Unaltered friendship

Part 6 : Punching bag

PETER'S POV /// "Bye May!" I said, while I closed the door. I walked to the bus station, pleased with myself. Last night was the first time ,since she came back, that I saw Y/n on the roof, thoughtful. It was our meeting point when we were younger, to talk about everything, while watching the sun going down. Well, yesterday, it was different because I wasn't Peter anymore, but Spider-Man. I don't know if I could tell her one day. I don't want her to be afraid about me, or worried. Of losing me. I can't do that to her. Firstly, because she'd be in danger, and I surely not want to be worry about her each time. I don't want to involve her too. She'd constantly want to know where I am, why, and with who. I think. Well, I don't know her that much...I mean, yes I know her because she was my best friend when we were child. But we grew up, separated. I don't know, maybe she has changed. Woah, I'm racking my head...I just..I don't know.

I suddenly heard a loud klaxon right next to me. Then, out of nowhere, I stepped back, jumping out on the sidewalk, by reflexe. I looked up and saw the road where I was planted 5 seconds ago. The bus I was heading passed right on front of me. "C'mon..." I mumbled. I missed it as I was lost in the ocean of my thoughts. And I bet it wasn't necessary for me to run after it...

Suddenly, a flash came to my mind. I couldn't be as fast as the bus, except if...

I took a look at the piece of red fabric that was sticking out of my sleeve, a slight smile on my lips.

***

//Y/N's POV///

The bus stopped, finally arrived at the high school. As I entered inside the building, I heard that another bus just stopped, bringing a bunch of students. As he wasn't in the bus I was minutes ago, I waited for Peter to get out of this one. Few pupils got off the bus, girls, boys, many of them. But no brown curled head. No Peter. I didn't get worried, I just started to think that he was late or not coming today. I started to turn around when I almost ran into someone. "No I'm not late, and yes, I'm coming, if it's what you're asking yourself" he just said. "Oh hey, Pete..." I tilted a little, seeing something sticking out of his bag. "...what's this red...shirt ? you bring a spare shirt" I started to approach to see what it was but Peter quickly moved back. "N-nothing !! it's nothing !" he just stammered, trying to stuff it into his bag. I stared at him, confused. " Okayyy...excuse me, James Bond..." I joked, trying to calm the atmosphere. He only gave me a weak smile, and started to fiddling his sleeves. "Peter, are you oka-" I started, when someone friendly nudged him in the back. It was Ned. Peter's face decontracted at the moment his eyes saw his friend smiling at him. They did their incredible handshake again. I smiled. "We could teach it to you if you want" Ned said, probably because he noted my wide opened mouth, still speechless when I see this. "Oh yeah, it would be amaz-" "Surely not !" someone retorted just behind me. When I look who it was, Stacy was standing next to me, arms crossed. "Sorry, but this is just ridiculous, so..." she quite simply said. I suddenly felt so embarrassed. "E-Excuse me ?" Peter frowned.

 Stacy just shrugged and turned to me, ignoring the boys. "Oh, by the way Y/N, guess what ?!" she smiled, without any hassle. I saw Peter heading his locker, and opening it. " N-no.." I answered, turning red. "I'm now in the same class as you for science !!" she bounced like a little girl. I suddenly heard someone saying "Oh gosh, no way!!", and then a loud bang echoing from the hallway. A lots of faces turned, to see what it was. Mine was directed where Peter was standing, right in front of his locker, only 2 meters from us. Looking down, clenched fist. Then, he looked up and tried to look innocent. He suddenly pushed his back against his locked. Looking like he wanted hide something. Then, everyone went about their business. Ned hasten to join him, and they started to whisper. "...so yeah it would be amazing, right ? aren't you sooo happy ? because I am !!" Stacy was saying.

