Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Okay listen up guys. Today is the day I know you’ve all been anxiously waiting for; I know I have.” Mr Wilson paced in front of the class, much like an army sergeant looking at the new recruits.“The Captain America Running Challenge. This counts for half of your grade in this class, so take it seriously. I don’t wanna hear any ‘ Mr Wilson. I forgot my PE gear.’ or ‘Oh I have a stomach ache.’ or ‘Oh Mr Wilson I have a cough.’ I don’t care you are all doing it.” Mr Wilson pitched his voice to make fun of the students before he brought his whistle up to his lips before blowing hard. “Everyone on the line ten seconds.”

The highschoolers started shuffling towards the starting line around the track, annoyed expressions, and eye rolls clear as day. When Flash's voice cut through the Gym. 

“I got a minimum of 20 laps in me. That's 19 more than you Penis!” Flash sneered making direct eye contact with Peter, grinning like he had just told the joke of the year.

“Shut up Flash, I bet Peter is gonna run double the amount of laps you do!” Ned shouted back, stepping in front of Peter protectively.

“Ned.” Peter warned, his eyes widening slightly. Not liking the direction the conversation is going. 

Flash's smile widened as he swaggered over to Peter and Ned. “Oh yeah? I bet he won’t, and you know what when he fails you and Penis have to leave AcaDec. Because everyone knows you are just bringing the team down.” Flash continued walking over to Ned and Peter. Sizing Peter up while issuing the bet. 

“Flash.” Liz Allan— The leader of AcaDec – snapped from the side rolling her eyes and glaring at Flash, clearly liking the direction of conversation even less than Peter.

“Not a problem, Peter could double your score blindfolded.” Ned continued either ignoring or not caring at the death glare he was receiving from his best friend. “And when he does. You have to leave the AcaDec and Peter alone.” 

“Okay Leeds, you have a bet.” Flash answered, reaching out to give Ned a quick handshake sealing the deal before walking off. 

“What just happened?” Peter asked incredulously, his glare strengthening at Ned who finally looked him in the eye wincing, at the glare.

“I think you just experience the daily life of a race horse. Sans the abuse.” MJ spoke, popping up behind Peter, and scaring the living shit out of him. How is she doing this? And why does his Spidey Sense choose not to warn him?

“C’mon, Peter we both know you can do it, and when you do he will finally leave us alone.” Ned said, having the decency to look slightly apologetic. 

“Ten means ten!” Mr Wilson said gently pushing Peter and Ned towards the line. His touch contradicting his tone. 

Peter stood at the starting line, his legs stiff as he gave out a few high jumps to loosen up his legs, heart thudding as if it was trying to change the molecules of his skeleton so it could jump out. — At least it would be a good reason not to do the run. — Peter wiped his sweaty palms on his sweatpants, which did nothing to stop the crawling sensation on his skin.

This was the worst possible situation.

He wasn’t supposed to be strong. Or fast. Or have decent stamina. He was supposed to be Puny Parker . Asthma Parker . The poster child for "last picked in PE." Every trace of Spider-Man was supposed to stay buried under being the stereotypical weak nerd.

And now, thanks to Ned, he’d be running for his and Ned's spot at the Academic Decathlon. Great. 

Still, Peter couldn't find it in himself to blame him. Not really. Ned had just been trying to help—like always. It wasn’t his fault Flash was a bully. 

The loud sound of the whistle broke Peter out of his musings as the line surged forward, the track becoming a chaotic mess of sneakers and anxious teenagers all trying to get in the inner lane of the track.

Peter along with Ned let them hang a bit back to let the others sort themselves out.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I’m just sick of him messing with you. I just — I wanted it to stop. I know this wasn’t the right way, but I saw an end and I thought… I thought it would be a good way to keep him from bothering you again.” Ned rambled. Sounding nervous as he looked up at Peter. 

“It's not your fault Ned. I mean… I am just saying I get it. At least it won’t happen again. I’m just worried for what he’s gonna do when he can’t make fun of anyone else. Someone who can’t… handle it.” Peter spoke, keeping his eyes focused on the track in front of him.

“Peter. I know you have this weird guilt complex thing, but it will be fine, and if it isn’t we will figure it out together.” Ned smiled comfortingly at Peter. Giving him a weak smile. 

“Bet, you’re regretting that bet now! Parker.” Flash barked from 100m ahead. Looking back at the duo slightly stumbling, before turning back to look forward. 

“C’mon Peter you’ve got this.” Ned encouraged, signaling for Peter to run ahead. Who speeds up to half the gap between Flash and Peter running behind Liz, and maintaining a steady speed.

Peter pumped his arms, breathing out steadily letting his momentum carry his pace. Not allowing himself to speed up, in fear of exposing his enhancements. 

Around him, his classmates were falling apart. The sprinters who had started off the race by running as quick as possible, gassed out by the 8th lap, collapsing into dramatic piles on the bleachers. Crowding the water machine in long queues. 

Flash, of course, was still running in the front. However, that previous bravado had turned into red-faced wheezing. As his pace slowed considerably, letting Liz and Peter who were maintaining their pace pass. 

