A Bad Idea (Spideychelle)

Ch. 14: Just Wanna Have A Good Time

Peter POV

New Year's Eve rolled around a few days later. As per tradition, Harry held a huge party at his place, and as per tradition, I felt extremely out of place. I was surrounded by teenagers making out anywhere they could. Couches, against walls, on top of tables. That included Ned and Betty, who had excused themselves to a bathroom.

Which left me, standing alone in the kitchen, drinking beer that tasted awful out of a red cup.

I felt a hand on my head, ruffling my hair. I turned to see MJ. She was wearing this slinky, sparkly dress, and was actually wearing makeup.

"You got a hair cut," she said.

"You're...dressed up."

She looked down. "Yeah, Betty made me go the full nine yards."

"It's a good look on you."

"Thank you." She was smiling, but it wasn't the same one I got when it was just the two of us. It was the smile she gave in decathlon.

Nevertheless, it was a beautiful smile.

"Where are we at in the countdown?" she asked.

I checked my phone. "Two hours until next year."

"Dork."

I pointed at my patch. "And proud."

She snorted. "You're only proving me right, you know."

I was about to say something, but someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned around, to see a girl from Midtown I'd literally never spoken to.

"Hi, sorry, I was actually just-"

I turned back, but MJ was gone.

"Never mind. Hi."

She smiled. She was cute and blonde and had a nice smile. "Hi. I'm Lily."

"Peter. Parker. Peter Parker," I stammered. I laughed nervously. "Sorry, I'm..."

"Not good with girls?" she asked. "Or, um, a dork?" She pointed at my hoodie.

"Yeah, dork about sums it up."

She started talking, and I was half-listening, but I was half-thinking about MJ. God, she looked amazing tonight.

"-but Harry told me about how good you are on the decathlon team."

I tuned back in. "Why?"

"Well, he knows that I have a thing for smart dorks and you're pretty cute for a smart dork."

I blinked. "I- um- you- I-"

She rolled her eyes, smiling a little, and grabbed me by the front of my shirt, pulling me towards her. I put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

"Sorry, I just, um, I can't."

She frowned, letting go of me. "Oh."

"It's not-"

"No, it's okay. I was a little forward."

I smiled apologetically. "Can you point me in the direction of Harry, by any chance?"

"Oh, yeah, he's in the dining room. Last time I saw him he was playing beer pong."

"Thanks. Have a good night."

"You too."

I headed towards the dining room, avoiding drunk dancers on the way. I found Harry high-fiving a couple of guys I didn't know.