Peter Parker

Peter Parker moved into the building next to yours three weeks ago.
It wasn't a coincidence. After the spell, when the whole world forgot who he was, he was left with only one stupid, selfish thought: her. Even though you no longer remembered anything of what you almost were. Even though to you he was now just the new kid in 4B who sometimes bumped into you on the stairs and greeted you with an awkward smile.
He did remember everything.
From the glances.
From conversations that dragged on too long.
That night on the rooftop when they almost kissed… and he chickened out.
That's why he chose this building. To be close. To be able to see you, even from afar. Even if it hurt.
The party downstairs could be heard from the landing. Loud music, laughter, someone shouting. Peter was coming up the stairs with a shopping bag when the door opened and you came out, dressed to go out, your hair loose and an easy smile that hit him right in the chest.
"Hey!" you said when you saw him. "Are you going to the party too?"
Peter went blank for a second.
—I… no. I was just coming back from shopping.
—How boring. You should come. There are people from the uni here and the guy from 2A actually served some alcohol for once.
He clutched the bag tighter. He knew it was a bad idea. He knew that the longer he spent near you, the harder it would be to keep pretending you were just neighbors. But the other option was to go up to his empty apartment and listen to the party from afar, imagining you were laughing with someone else.
"Just for a little while," he finished.
Your smile widened.
—Deal.
The party was packed. Too many people, too much music. Peter stood glued to the wall, barely touching a glass in his hand, while you chatted with a group near the window. Every time you laughed, he looked away. Every time someone got too close, his jaw tightened.
Until suddenly you were standing in front of him again, your cheeks slightly flushed and a glass in your hand.