Hope.

Chapter one. 'An introduction'

...

*Flashback*

"Peter..." He'd bitten his lip softly, nodding his head. After a moment's pause he'd added, "Parker. Peter Parker." A smile flickering across his face, lifting his cheeks which had started to fade into a deep purple. The impact of Flash's fist becoming clearer.

I had breathed a faint sigh of relief, and; after a twitch of his mouth, and an uncomfortable pause, I recommend that still the brown haired boy visit the school nurse.

In no way had he deserved to be hurt that day.

I could feel the prick of his eyes, as they'd drifted upwards onto my face- his deep chocolate eyes set gazing at me whenever he thought I wasn't looking

My head had been forward, trying to listen in on the chemistry lecture being given- but every so often, I too had found myself stealing a glance in his direction. Torn between praying our eyes wouldn't meet, yet still... still kinda hoping they would...

...

Despite my blonde hair being loosely tied back away from my face, strands of it still fall against my eyes blocking my vision. I swat at the flyaways with my free hand; the other filled with heavy revision books, before plonking myself down on top of an empty table.

Resting awkwardly between my arms and chin, I try unsuccessfully to balance a foam cup of now cold coffee among my work. I'm trying to set myself up, and free my arms from all heavy things, when somebody grabs me firmly from behind, wrapping their hands over my eyes. As cute as the gesture is- my coffee falls heavily off the table, leaving my blouse stained an unattractive shade of brown, and my legs dripping wet.

Gasping in shock, I turn around, pulling the soft hands off of my face. Peter stands there, his mouth open, and eyes timid and wide.

Blinking I turn my glance from him, to the coffee, back to him, all while we offer each other pathetic looks.

"I- uh...! I'm so so sorry-"My brown haired boy desperately stutters. I wave him off with a shrug and a giggle, before wrapping my arms around his neck. Crawling over the table to get to him. Still, Peter bites his lip in concern.

"It wasn't hot silly! See?" I touch a wet finger against his nose, bopping it softly.

Gently scooping my books up, I'm lifted off the table and placed onto the grass. Peter wraps his hand tightly around my own, his fingers curling against my pale skin. He pulls on my arm- leading me towards the drink taps behind the science department.

"I missed you today." He whispers into my neck, once we're out of sight. Hidden by the towering brick walls of the classrooms.

I smile back at him, carelessly running my fingers through his dishevelled hair, while coffee continues to run down my thighs.

Releasing my grasp he turns on a tap, allowing water to tumble out onto a patch of mud. I watch as he wets his hand, bringing the cold water against my ruined clothes.

My teeth begin to chatter as the cool autumn wind knocks against us. "It's not going to work." I groan. Bringing a sleeve up to my mouth I shift uneasily in the weather.

"...I have a spare jacket in my bag- You can wear that to cover up?" Peter flashes me a wonderfully crooked grin that contrasts the cute look of worry in his eyes. I nod my head in response.

He hands me a green jacket that is much too big, but I don't complain. It's warm and smells of Peter.

"Hey... I need to tell you something." Peter's eyes light up as he speaks to me.