To Love a Spider

Chapter 4

 Elizabeth had barely made it through that day of school. She just wanted to go home and cry happy tears. Tomorrow, she was going on a date with a junior, and not just any junior, but Peter Parker! As a sophomore, and not a popular one at that, this was a big deal to Elizabeth. But, she wasn't about to let down her defenses, not yet. There was something weird about the whole situation. Why would Peter ask her out in the first place?
This was Elizabeth's idea of what had happened. Maybe, Peter had lost a bet with one of the sophomore boys. Maybe, then, the boys chose the worst person he could think of. Maybe, that person had been Elizabeth.
Elizabeth put this into the back of her mind. Nothing could ruin this for her. No one could ruin this for her. Not even her broken arm and concussion.
Elizabeth wondered if her giddiness was a side-effect of her head injury.
"Probably," she told herself.

* * *

The next day at school had gone according to plan. Other than saying hi to her, Peter had not spoken to Elizabeth at all. She didn't even know if he knew her address.
Elizabeth walked home by herself. Cassidy and Maggie had activities after school. Elizabeth didn't mind walking alone. In fact, she enjoyed the solitude. After the last couple of days, Elizabeth had learned to value what little peace and quiet she had.
You would think that after being nearly killed, Elizabeth would be afraid that she might be attacked again. Nope, not for Elizabeth. She reasoned with herself that most people don't get assaulted at all, and it would be extremely rare for one person to be attacked twice in a lifetime, let alone a week.
Elizabeth took out her key from her pocket and opened the clean, red door and stepped into her home. Her house wasn't very big, but it was comfortable with its whitewashed brick. It could easily accommodate Elizabeth's large family and the black shutters offered a nice touch. All of the furniture was lightly colored and the rooms were all bright, lively, and fun.
Elizabeth checked the clock on the stove. It read 3:15. "I've got about an hour and forty-five minutes until he's here," Elizabeth thought.
Elizabeth walked up to her room and sat on the bed. For once in her life, Elizabeth didn't have any homework to do, and in perfect timing too. As Elizabeth didn't know anything about fashion she decided to start getting ready for tonight. She would have called one of her friends to come help her, but she didn't tell anybody at school what was going on. She hoped that Peter didn't tell anyone either. What's the point in spreading rumors about something that might not even work out?
Elizabeth swung her polished closet doors open wide. Like everything else in her room, her closet was perfectly clean. Every drawer help perfectly folded clothes. Every hanger held perfectly clean dresses.
Elizabeth wasn't even sure what type of clothes to wear. She could wear a dress, but she didn't want to look like she was trying too hard. She could wear a blouse and jeans, but she didn't know where Peter was going to take her, and didn't want to show up in a fancy restaurant and be the only girl without a dress.
Elizabeth decided on wearing a dress. She scanned her hangers looking for the perfect outfit. She decided on a navy blue dress that wasn't too casual, but not very fancy either. The neckline was wide and instead of the trim being straight, it was nice and wavy. It came to a little above her knees. Not too showy. Then it occurred to her.
What was she going to tell her parents?
Her dad especially. She was too focused on trying to act normal around everyone that she had forgotten to tell her family. She could just tell them that nothing was happening, and that this was the first time they were going out. Her father would like to question Peter about whatever dad's question them about. Elizabeth didn't know. This was her first date.
Oh my gosh, this is her first date!
Maybe, she could just not tell them at all.
Elizabeth put on the dress. She selected a cream sweater to put on and a gold necklace with a giraffe charm on it. Elizabeth was sure that if she wore high heels she would get blisters before she even got to the restaurant, so Elizabeth took out a pair of gold flats and put them on. She grabbed a gold purse to go with her outfit.
She was ready.
Elizabeth checked the clock. "4:00, I still have another hour," she told herself. Her parents and siblings wouldn't be home for another half hour or so. Leaving just enough time to tell them the general idea of where she was going and get the heck out of there.
With the time remaining, Elizabeth decided to straighten her hair. Her hair was usually a wavy mess that was only somewhat pretty on good days. It came to about her mid-back when curly and, when straightened, it came a little above her waist.
It took her a good amount of time and when she had just finished, she heard the side door to her house opening. In came her big family, the only one missing was her dad. "Hi, Mom," Elizabeth said.
"Hey, how did school go today?" her mom replied, then scanning her appearance added, "You look nice." Elizabeth's mom was a beautiful lady, even today, in her late forties. Her skin was sun-kissed and her hair dark and wavy. Her eyes were a darker shade of green, hence, her whole side of the family was Irish. Her brother, Alex, was the only one who looked even a little Irish, with his light hair and green eyes.
Everyone else, including Elizabeth, had inherited her father's dark hair and dark eyes. Their skin was tan, although not dark, and Elizabeth was the only one in her family to have curly hair.
"Mom, I'm going out to dinner with a friend tonight." Elizabeth chose her words carefully, very carefully.
It took a minute for her mom to reply. When she did she said, "That's fine. Be back by 10:00." She hesitated for a moment then said, "Is it a boy?"
Elizabeth nodded shyly.
Her mom shrieked and grabbed Elizabeth's hands. "Finally! When will he be here?"
"About thirty minutes."
"Then we've got to hurry. You missed a piece." Her mom was gesturing to her hair. She took Elizabeth into the bathroom, re-straightened her hair, and tried to apply makeup.
Elizabeth brushed her away. "It's not a big deal, we're just friends," Elizabeth's heart spoke of betrayal when she uttered the words, "Besides, I don't wear makeup, If I let you do my makeup he won't be able to recognize me. I'm not wearing it."
Her mom sighed. "Fine. But, what's his name?"
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the doorbell.
Her mom pretty much screamed. "He's here!"