To Love a Spider

Chapter 3

Elizabeth was released from the hospital two days later. When she returned to school, she found that she had become the center of attention. Elizabeth had never been popular, but she was well-liked. Now, the whole school knew her, not by her name, but as the girl-who-was-saved-by-Spiderman. Elizabeth had wanted to be popular, now she wasn't too sure.
As Elizabeth walked into school, the second day since she had come back, Elizabeth kept her hoodie pulled tightly down over her face. She had been late to nearly every class, now that she had come back, and her grades had suffered for it. Now, Elizabeth had learned the lesson, and wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.
Elizabeth successfully made it into school without being seen and made her way to her locker. She looked both ways down the hallway to make sure that nobody was coming. Not that it would help, her locker was right by a corner, someone could sneak up on her easily.
Elizabeth quickly put her belongings into her locker and got out her textbooks for first period. Making sure that her jacket was still covering her face, Elizabeth turned and-"BAM!" knocked into something very hard.
Elizabeth hoped it was a wall.
Knowing that it was too much to ask for, Elizabeth turned toward the figure.
Elizabeth caught herself before she could groan. Standing before her was, in her opinion, the cutest guy in school.
Peter Parker.
The incredibly smart, funny, handsome Peter Parker.
And Elizabeth didn't want to talk to him.
Elizabeth was sure that if she looked at him any longer she would start to drool, or do something even more embarrassing. So Elizabeth turned her eyes to the ground and mumbled, "Sorry."
"No worries, I was looking for you anyway," he replied. His voice was like music to her ears. For a split second, Elizabeth thought that he actually wanted to see her, before the reality settled in.
This time, Elizabeth didn't hold the groan in. "I'm sorry, but for the last time , I don't know anything about Spiderman. I was delirious, remember? I had a concussion, and everyone's making a bigger deal out of this than it really is."
He didn't look disappointed, in fact, he looked like he was about to start laughing. There was a mysterious twinkle in his eyes that made Elizabeth feel light-headed. He ran his hands through his messy, light-brown hair and took a step back. The amusement faded from his expression, and was replaced with what seemed like nervousness.
Elizabeth also took a step back. There was something about his aura that made Elizabeth have butterflies in her stomach. Why would he of all people be so worried?
According to the school hierarchy, Peter Parker wasn't favored next to the more popular guys in the high school. That said, no one could question that he was handsome with his disheveled hair and brown eyes. The thing that ruined him for most people was that he was smart, extremely smart. For Elizabeth, though, it just made him even better.
Elizabeth cleared her throat, the moment was getting too awkward for her. "I'm sorry, but I should really be getting to class, I don't want to be late."
The amused expression returned to his face, along with something else Elizabeth couldn't make out. "The first bell hasn't even rang yet, not to mention barely anybody's here."
He was right. The halls had only a couple people in them and those few had enough good sense to stay away from them. By the end of yesterday, Elizabeth had gotten so annoyed by all the unwanted attention that she had started to yell at people to get them to leave her alone.
"Right. Well..." Elizabeth trailed off, unsure of what to say. This conversation wasn't going anywhere.
What seemed like hours of awkward silence passed and still nobody had talked.
It was Peter who said something first. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and focused his stare on Elizabeth. "I was wondering if you would...um...like to go do something together sometime?" His words were barely a whisper.
Elizabeth was taken aback. Literally, she stumbled back a couple steps. The action made Peter flinch and Elizabeth immediately wished that she hadn't done it. The possibility that Peter liked her was hard to fathom. It was still early in the morning, maybe she was so tired that she had heard him wrong? "I'm sorry, what?"
Peter frowned and looked at his feet. It was the first time she had seen him look so intimidated. At almost a foot shorter than him, it was Elizabeth that should have been the intimidated one. "I was thinking that maybe you, um, wanted to get dinner some time?"
Elizabeth still wasn't buying it. "Are you sure?" she stammered.
This made Peter smile and Elizabeth hadn't realized how stupid the question was until it was already said. Shyly, she returned the smile.
"Yeah, I think that I'm pretty sure," Peter said. The corners of his eyes were crinkled. His whole face was lit up and he looked like the spitting image of a nice guy. Elizabeth decided on her answer.
"Why?" He was too good, too nice. He deserved someone better than her.
Now, it was Peter's turn to be surprised. "Excuse me?"
"Why me?"
His look turned teasing. "Why not?"
"That's not the right answer." Elizabeth turned and started to walk down the hall. Peter followed after her. When she wouldn't slow down, Peter grabbed her elbow and forced her to turn around to look at him. She yanked her arm away and took a step back, although she didn't run. Again, he looked amused and although he was still everything that she had ever wanted, Elizabeth turned her eyes to the ground, refusing to look at him.
Instead, Peter got down on his knees and clasped his hands together, making her look at him. "Elizabeth Brun, will you please go on a date with me?" He was literally begging.
The gesture made Elizabeth's heart ache. She stood there for a couple of seconds, debating on whether or not to say yes. Finally, she decided on something somewhat in the middle. "Why not?" Elizabeth mocked him.
Before she realized what was happening, Peter had scooped her up in a bear hug. Not knowing what else to do, Elizabeth hugged him back.
The hug ended, too soon.
Overhead, the first bell rang.
"Is tomorrow okay? I can pick you up at five." He looked as though he wanted to hug her again but was trying to restrain himself.
"Yeah, its fine, but I really should be getting to class now." Already, a crowd was forming around them. Elizabeth shook her head. The struggle of being famous never ends. Elizabeth wondered if this is how superstars feel when surrounded by paparazzi. "Probably," she thought.
Peter looked disappointed, yet understanding. They still had five minutes to get to class, but this crowd could take forever to get through. Peter nodded, and with a wave was heading down the hall, away from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth sighed. Realizing that she couldn't afford to be late again, she started the long trek to first period.
She couldn't wait until tomorrow.