chapter eight: peter

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
a/n: I just realized that I've been using the wrong font for my chapter separators! the right font will be used starting now :D this chapter will be a little short, but it's essential.
                          
E I G H T : PETER
                          
PARKER AWOKE with an annoying ringing in his ear. He grumbled a curse under his breath and fumbled for his phone blindly until he finally got it. He barely glanced at the caller ID before picking up and rising from his spot on Dustin's couch. 
                          
Lewis was on a separate recliner silently dozing while Dustin had waken up the former night of the party and transferred himself to his bed.
                          
"Mom? What's wrong?" He whispered into the speaker, stepping into Dustin's office and sliding the door shut. 
                          
His eyebrows furrowed as she spoke into the phone. "Pete's asking for you. I hate it when you're late and he gets sad, Park."
                          
Parker slapped his forehead in realization. "Oh sh— I am so sorry, mom. I lost track of time. Tell Pete I'll be there in 15 minutes." He grabbed a sticky note from Dustin's desk and scribbled down a note.
                          
"You better, mister," she threatened, "get here safe. Love you."
                          
He let himself smile. "Love you, too."
                          
After hanging up, he stuffed his phone into one of his back pockets and hurried out the office. He grabbed his jacket and sketchbook on the way out of the room, closing it silently behind him.
                          
The whole first level of the house was spotless, knowing the maids and Allen had been hard at work for the whole morning while he and his friends were passed out. It was already 2 in the afternoon.
                          
Parker found his car where he left it—thankfully unharmed—and hopped in, revving up the engine and speeding off to the hospital 15 minutes away.
                          


                          
PETER LY was only 4 years old when he was diagnosed with Leukemia. Parker and his mother were both heartbroken, but have been able to survive despite the fact Parker's father left them shortly after the diagnosis. It has been 2 years since, but Peter was slowly recovering.
                          
Parker rushed into the familiar waiting room of the hospital and the nurse at the front desk let him through. He navigated through the stark white hallways, narrowly dodging doctors, nurses, and gurneys.
                          
His little brother's room was on the right, in a hallway extremely silent. There was a poster of cancer kids on the wall that said: "Please be silent. Patients are healing." For some reason, he hated that. 
                          
Parker knocked lightly on the door and only entered when he heard his mother grant him entrance. 
                          
"Parky!" A joyous, high-pitched voice exclaimed. 
                          
Parker's face became an expression of genuine happiness. "What's up, little man?" Peter, despite being stuck in the hospital a lot of the time, saw the light. He still believed in the tooth fairy, and he was very protective over the money he was given. He pretended the tube in his nose and the needle in his wrist was all apart of him being a volunteer to save the world. Parker was glad his little brother didn't see things as he did.
                          
Parker's mother, Lily, shot her eldest son a hard look, and Parker beamed sheepishly.
                          
"Were you partying again?" Peter teased, giving a toothy grin.
                          
"You know it," Parker replied, dragging a chair to sit next to his little brother. "It was Dustin's birthday."
                          
"Did you give him my present?" The six year old asked, his eyes filled with hope and happiness.
                          
Parker nodded. "He loved it. He ate it the moment I gave it to him." With the money he had been receiving, Peter had used a little to get Dustin a chocolate chip muffin for his birthday. 
                          
Peter threw his hands into the air. "Yay!" He hugged his older brother tightly, and Parker felt his heart torn. He was happy to be here with his brother, but he was depressed that Pete had to deal with Leukemia. It wasn't fair. But this was also a place for Parker to completely forget the outside world.
                          
When the two released each other, Lily handed Parker a bottle of cold water and a turkey sandwich. "Okay, Pete. Let's let Parker eat; why don't you tell him the good news?"
                          
Parker raised his eyebrows as he munched on the sandwich. By the way Peter's eyes lit up, he could tell he would be euphoric after hearing the news, too.
                          
"Doctor Janet said I can go home for Christmas!" He announced while doing a little shimmy in his bed.
                          
Parker's eyes widened. He covered his mouth to reply, "Really? That's amazing!" The Lys had been hoping and praying that Peter would be well enough to return home for the holidays. It wouldn't be the same if they had to celebrate in the hospital again. 
                          
"I know, right?" Lily cheered, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. She hugged her two sons close. "It's going to be great! We'll have to host a huge holiday party, a-and have a ton of people over! Maybe even—"
                          
"Mom," Parker laughed, "slow down. I'll work everything out, but I don't think our little apartment is suitable for a huge holiday party. I'll ask Dustin—"
                          
"Oh no, honey! You can't do that. The Jins have done too much for us already," Lily insisted.
                          
"Come on, mommy. Let Parky ask Dustin... it's what best friends are for," Peter offered with an innocent shrug of his shoulders.
                          
Parker joined his little brother in the innocent charade. "Yeah, mommy. It's what best friends are for."
                          
Lily rolled her eyes, but laughed. "Okay fine. But best friendship is a two way street, you know."
                          
"Of course," Parker grinned. "I promise to help him clean up afterward."
                          
"And?" Lily pressed.
                          
"And I promise to ask his parents, too."
                          
"And?"
                          
"And I promise to check up on him more often."
                          
"And?"
                          
"And I promise to rub his feet? Mom, I know how to be a best friend. I'd do anything for him," Parker insisted.
                          
Lily, completely amused, told him, "I know, sweetie. And you better do anything for him—we're in incredible debt to him."
                          
"I know, mom."
                          
Peter poked his mom on the shoulder. "What does 'debt' mean?"
                          
The two chuckled and relaxed, readying a simple explanation for their favorite six year old.
                          
a/n: how do y'all like Pete and this side of Parker?
                          
Vote for more :)