Strangers on this Road

Chapter 1: "Stock up on Pop-Tarts"

I feel like the clock is ticking slower and slower with every passing minute, why do clocks have to be so loud? It doesn't help when a crappy physics teacher is droning on and on about quantum mechanics when I already know all this stuff. I guess I shouldn't complain about that since I'm not a student, but it's still really annoying and I shall continue to complain about it. I'm only human, it's in my nature to complain constantly about the little annoying things, like my best friend. He's an annoying little thing who I complain about all the time, but then again, he is my best friend so I should expect that.

Speak of the devil, Peter Parker turns around to look at me and I fold my arms across my chest. I discreetly gesture for him to look forward and he smiles before doing so, I roll my eyes and check the clock again. I smile a little bit as I slowly reach for my bag, hoping I don't disturb any of the students because I want to be the first one out of here. Although, I will have to wait for Peter because I told Tony I would walk him to the Compound, but I would like to avoid the student rush. I mean, I'll try and grab Peter as I leave, but it's every person for themselves in school, that will never change.

The bell chimes and I take that as my cue to leave, I throw my bag over my shoulder before darting out of the classroom. I manage to avoid most of the kids so all I need to do now is wait for Peter to show his face, I'd feel bad if I left him behind. Also, Tony would have me suspended from any missions if I let Peter walk to the Compound alone, even though the kid can take care of himself.  I mean, the kid has gone on out-of-state missions alone, but heaven help us if he has to walk to the Compound alone. Not that I mind, I enjoy spending time with the kid...I mean, he's my best friend for a reason.

"Astrid," I hear Peter shout my name and I look up. I see him walk over to me with a bright smile on his face, I wave at him before quickly tightening the straps on my bag, "why'd you leave so quickly?"

I chuckle as we start walking towards the exit, "I didn't really feel like getting stuck in 'student rush hour," he just shakes his head and smiles at my comment, "also, if I stayed behind, Mr 'Wandering Eyes' would've got me to stay behind, and I'm not being in a room alone with that creep."

We bump into a few slow walkers in the hallway, but I just push past them as Peter quickly follows me. I hear him apologising to the people and I roll my eyes, I just want to get out of this school and get home, "Astrid! Wait up," Peter then appears next to me, I chuckle a little as we finally walk out of the school, "why are you walking so fast?"

We replace the crowded corridors with the bustling streets of Queens, "because we have to walk from here all the way up to Upstate New York, and I want to get there as quickly as I can," I take out my phone and send a message to Tony, saying we're on our way, "did you remember to tell May that you will be late?"

Peter starts to answer before his eyes widen and he fumbles around his pockets, no doubt searching for his phone. I chuckle as I put my arm around his shoulders and the two of us walk in unison towards Upstate New York. I make sure Peter doesn't get distracted by random things and he makes sure I don't get runover by a bus, just best friend things. I don't know what I would do without- "Astrid, bus!"

I feel myself get pulled back and I stumble into Peter, I watch a bus run through where I was standing, "oh...I didn't see that there. Thanks, Peter," I smile at him, but he just frowns at me, "what? I'm not dead or even hurt, you should be used to this by now," he doesn't respond. He simply keeps walking, picking up his pace and I follow him, "Peter, come on! Peter!"

He continues to ignore me so I sigh before raising my right hand, and lifting my middle and pointer finger. I create a circular motion with my hand and a portal to the Compound opens, "Hey, Astrid-" I walk through the portal and close it before Peter can get through.