As time goes by, Peter does get to know Calvin better, a lot better than he thought he would.  Calvin told him that he moved to New York with his mom for her job and that he hardly saw his dad because he was always away on business trips. At recess and lunch, Calvin sits with Peter, Ned, and MJ and they all agree it feels like he had been their friend for years.

* A month later *

After a Spanish class, Peter manages to find Calvin at his locker putting away some books. MJ once said that you can tell a lot about someone from their locker; whether they're tidy or messy or into certain stuff, so he decides to take a small peek over his shoulder. Covering most of the locker door were a couple of NASA posters, surrounded by tons of planets and star stickers. Calvin spots him in the corner of his eye and turns to greet him.

"Oh, hey Pete," he says, taking a step back to that he could see him better.

"Nice locker," Peter says. Calvin chuckles.

"Thanks. I've always wanted to work with NASA and learn more about space. The universe is so big, it would be a bit sad if we were the only ones in it, don't you think?" he replies. Peter nods in agreement.

"I mean, it's pretty unlikely though," he continues, shutting the door and picking up his bag.

"What is?" Peter replies. "Aliens being real?"

"No!" Calvin chuckles. "Me working for Nasa."

"But you're so smart! And you're clearly interested in it, they would be idiots not to hire you!" Peter spills out. He sees Calvin shuffle and worries that he had made him uncomfortable.

"I- It's not like-" he begins but he's cut off by Calvin leaning over and giving him a hug. He stands in stunned silence before letting out a quiet nervous laugh. "What's this for?" Calvin pulls away.

"It's a thank you," he says.

"Oh. Well, no problem," Peter replies. They exchange quick smiles before heading to the canteen to meet up with MJ and Ned.

***

"Hey, losers," MJ says as they sit down, not bothering to look up from her book.

"Sherlock Holmes... That's a new one," Peter says.

"Technically it's a bit of an oldie," Ned points out. MJ stuck up her middle finger, much to the amusement of Calvin.

"So, how'd your Spanish quiz go?" Ned asks, ignoring her.

"Meh," Peter shrugs. "Pretty sure I completely messed up questions 4 and 9, but there you go."

"Hey, I'm sure you nailed it," Calvin says, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. "But anyway, I'm gonna go get something to eat. You guys want anything?" They all shake our heads. "Alright. Be back in a sec," he says and wanders off. Peter watches him disappear into the crowd before turning back to Ned who smirks at him.

"So, how's it with you two?" he asks. Peter stares at him in disbelief.

"What the hell, man! Nothing's going on between us!" he practically yells. Ned laughs.

"But you wish there was," he says, grinning, and gives him a playful nudge. Peter shoves him back.

"Dude! Shut up!" he says, now also grinning.

"Oh for God's sake, just kiss him already," MJ groans but Peter can see a small smirk hiding behind her book.

"You know, you sure are single for someone who's giving out so much relationship advice," he replies.

"Watch yourself there, Parker," someone snickers behind him. "It almost sounds like you've got a boyfriend." He turns around and instantly makes eye contact with Flash, who's leering over him.

"Fuck off Flash, Calvin's not my boyfriend," he snaps. Normally he would ignore Flash in a situation like this, but this time something inside of him wants to fight back.

"Whatever he is, he isn't here to help you now." Flash spits getting up from his table and walking over to theirs.  He puts a hand on Peter's shoulder, gripping onto his shirt. "Parker, we didn't get to finish our... conversation from the other week."

"Leave him alone," Ned says, standing up, slightly trembling.

"No, Ned-" Peter starts before Ned is shoved back into his seat. 

"You stay out of it, Fatty," Flash says, poking Ned in the chest. "Or Parker isn't the only one here that's gonna get hurt." Ned goes to stand back up again but suddenly Calvin intervenes, getting between them and pushing Flash away.

"No, he's right. Leave Peter alone," he says, his voice filled with anger.

"What are you gonna do about it?" Flash asks, moving a step closer. At this point Peter knows there's no stopping him. He's gotten into enough trouble with Flash to recognise when he's begging for a fight.

"Calvin, leave it," Peter says, now slowly getting between him and Flash. "You don't need to get involved in this." Ned looks over at him and Peter can see worry across his face but he tries to give him a reassuring nod.

"Are you insane?! Pete you don't have to keep putting up with this fucking idiot!" Calvin exclaims. Peter quickly looks at Flash and sees fury in his eyes. His spider-sense goes off and he pushes Calvin aside before taking a punch across the jaw from Flash. He falls to the floor next to Calvin who stares at him stunned. Peter tries to give him an apologetic look before getting back up.

"Is that the best you've got?" he asks, his face throbbing with every syllable. Flash laughs and cracks his knuckles and takes a couple of steps closer to Peter.

"Wanna see?" Peter glances to the nearest door, knowing it exits out to one of the many school corridors. He prays there will be a teacher somewhere there before looking back at Flash.

"You'll have to catch me first," he says and sprints.