Chapter 8: Where They Attempt To Party

"I thought I knew
what real pain felt like
but I didn't
until I saw the way
you looked at her"

"There you are!" Carter Snow greeted when he saw his daughter coming through the front door. He was cuddling with Angela on the sofa, both watching tv and relaxing "We left some food for you on the table"

"Thanks" she said, grabbing her plate and warming up her food. Then, she decided  to join them on the couch "What are we watching"

"I don't even know. We turned it on once we heard you coming up" Carter shrugged off, as if it where nothing, his typical smile never leaving his face "We were doing grown up stuff" He winked at his daughter, who quickly stood up from the couch and sat on the counter, far away from her parents.

"Carter!" Angela scolded, slapping her husband on the chest, cheeks burning red from embarrassment.

"I didn't need to know that" Ember said scrunching her nose in disgust, her hunger immediately wearing off. "I think I'm going to Michelle's. Just let me grab my stuff and I'll leave you alone"

"Wait!" Angela called out, stopping the blonde on her tracks, "We were thinking of going out to watch a movie at night, the three of us. What do you say?"

"I actually can't tonight" Ember answered, smiling apologetically at the woman "I have plans"

"You can invite Michelle, it's fine" her father offered, not even bothering to look at her, his full attention on the screen.

"Actually, we were going to a party" Ember announced, making both adults snap their head to look at her.

"A party?" Carter questioned dumbfounded "Like dancing around, drinks and snacks, socializing with people kind of party?" He continued asking, shocked at the idea of her daughter actually going out on a Friday night to some place other than Michelle's house.

"What other kind of party is there?" Ember answered, rolling her eyes at Carter's surprise "I'm a teenager. Teenagers go out on Friday nights."

"You never go to parties" Angela pointed out, just as shocked as her husband. "You hate people" Ember's plans usually consisted on her and Michelle, locked on either girl's room, reading a book or watching a movie while eating lots of snacks. Never had either of the two friends even thought about going out to actually talk to other people.

"Yes, well, I figured it was time to try something new. MJ's idea" Lies. Initially Ember wasn't attending the party, but since there was a chance that Peter would show up she changed her mind. She managed to convince Michelle to go with her, it took a lot of begging, a book gift card and covering some of the brunette's chores at the bakery, but it was worth it. It gave Ember an excuse to talk to Peter outside of the school.

"Unbelievable. Next thing you know she'll actually attend Homecoming" Carter exclaimed, still looking confused at the fact that his daughter had plans for the night.

"Actually..." Ember started sheepishly, before being cut off by a loud shriek coming from Angela.

"You're going to homecoming?!" Angela exclaimed, her whole face irradiating excitement, a wide grin growing at the ideas already forming on her mind. "It's going to be so much fun. We'll go dress shopping, and I can do your hair and makeup, we could even get a mani!. I'm thinking blue, oh, you'll look gorgeous " the woman went on, practically skipping around the living room, her husband watching her, completely amused at her behavior "Oh! You'll have to tell your date so your corsage matches"

"Woah, hold on" Carter suddenly spoke up, interrupting his wife's line of thoughts "Date? No one said anything about a date" He continued a frown already present at the thought of his baby girl going out with a boy.

"Well of course she has a date! Or did you think you was going to be dancing alone?" Angela argued, none of the adults paying attention to the blonde shaking her head at the scene.

"She's too young for boys. No boys until she's at least thirty" Carter complained, making Angela shoot daggers at him with her eyes.

"I should get going. Bye" she said, quickly taking this a s her que to leave the adults to their little spat.

"No boys!" She heard her father shout as she was walking through the door, followed by Angela's complaining about how he was being ridiculous.

❅

"Why are we here again?" Michelle complained once more as her father dropped them of at the party.

"Cause it'll be fun!" Ember cheered, making some jazz hands, trying to earn a reaction from her best friend.

"Or you want to meet Spider-Man" Michelle said, her face in her typical unfazed expression, wishing she was at home reading a book not at a party filled with hormonal teenagers and cheap drinks. "Oh, that's right. We're here to see your boyfriend" She stated, sarcastically as she watched her blonde friend looking around the street for someone.

"Yeah right, like I would date Itsy Bitsy. I have higher standards" Ember retorted, grabbing Michelle's hand to stop her from going inside. She wanted to wait for a second to see if Peter was coming.

