This week has been tough.
I've been getting more anonymous letters and a picture of me. It was getting so freaky.
Peter told me that he notices me getting jumpy and paranoid.
Cole and Phoebe are still MIA and it goes straight to voice-mail every time I try to contact them.
Clara has been stressing about her internship so I didn't bother her with what was going on.
Ned is also in on what's going on and he told me that I should try to get Spider-Man to help.
Like I could track the guy…
I haven't been getting much sleep either.
Juggling between this, the play, school, and being a vigilante, I have a lot on my plate and sleep is the last thing on my mind.
"Ophelia?" A hand shook my shoulder, making me lift my head off the table. Ned and Peter took a seat across from me with their lunch.
Running a hand through my hair, I smiled at the duo despite their concerned expressions.
"Hey guys. I was just resting my eyes while I waited for you guys. I pulled an all nighter studying."
I'm pretty sure they saw through my lie when they looked at each other.
"You're not going to eat?" Peter questioned as he bit into his burger.
"I'm not that hungry."
"But, you're always hungry."
"I guess being sleepy rules over me being hungry. I'll just eat a snack during break or something." He still had a concerned look on his face. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."
"Hey Ophelia." Turning, I saw Daniel. He stood behind me with his hands tucked in his pockets.
He was being out of character too. No flirtatious tone or sly smirks. He hasn't called me that dreaded nickname. It was refreshing, but strange. We became close acquaintances for the last month much to Peter's chagrin.
He's been a lot nicer and more tolerable.
With how everything has been going lately, I would have thought I was in a different universe.
"Hey Daniel."
"Can I talk to you for a quick sec?"
"Sure. I'll be right back guys."
Peter looked like he wanted to interject, but I shot him a reassuring smile.
He led us into the empty hallway.
"Everything okay?" I asked as he leaned against the wall.
"Uh. Yeah. Everything is fine and dandy." He let out an awkward chuckle. "I've been wanting to ask you something. So… I've liked you ever since you showed me your acting prowess. Your passion and fire are what drew me to you. You're a pretty cool and smart gal with a set of lungs."
My jaw dropped at his confession.
Daniel, the cocky pretty boy, has confessed to me.
I honestly don't know how to feel.
"Would you, uh, like to go out for coffee or something with me?"
My face flushed as he looked at me with hopeful eyes.
But, my mind immediately went to a boy with honey brown eyes.
"You're a pretty cool guy too, but I'm so sorry. I don't feel the same way."
He nodded with a sad smile, "I figured, but I thought 'hey! Why not give it a shot?'" He chuckled and shook his head. "It's that Parker kid, isn't it? I've seen the way you look at him."
Am I that obvious?
"I'm just not ready for a relationship, but I would like to continue our friendship. If you want to. If you don't, that's fine too!"
"Friends?" He chuckled. "Sounds pretty good to me, Princess."
I laughed at the nickname.
"How about after practice today we go get some coffee?" I offered.
"Yeah. I'd be down. Well, I'll see you later." He walked off down the hall.
Heading back in the cafeteria, I sat back down.
"So… what did he want?" Ned questioned.
"Daniel asked me out."
Ned dropped the milk he was drinking and glanced at Peter.
He panicked and picked up the carton.
"Oh really? Are you guys dating now?"
I shook my head, "No. I told him that I didn't feel the same way."
"Why didn't you? He's the most popular guy in school."
"I don't share the same feelings for him. And popularity isn't important to me. It's about the person and how connected I feel to them."
"So… was there anyone that you feel that way toward?"
Blushing, I tried to think of a way out of answering.
"W-well um.."
Someone must be watching over me because the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
"Oh! Wow! Lunch is over already? We should head to the gym."
Not waiting for a response, I grabbed my backpack and beelined towards my next class.
"Ophelia!" Betty jogged next to me as Coach Wilson made us jog around the gymnasium since it was pouring outside. "Why didn't you tell me that Daniel asked you out?"
My head snapped toward her, "Who told you that?"
"I overheard Ned and Peter talking about it. I thought you didn't like him like that?"
"I don't. I told him I didn't feel the same way."
"Aww. You guys would have been so cute together." She then started to ramble on, but my mind couldn't focus on what she was saying.
Wiping the sweat off my brow, I felt my leg give out under me.
Falling on my hands and knees, I blinked and shook my head.
"Oh my God! Are you okay?"
"Get up, Hale!" A whistle blew as people continued to run around me.
I stayed for a moment, just evening my breathing.
Sitting back, I exhaled as my vision went back to normal.
Betty was crouched in front of me.
"Lia!" Sneakers squeaked to a stop beside my form. I felt a hand on my shoulder. "You alright?"
I nodded, "Yeah. My leg just gave out on me is all. I just got a bit tired."
"Did you need help getting up?"
He held out a hand for me which I gratefully took. Pulling me up, he almost sent me crashing into his chest.
"Sorry! Sorry."
I waved it off. Thankfully, my face was already flushed so they couldn't tell if my face turned any redder than it already was.
A whistle broke me from my reverie.
"Parker! Hale! Let's go!"
Shooting Peter a small smile, I continued on.