The Amazing Spider-Girl 2 (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

"There's something else I need to tell you," Logan said some time later, sitting up. "There were reporters at the foster home this morning."

"What?" May pushed up on her elbows, thunderstruck.

"We were in the news, May!" Logan cried. "Well," she added suddenly. "Not you, actually, but someone got a picture of me, Tricia, Matt, and Devon coming out of the school yesterday."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," May said in exasperation. Things just kept getting worse and worse. "Okay, so what happened?"

"Miss Edna got rid of them all," Logan told her. "They didn't even see us. But that's why I was wearing that," she said, pointing at the cap lying on the floor, "just for some extra cover."

"And you weren't followed?"

Logan shook her head. "I took three detours and a cab."

May breathed a sigh, grateful for Logan's forethought. "What about the boys?"

Logan raised her hands with a shrug and then clasped them together. "The reporters will probably go looking for them next," she said, "but I wouldn't be too worried. They don't know enough to put you at risk."

"Still, I never wanted you guys to end up in the spotlight," May muttered anxiously. "The whole school knows you're my friends. If any connection is drawn between me and Spider-Girl ... you're all in danger."

"It won't come to that," Logan assured her, eyes firm. "But, May," she went on, "we need to figure out what to tell the guys. They've been asking a lot of questions that I can't answer. And Devon, I don't ..." Logan shook her head, looking worn out. "I don't want to lie to him forever."

May straightened up and wrapped an arm around Logan's shoulders. "I know," she said miserably. "And I know it's not fair for either of you. I just wish there was a good time."

"Is there ever a good time?"

May gave a snort, managing a smile for the first time in hours. "Soon," she promised. "When things cool down a bit. Just tell them I'll explain everything in person. I can't put anything in writing."

Logan nodded quickly. "Yeah. And one last thing."

May braced herself for a blow. "Shoot."

"I think you should confess about the fire."

"What?"

"Yeah, it was Matt's idea and I have to say –"

"You told him?" May cried in horror, leaping to her feet.

"Only that Carnage was in our classroom and that's why you started the fire: to get everyone out," Logan said calmly. "May, you're not May Atwood anymore. It makes sense that you'd know. If you put it that way, Principal Flaherty can't expel you. It's better than the police coming to your door."

May drummed her fingers against her mouth, gears turning furiously as she combed for any logical flaw. An in-person confession was off the table with the state she was in and there would be no escaping the police should they come looking for her. It would have to be done over the phone. And though May feared for her secret, Logan was right about one thing: she could no longer separate herself from her Parker identity. Her connection to Spider-Man would now be her greatest alibi as she could attribute all of her knowledge to Peter. If there were any questions about Spider-Girl, she could direct them straight to him.

It would also save her from explaining Mr. Wyatt's involvement in the fight. They'd think him an innocent victim in the wrong place at the wrong time; a dutiful teacher trying to protect his students. May had already failed him in losing the Carnage symbiote. She would not blow his cover too.