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WITH THE WEATHER TURNING COLDER BY THE DAY, IT WASN'T SURPRISING FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME SICK. However, no one was expecting Liz Allan—the leafing lady in the musical—to come down with a case of strep throat. Luckily, it wasn't too bad, but it was bad enough to have to stay out of the musical and watch it at home with the video that Ms. Litchfield was planning to record to show everyone else when they returned from Christmas break. Doubt now filled the musical cast with the leading lady not able to make it, but the understudy that was Mary Jane stepped up to the plate. There were her own doubts adding to her nerves, but it was another chance for her to shine; to show that she wasn't just a pretty face, but a girl with raw talent. Too many people were quick to judge women and downgrade them because of their appearances, but Mary Jane was ready to defy anyone and everyone's standards by doing a stunning performance.

"Flowers? F-For me?" Mary Jane stuttered, her smile widening as her hands accepted the bouquet of Roses from Harry Osborn himself. She beamed, gently lifting the flowers to smell their sweet smell, an airy laugh falling from her lips. Harry tightly smiled. "They're beautiful, Harry. You really didn't have to."

Harry nodded, nonchalantly shrugging. His hands found their way to the pocket of his slacks. His blue eyes met her dark brown ones, tilting his head to the side as he grinned at the slightly shorter girl. "I know, but, I wanted to," he murmured.

Mary Janes eyes lit up, her bottom lip coming between her lips. "I-It means a lot, Harry," she told him, turning to the vanity and setting the flowers down by her phone. She turned back around only to find that he was closer. He wasn't too close, but being in such close proximity made her heart suddenly flutter around in her chest.

Harry slyly smirked. "Yeah? I'm glad you like them," he said, "'Cause I really like you."

Alissa softly sighed, rubbing her hands together to keep some warmth. A light wind slapped across her cheeks, making her eyes close and body shiver. Night had fallen and the only light that illuminated Alissa's face was the one above her as she stood outside of the school's auditorium, waiting for a special someone. The rest of her family were already in their seats, waiting for the musical to begin. Gwen was accompanying them with her own family, her brothers causing quite a ruckus in their seats while Helen and George tried to maintain them as best as they could. Nate was seated beside Brian, their hands loosely entwined on their shared armrest; a clear display for Scott and Kelli to see, and they did. They only smiled at one another, Scott gingerly kissing Kelli's cheek and then sharing a loving smile. The only two missing were Alissa and Peter.

Alissa reached into her pocket, groaning angrily when seeing Peter had yet to text her. He promised he would show and be there, but the countdown till the musical began had already started. Only five minutes remained until the curtains drew back and the lights dimmed. With a roll of her eyes, she was pocketing her phone and looking back out into the cloudy sky. No one else seemed crazy enough to wait outside for someone, but there Alissa was, waiting for someone who already broke their promise.

Her eyes dropped down, watching her breath pass from her lips and disappear into the constant wind. Her bottom lip jutted out, head slouching down and her shoulders slumping. Peter wasn't coming, and she should've realized sooner, but spending more time with him was what she wanted, and making him promise that time made her think it would of been guaranteed. But that was a foolish thought, and now she knew it.

"He's not comin', is he?"

Alissa turned at the voice, bitterly laughing. "How'd you guess?"

Her father sighed, his eyes softening at the sad and tired look hidden in his daughters eyes. He was no stranger to trying to mask emotions, and it wasn't difficult for him to see himself in Alissa when they did some of the same things. "There's three minutes left. They're about to close the doors for good."

Alissa glumly nodded, eyes flicking over her shoulder just incase she would catch a glimpse of her web-slinger making his way towards the building to keep his promise. The buildings around them looked the same, a lingering darkness hiding within the shadows of alleyways. With a heavy heart, Alissa tore her eyes away and walked over to her father, smiling as he wrapped an around her shoulders.

"Boys will let you down no matter what, Alissa. Don't let them make you think otherwise," Scott carefully whispered to her, the two of them entering that darkening room, catching a glimpse of Kelli's blonde locks a few seats away from the stage, "But it's the boys who make it up for it that are the ones that are worth it."

