𝙄𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙤𝙧𝙠...

Incomparible

Narrative: Just when it seems that Michelle and Peter's friendship might be blooming into something more, she begins to have her doubts when one Liz Allan returns to Midtown. Michelle's walls start to close back up, and it's up to Peter to show her just how true his feelings for her are.

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A bright smile crossed Michelle's face as Peter theatrically retold the story of his recent battle to her and Ned standing beside him. They were gathered at his locker, chatting and preparing for their next classes when sudden gossip broke into the halls. Noticing the semi-discreet whispers and side glances towards Peter, she was curious as to the reason behind them.

So as Peter and Ned had been distracted, she walked over to a student nearby who seemed to have heard the gossip and asked, "Hey, Will, do you know what's happening?" Will was a peer from their grade who'd always help Michelle out with difficult assignments during APUSH. He greeted his sort of friend before disclosing what he'd heard. "Apparently, a rumor's going around that Liz Allan might be back in Midtown."

Liz Allan? Michelle wondered. She had a feeling the other girl wouldn't stay gone for long. But after the events of the "blip" and the year that's occurred after it, she'd have thunk Liz had already grown up by now. Especially since she was in her senior year the last time anyone's seen her. Before Michelle could continue with her thoughts, Will went on to state, "But it's only just a rumor. No one knows for sure."

With that, she'd bid him farewell until they'd see one another in their shared class, and made her way back over to the two teenaged boys she'd dedicated her school hours to. "What was that all about," Ned asked, taking note of her sudden return. Michelle only shrugged, not sure how to respond. "Just the usual gossip and shit," she claimed.

Sure, it wasn't the whole truth, but like Will said, no one knew what was. So why spread false information? The two boys, seemingly accepting her answer, went back on to their discussion about the new series in the Star Wars franchise: The Mandalorian.

And then minutes later, the warning bell had rung. Ned detached himself from the two to head to his own class, and Peter swiveled around to Michelle's view. "Shall we walk to class, M'lady?" He mocked a surprisingly well done English accent and stuck out his arm in gentlemanly fashion. She rolled her eyes at him before mimicking his actions, going as dramatic as bowing, and responding, "We shall."

Just like that, the two made it to their class, teasing and laughing with their arms looped around each other.

This was a normal dynamic for them since halfway into their junior year when Michelle had finally gathered enough evidence to prove he had been Queens' wall-crawling hero and confronted him about it. It took a bit, but after a long argument that Peter knew he wasn't going to win, he'd conceded, admitting that he was the hero all along. He'd cursed himself for letting another person find out, but his amusement at how she did so got the better of him. And soon afterwards Michelle had become an official member what Ned had called the F.O.S. (friends of Spider-Man). Hanging out side by side with the two other outcasts as if it had always been that way.

Seeing both of them down the halls, people had assumed there was something more between them. However, Michelle had made it clear, several times to prying eyes, that she and Peter were. Just. Friends. Although the rapid beating of her heart and ridiculous fluttering in her stomach had begged to differ. But she wouldn't admit it—she didn't want to ruin this friendship they'd develop all because of her stupid little crush.