A/N: Hey there, reader! This is my first fanfic since coming back from inactivity, so I hope you enjoy! Please comment and tell me if I need to fix anything! Thanks so much!

Occurs after Spiderman: Homecoming. Contains spoilers.

I used to be an ordinary kid.

Well, not really ordinary, per se. I was…still different than your average high-school teen. I was a big nerd. One of the weird background kids. The guy that nobody really paid attention to. The boy who got A's in all his classes. The kid who got bullied before, after, and during school. The guy that generally nobody liked.

But then, something happened. The thing. And then, my life turned around. For the better or for the worse, I really can't tell you. The thing is, I don't really know; I'd like to say for the better. I mean, I'm helping people out. I've saved lives. I've stopped catastrophes. I've met new amazing individuals and let them into my life. That all sounds pretty nice to me.

But at the same time, I've torn apart families. I've gotten people hurt, or worse, killed. I've helped destroy friendships. I've put my family and friends in danger. I've put men behind bars for the rest of their lives, to sit and rot underground while their friends and family cry back at home missing them, their hearts numb from all the aching.

I'll let you think on that one.

My school situation hasn't really changed. I mean, I'm still a nerdy geek. I still don't have a lot of friends. I still get bullied here and there. And, I'll have to admit, my grades have been dropping ever-so-slightly, much to Aunt May's disappointment.

Like I said, ever since that stinking little spider bit me, my life has drastically changed, as well as the lives of others. I'll never have my old life back - but is that really so bad?

That's what I ask myself all the time. Isn't it amazing to have the powers I have? To be the guy I am? To know the people I know?

But is it great to see the things I've seen? To do the things I've done?

Mr. Stark tells me yes. He says that my powers are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Most of the time, I agree with him. But there are the times when I wish that it wasn't me who ended up with these powers. I wish it was someone wiser, someone stronger, someone actually worthy.

But that's not why you're here. I'm not here to angst to you all day; no, I'm here to tell you my story, and you're here to listen. So, let's get on with it, shall we?

My name's Peter. Peter Parker. Also known as the Spider-Man.

And, before you ask, no, I'm not thirty-six years old. I'm in high school. But that doesn't make me not a man, okay!

Right, sorry. Got a little sidetracked there. Whoops. Shall we continue?

I guess my story started back in November. Well, not the entire story. By this time, I had already assisted Iron Man - that's Tony Stark, by the way; that's guy pretty cool - with the whole Captain America-Winter Soldier ordeal and stopped the Vulture (who also turned out to be my crush's dad - like, what?!). So, I considered myself pretty successful by that point. Tony and I were pretty tight, too. He's, like, offered me to be an Avenger and everything. And he offered me an awesome new suit, too. I was like, 'um, HECK yeah!'

But then I realized that it was just a test. And so then I was like, 'huh, what would Iron Man want me to do?' So I declined and decided to stay as your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man (nice slogan, huh? Mr. Stark came up with it). I'm sure that Mr. Stark is super proud of me for passing. I mean, he has taught me well.

So that's what I had been doing for a few months or so. Taking care of the robbers and muggers and whatnot. Not as exciting as getting to take on the Hulk in a friendly brawl or watch Vision walk through walls or anything, but still. I'm cleaning up the streets, and I am content with just that.

Okay, you know what, we're going to rephrase that, because that just made me sound like a janitor. And I am not a janitor (no offense, custodians). Let's see, how about this: I'm dealing out justice, and I am content with just that.

Yeah, yeah, that sounds way better. Okay, right. Back to the story.

It was crisp fall day. I was sitting in Spanish class, trying not to fall asleep - last night I had had to save this cute old lady (she was like, ninety years old, by the way) from getting mugged; it was half past two by the time I got home - when, right as my eyes were starting to shut, the bell rang.

I jerked, and my head hit the desk hard. All the other students laughed at me, as the collision had been loud enough for the entire class to hear. My teacher stared down her nose at me sourly as I sat back up and shook my head, clearing it. Ouch.

