chapter seven!
michelle doesn't do friends

    NINA KEPT glancing back at Peter as Gwen arrived. Each time she did, he was there to meet her gaze, head down low but with a mischievous smile to say, what're you doing? Eyes front! To which she grinned and spun around on her feet only to shyly look over yet again. Seeing her friend reach the group of interns, Nina stood up straighter and sent a thumbs up over the shoulders. In seeing it, Gwen's lips tugged up slightly into a smile.

    "Welcome to OSCORP," she began. "I'm Gwen Stacy, I'm a senior at Midtown Science and I'm also head intern to Doctor Connors." Nina glanced back yet again, trying her best to hide her amusement at Peter doing his best to stay in the back, hiding his face behind one tall intern and his fingers over his eyes. Dork. "So, I'll be with you for the duration of your visit. Where I go, you go. That's the basic rule. If you remember that, all will be fine. If you forget that then━"

    She trailed off. Down below, echoes of desperate shouts caught their attention. Nina arched a brow, peering down past the escelator to the ground floor where someone was being dragged right across back to the entrance doors. "Look, listen!" he cried, struggling in the security guard's holds. "Tell them Rodrigo Guevara is down here! Please! Just tell them Rodrigo Guevara is here! My name's Rodrigo!"

    Nina's gaze snapped back up to Peter's. He gave her a sheepish smile.

    "Well," said Gwen after a moment of awkward━and yet quite bewildered silence, "I guess I don't need to tell you what happens if you forget. Shall we?"

    Gwen smiled, spun on her toes and started the way down the glass corridor. OSCORP was an impressive building; industrial, modern and polished contemporary with the world's latest medical, chemical, neurological and biological scientific advances. Nina was enamoured, eyes wide and mouth agape as she peered down and up the levels until her neck craned and she could see no more.

    She fell back a little, stopping to stare at a set of robotic arms manouvering a set of beakers in a tray onto the next desk with a lab tech just controlling it at the swipe of a tablet. Nina felt eyes on her back and she looked back. A blush rose onto her cheek to see Peter's amused smile. Nina walked up to him and muttered, "Shut it, Rodrigo."

    "No," he chuckled, "it's good! You ..." Peter made that awkward shrug again, "... you look like you'll really like it here."

    "I want to look at biochem," Nina found herself telling him as they walked at the back of the group, barely even listening to Gwen and just in their own pleasant conversations. "I know it's ambitious, but, I want to find a way where we can━I don't know━" Nina suddenly felt very nervous as she spoke of her dreams to Peter Parker; something so outrageous until she read about Doctor Connors, and the work he was doing here at OSCORP, "━take these attributes from different species of animals to heal cancer, loss of limbs, even Parkinson's ... I mean, the Zebra fish has the ability to regenerate cells on command. Apply that to a person with Parkinson's who's losing dopamine cells, well, there you go, they're healing themselves..." she faltered in seeing the look on Peter's face. It made her heart rise and her cheeks flush. "W ... what?"

    Peter Parker didn't say anything for a moment. They continued to walk, following Gwen and the group. Nina went redder. She tucked her hair behind her ear and couldn't meet his gaze, watching her feet walk along the tiled floor. Nina didn't look away because she felt belittled for believing these developments, no, it was the opposite. Nina felt like she wasn't outrageous, that what she spoke of was some gobsmacking, beautiful discovery that Peter Parker had found, and couldn't believe his eyes she stood right there beside him.

    "Nina," he said softly. The tone made her flutters disappear and her eyes shoot up, gaze soft and expectant.

    "Yeah?" she prompted in no louder than a whisper.

    Peter Parker had a small, lopsided smile on his face, "You're really smart."

    Nina smiled and hugged her stomach, blushing at the compliment. "Well," she said, "I'm top in the class for a reason."

    At those words, Peter's crooked grin grew, but it was now challenging. "You sure about that?" he countered.

