Flowers trapped in the web

Chapter 4

I woke up with a groan the next day, rolling over and blinking through the rays of sunlight.

Monday. Great.

Pulling myself up from the sofa, I registered the ache in my ribs and boy Spiderman wasn't kidding when he said I'd need painkillers because this bloody hurt. I put the melted peas back in the freezer before I ate a croissant and drank some cranberry juice, popping my pills. I wasn't really fancying the idea of school today but hey, I made this choice and I'd have to live with it.

I didn't bother dressing up today, happy in a knee length black dress and oversized cardigan, I didn't want anything rubbing on my ribs in case it irritated them any further. I went with socks and slides as well, I really couldn't be bothered and luckily they were in fashion at the minute, so I'd fit right in.

"Alex! Hey Alex!" A voice called and I turned my tired eyes to the beaming Peter Parker who skipped towards me at the subway station.

"Hey Peter, how was your weekend?" I smiled in an attempt to match his energy and his brown eyes peered down at me.

"yeah it was fine, are you okay? You seem tired?"

"yeah I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, sorry" I rubbed my face, missing the way his eyes travelled to my side.

"how come?" he asked as we took our seats on the train.

"just tossing and turning" I yawned behind my hand, tucking them into my sleeves. "it probably didn't help that I fell asleep on the sofa" I didn't really want to talk about the whole Spiderman thing, I didn't want to sound like I was making myself sound like a hero or anything.

"yeah that's never a good idea, no matter how comfortable it seems" he spoke from experience, a knowing look on his face as his fingers played with the strings of his wired headphones. "you wanna share?"

"are you sure? I don't want to cramp your style or anything?" Peter laughed, giving me the right bud and opening Spotify. I put it in my ear gratefully, shuffling closer to him so they wouldn't stretch too far.

"my music kind of sucks, I'm sorry in advance"

"I'll listen to anything, as long as it's not the new Elton John song"

"woah," he put his hand to his chest in mock offence "what's wrong with Cold Heart?"

"it's just everywhere. And everyone loves it, and I can't stand it." I gasped as I heard the beginning notes of 'Out of my league' by Fitz and the tantrums. "I love this song!" I hit his arm in excitement.

"you know Fitz and the tantrums?" he grinned back at me.

"know them? Dude, half my playlists are full of them. But this, in my opinion, is their best. Either this or 'The Walker'." He hummed thoughtfully, his leg bouncing to the beat, and I bopped my head along contently. He had brightened my morning dramatically and the ache that had been bothering me so much dulled a little.

"That's really good" MJ looked over my shoulder as I drew in my sketchbook at lunch.

"thanks" I blushed, hiding the drawing beneath my hands as she drew the boys' attention.

"Peter's a spiderman fanatic, take a look at that" Ned pried the book from my fingers, and I buried my face in my hands, eyeing the plant sale table across the room and praying I kept this under wraps.

"wow, this is really good" Peter complimented, his gaze flicking to mine through my hands, and I was sure he could see my blush.

"badass" Ned agreed, handing me back the book.

"thanks" I muttered, shoving it back into my bag, "have you guys got your science quiz thing today?"

"Decathlon?" Peter prompted with a grin, and I shot him a look to which his lips widened.

"yeah, you're Decathlon" I sassed him back and MJ confirmed that they did.

"You should come and watch, maybe you'll learn something" she teased, and I scoffed in mock offense.

"mhmm okay Michelle" she smirked, and I rolled my eyes at the lot of them, ignoring Ned whispering to Peter as I saw Flash leering at a pretty girl in the cafeteria. My eyes narrowed as I noticed her look towards his friends who had surrounded her table.

"where are you going?" Ned called after me as I strolled over, moving through the groupies and towards the girl.

"-come on, we're only playing" the girl ducked her head as they played with her folder, tossing it in the air. I grabbed it as I passed one of the football team, handing it to the girl who gave me a grateful smile.

"That's enough, clearly she's not interested"

"oh! Here comes new girl, the hero" Flash mocked, and I glared lightly.

"Do you want to come and sit with us?" she nodded quickly and grabbed her things, coming with me back to the table as the boys hollered in the background.

"thank you" she said quietly, and I smiled. "I'm just waiting for my friends"

"no problem, you can sit with us until they arrive" I offered, but she declined, thanking me again before hurrying over to a group of girls who just entered.

"that was very Captain America of you" I flicked Ned's arm affectionately as I passed, taking my seat.

"or very spiderman of me" I winked.

We spilt paths at the bell, and I bought a dying cactus out of guilt for the wilting plant sale, watching it grow back to health in my hands with a sigh, placing it in my locker safely.