Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

6.) A Happy Text: Peter Parker

PETER PARKER - SPIDER-MAN

July 10th, 2017, Queens

It's been a little more than three days since Mr. Stark left my suit on my bed. So far, Queens' crime rate has been very low, thanks to Spider-Man! Well, and the police. But I'm still helping a lot.

On YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, Spider-Man has gotten over tens of millions of views. A few hundreds of those hits might be from me and Ned, but that's not the point. The point is, I'm somewhat of an internet sensation now.

During the past few weeks, I've actually had people come up to me, wanting my autograph or a selfie. It takes a lot of energy to not slip up and accidentally write my real name, but it's totally worth seeing the looks on people faces when they have my signature. I'm not ready to reveal my 'secret identity', and I don't think I ever will. Sorry to the curious people of Queens.

Aunt May has actually been taking this whole 'superhero' thing pretty well. I don't get involved in really messy things—not like there's much of those anymore—and so I don't get that hurt. A few scratches, a few scrapes, some bruises here and there.

May still overreacts over those; even though I've totally dealt with worse. I don't tell her that, though. She doesn't know about how I helped Mr. Stark fight Captain America, which was totally awesome. Ned got so excited when I spilled the beans.

Speaking of Ned, I've kinda been missing school. Homework and lab reports and projects and essays gave me things to do. Now it's all just petty theft I need to stop. It's still exciting, but not as exciting as stealing Mr. America's shield!

I only wish Liz was still here. School ended a long time ago, nearly right after she left—and every time I looked at her empty desk, I got a little sadder.

I know I did the right thing by stopping her dad. Those alien weapons are no joke, and they could've easily helped really malicious people do really bad things. On the other hand, Mr. Toomes had a family. No matter how illegal and evil it was, selling those weapons was what supported that family. He had good intentions; and not-so-good ones too.

Don't get me wrong, though. Having a family doesn't excuse what he did. I just miss Liz. She was so intelligent, humorous, sweet, and quirky. I miss joking around with her.

The decathlon team won the trophy—with her help!—but it wasn't the same without Liz when she moved away. Ned and I hung out yesterday, and when I told him all of this, he said that I'd find someone else.

I don't want to find someone else, though. I don't think anybody will replace Liz Toomes and her smile and attitude. Even if they did, they wouldn't be her. Gosh, maybe I should ask Aunt May for girl advice. Ned isn't really knowledgeable in that area—no offense to him.

I'm just about to call May and ask if I could head out to scout for any suspicious persons when my phone vibrates. It's a text. From Happy! Everyday I've been messaging him, sending him mission reports and what I've been doing. Like usual, he hasn't been replying. Until now.

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Happy Hogan: Kid, I need you to pack a suitcase. We're going to Africa tomorrow. 1 PM. Starbucks near your apartment complex. I'll pick you up. We might be there for two weeks or so. Secret business. Can you come?

Me: Woah! I'm so excited. Did you read my mission reports?

Happy Hogan: Yeah. Proud of you.

Me: Thanks Happy. I need to ask Aunt May first. She knows I'm Spider-Man, btw. (Btw=by the way).

Happy Hogan: Oh. Got it, kid. Convince her. Text me the answer. I'm not accepting a no.

Me: Okay!

  _________________________ 

Oh my gosh! I'm so happy. Pun not intended. Immediately I call Aunt May to ask, which is so much better then calling for permission to stop a possible car crook. Sorry if someone's car is being stolen right now.

"Peter?"

"Hi Aunt May! So Happy just texted me and there's this secret mission I need to go on in Africa, and I might need to stay there for two weeks, but I promise I'll be super safe, and I'll call you and text you everyday with a bunch of pictures of Giraffes and stuff." I take a deep breath, it took a lot to say all that in one go. I made sure to say it slow and with some pauses so she could soak it all in.

"What?" She screams through the cell phone. I have to hold further away from my ear. I guess she didn't soak it all in.

"Happy texted me. Secret mission in Africa. Might be there for two weeks. I promise I'll be safe. I'll text you and call you everyday. I also promise to take pictures of African wildlife." I break it down, sounding like Happy's rare, short, and to-the-point texts.

I can hear Aunt May sigh. "When is this mission? How important is it? Is it dangerous?"

"It's top secret and Happy cares for me so I don't think it's going to be too dangerous. He said that tomorrow at one o'clock he'd pick me up from the Starbucks around the corner...!"

"I see. Listen, Peter, I have to go, but we'll discuss this at home, okay?"

"Sounds great,"

"Love you." I know you do. That's why you care so much. Aunt May might care a bit too much for her own good.

"I love you too, May."

She hangs up, and I can tell that it's a possible yes. I can be convincing when I want to. With a smile on my face, I quickly text Happy that she's thinking about it. After a few seconds, he replies back with a thumbs-up emoji. Weird, because Happy doesn't usually use those.

I just hope Aunt May says yes.

Whoo! Enjoy this 994 words long chapter. It's so close to 1,000. I'm giving you guys this extra long one because I'm going to be busy tomorrow, so have fun with this one!

Who do you think texted Peter? Because it sure as heck wasn't Happy Hogan. Hmm....

**DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, COMMENT, and SHARE! I'm really liking where this story is going. But buckle up, everyone. Happy times only last for so long. (Pun intended).