Chapter 4
By the end of sixth period, Peter hadn’t had another run in with Wade. Hell, he hadn’t even seen the other boy in the halls. Not that he was looking, of course. Peter was just a bit shocked? Was that the heavy feeling in his stomach or was it disappointment? He knew he should be happy, thrilled, that the pushy captain was leaving him alone. He was the on who told him to shove it, basically.
He couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment, though because in truth, he was secretly flattered over the young captain’s attention. Peter considered himself mousy and small. Not adorable. Certainly not beautiful, as Wade had called him. Angry? Yeah, Peter could call himself angry with confidence sometimes. Peter was a small, mousy, angry nerd. It just didn’t make sense why a gorgeous person like Wade would even take interest in someone like Peter. At first sight, no less.
Letting out a dejected sigh, he looked down at his boots as he walked towards the exit. He shouldn’t be feeling so down. It was for Peter’s best interest that Wade kept away because of his status at WestWood. Peter had been a target of far too many cool kids at Atane. He refused to have any issues with it here. Wade was bad news. No matter how Ned and MJ defended him by saying he wasn’t a bad guy. Peter wasn’t going to risk it.
Looking up, he caught sight of the captain. His breath came out a choked gasp. Wade was leaning against the railing. His cinnamon hair high-lighted by the afternoon sun; he looked like he had a halo. His arms were folded across his chest, stretching his shirt. The fabric right on the border of being stretched too far and just right. Peter came to an abrupt stop, causing a few other students to bump into him. They shot him dirty looks, but he ignored them in favor of trying to get his heart under control. Hazel eyes locked onto his. He stared right back.
Wade’s lips came down into a frown and he looked quickly at the floor. His eyebrows furrowed as he pursed his lips. It was obvious that he was trying to avoid looking at Peter. Peter’s stomach dropped at the thought that he hurt the young captains’ feelings. Letting out a sigh, he marched towards the other boy. The least I can do is apologize for how rude I was. No sense in making enemies so soon.
Wade looked up when Peter cleared his throat. His eyes widened a bit before he resolutely trained his gaze back on the cracked concrete steps. He was even acting off. Not anything like the brash boy Peter had met that morning.
“Wade?” Peter asked, gaining the boy’s attention. “I- I uh,” he bit his lip as the other stared at him. “I wanted to apologize.” At Wade’s confused expression, he added on, rushed and flustered, “I was rude to you by the library. I- I shouldn’t have been so harsh with my words, you know? It’s just that uh… you make me really nervous,” Wade went to open his mouth, but Peter held up a hand. “I just wanted to apologize and maybe start over...?” He risked a look at the captain, breath catching when a soft smile curled his lips instead of his usual smirk.
“Start over?” Wade asked, teasingly, but his eyes were gentle as they regarded him.
“Yeah!” Peter agreed, loudly. “If- um- if you want to?” He added on, more quietly.
Softly, Wade said, “I think I’d like that a lot.”
Letting out a breath of relief, Peter offered his hand. Wade took it slowly.
“Hi,” Peter said, formal as ever, “I’m Peter Parker, the new kid.”
Laughing a little at the exchange, Wade gave his hand a gentle shake.
“Hi, Peter. I’m Wade Wilson, captain of baseball and basket ball. I’m sorry about this morning.” He smiled again, and Peter felt himself melt a little before he tapped down on the feeling.
“Nice to meet you, Wade, and apology accepted,” Peter laughed, letting go of the other’s hand. “So, um, can we be, I don’t know friends or something?” He asked, blushing at how stupid he sounded. Can we be friends? Really?
“Sure,” Wade said, soft smile turning devilish again, “baby boy.”
Knowing that Wade was teasing him, Peter rolled his eyes. “You ruined it,” he proclaimed, arms folded, and nose turned up. “We were having a moment and you ruined it. Just. Ruined.”
Wade laughed, head flung back and body shaking. “Don’t worry, baby boy,” he said when he calmed down, “We’ll have a lot more since we’re friends now. And I’ll probably ruin all of those, too.”
“I take it back,” Peter groaned, walking down the steps. “We’re not friends. We’re enemies again. I’m not sorry.”
“Too late, PeteyPie!” Wade called out, “No take backsies! We’re friends! Besties even!”
“Bye, Wade.” Peter said, not looking back, smiling at the boy’s proclamations. “And it’s Peter!”
“Bye, baby boy! I already miss you!”
Rolling his eyes, Peter couldn’t help the soft smile on his face as he walked home.
His first day could’ve been worse.