PAIN [PETER PARKER]

1.5

July 14th, 2016

When Gwen turned her head, she saw Michelle Jones. Her face as stone cold with a serious expression, as if she was going to kill someone.

The boy didn't say anything as he gave a dirty glare. Michelle cocked her head to the side, "Hey, asshole, are you deaf? I told you to get the hell away from my friend."

"We're just having a little fun," the guy cooed, "Stop being a cockblock."

Gwen felt her stomach turn at the way he said the word fun. Her mind raced with thoughts of what his idea of fun was. Because what she was going through now, it wasn't fun. Not in the slightest. It was making her sick.

"Let her go now," Michelle warned as she took a step closer, "Or so help me I will cut off your hands and make you eat them."

The boy then finally let go of Gwen. She felt her heartbeat return once his hands were off of her. Angry Tears were now coming down her face as she looked at the guy walk away. He pushed people out of his way, storming off and back onto the dance floor.

Gwen tried to catch her breath. She felt dizzy and she couldn't seem to move her body. The girl was frozen in place, trying to regain control of her body. But she was furious. With the girl being back in her mind she could feel herself losing control again. SHe started stumbling around trying to regain control of her emotions.

Never in her life had she frozen up like that. Gwen had fought and saved the world before. She had superpowers that could've ended that guys life in an instant and she would've, that's what scared her. Gwen had never had so much anger and fear of losing control in her life. She couldn't do anything.

Michelle then spoke, "Hey, let's go get some air. Yeah?"

Gwen only nodded in response, still not able to find her voice. Michelle led her outside in the front yard. The girl guided Gwen down and sat her on the steps. Gwen stared at the concrete, thoughts still racing in her brain.

Minutes went by and Michelle asked, "This is a stupid question, but I have to ask, are you alright?"

"What?" Gwen asked, snapping out of her trance and looking up.

"Are you okay?" Michelle asked, turning her body and fully looking at Gwen.

The younger Stark gave a small nod, "Yeah I'm fine. Nothing happened."

"You know that's not true," Michelle stated, "He had no right to touch you."

"I just didn't expect it. But I'm okay," Gwen replied, wiping her tears away, trying to regain control of her emotions.

Michelle shook her head, "Look you can talk to me. I have no friends, so who am I gonna tell?"

Gwen gave a weak laugh. She liked Michelle's vibe. The girl next to her was laid back and calm, but she was assertive in her own unique way. And Gwen found that amazing. The girl was also extremely grateful for Michelle in this moment.

"I just froze up when he grabbed my wrist," Gwen confessed, "Like, he made some bad memories resurface, and my body just stopped working."

"Yeah I get it. I saw you running through the crowd, but he pulled you back. So I started to make my way over," Michelle replied.

Gwen looked down at her hands, "Thank you for that by the way. If it wasn't for you I probably still would have been on that dance floor, or God knows where else."

"You don't have to thank me," Michelle stated, "I couldn't just stand there like everyone else and watch. But, if you don't mind me asking, why were you running through the party in the first place?"

"I was trying to go after Peter. I heard Flash saying things and I saw him leave; I wanted Peter to stay because I needed to talk to him," Gwen explained, moving her hands around as she talked.

Michelle gave a smirk, "Was it about what happened in the gym today?"

"You heard me say it?" Gwen asked, her eyes widening.

"Yeah, that whole side of the gym heard it," the girl replied.

The younger Stark put her head in her hands, "Oh no, this day just keeps getting worse."

Michelle put a hand on Gwen's shoulder, "If it's worth anything, I think Peter has a major crush on you."

"What?" Gwen asked, confusion filled within her voice. The girl next to her gave a nod, "It's true. I haven't seen anyone have that effect on him. Every time he sees you he becomes entranced."

Gwen shook her head, "Really? You think so?"

"Yeah I do. Look just talk to him the first chance you get," Michelle explained.

"I don't know anymore. After tonight... with that guy. I don't want to feel like that again," Gwen confessed, remembering what had just happened a few minutes ago.

It went quite for a second and Gwen then gave a small frown, "God that guy scared the shit out of me. The thing about me is any fear I have turns to anger. I thought I was gonna lose control of my temper and I couldn't control myself. I have no clue what even happened to my body. It just shut down."

"Well, you're okay now. And Peter would never treat you like that jackass did in there," Michelle stated, "If anything he would protect you."

"Why would he protect me?" Gwen asked, confused on what she was getting at.

Michelle smiled, "Peter cares a lot for the people he loves. He always takes the insults from Flash instead of letting it happen to Ned. And the other day at practice he looked like he wanted to kill Flash when he was taunting you."

Gwen was taken slightly aback by what Michelle had just said. So much was happening in one night, but for once this was slightly good news. But she didn't want something to happen again. Not like tonight. She was terrified.

But with Michelle's words, it made Gwen feel slightly safe. To know that others thought Peter cared for her just by the way he looked at her. Gwen herself didn't know the exact look Michelle was talking about, but Gwen didn't think she would lie.

The younger Stark trusted the girl that was sitting next to her now. Michelle had just helped Gwen greatly, and that was enough for her to earn Gwen's full trust.

Michelle seemed like an amazing person, and Gwen was grateful for her in every way now.

"Look it's kinda late and I don't want you to go back to that party," Michelle started, "So what do you say we crash at my house? My parents won't care."

"Yeah, that would be good I don't think I can go back there even if I wanted to. ," Gwen smiled.

Michelle returned the expression, "Well then let's get out of here."