Loving Petey

Tutor

Liz Allan was trying to process the events of last night. She wondered why for the first time a guy ditched her during her study session. What made it worse was that it was champion geek Peter Parker.

Was he immune to her? No, impossible! She was the most attractive girl in school!

Was he angry with her? Wait no, dumb question, she was ignoring him on purpose. Showing she had no desire to be tutored. But did he have to ditch her to go off to who knows where?

She was so deep in thought that she felt someone touching her. She almost screamed but realized she was in class and her boyfriend, Flash Thompson was tapping on her back.

"Liz?" He asked.

"Hmm? Were you saying something?" She asked with an embarrassed smile.

"I was asking why you hung up on me?"

Liz realized that she was so busy thinking about Peter that she completely ignored Flash. But why was she more concerned about the nerd than her boyfriend? She cleared her throat and tried to act calmly. "There was a supervillain nearby, can't stay where there's danger you know?"

Flash mouth 'oh' with relief and paid attention to Dr. Warren who started the class. Liz just looked ahead at Peter who seemed to be in deep thought as she was. As if he was thinking of last night. Wait, did he feel bad or was he thinking of...her? Maybe...but why should she care?

Right before her seventh period, Liz was applying makeup. "I hope he likes this new eyeshadow".

Then she noticed somebody waiting behind her. She turned around with a smile of joy. "Petey!".

Why the hell is she smiling at him? "Yeah, Petey", the nerd chuckled nervously. Liz almost giggled but held it back. He didn't notice, thank God. "Look, I feel really bad for ditching you last night so if you still need my help studying meet me at the ESU lab, your choice".

He walked off. Liz just felt warmth, but she was also baffled. Wasn't he mad at her? Maybe he needed time to calm down and realize how much she needed him...as a tutor! Obviously.

Later that night

Liz was at the ESU lab, she checked her mirror to see if her makeup was all right. She always checked before walking into a specific place. Nothing more...special light when she was with Flash or at a party.

She walked in, folding her umbrella and calling Peter. "Petey?" she spoke. Everyone in the room turned to look at her. Peter was standing behind a guy who looked familiar...what was his name, Teddie? Oh, Eddie. "Petey", the guy repeated with confusion.

Liz walked up to Eddie as Dr Conners and his wife went to take their son to bed. Liz felt a bit awkward as she didn't know anyone except Peter. So she decided to speak first. "So...uh...Eddie, you...quarterback for ESU?"

"Nah, hung up my jersey in Midtown, I'm strictly a nerd now", He replied proudly.

"We're all nerds here", Peter said as he walked up to Liz. "You can be too", he spoke kindly.

"Wonderful", Liz side-eyed.

"I'm serious Liz, you can get this stuff, you're really smart", he smiled as he walked her up the staircase to see the electric eels in the giant fish tank. "You just need to look at it in a new way". He put on a glove, took the fish hook, and tried to catch an eel. What was he doing? This is dangerous! "Petey!" she gasped with concern. "In science, we expand and explore through our limits, maybe as people, we should do the same", he said as he looked at her with a smile...one of someone who enjoyed teaching something. Liz returned the smile.

"Thought you said this stuff was boring".

As they walked down the staircase, Eddie seemed proud of Peter. "You're really lucky to have Peter as your tutor Liz, dude knows his stuff. Probably a noble prize in his future".

Then there was an explosion. Someone broke in. A man made out of electricity. He was yelling at Dr. Conners. Liz was too afraid to listen, instead, she was holding Peter. Had the feeling he would protect her. But the lightning man was going to electrify them. Spider-Man came into action and helped them escape. As they were out of the lab, Liz noticed that Peter was nowhere to be found. "Wait, where's Petey?" She asked with worry.

The next day

Liz kept thinking about Peter, was he safe? Did the villain hurt him? Where was he? Then she paused when she saw Peter, safe and sound. "Petey!" She called as she walked up to him. But resisting the urge to hug him. "What were you thinking last night?!"

Peter rubbed the back of his head. "That...I should...get help?" He explained. Liz wasn't sure if he was being honest.

"And did you?" she smiled playfully.

"N-no, Petey's pretty useless I guess", he looked down to hide his guilt.

"I wouldn't say that", Liz grinned. Then she just stared deeply at Peter who gave her the same eye contact. Her heartbeat felt louder and Peter smiling with interest was making this strange feeling last longer. It wasn't supernatural telepathy, but she felt like she was talking with her eyes. Then she flinched when she heard Flash's voice from behind her.

"What's 'Puny Parker' doing here?" He glared. Liz, feeling like she was in a pool of sharks, panicked until she acted on her instincts. She scoffed.

"Leaving I hope", she said as she flipped her hair and locked elbows with her boyfriend. Peter had a look of disbelief and heartbreak. Then he walked to his first period. Liz looked at Peter walking away with sorrow.