° ° °

"Look, Mom, Dad, Spider-Man beat Electro!" Brian had cheered when the family arrived home, tired but happy from the musical. It had went on very smoothly, Mary Jane shining like a star as she sang her heart out, her bright smile blinding the haters that thought she wouldn't meet their standards they'd set for Liz. Jason Ionello did an upstanding job as Shrek as well, and so did Charles Murphy who played the character of Donkey, making everyone laugh and wheeze throughout the entire show. It was safe to say it was a major success; it was just what everyone needed to lift their spirits for the rest of their Christmas break.

"Did he catch him?" Carter had curiously asked, not removing his gaze from his phone, texting Liz about the musical. He was spared from Brian's harsh glare he was meant to see from the younger boy.

"No, he didn't," Brian lowly replied. Scott and Kelli shared a look that made Brian huff. "But—But he saved everyone! Just watch the video, it'll—"

"No thank you, B," Kelli kindly declined, shaking her head, looping her arm through Scott's. "We're off to bed. Hopefully you've got the last of your presents wrapped since Christmas is four days away."

"Yeah, you know, I think I'm gonna head up now," Carter suddenly said, faking a yawn and stretching his arms above his head with a sloppy grin. "Lots of. . .sleep to do."

Brian and Alissa sidedly glanced at one other, shaking their heads. That was worst excuse they'd ever heard come from Carter. Normally he was rather good at playing things off and not letting anyone know what he was up to, but maybe something else was plaguing his mind.

Alissa watched her brother retreat up the stairs, smiling over at her parents with Brian. "Night, my loves," Kelli said, blowing them both a kiss. "Sleep good, and don't stay up too late, okay?"

"We'll try not to," Alissa teased. Kelli playfully sent her daughter a glare, making the girl laugh. "Night, Mom. Night Dad, love you."

With a few more good nights and love you's, every member of the Caverly family were in their bedrooms. Scott and Kelli were fast asleep, both hoping they didn't gett called into work the next morning. They already had five calls just that day, and they hoped it would end so they could spend more time with the kids. Alissa and her brothers were finally adjusted to waking up to their parents being home to greet them and finding them at home when school let out. If they got wrangled back into whatever mess had been stirred up after they got the last of their needed results for the spider experiments, then it would not only devastate them, but their children as well.

Carter was playing video games, headset on and insult after insult being directed at a 12 year old boy who was calling his other teammates his bitches because he thought he was the best in the team when he was really the worst. Flash was spewing out a few insults of his own, but his voice was a little hushed as his father was home and he didn't want Harrison to hear him, especially when his little sister already lied to their father by telling him Flash was spending the night at Carter's. Carter offered to actually pick him up so he wasn't there, but the boy refused, saying it would be too risky to do so late into the night. Though, he did promise to visit them sometime the next day to bring them their Christmas presents that him, his mother, and sister bought for them.

Brian was locked away in his room, glueing the last pieces of Carter's formerly broken present. He meant to do it months ago, but he forgot about it until a few days ago when he finally realized just how close Carter's birthday was to the current date. He got him a few more thing as well, but those were wrapped and ready to go. The football was the last thing he had to wrap, and boy was he glad to be done with everyone.

Lastly, there was Alissa. She nestled in the middle of her bed, wrapping the last of her own presents as well. She had 10 left: one for Gwen, one for Mary Jane, one for Harry, two for Flash, one for Xavier, and four for Peter. It might've seemed like a bit much much, but she adored and loved him, and she wanted him to know it. There wasn't anything wrong with that, right?

Before she had to leave the mall that morning, she convinced him to show her his favorite stores and try on clothes and pick out little knick-knack things he liked, and when they were done, she texted Liz (not any of the men because she didn't need them knowing) with the details and she got them for her. When they met back up, Liz gave her the bags and Alissa reimbursed her for the money, making both of them happy and content.

"For I can't help, but falling love with you," Alissa softly sang, soft music playing from her Bluetooth speaker on her desk. Her TV was turned on, the only light being from the yellow-orange lights that were tacked to all four of her walls. She felt safe and comfortable in the soft glow of the light mixed with the fairly quiet music that lingered in her room, making her grin to herself as she taped the last piece of paper to one of Peter's presents. "Oh like a river flows, surely to the sea, darling so it goes somethings are—"

Alissa's voice faded, a hum filling the empty noise of her mouth as she set the present aside and moved on to another one. "—falling in love with Peter. . ."

