I don't own Avengers or its characters. I only own Riley Stark and other OCs that appear in the story.
Take on the World
Chapter 40: Homecoming
Pepper hummed lightly while preparing Tony's gluten free pancakes while Riley was feeding Morgan a small bowl of cereal rice.
"Come on, Morgan."Riley cooed playfully as she held a small spoon."Open for the airplane."
Morgan opened her mouth a little bit, so that Riley could feed her breakfast.
"Is it yummy?"Riley asked.
A bit of baby food drooled out from Morgan's mouth, making Riley clean her younger half's sister with a tissue.
"I guess it's a yes."Pepper giggled.
Pepper placed the plate of gluten-free pancakes on the table as Tony came into the room to share a small passionate kiss with Pepper.
Riley frowned and simply covered Morgan's eyes with her free hand.
"You'll understand when you're older."Riley assured.
Riley removed her hand when Tony and Pepper finished their kiss.
"Such passion in the morning."Riley informed as she went to sit down to her eat her breakfast."It's really embarrassing."
Pepper blushed and looked down shyly while Tony cleared his throat.
"More the more reason why I don't encourage you to date yet, Rye-Rye."Tony complemented.
Riley bit her lip a bit before she began to eating her cinnamon pancakes.
The young brunette hadn't told her father or Pepper that Tristan asked her out for the Homecoming Dance and didn't attend for them to find out either.
There was already enough bad blood for her father towards Bucky.
And the last thing she wanted to witness Tristan being yelled by her father over his great-uncle's crimes.
"Ugh. My crush on Tristan is almost like Romeo and Juliet."Riley thought with a hint of shame."But more tragic."
Not longer after breakfast, Riley sat down on her bedroom to text on her iPhone.
Riley's Message: Hey, Tristan.
Tristan's Message: Hey, Riley. Everything okay?
Riley was quiet a little bit before she continued texting again.
Riley's Message: My dad's security guard will be dropping me and Gwen to Homecoming, so you'll gonna have to make your own way. Sorry.
After placing the awkward emoji next to her message, the Stark heiress got a text back.
Tristan's Message: No problem. My mum will actually drop me off to school.
An approved smile appeared on Riley's face.
Riley's Message: Thank you.
Once Riley finished texting Tristan, the Stark heiress brought her attention on texting one of her classmates, Cindy Moon.
Riley's Message: Hey, Cindy. Homecoming is just around the corner. What's the best hair salon to have your hair done?
Cindy's Message: I would go for the Fox & Jane Bowery. Best vibe, great listeners, and fantastic stylists.
Riley's Message: Awesome.
A knock was heard outside Riley's bedroom causing her to glance it.
"Come in."Riley insisted.
The door of the bedroom and Pepper came inside.
"Hey, Riley."Pepper greeted."Homecoming is in less than a week. But isn't it best to find a dress now than waiting for the last day?"
This caused Riley to grin in delight.
"I totally agree with you, Pepper."Riley agreed and got off her bed."Let's go."
Gwen (wearing her Ghost Spider suit) stood above the Empire State Building with her mask halfway since she was munching on a donut with cyan blue icing.
"Got back home a little past two."Gwen muttered."I had to stop two muggings and one attempted rape on my way back."
The masked female super hero took another bite on her donut.
"The visual impact of these galaxy donuts made them go viral on social media, becoming the hot topic in America recently."Gwen complemented."The donut is not fried and the icing is made of coconut oil and soybean milk, making it a vegan-friendly product."
A scoff escaped from Gwen's mouth.
"I've grown fond of these donuts even if I am not a vegetarian."Gwen stated."Though I should cut the sugar since I don't want to have difficulty putting on my hero costume. I got powers of a spider, but that doesn't mean I should stop having a good diet."
When Gwen finished eating her donut, she placed her mask on fully.
Ghost Spider felt conflicted with everything going on with her life as both Gwen Warren and as Ghost Spider.
She then got an alert on her iPhone as the police frequency app was on.
