Lovebug ── PETER PARKER¹

17. Unspoken Truth

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          "Liz, I know you're super gay, but can you tell me who's butt is cuter?"

           The day seemed to be dragging on more than usual. It didn't help that any chance given, Luna found herself glancing over towards Peter, ready to start longingly just to see he was already looking at her. It's like they both wanted to talk about the events of yesterday, but neither knew how to approach the other about it.

           To Luna, Peter was oblivious to her situation and would continue to be, so she had to make up an excuse for her behavior the previous day. To Peter, Luna was still recovering from a traumatic experience, and he had to provide comfort without giving away that he knew something.

          "I'd ask Luna, but she's too busy admiring Peter from afar." Luna's head snapped to the side, and she couldn't help but blush as Mia shot her a pointed look, making Liz snicker. She didn't bother to inform her friends of the events of yesterday, knowing they'd do one of two things; begin to baby her again, or focus on an irrelevant detail like the fact that her and Peter held hands. Therefore, they didn't know her reasoning for her longing glances, not that her admiring Peter from afar was anything new. "So... Thor or Captain America?"

          Mia slid between the two photos of the heroes on her camera roll, while Liz leant over to examine to photos in detail. Luna couldn't help but glance away as she lost interest, her gaze traveling over to Peter. He wasn't looking at her this time, instead he was frowning as he spoke to Ned, his hands moving in odd gestures. Luna immediately looked away when Peter's hand gestured in her direction, thankfully not looking her way as he did so.

          "I'd say Cap," Liz finally decided with a shrug, popping a fry into her month. Mia nodded in approval, typing something into her phone before slamming the phone down. Both pairs of eyes slowly turned to Luna, who stared at the two innocently. "Anything new with you, Moonie?"

           She knew they were both expecting some sort of briefing on what happened between herself and Peter, it was fairly obvious to tell by the look they were giving her, which is exactly why she refrained from telling them. Instead she asked the question that'd been bugging her since the previous afternoon. "Is Danielle Georgeson on the look out for a new boyfriend?"

           All of five seconds of silence went by before Liz bursted into laughter, Mia attempting to hold in her laughter. Luna watched the two girls in confusion, ignoring the odd looks they were getting from neighboring tables for their obnoxiously loud laughter. What about her question could possibly be so damn funny?

           Mia was the first to calm down, Liz still giggling to her as she wiped beneath her eyes. "Luna, baby, are you joking?" Mia's tone was almost patronizing, and Luna stared at her blankly, unhappy with the response she received for her straightforward question. Mia chuckled at the look on her face, leaning into her friend slightly. "Moonie, Danielle Georgeson is as gay as they get."

           That sentence was enough to simultaneously lift Luna's spirits, and make her entire world come crashing down at once. Her thoughts were running wild. Danielle is interested. But Danielle is gay. And Doug said good things. Doug is Luna's friend. He said good things about Luna. Danielle likes girls. Luna is a girl. "Danielle's interested in me," Luna blurted, her eyes wide.

          Liz's mouth fell open, and in an instant, she was scooting closer to the girl, leaning over the table. "I've never wanted to be you more than I do right now, Luna," she whined, grabbing onto the girl's shoulders and shaking her for effect. "Let me live vicariously through you, and go on a date with her."

           Mia shook her head, pushing Liz off of the clearly overwhelmed girl. "Let her explain first before we suggest dates," Mia scolded, Liz pouting. "Tell us how you know."

           So she explained. She told them that Danielle thought she was dating Peter. She told them that Doug acted as an unintentional wingman. She told them that she was heartbroken because she thought it was Peter. She told them how terrified she was of the idea of dating a girl like Danielle.

          "I still like Peter," she shook her head viciously, hands tucking beneath her thighs to conceal their shaking. "I can't go on a date with Danielle, it's not right."

          Liz looked about ready to leap over the table before Mia put a hand up to her, silencing the girl with one glare. Her eyes softened as they locked with Luna's and her lips turned up into a soft smile. "You don't have to go on a date with her if you don't want to," Mia reassured her.

           "Can I give my input now?" Liz mumbled bitterly, making both girls turn to her. Luna's cheeks were a deep shade of red now, Mia's hand comfortingly rubbing her arm. Liz looked around before leaning forward once more, speaking softly, "All I'm saying is you've been pining over Parker for months now, and what's come out of it?" Liz avoided Mia's glare, knowing her choice of words wasn't exactly the nicest, but at least it got the point across. "This is your chance to get over him, move on from him. You don't want to spend all of high school chasing after this guy who sees you as nothing more than a friend."

          "Okay Liz," Mia silenced her with a frown.

          Liz sat back with a shrug, popping another fry into her mouth. "But am I wrong?" She questioned the brunette, who stayed silent. "Exactly."

          Those words seemed to echo in Luna's head throughout the day, making her unable to focus on anything but the image of Danielle's sweet smile as she flirted with a clueless Luna. It was when school was over and she was making her way to the library that the two girls met again, that same smile on Danielle's lips.

         "Hi, Luna," she greeted, head tilted slightly to the side, making her seem all the more charming than she already was. A single finger wrapped around her strand of hair, twirling the blonde highlight around as she spoke. "Did you think about what I said?"

           Nobody had ever rendered Luna Giraldo silent like the woman in front of her did. Now that she knew the truth of her intentions, it made talking to her more difficult that it already was. She swallowed harshly as Danielle's hazel eyes stared into her own, making her feel small. You don't want to spend all of high school chasing after this guy who sees you as nothing more than a friend. Luna nodded in response, releasing a breathe she wasn't aware she was holding. "I did." She hesitated as Danielle perked up, a light filling her eyes. "And... I'm interested too. Wanna, um, go on a date sometime?"

          Danielle Georgeson's smile widened and her hands clasped together as she eagerly nodded. "I would love to go on a date Luna," She gushed, and the younger girl felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Peter Parker will no longer have a hold over my heart, She thought as she exchanged numbers with Danielle, a smile gracing her lips.