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Theo leaned out of his bedroom window, ignoring the biting cold wind that spread goosebumps up his bare arms. His bloodshot eyes scanned the tops of the skyscrapers as hope simmered in his chest, only to fizzle out as he saw nothing but the familiar colorful lights of the city.
"Dude, I'm sorry but can you close the window? It's fucking freezing."
Theo rolled his eyes at Ty's whining, sliding the glass down with extra force. His room felt suffocating, causing the boy to fidget uncontrollably and try to shake the feeling of claustrophobia. Ty stared at him through his glasses, concern lacing his gaze. Theo bit down on his lower lip.
"He's not out there, man," his friend said, "he doesn't have his suit, remember?"
Ty was right, there was no web-swinging vigilante watching over the city that night, and Theo knew it. He sighed and fell back onto his bed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. His bruises still stung at every touch, his eyes couldn't handle bright lights, and his head still hurt like hell.
"Franky said you haven't left your room... wanna get something to eat?"
Theo shook his head and buried himself under his covers, turning his back to his friend. Ty had come over right after school and had stayed with him ever since. It was a gesture that Theo really appreciated, but he just wasn't too keen on doing anything other than sleeping his troubles away or staring out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of the friendly neighborhood vigilante.
He felt bad for Ty; he had made him cover for him as he skipped school with Peter and made the boy worried sick by not answering any of his calls or texts till that morning. "I'm sorry, I just..." Theo didn't know how to put his pain into words.
"You don't have to tell me, man," Ty interrupted his jumbled train of thought, "I already know."
"Know what?" Theo asked, turning his head to look at his friend. Ty rolled his eyes. Despite his nonchalant personality and appearance, the boy was rather observant. With Theo looking out the window all day, checking his phone for any messages, or just hugging his pillow to his chest, it wasn't that hard to tell. It didn't take a genius to recognize a broken heart.
"Something happened between you and Pete."
Theo immediately frowned. He knew there was no point in denying it at this point — even his 13-year-old sister knew. "Yeah, I guess," He murmured as he rubbed his eyes, "but it doesn't even matter anymore."
Ty sighed and rested his chin in his palm, "Can you stop being a vague drama queen and just tell me what happened already? You told me about Tony Stark taking Peter's suit back, but what happened between then and now that turned you into a hormonal teenage girl?"
Usually, a comment like that would garner a reaction from Theo, whether it be a humorous snort or an eye-roll. This time, nothing.
"He knows I'm Phantom," He said instead, his voice uncharacteristically flat. "Stark had to take off my mask to check my injuries. Peter doesn't want to associate with me anymore."
