Chapter 23
I stretch my arms and yawn. My eyes flutter adjusting to the light in my room. A shaft of the sun coming inside. I swing my legs to the floor, my bare feet settling against the cold tiles and everything seems unusually quiet... I approach the hallway and hear nothing, then I enter the kitchen and see nothing. I turn the TV on trying to find the news channel when I see it I sit on the couch hearing all about it. The United States government is immediately starting a case for Adrian Toomes. Pictures of yesterday's crash... oh what about Liz?
"People reported being just inches away from the plane crash, different videos are all over social media where we can see Adrian Toomes fighting with two superheroes, one known as Spider-Man and the other, as people heard, goes for the name of Quantum. Damage Control is now closing the area and Toomes is held under the custody of the United States"
"ahem!" someone coughs behind me and I turn around "...you know... your dad told me about the suit..." Happy paces slowly next to me and sit
I lean on the couch and shrug "well... you can get the suit out of the girl but you can't get Quantum out of her.."
Happy shakes his head and sighs "your dad is coming"
"All the way from Finland, huh?"
"Yeah, he was trying some fish pie when I told him what happened... he ended the call before I could blink" he explains "are you hurt?"
I shake my head and smile at him "Nope, I'm fine. Thanks for asking"
He nods and rubs his eyes "What about Parker?"
"He's ok. Probably still sleeping"
His chest falls with a long sigh as he mutters an 'okay'
"Jesus... Your mom is so clueless, Tannie. I need to go, Damage Control wants a meeting with me... please just for one day stay here and do nothing"
I snort and nod "Definitely my plan for today"
He strides away leaving me alone again. I start preparing breakfast and lay on the couch. Wait, my phone... where..? Oh, who cares. A rush of exhaustion grows inside and I close my eyes while the white noise of the TV lulls me.
My body jumps awake while my hands grip the cushions below me. I catch a breath noticing that dusk is already settling outside and the dim light of the TV still flickering in front of me. I slump my head back to the couch and turn the volume on... Toomes' trial will be held in D.C.
I peek at my dad's lab, then at my parent's room. Still no one there. I walk to my room and let out a sigh. Seriously? School tomorrow? after, after what happened yesterday? How I'll be able to go back to a 'normal' routine? Unwillingly, I start picking my outfit for tomorrow and organizing my books. My stomach grunts with hunger so I go to the kitchen and start cooking dinner, I prepare my mom a plate with a little note.
I spin to my room again asking FRIDAY to tell me everything that's been happening on social media. Different displays of social platforms and the one that captures my attention is the list pf trending Hashtags: #TheNewYorkDuo, #SpiderMan, #Quantum, #ConeyIsland and #IfIwasASuperhero.
A childish laugh escapes my lips turning off the holograms and closing my room.
------------------
My morning was absolutely normal, my mom was not there and my dad as well. I ate my breakfast and hopped on the car, Happy told me that the plane stuff was already at the compound. I asked him about my dad but he told me he was still talking to the government. He dropped me off and I start walking to school. Distant chitchat and laughs all over the hallway. Lockers closing and doors opening. So normal yet so weird.
I open my locker not focusing a lot, my hands automatically grab the books. When I close it I squeal in panic when Harley pops behind. One of my hands instantly rise to his chest but I quickly drop it. He didn't notice and only snorts.
"Tell me....what did you eat?"
My shoulders drop "raw shrimps" I explain but he frowns in confusion "I cooked them and I wa-"
He pokes my head "-oh, so you cooked them? that makes sense. Missed you, everyone was dancing without rhythm"
"Oh chill, Michael Jackson!"
Harley throws his head back laughing and moves his phone in front of me "Hey, did you see the Coney Island thing?" his finger scroll down to the various photos of the scene "...and guess what? Liz Toomes is this guy's daughter...!"
I look up at him pretending I'm shocked at that piece of information. He nods reading my expression
"That's very uh... whoa... I saw the news yesterday. Spider-Man is cool, huh?-"
He shrugs "Yeah, but this new chick... Quantum is a badass! I mean, you're a badass but she also is badass..."
"She is" I state and spin my eyes to him "I'll see you at Robotics?"
He nods and starts walking backwards "You owe me a date!"
I wince throwing my arms in the air "Since when?!"
"Ha, since the moment you ate raw shrimps!" he turns away and I start walking the other way
I sigh shaking my head. I turn around and stop when a pair of hands grab my shoulders
"Tannie! oh god, you are alive!" Ned cries and rapidly hugs me lifting me from the ground and laughs at the low gasp escaping my lips "Come on, Peter is right there"
We walk to his locker. My throat throbs when I spot his hooded parka and his brown hair. His body moves while he closes his backpack. Ned says his name making him spin and a wide ravishing smile forms in his cute face unbruised face when his eyes land on me. I shyly wave at him and the corners of my lips curve.
