Thanks Nathoron Ehud Nertrender for giving me the idea about the music video. Really appreciate it.

Mary Jane sat on her couch and looked back at the phone. She knew she should call, but what if her step-dad came back again? What if he does something worse next time?

She hugged herself, shivering. It was still cold outside. And her house couldn't get any warmer.

After the elder Parkers returned home from bridge, they seemed surprised to see her sitting on the couch laughing with Peter.

Well, there wasn't anything to laugh about really, but she didn't mind. She needed a laugh once in a while. Especially after what happened today.

MJ looked back at the phone. Uncle Ben had suggested calling 911 and staying there for a while, but she knew she couldn't. She bothered them enough already.

Sighing, MJ carefully stepped around the mess. Glass shards were strewn everywhere and furniture turned over. Gosh, was he really that desperate?

'Guess I'll clean that up.'

Now where was the broom?

...

Mary Jane winced as Flash tightened his arm around her. She was in the bus now, stuck with Flash. Great, now what she was supposed to do?

MJ noticed a tear was falling down her cheek. Oh please, not now. And not in front of Flash. Quickly, she wiped her face with her sleeve and sank further into the seat.

Where was Peter?

Flash noticed her sniffing and looked at her. "Are you okay?" He smirked. How could she get away from some like him? He was twice the times stronger than she was. Flash could probably knock her out with one punch.

Get away from him? Ha.

It seemed that he forgot what had happened yesterday. MJ turned her face away.

No, he remembered. He was probably enjoying tormenting her like this, knowing there was no way she could run from him. Maybe even hide.

Just thinking about it... it wanted to make her, well, barf. And, no, she wouldn't mind if it got on Flash.

'Why am I thinking about this anyways?' She buried her face in her hands. Because she wanted to be anywhere else then here, that's why. And that's not really going to happen.

Jessica leaned over and puckered her lips. "Like your shirt." She leaned back and took out her mirror. Stacey turned around from her chair and whispered something in her ear. She laughed.

MJ's mouth dropped open. How did she notice the hole in her shirt? It wasn't showing was it? She moaned and pulled her jacket over the hole. It was showing.

Oh, well, that's just great.

Stacey mouthed something over to her and MJ clenched her fists. Stacey shook her head and pointed her polished to the back.

Oh no.

It happened many times before. Gosh, why didn't she ask the driver to wait? She could have done that. She just concentrated on getting a seat.

MJ opened her eyes. There Peter was, yelling for them to stop. Why weren't they stopping?

She peered over to the drivers seat. The driver grinned and turned the radio louder. He laughed and returned back to the wheel.

Mary Jane bit her lip and looked back at Peter. Soon the bus was going to go down town Manhattan. He couldn't run that far could he? No, he can't.

Okay, she could do this. All she had to do was ask the driver to stop. Yeah, she could do that and Peter could get on the bus right?

Flash raised an eyebrow as she rose from her seat. Reluctantly he let go of her and she balanced herself on the front seat.

"Stop the bus!"

That was it. Releasing her hold on the seat, MJ walked over to the front. She glared at the bus driver. 'I can do this.'

"Um, excuse me?"

He glanced over at her. "Hold on."

She nodded as he grabbed the bottle of water. He looked at her, water dripping down his mouth. "Yeah?"

"Um, well, could you stop the bus? I mean, he's been running for a long time," she said. She pulled a strand of hair from her face. She cold be strong, Peter said she could didn't he?

The driver rolled his eyes. "Stop the bus?"

MJ nodded.

"Alright," he sighed. He parked into the curb and stopped. MJ sighed in relief. Wow. She actually stood up for someone. Well, she couldn't stand up for herself, but it was a start.

'Wow. Maybe I can do this after all,' she grinned and returned back to her seat. Flash didn't say anything though.

Good.

Peter climbed in and took a deep breath.

Strange, just as he passed her, MJ wanted to sit with him. Not with anyone else, just him. Seriously, she should. But... how can she get out of this? She looked at Flash as he put an arm around her.