She knew she liked Peter long ago, but she didn't think she loved him. Her feelings were constantly pushed down, and anytime she felt something new, she pushed it away. For years she strongly believed that her crush would go away, disregarding her friends and families taunts, just laughing it off. Not once did she actually think she would do something about her feelings when she finally accepted them.

If she told her younger self that she and Peter would end up together, she would just laughed in her face and called her crazy. Only now, she was happy she acted on her feelings, and she found a new appreciation for the song that came to an end.

A few seconds later, All of Me by John Legend began to play. Alissa's eyes briefly looked to her phone, the thought of changing it occurring to her. She did love Peter, but she was still upset, and a little frustrated, with him. He broke his promise, but she shouldn't have made him make it. It was failed from the moment their pinkies had locked. But rather than changing the song, she chose to keep it on, her humming mixing with the keys from the piano.

Knock. Knock.

Alissa's hands froze, eyes flicking to her window. The blinds were yet to be closed, Brian using her window to try and take a Snapchat of the lights out front so he could send them to Nate and their new friends; the ones that were formerly part of Grant's friend circle. He said he would close them when he was done, but as Alissa could clearly see Spider-Man dangling in front of the glass, she realized he didn't.

Quickly, Alissa threw her blanket over the remaining presents, hiding them from Peter's perceptive eyes. She bit her lip, going to her closet. She slipped on a sweater over her tank top and headed to the window, folding her arms over her chest after she opened. "What?" She harshly demanded, eyes showing just how frustrated she was.

Peter gulped, turning to slide his legs through the window. Alissa groaned and moved, gasping when Peter's foot caught on her rug and toppled forward. He let out a hiss of pain, Alissa dropping to help him back up. She worriedly looked to her opened door; if anyone was awake, they would've heard him fall, easily.

"Peter, what the hell?" Alissa breathed out to him, ignoring his protests as she ripped off his mask to be meet with his contorted face. Her eyes softened and she sank onto her knees. "Oh god, what's wrong? Did something n—"

"Shh, someone's coming," he groaned. Alissa scrunched her brows together and leaned back on her knees. She didn't hear anything. Peter winced, but sat up and shot a web across her room, making Alissa gap as he grabbed onto the ceiling just as Carter came into view.

Alissa quickly stood back up, her hand with the mask zipping to be behind her back. Carter stood in her doorway, frowning at her. "What was that sound?" He wondered, suspiciously peering into her room, eyes scanning every inch of it carefully.

Alissa titled her head to the side. "What was what sound?" She asked, trying to play dumb. Carter pursued his lips into a line, giving her a look.

Her hands went to her side, rolling her eyes. "Fine, you caught me," she said, holding her hands out, "I snuck a boy in my room, okay?" She said, even scoffing to make it sound like it was an obnoxious assumption.

Carter's eyes widened and he pointed to her hand. "You're hiding Spider-Man in your room?" Alissa's brows went back together as her gaze followed his finger. She blinked, winching when she saw the mask clutched in her hands.

Her eyes traveled back to Peter, apologetically frowning. He closed his eyes and his hand went to his forehead. Carter's head shot up to follow his gaze, legs stumbling and his back pressing against the doorframe in horror. Well, at least she was honest about hiding a boy in her room. "No, Carter, don't look—"

"Oh my god, Peter?" Carter cried. Alissa ran over while Peter jumped down, grabbing Carter's arm and pulling him into Alissa room while she closed the door and locked it. "Y-You're Spider-Man?"

Peter stumbled slightly. "Y-Yeah, But you can't tell anyone, okay?" Peter firmly said in a rush, his glove clad hands tightly gripping Carter's biceps. "Promise me you won't tell anyone."

Carter fumbled with his words, Alissa smacking her hand to her forehead.

"I-I promise," Carter panted, patting Peter's hands before he let go. Carter stepped back, sharply inhaling and running a hand along his jawline. He turned on his heel, shaking his at the couple. "I-I can't believe this. You—You're him. You're Spider-Man."

"No one else can know," Peter frantically stressed. Too many people already knew of his alter ego. He didn't need anymore and have their lives on the line for his enemies to take. "Only Alissa and Mr. Stark—"

"And Liz," Alissa added. Peter blinked with a shake of his head, gaping at his girlfriend. Alissa gave him a look, eyes wide, "I didn't tell her. She already knew!"

