T.W: mention of death threats, bullying, mention of destructive behaviour (self-harm, eating disorders...), swearing

**

Going through the rest of the weekend wasn't easy for Peter, but he eventually did it. No one noticed, no one asked, nothing. Just the constant glares of Doctor Strange on him, but except that, he may have been invisible and it wouldn't have changed a thing. What wasn't easy though was the persistent nervousness surrounding him at the idea of going back to class on Monday. Of course, he could have taken Flash's words for a stunt, a bluff – but the boy knows better.

When he finally arrives in front of the entrance of the building, his bag of his back, he is certain that today won't leave him without bruises. He will be hurt, but he can't just ditch school like that. Taking a deep breath, the teen checks the time on his phone one last time before entering. He is early, really early; but sometimes, you're forced to do things in order to stay safe, and right now he doesn't have a choice. If everything goes well, he will be able to avoid his bully throughout the whole day and will maybe only meet him at the end of their classes – better than nothing. Being the first to enter their classroom is just a way to avoid any complications. Here, even if it isn't complete, he is somehow out of trouble. It's not like the locker rooms, or the corridors; sat at his desk, the teacher is forced to remark him as soon as he arrives, so no one can touch him, for now at least. It's an insignificant hope, but it's the only one he has.

Peter is alone. He is aware of it, and he knows that he can only blame himself. He is the one who made the choice not to tell his friends or Aunt May, and he is the one who decided to show up half an hour before people usually come in. But even while knowing that, he is alone, and it doesn't help. He can't ask any help to anyone, he can't let them know how afraid he is, how much of a weakling he is. He has to go through this day without reaching out to someone. He's supposed to be strong, to be Spiderman, to be a hero keeping his town safe – he can't show any weakness.

However, even if he does his best, he can still clearly remember the invasive feeling of terror that took over him the day before. It was more powerful than anything he felt before, and he can't get it out of his head. An insecure aura floats around him, Peter's spider senses tickling without any break – he's on edge. Along with that, some flashbacks from his childhood started haunting his dreams. He keeps on reliving the day when he learned that his parents both died, the pain translucid in his heart. It's a weird mind state to be in; between the feeling of danger, the anger against himself, and the constant suffering tearing his gut apart, he doesn't know how to react nor how to hold on. He's not quite sure about whether or not he'll be able to end the day without going crazy.

"For fuck sake dude, you should have told me you were coming earlier!"

The remark comes with a harsh slap on Peter's back, and through the pain the boy can't bring himself to be annoyed at Ned – he deserved it. He could have at least sent him a text; but he didn't.

However, a little groan still escapes his lips as he straightens his back and tries to rub the painful part. "Hit me even harder next time, would you Ned?"

His voice is full of sarcasm, and his best friend answers by rolling his eyes.

"It would be a delight, Peter."

Their conversation has nothing unusual to it – except the fact that they don't erupt in laughter. Normally, each time one of them forgets to warn the other, they always end up having a sarcastic argument which ends with both of them cracking up. But not this time. Peter feels odd once he realises that, though it's nothing compared to the worried look his friend sends him.

When he arrived earlier, the teen knew he wouldn't be able to fool Ned long, but it's still weird to see how fast it actually takes him to see through the weird mask Peter put on. And if he's fast, he's the slowest man alive compared to MJ.

"Hey losers," the girl greets them while reading a book, not even looking up, "Please stop staring at each other like that, it's weird. And Peter, you probably should explain what happened."

He sighs.

He should be used to it by now, it's always the same; but he won't stop thinking that maybe one day he'll be able to keep something from them and not have fill their heart with worry. Is he really such a bad liar?

"Nothing."

"Ned, take his phone." The order comes clacking through the hair, harsh, and the latter is quick to react – too quick for Peter.

"Wait-" he doesn't even have the time to stop them that they're both looking at him, angrier than ever.

It takes him a few seconds to know why, and he mentally slaps himself when he realises. Flash never stopped sending him messages, and he did it this morning too. Some other death threats, promising a proper beat up... the usual. The boy should have blocked him as soon as he received the first one during the weekend, but it never helps. The bully always finds a way to haunt him even more. And he shouldn't be scared, he shouldn't be – he knows he's probably a hundred time physically stronger than him – but he can't help it. It's never pleasing to have someone threatening you every day of your life for the only reason that you exist.

