MARVEL • THE INFINITY WITCH (PETER PARKER X OC)

The Party In The Suburbs

May drives Ned and Peter to Liz's house. Exciting, upbeat music pours out from the house. May slows her car and talks to the boys.

"House party in the suburbs. Oh, I remember these. Kind of jealous." May says

"It'll be a night to remember." Ned smiles

"Ned, some hats wear men. You wear that hat." May laughs

"Yeah, it gives me confidence." Ned smiles. Peter is looking out the window, removed from the merry conversation taking place beside him.

"This is a mistake." He turns to May "Hey, let's just go home."

"Oh, Peter. I know. I know it's really hard trying to fit in with all the changes your body's going through. It's flowering now." The absurd, out-of-place speech makes Peter chuckle.

"Uh-huh." Peter sighed. May turned to face Ned.

"He's so stressed out lately." May whispers

"What helps with stress is going to a party. We should go to the party." Ned states

"Yeah, let's do it. Yeah. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. Peter opens the car door and steps out.

"Peter." When May calls his name, Peter stops and leans in to listen to his aunt through the window. Ned gets out behind them. "Have fun, okay?"

"I will."

"Okay."

"Bye, May!" Ned waves with a huge grin on his face. Peter closes the door and catches up to him. They approach the house side by side. "Dude, you have the suit, right?"

Peter pulls up his sleeve in order to offer Ned a glimpse of his Spider-Man suit under it.

"Yeah."

"This is gonna change our lives." The front door opens, revealing Peter and Ned. They enter the crowded house party and glance around anxiously. Peter looks especially nervous. Two girls pass by in front of them, not taking any interest in their arrival. Flash is running a DJ station. Ostentatious in headphones and a yellow shirt.

"DJ Flash!" A voice echoed. A airhorn went off.

"Okay. We're gonna have Spider-Man swing in, say you guys are tight, and then I get a fist bump or one of those half bro-hugs."

"Can't believe you guys are at this lame party." A voice laughs. The two boys turn to see MJ. She is in the process of spreading jam on a slice of toast.

"But you're here too. And where's Stas?"

"Am I though? And Stas is right over there" MJ points over to the other side of the house. Where Stas is talking to Marcus Lopez. He's captain of the swim team and could kick Peter's ass even if Peter had his suit on. Peter felt a lump rise in his throat. He was jealous, no more than jealous, but he couldn't find the word. MJ bit into her toast and walked away towards her best friend.

"Oh, my gosh." When Peter hears Liz's voice, his eyes go wide. He turns his head towards the sound. Liz walks down the hallway to Peter and Ned. "Hey, guys. Cool hat, Ned."

"Hi, Liz." Ned smiles

"Hi, Liz." Peter kindly greets

"I'm so happy you guys came. There's pizza and drinks. Help yourself."

"What a great party."

"Thanks."

"Did you invite Marcus?"

"It was open invitation! Anyone was invited" Liz smiled. The sound of glass braking rang through the house "Oh, I... My parents will kill me if anything's broken. I gotta-"