Amanda Smith (The Avengers ff) #English

37.

Two days later

At school

I'm sitting in the cafeteria with Michelle.
Peter has sent countless messages to me over the past two days, asking what's wrong.
No matter what excuse I came up with, he knew something was wrong.

Just when he and Liz enter the room, I start to smile, because it comes back to me that she is leaving today. It may sound mean, but I'm happy about it.

"Hey guys", I hear Liz saying and stop me rolling my eyes.
"Where's Ned?", Peter asks as they sit down next to us.
"He's sick", I say briefly, continuing my conversation with Michelle.
Unfortunately, I feel his gaze on me again, it feels strange.
"So cinema today again?
This new horror movie is out since a few days and I don't want to watch it alone", Michelle says and I nod,
"Of course".
"Since when do you watch horror movies, Amanda?", he suddenly asks me.
"I like to try something new", I say.
"Cinema sounds good, can we join?", Liz asks suddenly.
No!, says the voice in my head.
"Sure", I hear myself suddenly saying.
Why did I just say that?
"Okay, see you later", Liz says, standing up.

"How's your shoulder?", Peter asks, who has stayed with us.
"It's good, hardly hurting", I say.
Well, actually only because of the medication the doctor has prescribed me. Otherwise it certainly wouldn't be like this.
"And everything's okay?", I ask back.
"Yeah, I think", he starts to smile.
"Stop with that small talk!", Michelle says, and we start to laugh.
Slowly I get up,
"Okay, see you later", I say and make my way to the library.
Nobody seems to be here, I think. But in the back of the room, I spot a man with a Cappy. I can already imagine who it is and go to him.

"Why are you here?", I ask, looking around for the librarian.
"I heard that Tony was at your grandma's", Steve says, putting his magazine aside.
"Yes, he was here for Peter, because he doesn't contact him anymore", I say and sit down.
"Typically Tony, always likes to control everything", he says with a laugh.
"Why are you here now?" I ask.
"I thought Tony was trying again to get you to join him", he says sadly.
"I would never do that, even if I wanted to, I couldn't do that to you guys", I say.
"And what about your friend Peter, what if you have to fight him?", he asks.
"That would be the last thing I ever wanted to do", I say.
What's more important, the team or my friendship with Peter?
"Ask Peter what he would do?", he asks.
"I would rather not", I say.
"Like I said, when you need anything, just write message", he says, and I nod, get up, and say goodbye to him.
Then I make my way to the classroom.