    She met his gaze, sly, "Yeah," she nodded. "Pretty sure."

    Peter scoffed, taken aback by her comment. Nina smirked and continued the way along the corridor. She knew he was watching her go before following, but she didn't realise how in awe Peter Parker was by the likes of Nina Hart━and how much he continued to be.

    She was a beacon; a stream of warmth and light that Peter was drawn to like a moth to a flame. He couldn't get enough of her: her smile, her laugh, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear ... she was picture-perfect, a dream made into reality. Peter Parker was left stammering and forgetting his name whenever she spoke; whenever she glanced his way and her lips quirked up into a gentle, amused smirk. He was so undone.

    Later on in the tour, after many shy glances and joking faces that made her want to laugh when she shouldn't, Nina plucked up enough courage to try and ask for Peter's number. But when she pushed herself to do it, she found him nowhere.

    He was long gone. Almost as if he had never even been there at all.

*ೃ༄

    "I STILL wish you could come to Liz's party," mumbled Felicia as they sat in the photography room before school started. Nina was catching up on her English work, quickly answering some questions about the book they were required to read by looking up the answers on her phone. Felicia lied back, on her phone, but looking more ragged than usual. While she was stunning on a daily basis, today, she looked tired and weary━she had pulled her hair up in a bun instead of letting it fall over her shoulders. She didn't even put on her blush or eyeshadow. Other people wouldn't care, but since Nina knew Felicia very well, she was concerned.

     "I want to be ready for Nationals," said Nina, scrolling down the answer and quickly summarising it. "Since Flash has taken Peter's spot, that means the rest of us need to work harder because all Flash does is break out in a sweat and not answer anything."

     "Still, it would've been nice to get drunk together," sighed Cia. "Away from the problems of the world. No assessments, no ex-boyfriends, no criminal fathers ..."

     Nina pursed her lips. She glanced briefly at her friend and risked to ask, "How ... how is your dad?"

     Felicia wouldn't meet her gaze, "Why would I know? I don't care."

     "Cia, I know you're lying."

     "Do you? I'm a fantastic liar."

     Nina wasn't letting it slide this time, "You also had a great relationship with your father before he was sentenced."

      Felicia's usual confident, sultry persona fell away, and there, in the photography room where it was just them, she finally allowed herself to show some vulnerability; some ache and sadness. She set her phone on her stomach, staring up at the ceiling. "We always just thought he was an auction manager for the rich. Didn't realise he was the one stealing the art to sell it on the Black Market."

     "That doesn't mean he's a bad man, Cia," Nina treaded carefully, like she was on thin ice ready to break. "Doesn't mean he doesn't care about you."

     "Even if I wanted to go see him," said Felicia as she sat up, "doesn't mean I can. Mom is determined to lock him out of our lives━for us to move on. I'm not allowed to talk to him, to try and understand why he thought he could pull that heist off. I just ..." she sighed again and finally met Nina's gaze, "I just really needed us to go to this party together. Just to distract us from everything going on."

     "You'll have Liz and Betty," offered Nina. "You guys get along great."

     "Yeah," she muttered, not convinced.

     It made Nina sigh and place aside her English for now. Leaning forward, she decided, "How about some time, one weekend before I go to Washington, you and me hang out at my place. I don't think Dad will let us drink, but we can ask."

     She got a smile out of Felicia, and even if it was small, it told Nina enough. She returned with one of her own.

      Then, back to her usual self, Felicia smirked and added, "If I see your Spidey, I'll definitely put in a good word for you." She winked and Nina scoffed, giving her a shove as she laughed.

      "What are you losers doing in here?"

      Both girls jumped. They glanced over to see Michelle standing at the doorway to the photography room. In her arms, she carried a large hardback version of In Cold Blood amongst her display folder. She frowned at them under her messy, curly bangs.

      Nina glanced at Felicia, wondering why she was standing there. For someone who declared she wished to be alone, and called everyone in their class and Decathlon (or just their school) 'government-brain-washed sheep', she really showed up out of nowhere into conversations.

