Spiderboy

thirty six

I walked through streets with a purpose the next day on my way to school. After everything that happened yesterday, I had to get it off my chest, and I had spent most of the night battling doth myself. I wouldn't tell Peter, as much as I trusted him, it just didn't feel right. Even though he told me about his secret. Sort of, I figured that one out for myself more than he told me. But it of all the people I knew, Roxy. I had wanted to tell her before, and I trusted her with my life, so why shouldn't I tell her? I had texted her a simple I have to tell u something earlier, and now she was blowing up my phone asking what. I took a deep breath in, the winter air cold in my lungs, and continued my fast stride across queens. We both had first period free, I would tell her then. Taking another deep breath, I put my headphones in my ears, and went down to the subway station. I was barely paying attention to my surroundings, listening to my music loud, blocking out all other sounds. By the time I had gotten to school, I was lost in a daze. I only snapped out when Roxy came up to me.
"so, watcha gonna tell me?" she said conversationally, and I glanced around me.
"okay, you have a free period first, right? I'll tell you then." she pouted crossing her arms and i laughed.
"i'm serious Rox, it's not something I can just say here." this piqued her curiosity, and she looked around add if she would see something to give her a clue about what I was going to say.
"just wait, I'll tell you I promise, just not here." I said and Roxy huffed, then nodded. The bell rang and we made our way to homeroom to get our name marked.
I saw Peter out the corner of my eye and stood still, waiting for him to catch up, and knowing he would.
"what happened yesterday?" he said softly, holding onto my arm as if to prevent me trying to escape.
"what do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm not sure what Mr Stark said but you seemed upset, and I wanted to do after you, but I couldn't find you anywhere." he stared into my brown eyes and I frowned before remembering.
"oh, right, sorry I just felt like going home." I lied, biting my lip and Peter stared at me.
"I asked Mr Stark what happened after you left." he said and my heart dropped to my toes. Well, if he knew there wasn't much point trying to hide it.
"oh." I said dejectedly and tried to pull my arm away but he didn't let go, his eyes boring into mine.
"the captain wouldn't let him say a word. Neither did the other girl." he told me and releif swept through me, making me feel lighter, and I smiled.
"oh." I repeated and Peter sighed.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." he mumbled, seeming unsure of himself, and I put my hand over his wrist, trying to reassure him.
"Peter, I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying you, but it's really nothing." I said, and he smiled at me, but I could see something in his eyes. He was curious.
"Steve- the captain, he said something about a girl, Peggy, I think he said. He said if she didn't want them to know, then they shouldn't." he was still staring into my eyes and I felt myself become guarded.
"who's Peggy?" he asked me and I sighed again.
"she was my grandmother, but it doesn't matter. Let's just go to class." I said quietly and Peter let go of my arm, instead gripped my hand.
"Alexis, there's something your not telling me." he replied and I bit my lip again.
"let's go to class." I repeated, pleading and he looked into my eyes a heartbeat longer, before letting go of my hand, nodding.
"okay. I'll see you later." he said, and seemed to dissapear into the crowd, leaving me flustered and slightly anxious. I felt someone pull me through the door and didn't resist, looking around to see Roxy's black hair in front of my. I blinked, trying to clear my head. I sat down next to Roxy who prodded my arm, looking at me expectantly.
"what?" I asked and she jerked her head towards where I was standing outside the door.
"what was that about?" she whispered and I flicked my eyes to Peter.
"I'll tell you after. Promise." I said to her as she raised her eyebrow sceptically, then nodded.
"you better!"
Rolecall didn't take long, and before I knew it, Roxy was pulling me across the school and ducking into the bathrooms in the art block. These bathrooms were the least used in the school, seeing as they were the furthest from the cafeteria and library, and hardly anyone did art. We always used them too hideout, seeing as they assured privacy, and Roxy pulled me in there now, leaning against the sink and waiting for me to speak.
I opened my mouth, then shut it again, not entirely sure of what to say. Going over the different sentences and mini speeches I had planned last night, they all seemed feeble and stupid, and I had no clue how to start.
"um, I..." my sentence drifted to nothing and i shut my mouth again.
"Alexis, just tell me, I won't judge you." she said and I shut my eyes shut.
"I know that." I said and went over my decision in my head.
"okay, I'm going to show you something, but you can't tell anyone." I said, tone serious.
"I won't." she promised and I took a deep breath, holding up my hand and focusing on an old soda can someone had thrown haphazardly towards the bin, and it now lay discarded on the floor. The can shivered and glowed slightly purple, emitting an aura of violet, and raising a few inches of the floor. The metal crushed and I let it drop back down, the light fading entirely before turning back to my friend. Her mouth was open slightly and eyes wide. She turned back to me and I waited for her to speak.
"holy shit!" she exclaimed, a smile taking over her features. I laughed, thankful for her reaction as she grinned at me.
"what the heck was that?!"