"An armed robbery happening downtown?"Ghost Spider read and then sighed in disapproval."Even heroes can't seemed to take breaks. Time to go to work."
Ghost Spider jumped down from the roof she stood before firing her web shooters at a nearby building to swing to it and head to where the robbery was taking place.
The robbers pointed their guns at the security guards while the others went to the back as one of them brought a thermal lance.
The one with the thermal lance lighted it up to do its work on the doors.
Ghost Spider arrived at the scene and camouflaged herself invisible before she saw that the thugs got two hostages.
Some of the robbers managed to cut the steel door down as they went inside the back and started collecting the money.
About three were outside watching the scene as well as the hostages.
One looked up as something came in swinging in the air.
Ghost Spider came in and gave the guy a hard kick on the face, knocking him out.
The three looked as Ghost Spider was here at the scene, they pointed their guns at her.
But the female masked superhero webbed up the barrels which jammed the guns.
Ghost Spider ran and jumped to do a flip one of the thugs down hard with her web shooters.
There were two thugs across the sedan.
However, Ghost Spider push kicked the front side of the car making it move, knocking the two thugs back flying and hitting the ground.
The remaining three came out of the back with the money and see their buddies defeated and Ghost Spider standing nearby.
"Hey, boys."Ghost Spider sneered."Want an autograph?"
"Spider freak!"
"Kill her!"
The thugs immediately fired off their guns.
But Ghost Spider jumped up and landed on top of one of them.
She pushed him down as she jumped back up again, she webbed up the two thugs on either side.
Only one remained standing as Ghost Spider fired off a web line to pull her in as she used her free fist, knocking him out cold.
The guards came by and see that the thugs are defeated and the money was secured thanks to Ghost Spider.
"Thanks a lot, Ghost Spider."A first guard thanked.
"I'm starting to think Jameson's wrong about you."the second guard admitted.
"Just doing my job helping out."Ghost Spider remarked firmly."I should get going. Got more work to do."
Ghost-Spider swings away as the two guards watched her go.
"Just what the hell is J. Jonah Loudmouth's problem?"Ghost Spider muttered with a hint of annoyance as she swung to a few buildings before she paused on one and started walking on its wall."I am just a superhero trying to make the city safer and he hates my guts as well as Spider-Man's for doing just that. And why? Just because we wear masks while fighting crime?"
Ghost Spider paused to stand on the roof.
"Since Captain America and Black Widow are busy with their own superhero team while being on the run from the Government, this doesn't mean the people should relay on the police to fight the bad guys."Ghost Spider complemented, frowning behind her mask."I am not criticising my dad's job. But I am just saying if some creepy alien ass comes and attempts to take over Earth, will the Government keep saying the Avengers are too dangerous to stop major threats because collateral damage?"
Ghost Spider then continued swinging to arrive at Queens, only to land in an alleyway not far from where her home was.
"Either way, screw the Sokovia Accords as Riles said."Ghost Spider muttered."It's legally problematic and everything is illegal."
Just as Ghost Spider was about to take off her mask, she caught sight of Iron Man flying in the sky which earned her attention.
"Wonder where Mr Stark is going?"Ghost Spider murmured with a hint of curiosity."I suppose checking out won't hurt."
Ghost Spider then began to carefully follow her best friend's dad.
The female masked superhero made sure she was not too close, so that the billionaire's suit could not sense her.
When Iron Man arrived not far from where the Staten Island Ferry was usually located in, Ghost Spider camouflaged herself invisible before she started to climb on the building that she saw him fly up to.
"Previously on Peter Screws the Pooch. Tell you to stay away from this."Tony retorted."Instead, you hacked a multimillion-dollar suit, so you could sneak around behind my back doing the one thing I told you not to do."
A glimpse of confusion appeared on Ghost Spider's hidden face.
Who was Tony talking to?
Ghost Spider climbed a bit more to see a better view on who her best friend's dad was talking to.
However, she was not prepared at what she going to see next.
The one Tony was talking to was none other than Peter that was wearing a familiar suit that belonged to a certain male wall crawler and his matching mask.
