AUTHOR NOTE –
Hi guys, long time no type.
I am so sorry it has taken me an eternity to get started on this. I've been wracking my brain for months about how I can work Lauren into the plot for the second movie. Now that I have a rough idea, I'm getting started.
If this is your initial visit to one of my works then firstly hello. Secondly, please be aware that this is a sequel to another story I have done called Catch Me. I highly recommend reading that first, because without doing so you won't really know what's going on.
The story will follow the timeline/plot (kinda) of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. You know, the one that starred the ever delectable Andrew Garfield. Other than that the story could take us anywhere. Just hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
Here we go...
Talk Me Down – Chapter 1
So it's been six months. Six months since Captain Stacy was killed by Connors. Six months since my last night of unbroken sleep. Six months since I was scarred for life. And six months since Peter and I admitted our feelings for one another and broke up on the very same day.
In short, it's pretty safe to say I've been living in my own personal hell for the last 180 odd days.
After all the Connors stuff went down and after me and Pete broke up, I promised myself that I wouldn't let it beat me. I vowed that I was going to get on with my life, I was going to move forward, I was going to be happy and I was going to get over Peter Parker. As the old saying goes, easier said than done.
The first thing I did once I was healed up, on my feet again and actually able to leave the house without bursting into tears was to go down to Oscorp and hand in my resignation. I had a supportive Aunt Penny holding my hand the whole way there and I had no doubt it was the right decision. Who knows? Maybe I will end up working for them or someone like them again. Right now though, I just couldn't. I needed time for me.
As far as Pete goes, well that's just been a nightmare. I had every intention of ignoring his existence completely, a clean break. In theory it was a good idea, but when the person in question is fricking Spider-Man then it's pretty hard to get away. I didn't just have to deal with seeing him in school, in the street outside our houses or hearing Aunt Penny and May Parker talking about us both all the time. I also had to deal with seeing him on the front cover of every newspaper in the city, on the news and pretty much everywhere else. It also didn't help that I was still completely in love with him.
Don't get me wrong, we've shared the odd word here and there, a look in each other's direction every now and then. There would be times when Pete's Aunt May would ask him to drop something off at my house and I'd answer the door, or occasions when my Aunt Penny would coincidentally drag me along to the grocery store with her when May had done exactly the same with Peter. I have a seriously strong suspicion that those two are trying to get us back together. Shame it'll never work.
The one good thing that has come out of all the rubbish is my relationship with Gwen. We've grown even closer than we were already. All the time I used to spend with Pete I now spend with her. I think after everything that happened we both just needed someone to cling to. We'd kind of gone through it together so it was only natural that we latched on to one another.
Now enough of all this wallowing in self pity. I better just plaster on a smile and get on with it. Today is probably the best day to start anyway. It is graduation after all.
"Aunt Penny? Can you just come and put some of my cream on my shoulder? I don't want to get it in my hair." I shouted from my bedroom, out to the landing.
"Sure honey," she said in her forced sing song voice. She'd been using that a lot lately.
"Sweetie, the cream is definitely working. Your scar has improved so much since we've been using it. In a year's time I doubt you'll even be able to see it."
"Now that is a joke. Have you seen the state of my arm? Summer's coming up and I'm going to be the only person in the city wearing sweaters. It's disgusting." Do these scar creams really do anything?
The scar that ran along the top half of my arm and over my shoulder blade was a constant reminder of the attack on the Oscorp roof. Aunt Penny said it was a symbol of how close she came to losing me and how lucky she is that I'm still here. To me it's completely different. I'll have the odd moment when I'm not thinking about it. I'll get distracted by a TV show, homework or by a gossip column discussing the likes of Khloe Kardashian's new killer figure. For a second, a few minutes sometimes I'd be content, at rest. Then I'd walk past a mirror, catch a glimpse of my arm in the reflection and it would all come back. I just wanted it gone. I just wanted to forget.
"Nonsense. I promise you sweetheart, the scar will fade. Trust me?"