"Guys, come on," Peter pleads them, holding his hand in front of him to have his phone back – but nothing comes.

In front of him, Ned and MJ are boiling with rage. He can feel it from his seat, he can see it in their eyes; it's not just anger, but utter hatred, and it makes him gulp. He's used to see them get mad over Flash and his behaviour, really, but they never came across one of those threats before, and it was probably their breaking point.

"I'm going to beat the shit out of him," MJ's voice makes the boy jumps as a shiver runs along his spine.

He never heard her talk like that, with such coldness and fury. He's not scared of her, but as soon as he perceived her tone, his blood suddenly travelled to his legs and his heart screamed him to back off. She's his best friend though, he knows she won't hurt him – and it's nothing that wouldn't heal quickly.

"You know that I'm the one with the super-strength, right?" the teen's question is genuine, even if he still meant it in a sarcastic way.

"Yeah, and what?" Ned barks at him all of a sudden, "You don't do nothing with it, even to protect yourself. It's not because you give so little worth to your health that you should expect the same from us Peter."

The boy falls silent, his mouth slightly opened. His friend is pissed, and it's never a good sign. It's rare to see him like that; he's usually the one who's kind to everyone, always smiling and joking. He seems like a different person right now, and his piercing glare freezes Peter on the spot. The words hurt him, but he can't show it – not when Ned is right.

"I do-"

"Don't give us that crap, you know damn well you don't care enough dude, and I'm fucking tired of it."

It's a long overdue fight. How many years has it been since the boy started to witness Peter's destructive behaviour? When did it all started? Was it the first time the teen refused to eat? Or the time when he came to school with bandages over his thighs and wrists? Or maybe it was that time when he passed out of exhaustion after not sleeping for three days straight? Whenever it all began, it's been way too long, and he knows it. The problem is that he never actually realized he was acting this way. He just let himself get caught up, and then he didn't want to turn into a burden or a bother. It never changed. Still to this day, Peter doesn't want to ask for any help though his heart is literally hurting from keeping his cries to himself.

"I'm done," Ned's voice brings the teen out of his thoughts, and he chokes on his spit when he understands them. What? "I don't want to see you do that to yourself anymore. I've had enough, and I don't care what you think, I'll literally bring your ass to the principal if I have to, but you're gonna start by reporting this dickhead. Then we'll talk about the rest, but this has to stop. I'm pretty sure you thought I never saw it, right? And that makes me so mad at you dude, you don't realize. I said nothing at first because I didn't know how to talk about it, then Ben died and it got worse and I felt like I just couldn't reach you, and then Spiderman happen and once again it got worse and worse and worse and- fuck! I'm here okay? I'm not blind, and I know you. So, for once in your life, talk to me. I don't care what you say as long as you talk to me to say something else than 'I'm fine', 'I'm okay', 'cause you're not. You're not okay Peter, and you know it, and it has to stop. Of course, you have that little boyfriend of yours now, and you have a new team to get used to, without forgetting being on T... But it doesn't mean that I don't see the way you're still off most of the times – and I hate it. I don't want my brother to be in pain for any longer and do nothing about it. I'm sorry but I can't."

The boy pants when he finishes his speech, and Peter notices the tears in his eyes before he wipes them off – he has the same ones rolling down his face. Next to them, MJ catch their attention when she starts clapping a little; and in any other situation, the three of them would have erupted in laughter.

"That, Ned," she starts in proud tone, "was not something a loser would do. And it was time for you to actually tell Pete over here some truths."

Ned doesn't answer, still glaring at Peter, and the boy doesn't know where to start. There's so much to say and not enough time – their class will start soon, and people are already entering the room.

Okay so, I know it took me a while to update and I'm sorry! I was literaly going to finally write the end if the next chapter, but then uni happened, and finals, and yeah... I got overwhelmed, had some bad things happen and I ended up isolating. Sorry.
Anyway, what dis you think if this part? I really liked writing Ned's point of view, if I may call it that.
I may have missed some mistakes (pretty sure I have both 'realise' and 'realize' in the text so...), I'm sorry! (Again)
Feel free to leave a comment or a like,
Stay safe and hydrate,

H.
(Holy shit, 485 views guys??? I'm speechless!!!)