ANTE BELLUM: II 
RAMSEY BIANCHI

THE CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL, FOR MANY THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES DUE TO THE BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF SCULPTURES. But I was the worst-case scenario or the black sheep, as my family like to call me. Aunt Ivana gripped my arm as she dragged me into the festival followed by my cousins and Gwen's family, despite the fact I'm turning eighteen I still can't help but feel the missing piece in my heart. Sometimes I believe I'll never overcome this sadness and get rid of this void feeling that seems to stick around all the month of April.

I felt my Aunt gently shake my arm which I look at her, she offered me a smile. "I know this isn't easy, but I just wanted to know that you're a brave girl, Ramsey. Putting up a smile and making an effort to celebrate means you're slowly moving forward, although getting you out of your room was the biggest accomplishment of this year." I laugh openly at her choice of words, the laugh though, it felt different; dare I say, genuine.

Maybe going out wasn't a bad idea after all.

My hazel eyes traced the beautifully sculpted Chinese lanterns, I was currently walking down a tunnel, the pink flower lanterns reflected on my skin as I reached over and gently touch them. A gentle smile rested on my lips as I stare in pure amazement, I let out a soft giggle as I spun around before blindly bumping into someone.

Uff!

The sound left my lips as I hurriedly placed my hands on the person's arms, the person mimicking my actions as we both steady ourselves. My hazel eyes gaze up toward the person, taking in the familiar face of the one dorky nerd from Midtown High School. Peter stares back at me through crooked glasses, causing me to let out a hearty laugh as I reach over to fix them.

"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" I ask while trying to stop laughing at the dumb encounter, I remove my hands away from his face once the glasses were properly fixed.

Peter cleared his throat before scratching the back of his neck, "Yeah, yeah, totally. I mean, are you okay?" Peter ramble, causing me to wave a hand in dismissal.

"I'm fine. I mean, define  fine 'cause whose fine nowadays." I let out a nervous rant as I twirl a strand of my long wavy hair, I grimace as I register the words I said. "That was a stupid thing to say, ignore that."

Peter chuckle cutely, his mouth stretching into a wide smile as he pushes the brim of his glasses up. "I get what you mean. So, how's your night going so far?"

I shrugged carelessly. "Eh, it's fine, I guess."

Peter raised an eyebrow, "What, the Great Ramsey Bianchi is unimpressed by these delightful Chinese lanterns?" I rolled my eyes playfully, "You're killing me, Ramsey."

"Oh, so you're one of those art obsessive dudes, huh?" I tease as I wiggle my eyebrows just for the want of making him laugh, Peter, tilted his head as he chuckled.

 "It's not an obsession, it's called appreciation of the finer pieces of art." Peter defended, now it was my turn to chuckle.

Peter stared at me, his eyes glimmering, before he adverted his gaze to his camera. A comfortable silence settles upon us, Peter fidgets with his camera while my eyes trail down his face. Gwen would always tease me about him, she knew I somehow had a crush on Peter Parker ever since he helped me find my classroom on my first day. I have always been the type of girl that fantasizes about the guy that open the door for you four months ago, and I'm not exaggerating. That is the reason I kept talking to Peter because I wanted him to think of me as someone outgoing and friendly, perhaps even get his attention by doing so.

And as you can see, he made me nervous to the point that my stomach hurt.

"I should get- "Peter began to excuse himself, much to my dismay. My heart began to beat hard as my mind race with several things I could say to get him to stay without sounding needy.

Peter send me a polite smile before backing away from me, about to leave my hands shot toward him as my mouth did its job which is to embarrassed me. "Walk wanna?"

 Peter stopped in his tracks as he turned to look at me with an amused look, I cleared my throat and regain my posture. "Ignore the Yoda talking, I meant; do you want to walk with me? If that's cool with you."

Peter's eyes lighten up, but I'm sure that was just the lanterns reflecting on his beautiful brown eyes, "Sure. " 

I smile, a little too widely, but for the first time, I chose not to care. I began to walk next to Peter who kept glancing at me, I felt my cheeks burn, despite Peter making me nervous was something I hated. I knew I wouldn't have it any other way, my family and Gwen are probably wondering where I am, but for now, I chose to live at the moment. Peter and I walked beside each other quietly, but it wasn't an awkward kind of silence; it was a peaceful one. As we walk further into the beautifully decorated tunnel, Peter kept stopping and taking pictures and I of course didn't mind one bit. 

"Do you mind if I..." Peter motion at his camera, my eyes widen in surprise as I did not expect that kind of request.

 "Ay no, boy I don't wanna break your camera lens." I uneasily played with my hair.

Peter guffaws at my comment, "It would be a pleasure to have my camera lens broken by you."

I gave him a look; eyes narrowed. "Now you're just bluffing."

"I assure you I'm not," Peter said kindly, he offered me a soft smile and I groan knowing he just convinced me.

"Fine. Just because you're cute." I mumble and positioned myself in the middle of the tunnel as the flower lanterns adorn the background in baby pink.

I comb my hair and made sure it looked presentable, I shift my weight on my right leg before posing. Peter smiled encouragingly at me before crouching down and supporting his weight with his right knee, he brought his camera up and began to snap pictures for me.

"You're doing great, sweetie." He joked, causing me to bark out a laugh, throwing my head back slightly. "That's more like it."

"You did not just imitate Kris Jenner." Peter peak over his camera and shrugged.

 "Now, for the last picture I want you to act like if you're walking down the tunnel and when I count to three I want you to look at the camera and give me your best smile." I bit my lip, trying not to swoon at how serious he takes his hobby.

More people like Peter Parker, please.

"Got it." I began to walk down the tunnel slowly as I heard him slowly count down, as I walk down the beautiful tunnel I realize something; I was enjoying my birthday.

I don't know if it has to do with a certain photographer, but I was enjoying myself. I wasn't inside my head like I normally am, as I pretended to be okay for the sake of my family and also because I hate being a mood damper.

 "Three!"

I didn't go home feeling exhausted and lonely, I went home feeling content and giddy. For that I have Peter Parker to thank, he made me enjoy myself as we talk about school and his hobbies before taking random pictures with the Chinese lanterns sculptures before I had to leave.

 Hopefully, this won't be the last time Peter and I get to hang out.

🅷🅾🅻🅰

Honestly, this chapter is so wholesome, I love Ramsey and knowing she's going through a difficult phase due to her parent's death anniversary. I wanted to give her a nice birthday, one she could actually enjoy, at first Peter wasn't supposed to be there but sometimes having new faces around makes you feel happy. Peter is a bean, such a kind kid, and I believe Ramsey needed someone who doesn't remind her about her former family.

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Stay safe, lots of love (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