Miss America: The Daughter of Steve Rogers

Chapter 23

Since there's nothing we can really do at the moment, Peter and I head back to the apartment. It's time to wait until we can find out where Ophelia is and when she plans her attack.

We walk through the door and May immediately engulfs is in a hug.

"Oh, I was so worried." She then pulls apart and takes in my appearance. Noticing the bandage on my face a the bruising. "Em, what happened to you?"

"I was an idiot." I sigh, "But don't worry, Peter straightened me out."

"I'm glad you both are okay." She smiles. "Now please, go to bed, and don't leave the apartment until school tomorrow."

"Will do." Peter chuckles and we head back to his room to quickly finish up our last bit of homework.

"I feel like a moron." I mutter.

"Emerson, stop beating yourself up over what happened. You thought you were doing the right thing, I don't blame you for that." Peter tells me. I look up with a confused face.

"What?" I hold up our math assignment. "Oh, I was talking about the homework." I chuckle. "But it's good to hear that you would've made the same mistake I did."

"Oh, right." Peter looks down, continuing his homework.

"Thank you." I tell him.

"For what?"

"For coming after me. You didn't have to do that, but thank you." I smile.

"After everything we've been through, you think I wouldn't come save you if I knew you were in danger?" He asks. I shrug my shoulders. "Em, you're my best friend. I'd do anything for you."

I take a moment and stare into his eyes. I haven't thought about it before now, but he's my best friend too. We haven't known each other very long, but because of everything that's happened with Thanos, losing Tony and my father, we've grown quite close.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

"You're my best friend too." I blush.

"Really?" Peter questions.

"Yes, really." I chuckle. "If you're ever in trouble, I'd be there in a heart beat."

"Good to know." He nods his head. I throw a book at him.

"That doesn't mean you should get yourself in trouble for the sole purpose of me coming to your aide." I laugh.

"No, I know." He puts his arms up in defeat. "But it's nice to know I have someone there for me as Spiderman, and not just Peter Parker."

"I'm here for you." I tell him. "Whether your in trouble as Spidey or Peter, I'll be there."

He blushes and an awkward silence fills the room. He then clears his throat.

"So, we should really get this work done. It's almost 3 am and we need to be up in a couple of hours." He looks back down, quickly righting his answers.

I look at the clock. "Oh shit."

Then we finish everything up and head to bed.

—————————————————————————

The next morning, I was a mess. Running on 3 hours of sleep, I skipped breakfast just so I could have a little more time in bed.

I got up quickly, noticing the time. We needed to leave in 30 minutes.

I rinse off the night I had last night. It seemed like it went on forever. My emotional well being completely crumbled.

I started out facing everything head on, and alone. And ended with a nice heart to heart that made me realized it's okay to ask for help and that I'm not alone in this world. I have so many people by my side and I love them dearly.

I get out of the shower, wrap my towel around myself and head back to my room. Quickly getting dressed in some leggings and a tshirt, putting as much concealer as I could on my face to hide the bruising around my cut.

I do not need people asking me what happened to me.

Peter and I head to school, making a quick stop at a cafe to get coffee. That stuff was made from the gods and I can't imagine surviving without it.

"What can I getcha?" The barista ask. I glance at the menu.

"Grande black coffee. No cream, no sugar." I say, this takes the barista by surprise.

"Are you sure? Our black coffee is rather strong and a bit bitter..." he trails off.

"You heard me." I glare. Peter bumps my shoulder, telling me to be nice. I roll my eyes. "Please."

"Coming right up." He looks at me confused. Then to Peter. "What can I get you, young man?"

"Grande vanilla latte, please and thank you." He smiles kindly.

We pay for our drinks and step off to the side to wait.

"He was lucky I didn't reach over the counter and punch him across the face." I whisper to Peter.

"You can't just go around punching people that are rude to you." He laughs.

"Not if you keep stopping me."

Our order number is called and we grab our drinks. Finally, we head to school. When we arrive, Ned is waiting by our lockers.

"Guys did you see the news?" He freaks out, then sees my face. "What happened to you?"

"Yes, and not here." I warn. "We'll tell you later."

"Thank god. I've been freaking out since last night. I tried calling you guys, but no one answered."

"We were a little preoccupied." Peter says, opening his locker and grabbing his books.

"Should we meet in the library after school to, you know..... talk about...." Ned glances around. "Things."

"It's not really a subject we should talk about in public." I tell him and Peter nods.

"Just come over, we'll explain everything then."

Ned nods. Then MJ comes up behind us.

"Sup losers?"

"Hello to you too." Ned says, offended.

"Hey MJ." Peter and I mutter.

"Let's get to class before Mr. Harrington gets there so we can avoid his weird formal greetings." She says. I chuckle.

"Agreed." I close my locker and turn. When I do, I'm met with a face so displeasing to the eye it should be illegal.

"Okay, so I've thought about it and decided to give you a second chance." Flash tells me, resting his arm against the locker by my head. "I get that you were probably nervous yesterday and didn't know how to react when a strikingly handsome man came up to you."

"Piss off, Thompson." MJ tells him and he puts his hand up in her face to shush her.

"Sorry princess, I'm talking to the new girl right now." He then looks to me. "So, what do you say? Party, my house, Friday night. You in?"

"Gee, that does sound awfully fun." I say sarcastically. "Can I bring them with me?" I point to my friends.

"Normally I'd say no, but just this once, sure." He smiles flirtatiously. I place my hand on his heart.

"Wow, how sweet."

"So, I'll see you then?" He asks.

"Wouldn't miss it." I wink. Flash then walks away victoriously and I turn back to Peter, Ned, and MJ. All three of them stare at me confused.

"What just happened?" Peter asks.

"That, Peter, was me excepting an invitation to a party." I laugh.

"Yes, I know. But why?" He asks.

"I thought you hated Flash?" MJ asks.

"I do." I tell them. "But now we have the means to crash a party. Let loose, have a little fun."

"I can't believe we were actually invited to a party." Ned says excitedly. "This is going to change our lives."