The Spider and His Tribrid

Chapter 20: Like How It Was Supposed to Be

Hope's POV:

The next day at school I meet MJ at her locker. "So, I heard Peter's back in school today." She tells me as she grabs her things. I raise an eyebrow. "So?" "So, I think it's best for you two to hash things out now rather than later." I don't day anything, so she continues.

"I mean, he is going to be in our group that's going to homecoming." She reminds me. I sigh. Crap. I forgot that the decathlon kids who didn't have dates decided to go together, and two of those people just so happen to be one Peter Parker and one Hope Mikaelson.

I'm already regretting going to this stupid dance, but Rebekah and Marcel get in tomorrow so that she can help me get ready. I'm basically gonna be her living barbie doll for a few hours this Saturday. Not my idea of fun, but it's my late Christmas present to her this year.

"Fine, I'll think about talking to him, happy?" "Not really, but then again, when am I ever?" I roll my eyes. "Ok, MJ, whatever. Come on, we better get to class before Mrs. Slater gets mad at us again. She closes her locker and the two of us head down the hallway.

"Us, I think you mean you. You're the one who's always late." She reminds me. I sigh. "You're right. Now come on." With that the two of us make our way to Chem. When we get there I notice that there are only two seats open in the whole room. 

One next to Abraham and the other, next to Peter. MJ and I exchange a look and she smirks. "Now's your chance. Talk to him. See you after class." With that she proceeds to take her seat next to Abraham. Slowly I make my way over to the desk and plop in the seat right next to Peter.

I can feel this sadness coming off of him, but I ignore it. I know I told MJ I would think about talking to him, but I don't know if I can. I don't know if I want to, because if I talk to him, and he apologizes, I know I'll forgive him. 

About half way through the class we're paired off with our seat partner to complete a mini experiment for the rest of the class period. I glance over to Peter to realize that he's already looking at me. I clear my throat. 

"Uh, so, wanna divvy up the tasks, make this go faster so we have time to check our work?" I ask, trying to make this as normal as possible. The awkward tension can be cut with a knife at this point. "Y-yeah. Sounds good." I nod and with that we set to work, silently working together. 

When we're done, we're the first ones so our teacher let us out early, leaving us about fifteen minutes to just wonder the hallways before our next class. We walk together down the hallway in silence, until he breaks it. 

"Hope-" He pauses when I look up at him, wondering what he could say. Is he gonna apologize? Is he gonna tell me he's moving to upstate after saving the ferry yesterday? "-I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. You were right. I was being a complete jerk, and the attention was getting to my head."

I nod for him to continue, crossing my arms in the process. "I made Spider-Man my life and I forgot about my friends. I also wasn't thinking when I said those things to you. I mean, that's no excuse. There's no excuse for that. The things I said...I'm just really really sorry." 

We stand there in silence. Do I forgive him? Am I still upset with him? Am I only wanting to forgive him because I like him? I sigh. "Just...next time you're about to do something stupid, just run it by me first and maybe listen to me when I tell you that it's a bad idea." 

His eyes widen at the fact that I'm actually talking to him, and I don't seem upset. "Yes, yes, I'll listen to you and I promise that we're in this together, like how it was supposed to be." He rushes. At this I smile. Like how it was supposed to be. 

Despite how good it felt to have a normal day yesterday, that's not how my life it supposed to be. I'm surrounded by the supernatural, even if I did have a normal human period, that would always be a constant in my life, and, by default, so would Peter. "One more chance Parker."

His worried, anxious look turns into a grin as he pulls me in for a hug. "I promise, I won't ruin this." "Good." With that the two of us pull away. "So...wanna head to the library to study for your make up Spanish test." His eyes widen and he nods rapidly. 

Laughing I loop my arms through his and together we make our way through the hallway towards the library. As we walk I feel a sense of contentment come over me. We're almost to the library when Peter and I spot Liz with a bunch of papers in her arms. 

Peter whips around to face me. I know what he's about to ask. "I'll meet you in there. Good luck." I don't believe there was a bit of sincerity in my voice as I say this, but I walk away anyway. If Peter likes Liz, then I should be happy for him. But I'm not, because I'm selfish. 

Because I want him to finally realize that I like him. MJ knows. According to her, Ned knows. Everyone knows apparently except him. They knew before I even did. I drop my head as I walk. I'm happy for him, I'm just sad for myself. They always say the hero never gets the girl. 

I guess it's the same thing for female heroes as well.