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CHAPTER THREE — ticket to popularity
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PETER WAS IN GYM CLASS and Ned was helping him. Peter was on the ground doing curl-ups while Ned was holding his feet, "Do Avengers have to pay taxes? What does Hulk smell like? I bet he smells nice," Ned rambled. Peter shook his head, "You have to shut up," he said. It was like Ned's ears were turned off as he kept going with his questions, "Is Captain America cool, or is he like a mean, old grandpa?" He asked. Peter continued to do the curl-ups that were mandatory, "Ned, just shh, okay?" He asked. Ned looked down at him, "Hey, can I be your guy in the chair?" He asked. Peter looked at him with confusion, "What?" He asked. Ned shook his head, "Yeah. You know how there's a guy with a headset telling the other guy where to go? Like, if you're in a burning building, I could tell you where to go. Because there'd be screens around me, and I could swivel around. I could be your guy in the chair," he explained. Peter shook his head, "Ned, I don't need a guy in the chair," he said. Coach Wilson walked past and pointed at Peter, "Looking good, Parker," he said. Peter looked up at him and realized what he had done wrong. He then proceeded to act like he was struggling.
Liz, Betty, and the rest of their friends were sitting on the bleachers, "Now, see, for me, it would be F Thor, marry Iron Man, and kill Hulk," Betty said. Her friend looked over at her, "Well, what about the Spider-Man?" He asked. Peter and Ned looked over in that direction, "It's just Spider-Man. Did you see the bank security cam on YouTube? He fought off four guys," Liz said. Betty rolled her eyes, "Oh, my God, she's crushing on Spider-Man," she said. Her friend smiled, "No way," he said. Liz shrugged, "Kind of," she said. Peter and Ned made eye contact with each other, "Oh, gross. He's probably like 30," Betty said. Her friend nudged her knee, "You don't even know what he looks like. What if he's like seriously burned?" He asked. Liz looked over with judgment, "I wouldn't care. I'd love him for the person he is inside," he said. Ned couldn't keep it in, "PETER KNOWS SPIDER-MAN!!!" He shouted. Peter's jaw dropped as he looked over at Ned. Based on how loud Ned had said his previous statement, they had the attention of the entire gym. Peter stood up, "No, I don't. No. I - I mean," he said. Ned stood up and pointed at Peter, "They're friends," he said. Flash jumped down from the rope and began to walk over, "Yeah, like Coach Wilson and Captain America are friends," he said. Liz and her friend group looked over at Peter, "I've met him, yeah. A couple of times. But it's... through the Stark internship. Mmhmm. Yeah, well, I'm not really supposed to talk about it," he said through clenched teeth, looking back at Ned. Flash got closer to Peter, "Well, that's awesome. Hey, you know what? Maybe you should invite him to Liz's party. Right?" He asked looking at Liz. Liz brushed the hair out of her face and looked over at Peter, "Yeah, um, I'm having people over tonight. You're more than welcome to come," she said. Peter looked over, "You're having a party?" He asked. Flash walked closer, "Yeah, it's gonna be dope. You should totally invite your personal friend Spider-Man," he said. Peter looked down for a second, "Um..." he muttered. Liz leaned forward slightly, "It's okay. I know Peter's way too busy for parties anyway, so..." she said. Flash looked between her and Peter, "Come on. He'll be there. Right, Parker? And while you're at it invite Talia Romanoff. I've been meaning to ask her on a date," he said walking by.