From behind her mask, Gwen couldn't believe it.
Peter was Spider-Man.
"ls everyone okay?"Peter asked.
"No thanks to you."Tony admitted.
This caused Peter to become angry.
"No thanks to me?"Peter argued as he stood up to go over to Iron Man."Those weapons were out there, and I tried to tell you about it. But you didn't listen. None of this would've happened if you had just listened to me. If you even cared, you'd actually be here."
The Iron Man suit opened itself up, revealing Tony actually in it before stepping out to speak to Peter in person.
"I did listen, kid. Who do you think called the FBI, huh?"Tony retorted."Do you know I was the only one who believed in you? Everyone else said I was crazy to recruit a 14-year-old kid."
"I'm 15."Peter corrected.
Tony shushed Peter to pause him from talking.
"No, this is where you zip it, all right?"Tony demanded."The adult is talking. What if somebody had died tonight? Different story, right? Because that's on you. And if you died...I feel like that's on me. I don't need that on my conscience. Neither does, Rye-Rye."
"Yes, sir."Peter responded."I'm sorry. I understand."
"Sorry doesn't cut it."Tony informed.
"I just wanted to be like you."Peter stated.
"And I wanted you to be better."Tony declared."It's not working out. I'm gonna need the suit back."
"For how long?"Peter questioned.
"Forever."Tony answered, making Peter become shocked."Yeah. That's how it works."
Ghost-Spider was silently stunned at what she was hearing.
Tony wanted Peter to no longer be Spider-Man?
"No, no."Peter begged."Please."
"Let's have it."Tony insisted.
"Please, this is all I have."Peter pleaded."I'm nothing without this suit."
"If you're nothing without this suit, then you shouldn't have it. Okay?"Tony replied and then let out a scoff."God, I sound like my dad."
"I don't have any other clothes."Peter admitted.
"Okay, we'll sort that out."Tony assured.
Ghost Spider slowly yet quietly went down from where she was watching her best friend's dad talking with her childhood friend.
In her mind, the female masked superhero was taking in what she had just learned.
Peter was Spider-Man.
All this time it was him.
She couldn't believe it.
What shocked her more was Riley didn't bother telling her this in the first place then finding it out by herself.
Or maybe she saw many times Peter ended up late attending school and didn't bother to put the pieces together.
Though now she knew completely she wasn't the only one with a double life.
At the Brookfield Place, Riley was doing shopping with Pepper while Morgan was in the pushchair to buy an outfit for Homecoming.
The Stark heiress stood in a fitting room, trying out a rose quartz pink coloured dress in Alia Couture.
Pepper and Morgan stood outside the fitting room, waiting for her.
Riley then stepped out of the curtain to reveal herself to her step-mother and younger half-sister.
"What do you think, Pepper?"Riley asked.
"It looks nice on you, Riley."Pepper responded with a smile."But I think the green one was better on you."
A small chuckle escaped from Riley's mouth.
"I was thinking the same thing."Riley remarked."We'll buy that one then."
Riley closed the curtain to change back into her normal clothes.
Just as she was putting on her white pink trainers, the fifteen year old brunette suddenly winced in pain when she felt a headache hit her head.
She began to see images.
Six stones of different colours.
A gold yet big gauntlet.
A figure with the colour shade of purple.
Lastly, the Nine Realms shattering into nothingness.
Riley gasped in utter shock at what she saw, making her almost lose her balance at what she saw and drop on a small chair in the fitting room she was in.
"What was that?"Riley murmured, completely disturbed at the images she saw."Why did I-"
Riley paused herself from finishing her sentence when she heard Pepper knock outside the fitting room she was in.
"Riley?"Pepper asked with a hint of concern."Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah, Pepper."Riley lied, trying to consume her shock."I'm okay. Thank you."
(A few days Later)
There was only one day left before Homecoming.
Before now, Peter didn't have time to care about the dance, he wouldn't have ever been able to go.
Not without a date.
