Chapter Text
The sound of the alarm clock buzzing frantically on my nightstand jolted me awake. The thing was practically screaming. It's too goddamn early for this. I let out an agitated moan and lazily rolled over, slamming my hand down on the snooze button. If I concentrate hard enough, maybe I can drift back to sleep. I try to slow my thoughts, focusing on the image that was playing in my mind before I was so rudely interrupted.
The flashing lights. The smell of something sweet and sugary lingering in the air. The cheesy carnival music playing softly in the background. The screams of laughter. The thrill and adrenaline that rushed through my veins as the swings spun us faster and faster.
“I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“Peter Parker, I swear to god, if you throw up on me-”
“Blah!”
The boy with the short, messy brown hair screamed from the swing next to me. He threw his head back, laughing at my disgust at his poor attempt at a joke.
The ride slowed, lowering us to the ground. Peter reached his hand out and grabbed the chains that were attached to my swing, his hand resting just above where mine gripped tightly.
“You’re an ass,” I laughed, shaking my head.
He pulled the chain tighter, bringing our seats together. He leaned in closer, his head only a few inches away from mine. His fingers gently brushed against my knuckles. He turned to look at me, a smile beaming across his face.
“Admit it,” he gasped. “I almost had you.”
“Jerk,” I smiled as I shoved his seat away from mine. His grip on the chain was too tight and it sent my seat crashing into his, our shoulders knocking into one another and our feet becoming entangled as we swayed in the air.
“Hey! You two. Knock it off,” the ride operator called from somewhere behind us.
“Sorry, sorry,” Peter mumbled as he turned to face me, laughing uncontrollably.
“So, where to next?” I asked, climbing out of the seat.
“No idea,” Peter exhaled as he followed behind. He jogged a few steps to catch up, throwing his arm around my shoulder as he matched his pace with mine. “But I’ll follow you anywhere.”
The buzzing started again, this time more intense than the last. This thing really has it out for me today. I sighed, burying my face into my pillow as my arm searched for the off button on the alarm. All I wanted was to return back into the blissful dream, to return to a time when things were easy. When things were less…complicated.
A knock on my window shifted my attention to the present. I lifted my head, turning to look over my shoulder at the window. A vague outline of a blob was the only image I was able to see. I rolled over, sitting up in bed as I reached to pick up my glasses that were on my nightstand.
As I put my glasses on, blinking a few times, the form of my best friend came into focus. He was squatting on the roof outside my window, shaking his head and pointing at his watch. I crawled over to the window that was near the end of my bed, unlocking the latch so he could lift it.
“Since when did you start locking this?” Peter grunted as he struggled to lift the window. He clumsily climbed through, landing on the edge of my bed. He sat cross-legged and reached over to lower the window.
“Since this kid kept climbing through it at unreasonable hours,” I yawned. Peter stared at me looking offended, his mouth hanging open. “Kidding,” I mumbled as I threw a pillow at his head. “I lock it when mom’s working overnights.”
“Oh,” Peter said quietly. He snatched the pillow and pulled it in tightly to his chest. “Right. Duh. That’s why I came over. May sent me to let you know breakfast was ready,” He shook his head, burying his face in the pillow.
I sighed, letting my head fall back against the wall. She was always doing this.
“She’s too kind. She doesn’t need to do that,” I mumbled. “I can manage on my own.”
“Doesn’t mean you have to,” Peter laughed as he threw the pillow at my face. “May’s expecting you, so hurry up.”
“And if I don’t show?” I asked, running my fingers over my face.
“She’ll never forgive you, like, ever,” he said as he moved over to the window to leave.
“Let me change my clothes and brush my teeth. I’ll be over in 10,” I moaned, climbing out of bed as Peter made his way onto the roof.
Peter poked his head back through the window, smiling playfully.
“You might want to do something about that hair, because…yikes,” he grimaced, raising his eyebrows.
“Oh my god. Shut up, Parker,” I laughed as I threw a pillow at the window where he disappeared from view. I crossed my arms, shaking my head in disbelief at how quickly he escaped. Clumsy yet agile. Typical.
Maybe I was overthinking earlier when I said things were complicated between us. That felt like anything other than complicated. It felt easy, simple. Like how things used to be before I admitted my feelings for him. No, correction. Before I almost admitted my feelings for him.
I’ve known Peter for as long as I can remember. He moved in with his aunt and uncle who lived next door when we were six. It’s all we’ve ever known. Not many people can say their best friend lives next door. Convenience of living a few steps away is definitely not something we take for granted, especially living in New York.
