Malen'kaya Zemlya [2] [P. Parker]

3.11 Decathlon Trip

Peter and I ran towards the decathlon team.

They were all dressed in gaudy yellow jackets and were waiting beside an equally ugly yellow school bus. Though, the ones in New Zealand were never that much better looking.

"Hey, it's Peter. And Ashley." one guy said, pointing at us.

"Guys," Peter greeted once we'd reached them.

"Hey." I waved slightly.

"Peter?" Liz asked.

"Hey, buddy." one of Peter's friends said to him.

"Yeah, I was hoping maybe I could rejoin the team. And Ash wants to tag along. She's got permission forms and all." Peter said timidly.

"No, no way," Flash said, walking up to us from the back. "You can't just quit on us, stroll up, and be welcomed back by everyone."

The teachers in charge, Mr. Harrington, stepped out of the bus. "Hey, welcome back, Peter. Flash, you're back to first alternate."

"What?" Flash asked.

"He's taking your place." the guy who pointed us out grinned.

"Oh, Ashley!" Mr. Harrington continued. "Permission forms?"

"Right here, Mr. Harrington." I smiled, pulling the possibly forged pieces of paper out of my pocket and handing them to him.

He checked them over and then nodded, tucking them in his pocket. "Welcome to the trip."

Michelle stepped forward. She was the only one, other than me, not wearing a uniform. "Excuse me, can we go already? 'Cause I was hoping to get in some light protesting in front of one of the embassies before dinner, so..."

Mr. Harrington smiled. "Protesting is patriotic. Let's get on the bus."

On the bus, I had my earphones in and music blasting as the decathlon team did some practice questions.

As I bobbed my head and lip-synced along with Pompeii by Bastille, my music abruptly stopped and I got a phone call.

I pulled my earphones out and put the phone up to my ear, answering Happy, who was calling. Tony had made us exchange numbers the last time I was at the tower.

"Hey, kid. I just spoke to Peter. You left New York too?" he asked.

"Spectating on the decathlon trip," I replied with a shrug I knew he couldn't see.

"That sounds okay. Stay safe," he said then paused. "I'm watching you too."

"That sounds super creepy. And how are you still tracking me?" I asked.

"I'm not. Peter told me you were with him. Just checking his facts." Happy hung up.

I sighed and shook my head, plugging my earphones back in and playing the music.

After about twenty seconds, Peter looked over at me from a few seats in front.

I saw him move out of the corner of my eye, so I looked at him.

He smiled.

I smiled back.

Once he'd turned back around, Michelle, who was reading in the seat across from me, looked at me weird. She mimed taking earphones out.

I paused my music once more and took one out. "Yo?"

"You're in deep," she smirked.

"Shush," I said, poking my tongue out.

"Scooch," she said, standing up and moving across to slip into the seat beside me.

I moved my legs off the seat and onto the floor. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting next to you," Michelle replied, taking one of my earphones and slipping it into her ear. "You gonna play the music?"

I was a bit confused, but I shrugged and pressed play.

After a minute, she looked at me.

"How long have you and Parker been together for?" she asked me.

"A few months," I replied with a soft smile.

"How many dates have you been on?"

I looked down. "Just two."

"Two?" her eyes widened. "Only two?"

I nodded.

"Jeez..." she said quietly.

I stayed silent, looking out the window.

"I mean, you did do that big on-the-run thing after that airport thing." she reasoned. "And before then you always had your hero stuff. And now you've got it too... So I guess it makes sense."

I glanced at her. "Yeah, I hardly ever get free-time from all that jazz."

She raised an eyebrow. "Did you just say, 'all that jazz'?"

I also raised a brow. "Yeah, what's your point, hm?"

We stared each other down for a minute before she cracked a smile and I started to laugh.

"Anyway," I said. "I want to go on another date but we're both so busy now. Peter's got that Stark Internship and I've got my Gaia stuff... It's a bit of a mess."

"Just ask him out." she shrugged.

"Huh?" I asked.

"You heard me, ask him out," Michelle replied matter-of-factly.

I frowned. "Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah. I may not be an expert on relationships, but going out together is important. Two dates to, where did you go?"

"The movies. The second was dinner."

"The movies? Lame. Dinner? Boring."

"Hey!"

"Anyway, dates to the movies are not going to help build your relationship more." she finished.

I nodded in thought. "That makes sense."

"So, when will both of you be free?" she asked.

I pulled out my phone to check my calendar. "Er... Probably Homecoming is the first day that I'm free. Unless I'm going."

"You are going. The guy has to ask the girl, which is dumb, but Peter will ask you." Michelle replied.

"Really?" I asked. "I don't even know anymore, to be honest."

She snorted. "Have you seen the way the guy looks at you. He's head over heels."

I snorted as well. "Never thought I'd have a heart-to-heart on a school bus."

"With me as well," she smirked.

"Yeah." I nodded. "But, um..."

I looked at Peter who was answering another question correctly.

Liz said something to him and smiled.

My heart thumped in my chest as I watched him smile shyly back blushing slightly.

My face and heart dropped.

Michelle, who was also watching the small exchange, looked at me. "Oh, crap."

I sighed. "Oh, crap's right."

(A/N)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHAT DID I DO????????!?!?!??!!!!!!!!?!??!?!

DRAMAAAAAAAAAAAA

I'm gonna stop and maybe calm down here.

-lost_in_a_book__