die for you ➪ p. parker

chapter twenty-one

fuck
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After my talk with Nat, I spent a solid half hour writing a script for that night. A decent sized pile of crumpled papers had grown beside me when I finally found the one I would use.

'Peter, this is sort of awkward to say but I feel like I should get it off my chest. I like you. As in, I have a crush on you. I've been avoiding talking to you as much as possible. I'm sorry, I've been such a dick recently and I know that you like Liz but it's selfish of me to act so cold towards you for no reason. I hope this doesn't change anything between us, though I know it inevitably will.'

Ending the note was awkward so I just folded it and shoved it in my pocket. I would just close the statement in person and leave.

The sun was close to setting. Mom pulled me out of my room for supper. I could barely answer any of her questions about school because of my pounding heart.

Finally, the sky outside grew dark and my apartment fell into silence. I pulled a black hoodie over my pajama top and crept out the window, thankful for the fire escape below.

I swung around the building, the cold air biting at my reddened face, until I reached Peter's window. It was dark in his room and the curtains were drawn. I pressed my hand gently against the glass, closing my eyes.

"You can do this, Lang," I murmured, "It's just Peter."

I slid the window open and pushed the curtains aside. Peter jumped from his spot on his bed, reflexively preparing to fight.

"Relax," I chuckled as I entered his room, "It's just me."

Peter sent me a nervous smile, "What's up, Kate?"

I clutched the crumpled paper in my pocket, hesitating.  Peter watched me curiously as I fought with myself, unable to pull my hand from my pocket.

"We need to tell Ned that we broke up," I dropped the paper, leaving it in the dark of my pocket while I pulled my hand out to tuck a hair out of my face.

"Why?"

'Because I'm in love with you'

I stayed silent.

"This thing is actually going better than I thought it would," Peter said, "I mean we can stage a break up if you want."

"Yeah," I said, searching frantically for an excuse, "I guess it is working, it's just um—there's this guy-"

"Oh," He cut me off, biting nervously on his lip, "I get it, don't worry, Kate."

My eyes grew wide, "No-"

There was a click outside the door and we both froze.  Peter pointed rapidly to the corner and I shot a web up behind the door, silently hanging there.

"Peter?" I heard May's voice, "Are you talking to someone?"

I held my breath and tried not to bump the open door. 

"No," Peter shook his head, "Just-just thinking about...stuff.  To myself."

"Well, it's two in the morning, maybe keep your thinking to the daytime.  Get to sleep, bud."

May shut the door but I didn't dare move until I heard her bedroom door click shut.

Peter and I let out identical breaths as I swung over to him.

"I should go before we get busted," I said, "We'll talk in the morning."

"Alright," Said Peter, "See you, Kate."

I left out the window, my hands trembling.  I had known I wouldn't be able to read him that note.  It was stupid of me to try.

When I got back to my room, I collapsed on my bed and dug through my pocket for the note.  My pocket was empty. 

Panic surged through me.

What if the note fell out in Peter's room when I was on the roof?  He couldn't see it.  I wasn't ready.

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peter parker's pov

The sun came through a crack in my curtains, shining in my eyes. Simultaneously, May opened the door wide and came over to me.

"Morning, Peter," She said with a smile, brushing her thumb along my forehead, "I'm just making sure you didn't sleep in because you stayed up so late last night.

"I'm fine, May," I grumbled, rubbing my eyes and sitting up, "I'll be out for breakfast in a minute."

May got to her feet and laughed, "I'll hold you to that."

She turned to leave but stopped in her tracks.

"Peter, why didn't you tell me about this weird cobweb?" May said, leaning over to collect some wrappers and papers from the floor, "Oh, I'll clean it tonight, you get ready for school."

"Thanks May," I said. The cobweb was undoubtedly from Kate, "Hold on, what's that?"

"This?" She held the crumpled piece of paper I was pointing at and uncrumpled it. I watched her read it, face blank.

A smile crept onto her face and she shoved the paper into her pocket, "Oh, nothing."

I studied her expression as she turned to walk away.

"Nothing, huh?" I breathed as the door came to a close, "Sure."

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