The REM Trials

Chapter 24

"Then, then, he told me I had pretty eyes." I let out a huff and fall on my bed. "Seriously, what am I supposed to think of that?"

Harley shakes his head at me with a knowing grin. "Maybe, it means you should start believing me when I say that he likes you too."

"I don't think it does though. You haven't seen the way he looks at Liz. Even when he gives me compliments, he doesn't look at me like that."

"Wait, he gives you compliments too?"

"Only because I told him why I don't do well with them. Now, he's made it his mission to change that." I mumble and avoid looking at my screen so I don't have to see Harley's incredulous gaze. "I'm telling you. He doesn't see me that way, and I can't let myself think he does. Because if he doesn't, then it will change our friendship."

"Fine, I'll let it go, but for the record, I still think he likes you." He sighs and changes the subject, "So, how's the other stuff going?"

"Oddly quiet since the ferry incident." I tell him and scrunch my eyebrows as I think back over it. "I don't like it. The only time people like this are quiet is when they're running or planning something else, and I doubt Vulture is running."

"What does Tony think?" Harley questions, and I just sigh.

"He's really busy with getting everything ready for the move. So, for now, I'm just going to keep an eye out for anything that might mean Vulture's making a comeback."

"Probably a good idea. It should also give you time to focus on getting yourself a homecoming date." He teases with a wink and laughs when I roll my eyes at him. "What? Are you seriously telling me that you don't want to go to your own homecoming?"

"Not since there will be plenty of homecoming's yet to come." I lie; it's mostly because the only guy who asked was Flash. Plus, with my feelings for Peter, I doubt I could enjoy the night while watching him pine over Liz. "I'm probably just going to stay home or help with the move."

"Fine, be boring." Harley jokes, and I stick my tongue out at him in reply.

"How on earth can I be boring? I'm literally a part-time Avenger." I tease and look up when there's a knock on my door. "Come in."

"Hey, bug. Can you come down to the lab when you're done? I need your help packing up your workspace." Dad asks as he leans in the room.

"Sure thing." I tell him with a smile. "I've gotta go, Harley."

"Fine, go be an awesome part-time Avenger." He complains with an overdramatic pout. "Bye, Lia."

"Bye, Harley." I shove my phone into my pocket and keep my head down as I weave through the mess of people packing up all the Avenger's stuff in the tower. Luckily, no one pays much attention to a teenage girl walking around, and even if they did, the non-disclosure agreements prevent them from saying anything.

"Did you have a good chat with Harley?" Dad asks as I enter the lab with a bounce in my step. "Also, did I hear something about homecoming?"

"Yes, to both things. Harley was teasing me about the fact that I have no plans to go." I ignore Dad's look as I sort through my chunk of the lab. "Don't give me that look, please. We agreed that I wasn't going to date anyone for a while, and I don't feel like changing that yet."

"You know that rule was for before you got everything under control and started making progress with Dr. Sharpe." He tells me and sits on the stool next to me. "It's okay to let people in again. I did with Pepper, and while it's hard at times, it's always worth been worth the struggle."

"Yeah, but I don't think that someone sees me like I see them." I whisper in a soft voice, but Dad still hears it judging by the wide look in his eyes. "Either way, I'm still not sure if I'm ready for that yet. My focus right now is on stopping Vulture and getting proof that the REM Trials are real."