But now that he was stuck back at school, living the life of a normal kid with his suit far away, it was all Peter could think about.
The banners were everywhere which was actually sort of obnoxious.
He bought his ticket to go with Ned a while back, expecting it to gather dust on his desk.
Yet now he'll be using it and Ned's continuous whining about not having a date was getting to him.
Peter didn't care about having a date anymore.
Ever since he lost the suit, though, that changed.
He actually wanted to ask Riley to Homecoming, but Tristan beat him to it.
Without the Spider-Man suit, Peter was now trying to get back into an old routine.
He had assignments to catch up on, detentions to go to, decathlon to study for and old friendships to fix.
Peter just needed a break and ignore that siren blaring outside his window.
His body was coaxing him to go, thinking of all the things that was happening.
What if they needed Spider-Man?
"If you're nothing without this suit, then you shouldn't have it."
What did Mr Stark expect him to be?
That suit had everything! It had so many web-shooters, protective gear, scanners and Karen.
And who was he to tell him that in his suit of armour with fake suits following that tracker in the suit?
His life revolved around those suits, and yet he was so ready to take away Peter's?
Without that suit, he was just Peter Parker.
But Peter Parker couldn't make up quips and confidently fight bad guys dressed up as the Avengers.
That suit?
It made Peter better.
It made him feel competent.
And now, without it, he felt lost.
Even though he did his best to hide it.
Soon, the sirens got too much.
Peter threw his hand up, wincing at how eager it was to stretch so high to ask for a bathroom break.
Some kids chuckled, but he ignored them.
Peter took the sign and marched out of the classroom, desperate to get away from that siren so he could ignore it.
Though, his troubles seem to follow him.
Heading his way just as he stepped out into the hallway was Liz.
Peter froze up, fingers itching to the string of his hall pass to twist it around.
Liz noticed him and gave him a gentle smile in her jeans, shirt and loose flannel.
"Hey."Liz greeted.
"H-hey, I-I thought you had Calculus fifth period?"Peter spoke up.
Liz shrugged, continuing to walk up to him.
Peter awkwardly met up with Liz, feeling as though his tongue had grown twice its size.
"Yeah."Liz chuckled."I was just doing some Homecoming stuff."
Peter pursed his lips.
"Look, I, uh..."Peter started.
Peter scratched the back of his neck, finding it hard to meet her gaze.
Liz frowned in curiosity.
"I just…I wanted to apologise about the whole Decathlon thing."Peter declared.
The two students stood by the trophy display.
Liz shook her head.
"It's fine. Don't worry. I mean…last week, Decathlon was the most important thing, but..."Liz started and gave him a sad shrug."Then I almost died, so..."
Peter didn't know what to say.
He shook his head, too, clenching his eyes shut and hoping his words will make a full sentence for once in his life.
"I just mean that-I mean-well-it wasn't."Peter commented."It was not cool, especially, because I used to like you-"
Peter paused at what he just said.
"You liked me?"Liz asked in surprise.
Peter became confused and embarrassed at what he just said.
"W-what?"Peter said.
Seeing Peter's reaction, Liz chuckled.
"You're terrible at keeping secrets."Liz remarked with a coy smile.
Peter couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
"Yeah."Peter agreed."You'd be surprised."
"You're terrible at keeping the secret that you wanted to ask Riley for Homecoming too."Liz added.
Peter blushed, not wanting admit it, but it was true.
Liz nudged Peter playfully in the arm.
"Loosen up."Liz laughed lightly."It's okay, I understand."
"It doesn't matter, anyway."Peter responded."She thinks we are just friends and she's probably right."
"Don't give up."Liz commented kindly."There's still something there."
Peter sent her a brief yet thankful smile.
Liz didn't seem so intimidating talking like this with him.
"I like you."Liz admitted.
Peter's heart jolted with surprise.
He suddenly felt the need to apologise before Liz shook her head.
"Don't say sorry. I told you I understand, Peter, it's all right."Liz answered, all of the sudden quite shy."Just maybe...you know...if you ever want to hang out just to give it a chance, I'm here."
