Red Line

Wildflower

I lean back against MJ's couch and rest my feet on the coffee table as she puts on the movie she picked for tonight. When we met, MJ was incredibly unimpressed by my lack of pop culture knowledge. Unfortunately for me, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, pop culture happened to be something she, Ned, and Peter are extremely well educated it.
So we started having a moving night every Friday, and I'm certainly not complaining. I've always loved routines. This one in particular may be my favorite, and I look forward to this all week.

Other than this, I haven't had the chance to watch many movies since living with the Bartons. What I had seen were wildly inaccurate high school movies and an array of children's films. Prior to that, every movie I had seen was so heavily edited with propaganda you wouldn't even recognize anything but the characters. Even then, I hadn't been permitted to watch anything since I was about 9.
In any case, watching movies the the way they were created, and in my own leisure time is far more enjoyable than the way I was forced to view them as a child.

MJ shakes her head, "I can't believe you've never seen this."
I shake my head and smile, "You say that about every movie."
"Because you've never seen any of the good ones."
I take a mental note of the release year in the corner, "How come every movie we've watched came out in the 80's?"
"Because it was the golden age of cinema." MJ tells me, "Besides, we'll move on eventually."
I sigh "what's this one?"
"It's called The Princess Bride, a true classic."
"Sounds kind of lame."
"I'm just going to pretend you didn't say that."

"Can I grab some water before we start?" I ask
"Yeah," he gestures vaguely towards the kitchen, "I think there are some bottles on the counter."
I nod and head off to the kitchen where there is all kinds of drinks on the counter.
Must've just gone grocery shopping.

A dull buzzing sound comes from the other room.
"Your phone is ringing!" MJ yells.
"Can you see who it is?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was your secretary." She says sarcastically.
"I swear-"
"It's Peter." She cuts me off holding up my phone.
My eyebrows raise in mild surprise, "Really?"
MJ laughs, "I'm going to answer it!"
"Knock yourself out."

I hear the whooshing sound of a call being answered and spring over the couch next to MJ.
"Sup loser." MJ says holding the phone close to her face.
"Oh....hey MJ. Is Zoya there?"
She smiles mischievously, "Why?"
"I wanted to talk about that English essay with her. Mrs. Stein said she's a good writer." He explains.
MJ wiggles her eyebrows at the camera.
"It's not like that." He argues.
"Gimme that." I say snatching the phone out of her hands.
Peter's face lights up and he lets out a relieved sigh, "hey Zoya."
"Hey Peter, did I hear you need help with an essay?" I ask brightly.
He nods, "I was wondering if we could meet up so I could get your thought."
Maybe we already are friends.
"Of course, I'll call you after I get home tomorrow so we can work something out."
His smile broadens and he scratches the back of his head, "Thanks, uh, sounds good."

He hangs up and MJ laughs, "He obviously has a huge crush on you."
I roll my eyes, "He just needs help with his paper."
"Right, because Peter Parker, the one that's on his way to MIT totally can't write a paper without help." She says sarcastically.
I shake my head, "Can we just watch the movie?"
"At least we know he has good taste. I could see you two together."
I side eye her, "You are relentless."
She nods enthusiastically, "It's my forte."

~~~

"You busy after school today?" Peter asks while he waits for me to gather the books from my locker.

Third period English is one of the few classes we don't have with MJ and Ned. Peter has finically gotten comfortable enough to wait at my locker with me. He doesn't really use his locker. He just keeps all of his books in his bag all the time. I wouldn't say it's unusual, I see a lot of students walking around with all of their books, I just wonder how their backs don't hurt.
I mentally scan my schedule, "I don't think so, why?"
"Can you help me write that essay I was asking you about on Friday?"
"Oh shoot." I shut my locker and look at him apologitically, "I totally forgot to call you on Saturday. I'm so sorry."
He shrugs, "It's fine. I'm sure you were busy."
"No, that was really my bad. Yeah, I can help you, but I'm just alright."
"Right, because 'alright' is why Mrs. Stein never stops talking about your work."
"I think it's more comparative than anything. The  majority of our class couldn't describe what they ate for breakfast. Besides, you get all A's in her class without my help."
He shrugs again, "there's always room for improvement."
"You a perfectionist?"
He smiles awkwardly and look away, "Kind of, but I also just want to spend a little more time with you."
I try to school my expression, but I feel the surprise flash across my face. I'm not exactly shocked that he likes me, I'm more surprised at how direct he is.
"In a friend way." He quickly adds. me when he sees my face, "I just think you're nice.... and smart and funny."

I chuckle and Peter smiles sheepishly.
"Relax, I know what you mean. Where do you want to meet tonight?" I ask him.
"The park or the library or you could come to my apartment, but my aunt May can be a little much sometimes."
I shrug, "Whatever works for you."
"I mean, whatever you're most comfortable with." He says at the same time as me.
I laugh, "we can decide at lunch."

"I think I could use some help on my social skills too." He jokes, self deprecatingly.
I smile reassuringly, "I guess Duolingo can't teach you everything, can it?"
Peter shakes his head, "They send me so many emails."
"Maybe you should stop skipping your lessons."
"I'm not trying to learn Spanish from a demonic green owl."
"Alright." I say through the laughter, "we actually have to get to class, or I won't be Mrs. Stein's favorite for long."
"Maybe that was my plan all along. Maybe I'm sabotaging you." He jokes more confidently.
I smile genuinely, "Wow, vindictive today. Spending time with MJ?"
He continues to laugh, "I'm not sure that's a level I could ever reach. She was just born like that."
"She'd take that as a compliment."
"Trust me, I know."