A Day in the Life

15 years later, Morkum City

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep

That was the unpleasant sound of an alarm clock going off.

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep

"Peter, it's time to get up!" shouted Aunt May from downstairs.

"I... I'll be down in just a tick," Peter answered, his eyes barely open, "Man, do I hate the sound of an alarm clock going off," he whispered to himself.

So Peter Parker was just your average typical teenager. He attended school five days a week, but only because the law demands him to, though if it were up to him, he'd probably go anyway. Was he the Big Man on Campus? No. Quite the opposite, actually. You see, Peter is what you'd describe as a self-confessed nerd, a geek, a bookworm. He was a straight A student who teachers favoured. He always got good marks and believed that you have to work hard to succeed.

However, nothing could stop him from being his usual grumpy, sleepy, untidy self in the morning, but hey, it's common.

After he showered, Peter brushed his teeth, put on his glasses and wore whatever clothes he could find. He wasn't that big on fashion, heck, he wasn't even fashion-wise.

"You coming down, dear, because your waffles are getting cold!" Aunt May called out from downstairs.

"Coming!" Peter said as he rushed down the stairs.

"I made your favourite, waffles with syrup and strawberries on top," said May, a warm gleam stretched upon her face.

"Thanks May, you never fail to make a good dish," smiled Peter as he started gulping down his breakfast.

"Hey!" exclaimed Ben.

"No offense Uncle Ben, but you can't cook!" said Peter, his mouth half full. "Your barbequed sausages were always overdone."

"They are not!"

"Nah, just kidding. Your cooking's fine, it just doesn't compare to Aunt May's," laughed Peter.

So basically, it was just Peter and his aunt and uncle.

"You look tired, Peter. Did you sleep well last night?" asked May.

"I slept alright," Peter replied.

"I knew we shouldn't have let you stay up all night watching that, science-bull or whatever it was."

"It's called science-fiction Aunt May, and like I said before, I slept just fine."

"Quit pestering the boy, May, he's simply showing devotion to something he likes," said Ben, "just like me with my camping, or you with your theatre and Broadway, though I never understood Broadway, like, one minute they're talking, right, and the next thing you know they burst out singing, like, where does the music come from?" Peter laughed so hard at this that he ended up spitting his milk out.

"It's art, Ben," May retaliated.

"Of course, art," Ben sniggered. Peter could tell that May wasn't impressed, but he always remembered Ben saying how it was his charm, charisma and good sense of humour which drove May to him. "So Peter, back to school again, huh? Easter and Spring break is finally over. You lookin' forward to going back to school?"

"Yeah, I guess, though I wish Spring break were a little longer," Peter groaned.

"You just miss all the sleeping, buddy."

"Suppose so."

"Well, get used to it, 'cause when summer holidays ends, you'll be in Senior Year, so you'll have to work even harder than ever, speaking of which, have you considered getting a job, because I believe plenty of people your age have got jobs."

"What's wrong with the money you earn? You earn more than enough, don't you? Why can't you just keep giving me pocket money?"

"You can't rely on us forever, Peter. Once you graduate and go to college, you'll be on your own, out in the real world."

"I'll live here for the rest of my life, so that way I don't have to cook," Peter laughed.

"I'll make you pay rent," chuckled Ben. "Back in my day, we had to earn our money, and it would help if you started doing a bit of chores around here, plus your room's always a mess."

Peter had just looked at his watch when he realised what the time was. "Well, I'll best be off. Don't wanna miss the bus and be late for school on my first day back."

"Alright, see you buddy!"

"Have a great day, Peter dear," said May.

Peter grabbed his schoolbag and headed out the door.

Peter arrived at school. He attended Midtown High, which was a general public school. Peter had always wanted to go to a private high school, but unfortunately, all the private schools in the city were all too expensive, even on Ben's income. May was retired, and Ben's money was being used to pay the mortgage, bills, food, and for Peter's college funds for when he left high school. Peter didn't mind it that much, though, and he was always grateful for what his aunt and uncle gave him.

So everything was just about normal when he came back; there were the usual rebels who had nothing better to do than give others a hard time, teachers telling people off for playing ball in the corridors, couples making-out against the lockers, and girls telling everyone what they did on Spring break, and acting as if they own the school.

"Typical," Peter thought.

"Peter!"

Peter turned around and realized Debra Whitman was chasing after him.

"Debra."

"Hi Peter," said Debra, who looked puffed out. Peter stopped for a minute to let her catch her breath. They then continued walking together. "How was your Spring break?"

"It was alright. We went camping down at Lake Renardo," Peter replied, "though I'm not really big on camping. What about you?"

"Oh, I spent Easter at the church with my family, because my family are Christians, you know, and for the rest of the spring break we just stayed at my grandmother's house."

