I Know Your Secret, Peter Parker

SIXTEEN. I think I might love you, peter parker

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The day of the long-awaited Homecoming dance had finally arrived, and Nellie was unprepared, to say the least. The girl had been so caught up in a whirlwind of events, that she had completely forgotten that the date was approaching so quickly. She had pushed Homecoming so far back in her mind, that she didn't even have a Homecoming dress.

"MJ, I love you, but I seriously cannot wear that," Nellie's eyes widened as her friend tossed a skimpy black spandex thing into her lap.

MJ shrugged, "I bought one dress for Homecoming, Nells. And I plan on wearing it myself. I'm sorry my mom's style doesn't suit you, princess."

If Nellie's eyes widened anymore she was sure they'd pop right out of her head, "This is your mother's?"

MJ rolled her eyes, "So, she likes to go out on the weekends? Your mom got busted for drugs, dude. Chill out."

That might have offended Nellie a few months ago, but now, not so much. It had taken her a long time to accept what her parents had done, but she was beginning to be okay with it. She now had people in her life that truly cared, and it meant the world to her. MJ, Aunt May. . .Peter, they fit right in her heart and that was all she needed.

"This is hopeless," Nellie sighed, standing up amongst the piles of clothes covering MJ'd bedroom floor. "I'm hitting the thrift store, you coming?"

MJ shook her head, sprawling out across her bed, "You go. I'm gonna take a nap and let you do this one on your own."

"How thoughtful of you," Nellie chuckled, her eyes rolling at her friend.

MJ held up her pointer finger, "If I go, you'll want my opinion on whatever dress you like and I don't want that kind of responsibility thrusted upon me. You'll know the one when you see it."

Nellie smiled to herself; MJ had her very own special way of being a good friend sometimes.

At the thrift store, Nellie searched for all of twenty minutes before finding the perfect dress. Perks of living in New York City. She eyed the red, off-the-shoulder dress from afar before trying it on. She couldn't help but smile at the fact it was the same shade of red as Peter's Spider-Man costume.

As she waited in the check-out, her phone began buzzing in the back pocket of her jeans. She quickly pulled it out as she laid the dress across the cashier's counter.

"Hey, Peter," She answered, a smile spreading across her face.

"Nellie, I need you to come over here."

"Is everything okay?" She asked, immediately fearing the worst.

"That will be thirty-four dollars, ma'am." The cashier spoke to Nellie with tired eyes.

Nellie nodded to her before pulling out her cash.

"Yeah, everything is great! I just need to talk to you about something."

Nellie exited the store, her dress now bagged up, "Okay, I'm actually near your place. I'll be there in a minute, okay?"

"Perfect."

Nellie chuckled as she hung up and slipped her phone back into her pocket. She wondered what he wanted to tell her. Was it about Homecoming? She hoped he hadn't forgotten like she had.

She'd barely even bumped her fist against the door before Peter swung it open eagerly. He immediately engulfed her into a hug, lifting her up slightly. She stood on her tippy toes just to remain in contact with the ground.

"What's all this about?" She asked, though she didn't even need Peter to have a reason for being so sweet.

Peter pulled away, his smile as big and bright as ever, "Would you like to meet your foster parents?"

Nellie felt her breath hitch in her throat, but in a good way. She was taken aback, but ready to burst into happy tears. Peter had really went to the trouble of finding a new home for her? She knew he cared about her, but this was nearly unfathomable.

"I, I don't know what to say. I'm so--" She felt herself choking up, "They're here? Now? Right now?"

Peter peered down at her, "Yes, they're here and ready to take you home. After Homecoming, of course."

"Speaking of Homecoming, no funny business, Parker. I want her home by midnight, you hear me?" A familiar voice sounded from the kitchen.

Out strolled Tony Stark, the last person Nellie Jenkins had ever imagined to see in this scenario. She cocked her head to the side, a curious smile forming upon her face. He gave her a wink, a bright red apple in his hand.

Behind him, a beautiful strawberry-blonde woman came out of the kitchen. Nellie easily identified her as Pepper--Stark's partner. Or as Mr. Stark had said on television before, she was the real brains between the two of them.

"What's going on?" Nellie interrogated the three of them, unsure if she was hearing this correctly.

Why on Earth would Tony Stark and Pepper Potts ever even consider taking Nellie in as their foster child? Just as the question crossed her mind, she looked at Peter.

He was standing off to the side now, his eyes seemingly sparkling as he smiled. Somehow, he was behind this. There was no other explanation.

"Tony and I are getting older," Pepper spoke up first, placing her hand on Tony's shoulder as she stood semi-behind him. "We've talked about being parents, but could never quite agree on the subject--"

"We know you know about Peter," Tony interrupted, as if he just had to get it out there.

Nellie looked nervously at Peter, but he gave her a reassuring smile; she let the two continue on in silence.

"To bring a baby into this chaos, it's just not what I want. But you, Nellie," Pepper stepped in front of Tony and towards the girl. "From what Tony, and Peter, have said about you, I must say you are an incredible girl. And seeing as you need some place to call home—"

"Welcome to the family, kid," Tony smirked, biting a chunk out of his apple.

Nellie felt a tear slip down her cheek as she looked over at Peter, his gaze meeting hers. It was in that moment, that simple moment, that Nellie thought to herself that she might just be in love with Peter Parker.