Flash glaring at Peter, his nose wrinkled, and ego-bruised, as Peter finally passed him. His expression clearly asked the question of ‘How are you doing that?’

Flash continued the race for several laps, clearly hanging on through pure spite. Finally falling off at lap 15. Collapsing in the grass, his friend passed him his water bottle.  

Liz, on the other hand, was calm and focused. Her and Peter had passed all the other runners left on the track maintaining their lead, as she led the pace. MJ finally fell off at lap 17, only a few runners Liz and Peter left. 

Liz maintained her concentration through the following laps. However, by the 20th lap Peter could feel a noticeable drop in pace, as he moved gracefully to the side maintaining the pace, and passing her.

When Peter was halfway through his 21st lap Liz finally tapped out at lap 21, leaving Peter as the last runner on the track. Liz walked over to grab her water bottle — a lot more graceful than Flash had. 

Who had regained some of his bravado, smiling at Peter before yelling out. “You gotta get past thirty Parker!” 

“You said double Flash he needs to get to 30.” MJ snapped rolling her eyes at Flashes shenanigans.

“Doesn’t matter, it's not like he's gonna get there anyway.” Flash taunted. 

“You sure?” MJ replied dryly. Sitting down next to Ned whose lips were curled in a self satisfied smile. Ned taking a long sip from his water bottle watching Peter who barely seemed to have broken a sweat.

Peter continued with the pace he had had while running with Liz, letting his mind escape as his legs pumped. 

Flash continued letting out occasional taunts voice going weaker as Peter continued, slowing his pace slightly to seem more tired. 

“Parker!” Mr Wilson called out. Looking up at Peter from his clip board. “You’re on lap 28, I understand you have a bet going on or whatever. I don’t care. I don’t want to hear about it. But, in the rule book it says that you’ll be rewarded with a plaque if you pass 50 laps… It’s signed by Captain America.” Mr Wilson finished sounding envious.

“Puny Parker is not gonna be able to run 50 laps.” Flash spoke involving himself, sounding like his worst dream was coming true.

“You know what, sure. Mr Wilson. I will.” Peter answered. Speeding up slightly, he had chemistry next class, and he did not like to miss it. 

“Abe, can you go grab the plaque from the office?” Mr Wilson ordered. Paying close attention to Parker. 

Peter pumped his arms, maintaining his momentum as he passed the thirtieth lap, smiling at Flash who looked devastated at the turn of events. MJ bringing up her crisis journal to sketch him.

Peter’s feet made a thud with each step as he ran, forever thankful for his long nights as Spider-Man, forcing him to develop his endurance. Around him the world narrowed as the only thought he let through was the familiar sound of his feet hitting the track as his classmates half paid attention while waiting for him to finish.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, the heat making his face sweat dampened. Peter pulled the ends of his shirt up, wiping his face. Before letting the shirt cover his stomach again. Looking back up at his classmates who stared at him with different degrees of disbelief. 

Peter shook his head, ignoring the others. The whole world blurring as everything became irrelevant to the pump in his legs and the sun on his back. Peter glanced back at the sidelines, Ned’s grin was wide, and his eyes were bright with pride. 

Peter passed the starting line again, Mr Wilson calling out the lap. “48 Parker!”

“C’mon Parker, 2 laps left, here kid!” Wilson called out, lifting his clipboard. Sounding borderline disbelieving at Peter's endurance.

“49 Parker!” Wilson shouted, eyes shining. For once in Peter’s career at Midtown Mr Wilson looked happy.

Just one more Parker. His classmates had all gotten up at this point, yelling words of encouragement at Peter.

Peter, at this point remembering that he needed to look tired. Twisted his face in fake exhaustion. Running past the first quarter. Letting his arms pump, continuing the jog. Second quarter. Third quarter. 

Last quarter. Peter thought. Furrowing his brows, as the crowd of classmates became even louder. Everyone yelled out encouragement, with Flash being the noticeable exception. 

Peter’s feet crossed the finish line, his face breaking out in a wide grin. As the rest of his classmates swarmed him. Mr Wilson gave him a warm smile, and a pat on the back. Which from Mr Wilson was like a standing ovation. Passing him the plaque, before moving away to let his other classmates congratulate him. 

“How the hell did you do that, Parker?” Flash asked, his eyebrows furrowed and face angry. 

“What, like it’s hard?” Peter replied cheekily.

“A deal is a deal Thompson, you’ll have to leave AcaDec.” Liz spoke smiling, a happy look in her eyes.

“Here loser.” MJ said, smiling softly at him handing him a water bottle. A warm feeling spread through Peter's chest, at the action. 

“Since when were you strong Parker?” Betty asked teasingly. Peter tilting his head questioningly.

“Everyone saw your abs, Parker.” Betty responded to the look. Rolling her eyes. Congratulating him, her and Cindy walking back to grab their bags for the next lesson. 

Mr Wilson walked back over to Peter. “Here Parker, you need to buy something. Regularly people would have gels or something like that. I’ll write you a note as well, in case you’re late.” 

“Thank you, Sir.” Peter responded curtly.