"The so called 'spider-girl' was spotted swinging across the city and leaving a crime scene with Spider-Man yesterday…"
"May, can we mute that?" She clicked the remote. The kitchen smelled of bacon and cleaning supplies.
"Sure, sweetie. How many eggs can you eat?"
"However many I fit in before I leave. I'm meeting a friend for coffee. Ya know, if that's okay."
"Oh, sounds great, honey! Need me to drop you?"
"Thanks, I'll walk."
"Just give your bones time to heal. Take it slow."
"Sure. Hey, where's Pete?"
"Still in bed. That Stark internship has him tired out constantly." I put down my fork.
"Um, internship?" I managed as casually as possible.
"At Stark Industries. Didn't you know?"
"Uh, no, I didn't." I stirred my bacon and eggs around in circles. "Stark Industries. That must be cool. Has he ever actually met Tony Stark?"
"Yeah, definitely. So have I." Was that wistfulness in her tone?
"I better get going. Thanks for breakfast."
"So, let me get this straight." Isabella put down her coffee and pressed her fingertips together. Her closet must have had a paint can explode in it this morning. With her bright blues, yellows and pinks, she stood out from the drab cafe we were meeting in. She had listened to my story with very little reactions, asking questions here and there and tilting her head to one side and staring when it got really bizarre.
"You're a superhero." She pursed her lips.
"I mean I guess so. I have powers, and now I'm fighting crime."
"You're all chummy with Spider-man, Iron Man, let me guess, Thor?"
"Uh, no. I think he's off in space right now anyway."
"You've made an enemy of a criminal underlord. You have to choose if you want to keep your powers. 'Kay. How exactly did you get these powers in the first place?"
"Well, I don't actually know. I've kinda been feeling like Stark and Spidey have been avoiding the subject. I just needed someone to talk this through with. Help me sort it all out." I gave her a hopeful glance.
"And now, with no martial arts training at all, you've been beating up bad buys and saving the day."
"Keep your voice down. Yes. The webbing really comes in handy in a fight." Where was she going with this? Maybe I was wrong to tell her.
"Well it's cute. Its really cute."
"I'm sorry?"
"But you don't have to do this. You don't have to fabricate stories in order to get people to like you. I'm your friend. I'm here for you." She slid her hand across the table to mine. I pulled it away and stood.
"Bathroom."
"What?"
"Bath. Room. Thirty seconds." I pushed my chair in and walked away. A few seconds later I heard the door squeak and the princess walked in.
"Listen, I don't know what this is all about, but can I just say I am as straight as the sixty bobby pins I pushed into my hair this morning and-" I walked out of the stall, full costume. I stood before her, prepared for the excitement and fangirling that would soon follow. The tables were turned now.
"Shoot something with your webbing."
"What? Are you kidding me right now? What is going to convince you that I'm Spider-woman?"
"Shoot something. Anyone can make a costume." I sighed and scanned the room. My eyes landed on the ceiling. Several thwap, thwap, thwaps and the ceiling spelled out 'ISABELLA'.
"Convinced?"
"I don't know. Looks an awful lot like silly string if you ask me."
"Ugh! What, do you need me to throw a car? Any ideas, Monday?"
"I could show her the footage of last night's incident." I took off the mask and held it out to Isa.
"Here, watch this. It should prove to you I'm not- what?" She had grown a huge grin on her face and was staring at the mask.
"Your mask can talk."
"Yeah, watch what its showing you."
"Your mask can talk?"
"Yes, do you believe me now?"
"YOUR MASK CAN TALK!" Well, at least she believed me. "This is real. This is fabulous! I saw you on the news this morning. You really are the spider-girl!"
"Spider-woman. And yes."
"Fantastico! Chica, me encanta los colores."
"Wish I could agree. Listen, you are the only who knows. THE. ONLY. ONE. You have to keep my secret."
"Your aunt?"
"No way."
"Pete?" I hesitated.
"Not as far as I know." We walked out of the bathroom to the sound of the TV gossiping about me. My new signature pink flashed across the screen. Then the scene changed.
"In breaking news, Spider-man appears to be facing off with a group of men in times square. Police are standing by, as all his adversaries are heavily armed. The new supposed hero, Spider-girl, has not made an appearance. Spider-man may be in over his head in…" I turned to Isa. Her eyebrows were raised and she held back a grin.
"¡Vaya, Chica de las Arañas!"
"Es Mujer-araña. Can I trust you?"
"With your life. Go!" I didn't need to be told thrice.