Spider-Man Imagines I

Different To Me Now (Part Two) | Peter Parker [AG]

You'd forgiven Peter, of course. He was just a human - despite those powers he apparently possessed - that happened to be hung up on some blonde girl from history class.

Still, you were sometimes angry at him.

First of all, he hadn't even told you that he was Spider-Man. And now suddenly you were very much aware of how he didn't need to wear his father's glasses or contacts and how he has muscle built up all along his chest and arms.

You'd grimaced when you'd noticed this at lunch the next day. You liked thin, nerdy Peter. Not this one - one that had recently discovered Gwen would stare at him if he happened to wear a tight t-shirt.

He had come to school the next day without a coat. He wore a black t-shirt that was probably two sizes too small. You were embarrassed for him.

"Pete," you hissed, leaning close to him in History. Gwen was smiling at him and he was turning a certain way to show off his arms. "You look like an idiot! Knock this crap off, dummy-"

He gave you a serious look. "Just leave me alone! If she likes me, all this will be worth it."

You scowled. You were so livid at him. Livid at him for trying so hard, for gaining stares from other girls, for gaining stares from guys that would definitely be bullying you both later, and for loving Gwen Stacy so much. "You're so annoying. I hope you get frostbite and lose your arms."

He looked back at you with mute disbelief. You turned away from him in your seat and crossed your arms. You felt like a child, but man, did he bother you-

"What-" He found his voice. "What is wrong with you, ___? You've been acting like this since you found out. Look, I'm still me, okay? And I'm glad you know now! Now I don't have to hide."

"Oh yes, I'm glad, too. I'm glad it took me falling off a building to tell me the biggest secret of our lives. I'm glad the girl you love is drooling over you. I'm glad you have an opportunity to hang out with her instead. And most of all, I'm glad you're finally happy and can give her the eighty dollar perfume I've just been begging you for."

He gaped. "Are you - are you mad at me?" He scoffed and leaned close to mutter in your ear angrily. "Fine. I don't regret saving you, but I sure do regret ever showing you who I was. Maybe I'll sit by Gwen today and leave you to finish moping on your own!"

You looked at him with anger, and then sadness. "Go on, then," you said, but your voice was more shaky than harsh. "Just go."

He only grew more annoyed. "I will." He gathered his books and stood up. You watched as he moved to the other side of the room to sit next to Gwen.

You sank down in your seat.

...

"Gwen asked me to walk her home," he said after the next period.

"Cool," you said. Not cool.

"And she asked if I'd sit by her at lunch," he added.

Your throat burned. "Cool."

"All you can say is cool, huh?" he asked.

You shrugged.

He sighed and grabbed your arm, pulling you to a stop in the hall. "Look," he said, "I don't want to fight with you, but you're really being impossible. What is with you, ___?"

So maybe you hadn't totally forgiven him...

"Nothing," you said. "Sit by Gwen. Walk her home. I need to get studying done before finals, anyway. I hope you're happy now, Peter. I hope this is everything you'd ever wanted."

"It is," he said.

You nodded, feeling worse by the second. "Okay, great." You walked off, unable to take another second.

...

On Christmas Eve, you woke up and travelled to the kitchen. You turned on the coffee pot and pulled one of your favorite mugs from the cabinet. While the smell of coffee filled the quiet kitchen, you heard the smack! of mail against the floor as it slid in through the slot in the door.

You made your way over to the door and squatted down, grabbing the semi thick stack of mail. On top were three Christmas cards from family and a couple of bills. You set them aside for your parents and stared down st the thick yellow packaging envelope that was left in your hands.

It was Peter's handwriting.

Peter.

He had been pretty much ignoring you since he had walked Gwen home. During the entirety of finals week, you didn't get a single glance from him. All he did was hang around her. You weren't sure if they were dating or not, but they might as well have been.

You pulled the flap up and took in a deep breath. You honestly had no idea what could be in the package.

You ripped the sides a little a peered inside. You smiled at the sight of your favorite childhood book. You slipped it out and touched the cover.

The smell of the old book filled your nose. It was the smell of childhood; of rainy Sundays by the window and snow days on the couch.

You opened the cover and a piece of paper slipped out. You caught it and held it up.

___ -

I can't begin to tell you how sorry I really am. I acted like the biggest jerk in the world and I don't know why, because you're the most important person in my life now. You're my best friend, and it goes beyond even that now.

I hope you'll forgive me. I hope you'll agree to meet me on the roof on Friday. I'm out of town with May until then, but I want to see you as soon as possible. Please call me.

Oh - and enjoy that book. I know it was your favorite as a kid! See, I listen.

Merry Christmas!

Peter

(p.s. you were right. Gwen wasn't impressed by my muscles. And I don't want to impress her anymore. I want to impress you.)

(p.p.s. I love you.)

You smiled warmly. Holding the letter in your hands, the book against your chest, you felt your anger melt away. He still cared, still loved you.

And you forgave him completely.