"That's alright," said Peter.

Peter had been good friends with Debra since their days in elementary school. They were similar in many ways; they were both interested in science, they were both intelligent and they were both socially awkward. On the other hand, Debra was spiritual, Peter was not. Peter loved sci-fi and monster movies, Debra did not. Debra was often annoyed at how Peter was a slob, and Peter was often annoyed at how Debra would sometimes stick her nose into other people's business. Peter would describe her as the "little sister he never had."

Debra attempted to make conversation.

"Do you think it's a shame how nowadays most people hate school? Personally, I like school, I mean, most people don't appreciate what kind of opportunities an education can give them, and that if they succeed, they'd be more eligible for more high-paying jobs. There are some countries, like Africa and Afghanistan for example, who'd be grateful for an education. Don't you agree?"

"Yeah," replied Peter, casually. "Some of the people who hate school play sport though, so they'd probably have a career in that."

"True, speaking of which, did you see Flash earlier?"

"Uh, no, why would I?" asked Peter, who had a strong hatred of Flash.

"Well, apparently he got his licence over the Spring break and just before I saw him showing off his new car to all the girls outside."

"Man, that Flash has some nerve, doesn't he," said Peter, rolling his eyes in disgust.

Eugene "Flash" Thompson was a jock who often bullied Peter, both verbally and sometimes physically. He was one of the most popular kids in school and was captain of the school's soccer team. Flash was the complete opposite of Peter; Flash was athletic, Peter was brainy. Flash often abused Peter because of his brainy and nerdy ways, and for his inabilities in socializing and sport. Flash was the boyfriend of attractive and popular girl Liz Allan, whom Peter secretly had a crush on, but hey, plenty of boys did.

"So what do we have for first period again? I forgot," asked Peter.

"Chemistry," said Debra, "and then PE."

"Man, I hate PE," said Peter, "it's a shame we have no choice over whether we do PE or not. In some schools, the only compulsory subjects you had to take were English and Math, but here, no, they just had to add PE now, did they? And the worst part about it is that we have to take PE class with Eugene 'Flathead' Thompson, who will probably try and torment me every chance he gets. You're lucky that Flash doesn't harass you."

"Yeah, well, I'm a girl, and judging by his low IQ, he probably thinks it's illegal to bully someone from the opposite sex." They both laugh. "Oh, and just so you know, in Senior Year we don't have to take PE classes, just English and Math."

"Thank God!" Peter sighed in relief.

"Come on, let's get to class."

"Okay, and that concludes today's lesson, you may be dismissed," announced Mr. Warren, Peter's chemistry teacher, "Peter, can I see you a moment?"

"Sure," Peter replied. "I'll see you in PE then," he said to Debra.

"Okay, first of all Peter, I am beyond impressed with you work in science, I mean, you've always shown great commitment and pride in your work," said Warren.

"Thanks sir," Peter replied.

"Are you familiar with OsCorp, Peter?"

"Yes, I am. Actually, I'm hoping to get a job there after I graduate from college.

"Really?"

"Well, I've always been interested in science, physics and chemistry mainly, so, you know, it's probably something I'd want to do as a career."

"I'm aware that your mother was a scientist at OsCorp, is that correct Peter?"

"Well, so I've been told, yes."

"You must possess your mother's talent. Anyway, how would you like to be one of thirteen people to go on a tour through OsCorp, where you'll meet Dr. Otto Octavius, Dr. Curtis Connors and Dr. Anthony Boggs?"

"A tour around OsCorp? I'm... I'm flattered, but, why... why me, sir?" asked Peter.

"Well, you see, Peter, a couple of months back, OsCorp were encouraging high schools to send in an application for a scientifically-gifted individual, with the chance of that individual being one of thirteen lucky winners to attend a tour of OsCorp. I entered you in, and obviously, OsCorp were impressed with your record."

"Thanks sir, this... really means a lot to me!"

"Anytime, Peter, anytime. Well, you better head to class then."

"Sure," said Peter as he headed for the door, "and thanks again, sir."

"So you've won a tour of OsCorp?" asked Debra as Peter joined her on the field for PE class.

"Apparently, yeah," Peter replied. "Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you are, I mean, this is the first I've heard of it."

"HEY, YOU TWO! QUIT CHITTY-CHATTING OVER THERE AND COME JOIN THE GAME!" yelled Mr. Farnsworth, the PE teacher.

"Yeah, I'm sure you and your girlfriend can spend at least a minute or two apart, now isn't that right Parker?" said Flash, a big smirk etched upon his face. Peter simply ignored him and joined the soccer game.

