Listen With Your Heart Chapter 11

Peter was immediately called to the Principles Office for his actions in the gym. His Uncle Ben had been notified of what had transpired and they discussing it now.

Phoebe found it funny that Peter was the one on the receiving end of the Principles wrath and not Flash since he's the one who's usually causing a ruckus around the school.

Phoebe was waiting outside the administration wing of the building where most of the offices were pretending to be studying from one of her textbooks so that no one would bother her. But this hadn't been her first stop. Before she headed over there Phoebe had hastily written a note and slipped it into Peter's locker when she thought no one was looking.

When Peter and Uncle Ben came out and began to walk down the hallway Phoebe followed them at a safe distance. When they stopped then she stopped.

"They're not gonna make us pay for the backboard," said Peter, trying to lessen the punishment coming his way somehow.

Holding up a hand, Uncle Ben said "I don't care about the backboard. Was that true?"

"What," asked Peter.

"What I heard in there just now. Did you humiliate that boy," said Uncle Ben, sounding extremely disappointed.

"Yeah, I did. But…," said Peter, avoiding all eye contact.

"But what," pressed Uncle Ben.

"This guy, this guy deserved it," stated Peter, slapping the palms of his hands against the fabric of his pants through coat pockets.

"Did he," said Uncle Ben, brow quirked.

"Yeah," said Peter, nodding.

Phoebe could've knocked her head slowly and repeatedly against the nearest locker. That is the stupidest response she has ever heard. If Peter expected his…their Uncle Ben to back off at that then he was seriously mistaken. Not even her father would fall for that and it didn't appear like Uncle Ben would either in the slightest.

"Is he the kid that hit you," said Uncle Ben, figuring it out.

Peter declined to respond.

"Is he," said Uncle Ben.

Peter continued to stare in the opposite direction.

Giving in, shrugging, Peter said "Yeah, yeah, but-."

"So all this is about getting even," challenged Uncle Ben. "If so, I guess you must feel pretty good about yourself now, right? Am I right or wrong?"

Peter sighed.

"Yeah, I thought so," said Uncle Ben. "Well thanks to this little escapade of yours, I had to change shifts at work, so you have to pick up Aunt May tonight at 9:00. Understood? Is that understood?"

"Yeah, yeah," muttered Peter, conceding to take his punishment like a man.

"Okay, good," said Uncle Ben, keeping his tone of voice low. He then spotted someone familiar standing behind Peter. "She looks familiar."

Peter turned to see who it was and saw it's Gwen Stacy. Uncle Ben then decided to have some fun.

"She's the girl on your computer, yeah," grinned Uncle Ben, raising his voice now to draw Gwen's attention. "He's got you on his computer. I'm his probation officer. Don't forget Aunt May."

Uncle Ben then walked off leaving Peter alone Gwen.

"Okay," laughed Peter in disbelief.

Phoebe watched Uncle Ben leave breath catching. Phoebe had a choice to make. With what she left in his locker it was highly likely she'd come face to face with Peter really soon. Now Uncle Ben she had no clue when she would have a chance to speak with him again.

It has to be now.

Knowing the layout of the school a lot better than he did Phoebe took a route to cut him off in a way where she wouldn't draw unnecessary attention.

Phoebe managed to intercept him in time just as he was passing by the schools library. While making it look casual Phoebe casually bumped her shoulder into his dropping her textbook to finish the act.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," said Phoebe.

"It's all right," said Uncle Ben, bending to pick up the book she accidentally dropped. He then handed it back to her. "Here you go."

"Thank you," said Phoebe.

Then without warning Phoebe hugged Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben was caught off guard not really knowing what to do in this situation. Taking advantage of this Phoebe relished the feeling of actually hugging her actual uncle for the first time in living memory.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Uncle Ben," said Phoebe, whispering into his ear.

Phoebe then pulled back viewing his shocked face.

"Wait…," said Uncle Ben, eyes wide, "who are you?"

Grinning, Phoebe said "You know who I am."

"Phoebe," breathed Uncle Ben.

Voices approaching signaled to Phoebe that people were coming. Best to end this now.

Phoebe smiled at Uncle Ben. She winked at him and walked away leaving a beaming Uncle Ben in her wake.

Later on Peter went to his locker putting in the combination on the lock. He opened the door and the moment Peter did so a loose piece of paper fluttered out of it. Funny thing about that is when he went to pick it up it had his name on it. The handwriting certainly didn't belong to him.

Peter flipped the folded piece of paper open to find a note written underneath.

.

Peter,

You really should take greater care about your surroundings when you want to keep a conversation private.

From P.C

P.S. I know. We need to talk. Meet me outside the school when classes are done.

.

What the…?

Peter looked closer at the initials again and that's when he realized.

P.C?

Phoebe Connors.

Phoebe knows. She must've overheard all the stuff he'd spoken to Dr. Connors about when he'd been over at their house.

Reading over the note a second time Peter couldn't help, but to smile.

She knows!

Authors Note:

Hope you guys like this one.

So Phoebe has played her hand with Uncle Ben. Do you think maybe they'll have a chance to talk before…you know what happens?

Also, the anniversary for the terrible tragedy of day of 9/11 year's ago just occurred.

I was a very young child when that happened. All I can remember that day was my mother picking me and my little sister up from grade school. At home my sister and I learned what happened in New York City. My father came home soon after fearful that we were all going to be attacked. That was one of the scariest days of my life. I know for a fact I'll never forget it. I doubt anyone will.

For those reading this right now I know we can't all be together, but I ask that you share a moment of silence and prayer, no matter your religion, out of respect for the people who died that day and those alive who are still suffering from being there that day. And those of you who may be either going to a restaurant or a bar please raise a glass in a toast for those survivors and fallen.