Hopelessly Hoping

Chapter 3

Peter waited until the day of the party to ask his parents if he could go. He felt guilty for dumping the question on them last minute, but it didn't matter that much anyway. They were going to say 'no' Considering how cautious they are about sending him to school, let alone, allowing him to walk home.

He took a deep breath in as he traveled down the stairs. "Morning." He greeted.

"Hey kiddo," Tony chimed from the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Pete," Steve said, briefly looking up from some work related things on his phone.

The angsty teen cleared his throat, gathering up enough confidence to ask his parents that question that had been on his mind all week.

'Just ask them, the worst they can do is say no.'

"I have something to ask the both of you, I'm sorry for dumping it on you last minute.."

A pair of brown and blue eyes focused on Peter's figure.

"You okay?" Steve asked hesitantly.

'How come every time I try to talk to them, they think that something is wrong with me?'

"Yeah, yeah..I'm fine.." Peter trailed off. "I just wanted to...umm... let you guys know... that umm.."

'Just say it, dammit.'

"I got invited to a party...tonight."

Peter bit his bottom lip and stared at his parents. Tony had a disapproving look plastered on his face. The piecing eyes made him feel uncomfortable. He already knew what one of the answers would be.

But Steve had a small smirk on his face. His eyes had a hint of happiness and satisfaction in them.

"Sure, why not?" He said.

Tony's depression was a simple frown as he stared down at Peter. "No! Absolutely not!" He exclaimed.

Steve and Tony turned their heads to stare at one another.

"He isn't ready for this kinda stuff yet!" Star argued. "He's just a kid!

Tony turned his expression towards Peter with a worried look on his face. "And you've only known these kids for about a week..." He said, trying to keep his voice calm. "I don't think you're ready for this yet."

'No, of course not.'

The blond placed his phone down, giving his full attention to his worried husband. "He's in high school now, he deserves to experience these kinds of things."

"He knows what he should, and shouldn't do, Tony." He reassured him. "We both trust him and we know he will be fine."

Tony turned towards Peter, defeat evident in his eyes.

"Who's hosting the party?" He asked. "Where is it?"

"I don't know yet, I-" Peter tried, but he was cut off by more of Tony's countless questions.

"Who is going to be with you?" He continued frantically. "Are there any drugs?"

"Will there be alcohol?"

"Wh-" Tony tried, but his lips became occupied with warm plush lips from Roberts.

"Stop worrying so much.." He kissed, "He knows how to handle himself. Peter will be just fine."

╳╱╲╳╱╲╳╱╲╳

Peter was almost late for school because Tony made him write down the first name, last name, and phone numbers of all the people he would be with at the party. Peter only knew two people that would be there, Gwen and MJ. He had Wade's number, but if Peter came home ten minutes late, he would not want his dad calling Wade of all people asking for him.

That would be embarrassing.

Peter didn't want to write the names and phone numbers, to him it was a waste of time. 

But he knew better than to question his father's motives.

When their car pulled up into the school lot, Tony still had a couple of more things to get off of his chest before Peter could flee to the inside of the school.

"Text me when you get there." He commanded. "And if anything happens or if you want to come home, just call me."

"I understand," Peter said.

"If anyone offers you any type of alcohol or drugs, you let me know as soon as possible, alright?"

"I got it."

"Call me when you're leaving... and let me know who you're leaving with."

"I know..."

"Remember, your curfew is-" Tony tried, but Peter interrupted him.

"Ten thirty," Peter said. "Not a minute later, you already told me this."

"All I need you to do is promise me you'll be safe, please?

"I promise." Peter gave him a reassuring smiled. "I'll be safe."

╳╱╲╳╱╲╳╱╲╳

The school day was slow and boring, But by lunch time, Peter was already dreading the last period of the day.

Biology.

With Wade.

"Are you guys excited for the party?" MJ asked, smiling. 

"Not really." Gwen and Peter said hypnotically.

They both let out a small laugh at each other's unamusement.

"You know, Peter." MJ grimaced, furrowing her brows. Her voice was innocent and friendly, but Peter knew what she really felt."You don't have to come."

'I'm only doing it for you. and to see Wade.'

Peter's face fell into a frown. "It would be nice, I guess. To get out of the house for once, even if it's for a couple hours."

"Are you sure you're even feeling up for it?"

'Another person doubting me based on my health.'

"Yeah, I feel fine." Peter shrugged off the hurt.

