Peter Parker had been meeting with Liz Allan twice a week at the Silver Spoon Café for tutoring sessions twice a week. Peter didn't actually expect Liz to show up, but she did anyway. In a small twist of irony, it was a matter of him actually making it, not just because the Bugle called him into work, but whenever Spider-Man was needed. Peter had to cancel a session or two because of it, and was even late to sessions, but he still made it. Although it frustrated Liz at times, she recognized he was doing everything he could for such a minor task compared to his bigger responsibilities.

Today, Peter was there on time and his phone didn't buzz off, so it was her lucky day in a way. Liz had just finished a set of algebra problems that Peter gave her. In the first few sessions, she was still having her same problems, but he noticed she was slowly finally starting to get it as the weeks went by. Liz felt the same way, and she was feeling more confident than ever that should could pass her next exam.

"I really wish I knew about PEMDAS on those last three tests," she said. "I can't believe Mr Meyers didn't know what PEMDAS was."

"He actually does," Peter replied. "I had him in eighth grade. He didn't tell the class about PEMDAS, because he wanted them to find it out for themselves, but I already knew. I think I was the only guy in the class who knew what PEMDAS was. Everyone came running to me when they wanted help. After that, he refused to call my name whenever I raised my hand. I think that said a lot without him saying much to me after that."

"You mean he deliberately sets his students up to fail?!" shouted Liz angrily. "Why does he even have a job?! He's there to teach, not make our lives harder!"

"I know, I know," assured Peter. "Just don't tell him it's me who's tutoring you. Professor Warren likes me, but Mr. Meyers doesn't. I don't know why, but I don't care now that I don't have him anymore."

"Lucky you," Liz responded. "You're already in Trig, right?"

"Yeah, and I'll be taking Calc next year. I may make it look easy, but it's not. Math in high school is a lot different than math from middle school."

"That's just how I feel. I was good in math in eighth grade, and as soon as high school started, math actually became hard. It's crazy how things can change after just one year."

Peter paused for thought. It wasn't that he didn't agree with her, but because he understood what that meant all too well. One year ago, he was still a meek and underweight midget with glasses, but now he grew and inch or two, more muscular, and didn't need his glasses anymore. Most people would be gloating about such changes like he did for a while. But after what happened weeks after, he had no reason to brag, because that newly-inflated ego caused him to grow careless about the consequences of his actions, and he ultimately paid the price the moment his uncle was gunned down. Ever since then, Peter used his gifts in a responsible manner, and never wasted an opportunity to help those in need whenever saw it, and he always had his red and blue spandex on in a heartbeat.

"Petey?"

Peter was snapped out of his thoughts once Liz spoke his name.

"On, sorry," he said apologetically. "That last thing you said just really got me thinking, because it's totally true."

Then, it was Liz's turn to pause for thought. She knew what he meant. By now, it was common knowledge among the whole school that Peter's uncle, the man who raised him, was murdered by a carjacker last spring. She sensed she just brought up the wrong subject for Peter and thought it would be best to change the conversation before she made him feel worse.

"Anyways, thanks again for all your help, Petey," she said. "I might actually pass my next test since I actually have a real teacher."

"It's no problem, Liz," replied Peter. "I hope you hanging near me doesn't stain your image with the in crowd."

"I wouldn't worry about it," assured Liz. "Guys like Rand and Kong actually understand it more than Flash, as much as I hate to admit it. And Sally's my only gal pal who complains about me being near you. She takes the whole 'social order' concept way too seriously."

Peter knew how much Sally despised him. She was actually the first kid to call him 'Puny Parker.' For someone who hated him nearly as much as Flash, it was somewhat a surprise to Peter that those two weren't a couple.

"Listen, Petey" began Liz. "If you ever want to talk, or if you ever want to hang out sometime, just sent me a text. I don't care how they'll react. If they don't like it, it's their problem. They don't make that choice for me."

For the second time in a row, Peter was completely surprised at the words Liz said to him. For being the most popular girl at Midtown High, she was willing to risk that spot for some nerd like him. If that didn't surprise anyone, he didn't know what would.

"Uh.. uh," strummerd Peter as he struggled to find the right words. "Okay, I will. You can message me too if you want."

"You don't have to tell me, Petey," affirmed Liz. "I already plan on it."

Peter could feel his face turn red, not because he thought Liz was making a move on him, but because he wasn't ever in this situation before. Girls hadn't exactly been interested in him, let alone hanging out with him on a platonic level. As hopeful as he was at finally getting that chance, he didn't want to get his hopes up and risk getting humiliated as always, but there was a first time for everything, and it wasn't like anything extreme would come out of it. And besides, if someone actually wanted to be his friend, he couldn't decline an offer when he had very few of them these days. As he got back to tutoring Liz, Peter quietly thought whether if this was truly the beginning of a beautiful friendship. If it was, it was off to decent start from Peter's perspective.