Superhero? •PETER PARKER•

Chapter 4

"Who wouldn't want to be a superhero?" Ned says to Peter at lunch. I can't believe he told him. It's my secret and Peter is just spreading it to everyone. It's a miracle everyone doesn't know he's Spider-Man.

"I told you, this person is different. They seem to want it, but are afraid of really take control and use the powers for good," Peter explains.

"Stop talking about me," I think as I'm completely zoned into Peter's table as I eat my lunch. Peter looks up at me and gives me a sad look.

"I didn't say it was you," he says to me without moving his mouth. I sigh and try to focus on Flash and Jason talking about whatever it is they are talking about.

"How are you gonna ask MJ to the dance?" Ned asks Peter changing the subject. I huff, why can't I just ignore these losers? I look at Peter as he shrugs opening his water bottle.

"I don't think she's really into dances so I'm not even sure we'll go," Peter says.

"You think Betty will go with me?" Ned asks.

"I thought you broke up," Peter replies. Ned shrugs with a slight nod.

"Yeah but I don't see anyone else worth going with. I'm not into anyone like that. Maybe we can just go as friends," Ned says Betty maturely.

"Since when don't you like every girl you see?" Peter asks with a laugh. We make eye contact again and I pretend I wasn't just listening to them. "Stop listening in."

"I wasn't," I think to him.

"Then quit staring. You wanted to be left alone remember?"

I huff again and come back into my tables conversation. "So Betty, why didn't say yes to Jason asking you to the dance?" I ask her. She laughs looking at Jason then back at me.

"Are you kidding? He's way under my league. Besides, I'm waiting for a big romantic gesture. You know I want to be swept off my feet," she says.

"Did you have anyone in mind to ask you?" I ask her. Jason and Flash lean in.

"Brad Davis isn't horrible looking," she says with a shrug.

"Stella says he's gay," Flash says quickly.

"I told you I had heard it from someone else," I say defensively.

"Well gay or not, he's still fine as hell," Betty says. "Don't you think so Stella?" I shrug as I look over at Brad who is surrounded by girls.

"He's not my type I guess," I say taking a bite of my sandwich.

"Who is your type Stella?" Flash asks leaning in more. I furrow my brow and try to think. I shrug again.

"I don't know I guess no one in our school really interest me," I say taking a drink of my water. I set it down and my eyes glance over at Peter who is now sitting by MJ. She smiles at him awkwardly and they chat about something. He runs a hand through his hair and takes off his sweatshirt and gives it to her. "He doesn't look bad in the black T-shirt," I think to myself. Peter gets a confused look on his face and looks at his shirt then at me.

"Did you say something?" He thinks, making eye contact with me. I shake my head and go back to my own conversation.

"Yeah I can't think of anyone," I say. Flash seems disappointed. I hope he doesn't ask me to the dance. I'm not even sure I want to go. It honestly sounds like an awful time. But Jason will have a killer party after so I'll have to go.

I don't say much the whole rest of lunch but I stay engaged enough to not pay attention to Peter. I actually find myself ignoring him like I used to so maybe I can be normal.

"So, Flash said he's gonna have a party this weekend since his parents will be out of town on saturday, you down?" Betty asks as I put books in my locker at the end of the day.

"I don't know Betty. My dad's been working a lot and he finally gets a weekend off so I might spend time with him," I explain. She rolls her eyes and groans.

"Stella, every time you say you are going to spend time with your dad he bails on you," Betty says. "Why don't you do something for you?"

"I don't know. He's been really busy since Mr. Stark died and he's trying to keep the business in check."

"YAWN! Come on you know he's gonna work through the weekend," Betty says flipping her hair behind her shoulders. "Plus I heard a rumor that Flash is gonna ask someone to the dance at his party."

"Who?" I ask. Betty shrugs.

"Jason said he had something real embarrassing planned and it's gonna be a laugh." I sigh. She knows she isn't getting anywhere and puts her hands together and gives me puppy eyes.

"Please!" She begs. "With a cherry on top," she says in a baby voice. I roll my eyes but smile.

"Fiiine," I say. She squeals and hugs me lightly and quickly. "I'll show up but I won't stay forever," I say. I close my locker and start walking with her.

"You know what that's totally fine. I just need you there in case he asks me and I have to reject him," Betty says. I roll my eyes again as we reach the street.

"Listen I'm gonna stop by Delmar's before I go home. I'll catch you later," I say walking the opposite way.

"I thought that place got blown up?" Betty yells.

"He reopened during the blip!" I yell back. I start walking towards the sandwich place.

When I get there I see a familiar face ordering a sandwich. "And push it down real flat," Peter says completing his order. I huff to myself. I can't get away from this guy.

"How's your aunt? She survive the disappearance?" Delmar asks Peter. Peter nods crossing his arms.

"Yeah yeah. She, uh, works a lot with that homeless shelter on fifth," Peter says. Delmar speaks some Italian and I chuckle a bit. I've never met Peter's aunt but I bet she's attractive if Delmar talks that way about her.

"Hey Delmar," I say. "You running a sandwich shop or a gossip shop?" I ask him.

"Steal la!" He says. "I am so sorry. What can I get for you child?"

"Just chicken tuna on wheat with extra lettuce," I say. He nods. As he hands Peter his sandwich.

"Five dollars," Delmar says to him. Peter hands him the money. "Nothing for you child?" He asks me.

"No just the one sandwich for dad. How'd you know?"

"He came in yesterday asking for the same thing," Delmar says with a smile. "Peter you tell that Aunt of yours I asked about her."

"I will," Peter says with a laugh. He walks passed me and waves as he goes.

"You go to school with him?" Delmar asks. I nod and shrug at the same time.

"I've seen him around," I say not wanting to get into it.

"Good kid," he says. He hands me my sandwich and I give him the five dollars.

"Thanks Delmar," I say leaving a tip. He nods his head as I leave.

I unlock my apartment door when I get home. I turn on the front light which surprised me. Dad should be home by now. "Dad?" I ask the seemingly empty apartment. I see a small note on the island and read it.

"Sorry baby got roped into a night shift at work. They are really killing me here. Left some money on your dresser in case you get hungry. Pretty sure pizza in the fridge is bad. Sorry again. Love Dad."

"Whatever," I say putting the sandwich in the fridge and heading back out the door. I walk around the city for a little bit and find it getting dark. I look around and end up looking up. "Wonder what the view is like from up there?" I ask myself. I look around again and when the coast is clear jump up to the roof top. I smile and go to the tallest one in Queens and sit on the side. Watching the lights get brighter as it gets darker.

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Gif above made by: grandemal