A/N: So this one is inspired by the Taylor Swift song with the same title. I've had this idea for a long time now, and I'm excited—and nervous—to write it. A lot like "beyond the lights" this one is really personal. Most of the stuff you see—minus having a Peter Parker in my life—is based off of/inspired by my own experiences. So yeah, if you relate, know you can talk to me, cause I've been there too.

"Promise me you'll have fun?" Mom asks as we pull up into the magnet school's parking lot. I avoid meeting her gaze as I stare out the window where students from both school are talking and laughing as they head to the game.

After all, this wasn't my idea—or even my choice, but once mom and dad realized I was pulling away from everyone, they pretty much forced to come to the game and "show my school spirit," which is pretty nonexistent as this point.

She lets out a heavy sigh as he hands slide from the wheel. "I know you're having a hard time right now, but you should be enjoying high school while it lasts. Trust me, one day you're gonna look back and miss it."

I highly doubt that. I'd give anything just to be out of that nightmare. She doesn't know that though, and I'm not exactly anxious to talk about it. So, I plaster on the closest thing I can to a smile and nod. "Okay. I'll try to have fun." My answer placates her enough to break a smile. "I'll text you when it's over."

"Alright, honey. Here's the money for the ticket and some snacks." She presses a few bills in my hand with a soft smile, and I know it means a lot to her for me to just try. "Have fun, and I'll pick you up in a couple hours."

I offer her one last fake cheer-filled wave before trudging toward the ticket booth. A part of me is tempted to just head to some empty part of the school and scroll on my phone for the few hours, but I hate lying to my mom more than I already am. So, I begrudgingly pull out my student ID. "One ticket please."

The girl in the booth looks down at my card before raising an eye brow at me. "You got to EAST, huh? I've heard it's nice there."

"Yeah, well I don't believe everything I hear." I reply and nervously look around for any familiar faces.

"True. Everyone has a bias." The girl replies simply. "Here's your change, and Edison's seating is on the opposite side when you walk in. Enjoy the game!"

I don't bother to reply as I shove the change in my jacket pocket and keep my head down. The last possible thing I want is to run into someone from school. They've spent the entire time of knowing me trying to make my existence as miserable as possible, and I don't think I have the strength to deal with any more of it today.

Once I make it to a section of empty bleacher right next to the band, I finally breathe a sigh of relief. Mom would probably scold me if she were here and tell me something about "trying to be a little bit social," which makes me grateful—and a bit guilty for being so—that she isn't here. For once, I appreciate the volume of the band since it keeps most people away.

My feet tap along to the beat of the pop songs being played by the band, and I make snarky comments every opportunity I get. "And Wilson drops the ball faster than a girl asking him for commitment, which leaves Midtown's number 32 to pick it up and offer it ice cream and a dance in the end zone. Now, EAST is stepping aside to let this new relationship blossom, even if it costs them the first score of the game."

The first quarter fizzles away, and my anxiety spikes as people start heading to the snack bar. I try to distract myself by improving a song by putting words in between cheerleaders chants. "I didn't want to go, but I didn't wanna fight, cause nobody's gonna win. Now can I go home?"

I'll admit it's not the best, but it works to keep my mind occupied as the next chunk of the game starts. Of course, my luck doesn't seem to last for long.

Mandy and her two wanna replicas saunter up while the band is taking a short break. "I have to admit, I'm surprised you had the nerve to show up, but then again, not really. I mean, you did decide to hide out on the opposing side." She laughs as her fake nails drum against her soda. "Let me guess, you're looking for someone who doesn't know all your dirty laundry so they might actually wanna hang out with you?"

"Actually, I sat over here so I could drown out the sound of your obnoxious voice." I counter with a grin. "Honestly, you'd think the nose job would help, but I guess your surgeon wasn't that good."

Mandy huffs and opens her mouth to spit out more venom, but I ignore it as I turn to Olivia and Kitty. "Speaking of, I have to give you guys props. You pull off Mandy's nose better than she does."

"Aw, thanks!" Olivia smiles and cheers before Mandy glares at her. "I mean, whatever, freak."

"Like you'd know anything about beauty. Just look at you! You're—" Mandy's voice is cut off by the sudden burst of sound from the band.

I can't hide my shock as I look over to see two of boys in the band with wide eyes. Mandy stomps over to them with a fury she usually reserves for her boyfriend when he forgets to compliment her or looks at another girl.

Before I can think, I'm on my feet, ready to fight Mandy off, but the boys seem pretty unfazed. Every time she opens her mouth, they play a note as loudly as they can.

The commotion draws the attention of the entire section, and it's plain to see the blood rushing from Mandy's face. Even Kitty and Olivia start to join in on the laughter. Well, until Mandy rushes off, and they follow, fully prepared to pamper her ego.

I look over at the two guys with a grin as I sit back down. No one at school would dare to have done that to her, especially on my behalf, and it makes me feel special for once—like I'm worth the risk of protecting. It's a strange sensation.

I've been pretty much tortured by my classmates for as long as I can remember. There are moments where I forget what it's like to be treated as a person except around my parents. No one else seems to see a person, just a punching bag.

It takes me a long minute before I realize there's a pair of eyes on me. "You know it's rude to stare." I call without looking away from the field.

There's a pause before they turn away, but as the game progresses, they always return to staring at me. It starts to feel a little strange after the first few times of catching him, and when halftime rolls around I just decide to go for it.

