“What?” is all Evan could mutter at the news that his longtime girlfriend of three years just dropped on him.

“I’m breaking up with you.” Michelle repeated, avoiding his gaze as she looked down. Her arms were crossed, her fingers dug into her skin.

“I heard it the first time, Chelle - just, why?” He huffed out of disbelief. “Why now? We’ve been ok—“

“Okay? Is that what you were going to say? That we’ve been doing ‘just fine’, when it has been the complete opposite, Evan!” I scoffed.

Evan looked at her as if she’d just grown a third head.

“You’ve rarely been home. You stood me up at every single date for the past six months. You missed our anniversary. You barely even text me anymore!” Michelle spat out frustration. “It makes me feel like an idiot, Evan. When every single one of our friends think that we’re already broken up. Because you’re never around!” Tears welled up in her ocean blue eyes as she clenched her fists.

It finally hit him. What an idiot he has been. How could he not see this?

He’s been busy saving the world as Spiderman, barely noticing the neglect he has been showing his own girlfriend.

The girl that has been with him through everything. When he got his first job, his first paycheck, getting accepted into his dream college, the death of his mother.

He could only stare at her, as tears began to stream down her cheeks. The ones he used to hold every night.

When was the last time he’s felt her soft skin in his hands?

“Chelle,” His voice broke.

“I don’t get it, Evan. I really don’t.” She wiped her tears frantically with the back of her hand. “I’m done. I really am.” She mumbled between sniffles.

She started to back away, to turn away from him. To leave him forever.

That struck a chord in him. The sight of her - turning her back on him. It was a huge stab to the gut.

As she began to walk away, Evan snapped out of it, going after her and grabbing her wrist.

“Chelle, please, listen to me.” —Evan pleaded.

“What? So you can make up some other pathetic excuse?” —Michelle spoke bitterly, hurt evident in her tone.

“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He gently turned her around towards him. His hand still holding her wrist firmly, but gently. “The truth is, the reason I haven’t been—“ He desperately wanted to get the words out, knowing this wouldn’t fix a thing, but he just needed her to know.

“I’ve been keeping something from you. Something big, but it’s not bad or anything—I guess.” He continued to ramble. Typical Evan.

She shook her head, “Evan?”

“Right.” He snapped back into it. “Chelle, you’ve heard of Spiderman… right?”

She furrowed her eyebrows, confused. “Yes?” Before her eyes widened in realization. “Don’t tell me—“

He bit her lips in anticipation, “Yes, that’s me.” Evan interrupted in a soft voice, as if he was afraid someone would hear him even though it was just the two of them in her bedroom. “I know that’s not excuse at all, to treat you the way I did. I got carried away, Michelle. I’m so sorry.”

She just stared at him in disbelief. How could she not have known? She knows she should be mad at him. For hiding something like this. For not giving her an explanation earlier. But all she could think about, is how much he risks by doing this.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She whispered as she looked up at him.

He paused, a guilty look on his face. “I’m not supposed to. But, Chelle, I can’t lose you. I can’t.” He pleaded with her.

“I’ll make more time for you, I’ll do better. Please…” His voice broke. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t lose you too.” His hand went up to her cheek, gently caressing it with her thumb like he always loved to do.

Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away. She leaned into his touch, a vulnerable look in her eyes.

“Don’t hide yourself from me anymore.” Michelle pulled her boyfriend into a hug, something they’ve both missed.

Evan gladly accepted it, wrapping his arms around her smaller frame tightly, afraid that she’d disappear if he let go.

“Never again, Michelle.”