Maya Stark

Chapter 99: He has a plan...maybe

The halls of school were already familiar to me again. I jumped back into school near the end of the year and soon it'll be summer. We were going on a Europe trip; a science field trip is what it really was. I had convinced Pepper to let me go, which was good because otherwise I'd be going with Fury. The plan starts in Europe. So, I was either going on this field trip or going with Fury. I'm glad Pepper said yes. It all had to go as planned.

I was in art class talking to MJ as Peter and Ned whispered to each other across the room. Peter and I had fallen back into our old relationship of awkward stares, awkward silences, and accidental touches that probably weren't accidental. But now guilt weighed me down every time I looked at him. Realistically I knew he could help me. He would understand. But I couldn't risk it. I couldn't risk putting him, Pepper, and Morgan in more danger than they were already in. I was doing this for them.

'I'm just saying,' MJ said, shrugging. 'So many people have bets on you and Peter. You two are like... the talk of the town. Especially since people have found out who you are.'

I shake my head. 'People can talk all they want. I'm not ready for anything to happen. And I am not making the first move.'

'Do you know how many people backed out of their bets when they found out you were a superhero?' MJ smirked. 'They had trouble believing Parker could pull a Stark much less a super-hero.'

I smile. 'That's fair, honestly. Most people don't even know him.'

'They know him because of you,' MJ said. 'Nobody talks to you, but they talk about you.'

'Oh... that's reassuring,' I mumbled.

'Mostly good things,' MJ said. 'Come on, we're going to Europe. We are going to be in Paris. You know, I read the Eiffel Tower was secretly built as a mind-control antenna to create an army of the insane. I can't wait.'

I laugh as I start packing up my things. 'Everything's going okay right now, I don't want to mess that up. Not yet. Pepper and Morgan are great. Me and Parker are finally back to normal. Flash no longer comes near me. And I don't have to hide anymore. Everything's going to work out just fine.'

She shakes her head and starts packing as I walk over to Peter and Ned. They look over at me and stop talking as I get to them.

'What's up, nerds?' I ask. 'Excited about the science trip?'

'Hey. Uh, yeah,' Peter said. 'I'm glad you finally convinced Pepper to let you go. We were just talking about it.'

'Yeah, and Peter's plan,' Ned said.

'You have a plan?' I ask Peter with raised eyebrows.

'I don't—I don't have a plan,' Peter said.

'No,' Ned said. 'He's just going to collect tiny spoons while we're traveling to other countries.'

'Like a grandmother?' I ask.

'I'm not collecting tiny spoons,' Peter said. 'He's collecting tiny spoons.'

'Oh. Okay,' I say, confused. 'You two are acting weirder than usual so I'm gonna go. I'll, uh, see you later at the thing, Parker.'

'Yeah, totally,' Peter said, nodding.

I walk away from them, still confused, and meet up with MJ at the door. Tonight, Peter and I were making an appearance in the Homeless Support building. Well, I'd be appearing with Spider-Man and May. I was actually kind of excited. Except for the fact press would most definitely be there and I hate them recently.