Red continued staring Peter down. "It's just that, y'know.. we wouldn't want an ambulance to show up cause you had an asthma attack or something." She said, wrinkling her nose.

"It's not-" But before Peter could respond, his phone started vibrating on the table.

New Notification from: that cute weirdo from biology

"You look sexy today."

Peter's heart raced in his chest. He hunched his shoulders to make himself look smaller, but it wasn't working out very well. It was like he could stillfeel Wade's piercing eyes scanning him up and down.

Peter tried not to let Wade's remark get to him. 

It was hard not to.

He was wearing an oversized Star industries sweat-shirt with jeans. There was absolutely nothing "sexy" about his attire.

"Could you please stop staring at me?" Peter replied.

"Why? I'd rather look at you than Flash any day."

"Why?"

"Because" Wade answered.

"???"

"Because I think that you look amazing. All the time."

"Lying is a sin," Peter replied.

"I don't sin."

Peter closed his eyes as he felt the color rise up to his cheeks. He took a couple deep breaths in keep himself from smiling. He was grateful he had the hood on to hide his face. He knew that if Wade same him smile, he wouldn't hear the end of it in biology.

It was a nice compliment, one he didn't hear often. Most compliments relating to his appearance were from doctors or nurses when he was younger.

They usually said, "Wow! You're looking better already!"

Peter interpreted it as, "Wow! You almost look like you're not dying of cancer!"

They were slightly awkward about it, but Peter accepted it anyway.

Sometimes when Peter was walking through the hallways alone, Wade would show up and surprise him. In the beginning, Peter tried to ignore him, but it was hard to tune out the never ending rambling. Eventually, Peter thought he might as well continue the conversation. 

It was kind of nice having someone to talk to. 

But Peter knew that they could never actually be friends.

Because Wade was friends with people like Flash.

And Flash hated Peter, it was obvious from the first time they met.

So Wade probably had a resentment for him also.

Or he only pretended to act like Peter's friend as a joke.

The thought practically ruined his mood. At first, he thought of Wade to be somewhat annoying. But he realized that Wade's company wasn't as bad as he thought it was. He couldn't believe it, but it seemed like Wade was starting to grow on him.

Just a tiny bit.

"Pete, you okay?" Gwen asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It looks like you're having a panic attack."

'I wish I was.'

"Sorry..." He shook his head "it's nothing."

MJ's eyes shifted over towards Wade's table. She could feel her heart drop and her chest sink when she saw Wade looking over at her table, but not at her. It was like he was looking right at Peter.

It was as if... Wade actually took the time to notice Peter? 

That was so unfair, what the hell? MJ had known Wade for years and he had never looked at her like that. Now, Peter comes out of nowhere and Wade looks at him like they were... friends?

'Peter has only been here for one f*****g week.'

MJ cleared her throat, turning towards Peter. "Peter." She said annoyed. "I think it's a very bad idea that you go to Wade's party tonight."

She saw the brunette turn towards her in confusion. "Why?" He asked. "Is something wrong?"

"You know Peter, As a..." She hesitated, trying to find the right word, practically forcing it out of her mouth. "Friend... I don't think that you should go."

"I'm concerned for you." She lied. "What if you get hurt? Or you feel sick?"

"Umm... Well..." He mumbled out. "I am okay."

"And if I end up not feeling well at the party... I can just ask my dad to pick me up."

"But thanks." He smiled genuinely. For once, Peter felt like maybe MJ and him were actually becoming friends. He thought that she was telling him this because she must really care about his well being. "You're such a good friend." He said.

How sweet.

MJ let out a fake smile. "Of course." She choked out. "Just watching out for you, friend."

╳╱╲╳╱╲╳╱╲╳

"Are you just going to ignore me for the rest of my life?" Wade asked.

Seventh-period Biology. The students had a substitute today, so it was basically a free period.  

"If I have to." Peter murmured.

They couldn't be friends.

No, it was impossible.

Wade scooted closer and wrapped his arm around Peter's waist, nudging him gently. "How about... I properly introduce myself to you. I'm not that bad when you get to know me."

"I'm an Aquarius..." He said.  "I love long walks on the beach and blueberry pie. What about you?"

'It seemed like this kid never, ever stopped talking.'

Not that he minded... he had a nice voice.

