TELEKINETIC │ p.p

Chapter Seventeen

The bell rang, causing Peter to stand instantly. He threw his backpack over one shoulder and Vanessa's over the other. Then he held out his hand, which she refused to take. "Please, Nessa." She rolled her eyes, groaned, then slapped her hand in his, letting him drag her to the small forest outside the school, by the parking lot. "I'm calling Tony to come pick you up-"

"I could've died," Vanessa spoke in a monotone voice as she stared off into the grass. Peter shook his head, saying he wouldn't have let that happen. "They were starting to doubt your feelings toward me."

"F-feelings?" Peter questioned softly, frightened she knew of how he felt towards her.

"They thought... you secretly hated me or something," she explained. "And I felt so lost," she whispered. Peter stared at her, feeling his heart continue to rip down the middle.

"Maybe we shouldn't be friends anymore," he spoke, thinking that was what would be best for Vanessa - distancing herself from Peter, who was dangerous. But he didn't register that she was dangerous too, technically, nor how their sudden separation would impact her heavily.

"Really?" she interrogated, breaking her focused stare from the ground, moving them up to Peter with a fierce glare. "You want to drop me now?"

"No, no no," he quickly responded, stepping beside her and pulling her into his body. "It's just that - being associated with Spider-Man is not a safe path, and I don't want you getting hurt again."

"Okay, I know I'm losing my shit over what happened last night right now," she speaks, "but I would definitely rather endure that all over again than push you out of my life."

"Vanessa, that's-"

"Insane?" she questions. "Maybe," she whispers. "But I lo-" She stopped, hesitating. "I love hanging out with you." She felt her heartbeat slow down as she covered her tracks. "Your company keeps me grounded, and you make me happy."

"You make me happy too, Vanessa," Peter replies, tightening his hold on her. She returned the grip, feeling tears spill over her cheeks once more. "I need to get you home."

"I don't want to go, Peter," she mumbles. "I don't want to be alone."

"I'll hang out with you until it's time for bed," he responds.

"Thank you," she whispers, pulling away from him. She wipes under her eyes, Peter giving her a reassuring smile that reflected warmth across her body, as if his spirit spread out like rays of sunshine. She reached for his hand, clasped her fingers between his, and gave him a small tug toward the station.

"We probably are gonna miss the train," he chuckles, trying not to focus on their intertwined hands.

"That's okay, I don't mind waiting for the next one," she speaks, now giving him his warm smile in return. He felt his heart slowly blend back together, swirls of bright green leaves peeked in at the corner of his eyes. He now noticed the decrease in temperature as the sun hid behind some clouds, immediately stopping Vanessa and retracting his hand from hers.

Vanessa was a bit confused until she saw him set their backpacks down and unzip his sweatshirt. "Peter, you don't have to-"

"You're wearing a short sleeve shirt," he chuckled, "and your arms are covered in goosebumps." He draped the sweatshirt over her shoulders, helping her pull her arms through the sleeves. He even graciously zipped it up for her. It was the perfect amount of baggy. "I'm not letting you freeze," he teased.

"You've been really caring with me ever since last night," Vanessa giggled, taking his hand in hers again, but didn't continue walking. Instead she looked up at him, her smile faltering. "Is this okay?" she questioned, lifting up their hands so he knew what she was talking about.

"It's p-perfect," Peter stammered, grinning. Vanessa grabbed her backpack and slung it over one shoulder, not wanting to disconnect their hands for another second. Peter did the same.

"Get it, Parker!" a boy called behind them, Peter turning back to look with a blush creeping on his cheeks.

"Yeah, Parker," Vanessa chuckled. "Get some." Peter gave her a small shove, causing both to laugh and leave them incapable of dropping their smiles.

- - - - -

They were nearly finished with their homework when Vanessa yawned. Peter glanced up from his work and gave a shy smile. "You should get some rest."

"Nah, I'm good," Vanessa replied, continuing to write the equations across her paper.

"This stuff isn't due until next week," Peter spoke, stepping over to her side, gently taking the pencil from her hand. He sets it on the desk and watches her stand, stretching out her body, another yawn striking. This caused Peter to yawn as well.

As they walked toward Vanessa's bedroom, Peter saw her head turn his way slightly. "Thanks, Peter."

"For what?" he softly chuckled.

"For being the sweetest boy alive," she responds.

"I'm not that sweet," Peter retorted with a scoff, not believing he was even up there on the totem pole of sweet guys.

"You are!" Vanessa argues. "Stop being so modest."

"Well," Peter searches for a response, only able to think of one, "thanks."

"I'm just stating a fact," she spoke, smiling without her teeth, facing forward.

After she brushed her teeth and slipped into her comfy, somewhat revealing pajamas, she slid into bed. She looked up, seeing Peter admiring the small city-view from her window. "Can you stay until I fall asleep?" she asks quietly.

"Of course," Peter responds, not moving from his spot. Vanessa bites her lip, flipping onto her other side, her back now facing Peter. She tossed and returned into her previous position, gazing at Peter.

"Could you lay with me?" she asked, as innocent as a child. Peter choked on his spit, his heart leaping. He recovered quickly and nodded. He laid on the vacant side, Vanessa turning over so she could stare at him yet again. Peter's cheeks stain red, a small, forced cough consuming his throat and a shy smile, accompanied with a nerve-ridden expression, took hold on his face. With slow movements, he moves her tank top strap from its place on her arm to its assigned placement on her shoulder. Vanessa grins, but feels her stomach tingle.

"Goodnight," Peter whispered, staring into her eyes. She held her smile, repeating his words with the same warmth and shyness.