A/N This story is VERY A/U. It starts before the trip to the lab where Peter is transformed. It's told through MJ's eyes as she witnesses Peter's incredible transformation. It's not the movie through MJ's eyes, it's… more based on Peter and MJ's deep relationship and friendship. Some events of the movie don't happen and other things are stressed and broadened upon. The story starts a while before the fateful trip to the lab, earlier that year sometime. In this Peter actually has a friend. A friend named Mary Jane Watson. And that friend is the most beautiful and popular girl in school…
"You coming Pete?" Mary Jane yelled impatiently up the stairs of the Parker house. There was a crash and both Peter's aunt and MJ winced.
"The boy's the klutziest kid ever." Ben Parker, Peter's uncle and guardian said, chuckling into his coffee.
"But I think we both know where he gets it from Ben," Aunt May said pointedly.
She couldn't help but laugh. Peter's family had been like her family for almost twelve years. When she had moved here at the age of six, the Parker's had immediately opened their doors for her and for the first two years Peter and her had been best friends. He was picked on at school but MJ had barely noticed until a snide comment in the third grade. And as much as she was ashamed to admit it, she dumped Peter's friendship and he had let her, a mutual understanding that while he was content in shuffling through school looking at his feet, she needed space. They had drifted apart those years, until sixth grade when she had prevented the school bully from rearranging Peter's face. After that another understanding had formed and they had become good friends again. The school reluctantly allowed the friendship, the social butterfly with nerdy Parker after it became clear that she had no intention of losing Peter's friendship again. Now he was her best friend yet again, but he usually left her alone at school to prevent her from being seen with him. It broke her heart to know he thought that, she wouldn't mind if Peter talked to her at school, but she respected his wishes and she knew she wouldn't budge him from his gentlemanly stance.
"Are you coming over for dinner MJ dear?"
Mary Jane broke off from the stream of memories and smiled. "If you'll have me, mom and dad are away for the next couple weeks."
"The next couple weeks??? Mary Jane Watson! How can you be by yourself for a couple weeks! I insist you stay here."
"Oh no Aunt May, my father left me some money, I can get by, I really appreciate the offer though."
"Nonsense, we have plenty of room here, you can stay in the spare bedroom," As she saw MJ's mouth open to argue she gently chided her.
"I won't take no for an answer, why don't you bring over some stuff after school?"
MJ smiled, she wouldn't get Aunt May to budge on this she knew. In some ways the sweet woman was as headstrong as her nephew.
"I will, thank you very much Aunt May."
"It's never a problem dear. Where is that boy!?"
"Peter! Get down here!"
Peter Parker stumbled down the stairs, his brown hair messily sticking up and his blue eyes hidden behind thick glasses.
"I'm sorry Mary Jane, sorry Aunt May, I dropped my chem book, all my notes went everywhere."
Aunt May gently kissed his forehead and lightly pushed him towards the door.
"Alright, you better be heading off to school. By the way Peter, Mary Jane is staying with us for a couple of weeks while her family is out of town, why don't you help her move some of her stuff here after school?"
"No problem Aunt May, see you later."
As they left the house Peter blushed and apologized again.
"I'm sorry MJ, I hope I don't make you late for class."
"That's the Peter I know, always thinking about me first before yourself." She gently laughed and ruffled his hair. "You know I have a free class first period, it's you who needs to worry Tiger. Mr. Simmons is not the person you want to upset."
Peter grinned at her and she noticed how different he was around her than everybody else. At school he ducked his head in the halls and took his share of spitballs and swirlies cringing. When he was with his family or her he was still a little quiet and reserved, but he smiled more and he was funny and considerate.
"So how's it going MJ?"
She shrugged. "It's ok, Sarah's having a party on Friday night, would you like to go?"
He hunched his shoulders, just like she knew his would and she could almost mouth his answer right along with him as he said it.
"Oh, I um… you know parties aren't my thing MJ, I wouldn't want to… I don't want you to have to… I have to work on Simmons' essay for class on Monday."
"Oh Pete, I know you finished that essay three days ago."
"I just… MJ, you know what would happen. I'd embarrass you and just be ridiculed. But if… if you really want me to go, of course I'll go with you. Are you sure the whole male population of the school won't mind though?" He started laughing.
"Pete you always think I'm more popular than I really am. Thanks so much Tiger, I really want you to go, I'm hoping you'll finally start breaking out of your shell." She knocked gently on his head.
Peter laughed again, "You're nuts MJ, completely nuts."
She smiled at him. She really wished the rest of the school could see what she saw. MJ knew Peter was doing this just for her and she knew she was going to make sure he was protected. She was determined for Peter Parker to have a good time.
They finally approached the school. The bell rang a moment later and they both went their respective ways.
"I'll see you later Tiger,"
"See ya MJ."
Peter turned away and walked down the hall. Mary Jane watched him for a moment, a sad feeling spreading across her heart as a jock casually extended his leg and Peter went flying.
She wished she could go help him but she knew he would refuse her help. He really was considerate of her social status. She leaned against a locker and sighed as she watched Peter gather his books and papers and continue down the hall, ignoring the laughter surrounding him.
"I don't know what you see in Puny Parker anyways MJ." Mary Jane jumped at the voice and turned to see Sarah Adams, one of the varsity cheerleaders and the host of the party she and Peter were attending.
"Aww Sarah, he's so nice, you just should give him a chance."
"Parker? I'd rather give the flu a chance."
Mary Jane ignored this and continued walking down the hallway with Sarah.
"I can still invite someone to the party right Sarah?"
"Of course, who are you going to invite? Flash Thompson? You know he's had his eye on you. Or what about Harry Osborn? Have you seen that boy's smile? Or his cars?"
"I'm inviting Peter." MJ kept walking straight, not looking at Sarah.
"Parker? No MJ! You know that kid's had a crush on you since… forever! You don't want to lead him on do you?"
"Are you crazy Sarah? You know I'm not leading Peter on, he knows we're just good friends."
Sarah glared to Mary Jane.
"Your one of my friends MJ, and I already told you you could invite anybody, so of course I won't take that back… but… you know how everybody is… keep an eye on Peter if you know what I mean."
"I catch your drift Sarah" MJ said icily. "I have to get to class."
She spun around and went through the halls to study hall. She was still fuming over Sarah's comments. Was it really such a mistake to try and get Peter to have a good time once in a while? She knew he had a crush on her, but he always respected her and kept his distance, he never tried anything.
The party was in two days and Mary Jane was beginning to wish she had never opened her big mouth to invite Peter Parker.