"I'm sorry. I did like you. I do like you."Peter informed."I'm just…I've been so confused."
Liz smiled as if she expecting to hear that.
"I'd say we should hang out, but-um-I'm going to be in detention for like ever."Peter exclaimed, trying not to be more awkward."I guess you already have a date to Homecoming?"
Liz tucked a strand of hair behind her hair with a small smile on her face.
"Actually I was so busy planning it, I never really got around to that part."Liz declared.
This made Peter become surprised.
Liz didn't have a date for Homecoming.
"Do you-uh-would you want...maybe we could go together?"Peter asked hopefully."I…I want to-um-you know as friends, but…see how it goes?"
A gentle smile spread onto Liz's face.
"Yeah."Liz replied."Sure."
A part of Peter seemed to be completely drop down to the floor with relief.
"Really?"Peter asked and blushed to hear himself sound so excited."I-I mean, uh-great. Cool."
Liz nodded. "Cool."
"I'm-uh-actually going that way...um..."Peter chuckled lightly.
Peter cleared his throat and brushed past Liz to walk to where he was supposed to go.
Slowly, everything started to dawn on him and Peter felt a surprised smile grow onto his face that turned excited.
He skipped around the corner, his heart now light with joy.
The rest of the days went by fairly quickly and in a blink of an eye, Riley was already placing her earrings on in front of her mirror.
Once the earrings were on, she took a step back to look at herself.
The Stark heiress was dressed in an emerald green dress with a tiered skirt.
The embroidered appliqué and glittering sequinned lattice patterns swirled on the sheer mesh.
A high scoop-neckline gave the sleeveless bodice a modest touch while the sheer back added a daring detail.
Leaving an impression, the tiered tulle skirt flowed over the hips in ball-gown style with lovely horsehair hemlines.
Her chestnut brown hair was worn in a low side-ponytail which had a partial braid with an emerald green ribbon woven through it.
Around her neck was a necklace with brass colored silver heart shaped charms along the chain and a small dark green gem hanging in the center.
On her ears were tiny diamond earrings.
Riley smiled lightly as she stared at her reflection in her dressing mirror.
She was ready for Homecoming.
The Stark heiress then noticed her iPhone and picked it up only to see she she got messages from Natasha, Harley, Jane and Darcy.
Harley's Message: Hope you have a wonderful Homecoming, Riley.
Natasha's Message: Be sure to be enjoy and be prepared for anything at all times.
Jane's Message: Hi, Riley. Have a lovely time.
Darcy's Message: Have fun at Homecoming, Riley! You rock!
Riley smiled, feeling touched by the support from those close to her.
After putting her iPhone away, Riley stepped out of her bedroom and went to the living room where her loved ones were.
Morgan was in her cradle and was fast asleep since it was her bed time.
Tony's eyes widen as he saw his eldest daughter dressed up beautifully for her school prom as he puts his glass of scotch down.
"Oh, wow."Tony murmured in awe."Just…wow."
"You look gorgeous, Riley."Pepper praised.
A small giggle escaped from Riley's mouth.
"Thank you, Pepper."Riley responded.
Riley gave Pepper a hug before going over to Tony.
"What do you think, dad?"Riley asked.
Tony kept staring at Riley, not knowing what to say.
"Wow."Tony repeated.
"Dad. Do you mean 'Wow' as in a happy way or the opposite happy?"Riley asked with a small smirk."Because people say 'Wow' in various ways for many different situations."
Tony chuckled and planted a kiss on Riley's forehead.
"I said 'Wow' because you look absolutely beautiful, Rhiannon Maria Stark."Tony admitted.
A grateful smile appeared on Riley's face.
"Thanks, dad."Riley replied.
Riley gave Tony a hug before making her way to the elevator.
"Have fun, Riley."Pepper instructed.
"Yeah. Fun."Tony agreed before giving a stern look."But not too much fun. Alright, Rye-Rye?"
Riley grinned and simply waved at her loved ones.