 I realized that she was talking to me for 5 minutes ( well, since she started), and I didn't even listen her anymore. I was focused on the boys and their whispers, Peter's back till stucked against his locker, taking worried glances. I saw that his locker was misshapen, but he was hiding And Ned, makings greats moves with his hands, looking like he was trying to explain something to Peter. Then I noticed that he was looking at us sometimes...and I figured out that they was talking about us. About Stacy and me. Peter looked so frustrated, rolling his eyes from time to times, especially when Ned pointed us out. And Stacy was still talking and talking and talking. But it was all a mist of words. Exasperated, I couldn't hold up anymore. " Excuse me 2 seconds, I gotta go" I sighed. " But, Y/N ?! you seriou-" she was about finish her sentence when the bell rang, cutting her out, and the sound that her voice was making to my ears. I went to the boys. Ned saw me and, even if he was trying to be discreet, I saw him make a zip on his lips. Then Peter looked at me with his famous cute surprised face. ( Did I really think that..?)

"H-Hey Y/N, y-you here ?" he said. I could said he was stressed as hell. And his back was still stucked against this locker. "Uh...yes, I was there 5 minutes ago, you were talking to me, remember ?" I started to laugh. He gave ma a forced laugh. I looked at Ned, trying to get an explication of the context by the glance I was giving to him. He just made a strained smile. "Well, w-we have to head science class.." he said, making big eyes to Peter. He walked over, followed by Stacy, who looked at me, clapped her hands, pleased with herself. My look turn back to Peter who was still back to his damned locker. He looked at me straight in the eyes, and I felt that was trying to say "please, go join them". i was wondering what did he was hiding. What is the red thing I saw which was sticking out of his bag earlier ?. I don't know. The bell stopped ringing. "Pete, are you okay? you look...washed out" I asked. "Y-yeah, I'm all good" he said, gulping. I felt that he was kinda pissed too. It was the first time he looked like not wanting to go in science class. "So...let's go to class?" I asked, as we were about to be the only ones in the hallway. "Yeah..." he said, without any motivation. I started to walk with him to head class, then I discreetly took a look at his locker.

Then I saw what he probably tried to hide. It was smashed at on part of it. We could clearly notice a fist mark. I blinked several times. Did Peter do this...?

I followed Peter and entered in science class. Ned and Stacy we're already sit, Stacy behind him. She had left two sits between her and Ned. I looked at her meaning that we could come closer but she waved that "no". Peter turned to me and smiled, before sitting next to his friend. I felt on me their stares when I kept to walk till Stacy's table. When I sat, the two boys eyes were fixing me and Stacy, probably wondering why we didn't come closer. I shrugged and the class started."Good morning everyone, I prefer to warn you, but this year won't be a picnic. First, you'll have to work in a group of four people on a science project, and then do an oral presentation in front of the class on next Friday. You all better give me back your work, or be here for the oral exam, otherwise it will be 2 hours of detention for the whole group. Questions ?" the teacher finally said. We were all wishing that it was all a dream. I heard some sights and displeasure words, then the teacher hit his desk with his fist. "QUIET!" he shouted. An icy silence was floating in the room. "Well, get the lead out and do your groups!" he yelled.

 I was paralyzed by his gazeness. Obviously, Stacy smiled at me so she was the first in my group. Now we had to find two people. I turned my head and saw Ned and Peter waving at me. I smiled at them but I suddenly felt a hand gripping my wrist. I looked at Stacy, who was frowning. "Okay, I feel like there's something wrong with you and these two, but we know only them, and Peter is very good at science so.." she sighted and rolled her eyes. I nodded to Peter and Ned and they waved, meaning to come. As a precaution, pointed ou me AND Stacy, and I saw Peter turning to red in 3 seconds. Ned smiled but Peter nudged him. Ned raised his hands, meaning that he didn't care. All this was...weird. Peter put his head in his hands, and I saw on his lips a "FiNe". I patted Stacy's shoulder and tilted my head towards the boys. She sighted once again and we stood to join Ned and Peter. This project is going to be amazing....