Carter lifted his hand to interject. "How many others know?"

Peter groaned, trying to hide his wince when his arm moved the wrong way. Alissa noticed the change of expression, stepping over to him. Her hand gently touched his arm, but that was enough to make him hiss out in pain. Alissa gasped and rushed over to her desk, taking her chair and urging Peter to sit on it.

"What happened, Pete?" She asked.

Peter sighed, his eyes briefly looking towards Carter. The junior was still trying to register the fact that his sisters boyfriend was the hero their little brother admired the most. "I-I got in a fight with a home burglar. . ."

Alissa bit her lip. "I need you to take the suit off."

"Woah, no, no," Carter interjected, protectively yanking Alissa away from Peter. "No one's getting undressed if I have anything to do about it."

Alissa whacked his chest and scoffed. "Not in that way, you idiot. He's clearly hurt, but his shoulder's covered so he needs to take the suit off, or at least pull it down enough so I can see it." Carter didn't like it, but he didn't attest to it. Alissa nodded and returned to Peter. "Do you—Do you need help—?"

"I think I can manage," he said. "Besides, I don't think Carter would like that very much."

Alissa rolled her eyes, watching him clench his eyes shut as he slid down the suit to be at his chest. Blood was smeared around his shoulder, drops trailing down his chest. Alissa let out a gasp, Carter's eyes enlarging. "Holy shit," he said. Alissa shot him a glare over his shoulder. "I-I'm not wrong. Look at it!"

"Thanks, Carter," Peter mumbled. "That's very reassuring."

Alissa bit her lip, something unclear on her face. She stood, turning to Carter. "I don't know how to fix it," she admitted.

Carter raised a brow. "Seriously?"

"Do I look like a doctor to you?" she snapped, stealing a glance over at Peter. "I can't even put a bandaid on right half the time, but you can help."

"Me?" Carter gaped.

"Him?" Peter wheezed out. He closed his wyes, dropping his head to look at the ground. "I'm gonna die."

Alissa rolled her eyes. "You're the one who patches B up after his games. This is the same thing!" Alissa casually explained, grabbing Carter's hand and shoving him towards Peter. "Just patch it up like you would for Brian."

Carter blankly stared at the wound, shaking his head. "T-This is a stab wound, Al. I only patch up scrapes, not this kind of nasty injury."

"A stab wound?" Alissa repeated, Peter failing to meet her intense gaze. "Peter, you were stabbed?"

"It's harder to stop it than it looks, alright?" He meekly defended. He shifted, a hiss slipping from his lips. "I-I, can we discuss this later? Maybe after I pass out from the blood loss?"

"Right," Alissa dismissively shook her head. She patted Carter's shoulder in encouragement. "You're helping. I'll get the first aid kit from the bathroom."

Carter slowly looked back to Peter, nervously laughing as Alissa left her room. "I-I. . .you'll be fine, okay, Pete? I'll fix you up good. Don't you worry. May won't even know you were stabbed."

Peter whimpered.

° ° °

"Stop moving so much! There's only one stitch left, you big baby."

"You're already done! You just keep doing the same one over and over again!"

"I am not, you little—"

"Hey look, you're done," Alissa smiled, holding back a gag when she found her eyes on the stitched up wound. Before they could do anything, they had to sterilize it, and that was a very long process of Alissa holding Peter's arm to his side and holding a towel in case some blood tried to drip onto her carpet. Peter had spat out a stuffed rabbit—the only thing soft that Alissa found suitable for him to bite down on—as soon as they were done, relief flooding through him.

"You should be able to take those out in no time since you probably have some kind of enhanced healing, or something, I'm sure," Carter said, using the towel Alissa handed him to wipe most of Peter's blood off. Peter faintly smiled, Alissa putting a large bandage over the stitches to keep them from being rubbed at by his clothing and suit.

"Thank you Carter," Peter kindly thanked the older boy, sliding his suit back up his body. Alissa took his hand and helped him to his feet. "I really appreciate it."

