"Congratulations, Decathlon national champions." Mr. Harrington beamed, holding up the trophy.
"I'm going to have to put this back in the trophy case soon, but just for motivation right now at this practice. I'm a little ahead of the game, but we will need a new team captain next year. So I'm appointing.....Michelle." He said

Everyone clapped and cheered. MJ blinked, almost surprised.
"Uh, thank you. My friends call me MJ." She said

I smiled. She said it so causally, but there was something soft behind it.

"I thought you didn't have any friends?" Ned said

"I.. didn't." MJ admitted quietly.

Before I could say anything, both Peters and my phone buzzed. We glanced at each other. The same text: go to the bathroom.

"I- uh- I gotta go" Peter said

"Me too" I added.

MJ looked up.
"Hey, where are you going? What are you hiding, guys?" She asked

We both froze.

Then she grinned.
"I'm just kidding. I don't care. Bye." She said

I laughed awkwardly.
"Bye" I said

We hurried off, trying not to look suspicious.

We stopped outside the bathrooms.

"Which one do you think he's in? He better in the boys" I whispered.

"I would....hope so?" Peter said, half-laughing.

I peeked into the girls. Empty.
"Oh, thank God" I said

Then I groaned.
"Wait- I have to go into the boys bathroom?" I said

Peter grinned.
"Sorry" he said

"This is so gross" I muttered, following him inside.

Happy Hogan was standing by the sinks, arms crossed.

"Hey, Happy. What uh... What are you doing here?" Peter said cautiously.

"I really owe you guys one." Happy said, scratching his head.
"I don't know what I would do without this job. I mean, before I met Tony-" he started

A toilet flushed.

Happy closed his eyes like he was reconstructed every life choice that led him here.

The stall opened, and some random guy stepped out, washed his hands, grabbed paper towels, and left without a word.

We just stared.

"So, uh, how long you been here?" Peter asked

"Long enough to be awkward." Happy said quickly.

He straightened.
"Boss wants to see you." He said

Peter blinked.
"Is he...here too?" Peter whispered

"In the toilet?" Happy said, deadpan.

"No, he's upstate. Yeah, let's go." Happy said

"Me too?" I asked

"Tony said he'd call you later. Too risky for you to visit the compound right now" happy said

I nodded.
"Got it" I said

Peter gave me a small smile.
"I'll call you later" he said

"Yeah. Bye" I smiled back.

Later that day, my phone buzzed again. Peter.

"How'd it go?" I asked

"He offered me a spot on the avengers" he said

My jaw dropped.
"What?! That's amazing!" I said

"I turned it down" he said

"You what?!" I yell

"I think I'm gonna stay a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man for now. Enjoy high school" he said

I sighed, smile despite myself.
"You're impossible" I said

"I have an idea" he said, tone shifting.

"Oh no. What is it?" I ask

"You and I should go out patrolling" he said

I hesitated.
"You think that's a good idea? With Ross looking for me?" I ask

"No... yes...maybe?" He said

"Screw it. Let's do it" I said finally.

He laughed.
"I'll see you later then" he said

"Bye, Pete" I said

"Bye, Lizzie" he replied.

A few hours later, I'd just finished unpacking groceries when Tony called.

"Hey, Tony" I answered.

"Hey, Elizabeth. Just wanted to say a few things" he said

"Yeah? What's up?" I ask

"First off- good job. I'm proud of you. Helping Peter, even when it risked you getting seen... that took guts" he said

I smiled faintly.
"Thanks" I said

He sighed.
"That said- yeah, Ross did see you. He's been looking nonstop since. He said, and I quote, 'she made a big scene at an abandoned building'. When he got there, everything was destroyed, so he blamed you. Naturally." He said

"Of course he did" I muttered

"But, I hacked a few cameras, swapped some footage. His leads are cold for now." He said

Relief washed through me.
"Thank you, Tony. Really. You know...you could always let me handle the hacking. Hydra taught me a few handy things" I said

He chuckled.
"Tempting. I could use a break" he said

"Yeah right" I teased.

"Oh, and- one more thing" he said

"Yeah?" I ask

"Check your bed" he said

"Wait, what-" I started

Click. He hung up.

I blinked.
"Did he just-"

Then I saw it. A black stark industries bag sitting neatly on my bed.

I opened it. My jaw dropped.

Inside was a new suit. Sleek. Reinforced. Beautiful.

"Damn you, Tony" I whispered, smiling.

I tried it on immediately.

The reflection that stared back from the mirror made me laugh slightly.

"Son of a bitch" I grinned.

When the sun set, a knock came at my window.

I turned- and there he was. Peter.

He waved awkwardly through he glass. I opened it.

"You're going to go out in that?" He asked, laughing as he glanced at my pajamas.

"One second" I said, running to change.

When I came back out- in the new suit- he froze.

I crossed my arms.
"What, you just going to stand there and gawk?" I ask

"Oh- sorry!" He flushed.
"It's just....you look amazing" he said

I couldn't help but smile.
"Why, thank you. You don't look to bad yourself there, spidey boy" I said

"It's Spider-Man" he corrected quickly.

"Whatever you think" I teased, kissing his cheek before climbing out the window.

Peter swung us through the city lights, and at one point I lifted us both higher, flying just above the skyline.

We laughed- really laughed- for the first time in a while. The air was cool, the stars sharp, and for a few hours, we weren't fugitives or superheroes.

We were just...kids.
Kids who had grown up too fast.

And maybe- for once- it didn't feel so bad.