Strumming Heart Strings - (Spideypool Band AU)

Chapter 6: Your Voice

The ceiling stretched high in the vast room, the stage lit up with curtains drawn back, seats that were spread having papers stuck to them in sections with big letters to indicate where instruments would go.

Peter had been nervous while entering a college he didn't belong to, surrounded by a mix of students that were either his age or younger, along with Ned. 

He had followed Ned’s instructions as he walked into the building, passing by reception to get a “guest” landyard just in case. Ned had apologized for not being able to show him the way, having already entered the building earlier due to classes and some revision time.

As Peter walked towards the location described, the hallways were crowded with students, lockers decorated like some Disney channel show and posters posted around the school with different events.

Despite being a nervous wreck, grasping tight onto his own bag, Peter still found himself enjoying the new yet familiar environment, a wave of nostalgia washing over him as he made his way past many classrooms. 

University wasn’t much different but college was more close to school than uni, if Peter had to say. His own classes sometimes were mostly online and often independent, it didnt have the same feel as whatever this college was going for… which, now, thinking about it, is a good thing for antisocial-secret identity-Peter Parker.

“Hey, dude!” Ned greeted him with a bright smile, some students turning their attention to Peter for a short moment before returning to their tasks “Thanks for coming again”

“of course, just dont thank me if I get stress diarrhea” Peter joked, his nervous smile turning to a toothy grin when Ned playfully punched him with a chuckled out “gross”.

Peter allowed himself to watch the teachers that had sat at the very front with chairs set out and a table so they could write, like some sad imitation of a talent show.

“See the papers on the seats?” Ned pointed and Peter nodded “thats the imaginary orchestra” he says “I’ll play my symphony on the computer while I conduct this imaginary band” he explained to him “meanwhile, you just do your thing and ignore me, alright?” 

“Alright” Peter nodded with eyebrows drawn, like a man being set off to war. He was starting to think about his earlier joke… he might need the bathroom after all.

“I listened to the file you sent” Ned placed his hand on his shoulder just as a girl made her way to the stage and introduced herself and her work, the projector shining the title of her work behind her “You’ll be fine” he gave Peter’s shoulder a squeeze.

“Thanks” Peter said but his attention wasn’t on that, it was on the people making their way in and sitting in the middle or back seats (front seats off limits for the paper instruments).

Ned turned his gaze to see what had got Peter’s attention, a family entering and waving enthusiastically towards the girl as they sat down. Turning back, Ned gave a nervous laugh

“Right…” he said as he met Peter’s wide fearful eyes “I’m guessing i didnt tell you the part guests are invited?” He said with grimace as Peter shook his head quickly, clear panic setting in his features.

“Dude!” Ned placed both his hands on Peter’s shoulders and shook him lightly “You’ll be ok! I’m the one who’s getting graded here! Plus.. my grandma is coming and she will bring us home cooked food as a reward!” he tried to ease

“I’m serious, Peter” Ned says just as some music begins to play, the girl waving her hands towards the side as if conducting “I heard your song, you have an awesome voice and your lyrics were good” he said, letting go with an encouraging smile “If anything, I’m blown away by the fact you wrote such amazing lyrics for my work- feels illegal, I telll you, you doing this for free”