I had no idea what Mr. Moring taught us that day, too busy panicking over my impending doom with Flash. What could he have possibly figured out? And what would he make me do to keep it a secret? I could tell that Rose and MJ, even from her spot a few seats away, both sensed that something was off. But I couldn't tell them. I couldn't tell Peter either. They would tell me not to bother going. That whatever came out, Mr. Stark would deal with it. That I shouldn't put myself into Flash's control.

But I needed to know what he knew.

Besides, I had to talk to him about the stupid tutoring thing anyway, so may as well kill two birds with one stone.

As soon as the bell rang, I grabbed my stuff—not even bothering to shove it in my bag—and darted out of my seat to avoid any questions. I could hear Rose calling my name, and felt kind of bad for ignoring her, but my fear propelled my feet forward. I knew it would only be a brief reprieve, considering I was about to see them again in P.E., but it at least gave me slightly more time to get myself under control.

"Yoohoo, Earth to Y/N?"

I startled, not having noticed Taylor come up to walk alongside me as I speedwalked through the halls. I smiled at him, the nerves in my stomach suddenly there for an entirely different reason. We'd seen each other in the halls a few times since that moment in his kitchen, but we had never had a chance to discuss it.

"Sorry, my mind was elsewhere."

"Clearly, I said your name like 5 times, speedypants."

Oops.

"I would like to double down on the apology then."

He looked at me appraisingly for a moment, "Very well, apology accepted. Now, here, let me help you with your stuff."

Ignoring my mild protests, he plucked my pencil case and notebook out of my arms, which did admittedly make carrying the rest of my loose items less awkward.

I blushed, glancing down at my lightened load to avoid his eyes, "Thanks."

I saw him shrug in my peripheral vision, "Not a problem. Where are we headed in such a rush? Your locker?"

I nodded, "Yep, gotta drop some of this off, and grab my change of clothes for gym."

"Ah, yes the infamous Midtown gym uniform," He shuddered, "I burned mine when I stopped P.E."

I chuckled, "It's not that bad. And I thought it was a requirement for every grade?"

He smirked, "Not if you twist your ankle in Grade 10 so badly that your doctor immediately signs a note recommending permanent removal from it."

"Ohmygod, what happened!?"

"Freak skateboarding accident. But hey, got me out of P.E, so I consider it worth it. Besides, it seems fine now, I just haven't bothered telling the school that."

"I'm surprised Rose hasn't."

"Nah, her little sister narc responsibilities only apply to our mom, doesn't extend to the school."

I shifted the stuff in my arms so I could put my combination into my locker. "Lucky for you."

He passed me the stuff he'd been carrying, meeting my eyes, "No, the real luck was getting to meet you because of her."

I just barely repressed a nervous squeak, instead making a weird noncommittal chuckle and ducking behind the locker door as I put the items inside and dug out my gym clothes, bending down to the floor to shove them in my bag.

When I stood back up and closed my locker, Taylor was still staring at me. "I mean it, you know."

He ran a hand through his hair, the waves resettling almost immediately. I wondered what it would be like to run my hand through his hair. I looked down, hoping my thoughts weren't obvious on my face. Which I imagined was as red as a tomato with how hot my cheeks felt. "Thanks. I'm glad we're friends too."

Because obviously he couldn't mean anything other than that? Right?

He stuck his hands in his pockets as we continued walking down the hall, dodging others who seemed to be loitering about unconcerned with getting to their next classes on time.

Another moment passed before I heard him take a large intake of breath, and say, "What if we weren't?"

I glanced at him, confused and a little hurt, "You don't want to be friends anymore?"

His eyes widened, "No! Well, I mean, yes, but not like that. I don't wanttostopbeing friends, I want tobe morethan friends."

Oh.

The warning bell rang and I cursed, picking up my pace, "I have to get to class, but—it's not a no. Text me later, okay?"

A look of relief washed over his face, "Yeah, we'll talk later."

I spared him a quick smile before bolting off down the hallway.

How bizarre was this day!? First Flash threatening me, and now Taylor, TAYLOR!, dropped that on me! Oh, Dad was going to be so mad. But I didn't care.

I burst into the locker room, grinning ear to ear, unable to think about anything but that Taylor liked me back!

Rose and MJ were both already there and looked over me at with concern. MJ looked me over with a deadpan expression, "You're weird today."

I shrugged, "Guess it's just one of those days."

"Mmhmm."

Rose looked me over a bit more carefully, before politely averting her eyes as I started to get changed. Though still commented, "You were so out of it in Media Studies, you looked kinda terrified. And now you're insanely chipper," her voice dropped to a lower tone, "Are you on drugs?"

I cast her an amused look, "What's with you and thinking people are on drugs?"

"That's not a 'no'."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not on drugs. I'm sure whatever awaits us in gym will prove that."

"Hmm."

A whistle blew from beyond the doors and all the girls began moving out. I grabbed my scrunchie, tying up my hair as I followed after them, still feeling bubbly.

Then stopped short as I entered the gym. Nearly falling over as an equally shocked Peter ran into me from behind, though he caught me with his quick reflexes as we exchanged confused glances.

Why the hell was Clint here?