Chapter 3
Peter was in Chemistry class and the teacher was giving them a science experiment to do and told them to pick a lab partner. He was already sitting at the table with Ned because they’ve always sat next to each other and were each other’s lab partners. Unlucky for Peter, Flash was in this class as well. He felt that Spidey sense go off which was more prominent now that Flash was blackmailing him and turned his head to see Flash walking over towards them. Peter sighed and Ned gave him a weird look not knowing he was coming up behind them and startled Ned.
“Hey Parker, how’s about you and me be lab partners?” Flash said out of character with a smirk because Peter knows he would never want to be seen sitting with him unless there’s something he wants from him. He knew immediately that the only reason he wanted him to be lab partners was because he would make him do all the work and written assignments instead of equal participation. Ned and him always split the work.
Peter didn’t hesitate to say ok knowing he had to or else and Ned gave Peter a what the fuck look. “Peter, we’re lab partners, always have been. You’re joking right?” Ned asked sounding hurt.
Peter gave him a sad smile and shrugged. “Sorry, Ned. Maybe next time, ok?” Peter couldn’t even look at him after that so he got up and walked to the back of the class where Flash’s table was and left Ned all alone and dumbfounded. It killed him to do that to his best friend and Flash knew what he was doing with that smug look he always gave him.
As the class went on, it went exactly how he thought it was going to go. Flash was playing on his phone the entire time while Peter did all the work. He sat there quietly because he felt so awkward being this close to someone he hates. Hate is a strong word that he doesn’t usually use. It’s pretty much only reserved for Flash these days. He kept looking up at Ned to find him glancing back once in a while and Ned looked hurt but mad. He couldn’t blame him one bit because he’d feel the same way. Ned ended up getting stuck with a random kid he barely knew that didn’t end up having a lab partner either.
By the end of the class, after Peter completed the written work and handed it in on behalf of both of them, he also had to clean up the entire science project himself and put everything away. Then he tried to catch up to Ned that walked out already but Ned ignored him when he called his name. “Ned, come on. I’m sorry. I had to,” he shouted after him.
That made Ned stop and turn around with hurt all over his face. “Had to? What do you mean had to? You could have said no but you said yes without even blinking. If you didn’t want me as a lab partner, you could have just told me.”
“It’s not like that, Ned. I had to, you just have to trust me when I tell you that I had no choice. I’m your best friend, I wouldn’t intentionally hurt you like that and of course I want you as a lab partner and not get stuck with that asshole.” Peter bit back at the last part. He was fuming because Flash made him hurt his best friend.
“Why then? What, did he threaten to beat you or up or something if you said no?” Ned questioned.
Peter couldn’t look him in the eye and instead looked down at his feet, nodded and shrugged. “Something like that. Just trust me, ok? I had to and if it happens again which it might just know I had no choice, ok?”
Ned sighed and sounded almost angry. “Peter, what’s going on between you two? I’ve seen the weird looks he gives you all the time, even more so this year and he’s been acting almost possessive of you and you let him. You practically do everything and anything he says lately. I know he’s always bullied us, but this is on another level. You’ve always stood up to him before to a certain degree but now you’re letting him walk all over you, like all the time. You even get his lunch for him and bring it to his table! I’ve kept quiet about it but it’s getting really weird and I’m worried. And, you’ve been looking like shit lately too. I can tell you haven’t been sleeping and you barely touch your lunch anymore.”
Peter felt conflicted. He couldn’t tell Ned the truth and really didn’t know what to say that sounded logical so he was half honest. He leaned in and whispered, “Listen, he did threaten me, but that’s all I can say about it. If I say anymore, he’ll go through with the threat and I can’t let that happen. Can we please just drop it?” Peter pleaded.
“Shit Peter.” Ned said giving him one of the most concerned looks he’s ever seen. “It has to be bad, then. Oh my god, does he know about Spider-Man? What did he threaten you with? To beat you up, which he practically does every day anyways…but you know you can talk to me about anything or even your dad!”
“Shhh, will you not say that out loud, how many times do I have to tell you not to talk about that in public. You know, secret identity? But no, he doesn’t know and I can’t talk to anyone about it, not this. I can’t, please just trust me. I got it under control.” Peter said giving him those huge pleading eyes in hopes he just drops it.
Ned sighed. “Fine, but I don’t like the sound of it. I do trust you but not him. Whatever it is, you need to find a way out because he can’t keep treating you like this. I hate standing by not being able to help or do anything,” Ned said sounding frustrated.