I opened my eyes. Nobody had gotten up, and my teacher had turned back to writing on the chalkboard. I was so perplexed. Hadn't the bell just rang? Weren't we dismissed? Was I going crazy?

I slid my sleeve up my arm and glanced down at my watch. 2:35 pm. Huh. So class hadn't ended yet. Then I really was going crazy!

That is, until my phone vibrated inside my pocket. I glanced back up the teacher to make sure she wasn't looking before pulling it out and looking at it under the desk so that no one would notice.

"You need a drink."

The message was from Happy Hogan, basically my manager, in a sense. And my boss. And that one obnoxious guy who always tells you what to do. Kind of like Alfred for Batman, except Happy doesn't listen to me or obey my every command.

The text wasn't a question - it was an order. Like I said, Happy was the one bossing me around.

I raised my hand and asked the teacher if I could go get a drink. I quickly, but casually - at least, I thought I looked casual - stood up and left the classroom.

As I made my way over to the drinking fountain, something grabbed my left shoulder and yanked me out of the hallway. I let out a little yelp of surprise, and as the hand let go, I spun around to face my attacker, my fists clenched and all my senses heightened and ready for action.

"Woah, easy there, kid."

I lowered my hands and relaxed as I saw that it was just Happy. You know, I never have really understood how he, of all people, ended up with that name. I guess it was destiny.

I looked around and noticed where we were. The men's restroom.

"Dude, why didn't you just tell me to meet you here?" I asked him.

"A: Don't call me 'dude' ever again. B: Because I did that last time, and I didn't want to have to repeat myself. The drinking fountain was different. And a whole lot less awkward than saying, 'Hey, kid, suddenly go pee yourself.'"

"Okay, fair point," I replied with a nod. "So…what's up?"

"Stark needs to meet you after school. Urgent business that I can't discuss in a public area."

"Really?! Mr. Stark needs ME?! AWESOME!" I let out a whoop and pumped my fist.

"Be quiet!" Happy hissed at me. "Do you ever know how to shut your piehole for just one measly second?!"

"Oh, sorry," I said in a loud whisper, trying to contain my grin. I was unsuccessful in my attempts, and was too excited to pay attention to Mr. Hogan's eye rolls.

"Mr. Stark also said sorry about the bell. He said -"

"Wait, so I wasn't imagining it?! I'm totally not crazy after all!"

"That's debatably," Happy muttered under breath. "Okay, yeah, listen. I played it at a frequency that only your enhanced senses could detect. That's why no one else could hear it."

When I was bit that super-spider, all of my senses were heightened. Heck, I even gained one that I like to call my 'spidey-sense'; but I digress.

"I noticed you were falling asleep in class, and I had to get your attention. Also, Tony says to pay more attention to your teachers and get more sleep at night."

I thought that it was a little overboard to have Happy spying on me all the time. Sure, it means my idol (Mr. Stark, not Happy) is looking out for me, but come on. I'm not some little kid that needs a babysitter all the time. I can take care of myself, thanks very much. And why didn't Mr. Stark just text me himself? It wasn't like I didn't have his number.

I also couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt at that last part. I hated disappointing Iron Man. But I also got a little defensive, too.

"Hey, it's not my fault! I was out saving lives last night - what do you expect? That I just recharge after two minutes of sleep?"

"Yes; that's how this job works. Sorry, kid, but lack of sleep is part of the superhero package. Get used to it and get your grades up."

Happy looked down at his watch and sighed. "Look, kid, get back to class and pay attention this time. And do not forget to meet Tony after school today - he's already cleared everything with your aunt, so long as you keep your head on your shoulders. Got it?"

"Yeah, right, got it," I said breathlessly as I was herded out of the bathroom and shoved back in the direction of my classroom.

After I regained my footing, as Happy's push had caused me to stumble, I turned around and saw that the grumpy man had disappeared.

"Huh. Wish I could do that," I said aloud to myself before turning back around and walking towards class.

As I sat back down in my seat, I realized that I was thirsty.