ENIGMA | PETER PARKER [slow updates]

three. payment

        
       GARRETT HAD FOUND me a proper job perfect for me and I actually couldn't believe it. At dinner I had told him about wanting to be able to support myself and he went right to work apparently. I found myself gradually becoming more guilty for holding a grudge—I noticed how hard they were trying to make things right.

"So he just got you a job at the newspaper office?" Liz asked me bluntly and Olivia gaped in awe at me.

"Well I mean, I have to interview like everyone else—but I mean yeah." I added smoothly as my two best friends sat comfortably on my bed and I stood in front of them with my arms folded across my chest.

"You got the job." Olivia stated clearly.

"No I didn't!" I replied quickly and spun around knowing exactly what they were going to say.

"You're kidding right? You're basically a professional photographer." Liz interrupted and crossed her arms as well as if to prove a point.

"Basically? She's way better then both of us trying our best combined." Olivia added and I shook my head trying to avoid the fluster that was forming in the pit of my stomach. I was horrible at taking proper compliments.

"Guys you forget that this job isn't just taking pictures of whatever I like. It's taking pictures of whatever they need." I informed them and they seemed stalled for a second, processing the information but they didn't give up their faith in me. It made me feel ten times better. I shuffled across my room to my desk and pursed my lips together and I looked at my natural face. The makeup from the day had been long since worn off and I needed to clean my face.

Garrett and Jaimie allowed Olivia and Liz to come over very frequently even though it was a school night, they just had to be home by ten and no later which was reasonable.

"So any boys?"

"Or girls." I added bluntly and Olivia rolled her eyes. She despised being corrected, "But no, there aren't any. Frankly if anything I am going to be the competition."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know that guy Peter Parker? How he's apparently the smartest kid in school?"

"He is." Olivia interrupted and Liz clasped a hand over her mouth to allow me to speak.

"Well, I am going to beat him. In everything." I stated firmly and Olivia's jaw dropped to the floor while Liz's eyes widened immensely. "Oh come on guys, you have faith in me with photography! Why not this?"