Lying
Michelle had never actually gone home, at least not hers, she spent the night at Liz’s house. When she had off-handedly mentioned that her mother was working late and her dad was off who-knows-where, Liz had refused to let her return to the empty house for longer than it took her to grab a few necessities. Michelle brushed her off but Liz’s parents insisted and Michelle always had an issue saying no to her “other parents” (as Liz commonly called them). One look from Mr. Toomes and a worried voice from Mrs. Toomes had her agree quickly. So here she sat, changed and ready to head to the school as Liz sang along to the Hamilton soundtrack in the joint bathroom, finishing her eyeliner.
“You know if you weren’t trying to hit Eliza’s notes you may not have almost stabbed your eye as many times.” The younger teen laughed, finally standing and walking behind the other girl. Her face was trying to show irritation but it didn’t reach her eyes that were saturated with amusement.
Liz glanced at the girl in the mirror before smiling. “What’s the point of having my eyeliner sharp if my notes aren’t sharper?”
She gave herself a once over quickly before nudging her friend’s shoulder playfully as she walked back to her desk. “Come on,” she encouraged, tossing the other girl’s phone at her before grabbing her own backpack. “I’m not letting a freak accident ruin our perfect attendance.”
Michelle caught the phone with ease, checking to make sure- what was she supposed to call him? Mr. Rogers? No, that just reminded her off the kid’s show. Captain America? Former Captain America?- whatever she was supposed to call him hadn’t texted or left a message while she had slept. Nothing yet. She knew it would be subtle but she hoped he wouldn’t try anything at school.
“Yes, because almost dying in an elevator at the nation’s capital is nothing compared to a tardy note,” she mocked, easily walking up to the girl and nudging her back. “You sound more and more like Hermione every day.”
“Killed or worse, expelled!” Liz laughed as she wrapped an arm around the taller girl and waked out the door. “I told Mom we’d walk to the subway then take that to the school. It was either that or wake up earlier to catch a ride with dad before he heads out of town again.”
“No problem,” Michelle assured her as the stepped out of the house and started down the sidewalk.
The Jones’ and Toomes’ had been close for years. Her dad went to high school with Liz’s before they split in different directions, MJ’s dad went into the military while Liz’s study construction and started a business. They lost contact for a bit but met up when MJ’s mother, who was a doctor, taught a class for pregnancy when Liz’s mother was pregnant with her. Both of the husbands happened to pick up their wives at the same time and recognized each other. Liz called it fate deciding both intelligent girls should stick together as they both got into the most advance science school New York had to offer.
Liz turned her backpack so she could reach inside to take something out. “Mom made you a lunch too. Said that they don’t feed us well at the school.”
MJ grabbed the bag quickly as she was passed it. “Thank the Lord above-… I mean, maybe gods? Ugh, the Thor thing still confuses me. Thank the universe, then! Your mom is a wonderful cook.’
Liz laughed. “Don’t let her hear that or she’ll send you food every day.”
“Can I have that in writing?”
Liz took the other girl’s hand as they walked the too noisy streets of the city that seemed to not know what sleeping in meant. The school wasn’t too far and walking was something they, like most New Yorkers, learned to love. Cars were wonderful but no one wanted to be sitting in traffic forever when many places were a simple walk or light jog away.
Most days the anxiousness of the city seemed too much for Michelle, she much rather preferred to take it slow and relax (her parents called her a “small town girl who never lived in a small town”). However, ever since she met the former patriotic icon she had been… off to say the least. She showed emotion to the extreme to people who had rarely even seen her smile, Liz was the only one not scandalized by her worry for the others and care during their time of need.
She was pretty sure Ned mumbled something about “The wizard giving the tin man a heart” playfully, but she had ignored it in favor of helping Cindy calm down.
“Aren’t you excited for Homecoming?” Liz tried to sound casual but Michelle could hear the suggestion in her voice.
“I thought we established Homecoming was your thing.”
“It could be a good way to bond with the other team members.” The persuasion in her voice was obvious.
A groan came from the taller girl’s lips as she flipped off a driver who beeped at them. “Don’t use the team against me!”