Carter dismissively waved his hand. "Don't mention it. Really, don't. I don't want to be reminded of this," he said. A small smile came to his lips, making Peter do the same. "I'm glad you're okay, though. Just don't ever, and I mean ever, make me do that again."

Peter chuckled. "I can't make any promises."

Carter chuckled, softly smiling, eyes flicking over the two. "I'll leave you guys to talk. . .and I mean talk. If I hear anything else, I'll—"

"Get out," Alissa seethed, pointing towards the door. Carter let out a loud laugh, smirking as he headed to the door. He gave them a wave of his hand and closed the door, Alissa breathing out in relief. She finished helping Peter pull the suit back up and he pressed the emblem on his chest, making it tighten back up to fit his body perfectly. Alissa went around to the front of him, proudly nodding.

Music was still playing in the background, the song the heard being kind of ironic. "I think this might be our song," Peter softly said.

Alissa snorted out a laugh and plopped down on the edge of her bed. Peter followed suit, the two of them gazing at the black screen of her TV. "It's kind of fitting, I guess, for us, I mean," Alissa said. Peter faced her, his head slightly titled. "Like this is our decision to be together, to live fast and, okay, not die young, but it's fun—for the most part—and a little overwhelming at times, but I think it's worth it."

Peter grinned. "I was thinking the same thing."

Alissa nodded, biting her cheek. "Yeah, but you still broke your promise." Peter breathed out a sigh, head dipping in shame. "I know Spider-Man has other
obligations, and he has way more important things to do than spend time with me, but Peter doesn't," she said, her eyes gazing into his own. Her hair was dangling over one shoulder, a few loose pieces dangling on the other side. Peter couldn't help but lift his hand and tuck it behind her ear. A blush came to her cheeks, a little giggle coming from her lips. Peter laughed too, feeling Alissa grab his hand and hold it. Their laughter died down and Alissa sadly smiled. "Peter doesn't have to be the hero. That's Spider-Man's job, and you know, it's okay for Peter to come first on occasion. Maybe not all of the time, but Peter still has obligations, too."

Peter understandingly nodded. "Definitely. I-I do, and I know that," he said, running his thumb back and forth over her hand he was holding. "I should keep my promises, but you have to know I can't always keep them, but I promise you, I will do my best to try and be there more. Being a hero is what Spider-Man's job is. My job is to be your boyfriend, and to love you."

Alissa's eyes snapped up to meet his gaze. She already told him she loved him, but he didn't say it back, and that was okay. Just because she told him didn't mean he had to say it back. And hearing him say it, not because he she said it, but because he wanted to, and because he meant it.

Alissa leaned forward and kissed Peter rather verbally responding. They broke apart after a few seconds, Alissa already knowing Peter had to get back home before May realized he wasn't there. She stood with his hand still in her own, biting her lip as he climbed out of the window after opening it. "Bye, Peter," she whispered as he climbed onto the roof. She sighed, turning to go to bed finally, but a web latched onto her hand and pulled her to make her spin. A wide grin came to her lips as Peter pulled her back to him, the eyes on his suit adjusting to only focus on her.

"Miss me already?" She teased.

Peter chuckled, his upside down face meeting her own. Alissa crouched down to be eye level with him, "One more kiss?" He asked, sounding hopeful.

Alissa teasingly rolled her eyes. "You're too cute to deny," she said. She stood up a little more, Peter going to slide down his makes until her hands stopped him. "Let me."

Peter let go and Alissa leaned forward, carefully sliding his mask down to expose his lips. She bit her lip and glanced to his eyes and then back to his lips. Not a moment later, they both leaned in and their lips connected, Alissa smiling and hands gingerly touching his jaw. She let out a laugh when they pulled away.

She titled her head and pushed him slightly, his body swinging back on the web that was holding him. "Go save the day, Spidey."

"I love you, Alissa," Peter said after tugging the mask back down.

She beamed, eyes shining brighter than the sun ever could. "I love you too, Peter."

That kiss sealed the end of their day, Peter heading back out into the roofs of New York while Alissa would finish wrapping her presents. It was the perfect ending to their day, and the start of something incredibly special.

Alissa quietly closed her window and locked it, not sparing the dark street out front another glance as she drew the curtains together and headed to her bed.

Too bad she didn't see the figure that was standing by her tree who had seen the whole exchange between her and Spider-Man.