⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

ONE.
—
parker gets his ass kicked.

     DEVYN MCCOY GROANED AT THE INCESSANT beeping from her alarm clock, her arm reaching out from underneath her mess of purple covers and clothes, and throwing it to the floor to effectively stop the sound. She hummed in satisfaction as the sound ceased and cuddled further into her mattress. A knock on her door elicited another groan from the young girl's lips.

"Devyn! Get your ass up! You have to leave in 30 minutes!" her mother shouted through the door with a heavy sigh at the end, this not being the first time Tracey McCoy has had to yell for her daughter to get up in the morning.

     Devyn covered her ears with her pillow, groaning for the umpteenth time in the past five minutes. She sluggishly rose from her bed, tossing her comforter to the side as she planted her feet on the ground. She rubbed the tiredness out of her eyes, before brushing her curls out of her face. She mindlessly reached to the floor, picking up the alarm clock, to place it back on her nightstand, and a random pair of pink socks to put onto her feet.

     She sighed as she takes in the state of her room; homework papers, pairs of shoes, dirty clothes, pencils, and her soccer gear are all scattered across the floor. She rolled her eyes, before gathering up some papers and shoving it into her school satchel and throwing her soccer gear into her other bag. She picked up a couple pencils and throws them into her satchel as well, Gwen constantly getting annoyed with her unpreparedness.

     The brunette grabbed a random pair of jeans from her closet, a black long sleeve, and a Fiona Apple t-shirt to throw over the other shirt. She shrugged at the decent outfit she put together while glancing at herself in her full-length mirror. She looked down to her feet, an internal debate on whether she should keep the bright pink socks on or not. She decided to wear them, no use in changing them if no one was going to see them. She stuck her hand underneath her bed, feeling around for her black converse. She let out a little cheer when her hand grabbed both shoes. She quickly laced them up with two bunny ears, while checking the time.

     7:05 AM was blinking back at her.

     She gave herself an impressed nod, before jumping up and making her to the bathroom in the hall. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and calm-downed her crazed curls. She applied some makeup, consisting of light mascara, blush, and a tinted lip-balm. She winked and pointed finger-guns at herself in the mirror, happy with appearance.

     The smiling girl walked back into her room to grab her school satchel, soccer backpack, and skateboard before making her way down the hall and into the main living space— with the kitchen, living room, and extremely small, shouldn't even be classed as a dining room, dining room. She greeted her mom with a 'good morning' before eating the assortment of berries on the island counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of the room.

     Her mom threw a paper bag at her— which she caught easily— and set three water bottles in front of her. Devyn smiled softly at her, finding comfort in their little routine. The younger brunette stuffed one water bottle in her soccer bag and the other in her satchel. She grabbed the last one, already knowing her mother wanted her to give it to Peter.

     "I have practice right after school and I think I'm going to swing by Oscorp to meet Gwen and then we're coming back here for a sleepover," Devyn spoke through a mouthful of raspberries— to which her mother slapped her arm. The younger woman gave her a pout.

     "Don't speak with your mouth full, and yes that sounds fine. I'll speak with Mrs. Stacy later today," Tracey nodded, while brushing Devyn's curls back out of her face. She pulled her daughter's arms towards her and wrapped her in a hug. "Have a good day at school. Be safe," she mumbled into Devyn's hair, before leaning back slightly and placing a kiss to her forehead.

     "Of course," she giggled before gathering her things. Her mom unlocked the door and opened it for her, the young girl rushing down the apartment's hallway.
Once she reached the end by the elevator, she turned and shouted to her mother, who was still watching her, "Bye, mom! I love you!"

     Her mother yelled back with a laugh and an air kiss, "I love you too!"

     Then the elevator dinged and she walked in, watching the doors close on her mother's lingering figure down the hall. She sighed, already wishing to be back in bed. The elevator dinged again about one minute later, indicating she reached the lobby. Once the doors opened, she dropped her skateboard and skated through the lobby. It was fairly empty except for the lobby lady, Mrs. Mayfield.

