Lovebug ── PETER PARKER¹

09. Opening Night

— • —

          Opening night was always stressful. It was filled with last minute preparations, magically finding an odd stain on your costume, and the unsettling feeling of doubt eating you alive. All the actors were running it through once more as a final dress rehearsal before doors were actually opened at 7, Mr.Warren watching with narrowed eyes. It was his last chance to make small changes to his actors, he needed the show to be perfect.

          Very few changes were made thankfully, meaning the actors were ready. Luna was in the middle of a huddle with the rest of the cast, her red hood resting atop her head as she listened to the encouraging words of a senior. The pressure was especially heavy on her, seeing as it was very rare a freshman got such a big part in the show. Main roles were mostly given to veterans of the drama club, people who worked their way up from extras, to supporting, to mains. She could tell some of upperclassmen were skeptical of her skills in the beginning, but were quick to bite their tongue when they saw her in action.

          "And to little Red." Luna looked up, her cheeks flushing as multiple eyes were on her. The senior leading the huddle smiled at her, placing his hand in the middle. "May our youngest prove everyone wrong and do her very best."

           In the crowd, Peter and Ned were squeezing their way past people already seated. Liz and Mia saved them seats thankfully, seeing as the two boys were late since Ned needed to make a pitstop. Neither expected the auditorium to be so filled with people, people who didn't get a seat leant against the back wall, some excited while others looked bored. The four friends were apart of the excited group, each of them ready to clap extra loud whenever the red hooded girl would be on stage.

          Liz and Mia greeted the two boys with smiles, moving their belongings that were used to save their seats. "Glad you guys could make it!" Mia gushed, her eyes widening at the bouquet of flowers Peter held. "Pete, you got flowers? How sweet!" She nudged Liz slightly, gesturing for her to finish the conversation while she fished into her bag for the book.

           Peter barely nodded, not too happy about them being his flowers. He wasn't even aware he was bringing flowers, not until Ned dragged him into the first place he saw with flowers on display. He thought it was weird that Ned wanted to get them in the first place, but didn't question it, walking alongside his friend as he examined each bouquet. It was when they walked out that Ned handed Peter the flowers, mumbling something about owing him ten bucks for the flowers and continuing as if nothing happened.

            It was then that Peter realized this was another one of Ned's schemes of trying to get Peter to get together with Luna, like he's been doing for the previous months. He never understood why he was so insistent that they get together, it wasn't like either one of them shared an interest in the other like that. Luna was Luna. She was apart of the drama club, lead in the school play, one of the prettiest girls in the freshman class, and best friends with two of the other prettiest girls. Why on earth would she settle for a Peter Parker? Peter was convinced if she didn't need his help with biology, the two would have never talked in the first place. Luna was in a whole different world, one that Peter could never see himself visiting.

           Though, if Luna did have an interest in Peter that way, he wouldn't exactly be upset about it. He grew to know her during their tutoring sessions, and he eventually learned that there was more than meets the eye when it came to Luna Giraldo. Peter could still remember the way she laughed at his look of shock when she began speaking of the Avengers to pass time. If you took one look at the girl, you'd expect her to be the type to fawn over the good looks of the males and the luscious locks of the females, not care about the actual history of how each hero came to be and the science behind it. She wasn't as good at explaining the science parts, the word "thingy" being used excessively, but Peter could appreciate her attempts, a smile on his face as she attempted to explain what she knew.

          He snapped out of his thoughts from a nudge to the side, Ned pointing down to the program. "She's in the first act," he grinned, practically bouncing in his seat. "Are you excited? I'm excited. Can you tell?"

— • —

          When the cast stepped out onto the stage for a final bow, the auditorium erupted in cheers. Luna was beaming, the doubt that once resided in her being replaced by triumph. There was no feeling more exhilarating than looking out into a crowd that was cheering for you. Liz and Mia were letting out whoops from their seats, desperately trying to get the girl's attention. And when they did, they only cheered louder, the three best friends wearing matching grins.

          It wasn't long until Luna joined them as the auditorium began to empty out, her friends still waiting for her. She wore a wide smile as she approached them, red hood resting on top of her head. Her smile faltered slightly when they landed on the two boys, or more so the flowers one of the boys held. Her steps slowed as she neared them, and she quickly tore her eyes away from the bouquet to Liz.

          "We're so proud of you, moonie!" Liz gushed, her and Mia wrapping their arms around the girl.

          "I don't appreciate the name," Luna mumbled, a new shade of red settling on her cheeks when she pulled back. "But thank you."

          "You were amazing up there Luna," Ned complimented, a bright smile on his face.

          Luna opened her mouth to respond, but stopped herself when Ned not so subtly elbowed Peter's side. She acted as if she didn't see it, her lips curling up into a small smile. Peter's eyes widened, and a blush began creeping on his cheeks when he met Luna's eyes. "Oh–you were amazing! I mean, I saw your rehearsals, so I knew you were good, but–congratulations." He stopped his rambling before Ned could, holding out the bouquet for the flustered girl.

          Luna took the flowers from him, taking a moment to admire the lilies, before looking back to the blushing boy. "Thanks Pete." She coughed immediately after, looking to Liz and Mia, hoping the two would put a stop to whatever was happening before it became too awkward.

          Liz rolled her eyes at the desperate look in Luna's eyes, clapping her hands to bring all attention to her. "So, celebratory pizza anybody?"