Small World | Peter Parker

chapter fifteen

The night air was unusually warm tonight, despite it being the middle of fall. Still, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to warm myself up. I deeply regretted the short skirt and tank top. But I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. Liz's words played over in my head like a loop, and I felt sick. I made a friend, and I couldn't respect them enough to leave the boy they like alone. I glanced down at the party from the balcony, still alive and wild at two in the morning. I wondered if the neighbours cared, cursing at the party that seemed never to end.

The balcony doors slide open. "Hey," Peter appeared beside me, holding two red cups. "I figured you need one after what happened,"

I grabbed the cup and chugged it without asking what was in it. I could feel his gaze on me the entire time. Nervously, I pushed him away with my hip to tell him to stop. He seemed unfazed, grinning warmly. Remembering Liz, I think I have to set some boundaries. "Peter, we can't be friends at school anymore,"

He leaned against the railing and nodded, pursing his lips. I was surprised for a moment, expecting him to resist. "It's not about Liz, is it?" He questioned.

I shook my head, albeit a little too frantically. It was about Liz, but also something way more important to me. "Do you remember what I told you before moving here?"

He nodded again, looking down at the crowd below. Most people started jumping into the pool, screaming and yelling excitedly. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and I noticed Liz standing with her friends, looking directly at us. My stomach churned. "I remember you talking about travelling," Peter interrupted my thoughts. "You mentioned San Francisco, I mentioned Los Angeles, but you weren't sure if you wanted to live downtown,"

I couldn't help but smile, and I found it funny and sweet how he could remember our simple conversations. "And that can only happen if I finish what I came here to do,"

"I just figured we'd work as partners," he said with a shrug. I couldn't read him at the moment, and I was unsure if he was annoyed or agreed with my idea.

"You mean more than that to me," I whispered, placing a hand on his arm. "But I'm distracted, and I haven't found anything since starting this assignment,"

He was staring at me now and smiling, teasingly. "So it's not about Liz then?"

I scoffed and let out a frustrated sigh. "No, Peter,"

"I want you to have all that you want," he stepped closer, gently brushing his hand against my arm. I froze under him. His fingers traced small and delicate shapes against my skin. "And I want to help you in any way I can, so much that I can only focus on you,"

I let out a small gasp when his hand travelled behind my back, brushing the exposed skin and then holding my waist. I have to reason with him, or I risk my freedom. "Peter, we haven't found anything, and that is the whole reason why we're here, isn't it?"

"Well, I have," he interrupted. I gave him an incredulous look, expressing my frustration and surprise to him. "Ned overhead Jake talking to one of the freshmen. I think her name is Julie. They asked to meet in thirty minutes outside in the street. Offered her weed,"

"You didn't want to mention that first?" I pulled out my phone, checking the time on the screen. "How long ago was that?"

"Probably ten minutes ago,"

I stepped back to head inside when Peter asked me to wait. He looked tired at that moment, and he gave me a thin smile. "I'm not doing this, acting like we're not friends just because of Liz," he says in a soft gentle tone. "I mean it when I say I'm going to help you earn your freedom because I want to do everything you want to do on your list. And I mean, by your side because I care about you,"