We came into each other’s lives at the perfect time. He was dealing with all these new changes of living with his aunt and uncle, coping with the absence of his parents, and adjusting to new routines. I was processing the sting of my dad leaving us to fend for ourselves and learning how to be self-sufficient at the ripe age of six. Fortunately for both of us, Peter’s aunt is a literal saint and took me in as one her own too. I spent countless days at the Parker house. I have more memories in the house next door than the one I actually live in.
After I finished getting ready for the day, I threw on a hoodie and raced downstairs. I grabbed my backpack from its spot in the kitchen, quickly examining its contents to make sure I had what I needed for class. I walked out the front door, locking it behind me as it closed.
Rather than wasting time to walk down the steps to then walk back up them again to get to the Parker’s front door, I hopped over the railing that separated our front porches. I let out a loud exhale as my feet hit the pavement. Knowing the front door was unlocked, I still decided to knock. I let my hands glide over the familiar 36 that was painted on the glass, tracing its outline and smiling to myself, before knocking.
“It’s open! Come on in!”
I opened the door, the smell of sweet cinnamon and fresh coffee engulfing my senses as I stepped inside the Parker residence. May came around the corner, greeting me as she wiped her hands on her apron. She smiled when she saw me, opening her arms to embrace me in one of her loving hugs.
“Oh Emerson! Good morning, sweetheart,” she exclaimed as she pulled me in tightly, placing a gentle kiss on my temple. “How are you this morning? Pete said you had a late start to the day. Come on in, I just put on a fresh pot for you.”
“Morning May,” I said as I returned her hug, squeezing her tightly before letting my arms fall. I placed my backpack by the front door and followed behind May as she walked into the kitchen.
“Morning kiddo,” Ben said, glancing up from his newspaper as I entered the room.
“Morning Ben,” I said as I bent down to place a kiss on the top of his head. “Where’s Peter?” I asked, looking around the room.
“He had to run upstairs and change, he spilled coffee all over his shirt this morning,” May said, shaking her head. She turned to face where I was sitting at the kitchen table, handing me a cup of coffee.
“Why am I not surprised,” I laughed, taking the cup from May. “Thank you,” I exclaimed as I slowly inhaled the comforting bitter smell of coffee. I closed my eyes, humming peacefully as the hot liquid touched my lips.
“May! Have you seen my jacket? The one with the hood?” Peter screamed from upstairs.
“Yes, dear. It should be hanging in your closet,” she called from the kitchen.
“It’s not there. Are you sure?” Peter yelled from somewhere in his room. The sound was muffled by his loud stomps across the floor above.
“If it's not there, check the hall closet,” May replied, shaking her head at her nephew's nonsense.
“Okay, well I just really need it today. It’s a nice jacket and I have chem this afternoon and I just really- oh. Em. Hey,” Peter said, awkwardly raising his arm to wave at me as he entered the kitchen.
I said nothing in response, continuing to sip my coffee as I raised my eyebrows at him.
“Why do you need a specific jacket for chemistry today?” Ben asked, not looking up from the section he was reading in the newspaper.
“What? I-I don’t need, no. I just- just like the jacket is all,” Peter said quietly as he took a seat next to me at the kitchen table. He reached over, grabbing a cinnamon roll off the tray May had set in front of us and shoved it into his mouth. “When’d you get here?” he mumbled.
“A few minutes ago,” I said, shrugging. “Apparently not soon enough to see you spill coffee all over yourself,” I added, laughing.
“Okay, that was- wait, you told her about the-” Peter said, his mouth still full of food.
“Manners,” Ben interrupted, shaking his head.
“What? It’s just Em,” Peter said, shrugging his shoulders. “She’s used to this stuff. She doesn’t mind.” He grinned, leaning over closer to me and chewing loudly in my ear.
“Back off,” I said, shoving him away from me. “She actually does mind. That’s disgusting.”
“You know you love me,” he laughed.
“Don’t push your luck,” May joked over her shoulder. “It’s a wonder she’s put up with your antics for as long as she has.”
“Nah, Em would be way too bored without me, wouldn’t ya?” he said, grinning playfully and sending a wink in my direction.
“Actually I think it's you who’d be bored without me. I could do with some quiet for a change,” I said, sarcastically.
“Too bad,” he mumbled as he shoved another bite of breakfast into his mouth. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” I laughed, shaking my head.
“What’s the difference?” he asked, resting his arms on top of his head as he leaned back in his seat.
“You two better get a move on if you’re going to make it to school on time,” Ben said looking up at the clock.