She was stuck.

MJ looked down at the ground. What was Flash doing? She watched as he slid his foot into the isle. What was she supposed to do now? She couldn't stop him. MJ stopped the bus, but that was a different thing.

Do something!

Before she could move, Peter was already on the ground. His glasses flew off his face and the books landed on the floor with a thud.

The bus erupted in laughter.

Her stomach sank and without thinking, she crouched on the ground and put the glasses back on his face.

God, why did people have to be so cruel? He didn't do anything wrong, and here they were, laughing. Didn't they ever try to understand, he could be in pain right now?

MJ bend over and picked up a composition book. She looked at it for a minute. He kept a journal? She never knew that. Maybe she should try to take a little more time talking to him. He was actually a nice person to talk to. Like, one of those people you can actually confide in. He wouldn't threaten her with her secrets would he?

She looked back into his eyes.

No, he would never do something like that.

...

"MJ? Will you talk?" Flash pulled Mary Jane in a tight embrace as they walked up the stairs. He looked at her in annoyance.

Huh?

"Oh, um, sorry. I wasn't really paying attention... um, sorry, what did you say?" She blushed as Phil rolled his eyes and put his arm around Stacey's neck. Jessica sticked out her upper lip, and he winked at her.

Flash tensed up again. "I said about going to the ball game again. You weren't there remember?"

"I guess," she said. She looked at the portraits and looked back down at the floor. She pulled away from Flash for a minute.

"Wait, what day was it?"

He shrugged and nodded over to Phil. "Friday. "

MJ felt sick.

Friday? Tomorrow? Wasn't that...wasn't that when Rikki was going to pick her up? No, not this Friday. And no! No, she wasn't going to a ball game this time. No way was she going to miss this chance to have a real friend.

Sure, there was but it would be nice to get to know someone.

Mary Jane shook her head. "Sorry."

He stopped and looked at her. "Why not?" But MJ didn't feel afraid now, she felt angry. He wasn't going to force her this time.

"I'm going to go with Rikki to a church that day, I'm sorry," she said. Flash ran a hand through his hair and grabbed her wrist. "Who's Rikki?"

A real friend!

"Look, I'm sorry, but I can't go with you," MJ said defiantly. She pulled her wrist away from him. "Go with someone else."

Wait... did she just say that?

She felt the force as he pushed her into the wall. Weakly, she fell down to the ground. MJ didn't know what to think now. She could start crying. But no, no she couldn't. Save the tears for later.

She wanted Peter.

The laughing stopped as Phil just noticed what Flash had done. Jessica and Stacey were silent as Flash wiped the sweat from his head. He glared at them. "What?"

Phil shook his head. "Man, I can't believe you just did that."

Flash looked down at her for a moment. Cursing, he stormed down the hallway, pushing someone out of his path.

Jessica stared at MJ for a moment. "We should help her."

Phil soberly pointed to the doors. "The class is leaving us behind, comeon." He looked at the girls and raised his hands. "Do you want to go or what?"

They hesitantly looked back at MJ, unsure of what to do. "Sorry MJ."

Mary Jane gritted her teeth. Fine, leave her there. She didn't care. They never cared about her anyways. They just critized her. Thanks for standing up for her then leaving her in the trash.

Whatever.

Closing her eyes, she slumped back onto the wall.

'Let's go to sleep now.'

...

"Mary Jane. Oh my God. Are you alright?"

She opened her eyes. Who's there? And why wasn't she... wait, where was she? MJ opened her eyes to see Peter there.

'He came.'

"Peter?" She mumbled. Did she just fall asleep on the Parker's couch? Wait, today's Thursday isn't it? And they're supposed to be on a field trip weren't they?

MJ glanced around here. Then she remembered. She just got shoved into the wall. By Flash Thompson. And they were already on the field trip.

"Yeah, yeah, it's me," he whispered. He pulled her into a hug and rocked her back and forth. Why was he doing that?

