ANTEBELLUM: IX

RAMSEY BIANCHI

I SIGH IN PURE DISCONTENT AS THE PAINTBRUSH SMEAR ACROSS THE POSTER. The word 'prom' is written in the center of the paper, I sat on the side of the poster as I traced the word 'P' with the paintbrush. Gwen had dragged me to the school gymnasium to help decorate some posters to announce that prom was just around the corner, despite wanting to go to the schoolyard I decided to help.

Also, who doesn't love to paint?

The rest of the STUCO members were actively discussing what their last three activities will be to raise funds for the graduation, Kasem had suggested they implemented my idea of doing something fun-related. I had decided to not include myself, my mind was filled with worry about the upcoming Calculus test. The topics weren't hard, I knew that, but I can't help but feel like I was going to flunk the test. My nervousness was due to potentially being benched for this Outdoor Nationals for track and field, I knew if I failed the test I was going to end myself.

Not literally of course, but still.

A silhouette passed by me, I raised my head and turn to the person who in return gave me a worried look. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Gwen sat adjacent to me, being careful with the poster. She grabbed my cup and refill it with more blue paint, I sigh and looked at her. "Calculus is what's wrong. Hell, I won't even need that in the real world."

Gwen sighed in relief, she rolled her pretty blue eyes before handing me the newly filled cup. "You don't know that, what if the world comes to an end and the only salvation is to solve a calculus problem?"

I stare at her, my expression bored. "Then you better pray Einstein comes back from the dead."

Gwen chuckles, I dip the brush in the paint and resume my delicate painting. "Well, you know I would be more than glad to tutor you. You just had to ask."

I nodded, "I know. But, what about Flash? Aren't you tutoring that dork?"

The sound of a basketball interrupted our conversation, Gwen and I looked at the basketball court to witness Flash and the rest of the team wearing workout clothes. I turn around and resume my painting, Gwen started to paint the confetti doodles around the word prom with gold paint.

"He's also struggling with Calculus; I can just tutor you both." Gwen shrugs, I stop painting and look at her.

"Tutor us both? Flash and I?" I scoffed. "Don't you think that's like mixing bleach with vinegar?" I deadpanned.

Gwen chuckled at my smart pun, I'm sure it's not funny but it's not every day I come up with something intellectual.

"Who thought that the sporty Ramsey Bianchi was actually a science geek? It feels like my job here is done, I've taught you well child." Gwen wipes an imaginary tear off her left eye.

"Geez, you're so dramatic."

Gwen laughs as she lightly pushes my shoulder, thankfully I wasn't painting, or else it would've been a huge mess. "But seriously, I would gladly tutor you. When's the test gonna be?"

I bit my lip as I recall the due date, "Next week's Tuesday. I got to score at least an 85 to be included on the Outdoors Nationals."

Gwen smiled reassuringly at me, "Hey, trust me. You'll ace that test, all you have to do is listen to your tutor and practice. Besides, we all know Midtown wouldn't stand a chance if they remove their best athlete."

I shrugged, "I mean, they got Baby —"

"-This is where you zip it." Gwen cuts me off. "The professional is talking. Now, I'll be tutoring you Thursday and Friday."

After a while I had successfully finished tracing the words 'prom', and now I was finishing painting the confetti doodles. Gwen's presence was requested by the STUCO members as they all sat on the top of the bench as I finished their work.

How thrilling.

I move my hair to the back in order to prevent it from getting paint on it, as I did I heard the sound of a camera snapping. My head snaps to the side, brows furrow in annoyance but once my hazel eyes settle on a familiar boy my expression softens. I smiled brightly as I stare at Peter, I repositioned my legs until they were crisscrossed.

I set the paintbrush down, careful not to smudge any surface. "I see you've developed a knack for taking pictures of me."

Peter breathes out a laugh, his cheeks turning a faint rosy color as he shies away from my stare. "I have a knack for taking pictures of beautiful sights."

His words made my heart skip a beat, my smile turn wider as I kept my stare on him. "So you think I'm beautiful?"

Peter's eyes snap toward me, and his mouth falls open in shock. "D-Did I say that out loud?" I nod, "Oh! I –uh, of course, you're beautiful, everyone thinks that. It's just –uh, y-you look really nice from my camera lens."

I bow my head as I tried to contain the impending laughter that is threatening to come out, after a second I meet his eye again. "Peter Parkour, you are so adorable. Have anyone told you that?"

Peter's face falls a little, "It's Parker."

I giggle, "Oh, I know. Trust me, I wouldn't forget the name of my once savior. I just like to give nicknames to people, it's how I show my care."

At my words, Peter's body relaxes and a smile overcomes his features. My hazel eyes stare back at his warm chocolate ones, weird enough a sudden sensation of serenity and comfort wash over my body. As if all worries and troubles have dissipated just by his look. Peter Parker was one of a kind, he was passionate about his school work and hobby, he was selfless, kind, chivalrous, friendly, sweet, and most importantly, he had a golden heart. I learn all of that the first day of school, the way he was running late for his first class but nonetheless helped me find my way and not to forget how he stuck up for that freshman and got beaten because of it.

"You know— "A loud voice cut me off.

"—Watch out!"

Once the words left the person's mouth, everything around me turn into slow motion, I blink as I turn my head to witness the basketball making its way toward me with strenuous force. My eyebrows raised in surprise as I brought my hand up in an effort to stop the potential hit, but as I did another hand shot in front of my face just in time to grab the ball.

