PETER was walking down the hallway with a very exhilarated Ned, who was talking about the events of homecoming from a few nights ago. Peter nodded every now and then to make sure that Ned knew he was listening.

"I mean you were like," Ned stated as he imitated Peter's scream, "and then I just hit with the," He flung his hand out, extending his index finger, pinky, and thumb whilst holding his middle and ring finger down. "It was-" He places his hand on his chest as he lets out a huff of excitement, "Oh my g-"

Peter nodded, giving his best friend a thankful smile, "Hey... you saved me. That's something." He said softly as Ned gave him a small smile. Peter's gaze adverted from Ned to Liz in front of him as a pang of guilt washed over him. Ned placed a comforting hand on Peter's shoulder, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before Peter left.

"H-Hey, Liz." Peter spoke nervously as he noticed Liz quickly wiping away a tear that was running down her cheek unwillingly. "Liz, I am so sorry." He whispered whilst his eyebrows furrowed apologetically.

Liz's eyes narrowed in bewilderment, "You say that a lot." She sniffled, "What are you sorry for this time?" She asked curiously as Peter didn't answer. "The dance?" She answered for him as her arms crossed, "Oh that? Yeah... that uh, was a pretty crappy thing to do." She shook her head. "But um... Nathan was there to cheer me up, so I guess that makes up for what you did?" She laughed dryly as she rolled her eyes somewhat playfully.

Peter cleared his throat, feeling a little bit awkward, "Well y-yeah." He scratched the back of his neck, "But I mean your dad." He whispered softly. "I can't imagine what you're going through. If there's anything I could do to he-" He spoke sincerely.

"Well, I guess we're moving to Oregon?" Liz cut him off as she shrugged. "Um, my mom says it's nice there, so... that's cool." She rolled her eyes. "Anyways, my dad doesn't want us here during the trial..." She trailed off as she scratched the bridge of her nose.

"Liz-"

"Bye, Peter. Good luck with Lillian." She gave him a small smile, leaving Peter all dumbfounded.

Peter's eyebrows furrowed in bafflement as he watched Liz leave. He let out a long sigh as he shook his head. He made his way to the decathlon meeting, noticing that Lillian was sitting next to Michelle and Jade. She didn't have to be here for the meeting, but he knew that she'll do anything to show her support for her loved ones. And that's something he always liked about her. He took his seat that was across from Michelle, but next to Lillian.

"So what is this meeting about?" Lillian asked Jade, who leaned her head against Michelle.

"It's about the new team captain." Jade smiled bubbly. "My money's on MJ." She cheered softly as she raised her head up to look up at her girlfriend adoringly.

Michelle playfully rolled her eyes, "I think she's broken." She joked, letting out a small smile.

"You're only saying that because you don't think you're gonna be captain." Jade teased as she rolled her eyes as well. "Oh look, your boyfriend finally showed up." Jade pointed out teasingly as Michelle snickered.

Lillian turned around to see a blushing Peter, "Hi." She smiled softly.

"H-Hey." He whispered contentedly as he blushed even more unwillingly.

"She didn't deny it." Michelle pointed out softly as she snickered once more.

"Shut up, MJ. They're having a moment." Jade hushed her whilst waving at her girlfriend dismissively.

"I'd like to announce our new team captain, Michelle Jones." Mr. Harrington said catching everyone's attention as they all clapped.

"Uh, thank you." Michelle smiled shyly as Jade gave her the warmest hug. Peter, Lillian, and Ned smiling proudly at Michelle as Michelle spoke up, "M-My friends call me MJ." She stated.

Ned's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "I thought you didn't have any friends?" He teased.

"I uh, didn't." Michelle responded nonchalantly as Jade gave her a playful glare.

"I uh, gotta go." Peter said suddenly, looking down at his cracked phone and then giving Lillian a knowingly gaze.

"Peter." Lillian whispered as he turned to leaved.

"Hey, where are you going?" Michelle asked, noticing Peter getting ready to leave as he hesitantly turned back around. "What are you hiding, Peter?" She inquisitively asked as Peter's eyes widened whilst looking at Lillian for help. "I'm just kidding," Michelle laughed softly, "I don't care. Bye." She waved at Peter dismissively. Peter's eyes still wide in shock, looking at Lillian who just shrugged off the situation. Peter left slowly to the bathroom as Lillian watched him leave.

"So are you guys dating now?" Jade whispered curiously.

"W-What?" Lillian breathed out, taken aback from her best friend's question. "N-No. We're j-just friends." She said quickly. "I think?" She stated more as a question.

"Flower, what does that mean?" Michelle asked as she raised an eyebrow at her.

Lillian shrugged, "I don't exactly know. I'm just as confused as you guys." She said truthfully.

"If you guys are dating-"

"Who's dating?" Ned chimed in excitedly.