Peter simply ran around, pretending that he was joining the game. He didn't want to actually play in case he made a fool out of himself, and that's bad when you've got Flash Thompson in the picture. That method was working just fine until someone had actually kicked the ball to his feet, and Peter just happened to be standing right in front of the goal.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? KICK THE BALL!" shouted Mr. Farnsworth.

Peter felt he had no choice but to kick the ball, otherwise, he would have to let his team down. He was about to kick it when Flash from the opposing team kicked the ball from right under his feet, tripping Peter in the process.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Parker. Did I hurt you? Must've slipped my mind," said Flash as Peter got up on his feet. He could hear some members of his team complaining.

"Mr. Parker, could I please see you for a minute," called out Mr. Coulson, who was the school's principal.

"Hey look, Parker's in cold water with the principal," laughed Flash.

"Err, sure," said Peter, who made his way over to Mr. Coulson. "Yes sir?"

"Would you be able to do a job for me at lunchtime after third period?" asked Coulson.

"Um, sure, what... what job do you need me to do?"

"As photographer for the school paper, do you mind taking photos of the official Midtown High soccer team? They made it to the state finals and we need photos for both the school and city papers."

"No problem," replied Peter, although a part of him didn't want to do the job due to the fact that Flash Thompson was on the team.

"What did he want?" asked Debra, who had caught up with Peter.

"He wants me to take shots of theschool's soccer team; they made the finals," Peter replied.

"Did you accept the job?"

"Yeah, though a part of me regrets it because Flash Thompson is on the team," Peter frowned.

"Oh, no, that can't be good, can it?"

"Nope, but I am the photographer for the school paper, so I can't back out now, can I? Plus, if Flash finds out I chickened out because of him, then I'll never hear the end of it."

Third period had ended. With a camera in hand, Peter made his way to the soccer field.

"Just ignore him.

Don't let him get to you.

Just do the job, get it over with and leave.

It's easy."

Peter kept repeating these words over and over to himself. The very thought of having to put up with Flash through a photo shoot made Peter feel sick to the stomach.

So he finally made it to the soccer field, and sure enough, there was Flash. Peter felt like turning back when Flash realized he was there.

"So you're the photographer, Parker?" laughed Flash. "This is what Coulson asked you to do? They actually referred to you as a professional photographer? Pfftt. Teachers pet!"

"Shut up, Flash, I'm just here to take a few snaps and then I'm off. I don't want any trouble," said Peter.

"Aww, look who's finally developed a backbone. Oh, and, uh, Parker, good running on the field today, a bit slow but with a bit of practise we'll soon get those chicken legs going." Flash and a few members of the team started laughing, and Peter had to shout at them to get them to pose for the shoot.

"So Parker, you, err, know how to kick a ball? Because today when that ball was right at your feet, you had absolutely no idea what to do with it, I mean, it's not that hard to kick a ball, right?" Flash teased as he posed for the photo shoot along with the other members of the soccer team. Peter tried his best to keep his cool. "There's a rule for that you know, it's called foot plus ball equals kick equals goal, isn't that right Peter?" Finally, Peter had just about enough.

"Okay, I think I'm done here! Don't want to distract you and your friends from your precious victory!" Peter stormed off as Flash and his gang began booing him from behind.

"Hey, everyone." Peter had arrived home from school.

"How was school, Pete?" asked Ben.

"It was alright," said Peter, "I'm just going to go up to my room now," he groaned. Peter then went up to his room.

"Do you think he's alright, dear?" asked May.

"By the looks of it, no. I'm going to have a talk to him," said Ben, who headed upstairs to Peter's room.

Peter was on his bed reading the latest edition of Batman. He was a huge fan of DC comics. Even though he was excited about the OsCorp tour, he couldn't help but think about Flash; instead of keeping his cool, he just ended up storming off, letting Flash get the better of him.

"Peter?" Ben had entered the room. "Are you alright?"

"Never been better," said Peter, sarcastically, his eyes still focused on the comic.

"Okay, what happened?" asked Ben, sitting himself down on the edge of Peter's bed.

Peter hesitated, then took his eyes off the comic and faced Ben.

"Well, it's...?" Peter began.

"Flash?" interrupted Ben.

"How did you know?" Peter asked.

"Well, it's quite obvious, 'cause usually when you're down, it's always about Flash."

"True," said Peter.

"What's he done this time?"

