Home Is Where The Heart Is (Peter Parker)

[4] Homecoming

I met Peter at the Queens subway station the next morning. For New York weather in late September, it was warm. Thank you global warming. I wore a plain white sweatshirt under a pair of deep blue overalls and white sneakers. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail and for once, he was there before me.

"Hey Emma." He says with a smile.

"Peter Parker here before me? Who knew." I said with a laugh.

He lets out a small laugh.

"Yeah, I don't have the suit to fight crime in anymore so..."

His voice trails off and his head drops.

"Don't think about that." I say, nudging him as the train pulls into the station.

I reach into my pocket and offer an earbud to him. He lifts his head and lets a smile slip as he reaches for it. I had our joint playlist blasting already.

When we got to the school Ned was waiting for us by the lockers but soon enough, Principal Morita showed up.

"Mr. Parker, care to have a little talk?"

Peter nods his head and the two make way for his office.

Ned and I follow. Peter sits in the glass office as Principal Morita calmly talks to him. After a few minutes pass and Peter stands up with his bag and walks out.

"Are you expelled? Do you have to go to that high school on 46th where the principal has a crossbow?" Ned asks.

My hands find my face again while we walk down the busy hallway.

"Pretty sure that's an urban myth, and no, I'm not expelled." Peter chuckles.

"You're so lucky." I sigh.

We get to our first class, Chemistry. Later that day during our free period we snuck into the Orchestra Practice room to complete our lego death star. As Peter places the last piece on top, Ned hands him the Emperor Palpatine figure and he places it on top. He and Ned do their handshake. At the end of the day I sat in English Comp and my phone buzzed with messages from a frantic Peter. He asked Liz to the homecoming dance.

Hours later I ready myself for the dance. I curled my hair and throw it up into a ponytail. My makeup is light. I didn't wear a dress. I wore a purple jumpsuit. The sleeves were mesh and small pink flowers were sewn into them. I didn't have a date. I guess I was hoping Peter would ask me. My dad was out of town again, but this time at the compound and Pepper was still in Florida for her job, so I ended up taking myself. It was all fun and games until Peter arrived, although Liz walked in first, which I found suspicious.

"Hey, where's Peter?" I ask Liz.

"In the car, My dad wants to have a talk with him."

Okay that's a little suspicious. I look back at the door, there he is. He's pale, his lips are parted in a shocked sense and he looks upset. He approaches Liz, still in that state.

"Hey. What did he say to you?" She says.

Peter doesn't respond.

"Gotta go. I'm, I'm sorry. You don't deserve this." He says and hurries away, leaving Liz in the middle of the dance floor.

I look at MJ, she watches him too craning her neck. Ned is of course off partying. I search for Ned, I spot him in the crowd jumping up and down to "What Makes You Beautiful" By One Direction. I grab Ned by the sleeve and pull him away from the disco ball lights.

"What are you doing Emma? This is supposed to be a night where we forget our troubles." He starts.

"It's Peter, he's in trouble."