Spiderboy

fifty one

Half the day came and went, without any tasering or otherwise, and I now stood in line for the cafeteria with MJ, filling our trays then heading towards our usual table. Though MJ was sarcastic and didn't speak much, I was learning to appreciate her blunt humour more. We joined Roxy, who was already sitting, and the two started talking. I drifted off, my thoughts wandering away from the harsh florescent lights of school. Jeez Roxy's right, I hate being tired.
I jumped as there was a loud crash, followed by laughing. Roxy and Michelle's conversation halted and we watched Peter tray get flipped by Flash, to the amusement of his friends. I frowned and glared at Flash, who didn't notice. Peter just took the remainder of his lunch and sat down at the table, not giving him the time of day.
"Roxy." he whispered, and she stopped her conversation again.
"gotta tell you something." he muttered. she looked to me confused, but I shrugged.
"okay?" Roxy put down her apple and turned to face Peter.
"um, Harry told me you guys are going out." he started and Roxy raised her eyebrow, kicking me under the table.
"hey what was that for? I'm not Harry!" I yelped and Michelle laughed.
"you sure it was Harry?" she ignored me and Peter nodded, frowning.
"yeah, well Ned has a crush on you as well." he explained, and Roxy blinked.
"well then." she said and I sighed."
"Rox I know exactly what your thinking, and don't." I warned and she looked to me.
"but now I feel bad!" she pleaded, but I shook my head.
"Roxy you didn't do anything wrong, you're going out with Harry because you want too." I surmised and she sighed.
"alright, I get it."
I smiled and picked up a plastic fork to start my salad. Ned joined us, with Roxy avoiding his eye, and I wondered if Peter just made things awkward. He moved his hand barely closer, until our pinky were touching and I smiled at him.
"you think I shouldn't have told her?" he whispered in my ear, and I smiled.
"don't worry about it, they'll get used to it." I said and Peter went back to his lunch, barely reassured. I smiled and nudged him.
"you care about Roxy." I said and he looked at me funny.
"am I not supposed too?" he said confused and I punched his arm.
"I meant, I didn't know, I thought- never mind." I laughed, his reaction more bewildered, and gave up trying to explain.
"I know what ya mean Al," Roxy popped up out of nowhere, and slapped my back hard. She clearly over her awkward phase, and I jumped a mile high because of it.
"jee-zus, you trying to kill me?" I gasped, glaring and she smiled innocently.
"one can only hope." she sang and I snorted, a habit I was picking up.
"thanks Rox, I really appreciate the love and support." I said sarcastically and she winked.
"so who are we caring about?" she said conversationally, stealing a carrot stick off Peters plate and munching noisily. I
Groaned.
"well, it was you but I'm beginning to reconsider." I grumbled and she grinned.
"awe, I'm touched. You do care! Someone pinch me, I'm dreaming." she went on and I groaned, dropping my head in my hands.
"I might just take you up on that." I muttered, and Roxy laughed, stealing another carrot stick.
"laying it on a bit thick, aren't we?" Peter said into my ear, voice low. I shoved him playfully, making him raise his hands in surrender and move away. "okay, sorry! You're dramatic, I get it." he joked and I stuck my tongue out.
"oh, you think she's dramatic? Well you are in for a treat-"
"Roxy I swear to gods I will zap you again." I threatened and she glared, pointing her fingers at me in weak defense.
"don't you dare."
"as enlightening as your conversations are, the bells about to ring, so maybe start eating." Michelle added casually, peering at Peter and Roxy, the latter of which winked, making me roll my eyes. "alright, well I'm going to go to class. Roxy, if you ever need to deflate your big ego, you know who to call." I smiled graciously and stood up, taking my tray to the lunch lady's and ignoring Roxy's crass remarks and the others laughter.

The last bell rang and I rose from my seat, sighing in relief. Glory had already rushed out the door, while Peter and I followed at a slower pace, not wanting to get caught in the stampede of students.
"so you're coming to mine to study?" he bumped my shoulder with his and I nodded, heading out the door. The hall only had a few stragglers left, so we had no difficulty passing through the brightly lit halls of midtown high, and through the large iron gates. As soon as we crossed the road to get to the subway station, Peter's phone rang. I laughed at Neds contact photo, and Peter shushed me, answering his friends call, putting it on speakerphone.
"hey Ned."
"you told Roxy right? Because she didn't try talk to me and now I don't know what to do." the teenagers voice came worried though the phone.
"don't worry about it Ned, she's dating Harry but I'll talk to her about you, she'd hide anything if it was there." I piped in and Peter glanced sideways at me, as we wandered down the stairs to the station, taking a seat.
"so she might wanna be with me?"
I cringed, knowing that Roxy didn't like Ned that way, but didn't want to crush his spirit.
"um, how about you leave it for now, she's dating Harry." I trued to suggest and Peter raised his eyebrows.
"look Ned, if she did like you, would you do anything about it?" he said and the phone was silent for a second.
"well, I could."
I grinned and left Peter to talk to his friend, pulling him up to get on the incoming subway.