The next day, I was reading the next book on my to- be -read list when Peter came screeching into the common room. "Cranewood!" He practically shrieked as he ran, hips first into the back of the couch I was lounging one. He miscalculated his own speed and toppled over the back, faceplanting right into my lap.
"Oh my god, oh my god, I'm so sorry I didn't-oh Jesus I'm so sorry. I just totally invaded your personal space and literally put my face there and oh my god." He cut his own self off and blushed so deep, the tips of his ears almost flowed red. Peter lkicked himself back up and adjusted his blue sweatshirt before running his hands through the hair on the back of his neck and refusing to make eye contact with me.
"Peter?"
"Y-yeah? Wwhat's up, Kaida,?" he managed to squeak out before coughing and clearing his throat, lowering his voice to compensate. I just stared back at him expectantly, dog-earring my page before slamming the book shut between my thighs. He blinked twice before shifting uncomfortably between feet. I swear, for an adult man, this boy sure acted like a gawky sophomore a lot.
"Oh. Oh yeah! We've met before. Cranewood School for Girls. Technically, you and Spider-Man met but... I'm hurt that you were never even going to mention the first time I saved your life. What's up with that? And also, how did a Hydra ghost end up on Long Island at an elite prep school for upstanding young women and-" I tuned him out unconsciously.
In truth, I had completely forgotten my run in with Spider-Man when I was 13. My sister and I were much too busy then still readjusting to a normal lifestyle we'd never had and covering our tracks while breaking enough laws to provide for ourselves, day in and day out.
Nadia had laundered enough money that wWe had more than enough for a down payment on a small apartment in the Long Island area and I was proficient enough in my mimicry and illusion work that we were able to enroll in school with a late start due to our "parents" and their extremely generous donations. It certainly helped that Nadia and I were both whip smart.
I remembered the day Spidey was talking about. Some jack -booted, Hydra thug had stormed the grounds and held my class hostage, because his primary target, Anna, who was the daughter of a senator, was my classmate. Luckily, she sat about as far away from me as possiblepopular so the Agent was never able to see my face. I didn't realize the whole upset was over until I had felt a large hand rubbing my back.
Of course, it was Spider-Man that came to my rescue. That day seemed to repeat itself over and over with no end sight. Of course, he was comforting me. His super hearing was the first power I'd ever assimilated by accident. We should test that more in the lab.
As I opened my mouth to finally suggest a battery of tests to Peter, FRIDAY started shouting instructions to be heard over the loud clang of the emergency bell.
Science could wait.