The creak of the front door signaled Peter's return. He entered the room with a bag slung over his shoulder, his expression a mixture of determination and concern. Maya sat up, her eyes meeting his with a mix of gratitude and anxiety.
"Igot your stuff," Peter said gently, placing the bag on the bed.
Maya nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she took the bag. "Thank you, Peter. I don't know what I would've done without you."
Peteroffered a reassuring smile.
Peter shifted uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting as he tried to find the right words to break the silence. Maya, too, felt the awkwardness, unsure of how to express her appreciation.
"Uh, so, um, the bed's all yours," Peter stammered, gesturing toward his single bed as he awkwardly stood near the doorway.
Maya offered a small smile, feeling a similar awkwardness. "Thanks, Peter. I really appreciate this."
"No problem. It's, uh, the least I could do," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
The tension in the room was thick, the unspoken events of the night creating an invisible barrier. Just as the awkwardness seemed to stretch on indefinitely, Aunt May's voice floated up the stairs.
"Peter, is everything okay?" she called.
Peter's eyes widened, and he exchanged a quick glance with Maya. Clearing his throat, he called back, "Yeah, Aunt May, everything's fine. Just helping Maya get settled in."
Aunt May appeared in the doorway, a perceptive look in her eyes. "Well, I'm glad you're safe. Maya, dear, make yourself at home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, May," Maya replied warmly.
Aunt May gave them a knowing smile, understanding that the circumstances were far from ordinary. "I'll leave you two to get some rest. Peter, don't stay up too late."
As Aunt May left the room, the atmosphere lightened. Peter and Maya exchanged a glance.
"Guess we should get some rest," Peter suggested, trying to break the awkwardness.
Maya nodded, grateful for the change in topic. "Yeah, definitely. Thanks again, Peter."
They both settled into an uneasy quiet, the night's events lingering in the room. As they prepared to sleep, the presence of the symbiote remained undetected, a subtle undercurrent beneath the surface of Peter's consciousness.
---
The next morning, the school corridors buzzed with animated chatter about the recent lizard attack. Students clustered in groups, exchanging rumors and sharing their versions of the dramatic events that had unfolded a few nights before. As Peter and Maya navigated through the lively crowd, they couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation about the mysterious creature and the heroic intervention of Spider-Man.
"Did you see the size of that lizard? It was like something out of a movie!"
"I heard Spider-Man was there. Dude's like our own superhero!"
"I hope everyone is okay. That was so scary."
As they neared their lockers, Maya felt a mix of discomfort and curiosity. She hadn't anticipated being the center of attention, and the concerned glances from classmates made her self-conscious. Peter, too, sensed the shift in atmosphere but remained focused on providing support.
"Are you okay, Maya?" he asked softly, trying to shield her from the prying eyes and questioning gazes.
She nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed. I didn't expect everyone to be talking about it." She instinctively grabbed her bandaged wound as she spoke.
Peter's empathetic expression conveyed understanding. "It'll die down eventually. People move on to the next big thing pretty quickly."
As they opened their lockers, a wave of classmates approached, their expressions ranging from genuine concern to curious inquiry.
"Hey, Maya, are you okay? I heard you were there when Spider-Man took down the lizard!"
"Is it true you got hurt?"
Maya's cheeks flushed, and she hesitated for a moment. "I'm okay, just a few scratches. Spider-Man saved the day."
Peter jumped in, steering the conversation away from Maya's discomfort. "Yeah, it was pretty intense. But hey, she's here now, right? Maybe give her some space"
The crowd dispersed, leaving Peter and Maya to exchange relieved glances. The bell rang, signaling the start of classes, and they made their way to their first period. The corridors echoed with a mix of excitement and lingering tension from the other night's events.
---
Throughout the day, the lizard incident remained a prevalent topic of discussion. Maya, though uncomfortable with the attention, appreciated the support of her classmates, even Flash had asked her if she was okay during second period. Peter, too, felt the weight of the symbiote's influence growing, but for now, they focused on navigating the challenges of a high school day filled with curious glances and whispered conversations.
Peter weaved through the crowded cafeteria, searching for Maya's familiar face. Spotting her amidst the chaos, he noticed the distress etched on her features. Maya's eyes darted nervously, and without a word, she abruptly stood up, leaving her tray behind, and rushed out of the cafeteria.
Concern etched across his face, Peter quickly followed, maneuvering through the busy hallway until he found her leaning against a row of lockers, her breaths shallow and rapid. He approached cautiously, recognizing the signs of distress that had unfolded before.
"Maya, hey, it's me. What happened?" Peter asked gently, keeping a safe distance to avoid overwhelming her.
Maya looked up, her eyes filled with a mix of panic and embarrassment. She tried to speak, but her words were caught in the turmoil of her emotions. Without hesitation, Peter stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Maya. You're safe. Just take deep breaths, alright?" Peter's voice was a soothing presence in the midst of her storm.
As Maya nodded, Peter guided her through calming breaths, the rhythmic inhales and exhales creating a momentary escape from the overwhelming surroundings. The hallway continued to bustle with students, but in that moment, Peter and Maya existed in their own cocoon of shared vulnerability.
"You don't have to go back in there if you're not ready," Peter suggested, understanding the overwhelming nature of the cafeteria.
Maya hesitated, her gaze still flickering with traces of panic. "I just... I can't handle all the attention on me. It's too much right now."
Peter nodded understandingly. "You don't have to. Let's take a break, okay? We can find somewhere quieter."
Gently guiding Maya away from the crowded hallway, Peter found a secluded spot where they could sit and talk. He listened as Maya opened up about the anxiety she felt, offering a comforting presence and understanding words. As they shared a moment of quiet vulnerability, the symbiote remained dormant, a silent observer to the connection forming between two teenagers navigating the aftermath of a traumatizing event.
YOU ARE READING
Always // Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield)
Fanfiction"But friends don't look at each other the way we do" "Then what are we?" In the heart of a bustling city, Peter Parker's life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious symbiote intertwines itself with his destiny. As he grapples with newfound power...