"I know."Riley replied.
Riley blew a kiss before the elevator door closed in front of her.
When the Stark heiress headed out of the Avengers Tower, she went inside the limo which was where Happy was waiting for her.
"Where to Riley?"Happy asked.
"First, Gwen Warren's house. Second, to MJ Watson's. Third, Cindy Moon's."Riley answered while checking the messages on her iPhone."Then last and not least, off to Midtown High."
Peter slowly approached Liz's house, whispering to himself what he would say to her parents when he met them.
"Hi, I'm Peter Parker. Wait, no, that's too formal."Peter whispered with a hint of frustration."Hey there, I'm Peter. No, too chirpy."
The fifteen year old boy struggled to find the right words and he figured they would just come naturally.
Plus, he wanted to avoid any jealousy over seeing Riley with Tristan, not wanting his own selfishness to cause him to have a bad attitude.
Peter let out a deep breath as he stood on the front patio and rang the doorbell, waiting quietly outside until someone came to invite him inside.
A few seconds passed and then he heard a lock come undone and the door knob began to turn.
He watched as the front door opened, and an older man stood there with a smile on his face.
But, for some reason, the man seemed eerily familiar, and when Peter's mind finally recognised who it was, his body went cold.
It was the man with the wings.
The weapon dealer.
The guy from the ferry.
Adrian Toomes.
The Vulture.
"You must be Peter."Adrian remarked and extended his hand."I'm Liz's dad."
Part of Peter was deeply shocked while the part of him was terrified.
The exact person he'd been trying to take down, the same one that nearly killed him, was Liz's own father.
So many confused thoughts and panicked emotions flooded through Peter and his face was as pale as a ghost as he shook the man's hand.
"Wow."Adrian sneered, acting like a normal person."One hell of a grip."
Adrian stepped back and opened the door wider for Peter.
"Come on in."Adrian insisted.
Peter hesitantly followed inside the house, closing the door behind him and walking slowly as Adrian disappeared around the corner.
He had just been in Liz's house a few weeks ago during the party.
But now, an unsettling silence filled the home as his feet quietly stepped across the hardwood flooring.
He didn't even notice the corsage box he held was shaking in his hand.
"Hi, Peter!"
Peter spun around to see a woman approaching him.
Her skin resembled Liz's, just a little darker and almost had the same face as his date.
The teenage boy immediately figured out this was Doris Toomes; the wife of Adrian Toomes and the mother of Liz Allan.
"You look very handsome."Doris commented as she walked into the kitchen to make her way over to Adrian."You got his name, right?"
Adrian looked up from his phone that he was checking and raised an eyebrow.
"Um, Pedro?"Adrian joked.
Doris shook her head, giggling at Adrian's attempt to be funny and corrected him.
Peter did not find it funny.
But in reality, all he could think about was that this was the Vulture.
He couldn't believe it.
"You alright, Pete?"Doris asked.
Peter awkwardly nodded his head, speaking up with a shaky voice.
"Y-yeah."Peter replied."I'm fine."
"Cause you look pale."Adrian added.
Peter just nodded, not responding.
He just stared at the man with fearful watchful eyes.
"You want something to drink?"Adrian suggested."Like a bourbon or a scotch?"
"I'm not old enough to drink."Peter answered.
"That's the right answer."Adrian chuckled.
Peter hated just standing there the entire time while he stared into the eyes of Vulture.
What made Peter the most angry was that this man was the one responsible for manufacturing and selling such dangerous weapons and technology.
Liz's father made his suit and weapons that he used to kill nearly a hundred people.
As much as Peter wanted to do something about it, all he could do was stand there helpless in his tuxedo.
"Whoa."Adrian remarked.
Peter snapped out his thoughts and turned around just in time to see Liz emerge down the stairs.
"Don't you look beautiful."Adrian said.
Liz made her way towards Peter while soothing her cherry red dress.
"Dad, please don't embarrass me."Liz replied.
Adrian gestured to Peter to look at Liz.
