Maya Stark

Chapter 97: A detour

I decide to take a quick detour. I hesitate outside the familiar apartment door and knock before I could lose my nerve.

'Maya?' May says, surprise clear in her voice when she opens the door.

I give her a smile. 'Hey, May. Uhm, is Peter home?'

'Oh, uh, yeah, yeah, he is,' May stuttered. 'He's in his room, you can just go on back.'

I thanked her as she moved out of the way, letting me into the apartment. I walk the short distance to Peter's room. His door was already open, and he was sitting at his desk, back to the door. I lean against the doorway. His room looked exactly the same. God I missed the familiarity.

'Well, good to see not everything has changed,' I said, making him turn around in surprise. He stares at me for a couple seconds.

'H—Hey, Maya,' he stammered. 'What... What are you doing here?'

'I, uh, was just coming back from Sam's and thought I could take a detour,' I said. 'Uhm... So, how have you been.'

'I'm good,' he said. 'I—I like the haircut. It suits you.'

I smile. 'Thanks, Parker.' My voice is quiet.

'Is that a scar?' he stands up as my hand goes to my forehead.

'Oh,' I say. 'Yeah, it is. But it's totally healed. Promise.'

'How are you doing?'

'I'm getting there, I think,' I said, crossing my arms.

'So, uh, how long can you stay?'

'Not that long,' I said regretfully. 'Pepper is expecting me, and I've been gone a while. I miss Morgan too. Pepper seemed pissed when I extended my stay at Sam's a couple days. And she doesn't know about the hair. It's not going to be pretty.' I laughed slightly. 'I just, um, wanted to say hi, I guess. And um...' I trail off not knowing how to start the conversation.

'I know,' he said quietly. I looked at him, relief flooding through me. 'You're fine, Maya. I'm just glad we're talking. That's all I need.'

I smile. 'I promise I won't ignore you anymore.'

He smiled back. 'Good. I appreciate that.'

'Maya?' May said from the kitchen. She walks over to the doorway. 'Are you staying for dinner?'

'Uhm, thanks for the offer but I should really be going,' I said.

'It was nice seeing you then,' May said. 'We've missed you around here. I hope to see more of you again.'

I nod as she goes back to the kitchen.

'I should really be going,' I said looking back at Parker.

'I'll call you,' he said.

'I'll answer,' I say, smiling.

He laughed. 'I'll believe it when I see it, Stark.'

I nod. 'That's fair, Parker.'