But as she closed her eyes again, it actually felt good. Comforting.

"How-how...Peter, you're here." He nodded. "What happened?" Of course she knew the question to that, but she couldn't help it.

Peter bit his lip and brushed away her hair. "Flash pushed you into the wall. I'm sorry I didn't get there in time. Oh god, MJ, I'm so sorry."

She smiled sadly. "It's all right." He didn't have to be sorry. It wasn't his fault she got pushed into the wall. It was her own sassiness that got her into this. Maybe she should close her mouth. Or at least control what she's feeling.

But it was worth it wasn't it? Her smile began to grow wider.

'Yeah, I stood up for myself.'

Peter rubbed her hand. "Can you stand?" She nodded moaning a little. "I'll try."

He laid her there again. "You don't have to if you can't. We can just wait here until you're ready."

MJ shook her head. No, she wanted to get up now. She wanted to talk to him.

"It's okay. I can do it."

He pulled her up. It hurt at first, but that was okay. She was free from Flash Thompson! It might not last, but she was away from him.

For now.

Peter supported her and they walked up to a case full of spiders. She leaned up against the glass and supported herself on the edges of the table. MJ twisted over and looked at her reflection in the glass. She sighed. Now she looked like a mess. Great.

"MJ?"

She looked at Peter who raised the camera up to his face. "May I take a picture of you? I have to get a student in it. It's for the school paper. "

MJ frowned. Him taking a picture of her? No, she didn't mind, but why would he want to take a picture of her? Why not another girl? They would probably look a lot better than her.

"Me?"

He blushed behind the camera lens. "If that's all right with you. I mean, you don't have to."

She grinned. "Just don't make me look ugly then I already am."

Peter took a shot of her. "What would make you think that?" He looked over the camera, surprised.

MJ blushed and waved at a spider. He took a shot of that one too. "Just because." Peter shook his head.

"You look beautiful."

MJ stopped posing and the camera went of in her face. Peter stopped taking pictures. She put a hand on his cheek. He thought she was beautiful?

"Thanks."

"Oh, um, no problem." Peter smiled. His face changed though as he doubled over. What had happened?

MJ caught his body before he fell to the ground. "Peter?"

"Ohhhh..."

She looked over for their teacher. Where was he? Suddenly Doctor Conner's was at her side helping her carry Peter to the door. The teacher opened the door and all three of them went outside.

Peter started to sweat as they helped him into the bus. They lowered him into the seat and checked his pulse. Thank God, he was fine.

Everything slipped from her mind as she sat next to Peter.

MJ patted his back. He looked up at her and started to breath faster. What was happening to him? She looked at her watch and looked back at Connors. It was time to get the students.

He nodded. "I'll get the others."

She didn't pay attention to him though. Hopefully Peter was going to be alright.

As the rest of the students piled in, everyone noticed that she was sitting next to Peter. But what was so wrong about that? She was just trying to comfort him.

The bus rode in silence as everyone watched MJ rub Peter's back comfortingly. She didn't care if they were staring.

MJ looked away from Peter from a moment and looked out the window. They were back home. She glanced back at Peter who was sleeping soundly. Maybe she should wake him up.

"Peter?" She touched his cheek and sighed. His eyes slowly opened and he seemed surprised to see her sitting there. She never sat with him on the bus. But that would change. MJ was going to sit with Peter now. She didn't care anymore.

Leading him back to his house, she watched him as he held on to the railing for support. He managed to straighten himself and look at her. He smiled.

"Sorry."

She frowned. Why would he be sorry? He was sick.

But MJ just smiled. "Are you going to be alright?"

He nodded and slung his backpack over his shoulder. Peter's glasses slid off his nose and they landed on the floor.

She picked it up and put it back on his nose. It fit snugly.

"There you go."

"Thanks," he mumbled. MJ smiled and stroked his cheek. Peter started to tremble. Did she do something wrong? Oh gosh, why did she do that?

