Chapter Two

"PETER!" Startled, the young Parker kid whipped his head off of his computer desk, drool slipping from his mouth. In front of him was a essay document, blank. He'd meant to finish it last night, but had only typed up his name and class period before crashing the night before.

"Oh crap."

"Peter! I won't ask you again," the voice rang from through the walls.

"Coming Aunt May!" He closed the laptop shut, sliding it into his bag. As he went to get up from his chair, he nearly tripped over a network of wires wrapped around his chair. Hobbling from his desk, he managed to grab a pair of jeans from his laundry basket before falling onto his creaky bed. Figuring they were clean enough, he changed them out for the ones he was already wearing, ones that had been shredded thanks to his late night activities the night before.

Slinging his bag over one shoulder, Peter raced downstairs, each of the wooden steps giving just a little beneath his weight, but bowing back after his exit. A quick turn later, and he was in the dining room with Aunt May, two plates of hot wheat cakes sitting on the table.

"Sorry May, I was just-" Upon seeing him, May's face turned to subdued horror.

"Peter?!" She raised a gentle hand towards his face. "Who did this to you?" It was as she was touching just beneath his left eye that Peter even realized he had a black eye, yet another consequence from last night.

"It's fine, May. Honest." Her face quickly turned to a protective anger, the kind only folks past a certain age are even capable.

"It most certainly is not fine, Peter Benjamin Parker. Was it that football player Flash Thompson again? I tell you what, your school has absolutely no-"

"May, it wasn't Flash, I promise." Peter slouched over his breakfast food, trying his best to huddle his body away from May's verbal display.

"Well then what happened?" May finally sat back down, as Peter filled his mouth with food, stalling his answer for as long as he could. Unfortunately, he couldn't wait forever.

"I...Tripped." May's body fluttered in disbelief.

"You tripped? Really?" He gave a weak shrug, trying his best to accept even his own lie.

"Yeah, you know how I'm always such a clutz and I-" May held up a hand, silencing him before he started to pick up vocal speed.

"Just...No. Peter, tell me the truth." There was a beat where he tried his hardest to look vaguely offended at her insinuation. "Don't lie to me."

"I'm...Not." Even he didn't buy how weak that was. Jeez Peter, he thought, way to really convince her. Seriously. Way to go.

There was a loud pressurized noise just outside the front door, causing Peter to bolt.

"Love you, May." The bus had just arrived outside, meaning he needed to go immediately. He hated leaving things like that with her, but what else was he supposed to do? After everything she'd been through, it was better this way.

Outside the bus had just started pulling away, but lurched back as Peter came bursting out the door. The driver swung open the door, exchanging the usual pleasantries.

"Sup squirt," the mustached man said with a friendly grin.

"Hey Mr. Fernandez. How's Benjamin been doing?"

"Better. Thanks for that suggestion by the way, those meds really did the trick."

"Yeah, well dogs usually-"

"Yo! Can we get a move on," Flash Thompson yelled from the back of the bus. His red letterman was visible even from back here, let alone his entourage of fellow varsity players. Mr. Fernandez gave Peter an apologetic look.

"We can talk later, bud." He swung the door shut and drove away from the curb. Peter began his slow crawl down the bus, knowing that he was trying in vain to find an empty seat. Sure, tons of spots had room, but who would want to sit with Peter Parker, a kid who since Freshmen year had become synonymous with the science club and the mathletes. Even if he was a junior now, Peter knew this year was still going to be just as hard as ever other.

Eventually he spotted someone he hadn't seen on the bus before, at least not anyone he'd ever recognized. She looked very prim and proper, straight blonde hair down to her shoulder,held by a black band with reading glasses perched on her nose. As he nervously approached, Peter realized she was reading Shakespeare's Hamlet, not even noticing him.

"Eck-Excuse me?" He pushed up his own loose glasses as she turned her attention towards him. In an instant Peter was dumbfounded by her natural elegance. Sure she wore a little makeup here and there, but not nearly as much as most girls from Midtown High did. He was so caught off guard that he hadn't prepared what to say next.

"Yes?" Her voice snapped him to the realization that he looked like a mess, a two day old shirt that was too baggy for him, jeans from the hamper, and - oh crap- he'd even forgotten his belt at home. His jeans had only just started sagging beneath his waist as he caught them from behind. Clearing his throat, he decided to finally answer her.

"I- well, I was wondering if this spot was taken? Or if Maybe I could..." He trailed off weakly as she gave a small chuckle from behind her book.

"Sure, sit down." Peter fell into the seat cushion, straightening out his shirt the best he could, putting his bag over his lap. After a brief moment of awkward silence, he realized she'd gone back to reading her book. Against his better judgement, he decided to keep talking.

"Whatcha got there?"

"Shakespeare," she replied, not looking up.

"Cool." He saw from his peripheral vision as she raised an eyebrow.

"You read Shakespeare?"

"Yeah," he lied, just a weakly as when he'd asked for the seat. Even with her attention split, she must've caught on.

"Really? What's your favorite of his?" Gobsmacked, he held his mouth open for a few seconds before answering.

"...Romeo and...Juliet?" She closed her book, turning her full attention to him.

"Really? That's your got to book?" Even though she was on him now, there was a smile on her face.

"I mean, yeah. What's not to love?" She squinted at him for a moment, then shook her head.

"You've never read it have you?"

"What? No, of course I have." It was in last year's curriculum. Everyone had to read it.

"Yeah? Who's Tybalt?" Peter barely recalled the name.

"He was the guy who...Romeo killed. Right?" She chuckled again.

"Yes. Yes you're right." Peter chuckled too, relieved he wasn't being outright laughed off. She wasn't being cruel, for all his awkward struggling, she was just calling him out. If she'd feigned interest in Physics, he'd probably have done the same thing. Not that a girl as pretty as she was would ever want to impress him.

The bus came to a stop just outside the school, the door of the vehicle sliding open. The first few rows began to leave, and Peter knew this might be the last time he could ever see her again. Even if it was a new year, being seen with him would be popularity suicide. He decided that if he was going to go for broke, now was the time.

"Name's Peter by the way...Parker! Peter Parker. There's a Peter Barker that goes here and trust me that gets a little, well…" He trailed off, her laughter continuing the needed beat of conversation. Standing up to exit, she replied.

"Name's Gwen. Stacy in case you have a Gwen...I don't know, Lacey?" Peter made way, allowing her to pass in front of him, in a small chivalrous gesture. She glided by, and as she went gave him a wink. "Guess I'll see you around." He watched innocently as she made her way off the bus, not moving from where he'd been standing.

He must have been stunned in puppy love for a little too long, because suddenly there was a gust of air from beneath him. Looking down, his pants hand fallen to the floor, the crowd in the back of the bus cackling with laughter, chief in front of them being Flash Thompson.

"Oh my god, way to go Parker! This beats the hell out of that time at the Spring science fair!" This fraction of the football team laughed and laughed, and throughout the day would share the story with the rest of the team, who'd share it with the cheer squad, who'd share it with Dance, who told Drama club all about it, and on and on it'd go until eventually it'd leak all the way down to Peter's science and robotics club. It hadn't even taken till the end of fourth period for it to make it all the way back to him. What a way to start the year.