"Peter, doesn't she look beautiful?"Adrian asked.
Peter looked between Adrian and Liz.
"I-um, you look really-"Peter stuttered.
Adrian nodded. "Once again, the right answer."
Liz smiled at seeing the box that Peter held had a corsage inside.
"Is that a corsage?"Liz asked.
Peter handed Liz to the box, not even bothering to look at her or slip it on her wrist.
"Thanks."Liz replied.
"Well, I'm your chauffeur so let's get this show on the road."Adrian informed.
Adrian began to gather his things.
"No no no, we have to take some pictures."Doris interrupted while digging through a drawer for a small camera and pulling it out."Where's my camera-Oh! Here it is. Alright, perfect perfect."
Doris aimed it at Liz and Peter, telling them to get closer.
Liz smiled widely and Peter awkward leaned in, not even wrapping his arm around his date.
Peter barely smiled, still keeping his eyes on Adrian, who was starting to wonder why the teenage boy seemed so on edge.
Doris looked at the photos, deciding that was as good as they were gonna get.
Liz stepped away to grab her handbag.
"Sir, you don't have to drive us, my Aunt-"Peter started.
"No, it's okay."Adrian answered."It's on my way."
"He's got a flight to catch."Doris informed while handing the man's jacket to him."He's always coming and going."
Adrian looked over at his wife.
"This is the last time, I promise."Adrian assured.
Peter found his words peculiar and he wondered what he meant.
He also thought it was weird how he was apparently going to the airport but was only bringing his keys and wallet with him, but he didn't say anything.
He couldn't.
He wouldn't let anyone know he was Spider-Man, too much was at stake.
Peter reluctantly followed Mr Toomes and Liz out the front door and towards the car parked in the driveway.
He climbed into the backseat with Liz before they rode off into the night towards the school.
Inside the limo, Riley grinned as she, Gwen, MJ and Cindy took fun photos with each other as Happy drove them to Midtown High.
Gwen wore a strapless white dress with a black band and black lace trim at the top and bottom of the dress and a see through cape-like overlay at the back. On her feet were black heels with black straps around each ankle. On her ears were a simple pair of stud earrings. Around her neck was a silver necklace and a silver bracelet on her left wrist. Her blonde hair was styled loose and curly with its usual hot pink highlights at the ends.
MJ wore a yellow sheer floral embroidered dress and Nike Air Jordan Retro 1 sneakers. Her hair was styled in a bun.
Cindy wore a short sleeveless vivid orange dress with a light small orange flower centrepiece and matching heels. Her pitch black hair was straight and loose.
After her three friends got out of the limo, Riley was the last to step out as she gave Happy a smile.
"Thanks for the drop off, Happy."Riley thanked.
"Anytime, Riley. Enjoy yourself."Happy insisted before becoming a bit serious."But don't…you know…"
Riley raised an eyebrow.
"My dad already told me."Riley assured.
Happy then simply gave Riley a smile back.
"Have a wonderful time."Happy declared.
Riley simply chuckled as she watched Happy drive away before the young brunette made her way towards Midtown High to join her friends.
The entire courtyard was decorated with balloons and streamers and she could hear the music coming from inside.
The Stark heiress then noticed Gwen waiting for her at the entrance while leaning against the wall with her arms folded.
"You could've told me Peter was Spider-Man to begin with, Riles."Gwen reminded.
"I know, Gwen. I am sorry."Riley apologised."I grew worried that you would've laughed about it, if I told you."
Gwen simply smirked before giving Riley a hug.
"It's fine, Riles. Apology accepted."Gwen assured."No matter what, we are best friends forever."
A relieved smile grew on Riley's face as she hugged her best friend back.
"Thanks, Gwen."Riley replied.
The two girls then saw a black Ford F-Series truck arrive near Midtown High before Tristan, wearing a dark grey tuxedo, stepped out of it.
Riley smiled anxiously at seeing her date while Gwen smirked at her.
"Just be you."Gwen instructed.