The brunette tried to squirm out of Wade's hold, but it wasn't working out very well. It seemed like his grip only became tighter and tighter the more he tried to struggle. "Look, I... don't want to talk to you, please just-"

"Hi, I don't want to talk you, my name is Wade Woodland."

Peter turned his head to face Wade. His bright smile was gleaming, showing off his pearly whites. His hazel eyes were glistening at Peter's in such a playful manner.

"Do you ever stop talking?" Peter asked, squinting his eyes.

"Well... no, not really," Wade said as a sly smile rose to the corners of his mouth. "But I can do whatever you want me to do... All you have to do is ask..." 

Peter shook his head and turned it back to his work. He didn't have time for this, no never. He didn't know what game Wade was trying to play.

The brunette couldn't tell if Wade actually liked him or not.

Maybe he did... just a little bit?

Unlikely.

It made the brunette happy with the thought of him actually being liked by someone else. He immediately shook his head, trying his best to hide the stupid grin attempting to form on his face with the thought.

Maybe Wade and him could be friends... maybe. He didn't have to be in his "Circle" like MJ said. But them actually being in a relationship and dating... was extremely unlikely.

Wade leaned his head in closer, his voice joyous and humorous. "Are you excited for my party?"

The potential smile faded off of Peter's face when he thought about it. A high school party. With a bunch of older kids, prettier people, more social people who have done this a thousand times before.

And then there was him.

Who had never been to a party before.

Well, besides the birthday parties that just consisted of him and his parents. But those don't count.

"No," Peter said flatly. "Not really."

"I can hear your heart beating from here." He whispered. "You're not nervous, are you?"

Peter let out a fake scoff. "Of course not." He lied. "It's just a party."

"You've never been to one have you?" Wade asked. Moving his mouth closer to Peter's ear. He could feel his warm breath caress his cheek and travel down his neck.

It took all of Peter's self contol to move his head away from the other teen. "I have.." He lied. "Definitely..."

Wade stared at Peter for a couple seconds before moving his head away. "What ever you say, baby boy."

After that, it was silent for a while. Wade Woodland had finally shut his mouth. Not because he ran out of things to say. It was because he was waiting.

He was waiting to see if Peter noticed.

His arm was still wrapped protectively around his baby boy's tiny waist.

Peter noticed. But he didn't say anything.

He didn't want Wade to let go. He just wanted to pretend that he found someone that actually liked him for him. It was evident that Peter was sick, anyone with eyes could tell. But whenever Wade looked at him, he didn't stare at the cannula, he kept his gaze right on Peter's brown eyes. 

"You don't..." Peter asked hesitantly. "Actually like me... do you?"

"Of course I like you..." Wade blurted. Then he paused for a couple seconds, biting his bottom lip. "You seem like a great... umm... friend."

Peter didn't think it was possible to hear the sound of your own heart breaking.

At least the brunette knew he could still pretend.

So they stayed like that until the end of the period. Neither of them minded, not really.

╳╱╲╳╱╲╳╱╲╳

After school, Peter followed Gwen to her house. He didn't need to go back home and change because there was no need. He didn't have a whole circle of friends to take pictures with. He didn't think he had anyone to look good for.

"Are you sure I can do this?" Peter asked shyly. "I don't want to intrude..."

"It's fine, don't worry about it." Gwen smiled. "You can help me get ready."

Peter let out a small laugh. "I obviously know nothing about fashion." Considering he just pulls out whatever still fits. As long as it looks decent and his parents don't say anything, it was fine to him.  

"I'm going to need your opinion on what to wear." She said. "Don't worry, it's really easy."

Once they approached Gwen's front door. Peter closed his eyes and tried to calm his breathing. He could feel the anxiety sweep through his blood stream, giving him the urge to faint. It wasn't like school, where he could hide in the bathroom or escape to an empty classroom to hide. He was inside of her house. There's no way that he could avoid stares or endless questions.

Gwen pulled out her house key and unlocked the door. When they entered, Peter saw a small, but cozy apartment with light blue walls. Numerous photos of Gwen and, what Peter guessed, her two younger brothers in their younger years hung on the walls in various places.

"Mom, I'm home!" Gwen called.

A blonde woman that had similar features to her came from one of the other rooms. She embraced her daughter into a hug as she kissed her forehead. "Hey, sweetie." She said.

She turned her bright green eyes towards the scrawny brunette. "You must be Peter." She smiled. "Gwen has told me so much and It's  great to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," Peter said.

