the spider whisperer

Mall [chapter 24]

They were at the mall. For the first time since they'd known each other, the three were willingly hanging out together. Which was, surprisingly enough, Flash's idea. He said he felt like it seemed he was only friends with them because of Peter's other identity. It was partially the truth. But still, it wasn't the only reason. Being friends and not frenemies with people from his childhood was actually kind of fun.

They knew about the things he liked and disliked already. Not only because he straight up told them, but mostly because they'd had spent almost a decade with him. They had gotten pretty good at reading his social cues. And vice versa.

"Buy whatever you want," Flash told the girl asking for his card to pay for their parking. "As far as I'm concerned, my balance is unlimited."

Peter gave a look of disapproval, "So you're spending daddy's money?" He rolled his eyes, "Not surprised."

"Actually," Flash gave Peter a scowl. There was an obvious annoyance to what Peter had said to him. But it was not for the reasons someone would think. "It's mommy's money. Your mistake; don't let it happen again."

"Same difference," Peter grumbled, crossing his arms with a pout as he sunk in his seat.

Flash took his card out of his wallet. He allowed the girl of their trio to pay. Meanwhile, he gave Peter a nasty look. There was a difference in between "mommy's money" and daddy's money". Daddy's money came from a demon. His father who ran some business that involved cars and whatnot. Mommy's money came from a hardworking woman who earned her money. She quiet literally came from nothing (unlike his father), so she had meaningful and kind morals on her.

Peter didn't know the difference because he only saw surface level things. But behind all that money was a dysfunctional family that really did not need a father to it.

They had parked and gotten out of the car by the time someone chose to speak again.

"No, it's not," Flash stated sourly. He accepted his card back when he was given it. "But you're too thick skulled to be able to tell." Peter probably would be able to tell the difference if he was explained it thoroughly, but there was too much baggage to unpack for Flash to do that.

She stepped in between them, grabbing both of their arms and forcing them to walk with her, "Please, stop arguing. It's starting to give me a headache."

Peter pursed his lips, and Flash scrunched up his nose.

But neither continued the argument. Man, she really did have them wrapped around her little finger. Either that, or they simply didn't felt like arguing anymore. The latter option seemed almost impossible though, so it had to be the former.

"I need new pants," Flash stated.

He stopped letting the girl lead and instead took charge straight for the shop he wanted. They walked past several shops. Some played loud music while others were filled with the sounds of people talking. Employees for sweets shops stood just outside of their stores, advertising something new to their shop.

Her personal favorite one was some jewelry shop. It was filled with so many different people. Girls and guys with tattoos and so many piercings you'd wonder if there was even anymore skin for them to pierce. Some girls who were browsing through the ring section. A couple with rather formal clothing.

If there was one store she truly wanted to go to by the end of the day, it was that one.

Flash stopped dead in front of her when he reached the shop he wanted. She wasn't exactly paying the most attention to where she was walking, so she did end up accidentally running into his back.