Small World | Peter Parker

chapter twenty-one

After the morning with Mr. Chapman, Sloane sent me to school with a signed parental paper slip in my hand - excusing me from school this morning. I expected today to pass by smoothly, but I never expected what would happen next.

I fucking hate high school.

Michelle ran to my locker, and she had a look of sheer panic. "Where were you?" She questioned.

"I had to do something with my dad," I quickly made up without going into full detail. Michelle didn't pry, which I appreciated because I could not do better than that. "Why? What's wrong?" I asked once I noticed she looked like she was freaking out.

"Peter-" she started.

"What's wrong with Peter?" I shut my locker door, forgetting about my books. She chewed on her lip hesitantly. "MJ, where's Peter?" I repeated.

"Ok, do not freak out, okay?" She hushed, pulling me in closer. As I leaned in, I noticed a pair of eyes watching me, and then I began to see more people were staring at us. Some were trying to hide it, but most walked by and started whispering, staring at me the entire time.

"What's going on?" I whispered, and I felt the hairs on my neck stand up.

"Liz told everyone you slept with Peter even though she asked Peter out," she said as quietly as she could. "And she also said you pushed her and hit her, but I don't know if people believe that part,"

"I did no such thing. I did not push or hit her either," I gasped, and Liz held a finger to her mouth. I hadn't realized I raised my voice, and Michelle grabbed my arm as we started walking away from the prying eyes. I lowered my head in embarrassment. "Liz and Peter aren't even going out, and Peter and I are just friends,"

"You can't keep using that excuse when you two cannot keep your hands off of each other," Michelle laughed. "It's almost sickening,"

"Well," I stammered. "Peter's -"

"Not the point, so Liz is making up a bunch of lies about you and spreading rumours," Michelle went on. We were almost in our class room when I saw Liz walking toward us. "Half of the people just think she's jealous but people are still talking. She's obviously not happy with you,"

"Liz," I started and I felt Michelle try to stop me by grabbing my elbow. I didn't stop, not this time. "Why are you spreading rumours about me?"

"Who said I was?" Liz laughed with a sneer. She rolled her eyes at me as she was getting closer. I noticed her outfit was different today, more like the Liz I first met. No more ponytail and joggers.

"People have been staring since I got here,"

"Whatever that reason is, it's not my problem," she scoffed and brushed past me. As she walked by, I saw Peter stand across the hallway. I shook my head, telling him to stop.

He frowned, clenching his jaw out of frustration. Of the situation or of me, I couldn't tell.

-

I was walking toward my next class when Peter pulled me into the janitor's closet. His hands gripped my wrists carefully as I let him lead me into the room without resistance. No one seemed to notice me disappearing.

"Peter, I'm going to be late," he shut the door behind him, as he led me to the back of the room.

"Morgan, come on," he sighed and carefully pushed me against the wall. His hands on either side of me, leaning his body into mine. I lowered my eyes, feeling hot and small underneath him. "You're ignoring me again,"

"I'm just going to class,"

"I thought we were over this," he leaned in trying to catch my gaze. The room was large enough for him to stand a distance away from me, but he chose to tower over me. "I know you're uncomfortable with people being in your business or whatever they're talking about-"