“I know. I’m working on it.” Just then the bell rang and they realized they’d been standing in the same spot so they had to rush to their next classes. Peter was full of guilt knowing he hurt and lied to Ned but he really did have no choice. He couldn’t risk what was at stake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~xXx~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week went by and nothing really changed but thankfully Flash only stuck to making him do his homework and the same normal shit he’s been dealing with from the start. Peter was stressing himself out thinking of all the different and embarrassing scenarios Flash could make him do at any given moment and every time he saw him in the halls, he tried to hide from him.
He was beyond exhausted and his mood changed considerably. He was cranky and short with people which isn’t like him at all. Tony and Pepper were worried about him because they knew something was wrong but he’d shrug it off and say he was ‘fine’ every single time they asked which they didn’t believe. They were trying to give him space to work out whatever was bothering him since he was seventeen but if things didn’t improve soon, they’d have to intervene.
The one thing Tony did do against Peter’s wishes was call the principal and complain about the amount of homework the teachers have been giving the students. He knew Peter stayed up all hours of the night to try to get everything completed before the next day. Peter was a smart kid and hated to watch him struggle which he never has before.
Mr. Morita picked up the phone when the secretary said Mr. Stark was on the line. “Hello, Mr. Stark. What can I do for you?” he asked pleasantly enough, not knowing he’d get an earful from Tony.
“Hello Mr. Morita. I’m calling to discuss the amount of homework that is being assigned to the students, specifically senior class. I feel it’s too many hours spent completing homework, reports and papers every night and losing sleep to get it all done on time. My son is exhausted mentally and physically and stressed to the max. It’s not healthy and I’m sure all the other students are feeling the same way.” Tony stated and tried not to get heated.
Mr. Morita cleared his throat. “I understand your concern but we do have a limit on what teachers can assign students every day. It’s part of their curriculum as we also don’t agree with giving them hours and hours of homework. Is Peter struggling to complete his on a timely basis?” He asked as Tony heard typing on the other end of the phone. Mr. Morita pulled up Peter’s schedule because he didn’t know his classes off hand.
“Struggling is an understatement and this is Peter we’re talking about that usually has no issues whatsoever with school or homework. I see him working on it until he can’t keep his eyes open anymore and I think something has to change.” He practically demanded. “There’s a couple classes in particular that I see him struggling with trying to complete his research papers and assignments almost on a daily basis and if Peter is having issues, I’m sure the rest of the students are just as bad off or worse.”
“I’ll look into it, can you tell me what classes you’re referring to in particular that you feel is giving him an unfair amount of schoolwork?” Mr. Morita asked sounding a little intimidated.
“Astronomy and Environmental Science are his two major classes that give him the most work that he spends hours on almost every day.” Tony heard him typing on the other end of the phone again.
“I’m sorry, did you say Astronomy and Environmental Science?” he asked.
“Yes, is there a problem? He said he switched his study hall and is taking Astronomy as an elective.”
“Well, I’m looking at his schedule right now Mr. Stark and he’s not in those two classes.” He told him and Tony went quiet.
Not in those classes he thought? Then why does Peter have the books and homework sheets he’s been struggling to complete every night for hours on end? It didn’t make any sense but he knew he had to ask Peter about this before he got him in trouble for some odd reason.
“I’m almost positive but I will double check with Peter to make sure I didn’t get the classes mixed up.” Tony said trying to keep his voice steady. He was so confused right now.
“I can assure you Mr. Stark, that this matter will be addressed promptly and I will find out what teachers are giving too much homework. The students shouldn’t be spending more than two hours max each day.”
“Thank you, Mr. Morita, I’ll keep in touch.” Tony said and hung up. Tony scratched at his beard because that wasn’t the case with Peter who spends all his time working his ass off and getting stressed out to the point of exhaustion and crying. He barely even patrols anymore! He had to get to the bottom of why he’s doing work in classes he’s not even taking. It honestly made no sense!
Xx
One day Peter was walking to his class with Ned and MJ minding his own business when his Spidey sense went off meaning Flash was right behind him. He turned around and faced him surprising Flash that he just stopped dead and almost bumped into him.
“What do you want now, Flash?” Peter said in a not so friendly tone, rolling his eyes.
“I need a word in private.” He said looking at MJ and Ned who didn’t seem to move.
Peter knew they wouldn’t leave him unless he asked, “Guys, I’ll catch up, I’ll only be a minute.” He said to them.
MJ wasn’t having it. “No, what do you want with him Flash? I’m not going anywhere so you have to say it front of me,” she demanded.
Flash laughed out loud. “Like that’s going to happen.” He grabbed Peter’s backpack he had on and dragged him into the boy’s bathroom that was nearby.
Peter heard MJ shout, “What the fuck, Flash!” before he vanished behind the door. He was beyond humiliated being bullied in front of his girlfriend.
Flash pushed him into the sink and got right to the point. “I need you to quit the decathlon team. Immediately.”
