"So… any plans for the weekend?" Peter asked as he waited for me. He pulled out a pack of gummy worms from his backpack and offered me one which I gladly took.
Who says no to gummy worms? Or free food?
I shook my head. "Not that I can think of. What about you?"
I closed my locker to face him with a smile.
"No. I'm free. So… I was thinking that since we're both free. Would you uh.. wanna hang out? Just you and m-"
"You guys ready to go?" Ned stuffed his science book into his bag as he made his way over.
"Yeah. Do you guys wanna get some ice cream? 7-11 is on the way home."
I started to walk off, but I noticed that I was alone.
Turning around, I saw the boys having their own little meeting.
"Guys?" I called. Shaking my head, I saw Michelle close her locker across from ours. "Hey Michelle, you wanna get some ice cream with me?"
She quirked a brow, "What's in it for me?"
"A cold, creamy and delicious treat on me?"
She nodded in approval.
Walking side by side, I picked off the gumball eyes on my Iron Man popsicle.
I was bummed out when they ran out of chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches.
"Why are you picking out the eyeballs?" Michelle asked as she opened her cold treat.
"In a way, it makes me feel like they don't know I'm coming in for a bite."
She let out a snort. "Take them out when they least expect it? I like the way you think." She took a bite of her ice cream. "So, what brought on this hangout?"
I shrugged, "You looked like you needed some ice cream too," I answered lamely.
Michelle examined me and then nodded after a moment.
We walked side by side in silence as we savored our icy treats.
"You know they've been following us, right?" Michelle piped up.
I quirked a brow. I looked around and saw Peter and Ned ducking into a shop once they were spotted.
Laughing, I shook my head.
"Those dudes are legit stalkers."
As we walked by, Michelle casually stated, "You guys are losers."
Words of protest followed as I snorted at her blunt response.
"You know," She started off as she tossed her popsicle stick in the nearest trash can. "I'm surprised Flash hasn't harassed you these last couple weeks."
"Shouldn't that be a good thing?"
"Yeah, but that dude will flirt or bash on anything with two legs. He stopped talking to you all together."
Well… I did hypnotize him to never bother me again…
She doesn't need to know that.
"Maybe he's intimidated by me," I joked as I threw my stick away.
She chuckled, "You? Intimidating? Right…"
My jaw dropped, "I can be intimidating."
She looked down on me, "A piece of toast could be more terrifying."
Dang.
Michelle Jones really knows how to shoot people down.
As we parted ways, I felt footsteps creep up behind me.
Turning, I almost punched a shocked Peter in the face. His hand caught my fist catching me by surprise.
"Woah there. I come in peace," He chuckled as he let go of my hand.
"Sorry. I thought you would have left for home by now. Great reflexes by the way."
"Well.. I saw you walking by yourself and Ned already went home so I thought that I could walk with you. Since we're going the same way."
"Oh sure." We walked in silence through the crowded streets. "Oh! I just remembered you were about to mention something when we were leaving school."
"Right. So.. I was wondering if… and feel free to say no! But did you want to go out for dinner? Just… you and me?"
I stopped in my tracks to look at the shy brunette in front of me as my heart hammered in my chest.
"Like… like a date?" I sheepishly asked.
I've never been on a date before.
"It doesn't have to be, unless I.. if you want it to be… you know. A-a date."
Him asking me this feels so different compared to when Daniel asked me.
"Okay. Yeah sure," I answered, fumbling a bit with my words as a warmth spread across my cheeks.
"Yeah? Alright! Great!" His face lit up like a kid at a birthday party and I couldn't help but return that bright smile. As he was about to say something, a couple of police cars zoomed by us.
Before I knew it, he was walking at a fast pace. "Oh! Uh. I just remembered that May wanted me to get some… eggs! Yeah eggs! So I'll text you about the date later." He threw a wave before running off.
I shook my hands at his antics.
He's a terrible liar.
Finally arriving home, I heard shuffling inside.
Slowly twisting the knob, I peeked inside and saw a sight I haven't seen in almost a month.
Phoebe and Cole were sat in the living room and were looking at some papers.
"Where have you guys been?" I asked as I strode inside.
They both jolted with Phoebe scrambling to get the papers inside a Manila folder.
"Well, you know how work is for me. Always on call," Cole said as he blocked Phoebe from my view. "And Phoebe wanted to come along. You know I can't say no to her."
I raised a brow at that.
Phoebe walked off to their room with the folder in hand.
"Well, I'm glad you guys are okay. It's so hard to get a hold of you guys." I walked up to him and gave him a hug.
He returned it and patted my head.
"Anything happened while we were gone, kiddo?"
A creepy woman with glowing eyes has been watching my every move.
Oh and also taking pictures.
"Not really. Just the play and stuff."
"Oh right! Isn't your play coming up soon?" Phoebe asked as she came back into the room.
I nodded, "Next Saturday. You guys are coming, right?"
Phoebe pulled me in for a hug, "We wouldn't miss it for the world." She let go and smoothed my hair back. "Now that we're back, what should we do for dinner?"
Cole opened the fridge and saw how bare it was. "Maybe we should go out? How does Chinese sound?"
I laughed as he inspected the carton of milk.
It felt nice having them home again.