"Are you two hungry?" She asked. "There's some leftover branzino from the night before."

"We also have some rice and beans with vegetables. We have some corn, broccoli, and cauliflower, do you like those? Because if you don't I can make some different ones." 

"Oh... umm... you don't... you don't have to do that... those are fine... I-"

"Okay, great!" She said. "There's also fruit in the fridge and we have some snacks inside of the closet."

"Thank you, but I'm not very-"

"You two go upstairs and I'll prepare some food for you guys."

Gwen nudged her mother's shoulder and shook her head slightly. 'Don't.' She mouthed.

And that's when it happened.

The older woman's eyes flooded with pity as they looked at Peter's nasal cannula. Each second felt like an eternity as her eyes slowly trailed downwards towards his oxygen tank. Her once bright features washed over with sympathy for the young boy.

"Right..." She murmured. "I'm sorry."

╳╱╲╳╱╲╳╱╲╳

"Do you like this dress?" Gwen asked. It was a flowy, navy blue gown that stopped at her knees.

"It looks beautiful on you," Peter said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Gwen's endless dress collection. His mind was focused on the atypical love triangle between Wade, MJ, and him. He knew Wade wasn't going to leave him alone during that party.

Even at lunch when Wade was simply looking at him, MJ got skeptical. If she saw him and Wade at the party even talking Peter knows that she would get so upset.

That's the last thing he would want, MJ's night to be ruined. They were friends. And friends don't do that to one another.  

Gwen slumped her shoulders. "You've said that about every dress I've shown you."

"What's wrong, Pete?" She asked. "I thought you would seem happier about all of this."

'A lot of things are wrong with me.'

"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine."

Gwen sat down next to Peter on the floor at the foot of her bed. She wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him in closer. "You look like you're facing an internal dilemma all the time.

"Like there are thousands of thoughts flying around in your head. I'm your friend and I only want to help. Just tell me one of them, please?"

Peter sighed. He could, he should tell Gwen. She was one of the nicest people he had ever met, and he trusted her. "It's about the party." He mumbled.

"What about it?" She asked. "If you changed your mind about going, I can drop you home." 

"No, it's not that... Please don't tell anyone about this, okay?" Peter begged.

"Okay," Gwen promised.

"Wade told me that if I don't go to his party, then MJ won't be able to come..." Peter explained. "She was really looking forward to this... and I don't want to be the one to take her happiness away."

"Oh...wow okay..." She paused, her voice lowered as she was deep in thought.

But Gwen didn't care about MJ's feelings for Wade, not really.

Her features were brightened the tiniest bit, lighting up the entire room. "He likes you, doesn't he?" She asked. 

"Unlikely.." Peter muttered."I'm pretty sure he's just doing it cause he's Wade.. and he's unpredictable.."

"I bet the whole school is going anyway." Peter continued. 

"Or," Gwen said in a matter of fact time. "He totally has a thing for you."

"If he did..." Peter trailed off. "Why didn't he simply ask me to come?"

"He had MJ give him my number and made her ask me if I wanted to go."

Gwen shook her head. "Maybe he was too nervous to ask you himself?"

"Do you like him?" She asked.

'A little bit...'

"No." Peter scoffed. 

"Why? Did he say something?" He blurted. It was like a tiny fire ignited in his chest... maybe his heart wasn't broken after all-

_____________________

"Ofcourse I like you... you seem like a great friend."

_____________________

'Nope.'

"Right..." She rolled her eyes playfully. "Just talk to him at the party and sort out all of your hormones there."

"And MJ?" Peter asked.

Gwen shrugged. "She's a big girl, she can handle a little heartbreak."

She nudged his shoulder. "Most people show up uninvited, but to have Wade Woodland ask you to come..." She raised her eyebrows. "That definitely means something."

Peter pondered on the thought.

Maybe it did mean something.

And deep down, he kind of hoped it did.

╳╱╲╳╱╲╳╱╲╳

Gwen borrowed her mother's car to pick MJ up from her house. She was way overdressed compared to Gwen.

The red haired teen wore a long, white gown that had a large "V" cut opening which exposed the majority of her chest, her hair was styled in wavy curls that stopped right at the shoulders, and her eye make up was light but still very noticeable.

"How do I look?" She asked, getting into the back seat. "Is this good?"

Gwen put her foot on the pedal and began driving. "You look fine..." She said. "But don't you think your dress is... a little too much?"