Ned places himself between us and palms our back pushing us to our classroom.
"Guys... I'm so happy you're here with me and-and... It looked so insane. That whole... Like, it was just crazy. He, he was just like, 'Zzzz', and you were like, "Ah!" and then Tannie was 'piu piu!' "Ned explains
Both of us spinning shushing him down
"And then I just hit him with the "pew." It was so, oh, my god" he sighs remembering the scene
I smile and squeeze his shoulder " You saved us, it was awesome"
Ned proudly lifts his chin and the wrinkle sin his eyes appear. I look in front and stop Ned who stops Peter.
"Umm, Peter?" I call him jerking my head to the end of the Hallway where Liz's mom walks Liz following behind her
I look down and then at Peter who hesitates to walk to her but I move my eyes signaling to do it. Yes, I know. He nods at me and storms to her. Leaving me with Ned. I notice the beaten face Liz holds so I bit my lip and create a smile looking at Ned.
"You are the guy in the chair" I whisper to him trying to stop my eyes from seeing Peter
His jaw goes slack as he bounces in his feet "I am? Oh god, you're so not regretting this, hey, I almost forgot..." he opens his backpack and takes out a plastic back of GamePlanet "I took your bag. Your phone's there. I have Peter's phone too, the screen is so damaged..."
" Oh, thank you. Ned!"
I try to unlock the phone but battery is dead. So my eyes automatically land on Liz's red eyes. Peter's back facing us and I gulp harder.
"You know... as the guy in the chair I see a lot of things..." Ned mutters beside me and my eyes detach from Peter to him
"Uhum..."
"What I mean... is that I can also be your wingman!"
I choke instantly shushing him "What?! what are you talking about?!"
he squints his eyes and sighs "Come on! I'm not blind Tannie... Peter is my best friend, I know everything about him. I can give you so much advice! imagine your babies! they'll have arachnid-atomic powers!" his eyes lit up but I cover his mouth
"shhh ok Ned? no one needs to know this! And... and I know a lot about him too"
He hums against my hand so I slowly pull away
"I know that but a different perspective always helps and if I've kept your secrets. Then I can keep this Tannie"
I open my mouth but no words come out. Seconds later I sigh and nod "So... what's your first advice?"
Ned smirks giggling under his breath "I'll tell you but oh... he's coming"
My head immediately spins seeing Peter walking towards us. Pursed lips and hands in his pockets. Lost eyes in his feet. What just happened?
"she's going to Oregon now..." He explains as if he just read my mind
Ned palms Peter "Is for the best dude" Peter heavily nods and starts walking away
I look at Ned who is grinning at me while raising his thumbs up when Peter doesn't see but I slap his hands to stop him.
Classes were outstandingly boring, Flash was seriously not shutting up about the fact that his car was the one helping Quantum and Spider-Man save the world. Peter was looking more relaxed yet a little down for Liz's departure. I swear that I don't know what to think... I feel bad for her and then I feel good for me but oh God, stop that thinking Tannie. Classes are over so I grab my things prepared to go to Robotics but a hand stops mine and I look up at Ned who only jerks his head for me to follow him.
We walk in silence through the halls until he stops me in front of the library doors. I peek my head inside and see only a small group of people settling in a table.
"What are you doing Ned?"
"This is my advice... you're so smart Tannie, and you know it. Peter loves the Decathlon team, once he sees you ringing that bell over and over again and saying super intelligent things you'll have his full attention"
huh...
"ok...ok..." I nod and a body stops in front of us Mr. Harrington smiling at us
"Tannie Stark! Ned!" he greets trying to walk inside but Ned stops him "what is it, Ned?"
"umm, Tannie here wants to join the team"
Mr. Harrington jumps and opens his mouth "No way! Really? that's amazing Tannie! I was waiting for you all this time young lady!" he cheerfully nods to me "and great timing, right? one of the students has to go away" he shrugs "come on, meeting is starting!"
Ned pushes me inside making me trip over my own feet
"Listen, guys! we have a new member, say hello to Tannie Stark!" he stretches his arms to me and everyone turns their looks at me
"Tannie?" Peter smiles peeking his head
"come on, sit guys!" Mr. Harrington says and Ned sits across Peter
"Parker... scooch!" Flash motions Peter to move away so I can sit in the middle on both "Come, Tannie, welcome to my humble club"
I only smile with pinched lips and settle there. Then a trophy is placed on the table capturing our attention.