      "Uh ... we're waiting for homeroom?" Nina didn't mean for it to become incredulous, but she was just so taken aback by Michelle's blunt question.

      "What are you doing here?" instead asked Felicia, narrowing her eyes at the girl in question.

       Michelle Jones tilted up her chin, and the two girls stared each other down. Nina sat awkwardly between them, fiddling with her pen before she decided to ask, "Uh ... Michelle, would you like to join us?"

      Felicia stared at her like she was insane. Nina matched her glance with a scolding, don't be mean! But to Felicia's luck, Michelle just set a stone-cold face that Nina couldn't exactly describe, or decipher, and said, "I don't have any friends."

      Nina held up her pen to her chest, "O━Okay," she said meekly. "Um━"

      Michelle pointed at her assessment. "Did you know the government brainwashes you through what you read in school curriculum?"

      "And FBI agents watch you through your phones," added Felicia sarcastically.

      "No that's with pigeons," corrected Michelle Jones. Felicia faltered in her smug look with a dubious jump of her brows.

       Nina smiled, still very awkward at this exchange. She picked up her copy of The Great Gatsby. "Maybe. But I'd think the theme of the Outsider in The Great Gatsby favours against the social norms. And Daisy expresses the problems of a woman of her status during this time, and her want for stability instead of having her end up with Gatsby. I say she's a bad role model, but great to analyse in context of the time it was written. Especially when it's theorised as Fitzgerald's own biography."

      For a second, Nina thought Michelle looked impressed. She shuffled on her feet, as if considering whether to continue the conversation or leave. Almost as if she wanted to say something, but was scared━Nina tilted her head. It was a side to Michelle she hasn't seen before.

      Michelle finally settled on saying, "Guess I'll see you losers in physics."

     She left, and it would have been a nice goodbye if not for one minor detail:

     Felicia turned to Nina, confused, "She isn't in our physics class...?"

     Michelle Jones definitely was unique, that was for sure.

     (But Nina was beginning to believe she was in a wonderful way).

*ೃ༄

    PETER WAS late. Nina was nervous alone at the table in the cafe, drumming her fingers on the counter after her second coffee. They had agreed to meet up at twelve today, problem was, that was almost an hour ago. Nina didn't want to leave; she wanted to stay seated, to just keep her ground. Peter won't be long, she told herself. He just got caught up on the subway. Others were starting to look at her with that sympathy only in movies when a girl was left dry. Except this wasn't a date, this was supposed to just be a catch-up between two acquaintances from high school. At least ... she thought she meant it like that. Perhaps Nina had made Peter think it was more than that and he didn't want to come because of Harry━

    He's coming, Nina assured herself for what felt like the hundreth time in just the past hour.

     The clocked ticked away to one in the afternoon. Nina sighed and ordered herself a loaded burger, full of salad over a beef patty. She had picked up the newspaper from the counter and looked through the stories of the new Spider-Man in the streets. The Daily Bugle wasn't exactly the biggest fan of him, but the New York Times had a huge big crush on the strange web slinger, that was for sure. (As well as half the people at Nina's work).

     She had reached the crosswords and was taking up the time figuring out the answers easily━she answered all the periodic table ones instantly. Seriously, they could have picked a better question than what are the traditional names of gold and silver still used on the periodic table?

     Nina had finished halfway through the crossword when the bell to the door of the cafe rang. She immediately sat up straight, her heart in her throat with hope as she glanced back. She tried not to smile, and instead seem miffed as Peter rushed in. He looked a little adrift━like he had walked through a windblower. He glanced around and his eyes lit up to see her, only to falter in apology.

     "Nina," said Peter, hurrying towards her.

     She continued to stare at him, stiff as he made it to the table, "You're over an hour late."

     "I know, I know," he sat down in the seat opposite her. "I'm sorry━I'm so sorry. My train lines switched up on me last minute, and then I had to fight this thug for a seat in a cab."