     The older blonde lady let out an exasperated breath. "Devyn McCoy," she began like she was scolding her own child, "what have I told you about skating in the lobby?"

     As Devyn passed her desk, she gave her a playful shrug with a toothy grin. "Not to do it."

     Mrs. Mayfield then gestured to the skateboard underneath her feet, but never said anything more as the lobby doors opened and a familiar tall brunette boy appeared. The curly haired girl waved goodbye to blonde woman behind the desk as she skated through the doors. The woman just put her fingers to her forehead with a loud sigh, before going back to her paperwork.

     As Devyn began to skate down the street, Peter quickly jumped onto his board to follow after her. He eventually caught up to her when she reached the crosswalk. He came to a stop on her left, scanning her face in admiration. He loved her curls and how unruly they could be sometimes. He loved her brown eyes, that in certain lighting looked to be golden. He loved the light freckles that dusted her face, as if they were painted onto her skin so softly by a goddess. He loved the slope of her nose. He loved her lips, the shape and the color was perfect. He was always so smitten by her. For as long as he could remember, she has always occupied his heart and mind.

     He just wished she wasn't one of the most sought out girls in Midtown High. She had everyone in that school wrapped around her finger without even bothering to care. She could have anyone she wanted— many options available to her better than himself, as he believed. Which is why he never acted on his feelings. But Gwen always told him, 'She could have anyone, but she still chooses you every time.'

     It got him thinking. She never rode to school with anyone else besides him. She never hung out with anyone at school besides him and Gwen. She never slept over at anyone else's house beside his and Gwen's. She's never invited anyone else to every single one of her soccer games besides him. Did this mean something? He didn't think it did because nothing ever happened. She never showed an inkling of mutual infatuation to him before— at least he's never noticed. Maybe she did reciprocate something, but he was too oblivious to notice. Now his brain racked over every single of their interactions and analyzing all of them.

He was abruptly cut from his thoughts, when Devyn snapped her fingers in his face. "Hello? Earth to Peter? Hello? Parker, are you there?"

     Peter shook his head, focusing back on the girl in front of him. He tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy and the girl only gave him a blank stare. "Here," she handed him the water bottle in her hand and he gratefully accepted it, "this is for you."

     "Thank you," he smiled with a slight pink twinge to his cheeks after being caught daydreaming.

     "No problem. Also, I can't go to the skatepark today. I have practice and then Gwen's staying the night. She's going to help me with my AP Bio homework"

     Peter huffed, "I could've helped you with that after the skatepark."

     The light turned red and then they were able to cross the street. The two walking with matching strides, before dropping their skateboards and skating down the busy sidewalks of Queens side by side.

     "Ok, but who is the one with an internship at Oscorp?" she retorted back to the annoyed boy with a smirk.

     He mumbled an agreement reluctantly, pretending to be upset with her. She skated closer to him to reach for his arm. She shook it lightly with an obnoxious grin. "Aw, is little Petey Parker mad that Gwen Stacy is top of our class?"

'Little Petey Parker' shoved her off with a scoff and she laughed in his face. "God, don't call me that. And no, I couldn't care less about Gwen being top of the class."

Devyn let out a low whistle with a soft chuckle. "Woah there tough guy. It's okay to not compare to Gwen— everyone at Midtown can't either. Not like she'll rub it in your face or anything."

"She definitely would."

"Yeah, she would and she has."

Soon they reached the sidewalk in front of their school. Each of them hopped off their respective skateboards, propping them up with their foot and holding the other end in their hand. They both let out displeased breaths, before grinning at their synchronization. Peter dreaded school because of his endless torment from his peers and Devyn just couldn't stand all the kiss-asses there.

