Ms. Stark [Peter Parker]

Chapter 51| Hello, Maria

MARIA
11:46 am; Monday- Midtown Highschool

"Oh, yeah, sorry Kells'. You can sit across from us though, " Kade told Kelly.

Kelly didn't react much, she just made her way around and plopped in between Monika and Zoe. It remained silent the entire time. I could feel the tension between us as she sat directly across me. She stared at me, with a small side smile. Kade was too busy messing around with some other of his friends to be involved in the stare-off.

"Hello, Maria. Lovely for you to join us, " she spoke smoothly. I kept at ease, although I couldn't tell whether she was trying to be friendly or not.

"Yeah, sorry I took your seat. I wasn't aware - Kade just told me to sit here, " I told her honestly. I noticed her eyes narrow slightly before she just smiled at me.

"It's no biggie. I'm assuming you've already met Monika and Zoe, right?" She signaled to her friends with a little hand movement.

"Yes, she has. I had the pleasure of introducing us to her already," Zoe answered for me. I saw her lean into Kelly a little, and she leaned to her as well. Kelly didn't take her eyes off me though.

"Monika was being a lil' rude to her. I reassured her that it was just her personality though, " she said softly to her. Kelly raised an eyebrow and looked at Monika, like she was questioning her if that was true. Monika wasn't paying attention and was rather on her phone. Kelly rolled her eyes and looked back at me yet again.

"Oh, sorry about her. She's not very welcoming at first. She warms up though." I nodded with a smile. I wasn't quite sure how to react. Should I engage more in the conversation? Is Peter noticing this? What if he-

"Are you busy tonight?" A question brought me out of my thoughts. I looked around, coming back to reality, as if I was lost in my thoughts. I realized it was Zoe asking, as she stared at me with big eyes.

"Um... I'm not really sure, " I lie. To be quite honest, I had nothing to do. I just wasn't sure if it was such a good idea. To my surprise, Zoe was still smiling at my careless response.

"Oh, well if you aren't busy, you should come hang out with us..." her smile faded as she turned quickly to Kelly, "I mean... if it is okay with Kelly and all." Kelly was busy staring at her acrylics until her name caught her attention.

"What? Wait hu- oh, wait, yes of course she can, " she said, after understanding what Zoe asked, "it would be lovely to have you over." She looked at me with another huge smile, almost too cheesy to seem for real. It put me on edge.

"I'm still not really sure-"

"Oh, come on Maria!" Suddenly Kade joined the conversation. I has no clue he was even listening. He smirked at me.

"Don't be a party pooper. Have some fun, " he wrapped his arm around me and leaned into my ear, "you deserve it." I unwrapped his arm from my shoulder, uncomfortably. But as he held onto his forearm, he curved his hand around and grabbed my forearm as well. I looked straight up at him and met his puppy dog eyes. The ones that used to make my heart leap before Peter came along. He gave me the obvious 'look' as a pleading dog as he stuck out his lower lip. I couldn't resist, plus I didn't want to look a bad person.

"Okay! Okay. I will try to make it work around my- uh- schedule, " I said hastily. Kade pumped his fist and hollered like he has just scored a touchdown.