“It’s the only ammunition I have!”
Michelle paused, still smiling. “I’ll think about it.” She glanced down at her phone, not sure if it was habit or the nerves of what was supposed to happen. She saw something, though not from the person she expected. She hit the call back button and put the phone between her and Liz with the volume up.
“Michelle?”
“And Liz!” Liz immediately. “What’s up, Peter?”
“Yeah, is there a reason you called this early? If you’re asking to copy my history homework again, loser, I swear-.”
“N-No. I was just wondering if you were all right. You were acting a little odd the other day.” He didn’t sound harsh, but he did sound worried or even anxious.
“Well, I mean, near-death experiences aren’t an everyday occurrence. Also, I wasn’t in the elevator.” Michelle let the snark coat her response.
Liz elbowed her. “That’s how she teases, Peter. She’s fine and so am I. Thank you for your concern.”
“Good. Um, Ned wants me to tell you thanks for sitting with him when he called his mom. He can’t come to the phone now and he’s gonna be late to class so he wanted me to tell you.”
Liz looked expectantly at her friend, looking between her and the phone as if to say, “go ahead…”.
Michelle shrugged on instinct, though she knew he couldn’t see her. “It’s no problem, you guys would do the same.” She hesitated. “Hey, Parker, where were you during the tournament anyway?”
Liz’s face took on a matching look of confusion. “Yeah, where were yo-?”
“I’m sorry, you guys! I have to go or I’ll miss the subway. See you guys in class.”
The call ended as Michelle pulled the phone into the palm of her hand, glaring at the photo of the boy. “He’s hiding something.” She accented her accusation with a finger wag at the senior. “He’s hiding something and I will find out what it is.”
Liz rolled her eyes. “He was probably just at some store or something, MJ.”
“Liz, he quit band as we were learning the Imperial March. That’d be like you quitting drama club right before being casted as the lead. It would never happen. He’s hiding something and I will know what it-!”
Her rant was halted by a new message from S.R. on her phone. It was simple, only three words: On your left.
She knew enough not to turn and look with Liz starring at her so she thought fast. Releasing a groan she turned to the girl. “My mom wants me to pick up a book for her. I’ll just grab it now and meet up with up before homeroom, I don’t want to try to rush to the store after class.”
Liz nodded. “I can go with you-.”
Michelle shook her head. “No, you can’t. Betty’s going to be worried sick if you and I are late, you have to take one for the team on this and deal with Betty’s momma bear mode.”
Liz rolled her eyes and laughed before dramatically throwing her arm over her eyes. “Alas! Remember me when I am cuddled to death by the blonde bear who puts actual bears to shame!”
“Later, drama queen.” MJ said with a two-finger salute as her friend ran past the taxi while yelling at them to follow the traffic laws.
The nerves settled in her stomach as she walked to her left, entering a branch of the city that seemed a little less chaotic. A bookstore, a café, a hole-in-the-wall, a hipster’s favorite street. She’d been in this area before, though under much different circumstances. Few people came to this area, which made it perfect for war criminals in this case.
Michelle wasn’t stupid, in fact she was one of the smartest people in her class. She narrowed down the group of people she could be meeting to two people due to circumstances. They had to be adaptable, hidden in plain sight, an under the radar. With that in mind, she found her almost instantly, because she knew what she was looking for.
She walked over to the small table outside the café, the woman drinking coffee with blonde hair made no move as the young girl sat at the table next to her. Their backs we facing each other, Michelle figured it would lessen suspicion around them.
“You’re a smart one, I see.”
Michelle pulled out a book out of her back and opening it to give the appearance that she was reading as she reclined in her chair. “That’s an honor coming from my favorite Avenger.”
The woman turned to the woman turned, nudging her slightly as she pulled down her sunglasses. Michelle turned and felt a smirk come on her face as she chalked up another victory to her reasoning.
First guess out of the two candidates. Ding! Ding! Give the girl a prize.
“Aw,” Black Widow, Ms. Romanoff, cooed playfully. “I’m your favorite? Sam and Steve are going to be disappointed.”