I flinch back from the unexpected threat, my hands fly back in an attempt to stop myself from falling over the poster just to have a hand securely wrap on my arm.

My eyes dart to the person who saved me from getting my face smashed and ruining the prom poster, Peter Parker stares back at me with worry.

"Are you alright?" I open my mouth to respond but was cut off by another voice.

"Geez, sorry Bianchi. The ball slipped." Flash's flustered face came into view; the athlete was panting due to the game practice.

I narrow my eyes at him, "That could've been my face, Flash!"

Flash ran a hand over his sweaty face in an attempt to calm himself, I stood up and eyed him. "Well, that happens when you're just sitting there near the basketball court. We got benches, yah know? They are designed for seating."

I guffaw, "Glad to know that head of yours actually holds a piece of information."

Flash's face turns red in anger, I ball my fist, ready to take action if needed. "You know what? You're not worth it, the ball actually did slip." He begins to walk backward before his eyes move to Peter. "Parker, the ball."

Peter looks at the ball before glancing at me, I stare back at him with confusion as I tried to figure out what he was thinking. Peter glances at me with a hint of mischief, my eyes widen as I was not expecting that look at all, I watch him remove his camera strap off his shoulder.

"Would you hold this just for a sec?" I grabbed his camera as he shrugs off his school bag and set it on the floor before moving towards the basketball court while simultaneously bouncing the ball.

"Uh, Peter? I don't think—"

"–Sh, let the man fight his battles, Bianchi." Flash butt in, I glared at him.

"This is not a good idea," I said, my eyes shooting Peter a pleading look which he dismissed with a reassuring smile.

Peter and Flash position themselves in the middle of the basketball court, I notice everyone was staring at the scene and I felt myself grow worried for Peter's sake. I took in a deep breath just as a warm hand settle on my arm, I turn to face Gwen who also had a worried look.

"What's happening?" She asks.

I shrug. "I don't know, I tried to stop him."

Both our gazes settle on the two men, Peter stands before Flash with an extended arm, the ball sitting in his hand. Flash eyes the ball suspiciously, as he dives for the ball Peter quickly maneuvers the ball behind him onto the next arm. Flash clenches his jaw in annoyance, Peter however gives Flash an innocent look.

"Come on Flash, get it off him!" One of his teammates yells in frustration.

Flash once again dives for the ball but Peter switches sides, I heard snickers coming from the students behind me. Peter was holding the ball up, slightly behind him and Flash dives for it quickly, my eyes widen in surprise as I watch Peter jump and moves the ball behind him causing Flash to fall for the distraction. Flash walks away from Peter as his eyes search for the ball, believing Peter had thrown the ball to one of his teammates but instead, Peter throws the ball at Flash's back causing it to bounce right back at Peter's awaiting hands.

"This is odd." Gwen points out. "Last week he was getting beaten by Flash."

"And now he's the one deriding him, esa vale." I grin proudly.

I watch how his teammate snicker causing Flash to grow mad and uncomfortable at Peter's teasing, the smirk on Peter's face was so weird to see since the boy always wore either a smile or a serious expression. Seeing this mischievous side of him seems to attract me more to him, making me wonder what else Peter Parker has to offer.

Gwen and I flinch back as Peter falsely swung his arm with the ball toward Flash, the blond boy with the buzz cut flinches back from the sudden action.

Then Peter held the ball toward Flash, "Take it, come on." Peter nods at the ball in his hand, Flash stares at him as he walks toward the boy before he grabbed the ball and moves to take it. The weird thing is, the ball didn't bulge from Peter's grasp, Flash placed both hands and grunt as he struggles to take it off his hand. One hand.

"That's not normal, is it?" Gwen gushes beside me, I lean toward her to respond.

"No, he seems to have acquired strength."

"Somethings definitely off, I can feel it."

Flash continue to struggle while Peter taunted him, the buzz-cut boy then dropped his hands as he backed away from Peter. The nerdy boy who happens to have incredible strength and sharp reflexes smirked as he began to bounce the ball, Flash took a defensive stance near the scoring section.

"Ok! Do you think you're funny? Come at me, Parker. Come on, come on!" Flash challenge.

He spread his hands on either side of him to block his path, Peter bounce the ball one more time before charging at Flash at an incredible speed. Flash's body is knocked to the side making Gwen gasp, but what made me gasp was Peter jumping very high, and with unbeknown strength, he slams the ball inside the net. The strenuous force in his dunk caused the backboard to shatter as it came plummeting down along with Peter who wore a shocked expression. 

Everybody stares at the once-bullied kid, and breaks the backboard, in awe.

"Holy Tacos! Did you see that?!" I gush while I double-smack Gwen's arm.

"Oh my— "

"PARKER! MY OFFICE! NOW!" The principal who happened to enter the gymnasium double door just in time to witness this screamed.

🅷🅾🅻🅰

Gwen and Ramsey are

Suspicious about Peter's
Spontaneous sprout of
Strength and not reflexes.

Both girls will start to keep
A close eye on him, Ramsey
Being the curious one and
Gwen is the rational one.

Don't be a silent reader, I love
Seeing your comments about
The story. So don't be shy and
Leave one, also give this girl
Some love.

Stay safe, tons of love💘