1 | ISSUES ( Peter Parker )

21

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE | NICE TO SEE YOU

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this skin is glass.

it is all consumed; the tongue

is painted black from all the

firewood i was made to swallow.

(...) who ever told humans that

witches could burn?

-excerpt from IGNITE // demi ev

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It was Sunday night and just under twelve hours before Bella had to be back at school. She sat on her favorite rooftop in the city, looking down at the gray material tightly covering her arms. She couldn't help but wonder if this was the last time she'd wear the suit, considering Tony Stark was fashioning her a brand new one.

"Hey," a familiar voice said quietly. "Please don't knock me on my ass again."

Bella laughed bitterly. "Hey, Spidey. What's up?"

Spidey shrugged, sitting down next to her. Their bodies were close, their arms just barely brushing. It was an innocent action, but sent Bella thinking back to the time when she almost kissed Spidey. When she almost chose him over Peter in the contest they were both unknowingly competing in.

"I think I have to break up with my boyfriend," Bella sighed, looking up at the starless night sky.

"And I think my girlfriend is gonna break up with me," Spidey said. "Cheers to us and our successful relationships."

Bella snorted, a taste of salty bitterness creeping into her mouth. She turned to look at him, doing her best to imagine what he looked like under that suit. Was his hair fluffy, soft, and curly? Or was it buzzed short? Was he pale or did his skin glint like copper under the sunlight. Bella smiled in a quiet sort of fashion.

"Spidey?"

"Yeah?"

"It's really nice to see you."

[ ... ]

When Bella arrived at school on the Monday after her father's death was plastered across the papers ( WIFE MURDERER, JOHN PARSONS, FOUND DEAD IN WAREHOUSE, according to the headlines... Bella couldn't say they were wrong ), Liz shrieked in happiness. Between all of Bella's friends, she was not without hugs for more than ten-second intervals.

"So much has happened," Liz whispered, her fingers clamped around Bella's biceps as she looked at the fair skinned girl. "Oh, God, Bella. I have so much to tell you."

"Later," Bella murmured, reaching her hand up and squeezing Liz's wrist.

Too many people were around for them to have the conversation they needed to have.

"Parsons, good to see you," Flash called from across the hallway, his cronies flanking him.

"Thanks," Bella replied, nodding at him, the faintest of a smile on her lips.

"He wants to get in your pants," Abby sing-songed, dragging Bella down the hallway towards their Spanish class.

"Shut up," Bella scoffed, grinning as she slung an arm around Abby's slender shoulders. Bright red lips pulled back, revealing perfect white teeth as Abby grinned up at Bella. "What's up with you?" Bella asked. "You look kinder than usual."

Abby scowled but quickly threw the angry look away. Another smile was taking over her face as she tucked blonde hair behind her ears.

"There's... someone."