"Just the usual, you know, with the teasing and all that. For second period, we had PE, right? We had to play soccer, and because I don't like soccer, I just decided to do a bit of running to make it look like I was playing, and the next thing I know, the ball was right at my feet, and I was standing right in front of the goal. I knew that if I did kick the ball, I'd probably make a fool out of myself, but I knew that if I didn't kick the ball, I would've let my team down, though I probably would have anyway. I decided to kick the ball when Flash Thompson kicks it from under me, tripping me in the process, which Flash found amusing. Then at lunchtime, I had to take photos of the school's soccer team, because they made the finals, and Flash just happened to be the captain of the team. Anyway, as I was doing the shoot, Flash kept making fun of what happened at PE, saying I couldn't kick a ball and that I had chicken legs. I tried to keep my cool and ignore him like you said but he just kept going on and on and finally, I couldn't take it anymore, so I stormed off. I took enough photos though. He just really gets to me. Why do you think he hates me in particular?"

"Why did Hitler hate Jews? Why did Osama Bin Laden blow up the Twin Towers on nine eleven? No one will ever know. But remember something Peter; you have a gift. You're smart, exceptionally skilled in science, you're ambitious, you're kind and respectful to people, a lot of the things that Flash doesn't have. It's like your father once said; you're going to go on and achieve amazing things."

"Yeah, I understand that, it's just that, socially, I'm awkward; I'm not popular, I've never had a girlfriend and I'm not cool. I have a good sense of humour, but unfortunately, I'm shy, so that doesn't help much, does it? I work hard, which will help me throughout the future, but sometimes I just want to have a bit of fun too, you know, just join in with the crowd."

"I understand that, Peter, but just remember that everyone's different, and that everyone's differences is what makes them special. Don't try to be someone you're not, 'cause believe it or not, I've seen a lot of it lately, like teens getting screwed up because of joining the wrong crowd, girls getting pregnant at fourteen because of unprotected sex, there are many faults in the world nowadays. Don't fall into the wrong trap."

"What about you, Uncle Ben? Were you popular when you were my age?"

"To be truthful, yes. In a way, I was a bit like Flash; I was captain of my school's basketball team, I was popular, I got all the ladies, and yes, I was a bit of a wreck, but unlike Flash, I was respectful to others and considerate of other people's feelings. As I got older, I learnt a very valuable lesson, and that lesson was with great power comes great responsibility. I learnt it from your father actually; he was a big believer in responsibility and passed that piece of knowledge on to me during a point in my life where things were very difficult for me, but I'll tell you about it some other time."

"So the moral of that phrase is..."

"Whatever skills or knowledge you may possess, use them for good, or in other words, use them responsibly."

"I understand. Just one question though; did my father also struggle socially when growing up?"

"Yes, he did Peter. That's probably where you inherited it from. Oh, just so you know, we're having pot roast tonight."

"Great, I love pot roast," said Peter, who now had a smile on his face.

"Good, I'll see you at dinner then," said Ben, who got off the bed and headed out the door then downstairs.

"So you've been selected to do what?"

"I've been selected to attend a tour of OsCorp," Peter explained when he told his aunt and uncle the good news at the dinner table.

"That's great news, dear, you deserve it, and it may also help you develop new skills, meeting some of the top people in OsCorp and all," said May, gleefully.

"I told you there's nothing to be ashamed of about being yourself, Peter," said Ben, winking.

"Uncle Ben, why did you arrive home earlier than usual today?" asked Peter.

"Oh, today was very stressful at work, so George let me and a few others leave work early," Ben replied.

"What happened?" asked May.

"Well, Stacy and the commissioner suspect something dodgy is going on in the force, so until we can find out any further information, we have to keep precautions. We also suspect Silvermane is up to something, with his career as crime lord going down and all due to this 'Kingpin'guy stealing all his business," Ben explained, "Speaking of which, I've invited Jean and the Stacys over for dinner this weekend."

"I haven't seen Jean or the Stacys in a long time; it'd be wonderful to see them again," said May.

"What does Jean eat? Children?" laughed Peter, jokingly.

"Peter!" exclaimed May.

"Just kidding. Just kidding."

Jean DeWolff was Ben's partner in the police force. They had been working together for about five to six years. Jean was a young woman in her thirties who was as tough as they get; she took no crap from anyone and was never afraid to say what she thought, even if it would offend the other person. She was a very tough woman who claims that if she could, she would outwrestle The Rock.

"Hey Peter, I was thinking," Ben began, "you're turning seventeen in a few months, right?"

"Right," Peter replied.

"Well, I was just thinking; how would you like me to give you driving lessons sometime? You're already sixteen, reaching seventeen, and when you were younger you were always going on about how you wanted to drive, so, how about it?"

"Really? You mean it?"

"Of course, I mean, you'd have to get your learner's permit first, and then wait six months to apply for your driver's licence, but other than that, yeah, I mean it."

"Thanks Uncle Ben, it really means a lot to me."

"No problem, Peter."

UP NEXT: Peter attends the OsCorp tour, where, unbeknownst to him, a "certain event" will change his life for good.