Maya Stark

Chapter 109: Teenagers don't like opera

Standing around the hotel lobby with the rest of the class, I was anxious. Peter could tell and he stayed close by my side. He kept reassuring me everything would be fine, and I knew he meant well but he didn't know why that made it worse. We all stood in a circle when Mr. Harrington called us over. People had glow sticks in preparation of the carnival that Peter and I knew we weren't going to.

'Good news,' Mr. Harrington said. 'We're going to the opera!'

Everyone looks around confused and all of them looked very much annoyed. Their responses were the same. None of them were happy about it.

'What happened to the carnival?' MJ asked glancing at me. She looks back when I nod my head and discreetly point to me and Peter. She nods in understanding but does not look happy about it.

'Oh, this is upgrade living guys,' Mr. Harrington said.

Ned then looked at us and Peter nodded, gesturing that we were in fact the ones who set this up. It was the best thing we could.

'Come on,' Mr. Harrington continues. 'The tour company just gave us these tickets. For free! Do you have any idea how much opera tickets cost?'

'No, because none of us have ever wanted to go the opera ever,' Flash said.

'Uh... well I think this is gonna be culturally enriching for us,' Ned said.

Mr. Harrington points at Ned. 'Thank you, Ned. Everyone, this is gonna be, maybe the best four hours of our whole trip.'

'Four hours!?' everyone but Peter, MJ, Ned, and I said.

'Guys, I think this is gonna be really fun,' Ned said. 'Seriously.'

Walking through the streets of Prague I suddenly felt even more guilty. If that was even possible. Not only am I destroying Peter's vacation I'm destroying everyone else's. And I had to get dressed up. I had to put on a dress. Just to change into a suit. I was annoyed, guilty, and I could feel Brad's eyes on the back of my head as I walked with Peter.

'Do you two copy?' Hill's voice cam over comms. 'Comm check, on, two.'

Peter and I share a nervous look before we continued to the theatre. The seats were barely filled only elderly people were there. I walk up and stop next to MJ.

'I'm blaming you,' MJ said.

I smile my apology at her as Brad turned around to look at me. Peter was still behind me and Brad sent him a dirty look before turning back to me.

'I'll save you a seat,' he says before walking off.

I glance at Peter who was glaring in Brad's direction then I looked back to MJ. She smirks, shakes her head, and walks towards her seat. I turn back to Peter.

'I can't believe I had to put on a dress to just change out of it and go fight fire,' I groaned.

Peter smiled at me. 'If it helps, you look pretty.'

I smiled back. 'Thanks, Parker. You don't look to bad yourself.'

'I think that's the best Maya compliment I've gotten,' he joked.

I rolled my eyes. 'Shut up.'

'Oh my gosh!' Betty said coming in. 'Opera glasses!'

'Are you in position?' Fury asks over comms.

I turn my back to Ned and Betty. 'Not yet.'

'Why the hell not?' Fury asked.

Peter and I share an annoyed look.

'We're going,' I said. 'Chill out, Fury. We got to go, Parker. Fury is getting antsy.'

'Okay,' Peter said. 'Okay. Let's go.'