I set my bag down next to me as I sat in my desk, Valarie and Sarah sitting behind and in front of me. I let a long sigh escape me, slamming my face onto my wooden desk as I internally screamed. I had been up all night studying for todays test, the bags under my eyes very clearly showing it. I pulled my hair up into a tight ponytail, starring daggers into Valarie's eyes, a smirk on her face.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I said, slapping my hand up to my jawline, trailing my thin fingers across the surface of my skin. Valarie laughed, shaking her head.

"No, you don't. But there's this part Friday night and-" I raised my hand to her face, frowning as Sarah leaned forward over her desk.

"Valarie, we have the field trip Friday. And you know I'm not that big on parties. I prefer to stay locked up in my bedroom, reading a book on advanced technologies." I said with a sly look, turning to face Sarah, who was frowning.

"Oh, come on Felicity! It's at Harry's house!" Sarah objected, which caused me to sigh angrily. Harry Osborne had been my longtime friend since we were children, but it didn't mean I would go to his parties.

"Like I just said, I's rather be at home, reading a book or binge watching crime shows." I said, slugging back into my metal chair, crossing my arms. Sarah and Valarie grunted, Sarah falling back into her chair with a loud thud as the bell rang. Students quickly filled the classroom, my eyes darting around as I searched for Peter Parker, hoping he wasn't here today. I frowned when I watched him reach his desk seated next to mine, Valarie and Sarah watching him with awe eyes. I rolled mine, glancing over at Peter.

"Hi Peter." Sarah and Valarie said in unison, Peter's dumb smile crossing his face as he said hello back, not paying attention to me. I didn't care if he did or not, him simply existing now irritating me.

"Hey guys, are you ready for the test today?" He asked, glancing between them. Sarah nodded as Valarie's eyes widened.

"Wait- there's a test today? Shit." She exaggerated the last word, slowly turning to face me with a sheepish smile. I frowned shaking my head. "Please? I swear it will be the last time I look at your notes!" I heard Peter snicker quietly, causing me to growl quietly.

"No, Valarie! You haven't studied since grade school and you're always using my notes! Not this time!" I said, snatching my notes away before she could reach them. Mr. Warren walked in, clearing his throat loudly as everyone hushed. He walked up to his small podium, everyone's eyes on him.

"Alright class," He started, counting heads. "Our big mid-term test is today, hope you all studied because you aren't using your notes!" He said with a smirk as everyone started to protest, Peter included, which made me smile. Maybe I'll best him this time. I thought to myself as Mr. Warren started to pass out the tests, Valarie turning to give me a terrified look. I shrugged, pulling out my mechanical pencil as I slumped down, scribbling down answers and equations.

I started tapping the end of my pencil on the desk out of habit when I thought, quickly finishing my test with ease, just before Peter. We both stood up quickly, and I rushed to the front of the classroom, turning in my test just before him, silently throwing a party in my head. I winked at him as he frowned, confused by the wink as I walked back to my seat, hearing Peter flop into his.

"It's not always a competition, Felicity." He whispered. I intertwined my fingers together, resting my elbows on my desk and my head on my fingers as I shrugged, smiling.

"It is to me." I whispered back, getting a hush from Mr. Warren, who was already grading out papers. I faced ahead, watching the clock tick, focusing on the clicks of the second hand, drowning out the scribbling of pens and pencils on paper. I watched students start getting up and turn in their tests, confident and not-so-confident looks on all of their faces.

The bell rang, my arm instinctively grabbing my backpack under my legs, swinging it over my shoulders as Valarie and Sarah stood up, a smile on all of our faces. They waved goodbye to Peter as he walked up to his friend Ned. He waved bye, his eyes catching mine. I frowned, walking out and to my locker, Sarah and Valarie following me.

My hands reached out to the cold blue metal, twisting my combination and unlocked the locker, shoving my calculus book in as I took out my chemistry book, Valarie giving Sarah the 'look.' I looked at them, raising a brow as I popped a piece of gum into my mouth, the strong minty flavor coating my sensitive tongue. I swallowed, almost choking on the cold sting.

"What? Why are you looking at Sarah like that?" I said, looking between them. Valarie slowly turned to face me, a fake smile on her face. I knew that smile, raising my head up as I sighed.

"What don't you see in him, Felicity? I mean it's Peter Parker! He's just so-"

"Perfect! The way his hair falls over his eyes sometimes, his goofy smile, the way his eyes glisten when he's happy. Yeah I've heard it enough, Valarie. And you know why I don't like him." That's what she thinks. I thought, shaking the thought away. I held my chemistry book close to my chest, fiddling with it's broken spine from years of being used.

