Peter and Ned sat on the bleachers of the football field as they watched the ongoing football tryouts. Normally, they wouldn't bother, as neither of them cared for football, but Peter wanted to make sure Flash wouldn't hurt Harry on the field, and Harry was looking to improve his reputation among the student body and gain the respect of Flash and his friends. That would mean Harry wouldn't have to rely on Peter keeping Flash off his back. Harry knew he didn't have much of a chance to make the team, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make his life easier at school, even if that meant taking a few hard hits every week from big huge jocks. Peter and Ned grimaced as they watched Harry get tackled to the ground by Kenny Kong.

"Ugh," groaned Ned. "For someone who's nicknamed after a gorilla, he seems more like a rhino if you ask me."

"I know," agreed Peter. "He doesn't look as big as that Rhino guy who fought Spider-Man last week, but he packs a pretty good punch."

Ned could've never guess that Peter actually was the guy who fought the Rhino recently, but Ned felt it was natural that Peter would know about the battle, because he was the guy who took pictures of Spider-Man for the Daily Bugle.

"How do you do it?" asked Ned.

"Do what?" asked Peter.

"How do you get so close to Spider-Man in action without getting hurt? Does he even know you take photos of him?"

Peter paused to think about his answer. He knew that if he used the wrong words, his secret would be out, and his life would never be the same. It wasn't the first time he had to answer that question to someone, but it never got easier every time he had to do it. But before Peter could answer, Ned's phone went off.

"Who is it?" asked Peter.

"It's Betty!" exclaimed Ned excitedly. "She's on her way over! She wanted to meet with me after school!"

"You mean, you asked her out?" asked Peter.

"Sort of, but she guessed what I wanted from her before I could finish the question," explained Ned. "Are you gonna be fine here by yourself?"

"Yeah, no prob. These tryouts probably end in less than fifteen minutes."

"Alright, see you later," said Ned as he walked down the bleachers and out of sight.

Now by himself, Peter took out his phone to keep him occupied. Just as he was about to play a game of Solitaire, his phone started to buzz. Liz had just sent him a text.

"You look lonely," said the text.

Confused, Peter replied with, "What makes you think that?"

Less than half a minute later, another text from Liz came, which said, "Look behind you."

Peter turned his head and saw Liz sitting in the row behind him. Liz smiled and waved at him before scooting down to the seat right next to him.

"Good to see you, Petey," greeted Liz. "Wasn't expecting to see you here. This place isn't exactly up your alley, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, but if Harry's going to be on the same battlefield as those guys, I got to make sure he walks off the field in one piece," said Peter. "He's not exactly built like a lot of them."

"Maybe not," agreed Liz. "But you're not as tall as them, and you can handle Flash. I kind of thought you'd be a good fit for the team, Petey."

Had Liz said this to Peter last spring, he would've agreed. But after he learned his lesson in responsibility, there was no way he could bring himself to join the football team. He knew that if he did, it would lead to a life that would make him rich for life, but the last time Peter thought that way, it lead to his Uncle's death. He wasn't ever going to make that same mistake twice no matter how tempting it was.

"Well, I may have the body, but I don't have the mind of a football player. I don't exactly enjoy hurting people, or myself for that matter. I just don't see myself having much fun out there."

"Are you going to Homecoming?" asked Liz.

Peter was shocked.

"Wait? What?" he stammered. "You mean Homecoming Dance, or-"

"Oh, I meant Homecoming Game!" clarified Liz. "Sorry, sorry!"

"Yeah, it almost sounded like you forgot you had a boyfriend," chuckled a relieved Peter.

"So, are you going to the game?" asked Liz.

"Maybe," answered Peter. "If Harry makes the team, probably. I might if Ned wants to go, or if the school paper wants me to take photos of the game for them. I don't know yet."

"I think the Mustangs can actually win State this year," said Liz. "I know everyone says that every year, but they're still undefeated. Something feels different this year."

"Heh," chuckled Peter. "Don't jinx it, Liz. I've said that more times than I can count for the Mets. It never ends well."

"Well you got me there, Petey," conceded Liz. "So, just out of curiosity, are you coming to the Dance? I'm not asking you out or anything like that, I was just wondering, as your friend."

Peter sighed. He hated that someone else was asking him about the dance. Three people had already asked him about it, which was more than enough for him.

"Probably not," answered Peter. "Going by myself doesn't sound very fun, and even if I actually did get a date, I can't imagine it going much better."

"Why?" asked Liz.

"I haven't exactly had the best experience with girls," answered Peter. "Well, other than you, Gwen, and my aunt. I mean, do I seem like the type of guy a girl would want to date?"

"You can still go with someone as a friend," suggested Liz. "I think Gwen would be would go with you as a friend."

"Harry's already landed her," said Peter.

Liz was surprised.

"Really?" she asked. "Just now?"

"Yeah," answered Peter. "He told me and Ned that he asked her to Homecoming before tryouts started."

"Wow. Then, I hope Harry treats her well. The whole class won't let him hear the end of it if he breaks her heart."

"They're only going as friends, Liz. I don't think you have to get so worried about it yet."

"Oh, well, if you need help finding a date, I might be able to set you up with someone," suggested Liz.

"That's nice of you Liz, but I'm not worried about it," said Peter. "Besides, it wouldn't make sense to go out with someone I barely even know."

"But, Petey," pleaded Liz. "If you don't come, you're going to miss out on all the fun. After this Homecoming, there's only going to be two more after it. And when we're done with school, there won't be any more of them. If you don't go, you might end up regretting it."

Peter sighed. He hated when people tried to make him feel guilty for something he shouldn't feel bad about. Just because someone wanted him to do something, he didn't have to do it if he had no reason to. It was even more puzzling that Liz wanted him to go to the dance even though she was dating Flash. It just sounded like Liz was only thinking about her own pride at the moment. But it didn't matter to Peter. He wasn't going to let peer pressure get the best of him, even if Liz was his friend.

"I'm not going to regret it if I know I'm not going to enjoy myself," said Peter. "If you didn't have a boyfriend, would you want to go to the dance with someone as a friend, or by yourself?"

Liz wanted to say, "Yes," but she couldn't since she knew, deep down, that she wouldn't go to the dance if she didn't have an actual date. Peter's question put things in perspective for her. Dancing by herself or with someone she didn't love didn't sound fun at all. Liz looked down to her shoes. She now understood and accepted why Peter wouldn't go to the dance, but it still pained her that Peter would be missing out on something he would enjoy if he had a girlfriend. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how, and she hoped she would soon find the answer.