Survivor

28. Stronger

"...stronger than you seem..."

Peter woke up in his own bed, which was a rarity these days. When he got home, he half got a lecture from May half was smothered by a bear hug. She promised never to mention the ordeal again if he was never so stupid again. He promised.

He probably was going to break the promise over the summer, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

It was the last week of school, and Peter had promised Ned he would be there all five days. All. Five. Days.

The next week was going to be hellish in the boring category. But hey, after that he would be staying with the Avengers! How cool was that?

"Hi Aunt May, bye Aunt May!" Peter announced as he sprinted through the kitchen. "Don't be late!" May called after him, barely missing the kiss blown at her by her nephew before he was scrambling down the hallway of their flat. He would be taking the tube to school again - not going as Spiderman. He also promised not to do that for the rest of the week.

Like he said; hellishly boring.

Peter popped his earbuds in as he jumped on the subway, crammed with the rest of the human sardines into the small train. It moved surprisingly fast, and he could barely read the graffiti on the walls of the tunnels. When his train stopped, he sprung out, and ran up to the school. He met Ned at the gate, who clapped him on the shoulder.

"Not only did you actually make it to school; but you're on time!" Ned announced with a chuckle, and Peter laughed along. "Yeah, sure. Great start to the week, am I right?" Him and his best friend walked up the steps into the school, being intercepted by Flash. Great start.

"Peter Parker? Have you lowered yourself to actually attending school? Though you'd be too busy with your Stark Internship!" He chuckled, and Peter hung his head slightly. Ned had his back with a smirk. "You're just jealous you've never met Tony Stark." He shot, and Flash sputtered. "Excuse me? I have too! And, I'm pretty sure Peter hasn't even!" He growled, quickly steering away from them and towards his friend group. Peter grinned at his buddy who gave him a thumbs up.

"I got your back. Honorary Avenger, am I right?"

They were cut off from their banter by the bell, and Peter bid Ned farewell as he dashed to class. He had English, which he shared with MJ but not Ned. He skidded into the room and his seat by MJ as the bell rang. "Cutting it close, Peter?" MJ drawled, quirking an eyebrow at him. "At least I'm here!" He whispered back humorously and MJ scoffed, going back to sketching.

The teacher started attendance, looking up at Peter while saying his name rather slowly. The message was clear; don't you dare miss my class again. He smiled sheepishly.

Halfway through class, Peter's phone vibrated, making him jump in the classroom quieted by silent reading. Thanks to his headphones, however, only he could hear it. Of course, ever since his senses were dialed up by the spider, he could hear his phone in the bottom of his backpack on silent. It was something to get used to - but great whenever he lost his phone.

Hiding behind the boring book the whole class was subjected to, Peter pulled out his phone. There was a text from an unknown number on his screen:

"Make it to class?"

Weird, it wasn't Tony, Happy or May, the only ones who would usually ask him such a question. His heart skipped a beat, when another text came through from another number.