Maya Stark

Chapter 50: Peter Parker

I slept that night. Whether it was because I was just exhausted, or I was calm, knowing I had a plan. When I woke up, comfortably, it was seven and I was surprised. I got ready quickly. I left my hair down and put on shorts and one of his old button-up shirts, rolling up the sleeves. I throw on converse and grab a bag. I shove some extra clothes, Nat's sweater, and my phone. I put the bag over my shoulder and race down the steps to the dining table. Morgan and Pepper were already eating. Pepper had made pancakes.

'You seem happier than last night,' Morgan said when she saw me.

I nod. 'I am a little, kid.' I ruffled her hair, making her crinkle her nose. 'I'm gonna be away for a little while. You'll keep mom company, right?'

Morgan nodded. 'Promise.'

'You're going to eat first, right?' Pepper said, warning in her voice. I reached over and grabbed a pancake. She frowned at me.

'Sorry, but I really want to go. I promise to stay in touch. I'm gonna grab some water and then be on my way.'

I walked into the kitchen quickly, drinking a glass of water. I assure myself I have all my necessities and then go back to the dining room. They were just finishing eating.

'I'll call, okay?' I say to Pepper.

'Okay,' she said. 'Be careful.'

'Promise,' I said. I ruffled Morgan's hair again. 'I'll see you when I get back, alright.'

'Okay,' she said, smiling. 'I love you.'

'Love you too, kid,' I said, straightening. I started towards the door and Pepper trails behind me.

'Drive carefully, okay?' she says as we near the door.

'I will, I will,' I said, shaking my head and opening the door. I freeze when I come face to face with a certain spider.

Parker's hand was raised to knock before I opened the door. His face showed shock for only a couple seconds before he smiled at me nervously. My nerves piked as I just stared at him.

'Hey, Maya,' he said, breaking the silence.

'Don't forget to call,' Pepper said.

'Yeah, I won't,' I said, aimlessly.

'Nice to see you, Peter,' she said while walking deeper into the house.

I took a deep breath and stepped fully out of the house while closing the door.

'What are you doing here, Parker?' I ask.

'I saw what happened on the news and everything,' he said. 'I, uhm, wanted to make sure you weren't going to do anything... rash.'

'What would make you think I'd do anything rash?' I mumble, slightly sarcastic.

He gave me a look. 'I just... wanted to make sure you were okay. I've been trying to give you space and everything. I just didn't want you to like run away.'

'I would never just run away,' I said.

'Really? Where are you going, then?'

I hesitate slightly. I didn't like what he was implying. 'I'm going to see Sam. Make sure he's okay. See if there's anything he needs help with. I'm just trying to be useful.'

'You know you're useful here, right? With Morgan?' he said. I shuffled on my feet. 'Maybe instead of jumping into a random fight, you should come back to school and talk to some people you've been ignoring?'

I narrowed my eyes at him. 'It's not a random fight, Parker. It is a very real, a very personal, fight. Sam will be fighting it no matter what and maybe, just maybe, I can do some good by helping him.'

'Maya, come on, you can do good here too,' he pleaded. 'You can come patrol with me or something. If you leave now, I just... I feel like you won't come back.'

'I'll always come back. My family is here,' I said, harsher than I meant. 'Why do you even care? We haven't spoken in months. It shouldn't matter to you what I do.'

He's taken aback by my words. I can tell.

'You think that just because we haven't talked in just a couple months that suddenly the like three years of caring about you disappeared? I've been worried about you, but I knew you didn't want to see me. That's why I haven't come by.'

'Yeah, well, maybe you shouldn't have come by here either,' I said, going to walk to my car.

He grabs my arm, preventing me from leaving. I turned to look at him and my breath caught in my throat at how close he was. He obviously wasn't expecting the proximity either as I feel him stiffen. Despite the obvious surprise of him being brave enough to even grab my arm, there was determination in his eyes.

'I don't think you really mean that,' he said quietly. His eyes searched mine and I resisted the urge to look away. 'I just think you're hurt and scared.'

'I'm not scared,' I said, way too quickly. 'What would I have to be scared of?'

'Lots of things, actually,' he said. There was a small smile on his lips. Not that I was looking there. 'I just... Maya, you're very important to me, okay? I just want to make sure that you're safe and okay.'

'And I am very capable of doing that all on my own,' I said. His hand was still wrapped around my wrist and all my senses were peaked.

'I know,' he said quickly. 'But... I mean... God, Maya, you make this real difficult. Is it so bad if I want to be the one to make sure you're safe? That I want to be the one you talk to when stuff like this happens?'

I tried to look for anything at all to say. My mind was pretty much blank.

'Parker...' I sighed.

'I know,' he said. 'Okay, I know a lot actually. I know that you haven't been in the best place the past months for obvious reasons. I know that you're trying to avoid anything that brings up any more emotion than you already feel. And I also know that's why you're avoiding me. And this conversation.'

'I have to go,' I whispered. 'I have to, Peter. I can't sit in that house anymore. I want to get out. Use my powers. I don't want to hide anymore.'

He understood right away. He looked towards the lake and sighed before he started nodding. I could almost see the thoughts flowing through his mind. His face showed his conflicting feelings. He looked back at me.

'If you die, I'll kill you,' he said finally.

A smile pulled at my cheeks, but it didn't fully form. 'I would be disappointed if you didn't.'

He laughed a little. His hand was still wrapped firmly around my wrist and neither one of us had moved back. I think my body was frozen. He just looked at me for a second. Like he was searching my face for any sign of discomfort. He wouldn't find any. But I still had to go. I needed to do this.

'I need to do this,' I said quietly.

'I know,' he said, nodding. 'I also know you're barley ready for a friendship. You make it real hard.'

I smile. A real genuine smile.

'One second of weakness never hurt anybody,' he said, quietly.

'Well, actually, I think that weakness is one of the main—'

He kissed me. It took me about one second to get over the shock before I kissed back. It was slow and only lasted a couple seconds, but it felt like fireworks exploded in my brain. There was a smile pulling at his features after he pulled away. I on the other hand was malfunctioning. All my stubbornness and will to leave had disappeared in that tiny instant. We both collectively took one step back, his hand releasing my wrist.

'Well, uh, I'll let you get to Sam and, uh, everything,' he said. His couple minutes of bravery disappearing.

'Yeah, right,' I said, nodding. 'Right. I'll, uh, try and call or something, if I ever get a chance. Tell you I'm okay.'

He smiled. 'Okay.'