Peter was taken aback by that. He loved the decathlon team and didn’t want to quit! “Why? You don’t even like being on the team!”
“Because I said so. I never said I didn’t like being on the team, I hate being the alternate and if you’re gone then I can take your place.” Flash retorted poking his chest hard.
“Last time you didn’t even answer a single question and the goal is to win,” Peter said smugly and thought maybe he could talk him out of this one.
“Wow, is that resistance I hear from you, Penis? It better not be,” he said as he took out his phone to wave it his face. “Quit or else,” he said giving him an evil glare.
Peter sighed heavily. “Fine,” he said and nearly spat in his face and rushed past him to walk out. He was almost in tears. He cherished being on the team so he could spend time with his friends and time was something he had very little of these days.
When he walked out, Ned and MJ were there waiting for him with worried looks. Shit. What could he say that was all about? He swallowed down the lump in his throat because he didn’t want to cry in front of them.
MJ walked up to him and placed a hand on his arm that gave him butterflies in his stomach. He’s been missing her so much lately. “Hey, you ok? What did he want?” She sounded so concerned and it broke his heart that he was worrying her.
He sucked it up and smiled. “Just Flash being an asshole like usual. He didn’t want anything other than to embarrass me in front of you guys, which worked.” He was hoping that lie sounded legit.
“God, I hate him. He is such an asshole and I hate how he treats you!” MJ said.
“I know but what am I supposed to do, cause a fight and get expelled?” He shrugged and saw them give each other concerned looks before he turned and walked away with them following. How was he going to tell MJ, the captain of the team and his girlfriend that he needs to quit?
Later that night he called her to tell her which didn’t go well at all. She ended up mad and then crying and he felt so bad he did that to her and let her down. He made up an excuse and told her that he just didn’t have time for it anymore since he had so much homework and the extra time he had he wanted to go patrolling which was a lie. She didn’t buy it but after a while just excepted it and dropped it. He couldn’t believe how much his life had changed in a month. And he had a feeling it was only going to get worse.
Xx
The following week they were in gym and of course that was one of the classes he had with Flash. Flash hung around the jocks while Peter always stayed with Ned because MJ had to stay separated with the girls. Peter was keeping a keen eye on Flash while he was bouncing a basketball because he knew something could happen at any given moment and he was right.
“Hey, Penis. Come over for a second,” he heard Flash call from the bleachers.
Ned tried to hold him back. “Don’t go, you know they’ll just say something or do something mean.”
Peter gave him a warning look. “You know I have to Ned,” he whispered and Ned just sighed heavily.
He walked over cautiously because it wasn’t just Flash. His two huge football player friends were with him. He stopped a good couple feet in front of them to keep his distance. “Yea?” he asked with his arms crossed over his chest.
Flash was laughing because he could tell Peter was nervous. “Yo, Penis, chill, I just want to ask you something,” he said looking over at his friends and laughing. “My buddy Kevin here is having a party this Friday and we wanted to invite you.”
Peter knew there was more to it. Flash would never invite Peter to a party unless he was planning on doing something to him so he was suspicious but was hoping he’d get away with saying no. “Thanks, but no thanks. I um, I already have plans on Friday.” He turned to leave but was stopped.
“Parker, it wasn’t a question, it was more of a request. You’re going to the party on Friday. You can even bring your loser buddy over there, Ned,” Flash said.
Peter studied Flashes face and knew right away he had something sinister planned but obviously couldn’t say no. “Fine. Text me the address,” he said deflated once again and this time he let him walk away.
When he walked back over to Ned, he asked, “That was quick, what did he want?”
“He wanted to invite us to a party on Friday,” Peter said rolling his eyes.
“Wait, you and me? With them? I don’t have a good feeling about this. Last time we were at a party with him he was the DJ and made fun of you the entire time, remember?”
“Yes, of course I remember but luckily I didn’t stay long for that one because something come up.” Peter remembered that was the day he found out about the Vulture and the alien tech weapons and almost died by being drowned in a lake. He shook those thoughts off. “You know I have to go, will you please go with me to make it more bearable?” He practically begged as he gave Ned those puppy dog eyes that even Ned couldn’t resist.
“Ugh, fine. You owe me big time. You know, with all the crap you’ve been putting up with from him I seem to be getting the short end of the stick, too ya know.” Ned said.
Peter knew Ned was feeling his repercussions from Flash, too and felt so bad about it. He couldn’t promise it would end soon because he didn’t see an end in sight. “I know, I’m sorry about that. I really am. I don’t mean to be a bad friend all the time.”
“Peter, you’re not a bad friend. You’re my best friend and I’m worried about you. So is MJ. I just wish you would tell me what he has over you.”
Peter sighed. “You know I can’t, that’s the point in all this. I can’t say anything to anyone.”