine filled your bones. "Yeah" The trip was a short one. Peter mostly scrolled through his phone and you mostly sang to the songs on the radio.

After arriving at the new apartment Ned, who had already been there for a week or so, rushed out to help carry in their boxes, "Hey Losers!" After exchanging greetings, box after box was unloaded and placed in the new 4 bedroom suite you shared. You took your time tediously unpacking your contents throughout the day and placing them throughout your room. The boys, not so much. By the end of the night, both of the boys were out in the living room because their rooms were blocked off by boxes. Their sleeping figures warmed your heart as a sad smile found itself on your face for the 30-somethingth night in a row. Finding your way to your bed, your heartstrings were pulled in harmonious fashion, wailing a ballad only you could hear. With another sleepless night threatening your hollow shape, you sighed and walked into the kitchen and bathrooms, unpacking almost the entire apartment.

The boys awakened around 7:00 due to the rustle of you sorting through the living room boxes and unpacking them. Ned was the first to notice the lack of boxes. "Damn Girl, what time did you wake up!" he laughed.

"I couldn't sleep last night, that's all" you nervously chuckled, catching the attention of Peter.

Concern painted itself on his face as he walked over and knelt in front of the box you were unpacking. "You couldn't sleep?"

"Yeah, its nothing"

His hand reached out and grabbed yours, stopping you from unpacking, and his eyes searched yours. "What's wrong Y/N?"

"N-Nothing Peter. Just not used to the new setting that's all"

He let out a suspicious "ok" and returned to his playful behavior with Ned in the kitchen. You quickly wiped a tear from your eye as you picked the box up and folded it, throwing it into the pile.