"Congratulations, Decathlon national champions!!" he cheers and everyone starts clapping
Flash spins to me and winks "Didn't see you on Homecoming... you now, I know a place that has an ama-zing Branzino..." he flares a presumptuous lopsided smile
I open my mouth to politely decline but Peter leans forward and glares at Flash
"I'm gonna have to put this back in the trophy case soon, but just for motivation right now at this practice. I'm a little ahead of the game, but we will need a new team captain next year... So I'm appointing Michelle" we all turn to look at her and we start clapping
"Uh, thank you. My-my friends call me M.J.... " she lightly smiles
"I thought you didn't have any friends" Ned states
"...I didn't... but that's only for Tannie, don't feel so special" she purses her lips and smiles at me
With a smile in return, I start hearing what Mr. Harrington is explaining about the new subjects in the curriculum and how I need to start reading the files the team has been recollecting. I nod and Peter pokes my shoulder discreetly showing me the shattered screen of his phone.
"Go to the bathroom, bring Tannie"
I frown and look at him. He starts sliding his chair back and I follow his movements.
"We... we gotta go..." Peter mumbles and starts standing up grabbing my arm
"Hey, where you going?" MJ asks us and we freeze thinking of an excuse. Her narrowed eyes trying to read our faces and I lick my lips "What are you hiding, guys?" her stare intensifies and Peter tightly squeezes my arm
"Uuuuuh" that's the only thing coming out of me
"Hhhpmm! I'm just kidding. I don't care. Bye" she laughs and we stride to the doors
Peter shrugs pointing at the nearest bathroom. I turn around seeing if there's no one so I step inside, Peter holding the door for me to enter. I peek my head seeing Happy facing back at us and spinning when he notices us.
I wave at him "Hey, Happy"
"What uh... are you doing here?" Peter asks
He bows his head and sighs "I wanted to talk to you both. I really owe you one, guys... I don't know what I would do without this job. I mean, before I met Tony- "
But then a toilet flushes and cuts him off. We awkwardly stand there as Tiny McKeever comes out. His eyes scanning Happy, then at Peter and then he winces seeing me there. I suppress a laugh watching Happy's face. I slide aside when Tiny washes his hands, wipes them, and leaves the bathroom, throwing a long, confused glance first at me because I'm inside a men's bathroom and then at Peter and Happy.
"So, uh, how long you been here?"
"Long enough to be awkward..." he points at me "Your dad" then he points at Peter "Boss, wants to see you two"
"Is he here too!" Peter excitedly whispers and points to the other bathroom stall
"Dad?" my voice echoes
"In the toilet? No, he's upstate" he walks to the door and jerks his head "Come on"
I look at Peter, his lips parted and his eyes widening "Upstate? Like, upstate-upstate? like, your house Tannie?"
"I guess, yeah"
"Yeah, let's go!" Happy nods and we follow him
Fuck. I haven't seen my dad so probably he's preparing a massive scolding session for us. I look at Peter who is stumbling with his own feet and fidgeting. We hop on the car and Happy starts the engine.
"Is this seriously happening? like... what is he gonna say?"
I shrug "Uh, I don't know. My dad's very unpredictable"
Peter swallows and rubs his palms against his legs. Looking out through the window. I text Harley that I had to go to the doctor so that's why I'm not in Robotics. Minutes later, out of the traffic and already surrounded by trees, Peter pokes my legs and I look at him.
"I-I forgot to show you something"
"mmhm? What?"
"Look, my shirt. I bought it, I mean I asked May to buy it for me... it reminds me of you!" He chirps opening his hooded parka
My stomach tightens and my heart stops just for a second seeing the simple but thoughtful thing
"Because of what you do... atoms you know?" he explains
I feel the heat creeping its way to my cheeks so I cover my head and start laughing. I nudge Peter mouthing a 'it's lovely'. I settle against the seat and see Happy rolling his eyes at us.
Peter's nervousness is long gone so we start reminiscing the fight, trading our different views. Happy was trying to seem like he didn't care but he was utterly entertained with our anecdotes. I look out and recognize the path, even though Peter was already here, his eyes lit up like a bunch of Christmas lights admiring each detail with awe and his jaw drops while the car moves inside the compound.
We hop off the car but in the work area. I turn around and see Peter delicately smiling and slightly bouncing in his feet. I approach and gently frogmarch him inside walking to another entrance of the working wing. Happy motions us to wait while he signs some papers and I spin and my smile broadens. Oh, I'm so happy for him. Just look at him... he looks so proud...
