RED - Peter Parker x F!OC

Chapter 3: It's Been A While

The last bell of the day rang. Students flooded the halls, eager to hang out with their friends. I stood at my locker, having a conversation with Gwen.

"I can't believe you stood up to Flash before I could." Gwen muttered in surprise. Believe me, I didn't think I had the nerve. I shut my locker, throwing my backpack over my shoulders.

"I can't either. I just didn't like standing there, watching Peter take his punches." My mind replayed him cowering on the ground, wishing Flash would stop. I shook my head, slightly disappointed. We began walking toward the main entrance side by side.

"About that Peter, do you guys know each other?" She asked curiously. Do we know each other?

"We're childhood friends. I could go as far as to say best friend but things are kind of complicated right now." I hopped off the stone steps outside, nearly tripping once I landed.

"I don't like complicated," Gwen gave me a look, "I can tell there's more to that story."

I ignored her, following her to her dad's car. Jamie couldn't pick me up today and after telling Gwen about my bus experience, she felt bad and offered me a ride. It felt awkward sitting in the back of a police car, but it was better than having to listen to kids shout at each other.

"You must be Rosalie." Gwen's dad turned to shake my hand. He seemed like a cool guy.

"Hi, Mr. Stacy. You can call me Rose, if you'd like." I never liked my full name. It sounded to proper for my liking.

"Alright, Rose. Where to?" I gave him Jamie's address and leaned back. Gwen kept glancing over at me to make sure I wasn't falling asleep.

"How do you like New York?" She asked me. I raised my shoulders, unsure what I thought yet. My ten-year-old self would've said she hated it here. But I wasn't that little girl anymore.

"It's loud, but entertaining. I can tell I am never going to get bored around here."

Mr. Stacy laughed, tapping the steering wheel, "That's why I am a police captain, sweetheart."

Was crime really that common around here? I'm sure people get mugged and thrown around, but nothing too serious, right?

"Is this it?" He asked, stopping on the side of the road in front of a building. I nodded, sliding out of my seat.

"Thank you for the ride!" I yelled out, giving them a wave.

I walked into the apartment, the smell of chocolate roaming the air. I poked my head around the corner, seeing Jamie working in the kitchen. She popped a round pan out of the oven, letting hot air out.

"Smells good." I announced my presence, sitting at the kitchen island. She whipped her head around, just now noticing me.

"I didn't hear you come in. How did your first day go?" She placed the dessert on the counter, coming over to me.

"It could've gone worse," I shrugged, not going into detail.

"Make any friends?"

"I met this sweet girl, Gwen. Her dad gave me a ride home. Oh, and you won't believe who I saw-" I rambled on, being stopped by Jamie shoving a brownie in my mouth.

"Does it taste good?" I nodded, my voice sounding muffled as I chewed. She stepped back, grabbing a piece for herself.

"Sorry, who did you see?" She signaled me to continue with my story.

"Peter Parker. He got into a fight with this guy and I intervened- well, I didn't physically. Anyways, he got hurt so I helped him get to the nurse and we started talking. He kept asking all these questions, but I was being stupid and ignored him. It was a whole thing. I just couldn't look him the eyes, afraid I might hear something I don't want to hear. He didn't seem angry with me, but- well, he looked hurt? I don't know what I'm going to do-"