"No one, Ned." Lillian playfully rolled her eyes.

Jade smacked her lips in disagreement, "Liar. She's dating Peter." She teased.

"You're dating Peter? Sweet." Ned smiled widely toward Lillian.

"No. I'm not." Lillian shook her head defensively.

"Leave, Lilly alone. If she says she's not dating Parker, then she's not dating Parker," Michelle defended, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly, "Not yet, at least." Michelle smiled smugly.

Lillian rolled her eyes whilst shaking her head at her friends, "You guys suck." She mumbled while letting out a small laugh.

...

AFTER school, Lillian decided to take a walk to Delmar's shop for some needed candy. As she was going to cross the street, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and her feet no longer touching the ground. Losing her breath, she clung onto who she noticed was Peter. Shutting her eyes tightly, wanting to be put down immediately. Once she felt her feet touch the ground, she pushed herself away from Peter as she clutched her chest.

"What the fuck, Peter." She choked out softly as she tried to regain her breathing.

Peter took off his Spider-Man mask, rushing over to Lillian. "I-I-I'm sorry."

She raised her head up looking at the sky as she took a few long breaths to calm herself down. She shook her head, "N-No. it's okay. I-It's not your fault. You didn't know." She breathed out a small chuckle as her shaky hand held his hand reassuringly. She looked him up and down, "I noticed you got your suit back." She smiled softly, changing the subject before Peter could pity her.

Peter looked down at his suit, letting out a soft chuckle. "Y-Yeah..." He nodded happily. "Um, May s-sort of uh, m-maybe, perhaps," He laughed lightly, clearing his throat, "found out that I'm Spider-Man?" He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"W-Wha- How did she take it?" Lillian asked, her eyebrows furrowing in concern as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He let out a long sigh as he gently placed his arms around her waist. "I think she," he pushed her hair behind her ear, "she took," he shrugged as he placed her arm back around her waist, "it well." He finished. "I-I mean she's worried of course, but she's very supportive of the whole me-being-Spider-Man and all." He smiled gratefully.

"Well, that's good." She smiled. "How'd you get your suit back?" She asked curiously.

"Oh, um... Mr. Stark gave it back." He shrugged as if it was nothing, but his big smile said otherwise.

"Does this mean you're an avenger?" She chuckled softly in shock.

Peter shook his head, letting out a small airy laugh, "Sort of. N-Not really. I'm just gonna stay on the ground for a while." He nodded to himself. "I'm just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man." He smiled proudly.

Lillian smiled at him adoringly, "Why'd you have to be so cute?" She whispered softly as she caressed his face.

His smile widened at her response, snickering lightly before answering, "You think I'm cute?" He teased.

She rolled her eyes playfully, "Way to ruin the moment, Parker." She laughed softly. She cleared her throat, raising her head to meet his gaze, "What are we?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" Confusion crossed Peter's face.

Lillian sighed as she shrugged, taking a step back. "I don't know." She paced back and forth. "Like, are we friends? Are we dating? What are we?" She asked, turning to face Peter.

"Well," He paused, giving her a shy smile, "how about this, I take you out on a date." He said softly, taking her hands in his. "Then after you can tell me if we're 'just friends' or we're dating." He whispered whilst intertwining their hands together.

"Mm'kay." She hummed contentedly as she smiled whilst Peter placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I know you hate this, but it's time for me to take you home now." He gave her an apologetic smile as he goes to put on his mask.

Lillian stops him from pulling his mask any further as she lets out a shaky sigh. "Just give me a second." She whispered, her eyes shut as Peter looked down at her baffled. She gently presses her lips against his to reassure herself and keep her calm. Peter kissed back softly as his arm snakes around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Lillian let go of the kiss as Peter rested his forehead against hers, "Okay... we can go." She whispered, nodding to herself.

"Okay." Peter smiled softly before pulling his mask on fully. "I'm gonna need you to hold tight."

Lillian nodded slowly as she began to wrap her arms around him tightly. Peter wrapped an arm around her securely whilst she wrapped her legs around his waist. "P-Please don't drop me." She whispered shakily.

He shook his head, "I won't. I promise, okay? I got you." He said earnestly. "Just keep your eyes on me." He whispered as his hand went up to caress Lillian's cheek.

She nodded as she held onto him tighter, giving him the okay to go. Peter jumped off the building, swinging from different buildings as Lillian kept her gaze on Peter's mask. The anxious butterflies were soon erupting in Lillian's stomach, so she placed her face in the crook of Peter's neck whilst closing her eyes. While Peter was taking her home, he would sneak a few glances at Lillian to make sure she was okay. He kept his arm tight around her waist, sometimes giving her a reassuring squeeze to let her know that she's safe.

- :: -

( author's note :
this was originally going to be the
last chapter, but i honestly didn't
have the heart to end it like that )