The final bell of the school day had finally rang, and the students of Midtown High were making their way out of the school for the weekend. Peter was talking with Ned and Harry about their plans for the next two days as they walked down the stairs.
"What do you and Betty got planned this weekend?" asked Harry.
"I'd take her to Rockaway Beach if it was the summer," replied Ned. "But, we're going to see No Time to Die."
"The new James Bond movie?" asked Peter. "I didn't think Betty was into that stuff."
"No, but I am," said Ned. "I let her pick the movie last time, and she insisted that I choose this time."
"What'd you guys see last time?" asked Harry.
"Encanto," replied Ned.
Peter and Harry gave Ned puzzled looks. They knew he thought Disney movies were just for kids.
"Yeah, I know," said Ned. "Honestly, I thought it was a good movie. Maybe Betty'll think the same thing when she sees James Bond in action. What about you, Hare? You and Gwen doing anything?"
"No, she's visiting family in London this week," answered Harry. "She won't be be back until next week."
This newly shared knowledge was quite a surprise to Peter and Ned. Gwen hadn't shown any hints that she had family in the United Kingdom. She didn't even have a British accent.
"Shocking, isn't it?" asked Harry. "If I'm lucky, she might bring me home a box of that British chocolate. She says it's the best in the world."
"Good chance she's right, Hare," said Peter. "I think I saw something online before that said the same thing."
"So, Pete," began Harry. "You want to come to my house and play some Grand Theft Auto V? My dad won't be home on Saturday, so we won't have anyone to annoy us."
"I got to check and see if the Bugle needs me first, Hare," answered Peter. "I'll text you when I know for sure."
As the three went their own directions, Peter noticed an unusual noise as he walked further away from the crowd of students. It almost sounded like someone was crying. After a group of kids walked further away from him, he saw that it was indeed someone crying, and it was Liz.
"Liz?" asked Peter, as we walked to her front. "What's the matter?"
"I broke up with Flash, Petey," replied Liz, as she held back her tears. "I can't do it anymore. I just can't. I can't be with someone I don't love anymore."
Peter took a moment to think of the right thing to say. He didn't want to make Liz more upset than she already was.
"Did this happen just now?" he asked.
"He told me before lunch that he hates it when we hold hands in the hallway," answered Liz. "How can he say that if he really loved me? Couples who love each other hold hands, right? I didn't want it to be like this but-"
"Woah, woah, woah, settle down Liz. Settle down," said Peter, trying to be helpful. "It's going to be okay. You're not alone, right? There's people who can help you through this, right? If there's anything I can do for you that can make you feel better right now, go ahead and tell me. That's what friends are for."
Liz looked at Peter as she kept rubbing her eyes. She knew she couldn't go through this alone. If Sally were here, she would've only encouraged Liz to take Flash back in order to keep the quarterback and the head cheerleader together, even though it was clear the relationship was beyond broken. The fact Peter was more understanding of Liz's predicament than her own best friend said a lot about him to Liz. True, Liz's other friends would understand too, but Peter had beaten them to consoler her by luck.
Now Peter offering to help Liz in whatever possible way was all she needed to hear. After a moment of silence, Liz stepped closer to Peter, wrapped her arms around his back and rested her head on his shoulder. Peter wasn't expecting it, but he didn't mind it. Instead, he chose to return the hug and held her as she let the rest of her tears fall. It was the first time a girl other than his aunt had hugged him, even if it was only friendly. After about a minute, Liz had finally let go of Peter.
"Thanks, Petey," said Liz gratefully, who was now smiling. "I needed that."
"Don't mention it," responded Peter. "Because I think you know Sally will give me an earful if she hears about it."
Liz chuckled at Peter's remark. While Sally was her best friend, she knew he was only joking, and it was a good one in her book.
"Well, I got to get going," said Peter. "I got an essay to finish and I don't want to waste my Saturday working on it."
"Alright, have a good weekend, Petey," replied Liz.
"You, too."
Just as Peter began his journey home, he smelled something that disturbed him. It smelled like smoke. He couldn't see fire anywhere near him, and his spider-sense wasn't going off, so there couldn't have been a fire, or at least a fire that would require Spider-Man's attention. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Peter, Liz looked at her right hand as she walked down the sidewalk. It was literally on fire, but for whatever reason she wasn't screeching like any other person would if their hand suddenly started burning out of nowhere. Even so, there was a clear expression of worry on her face, and she that worry was about even worse things happening to her. Just when Peter had made her feel better, her mood had quickly shifted back to its state of dispair. Even if Peter was still in her sight, there was supposedly nothing he could do to help her. She had no idea that she would soon be proven wrong.