"I meant Peter" Michelle answered. Ember opened her mouth to say that Peter wasn't her boyfriend either but her friend didn't even give her a chance "You even wore a dress, you only wear dresses for special occasions. We're here cause you like him and it's lame"

Ember frowned, she didn't like Peter did she? She felt weird around him lately but was it because she liked him as something more than friends? The blonde started thinking back at their recent interactions, how her stomach flipped every time she talked to him. How she would smile at the mere sight of him, and how her cheeks would turn red when their eyes met. She thought about how she would giggle at his dorky antics, Ember never giggles, even her heart seemed to speed up when he was on the same room as her. And thats when she understood why.

"Shit. I'm crushing on Peter Parker" She acknowledged for the first time, eyes opening wide and shock filling her mind.

"No shit Sherlock" Michelle looked at her as if she had grown two heads, it was plain obvious to her, how come the blonde was so oblivious. Before she could make another comment, she saw a familiar car driving down the street "Speaking of the loser" Michelle said, nodding her head at the car, pushing Ember slightly towards it "Come on go talk to him. I didn't leave my bed for you to chicken out"

"Right. Yeah, I can do this, it's just Peter. Do I look good?" Ember turned around to look at her friend, only to find the spot empty. Silently cursing her best friend for leaving her alone, Ember started walking to the car.

❅

"House party in the suburbs!" May exclaimed as she drove down the street, Peter sitting next to her and Ned in the back, the three glancing at the house filled with lights and teenagers "Oh, I remember this. I'm kinda jealous"

"It will be a night to remember" Ned said, grinning from ear to ear, thrill and excitement radiating off him.

" Ned, some hats wear mean, but you wear that hat" May complimented the boy, turning to look at him, loving just how proud and happy he looked. Neither of them noticing Peter glancing dreadfully at the house.

"Yeah. It gives me confidence" Ned replied, proudly, a light tint of blush covering his cheek but his grin never going away.

"This was a mistake" Peter interrupted, face pale at the sight of the party. He turned to look at his aunt with pleading eyes, ignoring how Ned's smile fell at his words "Let's just go home"

May was about to say something but she was interrupted by a knock on her nephew's window. Peter fearfully turned to see who it was, expecting Flash ready to taunt him, but he was met with a familiar blonde. An involuntary grin appeared at his face, his worries going away replaced by a different kind of nerves. He opened the window, waving awkwardly at her earning himself a giggle from Ember.

"Hey." She greeted, her green eyes fixated on Peter, who stared right back at her. Slightly shaking her head to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. "Hi, Ned, Mrs. Parker" Looking at the other two passengers, also greeting them with a bright smile.

"H-hi" Peter stuttered lightly, heart beating fast, oblivious to the snickering Ned in the backseat and his aunt's knowing glance, both watching  the teenagers awkward exchange in amusement. Suddenly realizing he was making a fool of himself he cleared his throat avoiding the blonde's captivating green eyes. "So what's up?"

"I was just, uh, arriving and saw your car and, uh. I wanted to see if you were coming inside ?" She answered awkwardly, she hadn't really thought about what she would say to him, she just followed Michelle's instructions.

Peter reached for the handle, ready to open his door and follow the blonde to the party, only to be stopped by his aunt's voice "Actually, we were about to go home" she said, making Peter's head turn to look at her, silently telling her to stop talking, a look that May opted to ignore. "It's just really hard for Peter. You know, trying to fit in with all the changes going through his body. It's flowering now" May told the blonde, Ned was covering his mouth to avoid erupting into laughter, while Peter sat there, horrified at his Aunt's joke.

"Oh?" Ember exclaimed, shifting awkwardly on her feet. How was she supposed to answer that? "I should, uh, catch up with Michelle." She stated, starting to back away from the car "Uh, maybe I'll see you two inside? Pleasure seeing you again Mrs. Parker. "

Peter watched how the blonde ran away from the car, his cheeks burning red as Ned's laughter filled the car, "Was that Ember Snow?" May questioned, faking innocence as her nephew turned to look at her with wide eyes.

"W-what was that?" Peter questioned, wanting nothing more but to dig a hole for him to die on.

"Come on relax. I was only doing my duty as a guardian. Embarrassing you comes with the job" May chuckled, giving Peter a side hug "But you were right. She's definitely very pretty . Remember how you used to drag me into Angela's, just to see Ember? You were just ten, it was adorable"

"May!" Peter scolded, earning more laughs from the other two.

