Ms. Stark [Peter Parker]

Chapter 47| Peter's Disappearance

I forced my eyes open and was met with peer darkness. Even through the darkness, I could tell I was dizzy. I had to leave. Get out of here - or wherever I was. I needed to find Maria.

I grunted as I tried to hop in my chair. Only if I had my suit, or heck, anything.

I must have tripped over a cord as I hopped progressively forward because I fell straight down on the ground. I yelled in pain, as the impact of the floor shook my fragile body. I couldn't do anything now, I was like a turtle on its back - lying helplessly. I whimpered, trying to hold back the unknown pain shooting through me right now.

However, suddenly a light was brought upon all around me. I squinted, confused as to what was going on. Then I heard loud steps, in which I soonly recognized as high heel clicks. They approached me closer until whoever it was was right above me. I turned my head towards the ceiling above and hazily saw three ladies hovering over me.

However, as I regain focus, the three ladies turned into one as she became more clear. She must have been the one to turn on the lights. She smiled down at me.

The woman had dark hair, cut at an angle. She wore a business suit, with the exception of a skirt instead. Her red lips and piercing green eyes caught my attention the most though as I silently observed her.

"Hello, Peter." The words left her mouth like a snake slithering away.

"Where- where am I?! Get me out of here!" I yell and attempt to scramble away. I wiggled, but it had no effect. The woman watched me amused at my effort.

"You aren't going to get anywhere, dear. You might as well give up now. We need to have a chat anyway, so you might as well cooperate, " she told me. I glared at the woman - but not in a sense of hatred, but curiosity. She was oddly calm, as though she had known me for years.

Did I know her? Of course not - how could I? But something about her seemed... close. Not that I recognized her, but I felt like I should.

"What is this chat about exactly?! Cause I got a dance to get back too-"

"I'm afraid you won't be going back to your little dance, Peter, " she remained cool with me. I hated the way she said my name. Suddenly, I heard another pair of footsteps come through the door as it opened. The lady turned up towards the person out of my sight of vision.

"Alright, set him up, Gus."

•••
MARIA

A breeze gently brushed the back of my hair, almost as if mother nature itself was trying to comfort me. I sat outside, on the cement stairs outside the schools. No one was out here to see my shame, so maybe it was better this way. I hung my head low as I played with the fabric of my skirt. Tonight shouldn't be like this.

Tonight I should have been preparing my hair with my best friend.
Not avoiding her.
Tonight I was supposed to be dancing to slow songs with Peter.
Not wishing he was here.
Tonight was supposed to be my night of fun, happiness, and joy.
Not sitting here being alone.

But how could I complain? I'm Tony Stark's daughter, the one who was supposed to have and be everything. I shouldn't be feeling bad for myself.

Suddenly, I heard the door behind me whoosh open, revealing the party from inside. The door slammed back, and the noise from the party was no longer there. I figured it was somebody leaving to go home, like the few people that have been passing every so often for as long as I been out here.

However, the footsteps were quiet as though they were approaching me. Whoever it was shocked me as they sat down next to me. Bewildered, I rotated my head up to meet a cheesily smiling face... otherwise known as Kade. I groaned as I buried my head back into the safety of my knees.

"Jeesh, nice way to greet someone trying to be friendly, " he said. Weirdly, it didn't seem like he was trying to be sly at all. Just sarcastic.

"Well, you aren't particularly the person I want to see right now, " I stated with equal enthusiasm. He ignored my comment.

"Where's Peter?"

"Where's Ashtyn?"

Even with my head down, I could tell that made him mad.

"You know, all I'm trying to do is be a nice guy and you're taking your boyfriend dumping you all out on me."

"He didn't dump me!" I snapped as I looked now at him. I know he wanted me to have a reaction to his words, from the small smirk on his face, but I didn't care.

"Well then where is he?"

"He'll be back! Peter would never leave me!" I snarled at him. But deep down, I know my defense for Peter proved nothing with Kade's facts.

"Seems like he did, " he mumbled, indicating to me being alone out here. I silently glared at him before going back down to my knees. I could hear him sigh after a silent moment of listening to me being sad.

"You know, I never understood why you dated- or are dating Peter. He's not as great as a person as you think, " he told me randomly. He waited for a response, but I never said anything. "I mean, who leaves a girl on homecoming night? Do you ever consider the fact maybe Peter dated you because it gave him advantages with your father?" I scoffed at his question.

"How do you know my father?"

"I know a lot of things, sweetie." The way he said that sent nerves down my spine. But not only from that... but could Kade be right? No- he's just trying to get to you. Of course, he is. Yes - of course.

"I just wish you would see how much greater you could be without him..." his voice trailed off. I turned my head back up at him again. He was already looking straight at me. It was odd, if you told me months ago I would be this close and vulnerable with Kade Austin, I would have laughed. But here I am, homecoming night, next to him.

"But Peter-"

I was stopped by his lips attaching to mine.