“I can’t believe you’re making us do this,” Ned muttered, sitting cross-legged next to MJ.

“I’m not making you do anything,” you teased him. “I merely suggested it and then urged you into it.”

Ned snorted, but he couldn’t seem to come up with a logical answer. Peter was sitting next to you, his knee bumping against you as he stared at the ouija board anxiously.

“Hey,” you said, and he looked at you, his eyes wide. You smiled at him. “It’s just a bit of fun. Nothing bad is gonna happen.”

“Y-yeah,” nodded Peter, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “Yeah, obviously. Let’s do this.”

MJ shuffled closer as you placed your two fingers on the planchette. The other three followed suit, albeit a little reluctantly in Ned and Peter’s cases.

“Okay,” you said to the dimly lit room, looking around at your friends. “I am the medium for this seance. I will be communicating directly to the spirits. Are we ready to begin?”

MJ nodded. Peter and Ned looked at each other, but they didn’t take their hands away. You took that to mean yes. You cleared your throat before addressing the room at large.

You were in MJ’s house. She was convinced the neighbor lady that died last week was haunting them, and she knew you dabbled with the spiritual. So she invited all three of you over to have a sleepover and commune with the recently deceased. A normal Friday night.

“Hello, spirits? Is there anyone here, with us, right now? We only wish to exchange pleasantries.”

Your gaze slipped to the pendant on the floor next to the board. MJ said that the neighbor had given it to her when she turned thirteen, and it was the only thing she had of hers. It would have to do.

Peter gave a startled squeak, and you were reminded to focus on the board. The planchette was moving.

“No! Nope, nope, I can’t.”

“Peter!” you called out. He was on his feet, backing away from the board. You took a deep breath before addressing the spirit. “We apologize, but we will need to call this meeting short. We hope to return soon.”

You quickly moved the planchette to the word goodbye before standing up and walking towards Peter. His back was on the far wall, his arms folded. Ned and MJ were watching him with wide eyes.

“Hey,” you murmured. “It’s okay. Really. We don’t have to keep going if you don’t feel comfortable.”

Peter kept his eyes trained on the board, shaking his head. “It’s not that, I just– it doesn’t feel right. What if she’s unhappy? What if she’s angry?”

“Pete, I know what I’m doing,” you said with a small smile. “I promise, nothing bad will happen to you. Besides, if something does happen – which it won’t – I know you’ll protect us… Spidey.”

His mouth dropped open as he stared at you. It opened and closed like a fish out of water, but you just teasingly winked at him. “So. You gonna keep going?”

He was still staring at you in astonishment. Not bothering to wait for his answer, you returned to the board and sat down. MJ and Ned stared at you inquisitively.

“You guys good?” you asked. They nodded. “Awesome.”

You reached forward to place your fingers on the planchette, but you were distracted by a movement next to you. Peter was sitting next to you, a determined look set on his face. 

“I’m gonna keep going,” he said fiercely.

“Are you sure?” You examined his face intently. He looked back before nodding curtly. You smiled as he shook himself.