Electric Storm

Chapter 27: I Larb You

'I've never been to this Thai restaurant before, but it isn't bad.' I smile politely, taking another mouthful of food. Definitely an upgrade from bolognese.

'I'm surprised Peter hasn't taken you here, we love this place.' May raises her eyebrows at Peter.

'I've been really busy at the moment.' I cover quickly for us. Parker smiles gratefully but I can tell the way I lie so easily puts him on edge. This is the longest time we've actually had to sit civilly for. We're both doing it for May's sake though. I guess Parker really did mean May and not himself when he said she wanted me to come.

'Well, I have missed seeing you around this term. I think this is the first time we've spoken since... well summer. Has it really been that long?' May questions, her eyes darting between Parker and I.

My fingers scratch my wrists uncomfortably as Parker searches for an explanation. It is very clear that May has no idea that we've actually fallen out. She seems to miss Parker's glances at me every time I open my mouth and hasn't noticed that I haven't directed one conversation at him. I'm surprised Parker didn't tell her, but then he's not the best liar. The silence is lingering. Someone is going to have to say something.

'Yeah, I'm, em, not sure what Par- Peter told you but I had a difficult summer.'

'Oh, yes, he said you had some family issues.' May says sympathetically.

'Yes, I, em told May about the falling out between your dad and uncle regarding some documents.' Parker stutters, his cheeks flushing a little. He's technically not wrong.

'Yeah, it was really messy and then I thought I was going to have to move again...' I rattle on. 'But I'm here now and I've been concentrating on school, and, well, Peter has his Stark Internship.'

'I thought you both had the Stark Internship?' May looks between us.

'Sort of/yes.' Parker and I say at the same time. Our eyes snap to each other as we work out what version of the Stark Internship lie we now have to tell. This is awkward.

'We have different... projects.' I say carefully.

'So we don't work together.' Peter adds. Only I notice the hostility in his words.

I take a breath and finally look at his eyes directly. 'Which is sad because I really loved it when we worked together on science projects in the past. It was the most fun I had in school.'

I wait for him to say 'me too'. He doesn't. He just picks at his food.

'What's the matter? I thought you loved larb.' May asks, confused by Parker's sudden silence.

'I'm just stressed with the internship... and there's a lot going on right now.' Parker explains, avoiding my gaze. 

'The Stark Internship? I have to tell you I'm not a fan of that Tony Stark.'

'May-' Parker tries to stop her.

I feel myself visibly cringing. I have to bite my tongue not to say anything.

'You're distracted all the time, he's got you in your head.' May lists.

Parker's distracted all the time because the only thing he thinks about is Spiderman... sorry, the "Stark Internship". I find myself getting angry again and have to calm myself down. Remember when you first became a superhero Katy, you fixated your whole life on being a hero too- you helped Fury and forgot about your family... similar to Parker now. But I don't want him to make the same mistakes as me. Because I believe, and I've always believed, he can be better.