"Okay, if you say so." I pulled my Aunt into a hug and made a mental promise that I was going to snap myself out of this today and try to actually enjoy my graduation.
A couple of hours later, I was dressed, my hair was done and my make up was on. I was wearing a gorgeous skirt and blouse and was as ready as I'd ever be. All thanks to Gwen and her off the cuff visit to help me get ready. I have to admit, I actually looked good. The best I've looked since before...never mind.
"Peter's eyes are going to bulge out of his head." Gwen joked as we made our way downstairs to my Aunt and her awaiting camera.
"Do you really have to mention him today?" I answered with a roll of the eyes.
"He's going to be there whether you want him to or not. You can't avoid him forever."
"I've been doing a pretty good job so far."
"Well, whatever. Just hold your head high, smile and enjoy it. Just ignore him."
"Sounds like a plan."
After what felt like an entire day on its own, Aunt Penny was finally done taking pictures of Gwen and I. Chances are they wouldn't be the last ones.
Gwen took a cab back to her place before we were due to be at the East River Park Amphitheater where the graduation ceremony was being held. Her Mum wanted to undertake her own photo call. That just left me and Aunt Penny.
"So are you ready sweetheart?" My overly emotional Aunt questioned with a tear in her eye, gripping on to my hands.
"As ready as I'll ever be I guess."
"I'm so sorry your parents aren't here to see this." She sniffled.
"As long as you're here with me Aunt Penny, that's all that matters. I wouldn't have gotten through the last year without you." I said with tears threatening to fall. She really was my saviour.
"Nuh uh. You stop that right now missy. No more of that sentimental stuff. I don't want any crying ruining our makeup. Deal?"
"Deal."
A little while later I was at East River Park surrounded by a sea of royal blue, hundreds of my classmates taking their seats whilst dressed in their compulsory cloaks and caps. Once I'd found my seat I took my place and scanned the crowd to see where Gwen was. She was this year's valedictorian and I know she was nervous. I just wanted her to know I was there supporting her. Once I'd found her, I sent an animated wave her way so she could see where I was situated.
Looking over at all the families I quickly spotted Aunt Penny pointing her camera in my direction and with a massive, proud grin on her face. Next was May Parker, who sat down next to my Aunt. She didn't look so happy though. In fact, she was the complete opposite.
Taking note of that, my gaze flicked back to the students and my mission now was to find Peter. I located his seat within seconds. It was just a shame that he wasn't in it. Where was he? It was due to start any minute.
I didn't know what to do. I was supposed to be ignoring him, getting on with MY day. I shouldn't be worrying about where Pete was. I couldn't help it though. He should be here. He has to be here.
Not wasting any time, I quickly pulled my phone from the pocket in my skirt and dialled Peter's number. I assumed it was the same. I mean I hadn't called it in so long.
Pete and I hadn't spoken more than the select word here or there in such a long time and with each ring I was getting more nervous about what I would say. I was getting ready to give up. Just as I was about to pull the phone away from my ear, someone answered. Peter answered.
"Lauren?" Pete answered with hesitation.
"Pete? Hi. Where are you? It's graduation." Thank god he spoke first.
"Ummmm, I'm on my way. Just got held up. I'll be there. 5, 10 minutes tops." Why was he shouting? Were those sirens?
"You're saving the day again aren't you?"
"If you want to call it that."
"Just be careful and get here please." I begged in a whisper. I was starting to gain unwanted attention from people around me. I suppose it was kind of disrespectful being on your cell whilst a graduation was getting under way.
"Why do you care so much whether I'm there or not?" He questioned with what seemed like sincere interest. Knowing him, probably pinned to the front of a truck or something whilst asking it.
"It's graduation. The biggest day of our lives so far. It doesn't feel right that you're not here right now. I want you here Pete. I need you here."
"I'm on my way."
Phew! I always think the first chapter is the hardest. It's the one that draws people in. I know it's pretty short, and I promise the others will be a lot longer. This one was more of an establishing chapter to refresh the first story in everyone's minds.
Let me know what you all think, and I promise I'll update as soon as I can.