"Um, I'll see you on Friday. Bye." It came out in a rush, but she didn't care. Why did she stroke his cheek? He probably didn't even like her. MJ blew a strand of hair from her face and opened her screen door.

Just never do that again.

...

Mary Jane peeked out the window. Nope. Rikki wasn't here yet.

She had brushed her teeth and put on something simple. Just like before. MJ grinned and skipped into the living room. This was going to be a fun night! No more crying, just a nice night at a church. Not a ball game, a church.

MJ pulled her coat on and peeked out the window again. This time she looked at Peter's window. 'Wonder if he's ready to go.'

Maybe she should call.

She shook her head. Was that Flash's car? Oh no. Rikki please come soon. Her eyes brightened as Rikki walked up to the door and knocked.

She ran to the door and opened it. Rikki clapped her hands. "Ready?" MJ nodded. "Okay, we'll just pick Peter up by the car."

Mary Jane nodded and climbed into the back seat.

"I'm not so sure about this," she whispered. MJ buckled her seatbelt and looked out the window.

Rikki looked at her. "This house right?" Mary Jane nodded. "Yeah." Rikki turned around and parked over near the curb. Peter walked over to their car and waved when he saw MJ. They had eaten lunch together today.

And nobody seemed to be bothered about it. Well, maybe Flash seemed a little edgy, but today, seemed a little different. She was actually happy.

But there was something strange. He wasn't wearing his glasses, and there was this one commotion in the hall when she went to the bathroom. Weird, sure, but nothing was really going on was there?

Peter opened the door and MJ noticed Flash was staring at them. They had to get out of here. Now. What if he tries anything?

She shivered. 'Don't think about that.'

Peter waved at both of them and Rikki shook his hand. They all knew about the car that was parked in MJ's driveway. No time for talking now.

They watched in silence as the backed away from the curb. They were finally entering the main street. Flash didn't do anything though, just stared at them. MJ stared back. He shouldn't be threatening them like that.

Finally the car sped up and they were in the freeway. They all breathed a sigh of relief.

Rikki turned the music up and looked at Peter. "Nice to meet you," she said. Peter nodded in return. "So, um, thanks for bringing us."

Rikki nodded. "No problem." She grinned. "So what music would you guys want to listen to? I have Skillet, The Ataris...would you want to hear Skillet?"

They both nodded.

"Okay," she popped the cd in and raised the volume. "Um, we're probably going to go somewhere for awhile. It's actually a concert. There's lot of people I'd like you to meet. Then we'll go back to the youth service. Does that sound good?"

MJ smiled and looked at the Dickies hat that sat next to the CD player. Weird, she never heard this song before. Savior... Wasn't this the one Peter was looking at in the Music store?

Peter tapped his foot to the music.

"Have you seen the music video before?" He asked.

Rikki nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty sad though."

MJ frowned. "What's it about?"

Peter placed his hand over hers. Rikki glanced over at the stoplight then began talking.

"It's about, um, these kids, and the mother leaves them with the abusive father. This little one runs by the couch and the father grabs him. Maybe... I think it because he was sleeping and all. They run away to a carousel and in the end they go back to the mother and... MJ?" Rikki looked at her in concern.

Great. She was crying. MJ wiped her face with her sleeve and Peter rubbed her back comfortingly.

"I'm sorry," Rikki said. "Did I say something wrong?"

She shook her head. "Oh, no! It's not your fault. It's just that-sorry," Peter handed her a tissue. "Thanks."

He nodded. Rikki looked at her with understanding. She knew she had a lot on common with this. But why was she crying? She probably heard a lot of songs like this before. So why cry in this one?

...Weird, they never mentioned anything about a Savior.

MJ smiled at Rikki. "Really sorry about that."

Rikki looked at her surprised. "Nothing to be sorry about. Me and Peter are coming along to be there right with you," she said chucking her thumb towards Peter.

Mary Jane laughed along with them as they drove up to the church.

Maybe she would have a great time after all.