Chapter Text
Peter Spankoffski was a Nerdy boy sure… but he had a gift to give. He could make you see how the world could be, in spite of the way that it is.
Stephanie Lauter was a troubled young girl, and she’d seen the way the world was. When she fell, she fell in spite of herself… in love… with Pete.
But I feel as if I should start this tale from the beginning, shouldn’t I? But who am I to tell it, you ask? I’d have it on good authority that I can tell the story the best it can be told. For I was there. The start, the beginning, and the…tragic, end. Although it may pain me to tell this story, over, and, over, and over, again, it’s an important tale to tell. How far can a person go for those they love? People say love knows no bounds, maybe that just so happens to be true. All I know is there are many lessons we can learn from my dear friend Pete. That’s why I continue to tell the story. Even after it’s all over. Humans, though I may not understand them all the time, are made to learn, grow from other’s mistakes. Take things that didn’t work and make them better. They are always working to make the world how it could be, despite how it already is. It’s a nice sentiment.
Now I should probably give you an even more formal introduction, as that probably left you with more questions than you needed. My name is Webby. You could say I was a friend of Peter and Stephanie, though Peter was the one I took under my wing. You see, Peter had the gift of intellect like I’d never seen it. Not in your standard smarts way, though he was, he had the unique gift of understanding. Understanding how the world worked, the human mind, and how to bring light into dark with the power of speech. There have not been many others like that. Ever.
Now, let’s go to the beginning shall we?
It was the first day of Peter’s senior year.
It was honestly a pretty average day all things being considered. He fell suspect to the occasionally bullying but that was too be expected. “Nerds” weren’t taken too kindly at Hatchetfield high school. That was okay to him however. Peter was invisible at school. Just how he liked it. He enjoyed not being the center of attention. I would know because he told me. Me and Peter became good friends when he was just seven years old. His childhood, similarly to his brother Ted’s, did not treat him kindly, which is why I decided to become his “imaginary” friend. Its honesty surprising that we were friends as long as we were. His brother Ted grew out of me around the age of seventeen, as most kids I watch over do, but Pete, Pete somehow always kept in contact with me. That’s how I knew he was truly special. He really was like his mother.
Anyways, Peter’s year continued to move on quickly. Not anything truly eventful happened. That however would change on one Monday morning. It was his first period class, and they had a pop quiz. This was a piece of cake for him, however, he was always prepared for these kind of things.
Although Pete knew what was going on, Stephanie Lauter did not. She was used to it. You would think Steph Lauter, the mayors daughter would have a great, love filled life, but you would be far from correct. She lived an isolated life full of mental toil. She had long grown used to running from her problems. She got crafty. Which is how she knew exactly how to get around the probable resulting grade of this pop quiz.
“Hey nerd,” she said turning to nerdy boy sitting next to her.
“M-me,” he squeaked out.
“Yeah, your names Pete right?”
“Yeah…”
“Cool, cool. I’m Stephanie but my friend call me Steph,” she said brightly. “We’re friends, right Pete?”
“Lauter, the mayors daughter. Are we friends..?” He questioned with a hint of shock.
“well I wouldn’t advertise it to the whole school, but yeah. We’re Nighthawks, we have to succeed together.” She said flatly. “What I’m trying to get at is that you should help me cheat.”
“What!? No!” Peter had too much of a good conscience for this.
*just help her Peter, it’s one quiz* I told him. I would usually never condone cheating like this, but I knew all possible futures of all universes. It had to play out this way and I figured I’d help out a bit.
“Please Pete?” Steph asked sweetly.
“Fine.” He said finally pushing his paper towards her. She got through a few questions before hearing a voice from behind pipe up.
“Cheaters!!” Grace Chasity yelled to their teachers direction.
And with that Peter and Steph found themselves standing outside the principals office. Surprisingly the cheating only landed them with an hours worth of detention.
The only thing still wrong was that Steph and Peters teacher graded each of their papers a zero. This didn’t affect Pete much, but for Steph, this grade was make or break. Her dad was definitely going to kill her now if she didn’t get it up SOON.
“Shit” Steph mumbled to her self, after glancing at the paper sitting in front of her. she was anxiously chewing on her cuticles.
