How'd you get this number?

18 - Not Like This

//Natasha's Phone//

James
Hey Talia, Fury gave me and Steve a mission
I won't be around for a few weeks

Natasha
Whats the mission?

James
Modok is stealing tech
we think he's up to something big

Natasha
like what?

James
aha nice try
but i've told u all i can
and i don't wanna get into trouble
Fury scares me...

Natasha
Eh worth a try
be safe
and look after America's Ass

James
yes sir 🫡
Watch out for the kid

Natasha
u know i will

______________

__Peter__ 

Walking to school sucks. I hate it. It's horrible. But I missed the goddamn train, so now I'm stuck trudging down the sidewalk, wasting time. And, of course, I can't even swing there, because like an idiot, I forgot to make more web fluid last night. Now I'm stuck walking. Genius, Peter. Absolutely genius.

I shift the weight of my backpack and try to ignore the prickling sensation at the back of my neck. My senses have been buzzing since I left, but I've been wrong before—could just be nothing. Still, something feels off.

I glance over my shoulder, casual, just to check. Nothing. The street's empty except for a couple of people going about their day, not even noticing me. No one looks out of place, but I swear... I saw something.

Whatever. I keep walking, but the feeling doesn't leave. It clings to me, like static. My gut tightens, and I can't shake the sense that someone's watching. The prickling gets sharper, like needles under my skin.

I stop at a crosswalk, pretending to stretch, and glance back again. This time I see it—movement. A figure ducking behind a corner just as I turn around. My heart skips.

Okay, calm down, Parker. It's probably just some random person. Maybe a tourist who thinks they're lost. Totally innocent. Right?

Still, something's off. My senses are buzzing, low but constant. I pick up the pace again, trying to act casual, like I'm not even thinking about the fact that someone might be tailing me. I pull out my phone, pretend to check it, but really, I'm just trying to catch a reflection in the screen. Nothing.

The feeling doesn't go away.

______________

__Natasha__

I'm not stalking Peter. I'm not. Just because I'm following him to school doesn't mean it's stalking... I'm watching him. There's a difference. I'm just making sure nothing bad happens. It's a friend thing. Totally normal to keep an eye on someone in case Hydra decides to snatch them off the street... an everyday occurrence, really.

He turns suddenly, and I duck behind the nearest corner, holding my breath. Damn it, Romanoff. I count to ten, slowly, before peeking back out from my hiding spot, expecting to see him continuing down the street.

He's gone.

The fuck?

Panic flares, sharp and immediate. I scan the street, the rooftops, anywhere he might have gone, but there's nothing—no sign of him. How did I lose him? He shouldn't be able to disappear like that.