"Hey... you want a pic standing above it?" I whisper and he smiles turning back to see the 'A' engraved
"That'll be so cool... maybe... maybe later you know" he nods and pushes me to Happy
"Let's go and wait here..."
Peter chokes and drags me to the windows seeing how a Quinket is taking off. His fingers pads brushing the glass while he gasps at the view.
"That's so cool! Amazing!" Peter squeals looking back at Happy who shrugs in agreement
"You don't see that every day" Happy says and points to me "You do"
"Oh, there they are, Happy and the New York Duo" my dad surprises us from behind. I quirk my brow seeing him in a suit? that's so formal of him "How was the ride up?"
Happy nods "Good"
My dad's eyes stop in my and then turn to Happy "Give me a minute with the kids"
"Seriously?"
He quickly nods "Yeah. I gotta talk to the kids"
"I'll be close behind" Happy trails
"How about a loose follow? All right? Boundaries are good" he mocks Happy
In a swift move, he places his arms around us pushing us to walk with him. His lips curving with something I can't describe.
"Sorry I took your suits. I mean, you had it coming... Actually, it turns out it was the perfect sort of tough-love moment that you needed, right? To urge you on, right? Wouldn't you think? Don't you think Tannie?"
I frown harder "Yeah?"
"Yeah, yeah, I guess" Peter whispers
"Let's just say it was" my dad states
I search for Peter's eyes and he begins to talks
"...Mr. Stark, I really"
"You screwed the pooch hard. Big time... Boop" he pokes my nose "But then you did the right thing. Took the dog to the free clinic, you raised the hybrid puppies... All right, not my best analogy"
The glass doors in front of us slide open and the walls turn on with sketches? of what?
My dad points his finger towards Peter "I was wrong about you. I think, with a little more mentoring, you could be a real asset to the team"
I jog away from his arm and climb to the platform in front "...and what about me?"
"Oh please... You're training but this is not my whole decision to make"
I tilt my head at him "You're scared of mom? that's it?" I ask him and Happy chuckles behind us
"No! maybe... just a tiny percent of that..." he climbs with Peter to where I am
Peter kneads his brows together "to... to the Team?"
"Yeah. Anyway...There's about fifty reporters behind that door. Real ones, not bloggers" He mocks and taps something in his watch
A faint swoosh behind me make me turn and see a compartment opening behind the wall. Whoaaaa. A new Spider-Man suit.
"When you're ready... Why don't you try that on? And I'll introduce the world to the newest official member of the Avengers: Spider-Man oh! and you can have your suit back Tannie..."
"Really? Not only for emergencies?"
He sighs walking back allowing Peter to see the suit "We have more tests to run and we need to talk to your mom about the whole Quantum thing... but yeah, not only for emergencies"
I let a breathy laugh and proudly nod seeing how Peter bounces side to side
"I...wha... haha..." he chuckles and looks at me pointing his finger so I look at it too
"Nice..." I add
"Yeah. Give that a look. So, after the press conference, Happy will show you to your room, your new quarters"
I gulp and turn to my dad "Say that again?"
"uhum... Where's he between? He's next to Vision? or Tannie's? you're going to be like roomies!"
If I wasn't nervous when I got here... now I am. My neck starts feeling hot and my hands clammy.
"Yeah, Vision's not big on doors" Happy remarks
"it's fun" my dad adds
"...Or walls"
"You'll fit right in, right Tannie? there's a lap pool too!"
Peter turns to my dad, pursed lips and chest slowly rising and falling.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark. But I'm good"
I frown "Good?"
"You're good? Good? How are you good?"
"Well, I mean, I'm... I'd rather just stay on the ground for a little while. Friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Somebody's got to look out for the little guy, right?"
"Uh, no?" I mutter making Peter look at me and then at my dad
He takes his sunglasses off and flashes a piercing stare at him.
"You turning me down? Is he turning me down, Tannie? you know him better than I do...You better think about this" he points at the new Spider-Man suit and Peter looks at it "Look at that. Look at me.....Last chance, yes or no?"
"No" Peter quickly says
What the fuck Peter Parker?
"Okay. It's kind of a Springsteen-y, working-class hero vibe that I dig. Uh, Happy will take you home. Yeah?"
"Yeah...Mind waiting in the car? I need a minute" Happy requests us
"Thank you, Mr. Stark" he offers his hand
They shake hands while I try my best to not to slap Peter in his cute face "Yes, Mr. Parker. Very well"
"See you around"
"okay..." my dad whispers
Peter starts to leave with a spring in his step, he motions me to walk with him. I jump to the floor and step beside him.
