Chapter Text
Eastern Stanley was the high school in New York City, if you wanted a Stark internship. Stem subjects were preferred but on rare occasions students would be admitted for literacy and creativity. Extraordinary teenagers filled the burgundy halls modeled after ancient roman architecture. The Labs were unbelievably funded, just sitting in a chair alone could mean you're sitting on thousands of dollars, gifted by Stark himself. The library took up a quarter of the campus, from rare copies of mesopotamian math to the smallest edition of pride and prejudice.
However, no matter the weight of your GPA or high IQ could get you past the required electives. Many normal teens struggle in Biology and math, but to struggle in an English class was a different conflict. Its something that should “come easy” to his students, even his prized pupil. Peter Parker.
Lara Jean's unexpected struggle with AP biology was not a mirror of her intelligence. There was just no way she was lacking in this core pillar of her education. She couldn't let a c take its place in that report card. Existing in the school as one of the literary students was brutal enough, having to prove you belonged there was a hellacious daily task. Letting that C win would feel like letting Genevive desolate her. Why has she been so distracted? Her baby sister did the unthinkable.
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“Peter, you have a letter!”
Peter sat at the wooden table not letting his frosted cereal get a chance at being soggy as he was five minutes behind schedule. Scarfing down his breakfast was his usual only choice on Monday mornings. Hearing aunt may proclaim something out of the ordinary did send him back a few tracks when he was about to finish his last bite. His spoon making an obvious cling as it hit the bowl to turn around, his aunt held up a letter facing backwards that showed off her fresh pink nails.
“Is it from mister stark again?” his inquisitive brow faced her but Peter knew the answer was an obvious no from his aunts face. May's eyes were wide, entertained even, her natural blush overcoming her make-up as she walked to her nephew. Her smile was small but flourished as she got closer, like she withheld a secret. “No. unless tony now is comfortable with blue envelopes and impressive cursive.”
Tony. He was an often visitor at the apartment so he could discuss Peter's modern but important dilemma. Spiderman of course doesn't have homework and curfews and isnt restricted from certain avenger responsibilities. Peter Parker however, has to be home at 9:30, three papers due on Friday, and is only allowed on missions when called on by Stark himself. It wasn't uncommon to come home to him on their couch talking to his aunt when he messed up or “caused mayhem", which seemed to be a lot lately. Doesn't make it easier that they're on a first name basis now. So why is there a letter at all when Stark's preferred method is ambushing?
May's eyes peaked over the envelope attempting to conceal her blush, “do you think its a birthday invitation?!” her hand finally extended out to Peter for him to timidly grasp. This whole morning has thrown him around more than he's swung, a social event was a cherry on top. Something so rare his sweet aunt deemed it pivotal to be more ecstatic than normal, that meant she was practically glowing for him.
The blue cupcake at the bottom of the seal flap did have an inviting feel but in recent actions he's learned not to trust something completely anonymous. Holding the letter in his hand was about to promote a response when his late alarm rang from his watch. “Oh uh- sorry may! Ill see you later!” Escaping his chair and grabbing his messy backpack felt like whiplash when you've had a long night due to a stake out. “Thank you, I'll open it with you when I get home, kay?” He kissed May on the cheek as he whisked out the door with a calculated speed. The subway waits for no one, not even a spider.
Peter had given up uncharacteristically this morning, including being late to Physics. He was going to miss the train, didn't eat enough, and the constant all nighters were catching up way too quickly. If he was going to be late might as well indulge the unwelcome freedom, detours wouldn't damage Stark Enterprises.
The iron bars of "corner cafe” clashed as Peter let go of the handle, startled at the bang quickly apologized after he flinched. The fifties theme diner reflected the vintage pastels, mainly powder blue and lemon yellow. Bright with a hint of dust yet sparkling checkered tiled floors. The smell of chocolate cake and french fry oil surrounded him. Happy would be dejected that we went to his favorite place without him but what he doesnt know wont hurt him, right? As long as his tracker isn't with him which he secretly hoped Tony has relaxed on.
Disheartingly, not just a door slammed but a book fell. Fell in a way that the pages were overlapping and pleated, the paper back cover bent that would not forgive the floor. A soft clunk of a plastic cup made its impact onto the metal vintage tables as he saw a girl with glossy black hair bend from her chair to pick it up. “Im still refusing to buy hard covers”, mumbling to herself the girls pink headband made it easier for her face to be seen in the soft light from the windows. Parker felt horribly increasing doom as his face scrunched up due to his now indirect actions, holding onto the strap of his backpack as if he could hide behind it.
Red converse made its way over to her, quiet but quick enough that she couldn't get a word out. “I am so sorry, i was half asleep when i opened the door” the boys voice was soft but riddled with anxiety as his hand ventured out gesturing to the doorway.
Lara Jean had never seen curls so bright, she almost felt too entangled to speak.