An Arrow Through The Heart

5: It's My Party And I'll (Almost) Die If I Want To

I pull up to Liz's house, MJ in the passenger's seat. My Dad wasn't sure about letting me come at first, but Nat and Wanda helped me persuade them. My Dad also wasn't happy that I had told someone about me being a Stark, but I assured him my secret was safe with MJ.

"Did you bring it?" MJ asks.

I pull out a piece of my suit, which is in my purse. I'm going to use it to follow Spider-Boy to ask him if he's Peter. MJ nods. We enter Liz's house, the party loud and banging. She hands me a piece of toast with jam.

"Bread protesting?" I ask.

"You know it." MJ says, nodding, and spreading jam on her own piece.

We spot Ned and Peter. "Can't believe you guys are at this lame party." MJ says.

"But you guys are here too." Ned points out.

"Are we?" I ask, and we walk away.

"Oh, my gosh." I turn when I hear Liz's voice.

"Hey, guys. Cool hat, Ned." Liz says.

"Hi, Liz." Ned says.

"Hi, Liz." Peter says, his voice high-pitched.

"I'm so happy you guys came. There's pizza and drinks. Help yourself." Liz says. I don't feel bad about eavesdropping, just so you know.

"What a great party." Peter says

"Thanks." Liz says.

Suddenly, something shatters. Sounds like glass.

"Oh, I..." Liz says sheepishly. "My parents will kill me if anything's broken. I gotta-,"

"Yeah." Peter says.

"Have fun." Liz says.

"Bye." Ned says.

"Bye." Liz says, walking away.

The music volume increases, keeping me from hearing Peter and Ned's conversations.

"Penis Parker, what's up?" Flash calls through a mic,  playing a honking sound on the stereo system.

"So, where's your pal Spider-Man? Let me guess. In Canada with your imaginary girlfriend?" Flash asks. Everyone laughs except, Peter, Ned, me, and MJ.

"That's not Spider-Man. That's just Ned in a red shirt." Flash says.

The crowd boos and laughs. Peter stalks out. I follow him. He goes outside and disappears. He must be on the roof. I hide behind the house, and change into my suit. I fly onto the roof, Spider-Boy's back is to me.

"Hey, what's up? I'm Spider-Man. Just thought I'd swing by and say hello to my buddy Peter. Oh, what's up, Ned? Hey, where's Peter, anyways? He must be around..." He's attempting to make his voice sound different, and failing.

"God, this is stupid. What am I doing?" He asks himself.

I clear my throat. He jumps and turns around.