Sarah sighed. "Felicity you won't even give him a chance to be your friend!"

"Because maybe I don't want to be his friend!" I butted in, now angry. I sighed, shaking my head. "I'll see you guys at lunch. I have to go to class." I closed my locker and shoved my way past them, making my way to chemistry.

I saw Peter, groaning as he sat down in front of my desk, his gaze catching mine. I frowned, pushing gently pass some of the students I didn't bother naming, sitting behind Peter.

"Hey so I was wondering-" I stopped him mid sentence with a glare.

"Don't even bother, Parker." I said, shoving my nose into the chemistry book, leaning back in my chair. He opened his mouth to speak before shutting it, slowly turning around as Mrs. Johnson walked in.

"Alright class. We have a lab today, but instead of getting to pick your partners, I'll be choosing them for you. They will be your partner for the rest of the school year, so lets hope you are friends." Groans came from everyone as I closed the book, frowning slightly. I didn't mind having a new partner, I was kind of tired of having to be with... James. I looked over at the kid covered in acne and curly hair, who was too distracted by something on his phone. He never payed attention in class, and had failing grades, which caused me to sometimes fail my labs. Thankfully I was aloud to redo them and-

"Parker and Dagger." I shot my head over at Mrs. Johnson, my eyes widening as big as Peter's.

"WHAT?" We said in unison, causing everyone to look at us. I clenched my fist, my other hand gripping the back of my chair. I gritted my teeth, staring into the back of Peter's head with a burning anger.

I said I didn't mind having a different partner, but I did NOT want to be Peter Parker's. Someone snickered, Peter and I turning our head's to face Eugene Thompson, better known as Flash. His arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair, looking between us.

"Felicity, if you don't want to work with that loser then we can work on both types of chemistry." He winked at me, and I audibly gaged, fidgeting in my chair. I felt a pain in my heart for a split moment. Sure, I hated Parker, but I didn't like watching people getting bullied.

"As if I'd work with a person who has a peanut for a brain." I said, raising a brow. Flash clenched his fists, standing up.

"Mr. Thompson I suggest you sit back down or face the consequences." Flash looked at Mrs. Johnson, grunted as he slumped back into his chair, glaring at me as I gave him a sly smile.

"Alright class. This is your biggest lab assignment this year. It is worth 70% of your grade, and it will be due at the end of the year." I smiled, knowing I would be able to finish it in 1/4 of the time. Peter turned his head to face me, a small smile on his face. I simply stared, my face cold.

He cleared his throat, quickly turning his head back. "The lab will be about-" I started to zone out once again, but still listened in.

Soon enough, the bell rang. Peter turned to me, and I still stared at him again. "Look, I-I know you hate me, and I'm not sure why. But for right now you'll have to deal with me. A-And I was thinking we could meet up at the library and-"

"Look, Parker. I don't necessarily hate you. But your existence bothers me. There are a few rules we need to set." He frowned, pursing his lips as he nodded slowly. "Rule one. I'm not your friend, nor do I want to be. We are simply 'partners.' Number two. I will be doing one half of the project. you do the -"

"That won't work." He said, butting in. My lips parted as I sneered at him, crossing my arms.

"And why not?" I said, raising a brow.

"Because this project needs to be done together. It's not a project where you can simply work separately and get an A." He said, making me think. Dammit. He's right. I groaned, picking up my back and sliding the chemistry book into it.

"Fine. I'll meet you at the library tomorrow after school." Peter nodded quickly, both of us standing up. He stepped out of the way, letting me pass by him as we walked out the door.

God this is going to be a long 4 months.

***

"You and Peter are partners?!" Sarah said with a giant smile as Valarie jumped up and down, clapping her hands and squealing. I slammed my locker shut, glaring at them.

"It means NOTHING. Him and I aren't friends, nor will we ever be friends." I blurted out, but only loud enough for them to hear. Sarah twirled with her black hair, her jaw clenching and unclenching as she thought.

"You know what this means, right? Long hours cuddled up together in the library..." She said, Valarie cutting in.

"Even longer hours staying at each other's homes, studying until you fall asleep in each other's beds... Or weekends at a coffee shop sipping on tea or coffee while professing your undying love to each other!" Valarie clutched her books, swaying back and forth as she sighed. "Man I wish I was you. You get to be partners with Peter Parker."

"Then take my place. I need to go home and sleep. Goodbye guys I'll probably text you at like 3 AM." I said, walking out of MidTown High and into the streets of New York.

Hopefully Peter will just. Keep his distance and follow the rules.