ANTE BELLUM: XIX

RAMSEY WALKER

NIGHT HAD FALLEN ON NEW YORK CITY, FORREST HILLS WAS QUIET AND DESOLATED WHICH WAS MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT. Letting out a huff seeing as I couldn't throw water balloons at one of my fellow neighbors, with great disappointment I closed my bedroom window and decided to fix my room. Books, shoes, and last night's project materials were laid in the very center of my room, I grabbed the trashcan and began cleaning up. Once the trash was in its respective place I placed my running shoe inside my duffle bag since tomorrow was the big Outdoors Nationals.

I let out a low squeal, a big smile on my face as I placed my navy blue track uniform inside the bag. "Usain Bolt, I'm going to make you so proud tomorrow."

Then I moved on to pick my chemistry and calculus books, setting them on my studio desk, I turn around and smile. "All done and Aunt Ivana didn't have to yell at me."

A knock was heard coming from my door before it swung open without my consent revealing an annoyed Ethan Walker, I raised a quizzical eyebrow as I watch the teenager fall face-first on my bed. "I'm receiving bad vibes from you, I don't want them."

Ethan turns his head to the side, narrowing his brown eyes at me. "I'm so done with life."

I made a clicking sound with my tongue, a sigh kicking my door close, and threw myself on my bed, laying on my side. "You're too young to be feeling like that."

Ethan propped himself on his elbows as he stared at me with his diva expression. "Excuse me, I didn't know that feeling depressed depended on my age."

He huffed before falling back down on the bed, I rolled my eyes. "Well then talk to me, what's got you all depress?"

"Life." Ethan cried, I smack his shoulder. "Ow!"

"I'm serious, you either talk or go cry yourself a river in your room." I snapped, my hazel eyes narrowed at my baby cousin.

Ethan let out a sigh before he shifted in my bed, sitting crisscross before me as he played with his fingers. "Remember how I told you about this summer course in LA?"

I racked my brain for the piece of information before nodding slowly. "Yeah... for the Film University of Southern California?"

Ethan nodded, "I didn't get in. Apparently, it was a master class and I was, and I quote 'too rookie for their program'." Ethan shook his head in annoyance, cracking his knuckles. "I can't believe I thought I had a shot."

I frown, not believing they could have rejected Ethan. The boy had an eye and creativity for filming and photography, and Ethan self-taught himself. Ethan's life routine was simple, in his free time he was either playing Fortnite or he was behind a camera, taking pictures or just filming whatever. Then came the true magic, when he would edit his photos or mash his videos into one, I know Ethan is going to places. That kid had determination, focus, creativity, and dedication to create amazing content, he told stories through simple photos or nice mind-blowing video transitions.

"Hey," I called out, Ethan met my eyes and I beckon him to lay beside me. He obediently lay next to me, I supported my head against my hand as stared at his side profile. "I know you were pretty excited for that summer course-honestly is their loss. I've seen your work, Ethan, you've got potential, and if they couldn't see that then their expectations are shit."

Ethan huffed. "They're the best of the best, Ramsey." He met my eye. "It's not like I got rejected from Coursera or Edx, no... I was rejected by experts."

I sigh, giving him a sad smile as I watch how hurt he was. "They're not the only experts, I know it must've hurt but this is only a bump on the road."

"Only." Ethan mimics, rolling his eyes.

I sat up and shifted into a crisscross position. "Why are you warming your head with universities if you still got two more years of high school left?"

Ethan turns to face me before averting his eyes, "I don't know..."

I gave him a 'come on' look. "Yes, you do. Tell me. Go on."

Ethan licked his lips before answering, "It's just... you and Connor were always so aspirational, Connor wants to be a meteorologist and you want to be a professional track athlete. I've seen you work your asses off, Connor works as a photographer at the Daily Bugle to be able to pay for his classes and you're participating at the Outdoor Nationals tomorrow."

"So you're beating yourself over that?"

Ethan shook his head. "No, I'm trying to be better. You two are amazing role models, Mom is so damn proud of you two and I want her to be proud of me too. I want to pave my own path to success."

I smiled at him, feeling extremely proud of him for wanting to be better each day. "Aunt Ivana is proud of you, Connor and I are too."

"You say that only out of commitment." I shook my head, squeezing his arm.

"I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart." I wink at him. "Now, I know you feel defeated for what that University said to you but follow my advice and screw that. You are teaching yourself what most pay to be taught, and that Ethan is admirable."

Ethan fought a smile that tried to break through, "You really think so?"

"Uh, duh! You're top-notch my friend, just do me a favor and don't let anybody tell you that you can't have that. You look them straight in the face and tell them 'watch me'." I finalize with a ferocious look on my face, one that had Ethan looking at me with an amused smile.

"You should consider being a motivational speaker." Ethan nodded at his words. "Yeah, like create a podcast or do a video." I gave him a look, he sat up. "Hey, I could manage you. Just say the words."

I gave him a sweet smile. "Get. Out."

Ethan huffed. "Your loss."

I watched him leave the room, a soft chuckle left my lips as I fell on my bed, hugging a pillow between my thighs. I stared at the posters around my room before stopping on Usain Bolt, I have no idea why tracking had been my life to the point of being oxygen for me. For months I've felt completely normal, and fine, sometimes I even forget I'm enhanced which it's a good thing. There are times I use my powers whenever someone close to me is sad or it's going through so much, I can absorb their feelings and alter them or just feel what they're feeling.