“Yes sir,” I said, saluting him as I rose from my seat. “I won’t have you thinking I’m a bad influence on your nephew,” I said in a sarcastically stern voice.
“You are a bad influence though,” Peter laughed as he stood, gathering his backpack from the back of his chair.
“Me?” I gasped, holding my hand up to my chest, pretending to be shocked. “I could never. I’m a saint.”
“Yeah, yeah, come on Saint Emerson, we’re going to be late,” Peter said as he grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. He gave me a gentle shove in the direction of the front door.
“Thanks for breakfast!” I called over my shoulder as I bent down to pick up my backpack from the floor.
“You’re welcome, dear. Be safe you two. Love you,” May said as she closed the door behind us.
“Love you, too,” Peter and I called in unison as we raced down the stairs and turned onto the sidewalk to begin our walk to school.
“So who’s that snazzy jacket for?” I asked, poking him in his side.
“Wha- what? No one,” he exclaimed, nervously. He refused to make eye contact with me and continued to look straight ahead.
“You know you’re a terrible liar, right?” I said, laughing and rolling my eyes at him.
“I am not,” he said defensively, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Oh you so are,” I exclaimed, throwing my head back. “Literally the worst. You can’t keep a secret either.”
“Who do I have to keep secrets from?” he asked, turning his head slightly to look down at me.
“Apparently me,” I said, my eyes growing wide.
“I’m not- I just don’t…you can’t make fun of me if I tell you. Okay?” he shook his head, his pace increasing.
“I would never,” I laughed, throwing my hands up in defense.
“Swear, Em. I mean it,” he said as he turned around to stare at me as he continued to walk backwards.
I said nothing in response and made eye contact with him, smiling. He stopped walking and stared down at me, raising his eyebrows.
“Promise,” I whispered, making an x figure across my chest with my fingers and motioning for him to tell me.
He closed his eyes, exhaling as he leaned his head back in frustration. His hands were still in his pockets, so the hood of his jacket was stretched around his face, aligning with his jawline. From this angle, his features were perfectly on display. His Adam's apple rose and fell with each breath he swallowed, working up the courage to tell me whatever it was he made me promise not to make fun of.
He stayed that way for a few moments, breathing with his eyes closed and his head tilted toward the sky. I don’t think I could have tried to hide the fact that I was staring at him if I tried. Sometime over the past year he…changed. He went from this lanky, awkward skinny kid to this, this other person.
He was still skinny and awkward, those two things would never change, but now he was more muscular. His chest filled out, his shoulders were broader. His voice had grown deeper and his facial features became more defined. His hair, he was actually letting it grow out for a change. It was messy and all over the place, but it worked for him.
And his height. I swear he grew three feet overnight because for the longest time, we were always close to the same height. I was always just a few inches taller (and never let him forget it). Then one morning, he woke up and was suddenly towering over me. He now had to bend over to place his head on top of mine, something he did every chance he got to return the years of mocking he received from me for his height.
“What?” he asked as he slowly opened one eye, looking down at me as he scrunched his face like he was in pain.
“N-nothing,” I said awkwardly as I shoved my hands in my hoodie and started walking past him.
“Em,” he moaned, turning to follow after me. “What was that look?”
“Look? What look?” I asked, shaking my head.
“You gave me a look,” he said, nudging me gently with his elbow.
“There was no look, I was just waiting for you to spill your secrets,” I mumbled. And possibly admiring your perfect face.
“Oh, right. That,” he said quietly.
“Mmhm,” I said, nodding my head.
“Um,” he laughed awkwardly, reaching his hand up to scratch his head. “You know, uh, you know Gwen?”
“Stacey?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
“Yeah, that’s the one,” he answered, nodding his head.
“Nope, never heard of her,” I laughed, shaking my head.
“Ass,” he said as he shoved me lightly.
“Ask stupid questions and you’ll get stupid answers,” I said, mockingly. “Everyone knows Gwen, Peter. She’s, like, the nicest person ever. Not to mention she’s top of our class,” I explained, rolling my eyes at him.
“Yeah, okay, that was…yeah, Gwen. She’s great. Right?” he asked, turning to face me as we continued walking.
“We’ve established that, yes. We are the Gwen Stacey fan-club. Your point, Parker?” I asked, shaking my head.
“She, um, well she, uh, she liked my jacket, she said so the other day, so I, uh,” he explained, scratching his head.
“Oh,” I exhaled loudly, realizing what he was incoherently trying to say. “So, you’re hoping she will say something about it again today?”
“Yeah, maybe, I don’t know, is that stupid?” he asked, looking down at me. His eyes were growing wide with worry, he looked completely vulnerable staring at me like that.
