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ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING
xxii. COOL

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   RILEY WAS BEGINNING TO understand why everyone hated high school. Between the tedious homework, the constant stench of B.O., and questionable cafeteria food, she was convinced that her brain was actually starting to rot and decay the longer she stuck with this mission.

   Riley often thought about dropping out for the sake of going back to normal missions, but part of her wanted to stay enrolled in high school. She wanted to experience the alleged best few years of one's childhood. If she couldn't have a normal life, she could at least have a somewhat normal high school life, right?

   Just like any other day, she was doing what she always did during 2nd period algebra: going to the bathroom for an unnecessarily long amount of time. The math was far too easy for her, and every time she tried to nap during lectures, she'd get woken up by someone next to her snoring.

   Hall pass in hand, Riley stared blankly at the bulletin board wedged near the bathrooms. She'd read it so many times that she must've memorized every little word and every poorly drawn dick by now. But that was somehow more interesting than explaining to the kid beside her what the Pythagorean theorem was.

   "Hey."

   Riley's ears perked up at the sound. She turned her head, only to find Peter standing a few feet away from her. He stood there wearing a sweater that had the school's name and logo on it, a hall pass similar to Riley's in his hands.

   She wore a small smile. "Hi. I haven't heard from you since..."

   "Since we got back from D.C."

   "Yeah."

   Riley couldn't remember the last time she was nervous to talk to someone. Intimidation was one thing, but innocent nervousness wasn't something she was used to. She fidgeted with the pass, picking at the corner of it while Peter pretended to read the bulletin board for a moment. They ended up speaking at the same time.

   "So, how are—?"

   "Are you—?"

   They awkwardly laughed. "You go first," Peter said.

   "I was just wondering if you're okay," Riley said. "Tony... told me about the ferry."

   His face fell. "So, you know he took away the suit, then?"

   "...Yeah. I'm sorry." She chewed on the inside of her cheek, trying to find the right string of words to say. She didn't know when they'd speak again after this, with him keeping his distance and all—

   "Can we start over?" Peter requested. "I've been thinking and... you know, I shouldn't have been so defensive. Mr. Stark made me realize that I'm just a kid, you know? You've been doing this for years. I'm no where near your level, so it makes sense that he sent you to... um..."

   "To... babysit you?"

   Peter nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." He sighed. "I want to apologize. I thought about what you said... about how I didn't realize how much of our friendship was real. It makes sense. The only thing you were hiding was the fact that you're an Avenger and that Iron Man sent you to... babysit me." He made a face at the term 'babysit'. "You really helped me out countless times, and I never really acknowledged it. But I want to apologize for that and everything, really. So this is me apologizing to you. I'm really, really, super sorry, Riley."

   Her smile was warm as it grew. "So, we're friends?"

   Peter never thought she'd care much about friendship. He managed to get Karen, the UI in his suit, to report everything she knew about Valor, which... was a lot. More than he would've expected, more than he could've imagined. A life like that seemed overwhelming. But the important thing he picked up from his studying was that she'd been truthful this entire time... for the most part. The only thing she was hiding was her superhero persona.

   Riley was born and raised under S.H.I.E.L.D., which made her closest friends agents — many of which were adults who probably didn't care much about her. When he was a kid, Peter thought it must've been so cool to be friends with the Avengers, but it must've been lonely, too. He could understand that. Sometimes, all you need is a friend. Or maybe a village.

   Peter was finally beginning to understand her. He no longer blamed her or despised her for lying. If anything, he felt awful for treating her the way he did when he found out the rest of the truth.

   "If you'll forgive me... yeah. I think we can be friends," Peter said. He watched as she extended a hand for him to shake. "Alright, I know you're new to all of this, but if we're gonna be friends, we're gonna need a cool handshake."

   Scoffing in amusement and pulling her hand back, Riley teasingly queried, "Shouldn't you save your cool handshakes for your girlfriend?"

   It was then when Peter's smile suddenly faded. A thought emerged in his mind. "Oh no," he said to himself. "I asked Liz to homecoming."

   "Really? That's great!" she cheered. "What's the problem?"

   "I have no idea how to do this! I've never taken a girl out on a date before!" Peter cried out. "Riley, you're a girl!"

   "I'm glad you noticed...?"

   "C'mon, I'm being serious! You have to help me!" Peter clapped his hands together pleadingly. "Please!"

   "Alright, calm down," Riley laughed. "I'll do it. You have nothing to worry about."

   Releasing an exaggerated breath of air, Peter commented, "Wow, you really are my hero."

   Smirking victoriously, Riley retorted, "I know."

○ ○ ○

   As it turned out, teaching Peter how to be the perfect date was proving itself to be a tougher task than Riley was expecting. Between having to teach him how to tie a tie and the endless "My nephew is growing up so fast!" comments from May, it certainly was one of the more challenging projects Riley had been faced with. Though she had to admit, she was having a lot of fun with it.