"Do you two want anything from the snack bar? My mom gave me money, and she'll be upset if she thinks I didn't hang out with anyone."

The one with the saxophone looks to his friend for a second and seems to wordlessly exchange. "Are you sure?"

"You haven't seen my mom's sad face. So yeah, I'm positive."

"Cool. Um—some m&m's?"

"No problem." I look the other guy, who is avoiding looking at me as he holds onto his french horn. "Do you want anything?" He stays quiet despite his friend nudging him multiple times. "It's cool; I'll just guess."

The pair of them start to whisper as I walk down the bleachers. I pull the money from my jacket and try to figure out what to get the second guy. For some reason, I gravitate towards the gummy worms.

I grab myself some as well as the other snacks before heading back. At least now, I can reassure my mom I got hung out with people. They're both whispering when I get back despite the rest of the band in full swing around them.

French horn looks up at me with wide eyes, and I can't help the smile at him. Why he's so nervous around me is puzzling. Maybe he's just shy?

I pass both of them their snacks and take my seat again. Both of them keep glancing over at me now, and during the band's break, the French horn boy comes over. "So, did I get it right?" I ask in the hopes of breaking the ice.

"Get what right?" He asks, seeming to forget his nerves for a second.

"That you like gummy worms."

"Oh, yeah. You were—you were spot on."

I nod with a grin, "I know; it's one of my many talents."

The boy laughs nervously with his hands tucking under his armpits. "I—um—I wanted to see if you were okay? You know, after those girls came and—"

"I'm fine." I reply, immediately on edge again. "It—it happens a lot. I've learned to never take anything they say seriously."

"Still, it's not cool."

"No, it's not, but what you did was. No one's ever done something like that for me. So, thank you."

"No need to. It was the right thing to do."

"So, does the boy who does the right thing have a name?"

"Oh, um, yeah. I'm Parker Peter—I mean, Peter Parker."

"Nice to meet you, Peter." I tell him with a wide smile. "I'm Y/N."

He whispers my name under his breath as if to test it out. It makes me giddy for some reason. "Can I—I mean, would you want to hang out sometime?"

The question takes me by surprise and immediately an alarm blares in my head. Why would someone to hang out with me? Is he just doing it as a joke? Every other time someone shows interest in being my friend, they did it just to find out more about me that they could twist into lies and torment me with.

But there's so much sincerity in his eyes, any doubts I have start to dissipate. Plus, he goes to a different school. I doubt he knows anything about me or anyone from EAST.

"I'd like that, Peter Parker."

"Really?" He beams, and any remaining worry or doubt is instantly gone. "Okay, cool."

He moves to walk away, but his friend shouts at him. "Dude, you're forgetting something." I'm assuming Peter offers him a confused look because his friend adds. "Her number?"

"Oh, right. Sorry. Thank you, Ned" He apologizes and calls over his shoulder, but I just find it cute. "I'll—um—I'll call you so we can make plans?"

"How about next Saturday? I know this great little bookshop, and if you want, there's a great deli nearby."

"Yeah. That sounds really cool."

"You can still call me though. We can work out the details then?" I tell him with a teasing grin and look over his shoulder at his friend. "You can come too if you want."

"Awesome!" Peter's friend grins. "You seem really cool by the way. I don't get why anyone would be mean to you."

"I don't get why people are mean in general." I shrug and look back at Peter. But I don't get a chance to say anything because the countdown runs out, and the game is over just like that.

The three of us wait in our spots as the crowd begins to dissipate. I know my mom is bound to show up any minute, but a part of me wants to enjoy the time with Peter and Ned. They're nice in ways I almost forgot people could be.

"Thanks again for helping me with Mandy. You have no idea how much she goes out of her way to make my life miserable." I pause and smile at the pair of them. "Plus, it was pretty hilarious."

"Yeah, it was." Ned laughs. "I just wish we could take Flash down a peg too."

"Well, if I get the chance, I'll return the favor." I tell them. "Plus, it seems to be a decent way to bond."

"Very true."

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I look down to see my mom asking how the game's going. I hesitate for a moment before letting her know it's over.

"You know, I'm actually glad my mom forced me to come. You guys are really cool."

"I am too." Peter finally speaks up with a goofy grin on his face. It makes that strange, giddy feeling return.

I don't get to dwell on it though as my phone begins to ring. "That's my mom, which means I have to go, but you have my number. So be sure to use it."

"Okay." Peter nods, and I almost step forward to give them a hug before I think better of it.

"See you guys soon!" I call over my shoulder as I rush off before my mom starts freaking out.

She smiles at me as I climb into the car. "How was the game?"

"It was interesting."

"Did you have fun with your friends?" She pushes ever so delicately.

"I made some new ones actually. They go to here, but we're planning to hang out soon."

"That's great, honey." Her eyes light up in absolute joy. "How'd you meet them?"

I try to think up an excuse that doesn't require me explaining what's going on at school. "I was anxious and decided to sit on an empty part of the Midtown section. We got to talking, and yeah."

"I'm glad." She smiles softly, "It's been a while since you spent time with friends. So it makes me happier than you know."

"It makes me happy too." And for once, i don't feel the lead weight settling in my stomach like the half truths and lies I've had to tell. Because for once, it's not.

I really am happy, and for the first time in a while, I feel like I may actually have real friends.