I woke up early, already nervous for the competition- but mostly because Peter still hadn't texted me back.
Ten messages.
No answer.

By the time I stepped out of the room, the worry in my chest had turned sharp.
One glance into ned's mind told me everything.

He left.
He freaking left and didn't tell me.

"He's being so unbelievably stupid" I muttered under my breath.

Ned looked at me for half a second before guiltily looking away. I didn't even bother saying anything else.

We made it to the competition, but my head wasn't in it. Every second that passed without hearing from Peter made my stomach twist tighter.

It all came down to the last question. Whoever answered it right, won.

As soon as the judge finished asking, the number flashed in my mind.

I glanced around. Everyone's faces flashed with worry. MJ gave me a look.

I hit the buzzer.

"Yes, Miss Bella?" the woman said

"Zero" I said

The judges smile brightened.
"That is correct!" She said

The room exploded into cheers. Everyone was hugging me, jumping up and down, celebrating. But I couldn't make myself care. Not when Peter could be somewhere hurt.

Outside, as we started walking toward the Washington monument, I caught up to Ned.
"Where is he?" I hissed under my breath

"I don't know! He said he'd be back." Ned said quickly. Then his phone rang.

"Peter?" He answered.

"Oh, Ned, you're alive!" Peters voice came through, panicked.

"Ned- Ned, where's the glowy thing? here is the glowy thing?" He asked quickly

"It's in my bag. Don't worry, it's safe" Ned said

"No, Ned- listen! No, no, Ned, the glowy thing is dangerous. Ned, listen to me!"

Before I could grab the phone, Ann reached over and took it.

"Peter? Is that you?" She asked, smiling.

"Oh- hey, Ann." Peter said, clearly trying to sound normal.

"Where are you? Are you okay?" She asked

"Please put Ned back on the phone." He begged, but before she could, we were being pushed toward security.

I exhaled shakily. At least he was alive. But something in my chest felt off- that quiet, electric feeling I always got right before something went wrong.

And then it happened.

The "glowy thing" started glowing for real- pulsing violently through Ned's bag before firing a laser up through the ceiling of the elevator.

Screams echoed. The entire lift jolted.

"Alright, everyone stay calm. We have emergency  protocols that will keep us safe" The tour guide said, voice flat.

But I wasn't listening.
I felt Peter. His presence, his panic, like his voice inside my head.

"Peter! You better tell me what's going on right now!" I said

"The whole thing's about to drop!" He shouted in his head

"Oh dear God- Peter, I can't do anything! If I use my powers, I'll be seen!" I said

"Don't worry, I'll get you guys out. Just hold on!" He said

Before I could respond, the elevator lurched downward, hard.
Everyone screamed. Metal screamed louder.

I grabbed the rail, trying to steady myself as he floor shifted beneath us.

The hatch at the top burst open, and the rescue team began pulling people out one by one. Flash, of course, shoved his way up and insisted they save the trophy first.

I wanted to throw him off the ledge myself.

Then, another violent jolt, the elevator flew downward-  and Spider-Man came crashing in through the hatch, stopping our fall with his webs.

He was shaking, straining, but he was holding the elevator- holding us.

"Woooooo! Spider-Man!" Ned yelled, jumping a little in excitement.

"Hey, big guy, stop moving around!" Peter said, voice lower- the fake 'hero voice' he always used.

"Sorry" ned muttered.

The police managed to open the doors, pulling people out one at a time.
Ann was next.
Then Ned.

I was last, because of course I was.

Just as I stepped forward, the whole elevator gave out beneath me.

I screamed and jumped-
Peter's web shot out, catching me mid air.

"It's okay. It's okay, I got you. I got you" Peter said, voice shaking with effort as he lifted me back up.

The officers grabbed me, pulling me to safety. I turned back, just for a second.
Met his eyes.

And smiled.

Because even behind that mask, I knew it was him.

He fell a second later, disappearing from view before flash shouted:
"Do you really know Peter Parker?" He yelled

Idiot.

The next morning, the school news blared in the hallway.

"Thank you, Spider-Man" Jason and Betty said dramatically on-screen.

"Up next: The Spider-Man mania is sweeping the school. How can you show your spider spirit?" Jason continued

"Dude, dude, dude, dude, dude." Ned said excitedly, leaning toward Peter.
"What's it like being famous when nobody knows it's you?" He asked

Peter grinned a little.
"Crazy, dude." He said

"It's crazy." Ned echoed, nodding.

"Should we tell everyone?" Ned asked

"Are you stupid?" I snapped

Peter gave me a look.
"No, dude, no, not a good idea." Peter said

"Okay, come on, we'll be late to class." Ned said

"I'm not going to class." Peter said suddenly

I frowned.
"What?" I ask

"You are already in so much trouble for ditching the Decathlon." Ned reminded him.

Peter ignored that.
"Dude, listen, I figured it out, right? Okay, the wing suit guy is stealing from Damage Control. And what he takes from Damage Control, that's how he builds the weapons. So all we gotta do is catch him" he said

"Catch him? Thats your plan?" I said, staring at him.

"But we have a Spanish quiz." Ned said helplessly.

"Ned, I'm probably never gonna come back here. Mr. Stark is moving the Avengers upstate, so when I bring this guy in-" Peter starts

"Dude, you want to be a high school dropout?" Ned asked

Peter didn't even flinch.
"I am so far beyond high school right now."
He said

He turned to walk off, and I followed.
"Peter-" I start

Then the principals voice stopped us.
"Parker, Bella, my office." He said

I groaned.
"Great. Thanks, dude. You got me in trouble too" I said

"So" the TV in detention began.
"You got detention. You screwed up.You know what you did was wrong. The question is, how are you gonna make things right?"

Steve rogers face filled the screen, all patriotic and painfully awkward.
I couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

If I ever see him again, I'm never letting him live this down.

He kept talking.
"Maybe you were trying to be cool. But take it from a guy who's been frozen for 65 years, the only way to really be cool is to follow the rules." He said

I groaned.
"That was such a horrible dad joke" I mutter

Peter stood up halfway through and stormed out.

I rolled my eyes. He'd probably call me later anyway.

I turned toward MJ, nodding toward her notebook. She lifted it just enough for me to see the page- a sketch of us, looking painfully bored.

I smirked, fighting the urge to laugh, and gave her a thumbs up.