Double digit chapters! Thank you guys soooooo much! ❤ (By the way, sorry that my last update was over a week ago.)

Liz was brought down to the ground eventually by the helicopter because the elevator needed plenty of repairs. And well, that wouldn't be working for a while until the problem was figured out - by problem, what caused the explosion? There was no bomb particles found in the area, no cameras saw someone shoot anything. So, what set everything off? People wanted to know or else they wouldn't go near the Washington Monument because they were scared that it could be them next in the shaft, about to die.

Police arrived on the spot, ambulance following shortly after. Firetrucks also showed up. They checked each kid, one by one, making sure they were okay. Okay physically; mentally, they all had to get through almost dying. And Liz was not a fan of it, considering she was still shaking just a bit. Liz did have a few scratches, but they were easily taken care of and would heal over time. The shock would still be there, though; she would still felt like she was falling.

Liz was the one who started to fall alone. She saw the faces of the people she knew as they got farther. Her hand waving above her head like she was saying goodbye. Her life just seemed to flash in front of her; Liz believed she would die. The moment played on a loop in her brain, just stopping as the thwip! rang out and Liz stopped falling.

How Spider-Man was able to do it amazed her still. She wanted even more to know who he really was - other than her hero. Liz crossed her arms, rubbing her shoulders even though she wasn't cold. Michelle gave her golden jacket back, and Liz threw it over her shoulder. This would be all over the news, all over school. People would ask Liz about it but all she wanted to do was forget about it.

Liz over heard Mr. Harrington being interviewed by the news. "As you know, we made it out alive," he said, camera in his face. "And that's the important thing. Couldn't bare to lose a student on a school trip." He paused, like he didn't really want to speak anymore. "Not again," he added.

Not again?

Liz shook her head, sitting down on a concrete wall. The thought that Peter still hadn't showed up wasn't that weird anymore. He probably wanted to stay as far away from the monument now. Liz wondered where he could be. Somewhere in D.C. obviously.

She washed those thoughts away as Mr. Harrington started to gather everyone up. Pushing cameras away, everyone got together in a small circle. Liz looked at everyone's expression, seeming they looked just about as freaked out about what happened. They almost died.

"Okay, guys," Liz's coach said. "We are gonna get our things then get outta here. Head back to school. Your parents are probably flipping out about now."

Nods came from the students; Liz agreed. She bet her mother was freaking out, especially after Mr. Toomes hadn't made an appearance back home. Anyone would hate to have both the people they love gone in a snap. After grabbing her bags back at the hotel, Liz waited outside for the bus to arrive. Mr. Harrington was the last person to exit the building, with Peter by his side. Peter had his hoodie back on, and his backpack over his shoulders.

Liz tried not to make eye contact as he boarded the bus. He left her. He scared her. He wasn't there for her. Not that they should be together all they time, Liz thought. But they were on a school trip and should have each others' backs. But yet he just went missing without any clues. Hopefully Mr. Harrington knew what was up, or even Ned. The whole team needed an explanation. Liz wanted to know what was up with him. She wanted answers.

Liz plopped in a seat behind Flash and put her bag next to her. She quickly turned around to see Peter sit down behind Ned, who was eager to ask him question. To be honest, Liz would be like that, too, spilling questions. But she quickly looked back as Flash was looking at her, kneeling on the seat with the trophy in his hand still.

"Looks like the loser decided to show up again?" Flash piped up.

Liz looked up, knowing he was referring to Peter's return. But Mr. Harrington who was sitting a few seats up turned around. "Flash, Peter isn't a loser," he repeated from before in his robotic tone. "If anyone would be a loser, it'd be you; you didn't answer any questions."

Flash opened his mouth wide, not expecting that response. "N-neither did Peter, though."

"Peter wasn't there," Liz added.

"Exactly," Flash said. He turned around so he wasn't leaning on his knees.

The bus took off and some people spoke about stopping for a quick lunch somewhere - which they did after about an hour, but Liz pulled out her phone, only to see a bunch of texts from Betty:

I saw the news.

Liz?

Don't die on me!

Omg, Liz are you okay!

Answer me, god dammit!

ohyouaresogonnagetitwheniseeyouliz.

REPLY!

And one from her mother:

Answer me once the cameras back off, baby.

Liz started to type her answer back, first to her mother, then Betty. And after keeping a steady conversation with her friend through text, Liz plugged her headphones in, drifting away to the sound of music. When she turned the music on, she sunk in her seat a little bit, closing her eyes. Liz forget everything as the music played. Everything but her thoughts.

She still wondered what was up with Peter. He just seemed to disappear and pop up at random times. But at least he wasn't in the moving elevator. If there was a bit more weight in the cart, it would have fallen before Spider-Man was able to show up; then who knows what would have happened. As least Peter managed to find his face way back to the team, right? That was what mattered; and he did make it back to his aunt, too.

