Small World | Peter Parker

chapter thirteen

"Peter, I'll be fine,"

"You're not walking alone at night," Peter said on the other line. I slipped on my sneakers and quickly tied the laces. The phone was sitting on my bed, and Peter was on speaker as I finished getting ready.

"I can handle myself,"

"I know, but I don't want you to get hurt,"

"Peter," I sighed heavily in frustration, but I had to be patient. It was still new, working with a partner or, more accurately, working with two other people. I have been alone for quite some time - it was weird. "I won't be alone, okay?"

"Who are you going there with?"

"Michelle,"

"Michelle's going with Ned," he shot back quickly on the other line. "You just lied to me,"

"I didn't lie," I tried my best to convince him, but we both knew I failed. We were going to Liz's party tonight, and I made the mistake of telling Peter I was heading there alone. He was not happy about it. "I'll take the bus or find a cab,"

"You know what? I'm coming - I'm like five minutes away!"

"Peter!" He quickly ended the phone call. As the phone call ended, there was a knock on my door. I stepped up slowly and waited.

"It's me," said the voice of my neighbour—Sloane - my new partner, apparently.

I am still getting used to being around people. I opened the door, holding it wider for him to enter. Instead, he leaned against the threshold, and his arms crossed over his chest. "You're wearing that?" he sighed and shook his head. He looked disappointed, and it was kind of surprising.

"What?" I questioned curiously, looking down at my outfit. It wasn't bad - it was a thin strap tank top with a short black skirt paired with black sneakers. I was not about to walk into a mission wearing high heels. "It's not that revealing,"

He grimaced and shuddered. "Look, I understand that they're asking you to do stuff you might not feel comfortable with, but you have to call me if something happens,"

"I won't be alone," I muttered. I made a point of grabbing a sweater and putting it on. "Better?"

"He'll be there?"

"Who?"

"Mr. I'm the friendly neighbourhood spider-man,"

I snorted loudly. "Yes,"

"Do you know what you're walking into?"

"Of course," I answered, looking down at the ground. "It's nothing new, I've done this before,"

"Remember, you are only gathering information as best as you can, and you will not be leaving the party with anyone. A friend whatever, but no one you suspect has ties with the organization," he said sternly. He was getting flushed. "After this, you're one step closer to freedom,"

"I'm getting the feeling you don't like this mission," I said quietly. Sloane opened his mouth like he would say something, but he stayed quiet. He looked older and tired today, almost as if he aged five years overnight. "It's not my first rodeo, and you know that,"

"Yes, but the last missio-"

"The last mission was successful,"

"The last mission, you were nearly rap-"

"I was fine," I clenched my jaw to refrain from saying more and to keep myself from saying something I would regret. Sloane's eyes were soft and understanding, and I hated how he was looking at me. It was the same expression my dad had when I ran home one day after Michael Thomas pushed my face into the sand during recess. "I went to therapy - or whatever the hell that was. I can still work,"