Nothing hurts more than when a loved one dies. My fathers got a taste of what that's like when they had to fake my death, but they had the satisfaction of knowing that I was alive still and safe in New York. But Peter really lost his uncle and everyone knows that the dead can't come back. Even though Peter and I were together by then, I felt like there was nothing I could do help ease his pain.
I remember the day after Ben was killed. It seemed like the whole school knew about what happened. The usual river of students divided into two separate streams as Peter walked the opposite way. I would sometimes pass Peter and feel so sorry for him. No one bothered Peter, not even Flash. He actually tried to talk to Peter instead of bullying him.
"Hey, Parker?"
Peter didn't want to deal with Flash as he busied himself with his locker.
"Not today, Flash."
Flash continued to approach. "Hey, come on, man. I just wanna talk…"
Flash attempted to give Peter a pat on the back but the second he touched Peter, Peter grabbed Flash and pinned him against the lockers. Everyone in the hall immediately looked over and stared at what was happening. Flash remained calm as Peter held him against the locker. I watched, slightly scared because I had never seen Peter act like that. Everyone in the hall waited for Flash to do something.
"It feels better, right? Look, your uncle died. I'm sorry. I get it. I'm sorry."
It seemed like Flash was referring to when he bullied Peter. But Peter didn't seem to care and let Flash go. He was crying and I wanted to do something.
"Peter."
I hugged Peter but he just shrugged me off and left.
It seemed like Peter was gone for a bit. We didn't really talk much and he seemed distant. But soon, it seemed like he had gotten better. He seemed like he had his mind set on something , but I wasn't sure what. I was just glad that he was better.