An Arrow Through The Heart

7: No More Training Wheels

Academic Decathlon, Kate's POV

I'm sitting on the bus with MJ in uniform, talking about protests we should try to get to while we're in D.C. I look out the window and see Peter running toward us.

"Hey, it's Peter." Abe says.

"Guys." Peter says, panting.

"Peter?" Liz asks.

"Hey, buddy." A guy says.

"Yeah, I was hoping maybe I could rejoin the team." Peter says.

Flash walks forward to face Peter. "No, no way. You can't just quit on us, stroll up, and be welcomed back by everyone."

Mr. Harrington walks up to Peter. "Hey, welcome back, Peter. Flash, you're back to first alternate."

"What?" Flash asks, gaping.

"He's taking your place!" I can't help but call out the window.

MJ leans over my shoulder. "Excuse me, can we go already? 'Cause we were hoping to get in some light protesting in front of one of the embassies before dinner, so." I nod.

"Protesting is patriotic. Let's get on the bus." Mr. Harrington says.

Flash takes off his jacket and throws it into Peter's arms. Peter smiles as he gets on the bus next to Ned.

Peter's POV

"Focus up, everyone. Our next topic is the moons of Saturn." Liz calls.

"The second law of thermodynamics." Kate says.

"Frank Sinatra." Charles says.

"Fort Sumter." Flash says.

"Flash is wrong." Abe says.

"Come on, guys, leave him alone." Kate says. Flash smiles at her. Kate smiles back. My stomach twists. Since when does she stick up for Flash?

"Okay, guys, let's focus. Next one." Liz says.

"Liz, don't overwork them." Mr. Harrington says.

"Uh, strontium, barium, vibranium." I say.

"Very good, Peter. Glad to have you back." Liz says, smiling at me.

"Glad to be back." I say.

My phone vibrates. Happy is calling.

"What is the current standard unit of radioactive-," Liz begins

"Can I take this real quick? I'll only be a sec." I say.

"Yeah, fine." Liz says.

I answer my phone, heading toward the back seats. As I pass by Kate and Michelle, they stare at me. I smile awkwardly and turn my back to them. "Hello?" I say.

"Got a blip on my screen here. You left New York?" Happy asks.

"Tracker." I mutter. Kate looks over at me. It's Happy. I mouth. She nods.

"Uh, yeah. No, it's just a school trip. It's, uh, it's nothing." I try to reassure him, sitting down next to Ned. "Look, Happy, I gotta say, you tracking me without my permission is a complete violation of my privacy."

Ned points at the hologram model. "That's different." I whisper.

"What's different?" Happy asks, suspiciously.

"Nothing. Look, it's just the Academic Decathlon. Kate's here too, it's no big deal." I say.

"Hey, hey. I'll decide if it's no big deal." Happy says. There's a moment of silence before he says, "Sounds like it's no big deal, but remember, I'm watching you." I hang up. Kate looks back at me and raises her eyebrows. All good. I mouth. She nods.