“No,” I shook my head. “Not stupid,” I added as I averted my eyes from his gaze. I let out an awkward laugh, trying to hide the pain in my voice.
“Okay, good,” he sighed, sounding relieved. We rounded the corner, only a block away from school. Our pace increased as we heard the ten minute warning bell sound from inside the school. “You know I trust your opinion more than anyone else’s.”
“More than May’s?” I asked, frowning.
“On some occasions, yeah,” he shrugged.
“Don’t let her know you said that,” I laughed, shaking my head.
“Not planning on it,” he laughed. He reached from behind me, holding open the door with one arm while gesturing for me to walk underneath with the other. “After you.”
“Chivalry's not dead ladies and gentleman,” I said sarcastically as I walked underneath his arm.
“Speaking of chivalry,” he said bitterly as he nodded in the direction of my locker. “Your friend is waiting for you.”
I turned my gaze down the hall, noticing none other than Flash Thompson leaning against my locker. I let out a sigh and turned to face Peter.
“He is not my friend,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Might wanna tell him that,” he mumbled under his breath.
“He’s not- you do know you’re my only friend, right?” I asked, looking up at him.
“Right,” he scoffed.
“I’m serious, Peter,” I laughed, shaking my head. “You are the only person that I-”
“You have friends, Em. It’s okay,” he said, quietly.
“I really don’t,” I stated.
“You do. You talk to people, they talk to you,” he said, motioning with his hands.
“Um, talking to people does not make us friends. I’m friendly with some people, not friends. There’s a difference,” I explained.
“And him?” he asked, nodding in Flash’s direction.
“I’m his English tutor. He probably needs help with the essay due later this week,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Mmhm, sure,” Peter said, mockingly.
“You could come with me and find out,” I suggested as I continued to walk toward my locker.
“I’d prefer to be literally anywhere else rather than stuck listening to that douche,” Peter said as he turned on his heels to change directions. “I’ll see you at lunch?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah, see you then,” I said, offering him a sympathetic smile. He nodded his head and started heading in the direction of his first class. I closed my eyes, letting out a slow exhale before walking over to my locker and the boy standing in front of it.
“Morning Flash,” I said quietly, avoiding his eye contact as I reached out to unlock my locker.
“Emerson,” he said slowly, looking around the hallway to make sure no one was close enough to hear him. “You’re cutting it close today.”
“I like my sleep,” I shrugged as I exchanged my textbooks.
He laughed in response, shaking his head. He crossed his arms and leaned against the lockers. Did I just make Flash laugh?
“Are you free during study hall today?” he asked.
I slowly turned my head to look at him. He was squinting at me, raising his eyebrows, waiting for my response.
“Um, I think I was going to try to work on a thing for Ms. Smith’s class, but yeah I guess I’m technically free. Why?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“I, uh, might need your help with Winterhalter’s essay,” he said quietly, lowering his gaze to the ground.
“Woah, is the Flash Thompson admitting he needs my help?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Stop the press-”
“Will you lower your voice?” he whispered aggressively as he threw his hand over my mouth. I stared at him, raising my eyebrows once before looking down at his hand and back at his face. “Sorry,” he mumbled as he shook his head and lowered his hand.
“Please tell me you wash your hands regularly,” I said, pretending to be disgusted.
“I-yes, I wash my hands,” he stated, sounding confused and offended.
“Good, because I am not trying to catch some horrendous infection. Especially not when there’s an essay that needs my editing,” I said, sarcastically.
“So, you’ll help me then?” he asked, raising his eyebrows and leaning in closer.
“When have I ever not helped you?” I exhaled, shaking my head.
“You’re the best. I owe you,” Flash exclaimed, smiling.
“What else is new,” I said as I closed my locker door and turned to walk down the hall. The one minute bell rang and I closed my eyes, throwing my head back in frustration. “If I could not be tardy for one day, that would be great,” I said under my breath.
“Stop sleeping in and maybe you won't be tardy,” Flash teased as he walked ahead of me, shrugging his shoulders.
“Excuse me, but you didn’t sleep in and yet, here you are about to be tardy with me, so your argument isn’t holding much weight, now is it?” I snapped.
Flash opened the door to our class and turned his head to look at me over his shoulder. He had a perplexed look on his face and opened his mouth like he was about to respond, but was unsure what to say.
“Mr. Thompson, Ms. Jay. Nice of you to join us,” our history teacher called from the front of the classroom. “That’s your third tardy to my class this week. Lunch detention for both of you,” he stated as he made note of it in his book.
Shit. Today is not my day.