[1] BROKEN ONE // t. stark

17

"Are you sure you want to follow me shopping?" I looked at Peter with narrowed eyes. Making him feel intimidated was amusing. I didn't know someone as chatty as him could feel that way.

     Peter's Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped. If I didn't pay attention to him, I wouldn't see him nodding his head. "Yes, I'm sure," he answered, cowarding at the far end of the seat.

     "You'll hurt your legs because you won't be able to sit," I said. "You'll get bored because I'm not the type of a fast-shopper."

     "Fast-shopper?"

     "Someone who shops quickly?" I answered. I didn't want to admit that I was lying to him. I was the opposite type of the person I described to him, but, like I said, it was amusing to see him intimidated by me. No one had ever made me feel this way.

     "But you- we'll get something to eat, right?" he asked. "Before you go shopping?"

     I smiled when he mentioned about eating. "For sure, don't worry."

     Minutes after that, we hopped out of the car. My driver left me and Peter alone at the front gate of the mall to find a parking space somewhere in the building. We walked side by side, but I was still leading him. I got a feeling that Peter was being watched by the locals, but that was because he was with me. People around us were staring at me to be truth. Why? Because I was a Stark. Even though I go to the same mall everyday, people were still curious of my existence there.

     Some said hi to me and I couldn't help but to smile and say hi to them back. In just a second, I was a celebrity and being a celebrity, I couldn't get away from people asking for a picture, in which I had to decline politely because I had a time limit today. But the big thing was that, I was very happy that no one stopped me just to ask about my father. Maybe they already know. The news spread fast nowadays.

     Peter was too afraid to open his mouth and say anything to me about the locals. I wonder what will he do if they know who Peter Parker is. And I wondered how he handle it. It must be adorable seeing him taking pictures with small kids and all. But the thought of him hugging other girls made me roll my eyes.

     Wait, why did I even think of that?

     Not long after that, we reached Pizza Hut. We sat at an open area, a table for two. I ordered the set according to the voucher I received two months ago from book-shopping and Peter didn't object anything at all. I asked and confirmed him if he didn't want any add-ons, but he just denied it. Looking at me in the eye in three seconds and then averted his eyes away while blushing.

     "Are you okay, Peter?" I asked, suddenly worried after having a very awkward silence between us. The wall between us was getting thicker and I didn't want it to happen. I didn't know why he suddenly changed because, as I recall, he wasn't like this the first time we met.

     "Yeah, I'm fine," he answered confidently. But his eyes weren't telling me the same.

     "No, you're not," I said. "You don't look comfortable. Is it me?"

     Peter stared at me again and quickly shook his head while saying no.

     "Then what's wrong?" I asked again, still was not feeling satisfied. "Is it about my father?"

     I waited for his reaction. As I expected, he didn't respond. He didn't shake his head no or nod his head yes. He just looked worried and guilty and confused. I hate my dad for bringing a youth into this mess, but who am I blame him?

     "What's in your mind, Peter?" softly I asked to persuade him. "If you were going to keep quiet like this, I'll just have to ask my driver to pick you up and send you to the airport right now. You can wait me there or have an early flight without me. I can tell my father that you want to be alone."