It's still summer, in astronomical terms anyway, and so lunch outside is still a thing. The rain has stopped at last and the sun is strong. Midtown Tech's schoolyard is not exactly blessed with potential picnic sites but MJ will take what she can get. Narrow slope of grass between staff and student parking lots? Let's go.
"Hey." Peter approaches with Ned, bearing drinks and packed lunches. "You had the same idea."
"Great minds," says Ned.
She wrinkles her nose. "Great minds would not have concreted over the entire rest of campus."
They three sit together and eat companionably. It's not bad hanging out with them, or at any rate, near them. Some junior girls see them picnicking on the grass, and the idea catches on.
"Checking you out, man," says Ned to Peter in an unsubtle whisper.
Peter's eyes flick to the junior girls and back. "Nah."
"Totally," insists Ned. He nods and smiles at the group of girls. "Sup."
MJ opens her book. "They're not checking you out," she says without looking up. "They're wondering when we're going to leave so they can take this spot."
"It is the best spot," says Peter.
"Yup."
MJ reads. Peter and Ned footle about until Peter takes out a journal and starts writing in it. Ned looks over his shoulder and makes grunts of admiration.
The sun is warm on MJ's face. Makes a freakin change. She flings herself on her back, the slope a convenient angle for a natural sunbed, and closes her eyes against the sky's glare.
Pleasant. Just a little break from life's responsibilities. She has college applications to think about and a ridiculous amount of homework. This is a nice alternative to either of those things.
A drop of water lands right in her eye. "Ugh!" She sits up. "Did a bird just -"
"Rain," says Peter. He stuffs his book into his backpack.
It's still sunny but sure enough, clouds have formed over the schoolyard and the first drops of rain are falling.
"Typical." She too packs away her things. "That's weird though." She stands and squints into the increasing drizzle.
Peter is on his feet too, staring in the opposite direction. "Weird," he mutters in an echo of her.
She swings round. It's the same on his side. The clouds are highly localised as is the rain. In fact, one street to north and south of the school, the sun is still shining.
Together they turn to the east. Same story. The school blocks the view to the west.
"That is freaky," breathes Peter.
MJ sinks into the Suit a little. It is freaky. The sky is literally raining on the school and nowhere else. A bright halo of sunshine is visible in three directions and looks to continue in the fourth.
It's not your problem, says the Suit inside her mind. Leave it be.
Peter is frowning. His hands clench and unclench at his sides.
The junior girls hustle off the slope, rolling their eyes at cruel fate.
"Getting wet here," calls Ned. He holds a book over his head.
"Yeah," says Peter without moving.
He glances at MJ and catches her eye. "Don't you think this is a little... bizarre?"
Do not get involved, hisses the Suit.
She shrugs. "Sign of the times."
His expression closes up. "I guess."
They make their way back into school. And MJ tries hard not to feel anything about the fact that her reply seems to have left Peter disappointed.