Lovebug ── PETER PARKER¹

29. Unread Texts

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          When Luna was twelve and desperate for a phone, she made a deal with Andrew and Diana. Ride the Cyclone at Coney Island alone, and they'd convince their Mom to buy one for her. Biggest mistake a twelve year old could ever make. Her heartless siblings let out laughs as they heard their little sister's high-pitched screams above everyone else's, the girl on the ride holding onto the metal rod constricting her like her life depended on it. She stumbled off of the ride, prepared to throw up on both of them, just to faint before she could reach them.

           The two got in a heap load of trouble with Victoria, the woman glaring holes into their head the entire time she cradled a shaking Luna. It wasn't all that long ago, but Luna Giraldo had yet to feel that sick feeling in her stomach while simultaneously wanting to pass out again. At least, that was until today.

            As every other Saturday started, Mia Lancaster was reading a book in Luna's kitchen, while Victoria hummed an unknown song. And like every morning, Luna would stumble in, looking as disheveled as ever, and Mia and Victoria would take turns making jokes about her. Wether it be that her hair looked like a birds nest, or she looked like her name should be Gert and own three goats, the two would always make their jokes.

          So when Luna stepped into the room, and Mia immediately slammed her book down to reveal her wide eyes, she knew the day had already turned to shit. Before she could even ask what was wrong, Mia was jumping off her seat and dragging her back up the stairs. Luna couldn't even respond to her mother's confused shouts before Mia slammed the door shut, her back pressed against it. "You left your phone downstairs overnight," she blurted.

          Luna blinked, unsure of what she was insinuating. It was a late night, and with the conversation she had with Spider-Man still fresh in her mind, the last thing she worried about was bringing her phone to bed with her. "Okay, so?" Luna shrugged, stepping back to take a seat on her unmade bed. "No biggie."

           Mia let out a scoff, taking out the phone from her pocket and throwing it to her friend. Luna fumbled to catch it, but eventually gripped it, eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Mia gestured to it with a finger, and Luna sighed, unlocking the phone. "Check your texts," she ordered, her arms crossed over her chest.

           Now she was scared. Who texted her, and what could possibly be so bad about it? Reluctantly, she tapped onto her messages, and immediately her blood ran cold. At the top of her messages, right above her groupchat, was a message from Peter Parker. She could only see the first few words, but that was enough to make her want to throw the phone at a wall and pretend the text never existed. "Mia," she whispered, eyes raising to meet those of her friend.

           "I didn't want to check it without you being here," Mia rushed out, scurrying to sit beside her. "It's been bugging me, just open it." Following orders, Luna slid her finger, opening their messages.

Peter Parker: Hey, Aunt May mentioned you coming over while I was away and looking for a book. Does it happen to have Justin Bieber's face on it, because I think I found it.

            In an instant, Luna was tossing the phone to the side and picking up a pillow. She proceeded to scream as loud as she could, the sound muffled by the pillow. She kept her face pushed into it, eyes squeezed tightly shut, hoping that when she opened them it would all be just a dream. But of course not. Luna couldn't be happy for too long without something seeming to go wrong.

           "Gosh, this is embarrassing," Mia mumbled, and Luna raised her head to glare at the girl. "You and Peter only talk about biology, how tragic."

          Luna snatched the phone out of her friend's hand, Mia quickly turning to her in shock. "He has the book!" Luna screeched, tossing the phone away once more. She was hoping to see Mia's face morph into one of horror as realization set in, but she seemed just as nonchalant as she had been while scrolling through the thread of texts. Luna then gripped Mia's shoulders, shaking the girl for effect. "You are one of the most dramatic people I know, how are you not reacting?"

           Mia scoffed at this, pushing the girl's arms off of her. "I'm offended you called me one of the most dramatic people you know. I deserve to be the most, not just one." Luna's horrified expression only worsened, and Mia couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Relax, I already told Peter you're going to get it now."

            "You what?"

          Luna wasn't necessarily wrong when she said Mia was dramatic, anybody who knew the girl could tell you she was. She'd cry during Finding Nemo. She'd scream if anything grazes her in the dark. She'd throw herself on the ground if anybody yelled the words "heads up" in her vicinity. But the one time Luna needed her to be dramatic for the sake of her sanity, she wasn't.

            Mia just couldn't bring herself to gasp loudly, or pace around in a panic as they figured out what to do with the situation. Because Ned was apart of their fan club, for lack of better word, meaning Mia and Liz were well aware of Peter confessing to having feelings for Luna, and she wished this moment could have came sooner. She was sick of seeing Luna looking at Peter, and Peter looking at Luna, while knowing that somewhere Danielle was probably looking at Luna. It was exhausting, and she needed it to be over.

            "I told him you're going," she repeated, making her way over to her closet door. "Might wanna change, you look like you just got out of bed."

            "Because I did," Luna shot back sarcastically, jumping off of her bed and rushing to Mia. "Why aren't you being extra? What am I missing?"

          Mia turned to look at her for a moment, and Luna almost came to regret ever asking. Then a look of realization spread on Mia's face. "I think I have gum downstairs, might wanna chew some on your way." She grinned at the girl, before turning back to the closet, leaving Luna even more confused.