It's not hard to control, it has its ups and downs, I remember I couldn't touch anybody because I would accidentally absorb their feelings living them blank. Like a poker face, it went on for years until Aunt Ivana had to do something about it, she found a book with all kinds of powerful information. Apparently, it's been in the family for generations, it used to be my mom's but after she passed it was given to Aunt Ivana, saying that when I'm old enough it would be mine to possess.

Tap. Tap.

My head shot up before my body followed, and with an annoyed look on my face I approach my window with purpose. "I swear if it's annoying Danny I'll steal his car toy."

But too much of my surprise, it wasn't the stupid kid but the boy who made my heart skip a beat and the very one crime-fighting spider sitting outside my window. I open the window, giving him a surprised look as I stepped aside to give him room to enter.

"Danger came knocking on my window and I opened it, as every normal person would." I mock, Peter let out a chuckle as he stumbles into my room, I frown as I took in his state. Cuts and scratches adorn his face, but what had my heart beating in worry was the three long gashes on his chest. "Fuck, what the fuck happened?"

"You should see the other guy." Peter met my eyes, giving me his adorable smile.

"I definitely don't." I shook my head as I helped him get to my bed.

"I can stain it," Peter warned, I just shrugged.

"Right now I'm more concern about your wounds than my bedsheets," I tell him, he sat down carefully before laying backward.

I stare at the long gashes, wondering what kind of man Peter was fighting against. Snapping out of my trance I began to look for the first aid kit when I remember that the last time I saw it Connor had it, I let out a curse as I turn to face Peter.

"I'll be back," I told him with an apologetic look. "Connor has the first aid kit."

Peter gave me a reassuring smile, nodding lazily. "I'll be here."

With a final nod, I made my way out of the room, making my way to Connors's room, without knocking I open the door to find him working on his pc. "What do you want?"

I closed the door, "The first aid kit. Where is it?" I ask with urgency, Connor looked away from his PC.

"Are you hurt?" He frowns as he stares at something, I looked down and notice the left side of my shirt was covered with blood slightly.

"No." I denied it, and Connor gave me a stern look.

"Ramsey."

"Can I please have the thing?" I stated. "It's just a scratch, so where is it?"

Connor stared at me, which irked me since he is able to read me like an open book, and right now I needed to be a closed book. "Bathroom, cabinet, top-shelf."

I breathed out a thank you before leaving his room and quickly going for the first aid kit, once I had it I ran toward my room finding Peter stripping off his suit. My eyes widen as I took in his naked upper body, Peter just gave me a cheeky smile before motioning me to close the door.

"Oh, right." I stutter as I close the door and lock it before going toward Peter, preparing everything as I clean his wound. "Pete, you're going to need stitches. You need a hospital."

Peter shook his head, breathing in and exhaling as I cleanse the wound with alcohol. "No hospital, I heal fast."

I glanced at his pain expressing myself before debating whether or not should I use my powers on him, noticing how he flinches and hissed I knew I would be doing him a favor. So I placed a hand on his shoulder and felt myself absorbing his pain, I bit the inside of my cheek as I could feel the wound in my chest and how much it burns. I continue to cleanse his wound before bandaging him, my work wasn't as neat as Connor but right now I knew Peter wouldn't feel comfortable having him around.

"What just happen?" Peter questioned, eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

I threw him a side glance. "Hmm?"

"The pain... it just vanished." Peter frowned, once the bandage was securely wrapped I helped him sit. "How did that happen?"

My shoulders shrugged, and I tried to act nonchalant. "Maybe it's just your powers kicking in. I remember you mentioned you can heal fast."

But Peter wasn't fully buying what I was selling him, so I quickly changed the topic. "So, are you gonna tell me what mean bully gave you those gashes?"

Peter sighed, "Do you remember the lizard that attacked the bridge last time?" My heart clenched with fear. "I've been following him, I recently discovered he lives in the sewers— I just don't know where exactly."

I nod, placing a comforting hand on his back as I felt his inner turmoil, I retrieve my hand. My heartbeat fast as I gather up the courage to tell Peter the real truth about me, knowing I demanded the same thing from him.

"Peter, can I confide something in you?" I turn to face him, not realizing he was already looking at me and our faces were inches apart.

"Anything." He whispered, his breath fanned my lips making me shiver.

"I... there's a part of me I haven't told you about," I whispered, my eyes glancing from his lips to his eyes, Peter frowned.

"What'd you mean?" He leans closer, his hand caressing my cheek which made it harder for me to think straight.

"Peter I..." I trailed off as his lips hovered over mine, my eyes closing automatically, and his lips brushed against mine. "...have powers."

🅷🅾🅻🅰

HOLA RAZA!
How you guys doin'?
Are any of you seeing
Cursed? Cause I freakin'
Love Merlin, he's such a
Sass master.

But I really can't wait
For The Umbrella Academy,
Its going to be so chaotic.
Also The Rain, awesome series!

So back to this book, we're slowly
Getting closer to the end. I'm thinking
About writing a sequel, Ramsey's
Journey is barely commencing.

I'm so excited to write the
Final battle, so many things
Are going to happen there.
Can't wait to share it with you!!

Stay safe kiddos, don't do
Coronavirus, use masks.

💕💕