"Oh, right, I forgot . Ember's totally forgotten and now it's all about Liz" May continued sarcastically, "thats why you still go to the bakery everyday"

"Wait, you still do that?" Ned intervened, realizing that perhaps his friend was still whipped by the blonde.

"Oh god, please stop" Peter kept complaining, at least May didn't mention that to Ember.

" I think you larb her" May chuckled at her own little joke. She knew Peter could deny it all he wanted but the truth was, he had feelings for Ember Snow and even after years they were there, even if he wanted to move on.

"Okay, I'm gonna go" Peter exclaimed, rushing to get out of the car, Ned following quickly, still snickering at the conversation.

"Peter!" May called out, smiling lovingly at the teenager "Have fun okay?"

"Bye May!" Ned waved, both friends waiting until the car was gone to head inside "Dude, you have the suit right?" Ned asked, Peter showing him his blue sleeve hidden under his layers of clothes "This is gonna change our lives" he continued, excitedly, eager to start his high school life as someone cool. The two finally entered the house, both glancing around, clearly not used to this kind of scene "Hey, we're gonna have Spider-Man swing in, say you guys are tight. And then I get a fist bump or one of those half bro hugs"

While Ned explained the plan Peter zoned out, catching the eyes of a short blonde smiling as she danced around by herself, not a care in the world . She waved at him before approaching them, "I'm glad you decided to come inside" Ember greeted, the smile never leaving her face, showing off her dimples "I'm loving the hat, Ned" she complimented, a grin appearing on Ned's face, while Peter still stood there smiling at the blonde.

"I can't believe you guys are at this lame party" Michelle cut off, standing by the snacks, spreading jam on a piece of bread.

"You're here too" Ned retorted, looking at the brunette weirdly, just like Peter.

" Am I?" Michelle answered mysteriously, before walking away.

"Ignore her, she's mad because I dragged her here" Ember said, rolling her eyes at her friend's words, but still smiled after all that was the Michelle she knew and loved, "Come dance with me?" She asked looking straight at Peter. With a sudden burst of confidence she grabbed he's hand and started dragging him to the the dance floor, not giving the boy a chance to answer. Not like it mattered cause Peter just kept looking from their joined hands to her face completely dumbfounded.

"Oh, my gosh. Hey guys!" A voice stopped them from going anywhere. Of course, when Ember finally starts to make a move, the 'perfect' Liz Allen arrives, making her drop Peter's hand, considering walking away "Cool hat Ned"

Peter felt the sudden disappearance of the tingling feeling the blonde's hand brought, every inch of his body itching to grab her small hand back. But he didn't move, he glanced sadly at the green eyed girl, before drifting his eyes to Liz' dark brown ones, giving her his full attention "Hey Liz"

"I should go find MJ. See you around" Ember said, a sudden pain ripping through her body as she parted to find her best friend, scolding herself silently. As she walked away Peter, glanced at her longingly but didn't do anything, he just continued talking to Liz.

Ember found Michelle sitting on a tree, just outside the house , reading a book the blonde hadn't even noticed she brought. Only Michelle Jones would hide on top of a tree, with her nose stuck on a book just to avoid people. Ember started climbing through the branches to sit down next to her, opening her mouth to say something but the brunette stopped her, raising one hand as she read the last page of her book. Once she was done she calmly closed the book, taking a thoughtful sight, probably analyzing all the new information, before turning to look at her best friend.

"You're supposed to socialize at parties, you know" Ember commented with raised eyebrows as soon as her friend put the book down

"I was socializing with the characters" Michelle answered, shrugging and turning to look at her friend's sour expression "From the look on your face their better than real people"

Ember chuckled in amusement, nodding shamefully at the brunette "You were right. We shouldn't be here" She lied her head on MJ's shoulder, wanting to go home and forget all about her rising feeling for Peter Parker.

"I'm always right."

Just when Michelle opened her mouth to ask what happened, a sudden bright light caught their attention. The blonde's head immediately jolted awake as curiosity for the sudden explosion started to set in. Ember turned to look at her friend, silently asking if she would be okay on her own, quickly jumping into action once she received a reassuring nod. Light blonde hair turned even lighter as emerald green eyes turned pure white, grabbing the cloak Michelle kept on her bag she began crating a path of ice for her to slide away.

❅

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