The brunette girl started making her way towards the big doors of the school, sending Peter a peace sign before entering her personal hell. Peter gave her an awkward wave goodbye. The second the doors closed and she was out of sight, a random classmate of his bumped into him a little too harshly and sent all of his belongings flying. The surrounding kids let out giggles as the awkward, lanky boy had to bend over and collect his things with irritated grunts.

It was 7:30 in the morning, they couldn't at least wait until first period to bother him?

As he stood up, all of his stuff back in his satchel, his camera tightly secured around his neck, and his skateboard in his hand, he smiled a little to himself at the thought of no one messing with him when he was around Devyn. It was like she was his protector.

˗ˏˋ꒰ 🕷️🕸️ ꒱

     Devyn placed her skateboard on the ground, skating through the halls and sending nods to the familiar faces who waved. The principal passed by her, pointing a finger at her and then her board, calling out sternly, "McCoy!"

     She rolled her eyes, but giggled a little to herself when grabbed her board and placed it underneath her arm. The principal gave her a satisfied nod, before turning the corner and giving her the opportunity to get back on her board. She skated to her locker, opening it hastily and shoving her soccer bag inside. She scanned her textbooks, grabbing the AP Biology book and a black notebook. She swiftly looked over her face in the mirror on her locker door, smiling at her reflection. She closed her locker, jumping at the face behind it. She scoffed, preparing to turn away before his voice halted her movements.

     "Devyn, party at my house tomorrow night. You coming?" Jackson Carter questioned with raised eyebrows and a smirk. The boy has had this thing for her since freshman year and honestly it's getting embarrassing on how he won't give up.

     "Tomorrow is a Tuesday," she deadpanned, her eyes narrowing into silts. Most guys gave up on their pathetic little crushes on her after she wouldn't budge, but he just kept annoying her like a gnat.

     "And?"

     "Don't you ever stop trying?" Devyn remarked, her face crinkling in aggravation. She turned away, her mind set on finding Gwen and leaving this horrible conversation. Every time he spoke to her, his voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

     "Where's the fun in that? I know you're just playing hard to get," he smiled smugly with a click of his tongue.

     "It's hard to get... away from you," she retorted with disgust. "You're embarrassing yourself. It's never going to happen. Go ask every other guy and girl in this school, they've all been rejected, just like you."

     "Oh come on, I know you want me. No other guy or girl is like me."

     "You're so right!" The McCoy girl exclaimed with faux giddiness. He grinned in triumph, assuming he finally won her over. "How didn't I notice that every other guy and girl in this school aren't delusional weirdos?"

     His smile dropped and he scoffed at her words with his arms crossed, but before he could reply she stuck up the middle finger at him and pushed the doors open to the quad. She sighed in relief, every interaction with him making her wish her death was closer.

     She spotted her blonde best friend perched on a table with a book in hand. She ran up and slid into the seat next to her, beaming widely. "How's my second favorite girl in the world?"

     Gwen closed her book momentarily, moving her focus to the brunette at her legs. "Who's the first?"

     "My mom, duh."

     The blonde pursed her lips and nodded, "Understandable."

     She went back to reading her book, while Devyn just rambled about whatever she could think of. The former was engrossed in her book, but occasionally commented on whatever stole her interest. The blonde was turning the pages, while the brunette threw her arms around crazily in a way to emphasize her words. With her crazed arm movements, her curls would fly into her eyes and mouth, causing her to mutter curses— which Gwen would chide her for like a child.

     The Stacy girl closed her book slowly, before turning to face her best friend. "You're ability to continue on and on makes me wonder why you only have two good friends," she spoke without ill intent.

     "Would you be friends with anyone else at this school?" Devyn questioned with a raised eyebrow. The blonde muddled over it for a second, before shaking her head 'no'. "Exactly."

     Meanwhile, Peter turned the corner, his eyes settling on the duo, and a smile appearing on his face at the sight of the two of them. He brought his camera up and snapped a quick picture of the brunette and the blonde, his smile growing larger when he decided to give the photo to Devyn later— knowing she'll appreciate it.