   The reason why it was such a difficult task was because May and Riley were teaching Peter everything he needed to know the morning of homecoming.

   Riley found herself using Peter's raggedy video camera to record his attempt to get ready. She held up his camera as he sprayed cologne in front of his face.

   "What the hell is this stuff?" Peter asked. He made a face at it. "I mean I know what it is, but why does it exist?"

   "I found it in one of the cabinets at my place. I think Tony left it there forever ago," Riley said, coughing at the scent. "I can see why."

   Peter sniffed the air. "Does cologne age like fine wine by chance?"

   "Just put it on before I drown you in it myself," joked Riley. (Of course, Peter didn't realize that she was joking. He still found her a little intimidating. She was Valor, after all).

   A knocking on the door grasped their attention as May Parker entered Peter's bedroom. Peter had still been wearing his pajamas that he slept in, whereas May and Riley were dressed for the day. Riley pointed the camera at May.

   "Knock knock," May greeted. She made a twisted face as a cloud of cologne overcame her, causing the 15-year-olds to laugh out loud. "Peter, sweetie, has anyone ever told you that less is more? Because if not, I am. Right now. Holy cow, you smell like the Wolf of Wall Street."

   Peter turned to Riley. "Should I be offended?" he whispered.

   "Maybe," she whispered back.

   "Anyway, Riley, come with me for a moment while Peter changes out of his pajamas," May insisted. "I have something to show you."

   Shrugging, Riley handed Peter his camera. As they left together, he called, "Don't kill her, May! She's my last hope of this date going well!"

   Then, Peter placed the camera down and quickly changed into his suit. He laced up his converse and began to do his hair. He was unsure if he finished getting ready quickly or May and Riley were just taking forever to do whatever it was that they were doing.

   For some reason, Peter felt something beyond relief at how May and Riley were getting along. As a matter of fact, they were getting along really well. He assumed it was because Riley was raised to have excellent social skills, but regardless, he had no idea how she managed to get on May's good side so easily. It truly did make him happy.

   Stepping out of his bedroom, Peter looked around the apartment to see that no one was there. "May? Riley? Where'd you guys go?"

   "In here!" May called, excitement buzzing through her voice.

   Peter followed the sound of her voice, finding him in front of her bedroom. He knocked twice. "Can I come in?"

   "Should we let him in?"

   "I guess if you want—" Riley started to say, only to be interrupted by May exclaiming, "Come in!" From the sounds of it, it seemed as though May really wanted Peter to see whatever it was they were looking at.

   Shrugging, Peter pushed open the door. His curiosity allowed him to move a little bit faster than usual, but he really wasn't in a hurry until he saw it.

   "Whoa..." trailed off Peter in admiration. His brown eyes were wide as his gaze landed on Riley O'Dair standing in May Parker's homecoming dress from her days in high school.

   The white dress clung to her body almost perfectly. It was a little tight on Riley, but it accentuated her body in a flattering way. Riley felt a little self-conscious, to say the least, but to Peter, she looked incredible.

   Riley rubbed her arm. "Uh, your aunt wanted me to try on her old homecoming dress."

   "I'm gonna go get the camera!" May squealed before scurrying back to Peter's room.

   "You look..." trailed off Peter, almost starstruck by what he was looking at. He just couldn't get the words out the way he wanted to. "You... You..."

   Peter cleared his throat. Tell her how pretty she looks. Tell her she has to go to homecoming in that dress, thought Peter,Tell her that she looks incredible.

   "You look really cool."

   "Cool?"

   "Cool."

   To her surprise, Riley laughed. "Thanks, Bug-Boy."

   He hummed. "If you're gonna call me Bug-Boy, then I get to give you a nickname, too."

   "Pfft, there's no way you're gonna think of—"

   "Ghostie," Peter interjected. A proud grin was attached to his youthful face. "You know, because you turn invisible and stuff, and ghosts are invisible." His eyes suddenly widened. "Hey, for Halloween, I should go as a Ghostbuster and you can be a ghost!"

   "Oh Gods."

   Floating back into the room, May was mumbling, "Oh, I wish I knew how to work these things properly..." She glanced up at the two, her smile growing. "You know, I really think you should go to homecoming, especially in that dress, Riley. You look very beautiful."

   Riley couldn't get one word out before Peter snapped his head toward her. "Wait, you weren't planning on going!?"

   "Well, I mean, I have a ticket," she said. "I just wasn't planning on going because—" Because my father is suddenly alive and well, and I might go bald from stress. "—I've been really stressed over all this schoolwork."

   This time, Peter scoffed and told her, "You could make straight A's with your eyes closed, Riley! You have to come! Besides, no offense to Ned, but I need you as my wingman tonight. I've got to impress Liz before the year is over."

   Riley sighed and glanced between May and Peter. She just couldn't say "No" to Peter's puppy dog eyes. Besides, when was she ever gonna get to go to homecoming again?

   "Fine."