But, oh, she hoped her father would be home. Liz hoped that her father would stop working 24/7 and notice her. She could have died today.

And she was caught up in her mind, she didn't realize it when they arrived back at the school.

Cars of frightened parents were already in the parking lot. The sky was dark; night had fallen, but Liz wasn't that hungry for dinner. She was, though, ready to engulf her mother in a hug - and maybe even her father. And that's exactly what she did. Right as Liz got off the bus with her few things of luggage, she ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around Mrs. Allan's shoulders. Only to have her mother do the same thing.

Mrs. Allan then backed up, cupping her daughters hands in her face. "Oh my gosh, my baby girl," she cried out.

"M-mom," Liz said. "Mom, I'm okay."

"C'mon, let's go home," Mrs. Allan said, wrapping her arms around her daughter and walking to the car.

Liz sat down in the passenger's seat, putting her bag by her feet. Her mother got in the driver's seat and started up the car. Liz wondered why her mother was acting so worried. Sure, yes, Liz did just survived death, but her mother seemed bummed out about something else.

And then Liz remembered: her father. "Is Dad home yet?" Liz asked.

The car stayed silent for a few seconds. Liz's mother just drove out of the school's parking lot and started down the actual road to their home. She sighed before replying.

"No."

They didn't talk after that.

Liz's mind was full of thoughts about what her father could be doing. Working - obviously, but where? He brought home enough money every week or so, but why was he keeping it all secrets?

After the car was pulled into the driveway, both girls got out and walked inside. Liz walked upstairs first, putting away her things she brought on the trip. The golden jacket was thrown in her closest - it reminded her of the accident. She walked back downstairs to her mother who was boiling water.

"What's that for?" Liz asked, pointing to the pot on the stove.

"Soup," was her mother's answer. "Want some?" she added.

"Sure."

While the soup was cooking, Liz sat on the couch, brushing her hair back with her hand. Her mother sat down next to her, grabbing the remote and turning on the TV. The first channel that popped up was the news, of course. And it was of the accident that Liz took part in. A video of Spider-Man flinging himself up over a helicopter, then using small wings to go around it and smash into the window. That would explain the sounds that Liz heard.

Liz wanted to keep watching, but on the other hand she didn't want to be reminded of what happened. So her mother made the choice and changed the channel; a boring commercial popped up on some other channel.

"Baby, why don't you take a shower while the soup's cooking?" Mrs. Allan suggested to her daughter.

That thought never ran through Liz's mind. Probably because she was thinking too much about other things. "Yeah," she said, standing up.

Liz walked up the stairs into the bathroom to start running the water. She then walked inside her room and picked out pajamas, grabbing a towel to dry herself with as well. Liz let out a sigh as she heard the house phone ring, but her mother claimed she would get it. So Liz let her, but listened to the conversation by picking up another house phone that was hooked up on the table upstairs.

"-tomorrow I have to leave-"

"Tomorrow? Seriously?"

It was her mother and father speaking. Why would her mother not want Liz to talk to her dad?

"J-just let Liz know-" her dad was cut off for the second time.

"You're never there for her, Adrian."

Her father huffed. "I have a job to do, Doris, and I promise after these big business trips I will be back."

"Well, where will you be?"

"Staten Island Ferry."

Staten Island Ferry? What kind of business trip is on a boat?

"Okay, then," her mother started. "Be safe."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

The call ended. Liz placed the phone back on the hook and walked halfway down the stairs.

"Who was that?" she asked, trying to play the part where she didn't pick up the phone.

Her mother was stirring the soup in the kitchen. She turned to look at her daughter. "You know your father loves you, right, Liz?" Mrs. Allan asked, ignoring Liz's question.

Liz hesitated for a moment. "Yes," she responded. "Why? Is he coming home?"

"Not yet, baby," her mother responded. "The soup is almost done. Hurry up your shower!"

She lied? No, that wasn't a lie; her mother was procrastinating. Why couldn't she tell her daughter about where her father was going? Trying not to overwhelm her? Maybe she had a point, but Liz wanted to know. She just survived death; Liz wanted to make sure her father did the same.

"Alright," Liz responded and ran upstairs.

She took her shower, and got changed into pajamas. Getting cleaned felt good. Liz was getting rid of all the dust and particles from the accident. She felt...new. Maybe the Washington Monument wouldn't be so bad after all. Liz felt happy again - other than the fact that her mother and father were hiding something from her. And after soup, she stayed up reading in her room for a little bit.

Taking things slow until school starts on Monday again. When she goes back, she'll have to explain things. But for now, Liz is just taking things slow.