Flower Child (Peter Parker, MCU)

A Valid Fear of Elevators

Run - Hozier

The rest of the decathlon group had raced inside, ready to reach the top of the tallest structure in D.C., whereas Michelle, Lila, and Mr. Harrington remained outside to gawk at the structure. It wasn't like they'd seen taller, they lived in New York, but it was different to see something so tall sit so isolated. But Michelle wasn't really gawking, she was sizing up the structure, feeling something else entirely than the typical wonder.

"Taking it all in, Michelle?" Mr. Harrington asked, looking between her and the monument.

Michelle, who already had her book out, ready to read, regarded her teacher. "Oh, yeah, I just - um - I don't really want to celebrate something that was built by slaves."

"Oh, I'm sure the Washington Monument wasn't built by..." Mr. Harrington trailed off, making eye contact with a guard, who looked at him as if to say Yes, it was indeed built by slaves. Mr. Harrington cleared his throat awkwardly and fiddled with his jacket. "Okay. Enjoy your book."

"Thanks," Michelle said, turning back to Lila to share a laugh with her. The two of them headed over to a bench when MJ spoke again. "Lila, I know you want to go to the top."

Lila tilted her head to the side, "It's okay, MJ, I-"

"I know you're dying to see it ever since you found out Eliza Hamilton helped with it."

Lila winced, shrugging apologetically. "I don't want to leave you here by yourself."

With a straight face, Michelle replied, "I just want you to take a moment to think about who you just said that to."

"MJ-"

"Go, Lila, I'll be okay."

Lila relented, heading towards the doors. She turned around, still walking, and shouted to Michelle, "I'll be sure to hate it a little extra for you."

*****

It was like Ned suddenly forgot how to use his phone, or so Peter felt. He wasn't answering at all, despite the multiple attempts to call him and warn him of what would happen if the alien technology got anywhere near radiation. With every ring sounding in his ear, Peter grew more desperate. Abandoning hope that Ned would ever answer the phone, he dialed the number of the girl who, in the span of a week, managed to squeeze herself into the role of a friend.

*****

Lila was one of the last in the security check-in, frequently looking back to see if a certain boy would suddenly come bursting through the doors and join their group. She was still beyond worried sick, despite the rest of the team being relatively angry with him for missing the competition. Well, all except for Flash, that is, who was holding on to the trophy with a smug look on his face, waiting to rub it in Peter's face just how much trouble he was in.

Suddenly, Lila's phone began to ring in her back pocket, making the girl jump and come back from her train of thought. She simply assumed the caller would be her dad, and was baffled to hear Peter's voice instead. "Lila?"

"Peter?" She blinked, shocked to hear his voice, and worried at the frantic tone. "Wh-what's going on, are you okay?"

"No, no I'm not okay. Where's Ned, where are you right now?"

"What do you mean, we're - we're at the Washington Monument where you're supposed to be," Lila huffed indignantly. She should've cooled it on the anger quickly seeping through her tone, but hearing Peter on the other end of the call, completely fine, left her too upset to care. "You missed the entire decathlon, Peter. What the hell happened? I thought you said you - you were coming back-"