“Hey, everything okay?” Pete tried.
“Just leave me alone nerd.” She ran her hand through her hair.
“Well it was just one grade, I’m sure it can’t be too-“
“You don’t know anything!” She snapped, “S-sorry… I’m just really stressed. My dad’s super critical about grades and all of mine just so happen to be borderline failing.” She paused, “this sucksss.”
He didn’t really know what to say but he tried, “Hey I’m sorry about this, I shouldn’t have agreed to help you cheat.” He turned to her, staring into her eyes. Steph felt some weird new feeling but she pushed it down. Peter continued, “Look if it helps… I could study with you? Help you, you know, actually bring up the grade?”
“S-sure,” Steph replied with a bit of newfound hope. She didn’t know why he made he feel so hopeful about the future, but it was honestly quite nice.
And so life went on. Peter started to tutor Steph. She strangely liked it. Steph was by no means someone to get close to others. She had friends and was quite popular, but she never felt particularly close with anyone. She liked having easy ways to leave her problems when they arose. It was easier without those connections. Despite this, as the months went on, she felt herself gaining the urge to get closer to Peter. He made her feel ways no one else had. And it terrified her.
For now however she would push that thought down and enjoy how things were going.
Then finally, she gave into her feelings.
Peter and Steph were having a “study” session, though that had long since turned into them talking about anything and everything. This is how most of their study sessions went now. Not that minded it. Honestly she wasn’t one for studying as it was. Most of the time they’d study for a good thirty minutes before turning on a movie and talking.
Tonight however took a bit of a turn.
The pair were sitting on Pete’s bed watching some old movie Peter liked, a good amount of space separating them. I could tell Pete was working up the courage to tell her something.
I knew what I had to do. I decided I would be the perfect wing man.
*Psst Pete* I thought—projecting my thoughts into Peters mind.
*Whats up Webby?* he thought back.
*Go for it Peteeee* his face flushed as he heard the thought.
*Go for what!*
*Oh c’Mon Peter, I’m reading your thought right now. I know how much you like her. It’s sweet. And from the looks of it she might just return the feelings.*
*Really… oh I guess I will. What’s the worst that could happen.* Peter replied with new found confidence.
*I believe in you bud*
*Thanks Webs*
Peter inhaled.
“Hey StEph?” His voice cracking.
“Yeah? What’s up?” She asked, sliding closer to Peter.
“I u-uh,” for someone known for being so good with words, nothing was coming out.
Steph scooted a bit closer. They were almost face to face.
“I- really like you Steph,” He paused. “I know I’m not the best looking, and I don’t have many talents or money to offer you. But I’ve never felt what I feel for you. You obviously don’t have to feel the same, but I’d feel bad continuing to hang out without telling you my true feeling. “ god that was the worst way he could’ve worded that.
They sat in silence for a few seconds before Peter spoke up again. He could feel Steph’s eyes burning into him.
“I’m so sorry, forgot I said anything it’s not imp-“ he was frantically spouting out apologies before getting cut off by Steph closing the distance between their faces.
He let out a small “mmhp” before melting into the kiss. They were in no obvious rush. Each kiss was slow and intentional, like they thought each other were the most fragile thing in the world. They were cute.
The continued to kiss for a few more minutes before Steph broke the contact.
“Pete. If we’re gonna continue this way I need you to know something about me.”
“Okay, spill,” he replied.
She exhaled, “I really like you Pete. I honestly hate how much I’ve grown to like you. That is to say, I don’t like getting close to people. I don’t like them getting into my problems and having to break things off with them or end up just hurting them. I don’t want to hurt you, but I used to have a track record for it. I’m going to try my hardest though. You’re different to me, and I like it, but it also honestly terrifies me. Please just try and understand all of that… for me.”
He pulled her into a tight hug, “Of course Steph. Why would I not? You’re worth it.”
Steph wrapped her arm around his neck, small tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone actually cared enough to try, despite all her flaws.
And so with that life went on. Steph and Peter continued to date and, honestly, I thought they were really sweet. Everything seemed to be going well for the pair.
This only lasted a short time, however, before everything started to crumble.