Flower Child (Peter Parker, MCU)

E.D.I.T.H. Scores Free Tickets

L'estate (Summer): III. Presto in G Minor — Antonio Vivaldi

Prague was sprawling. A truly massive city that sat nestled in the hills, a large river twisting through it like a snake, its red-roofed architecture glinting in the setting sun. Atop one of the highest points was Prague Castle, and even in the distance it loomed large. The city wasn't always high on people's travel lists compared to other European destinations, but there was no denying its beauty and charm.

Nor its crowds, Lila noticed. As the van ambled along through the city, it seemed to be slowing down the further into town it went. Looking out the window, the large swaths of people were wandering the streets. It would be normal to assume that they were tourists in the busy season, but Flash announced to the class there was apparently some kind of festival happening. Apparently it was a carnival of some kind, but it had a lot of events throughout the city.

Everyone seemed to be really excited about the festival and the new city they would be visiting. Lila would've been inclined to agree had it not been for the worried look she saw on Peter's face that morning. She understood that it was no coincidence the school trip was diverted to Prague not even a full day after Nick Fury said Peter was needed there. But what that would mean for the rest of them, well, that was a totally different problem.

The van pulled up to the hotel as the last of the sunlight was leaving the sky. Luggage was unloaded and transferred to a bellhop, who seemed to be awaiting the school group. Mr. Harrington was pleasantly surprised by the service, seemingly in as much of a stupor as the kids he was chaperoning. And the awestruck stupor everyone was in was only amplified once they walked into the lobby.

The walls were painted a pleasant cream color, illuminated by warm lighting on the walls, and crystal chandeliers adorning the ceiling. It was bright and vast, the marble-patterned floors were the perfect surface for everyone's footsteps to echo off of, and their entrance was accompanied by the soft piano being played by an employed pianist. Lush greenery symmetrically outlined plush seating areas in a rather empty lobby. The lack of people didn't bother the Midtown High group, for all of them were too busy erasing the flooded floor of the Venetian hotel from their minds.

"Whoa, freaking beautiful."

"This is amazing."

Lila was trying to identify the potted plants beside her (a European Ostrich fern, she was amazed they were so well-kept) when Brad awkwardly shuffled past her. Lila thought back to their strange interaction on the bus, how he'd told her he needed to show her something she probably wouldn't like (she did notice his several glares sent up the bus to Peter) before scrolling through his pictures on his phone. He scrolled with her for five minutes, apparently flabbergasted at all the pictures he took, looking for one that evidently wasn't there. With one final look of confusion up to Peter (again, she wasn't sure why Peter was involved, he and Brad hardly knew each other), Brad bashfully returned to his friends, sitting in a confused silence.

MJ whispered beside her, "Brad has a crush on you, I think."

It was enough of a surprising statement that it took Lila's attention off of plants. "Wait, wh-what?" Her gaze inadvertently fell on Peter's form, a little bit ahead of her, but far too close for comfort to be having this kind of conversation.

Her friend merely shrugged, ignoring the color rising in Lila's cheeks. "He's been staring at you, like a ton on this trip, and I saw him looking up romantic places in Prague to visit." Lila's cheeks burned, her face growing hot and her stomach twisting in an unfamiliar way. They walked a few more steps before MJ added, "Plus I overheard him telling Yasmin that he was planning on asking you out."

Lila swore she saw Peter tense in her periphery, but his face remained completely the same as he turned to talk to Ned. And that really was all the response she needed: why else would she be looking at Peter when hearing the news that someone else liked her? She looked back over to her friend, who was glancing between Lila and her surroundings. It was really as casual as if Michelle were discussing homework. In this instance, Lila was grateful she didn't read more into it. "That's — well, um, nice, I think?"