     His eyes traveled over to another lunch table, where multiple shouts and cheers could be heard. He groaned, already knowing the reason for the chanting and large crowd of teens. He spared one last glance towards the McCoy girl, before making a decision he may most likely regret in the next five minutes.

     He emerged from behind some girls, Flash looking up just in time to find Peter Parker now in the front row of the crowd. The boy chuckled, continuing to shove a smaller kid's face in his own lunch tray, "Hey, Parker, come on. Get a picture of this. Come on!"

     "I'm not gonna take a picture of it. Put him down, man. Put him down," Peter replied softly, trying to avoid Flash's wrath— something he was all too familiar with. He looked towards the boy in Flash's hold, frowning. "Gordon, Gordon, don't eat it. Don't eat it."

     "Take the picture, Parker," Flash demanded, shoving Gordon's head further into the lunch tray.

     Peter pointed towards the ground, gesturing for Flash to put the freshman back on the ground. He groaned again, as Flash didn't listen and only smirked at Peter in response. The Parker boy now started to raise his voice slightly, "Put him down, Flash."

     Again, Flash didn't listen. "Take the picture, Parker," Flash commanded through clenched teeth. an anger building up inside of him.

     Peter shook his head, yelling, "Put him down, Eugene."

     The whole crowd let out low 'ooh's' and snickers at use of Flash's real name. The boy's face fell in slight embarrassment, before he regained his composure and threw the boy in his hands on the ground— Gordon yelped, as he fell to the concrete with a light smack.

     Devyn— who had approached the fight with Gwen just seconds ago— reached down and grabbed Gordon's hand, helping him get to a stand. The boy stared up at her in admiration, her harsh gaze causing him to look away suddenly and collect his backpack. He moved to stand behind her, attempting to use her taller stature as a shield against the bully.

     Peter stepped towards Flash, while Flash took a step towards him. The buzzcut boy pushed Peter back with great force, before swinging and punching Peter directly in his face. The brunette boy fell to the ground at the contact, while Flash screamed at him to get back up. He got back up hastily, stepping forward again, then getting punched in the stomach before he could make any move on Flash. Peter fell to the ground, again, clutching his stomach in pain, with the crowd releasing another set of 'ooh's' and 'ah's' at the boy's misfortune.

     "Get up! Come on!" Flash shouted at the boy, who was rolling and groaning on the floor in pain.

     As Peter attempted to get to his feet again, Flash kicked the boy's stomach. Devyn winced, as Gwen slapped her arm. The brunette turned to the Stacy girl and gave her a sharp look, causing the blonde to scramble out, "Do something! Say something! Peter's getting his ass kicked!"

     Devyn gave her an incredulous look, scoffing, "What— what— what am I supposed to do? Jump in and punch Flash?"

     "I don't know! But do something quick, look at the poor boy." They both glanced to Peter, who was still clutching his stomach and hissing in pain. "Come on, everyone worships you here. He'll listen to you."

     Devyn rolled her eyes at the blonde, stepping closer to Flash, while Peter muttered out to Flash from the ground, "Still not taking the picture."

     "Stay down, Parker!" Flash snapped at him, that causing Devyn to shove him away from the injured brunette boy.

     "Flash!" she called out with an intense glare, stepping up to him. "Flash, leave him alone. Maybe if you spent your time studying instead of starting fights with anyone who looks at you funny, you might be able to pass your classes without a tutor! That's crazy, isn't? How 'bout we go to class? All of you! How 'bout it?"

     The crowd dispersed at her words, the bell ringing a second a later. As the plethora of people moved away, Devyn rushed over to Peter, picking up his camera, and helping him get to a stand. His fingers brushed over his crushed camera, a frown making it's way into his lips at the thought of all of his pictures gone. She leaned down and picked up the boy's bag for him, handing it to him with her lips pressed into a thin line. He looked down at her, a slight smile making its way onto his face at the girl's heroic act.

