I woke up in a strange place. Strangers were pushing my bed somewhere. My chest started to feel tight. In a few seconds, I was having a full on panic attack.

"Where am I? Who are you? Mom! Dad!"

A nurse started trying to calm me down. He told me to take deep breaths. At first it worked, but then my breathing sped up, making me even dizzier. I then felt something pinch my neck, and the world fizzled out again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beep Beep Beep

My eyelids fluttered open. I tried to move and pain rushed through my veins like lead. I screamed and cried until a nurse rushed in with pain relievers, which sent me off into a dreamless sleep.
                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up after a few hours to the sound of crying. It was faint, but still loud enough for me to hear. The person's voice was hoarse.

"I am so sorry Mia. It's my fault. There is nothing I can do. Not even as Spider-Man." The person's voice cracked on the last syllable.

There was a rustling noise, and the sound of a chair scooting. The empty space in my hand was replaced by warmth. The person squeezed my hand, as if it was the only thing keeping him from flying away.

I heard the door squeak open.

"Peter, your time is up. She needs her rest." The voice was annoyed.

"Ok Michelle."

I missed the warmth once it was gone, but I was once again pulled under before I could call out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finally opened my eyes, and sat up with only minor pain. I tried to take in my surroundings.

The stark white room had little color except for the bulky television that was mounted onto the wall and the glossy wooden chairs littered around the room.

My bed had little railings on the side, as if I was in danger of falling off. The sheets were thin and scratchy, but warm. The sunlight that streamed through the blinds made dancing streaks on them.

The whole room smelt sterile and clean, as someone had doused it with hand sanitizer. There was a faint beeping next to me, and my eyes trailed from the bag that held a clear fluid, to the long tube that was connected to my chest.

I called out, my voice surprisingly raw.

"Hello? Anyone out there?"

My parents rushed in, their faces red from crying. They both grabbed my hands and started talking to me in the babyish voice I hated.

"Sweetie, we are so sorry. Thank God for Spider-Man, or else who knows what would have happened." My dad squeezed my left hand.

"What happened to me? Did I....," I stopped talking because the looks on their faces gave me the answer I needed.

"I relapsed." I felt numb.

"Yes. But the good news is that the doctors were able to remove it surgically. The hospital here in New York is much better, especially with that equipment Toby Stark donated. Now you just have to take some medicine to make sure it does not return," my mom said, her eyes bright.

"How long?" I hoped for a year or two.

"Forever." My dad frowned, but was still happy because this is better than what they expected.

My life would never be the same. I would feel sick because of the medicine. Every single day.

"Can I still go to school?"

"Yes honey. In a week. We just want to see the effect the medications have on you." My mom and dad both grinned.

"By the way, you have some visitors." My mom walked to the door and opened it. She and my dad walked out.

Michelle, Ned and Peter walked in. They all avoided my eyes, as if it would kill me to make eye contact.

"Look. I had cancer when I was thirteen. I was fine. Now I had another tumor. They took it out, but I have to take meds for it. I can still go to school," I stared them down, like a general would to his soldiers, " I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I hate pity more than anything. I don't mind talking about it but I don't want to talk about it all the time. I don't want anyone else to know. Got it?"

All three nodded. Michelle grinned at me.

"That's the Mia I know and love."

I high-fived her and we started talking with Ned about school. Peter just stood there, looking guilty. And I knew what for.

After 30 minutes Michelle and Ned noticed Peter's awkwardness and exchanged a knowing glance. They shuffled out the door while Peter stayed.

I decide to break the silence.

"You can sit if you want."

He nodded and pulled a chair to my bed. I yearned to feel the warmth of his hand in mine again.

"Mia, I am so sorry."

"Peter you did not do anything wrong."

He looked at me fiercely.

"Yes I did. Maybe if I had met you at the library I could have...."

"What? Sensed my cancer? You ended up saving me anyway."

Peter's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?"

Now, I was annoyed.

"What do I mean? Spider-Man."

Peter looked at me.

"Okay. Let me tell you what happened."

He started explaining

                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And you said no. To being an Avenger?"

"It was a test. Now Aunt May, you, Ned and Tony are the only ones who know. And Happy." 

"Oh my God."

He turned his head to look at me. His demeanor was serious, but the twinkling in his eyes blatantly showed how proud he was.

"Lately, I've been trying to clean up the last of the Vulture's weapons. That is why I have not been in school."

"Wow. You are so brave." I gaped at him in complete awe. He was sacrificing his life, at sixteen years old.

His cheeks reddened. "You are the real brave one. I had no idea about what you went through."

I was flustered, and we just stared at each other.

Brring! Brring!

Peter scrambled for his phone. He answered, "Hello? Yes Aunt May. I was out. I'll come home soon."

He looked back at me, as I smiled.

"I'm sorry. I'll visit you tomorrow."

"Can you bring our project supplies? I want to practice our presentation."

Peter chuckled. "Wow. You don't stop do you?"

"Nope. Wait before you leave, I have one question. That girl Liz, from your story? You used to like her didn't you?"

He froze, embarrassed. "What? No...," he laughed awkwardly, "okay. I did. But not anymore. I like someone else." His voice got quiet.

Now it was my turn to blush. Peter waved goodbye and walked out.

Maybe things would get better after all.

A/N:
The "What? No..." line was from Homecoming. It was so cute that I had to include it. Here is a video to bless your day.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]