Ambition {𝟙𝟛} | Marvel √

chapter fourteen

In the Gym room, Midtown High students — that included Emma and Allie — sat in neat rows on the bleachers, watching Captain America give a speech on a TV screen. But Allie just stared at her father's face, completely cringing to herself as Emma silently sat next to her, trying to not look at her. Because she knew if she did — she would burst into laughter. And then Michelle, who was sitting next to them reading a book, would pester her until she told her why she was laughing.

Some feet away from them, Peter and Ned sat together as they watched the TV screen as well;

"Hi, I'm Captain America. Whether you're in the classroom or on the battlefield..."

"Do you know him, too?" Ned whispered.

"Yeah, we met," Peter whispered back.

"...fitness can be the difference between success or failure—"

"I stole his shield," Peter continued and Ned stared at him shocked, "Miss Steel was there. She wasn't exactly...helping..." Ned was even more shocked as the video continued;

"Today, my good friend, your gym teacher...will be conducting the Captain America Fitness Challenge."

As Captain America raised his hand in a salute and the screen transitioned into the words Station I: Sit-ups, Allie had her eyes narrowed on the screen. She had never felt more unbearable embarrassment in her life before and was so thankful everyone didn't know her real identity.

"Thank you, Captain," Coach Wilson said, "I'm pretty sure this guy's a war criminal now, but whatever. I have to show these videos. It's required by the state. Let's do it," he then blew his whistle and everyone scattered from the bleachers.

———

Only mere minutes later, Midtown High School students engaged in various exercises. Climbing ropes, doing chin-ups, push-ups, running miles around the gym. Michelle laid on a mat by herself and wielded her book like a weight, still immersed in its contents, and just a couple rows down from her — was Peter and Ned.

Peter was doing sit ups while Ned helped steady him. But as he did, Ned continued on with his questions;

"Do Avengers have to pay taxes?"

"Shh!"

"What does Hulk smell like?"

"Shh!"

"I bet he smells nice."

"You have to shut up."

"Is Captain America cool, or is he like a mean, old grandpa?"

"Ned, just, shh, okay?"

"Hey, can I be your guy in the chair?" Ned suddenly suggested.

"What?" Peter asked.

"Yeah. You know how there's a guy with a headset telling the other guy where to go?" Ned asked as Peter's facial expression contorted into an odd expression. And yet he was still doing sit-ups faster than any other student. "Like, like, if you're stuck in a burning building. I could tell you where to go. Because there'd be screens around me, and I could, you know, swivel around, and... cause I could be your guy in the chair."

"Ned, I don't need a guy in the chair," Peter told him right before Coach Wilson strolled by.

"Looking good, Parker," he said, pointing at Peter.

Peter glanced at him before frowning and taking a huffing breath, trying to look as if the exercise was really taking a toll on him.

Meanwhile, Emma and Allie were running laps around the gym, the both of them making no problem. Allie found it nice that Emma was finally able to reach her speed, but yet— "This is seriously embarrassing," she muttered as Emma didn't answer her. Her eyes were narrowed, with her thinking face on, but Allie couldn't see her. She continued, "I can't believe I am doing a workout made by my father. Dad runs away and I have to do this stupid workout."