Page 120 of Under the Influence

I watch as Cori’s cheeks turn pink, remembering that my mom knows she’s spent the night here.

“And leave the door open!” Dad adds.

Jesus Christ.

“Okay, okay!” I shout. They are so embarrassing.

Cori walks into my room like she’s never been inside. Her fingers grazing the top of my dresser, “About that night, in Nash’s bedroom. It’s not that I didn’t want to kiss you.” She lifts a picture of Nash and me from the wood, grazing her thumb over the frame.

“It’s okay, and it’s ancient history as far as I’m concerned.”

I couldn’t tell her how I really felt. Not when Nash told me to back off. He’d never done that before. Not that he’d ever needed to, I always had Avery.

She searches my face, waiting for me to say something else.

“Here,” I grab the remote off of the nightstand, handing it to her. “Your choice, as promised.”

“How chivalrous of you,” she teases and the remote is yanked playfully from my hand. She scans the guide for something to watch.

“Ahh! I love this movie. It is so romantic!” she gushes, cradling the remote to her heart.

“Spider-Man is romantic?” I laugh, giving her the side-eye.

“Oh my God, Carson! Yes! It’s the most iconic on-screen kiss maybe ever, and Tobey McGuire as Peter Parker,” she brings her fingertips to her lips, imitating a chef’s kiss.

I can’t help but mess with her a little, “I am way better looking than that guy.”

She pushes my shoulder, causing me to fall over, “Shut up.”

I don’t know that many girls who would pick Spider-Man over Mean Girls, which happens to be on the channel right before it.

We watch the movie in silence, and I can’t help but notice the similarities.

Peter wants Mary Jane.

MJ is dating Peter’s best friend.

Is this movie my life in superhero form?

I watch the screen intently as MJ thanks Spider-Man for saving her, yet again, in the alleyway with the notorious upside-down kiss.

It all hits a little too close to home, minus the radioactive spider and skin-tight suit, of course. I am Peter Parker, and Cori is MJ.

The end credits begin to roll, and she dramatically falls onto the bed. “Even in the end, he loved her so much that he hid his feelings to make sure she was safe. He would rather be just her friend than put her in any more danger.”

Is that how my ending with her will be?

Peter Parker is a better guy than me. I find myself wanting to tell Cori that I love her and fight anyone who stands in my way. This movie is romantic. Holy shit, I never even realized.

“It’s getting late,” she laughs, pointing at the clock next to my bed. “Don’t want your parents getting upset.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

A few minutes later, we’re standing at her door, staring into each other’s eyes.

“Wait right here,” she demands, disappearing inside.

When she comes back out with my hoodie draped over her arm, my heart sinks.