Back To You // Homecoming

11| Confused Feelings

Later that night, Peter ended up walking home in clothes he got from a tourist shop. Aunt May was stressed over the fact that Peter wasn't answering her calls or texting back, but immediately forgave him after he explained how he lost the internship. So the older women comforted the boy as much as she could, but it didn't seem to work very well. Peter stood up, walking to his room. He was hoping he would fall asleep and wake up, having his suit back and then realize that it was all just a dream. But sadly, he knew that it wasn't going to happen.

Tony had taken El home, grounding her for not listening to him. Now this meant she couldn't leave her apartment for a while. Peter couldn't help but feel bad over the fact that he didn't save he when she was drowning. As her best friend, he should've saved her, but he just couldn't.

Peter wiped away his tears, slowly opening his door to his room. He entered the room, noticing El sitting on his bed, dressed in a pair of sweats and the jacket he gave her. He noticed her tears eyes, making him cry a bit more. She stood up, staring straight into Peter's swollen, red, eyes.

"I'm so sorry Peter." She apologizes, wiping under her eye to stop her from crying.

Peter stared at the girl, expressionless. He knew if he said a word he would end up breaking down. He began to slowly walk towards her, tears slowly sliding down his cheeks. Once he neared her, he fell straight to his knees, no longer being able to keep himself up. His arms immediately wrapped around her waist, pulling him into her so he could cry into the jacket.

El's eyes widened at the sudden act but didn't mind. Butterflies erupted in her stomach because of the way that Peter held her. She moved her hand to his head, gently playing with his hair for comfort.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't save you." Peter spoke in between cry's, scared to let El go.

She lightly shook her head, still playing with his head. "Peter it's fine." She spoke in a soothing tone, hoping it would calm him down. "It's not your fault, you were trying to save everybody else and that's all that matters." She reassured the crying boy, not wanting him to have this guilt topple over him.

"What did Tony have to tell you?" Peter asked, remembering that Tony had something important to tell her.

El furrowed her eyebrows, looking down at the as he looked up at her. "What do you mean?"

"Tony told me that he had something important to tell you." He explained, making El's eyes widen.

She wasn't for sure if she was ready to tell him. "I'll tell you when I'm ready." She answered, looking away from Peter. "And when we're not emotional messes."

A small chuckle escapes from Peter as he nods his head, resting it back onto El. "Okay." He spoke. "You know, I'm glad you're back. Even though we did date, I'm glad I have you as a friend."

El froze, feeling her heart melt. Not only from happiness, but from sadness. "Yeah, as friends."

******

After an hour of talking with Peter, El finally headed back home. She had no idea how she felt about Peter anymore. Part of her wanted to be back together with Peter but another part just wanted to be friends.

El shoved her hands in her pockets, clenching her fists as she grew annoyed with her thoughts.

"Damn it." She mumbled to herself, before pulling her phone out and quickly calling Ned. If there was one person that could help her with this it was him.

The phone rang a couple times until Ned answered. "Hello?" He asked in a raspy tone, it was obvious that El had woken him up.

"Sorry if I woke you up Ned, but I didn't know who else to talk to." El rushed out, her voice slightly cracking.

"No, no you're fine. W-What's wrong?"

El froze, scared to admit it out loud that she had feelings for Peter Parker.

"I-" She cut herself off, becoming hesitant about it. A small breath escapes her lips as she stopped walking, ready to finally admit it.

"I have feelings for Peter." She admitted, feeling this weight immediately rise off her chest.

A loud gasp came from the other end of the line.

"Wanna know something Ned?" She asked softly, with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I thought when I came back, I'd be fine and completely over him. But now that my heart is finally healed from the first time he broke it, it beats for him again. And I have no idea why." The girl sighed, wiping away the tears that slowly slid down her cheek.

"W-Well maybe you could ignore him?" Ned suggested, helping his friend with ways to get over Peter.

El shook her head, knowing that it wouldn't work. "Then he's gonna know something's up." She sighed, rubbing her face in frustration. "I hate feelings."

"I don't blame you." Ned chuckled , causing El to chuckle as well.

The two remained silent, trying to think of how El could get over Peter. El bit her bottom lip gently, thinking of how she could get over the boy who broke her heart not to long ago. She looked around the empty street of Queens, looking for inspiration.

And that's when she saw it. Her eyes widened once they stumbled upon the word 'date'.

"Perfect!" She exclaimed, a smile growing on her face.

"What? Did you figure something out?" Ned asks with hope in his words.

El nods her head, knowing that Ned could not see. "Yes." She muttered. "I gotta go. I've got to make a call. Goodnight Ned."

"Goodnight El."

The girl immediately hung up the call after Ned said goodnight as well and dialed the person she never thought she'd ever call.

"Hey Eleanora." The voice asked, answering the call after two rings.

"Hey Elijah." El spoke in a kind voice. "So, are you still up for that date?"