𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤

Here We Go Again

Parings → Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings → fluff

Summary → Peter struggles to confess his feelings for you, repeatedly hesitating despite encouragement from Ned.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★

You were standing at your locker, chatting with MJ as you both gathered your books for the next class. The school hallway buzzed with the usual energy of students rushing around, but you felt comfortable in your little bubble, laughing at something MJ said.

Across the hallway, Peter Parker was a nervous wreck. He stood with his best friend, Ned, stealing glances at you every chance he got. Peter had been crushing on you for as long as he could remember, but each time he thought he was ready to confess his feelings, he chickened out. Today, though-today was supposed to be different.

"I'm gonna tell her," Peter said with an unsteady breath, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Ned could hear it.

Ned looked up from his phone, eyebrows raised. "Hell yeah, dude! Finally. I've been waiting for this day forever. Do you need a pep talk, or...?"

Peter shook his head. "No. I can do it. I just-yeah, I can do it." He exhaled and steeled himself. It was just a few steps between him and you. Just a few feet, and he could finally say everything he'd been holding back. Ned gave him a supportive nudge.

With a determined look, Peter took the first step. Then another. His legs felt like jelly, but he forced himself to keep moving. Every step felt heavier than the last as a thousand thoughts flooded his mind: What if she doesn't like me back? What if she laughs? What if this ruins everything?

Halfway there, you glanced up from your conversation with MJ and noticed Peter walking towards you. Your face brightened with a smile, and you gave him a little wave. "Hey, Peter!" You called out, your voice friendly and warm.

That simple gesture-your smile, your wave, the way you looked at him like he was the only person in the hallway-was enough to stop Peter in his tracks. His heart fluttered, and his nerves took over again. He smiled awkwardly, gave you a little wave back, and without saying a word, turned right back around and walked straight back to Ned.

Ned groaned. "I knew this was going to happen. Come on, man!"

"I can't do it," Peter muttered, burying his face in his hands.

"Here we go again," Ned sighed, shaking his head. "How many times is this now? Five? Six? More?"

"I don't know," Peter groaned. "It's not my fault! She smiled at me, Ned! And waved! How am I supposed to think when she does that?"

"By actually talking to her, dude," Ned said, raising an eyebrow. "You know, like a normal person?"

"I was going to!" Peter protested, peeking through his fingers at you. You had gone back to your conversation with MJ, seemingly unaware of the internal meltdown Peter was having just a few feet away. "But then she looked at me and... I don't know. I froze."

Ned let out an exaggerated sigh. "Peter, buddy, you've been Spider-Man for how long? You face supervillains on a daily basis, but you can't talk to a girl?"

"That's different!" Peter argued. "When I'm Spider-Man, I don't care about embarrassing myself. But when it's her..."

Ned rolled his eyes. "You're overthinking it, man. Just go over there and tell her you like her. Or ask her out for coffee. Anything. I bet she'd say yes."

Peter glanced at you again, his stomach twisting into a knot. What if Ned was right? What if you would say yes? It wasn't like you were unfriendly. You always smiled at him in the hallways, waved at him during class, and sometimes even sat next to him at lunch. You were kind, funny, and always seemed interested in what he had to say.

But still, what if you didn't feel the same way? Peter had thought about that, too, and the fear of rejection made him feel like he was about to explode.

"I'll do it tomorrow," Peter mumbled, already feeling defeated.

"Tomorrow?" Ned echoed, his tone incredulous. "Peter, you've been saying 'tomorrow' for weeks. At this rate, you're gonna wait until graduation."

Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. It's just-ugh. What if she says no, Ned?"

"What if she says yes?" Ned shot back. "You'll never know unless you try."

Peter groaned again and leaned against the lockers, his head thunking against the metal. He stared up at the ceiling, silently praying for some kind of cosmic intervention to give him the courage he so desperately needed. But nothing came. No sudden burst of confidence, no magical solution to his problem. Just the same sinking feeling in his chest.

Ned patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Look, dude. I get it. It's scary. But you're Spider-Man, man! You can do anything."

Peter peeked at Ned from under his arm. "Really? You think so?"

"Yeah, of course. You can do all that cool Spider-Man stuff. You're smart, funny, and you've got great hair. What more could she want?"

Peter chuckled softly. "Great hair?"

Ned grinned. "Trust me, the hair is a big deal."

Peter shook his head, but the small smile remained on his face. Maybe Ned was right. Maybe he could do it. Maybe tomorrow would actually be the day.

Meanwhile, across the hall, MJ nudged your arm, pulling you out of your conversation.

"Someone's staring at you again," she said, her voice laced with amusement.

You turned your head slightly and caught Peter glancing at you from across the hallway. The second your eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze, turning back to Ned and rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

MJ smirked. "He's totally into you, you know."

Your heart did a little flip. "You think?"

MJ gave you a knowing look. "Trust me. He's been pining for you for months."

You smiled softly, glancing at Peter again. He looked flustered, like he was in the middle of one of his internal debates with himself.

"Maybe I should make the first move," you mused, half-joking.

MJ raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Now that would be fun to watch."

You giggled, feeling a bit braver than before. Maybe tomorrow, Peter wouldn't have to make the first move after all.

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