Secretly satisfied to see Peter was not Riley's date, Gwen went inside the school while Riley stood watching Tristan walk up to her.
"Hey, Riley."Tristan greeted shyly."You look beautiful."
A small chuckle escaped from Riley's mouth.
"T-Thanks."Riley thanked.
Tristan nervously began to open the corsage box he held.
He took the flower out and slid it onto Riley's wrist and she pinned the boutonnière onto his jacket.
Tristan offered his arm to Riley.
"Shall we go in?"Tristan suggested.
"Sure."Riley agreed.
Riley took Tristan's arm before the two of them made it to the school and walked into the gym.
The dance floor was already in full swing since the song 'Cha Cha Slide' by DJ Casper was playing.
The large space was filled with teenagers jumping, dancing and singing to the song.
Tristan and Riley shared a glance with each other, making them silently chuckle.
"I am not that much of a dancer."Tristan admitted.
"That's fine."Riley responded with a sudden confident smirk."I can teach you. Just follow my lead."
As Riley brought Tristan to the dance floor to have fun with him, she couldn't help but silently think of her dad's action on taking Peter's AI suit.
But then again she thought it was for the best.
Despite the Staten Island Ferry disaster, Spider-Man did previously yet successfully save Liz and her classmates at the Washington Monument without any help.
To her, Spider-Man only needed was his strength, determination and courage to be a great hero.
Peter was silently relieved when Adrian finally brought he and Liz to Midtown High.
The car drive to school had been heavily intense.
He only just managed to maintain his composure, however during the car ride to the dance Liz told her father that Peter went missing whenever Spider-Man was around.
Though when Peter and Liz began to unbuckle, Adrian looked at his daughter.
"Liz, you go on in."Adrian instructed."I'm gonna give Peter the old 'dad talk'."
His voice was less serious and menacing now which made Peter even more nervous if that was possible.
Liz looked over at Peter.
"Don't let him intimidate you."Liz instructed.
Liz leaned forward to give her father a kiss on the cheek.
"Love you, have a safe flight."Liz stated.
"Love you too, Gumdrop."Adrian replied.
Liz got out and closed the door and Peter stared at the back of the seat as Adrian put the car in park.
Adrian leaned down and pulled something shiny off of the floorboard and once the object hit the light, Peter saw that it was gun.
He turned around, letting the pistol casually rest on the arm of the seat and he knowingly looked at Peter.
"Does she know?"Adrian questioned.
Peter kept his voice quiet, trying to act innocent.
"Know what?"Peter asked.
Adrian smiled in respond.
"So she doesn't. Good. Close to the vest, I admire that."Adrian informed, his tone was low and sinister."I've got a few secrets of my own. All the reasons I didn't want my daughter to date."
Adrian chuckled at the irony of the situation yet Peter remained stoic.
"Peter, nothing is more important than family."Adrian stated."You saved my daughter. That's something I could never forget. So I'm gonna give you one chance, are you ready?"
Peter remained quiet, ready to hear what the Vulture had to say.
"You walk through those doors, you forget any of this ever happened...and don't you ever, ever interfere with my business again."Adrian instructed sternly."Because if you do, I'll kill you...and everybody you love. I'll kill you dead. That's what I'll do to protect my family. Do you understand?"
Peter gave a numb nod.
"Hey. I just saved your life."Adrian sneered."Now what do you say?"
"Thank you."Peter said weakly.
Adrian nodded back in respond.
"You're welcome."Adrian answered."Now you go on in there and you show my daughter a good time, okay? Just not too good."
Peter immediately opened the door and climbed out, purposely letting his phone slide off his leg and land underneath the front seat.
He shut the door of the car and straightened his jacket as Adrian sped away in his green car.
Peter clenched and unclenched his hands, watching the Vulture driving away to cause trouble.
To let others get the chance to hurt others.
Peter then crossed the street and stepped up onto the stairs.
He felt defeated.
But at the same time, he knew he couldn't ignore Mr Toomes and what he was going out to do.
The Vulture needed to be stopped.