The Unassigned Mission

Introduction

"She saw me Ned, it was humiliating."

Peter had been talking about his encounter earlier since he arrived at Ned's; unable to shake off the recollection of the odd meeting.

"Dude please, she reacted like any normal person would if they saw Spider-Man just lurking in an alleyway."

"True, but what if she goes around and tells people. Then Spider-Man will get the rep of being a creep."

Ned laughed and added an accessorized red wig head to a Black Widow LEGO body, "the people will not be wrong. Now shut up and take Captain America's shield."

Ned handed the tiny accessory to Peter so he could put it in the hand of the blue LEGO character.

"A lot lighter than I remember..."
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The week past and Peter got nowhere near being able to figure out the girl. He tried approaching her but anytime he did she would be making a move to leave the second he was about to reach her. The conquest seemed impossible until Michelle invited Peter to her party.

Confusion arose between Ned and Peter, no offense but between the two of them and the MATHletes, Michelle didn't have friends. She'd made that clear to them last year. Yet, around the time the party came around, her door to her parents apartment is open with countless bodies.

"You came," Michelle stated from the kitchen.

"Of course," Ned smiled at her as Peter scanned the crowd.

"How do you know all these people?"

Michelle chuckled at Ned's question, "you'd be surprised how many kids are interested in a party being thrown with free alcohol."

Peter spotted the girl, sitting on the couch chatting to another girl and boy. Peter chewed on his lip and faced Michelle, "how do you know these people?"

Ned and Michelle looked at Peter confused, "most just go to our school but some are from my clubs like robotics and photography. Now get yourself a cup, I'll make you a drink."

Ned nodded and picked up a red solo cup. They were sticky from spilled drinks on the wooden table top. Clean cups surrounding were knocked over from the mass of bodies in this tiny apartment. If he had to pick a fish that would be his spirit animal currently, a sardine would be his choice. Peter took a cup after Ned and held it out for Michelle to make him a mixed drink.

"Thank you. Can you tell me something? What's that girls name?"

Something washed over Michelle's face so briefly, you wouldn't be able to notice unless you were examining her facial features. "Who? Oh that's Sophia, she's in photography with me. Keeps to herself which I like because I do too."

Peter hummed a thank you and made his way over there. He didn't feel desperate to talk to her but he stood in her general area so he could swoop in and say hello. He noticed the two people she was talking to were the two from the school news, they took over after the others graduated. He tried listening in but Ned approached and started talking to Peter.

"Is that the girl?"

"Yeah, I don't know why I want to talk to her so bad."

Ned looked over at Sophia and shrugged, "she's pretty, at least."

"That's not just the point, man. She needs help, I don't know why but I just sense it."

"You're so weird."

Peter shoved him playfully and looked over at her again, she was alone now looking content. He gave himself an internal pep talk and notified Ned he was headed over there. Ned wished him luck and patted his shoulder. Peter walked over and sipped his drink before sitting down, "Hello."

Sophia looked over at him and smiled softly, "Hello stranger."

"My names Peter," he held out his hand.

"Sophia," she shook it quickly and tucked her hand back onto her lap.

"Parties not really your scene?" Peter winced at his own stupid attempt at conversation.

"Yeah, not really but anything to get out of the house."

"I know, I feel like I'm going crazy if I'm in my room for too long."

Sophia nodded and sipped her drink, Peter watched her and his eyes focused on her arm. Raised skin littered her arm in a tree branch shape; it followed up from her forearm to the top of her hand. He must've been staring for too long because Sophia cleared her throat and shifted.

"I was electrocuted when I was younger," she mumbled.

"Are you okay now?"

"If you're asking if I have any brain problems because of it, no."

Peter laughed lightly, "well I'm sorry to hear about that, it looks painful."

"Yeah but at least this wasn't the most painful one."

Peter stared at her, "where's the worst one?"

Sophia stiffened and stood up, "nice meeting you, Peter. See you at school."

He watched her make a bee line towards the door, she waved at Michelle and left with a slam. Peter felt eyes of Michelle and Ned on him as Ned sat down next to him.

"It looks like you blew it, dude."

"I know," he groaned and covered his face with one hand.