"Tannie, you leaving too?" my dad shouts at me and I turn
"Just... I'll show him the rest of the compound"
He throws his arms in the air "Why is everyone leaving me? you want to leave?" he asks Happy who shakes his head
I gently push Peter to walk with me but he stops and turns around seeing how the suit is gone behind the wall
"That was a test, right? There's, uh, nobody back there?"
What? A fucking test? How this could be a test? is it? I frown harder and look at my dad
"Yes, you passed. All right, skedaddle there, young bucks!" my dad shouts at us and we storm away from them
Peter waves goodbye "Thank you, Mr. Stark. Thank you!"
"Yeah, thank you!!!" my dad shouts back
I turn to the left and Peter follows me with an impeccable smile framing his face and his eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Hey! you want to see my movie collection?"
He laughs "Sure! you have Star Wars?"
"Not only that...the limited edition!" I chirp while he whoas beside me
--------------------------
*just when Peter and Tannie left the room*
Happy watch both teenagers leave and approaches Tony
"Tannie is a great kid and I told you he's nice"
Tony shrugs and the door behind him opens and his smile drops. Behind there's a bunch of reporters. Pepper comes out with a somewhat frenzied, annoyed look when she realizes that Peter is not there.
"Where's the kid?" she asks
"He left with your daughter" Happy says and Pepper looks confused walking in front of Tony
"She told you how the Homecoming went? did she have fun?"
"Umm yeah, it was interesting" Tony murmurs and Pepper smiles but quickly shakes her head
"Well... everyone's waiting!"
"You know what? He actually made a really mature choice. It just surprised the heck out of us, of Tannie too..."
Pepper winces "Did you guys screw this up?"
Tony points at Happy "He told the kid to go wait in the car"
"Are you kidding me?" she stares at Happy "I have a room full of people in there, they're waiting for some big announcement. What am I gonna tell them?"
"Think of something. How about, um... Hap, you still got that ring?"
"Do I... I, uh..." he pats his pockets
"...the engagement ring?" Tony adds
"Are you kidding? I've been carrying this since 2008... Tannie chose it.."
Pepper winces at the men in front of her
"Okay...!" Tony huffs
"I think I can think of something better than that" Pepper adds
"Well, it would buy us a little time" Pepper kisses Tony with a smile on her lips "Like we need time..."
She starts to walk back towards the conference room "I can't believe you have that thing in your pocket"
Tony looks at Happy totally amazed at what just happened "Hey! later we need to talk about Tannie" Tony says and Pepper peaks her head
"What's wrong with her?"
her piercing blue eyes reading Tony
"Nothing... Want me to get the door for you, hon?"
"I got it..." Tony quickly follows her, catching the ring that Happy throws to him
---------------------------
*back to those dorks called Tannie and Peter*
"...and then the microwave exploded and from that day on my mom prohibits my dad and me to use it for science stuff..." I finish narrating one of the many anecdotes
He laughs and opens the glass door for me to step out "I'll call you dum-dum from now on..." he adds
I dramatically gasp running downstairs to where the car is parked "Oh, look who's talking bug brain...!"
Our laughter mingles and Peter opens the door sitting at the edge of the backseats while I lean against the car
"So... lookout for the little guy, huh?"
Peter looks down and shyly shakes his head "Yeah, it's not what I had in mind but hey! your dad is smart, he planned all of this" he explains and I look away
I conceal my face and suppress the comment of 'Something tells me it's not a test'
Happy walks to us with a smile plastered all over his face.
"Let's go, you have homework to do" he points at Peter and looks at me "by the way... your parents are getting engaged right now, don't you want to go and congratulate them?"
I open my mouth and quickly recover "They'll invite me to the wedding so..."
"hey!" Peter pulls my arm and my eyes look down at him "see you tomorrow?"
I poke his chest "oh yes, you better start practicing for Decathlon... because I'm gonna beat you"
"We'll see about that Quantum" with a toothy smile he closes the door
I see how the car goes away and disappears behind the trees. I walk upstairs to the working area. I'll take the hall to the actual residence. At the end of the open room, where the Spider-Man suit was, I spot my dad talking with my mom. A broad smile now forms in my face. I'm so happy they're together now. I turn right but abruptly stop. My shoes shrieking against the tiles.
"WhAt?!" my mom screams "TaNnIe, CoMe HeRe!!"
I peek my head and see my dad who signals me not to do it
Oh shit