     "Don't smile at me. You shouldn't be smiling. I applaud your efforts of looking out for the little guys, but know which battles to pick. You might not be able to make it out of the next one," Devyn grumbled with crossed arms.

     His smile only widened, brushing off her words, "I'm fine."

     "Peter, you got your ass kicked in front of a large group of people. If you're not hurt— which I'm sure you are— I know your ego is."

     He scoffed at her, glaring playfully, and holding a hand to his chest, "Thank you. My ego's definitely bruised now. That blow hurt worse than Flash's punches."

     She shoved him away with a side smile, before pulling him into a hug. He gratefully accepts it, before she breaks the hug— much to his reluctance. "Go to the nurse," she demanded, narrowing her eyes.

     He nodded his head at her, but waited until she turned the corner with Gwen, before following after her to their next class. As he walked in, he spied the McCoy girl sitting with her blonde best friend and an empty seat behind her. He stepped towards the empty seat, laying his head down on the desk.

     She turned around swiftly, her curls flying everywhere as she did so. She sent the boy a pointed look and said, "I told you to go the nurse."

     "I— I did."

     "Uh-huh. That's why you arrived to class just seconds after me," Devyn hummed, her eyes only narrowing further.

     "It was a quick check-up. No concussion, I'm all good," he told her, sending her a smile and two thumbs up.

     "The nurse's office, which is all the way on the other side of school?"

     "That's— That's the one."

     The brunette girl pursed her lips, huffing at Peter's bad lying. She turned back around in her seat and twirled her pencil in between her fingers— too fed up with the Parker boy, while Gwen turned around to face the brunette boy.

     "I thought that was great what you did out there," she praised him with a smile.

     "It was stupid," Devyn added on with a roll of her eyes, before following it with a mutter of, "But, it was great."

     Peter's lips twitched up slightly at his best friends' comments, while the girl spun around in her seat again. She held her hand up, displaying three fingers— her body still facing the front of the class.

     "How many fingers am I holding up?"

     Peter gave the back of her head a blank stare, but her silence caused him to answer back reluctantly with, "Three."

     She held her hand up again, now holding up five fingers. "Okay, what about— Hey!"

     Devyn's words are cut off, as Peter placed his hand against her's and pushed it down onto her desk. His hands stayed resting on hers, the brunette boy having no rush to his move it— something Gwen noticed, causing her to lips to form into a knowing smirk.

     "I was testing you for a concussion! You know Flash was throwing you around like a rag doll out there."

     Peter shook his head with a disbelieving scoff, telling her, "I don't think that's how it works."

     "Well, that's how I'm doing it. I'm just worrying about you, Parker, because who else would send me the AP Physics notes if you inevitably have to go to the hospital?"

     The boy gave her a blank stare, taunting her, "Oh, not because you care or anything, huh?"

     "Stop holding my hand, weirdo," she shot back, before she removed her hand from his— Peter's hand now lacking the warmth of her's. He pouted at her, causing her to roll her eyes at his childish actions.

     "I still think you should go to the nurse. You might be dumber now. Wouldn't want Gwen to get the easy win," the brunette girl laughed, turning to face him.

     Peter just hummed mockingly, before sending Gwen— who was watching their entire interaction with a plan forming in her head— a thankful smile. The blonde returned the smile, before turning and facing the front of the class too.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

౨ৎ Hi. i felt like i need to update this bc i bunch of people were adding it to reading lists, plus andrew's spiderman is becoming really popular rn. obviously some dialogue and interactions are going to change or be moved because gwen isn't the love interest, but i think giving devyn and peter their own moments really makes their story more special. i hoped you enjoyed the chapter!

౨ৎ Edited may 24, 2023 : just rewrote this entire chapter. i love jasmin savoy brown. devyn is also so pookie like yessss show your love by being silly and unserious!!!!

౨ৎ Edited september 25, 2023 : another revamp lol

౨ৎ Have a good day / night !

— mzzystars ✮