If I Remember You

4

Michelle

"Ned would you hurry your ass up? I don't want to miss freshmen orientation. You too Betty! Come on." I shout down the hall as I grab my camera and my sling over bag from the couch.

"We're like 20 minutes ahead of schedule MJ. Chill. We live across the street. A brisk 5 minute walk away" He tells me as Betty and him exit his bedroom.

"Orientation starts in 20 minutes. But we have to be registered before then you idiot" I scolded him as Betty giggles from his side. "I agree with MJ we really have to get going if we don't want to be late" Betty adds as she puts her shoes on by the front door.

"Okay mom" Ned huffs glaring at me childishly. "what did you call me?" I challenged narrowing my eyes at him. "You heard me Jones" He said staring up at me.

"You know moms only ever threaten to kill their children for dramatics. I would actually go through with it" I smirked devilishly down at him.

"That's just dark MJ" Ned breaks character chuckling at me. "I try" I shrug as we all leave the apartment and I lock the door behind me.

"If I ever die, Betty is a witness" Ned says draping his arm over her. "Oh please. We all know Betty would cover for me" I said confidently as Ned laughs louder.

"She's my girlfriend" He reasons as I raise an eyebrow at her. "I would cover for her" Betty admits under her breath making Ned gasp at her statement. "But I'm your boyfriend" He whines.

"We both know she would kill me if I didn't cooperate. There is no reason why we both should die " She tells him as I laugh beside her.

"She has a point" I tell Ned as he pouts at his girlfriend for not being on his side. "I'm sorry baby. But I would still want you to live even if I didn't exist anymore" She cooed softly leaning her head on his shoulder.

My heart hammered rapidly at her words and I felt a heaviness in my heart. I know that feeling all too well. Sorrow. But for what?

"Say that again" I muttered under my breath as we crossed the street towards campus. "What?" She asked cluelessly as she looks up at me. "That I would want Ned to be happy if I were gone?" She tells me chuckling awkwardly at me.

"It's corny I know I know" She adds quickly when I didn't respond to her sappy comment. "No no. I think its cute. Maybe I'll feel that some day" I replied with a small smile of my own.

"Of course you will. I bet you'll find him here. No better way to find yourself a lover than orientation" She adds playfully nudging my side as I rolled my eyes. "You mean to use MIT as my dating pool?" I humored her as she squeals in excitement.

"Yes. Exactly." She tells me obviously not catching my sarcastic undertone. I just grinned at her as some student organizers approached us with overly eager smiles.

"Hey y'all! Welcome to MIT" A boy waves at us wearing matching recruiter shirts with a couple students behind him. "My name is Ezekiel and I'll be your MIT tour guide for today. Have you all registered yet?" He asked lightly looking at all three of us, his stare lingering on me a little while longer before diverting it from me.

Betty raising her eyebrows at me suggestively. I nudged her lightly to stop her and she just laughed it off. "Maybe him" She mumbled and I shook my head scrunching my nose definitely not approving of her suggestion.

"He's cute" Betty encourages as I make a face. "I am cute" Ezekiel whispers behind me making both Betty and me jump utterly stunned. Betty quickly turns a bright red in embarrassment while I just maintained my neutral face expression. "I've never been attracted by looks" I reply sassily as he chuckles looking down at me.

"Me neither yet here we are" He smiles softly at me as I stare him in shock. Did he just say subtly insinuate I was pretty?

"So you think she is cute?" Betty asked bluntly as I smack her arm. "Betty" I scolded as she rolls her eyes waiting for his answer. "I think she's beautiful" He corrected her making her smile pleased by his answer.

"Good cause she definitely is" She replies going off to find Ned who left us a little while ago.

"Where do we even register?" I asked ignoring everything that previously happened.

"Right this way. Let me take you" He offers and I nod as he leads the way. "So you from Boston?" He asked to keep the conversation the light. "I'm from New York" I tell him as he nods.

"The city with the aliens and superheroes. Do you know any?" He teased as I chuckle at his enthusiasm.

"I've seen Spider-Man from far away a couple times but never actually met him" I share as he smiles brightly. "No freaking way. You've met Spider-Man?" He asked in disbelief as I grin up at him.

"No. I told you I've never actually seen him up close? You're a horrible listener" I tell him as he laughs. "I try my best. But I would freak if I saw Spider-Man even from afar" He admits smiling down at me.

"You're a Spidey fan?" I tease as a very happy girl signs me in. "Welcome to MIT!" She greets as we walk past the registration booth. "Hell yeah I'm a fan. He's Spider-Man!" He reasons as I nod.

"You know they've been rumors the past year that Spider-Man moved out of New York" He tells me as I turn to observe his face for any signs of humor. I saw none. "Wait, you're serious?" I chuckles and he nods.

"maybe you don't read the news after all" He teases as I roll my eyes playfully at him.

"He is a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. From the comfort of New York City. There is absolutely no way that it is him. He is always around the city. How can he travel to Boston over night just so that some reporter snaps a couple of pictures? It is wither photoshopped or just just media lies" I explain to him as he rolls his eyes.

" Well it's not like he's in his Spider-Man suit. All the pictures are with civilian clothes. Normal hoodies and sweatpants. Can't Boston have one superhero? I mean, New York has all of them. We have crime here too" He argues as I frown.

"Out of all places, why would Spider-Man move to Boston? And if he's not wearing his suit, how do you even know its him? " I asked as he shrugs. "Beats me. All I know is that he webs bad guys, who else could do that? Maybe he's following you. " He teased making us both laugh.

"I'm pretty cool. Maybe he can sense it" I tell him. "I'm cool too" He adds as I narrow my eyes at him. "Oh yeah?" I challenge.

"Maybe if we get to know each other, you'll see I'm not all just words" He offers as I smile softly at him.

"Sure. I need to make friends here anyway. You seem like a good place to start" I tease him and he smirks at me handing me his phone so that I can add my contact information.

"Alright. Let's go look for your friends so I can show you why MIT is the absolutely best" He says as if in dialogue waving hands in excitement.

"Good pitch. It sounded a bit scripted but good" I complimented and he smiled thanking me.

School hasn't even officially started and I already made a 'friend'. I'm off to a great start.

***

So MJ and Ned are out of New York. What do you all think will happen? Any theories?

With love,

breebaqbooks