This Is War

Chapter 12: A New Start. A Bad Start?

Once we had finally made it back to the compound, I headed for the closest bedroom. But before I could make it Dad stopped me.

"No way. We've got to fix you up," he instructed.

"I'm fine." He looked down at my arm and my head.

"No, you're not." He called an on sight doctor and she came and checked me out. She said I had second degree burns all over my forearm on my right arm. Also, I didn't have a concusion but I did have a large cut on my head from hitting the wall. She put some type cream and covered my arm in some wrap. Once the doctor finally left, it was just Dad and I in the room. As soon as I met Dad's eyes I completely broke down. Pools of tears covered my cheeks and Dad came and hugged me close.

"I'm so sorry," Dad whispered.

"Dad, what's gonna happened now?"

"That's what I was gonna talk to you about. But it can wait."

"No, just tell me now," I said wiping my cheeks.

"Are you sure?" I nodded, "Well, I've thought about it and I think that you should try and have a somewhat normal life you know?"

"What are you saying?"

"I think you should go to a public school. Just for a little while and then we'll see what happens from there-"

"Seriously, I'm going to school?!"

"Hey, it's not gonna be so bad! I know a kid that can help you throughout your classes-"

"Are you kidding me! Dad, this is high school we are talking about! People judge you and what do you think will happen to me! Especially with my powers!"

"What do you think is gonna happen in life! People judge you in the real world too. I mean what do you call the press? What do you think their job is? It's literally to judge people so the people who read it are entertained. I'm sorry but you are going to school and that's final! Now, just go to your room and get some rest."

"No! I'm not going-"

"Your room, Katie! I won't say it again!"

"Fine." I hopped down from the table and quickly walked out of the room and towards the stairs. Once I made it to my room, I slammed the door while a few tears fell down my cheeks. I slowly slid down against the door and hugged my knees together. I decided that walking out to get some fresh air could help, but really all I wanted was to see if I could find Spider-Man. Slowly, I drug myself to the bathroom and finally got a good look at myself. I looked terrible. There were bruises around my forehead and jawline. My arm was wrapped from the burns and my left eye was black. I was completely shocked. There were more bruises on my neck and collarbone. It was like I couldn't even recognize myself. I rushed out of my room and up to the roof.

The wind whipped through my hair as I scanned the city. My legs daggled over the edge of the roof as I thought about the web-head. For some reason I felt a connection between us- NO. No. I didn't. We didn't, and we won't. I don't even know his identity. 

"You know you shouldn't sit on the edges of tall buildings," a familiar voice came from behind me. I turned around to face the boy in the red and blue spandex.

"Someone will catch me."

"How do you know? Someone may not be there to catch you."

"Then it'll be my time to go."

"Are you okay?" 

"My Dad is making me go to public high school." He still remained standing behind me.

"Oh. It won't be so bad."

"Ha! You're hilarious. This coming from someone who I'm guessing goes to a public school, while I've been home schooled my entire life. I've never had to deal with drama or that he said she said stuff." 

"Well you're right. I do go to public school, but if you don't get yourself evolved with those people then you'll be fine." I stood up with my heels on the edge.

"What are you doing?" he asked worriedly. I held out my arms and fell back off of the building. As I plummeted down the stories of the building I began to worry if I was right. He will catch me right? Maybe? This was a bad idea. Suddenly there was a a white webbing around my waist and it pulled me upwards. He wrapped his arm around my waist tightly as he breathing seemed to be at an unsteady pace. 

"What were you thinking?!" he yelled.

"I wanted to know if you would catch me."

"What?"

"I wanted to know if you would be the someone to catch me." He pulled us back up to the roof and set me down.

"Of course I would catch you. I always will."

"But what if you don't. What if the next time, you miss." 

"I don't miss."

"Wellll..." 

"Hey!" We both laughed lightly.

"I'm kidding." He still had his arms wrapped around me as my hand rested on his arms.

"I trust you."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I trust you. I feel like I can tell you who I am."

"Yeah. I want to know who you are-"

"But, I can't."

"Why not?"

"I can't put you in danger. If any on my enemies found out my identity, they would come after you."

"Have you seen what I can do! I can control electricity for crying out loud!"

"I know! But I can't take that risk." I removed his arms from my waist and stepped back.

"How can I trust you to catch me from over a hundred foot drop when you can't even tell me who you are?! You know who I am!" 

"I do trust you! But I don't trust my enemies!"

"What enemies do you even have?!"

"I don't know! But there could be ones I don't know about!" At this point I was just frustrated. He was being completely inconsiderate. I sighed in anger.

"Can you at least tell me your name?"

"Peter. My name is Peter." 

"Alright Peter."

"Meet me here tomorrow."

"3:00. Don't be late." 

"I won't. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep Peter." He sighed and walked towards the edge of the building. But before he reached the edge, he leaned in and kissed my cheek. Then jumped over the edge. My cheeks became warm and my eyes widen. Be totally honest, I wasn't expecting that. 

This is a new start for me. I don't know yet if it will be a good start or a bad start. 

After all, this is war we're talking about. But now that this battle is fought it doesn't mean the war is over. 

The war is just beginning.