Academic Rivals // P.P. · Y/n story by @aiskelling

The Friday night air in the MIT dorm room was thick with the smell of takeout containers and freshly snapped plastic bricks. Warm lamplight spilled across the desk where Y/N sat, headphones nestled over her ears, the faint tinny beat of an Ariana Grande track leaking out as she typed away at her paper.

Ned

snapping a red brick into place So, you're telling me the director really didn't know about the third act twist until they were halfway through filming?

Peter

enthusiastic, hands busy with the legos No, I read the interview! They improvised it on set. That's why the pacing feels so weird in the second act — they had to reshoot.

Ned

Dude. That's insane.

Peter grinned, the kind of open, unguarded smile that only came out when he was in his element — building, talking, being normal. He opened his mouth to say something else when a sharp buzz cut through the air.

Peter

Gotta go!

He was already at the door, yanking his jacket off the hook, phone pressed to his ear before it even finished ringing.

Ned

calling after him Peter — the set! You said we'd finish tonight—

The door clicked shut. He was gone.

MJ

rolling her eyes, picking up a fresh pencil That's the fourth time this week.

Ned

sighing, slumping back against the couch He's been doing this a lot. Like, a lot lot. I swear, he's got a second life I don't know about.

MJ

dryly He's probably got a secret girlfriend. Hiding her from us.

Ned

skeptical Peter? With a girlfriend? He can't even talk to the barista at the coffee shop without sweating.

MJ smirked, not looking up from her sketchbook.

MJ

That's what makes it suspicious.

She paused, then glanced over at Y/N, a curious flicker in her dark eyes.

MJ

You're quiet. What do you think?