      Nina's amusement broke through at the choice of words. Who was she kidding? She wasn't angry, she was just relieved that he came and didn't leave her standing like she had feared. She smiled softly, cheekily pulling her newspaper back towards her and setting the pen she borrowed onto the crossword. "Perhaps if you buy me a coffee, I could consider forgiving you."

      Peter Parker chuckled, and that worry released from his shoulders, too. "Perfect."

      Her eyes sparkled as she looked back up at him again. But she soon frowned when she noticed a bruise on his jaw━a nasty one, too. "Pete," she said, startled. "Your jaw, what happened?"

     He was confused for a second. Then, he realised and his hand shot to the bruise. "Oh━uh━" Peter sat back in his seat and tried to brush it off as nothing. But Nina's father was a doctor, she knew a thing or two about this sort of stuff. "I told you," he grinned despite it, mischevious. "I fought a thug for a seat in the cab."

     Nina didn't believe him, at all. But she let it slide. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she decided to change the subject, "So ... how's life going for you, Pete? Did you end up finding that job?"

     "Yeah," Peter nodded, "free-lancing for the Bugle. Between you and me," he picked up the menu for a quick glance. "I don't think Jameson likes me very much."

      Nina smirked, "I don't think Jameson likes anyone. Especially this Spider-Man."

     Peter's eyes shot up over the brim of the menu. "Spider-Man?"

      She arched a brow at him, a smile tugging at her lips, "You've been reading the newspaper you take photos for, Parker?"

      "I don't know," he joked, "don't think the money's worth the reading."

       "Come on," taunted Nina, "I say you've hit the jackpot, Tiger. Jameson's lucky to have your photos. What did you take photos of anyway?"

       Peter set the menu aside, that joking manner back. Nina found it like a diamond in the rough━she never saw this side of Peter in high school. He was always timid and awkward. And sure, he still seemed to be pretty awkward, but in a way it was endearing. But he also was mischevious; she knew that now. She learnt it pretty quickly━his cheek that made her want to smile like she was still a giddy school girl. "Spider-Man," he said.

      Nina scoffed a chuckle, shaking her head. He smiled at her, quite proud of himself. "You were playing with me." They shared another chuckle until Nina realised something. She quickly gasped in short delight and leaned forward against the table, her hands reaching out in her excitement. They settled near Peter's and he eyed them, suddenly flustered. "That means you know who Spider-Man is?"

     Peter stammered at the question. He still eyed her hands, "I━I wouldn't say exactly know him ... more━more like━uh━acquaintances. I take his pictures, but━uh━I never see him behind the━uh━the mask."

      Still quite cheeky, Nina dropped her head down to place her chin on the palm of her hands, gazing upwards at Peter to ask, "Can you put in a good word for me? I think he's brave."

       Peter arched a brow at her, "Would Harry like you thinking that?"

      "What?" Nina sat back. She avoided Peter's gaze, not sure whether she wanted to talk about Harry right now. They had a fight earlier. Nina wanted to meet his father, and Harry was still anxious about it. He was scared that his father wouldn't like her, which didn't exaclty make Nina feel great about herself. "Calling someone brave doesn't mean I'm betraying Harry."

     "No, right," Peter quickly shook his head. He cursed himself in his head, stupid, Pete. "Right, no, I'm sorry."

      Nina refused to let that ruin today. And so, she took a deep breath and said, "I'm still waiting on that coffee, Tiger," with a small smile. Peter matched it, and his late arrival, and his little slip-up were forgiven. From now on, he was sure that they were going to be friends.

*ೃ༄

       a/n: nina, felicia and mj are the top tier trio just wait

tho literally them this chapter:

also, peter in any universe when nina notices and talks to him:

oh, and tell me this isn't peter hacking at the explosive in the workshop in school:

okay, I'm done with the memes, I promise ahahha