Having a mother who taught at your school had its downsides, but one thing never changed: your popularity. So when a new student arrived in sixth grade, she naturally asked you to show him around. His name was Peter Parker.

Peter didn’t blend in. Messy hair, acne, thick glasses—he was the kind of kid people noticed for all the wrong reasons. Being seen with him quickly became embarrassing, and your social status took a hit.

At first, you cared. Then you didn’t.

Peter was funny in his own awkward way, kind, and surprisingly easy to talk to. Somewhere along the way, he became your best friend.

You didn’t see him once during the summer before sophomore year. He said he was busy, and you didn’t push.

So when school started again and a confident boy with short hair and no glasses walked down the hallway, you barely recognized him. Everyone stared.

Including you.