To Be A Hero | Peter Parker

02: "girls don't like that, trust me"

Song chapter:  Who Do You Love by The Chainsmokers, 5 Seconds of Summer

I sighed in relief when the bell rang, signaling the end of first period. Peter and I quietly coexisted next to each other for thirty long minutes, and I knew I couldn't take another. I could tell he didn't like me, and I knew that I had ruined any potential chance of making a friend out of him. There were plenty of other potential candidates, though, and I didn't have any time to lose.  I jumped out of my seat, threw my things into my backpack and high-tailed it out of the classroom without a second glance. I pulled my schedule out of my back pocket to find out where I was heading next and noticed that my second period was Physics class, and I couldn't stop a quiet giggle from escaping my lips. I guess second period was going to be my favorite time of the day besides lunch. 

I was still looking down at my schedule when I ran straight into a flash of red hair and a pink skirt, only to come face-to-face with a girl my age, maybe a year or two older. My eyes widened and my cheeks flamed in embarrassment as I dropped my schedule on the ground. I guess I understood Peter's inability to speak correctly, because now I was the stuttering mess when I sputtered out, "Oh, god, I am so sorry. I should have been paying more attention."

The girl bent down and picked up my schedule for me before reading it for herself. "Whoa, physics as a Sophomore? That's typically a Senior course. You must be smart." She smiled at me as she handed me the slip of paper before saying, "I'm Mary Jane, but everyone calls me MJ. I actually have Physics next, too. Walk with me?" She gestured the way I assumed we were supposed to be heading towards.

I nodded, still stupidly silent as I folded up my slip of paper and stuck it back in my pocket. We started walking towards the Physics classroom together, her leading me through the sea of students mingling in the hallway. I must have looked shocked when she asked, "Your name's Gwendolyn, right? Oh, sorry, I saw it on your schedule. Do you not go by Gwendolyn?" She looked genuinely curious, and I had never met anyone so nice.

"Gwen, actually. Gwendolyn makes me sound like an old lady," I muttered. 

She must have found that funny, because she chuckled and said, "Alright, Gwen. Is this your first day here? I don't think I've seen you around before." We entered the classroom and she sat down in what I assumed was her regular seat, two rows from the back. I hesitated, not wanting to take anyone else's regular seat. I always hated when someone did that to me. 

"Actually yes, it is my first day. Are there assigned seats? I don't want to take anyone's," I gestured towards the desks around us.

"Well, everyone picked their seats at the beginning of the year, but I'm sure Parker will switch with you and sit in the back. He usually sits next to me. Oh, here he is now. Let me ask him." She nodded towards the door and I turned around to see Peter already looking at me while he walked towards his usual seat. 

Great, I thought. He already doesn't like me for being a rude bitch, and now I'm asking him to move from his spot.

Mary Jane smiled when Peter got close enough for her to ask, "Hey, Pete. I was wondering if you minded switching seats with Gwen. She's new here and I've taken her under my wing. You don't mind, do you?" She smiled wider and even I would have said yes to her. She seemed to be the queen bee that got whatever she wanted, despite being incredibly sweet. And she wanted to be my friend, of all people.