I woke up to my mum yelling 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' in my face. I smiled at the familiar thought of just us celebrating my birthday. I never knew who my dad was, but I liked being with just my mum. Fortunately, it was Saturday, so there was no school. I scrolled through my (minimal) notifications on my phone, mostly just wishes from old friends, MJ, Ned, and Peter. My heart warmed at the sight of his text:
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I blushed at the sight of the 'x' but quickly waved my feelings away.
All memories of the letter, 'W', and Spider-Man had momentarily disappeared. Nothing could ruin my 17th birthday! I went to shower, and get ready to go meet up with MJ. While I was brushing my hair, I accidentally knocked over some lipstick. However, as I went to catch it, something extraordinary happened. I wasn't touching the lipstick, yet a red flash was somehow holding it above the ground?! I screamed in shock and the lipstick fell to the floor.
'Lilia?? Are you okay?!' My mum called. Yet something inside me told me I should play it cool. 'Um...yeah mum I'm fine I just...slipped,' I casually replied. 'Alright darling, be careful,' she looked at me cautiously, before heading back downstairs.
Then everything I previously chose to ignore, memories of last night, came flooding back. I cautiously retrieved the note I found. Hmm, maybe I should see what this is about. I shoved it into my purse along with my phone.
~later~
'SURPRISE!!' I gasped as I looked around the familiar faces of my friends and classmates. Everyone was there (about 20 teens in total) Ned, Peter and even my newer friends, Lola, Becky and Harrison. Of course MJ was there too, as she brought me to her house.
The party was great, there was plenty of food and some drinks. We did karaoke and danced throughout the night. Fortunately, the strange red flash hadn't returned. But at 10:30 I remembered it was time to meet with 'W.' I looked around for my purse, deciding to take some last minute pictures and then head off. I noticed it near Peter. 'Hey, Peter could you get my phone and take a picture of Lola and I,' I giggled, posing with my arms wrapped around my friend.
~Peter's POV~
'Oh..yeah sure!' I fumbled around her purse for her phone. My hands came across a slip of paper. Curiously, I opened it up inside the purse.
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Hm that was slightly weird. Maybe I should check on her as Spider-Man. After all, she seemed pretty shaken up last night, and my identity was still safe, thanks to Mr Stark.
'PETERRRR,' Lilia called, still posing with Lola. 'Hurry upppp.'
'Yeah one sec!' I found the phone and snapped some pictures of them. She looked really cute in them, especially with her auburn hair and freckles. I thought as I smiled to myself. But I thought it was better to not be in a relationship, because of the double life I was living. I didn't want anyone to get hurt, especially after what happened with Mr Stark...
However, I quickly shook the thoughts away, and thought of an excuse to use so I could slip away to monitor Lilia and see if she was alright.
