Maya Stark

Chapter 111: It was so close to being over

I way laying in the bed of my hotel room, showered and everything, by the time I got a call from Beck. I answered hesitantly.

'That boyfriend of yours is too trusting for his own good,' Beck said.

'He's not my boyfriend,' I sigh. 'I supposed you got what you wanted?'

'Yep,' Beck said, joy clear in his voice. 'I am holding EDITH as we speak.'

'Awesome,' I said, voice monotone. 'Does that mean we're done.'

'Yes, Maya, we're done,' Beck said, annoyed.

'You won't hurt Pepper or Morgan? And you won't tell anyone we had any previous contact?'

'No,' he sounded bored. 'You didn't even do anything, Stark.'

'Right, I just helped you organize an Elemental attack, kept you updated on the trip and Parker, told you when he got the glasses, taught you how to lie better, lie to everyone, and overall know you're a terrible person.'

'It's over now, so it doesn't matter,' Beck said. 'I have what I want. You have your normal life. The kid's looking for you. So, be prepared to put that fake Stark smile on, kay?'

I lock my jaw and hang up. He isn't worth the breath. I stare at the ceiling. The trip was over, anyway. Peter and I would be thrown back into the busyness of neighborhood superheroes. At least I won't be lying to him anymore. I hear voices outside and I sit up. I listen closely for a second and make out Peter's voice. I go over to my door and open it. Peter was facing away from me, and I leaned against the wall.

'Hey,' I said.

He turns around a small smile forming on his face. 'Hey.'

'I'm, uh, glad you decided against Berlin,' I said, crossing my arms awkwardly. 'Everyone was freaking out. Wondering where you were. I had to play the part of a worried friend.'

'Beck and I grabbed a drink,' Peter said.

I nod. 'Oh.'

'Yeah,' he said.

I clear my throat. 'So much for Paris, I guess.'

'Would've been fun,' he said. 'I was looking forward to it.'

'Yeah,' I said. I hesitate. 'Well... night.'

'Night.'

I walked back and closed the door. I leaned against it and closed my eyes tight. We were idiots. The both of us. Pepper was right, we've been dancing around each other since I was 16. That was the night I decided he might not be all that bad. When I got my ring. My necklace. I had a lot of confidence back then. So, with a deep break, and a surge of sixteen-year-old me confidence, I opened up the door again. I jump slightly when I see Peter still there.

'Hey,' he said, also shocked.

'Hey,' I said, trying to slow down my heart rate.

'Uh...' Peter takes a deep breath. 'Look, um, I'm not ready for this trip to be over yet, and I'm guessing you aren't either. And I kind of want to do something fun that's not on the itinerary or planned or with Mr. Harrington.'

'Parker, can't you just ask me to do something like a normal human being?' I said, smiling. He smiles back. 'I'll meet you outside in ten minutes.'

'Meet me outside in five minutes,' he said, smirking.

I roll my eyes. 'Five is good.'

'Okay,' Peter said, nodding and walking off.

I nod slightly to myself and go back into my room. I look through my clothes for a jacket wishing I had at least brought Nat's sweater. I need to stop relying on a piece of clothing. I come across the blue jacket I didn't recognize. It was Peter's. I remember that now. I just don't remember why I have it. I always forget to bring a jacket, so it makes sense I'd have at least one borrowed one. We hung out like all the time before everything. I hesitate before throwing it on. I swallowed down my panic as I throw the web shooter I found in my bag.