Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel,Spider-man or any of its characters. I as well do not own copies to Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" I only plan on using some excerpts from it for my fic
*All M.J./P.P. fans forgive me as I give into the story twisting love of others. LOL although know this, I am not a Felicia fan I really do not like her at all. So if I portray Felicia in a way that her fans don't like then I apologize in advance. I'm a Mary Jane fan, plain and simple. Hehe, I'm a bad person…since I admire M.J. so much there's going to be something she does in this..uh can't say anymore. I just apologize in advance for the length of this chapter.* *Congrats to Kirsten Dunst on a job well done on SNL J
A tall blonde stood at the doorway with a cell phone in hand. She appeared to be 5'8 or 5'9, long blonde hair and light blue eyes, wearing a short violet dress that ended 3 inches above her knee showing off her soft creamy skin. She ran a tongue over her red lips as she told the person 'goodbye' on the phone.
"Are you Peter Parker?" She asked raising a brow looking at him. Slowly he nodded finally closing his mouth. "I'm Felicia Hardy. My grandmother is out parking the car so she'll be inside in a moment." She paused a moment crossing her arms over her chest. "Can you invite me in, Parker?"
He snapped out of his little 'trance' to let her in, her grandmother finally showed up behind her walking in behind Felicia. Aunt May appeared in the doorway drying a bowl in a dishtowel.
"Hello Dorothy nice to see you again. I see that my nephew has met Felicia…" She trailed off looking at what Felicia was wearing. "Dear…don't you think what you are wearing is a little…too fancy for the carnival?" She asked trying to word it carefully. Felicia smiled politely on key as she ran a slender hand down the fabric of the dress.
"I believe what I'm wearing should be just fine, after all your nephew deserves a girl who is willing to dress up for a date." She said. Peter furrowed his brows slightly wondering what she meant by that. Her name sounded familiar…Hardy… Then it hit him. There was another family that owned a huge business and a huge estate around there. The Hardy family. He was looking at the youngest daughter Felicia. She never went to his high school, he had heard she was sent to a private school over in Paris and after graduating she came back to go to the University here. But there was another reason why her name sounded so familiar.
"Should we get going?" She asked brushing her hair back behind her shoulders. She looked at the door waiting for Peter to open it for her. He finally got the idea and pulled the door open for her politely. Aunt May walked to him straightening his shirt.
"Be careful Peter. Felicia is a very prim girl, so treat her very nicely and I'll see you later at the show ok?" She said. Peter looked confused for a moment forgetting about the play. "Remember to go see Mary Jane in "The Shrew", even if it means you having a date she'd want you there for her opening night." He gave a swift nod, lowering his head as he walked out the door with Aunt May's car keys to take Felicia to Coney Island. This was a big switch from what he really wanted but Peter had a chance to be taking a girl that every guy wanted, out.
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Mary Jane stood in front of the mirror backstage looking at the wig she'd have to wear. As she looked at herself she saw someone she didn't recognize look back. It wasn't because of the obvious changes in wardrobe for the play that made her think she looked different…it was what was making her change on the inside. She was unhappy. She spent most nights sobbing in her bed, as she would think about Peter and the emptiness inside of her that just kept growing with each waking day. This was not how she pictured her life after high school. She couldn't believe that Peter was going on a blind date when she would be debuting in her first play. 'Life never turns out how'd you like' she though sourly. Wiping off every trace of makeup so she would appear raw and plain for her character she didn't notice as someone slipped behind the curtain into her room. She saw a flash of black and she whirled around, a vase in her hand ready for whoever wanted to harm her. She lowered her hand, however, when a friendly smiled was flashed her way.
"Oh my god, Harry!" She giggled as she sat the vase down. "I thought you were some Carnie that wanted to mug me or something." She wrapped her arms around him as they hugged. He handed her a bouquet of roses.
"Well at least that vase won't be empty and ready to clobber me with." He grinned. He leaned against the wall looking at her. "Wow. Katharina. Wild part for you hm?"
"Not really, I'll actually be able to show off some real talent. Hopefully a talent scout will see me and decide 'Gee this girl is really good. I can get her a part on Broadway'." She laughed just imagining a wave of luck. "I'm so glad you came Harry. I didn't think anyone would come for me."
"What do you mean? I think Peter is on top of the list to see you in this." He said looking down at the ground. Remembering when he had seen them together in the hospital holding hands when Peter's Aunt had been injured.
"He's on a date…" She said bitterly trying to hide her anger or jealousy. Harry looked shocked as his expression softened. He could tell that this hurt her. Bracing a hand on her shoulder he reassured her.
"He's a bonehead then if he wouldn't turn it down to see you. Any guy is an idiot not to be mesmerized with you." He stroked her cheek. 'Who would Peter go out with when he could have Mary Jane?! God, I'd kill to be with Mary Jane again…' He thought angrily.
"Thanks Harry. I'm really happy you came now. Hey… after the show is over would you like to be my date?" She asked looking up with the same old party girl look in her eyes.
Harry found himself flabbergasted as he ran a hand back through his hair trying to sort out what he wanted to say.
"If Peter isn't going to be smart enough to go for it I as hell will. Yeah M.J., I'd like that. But,. To be honest I've never been to the Carnival before." He said sheepishly.
M.J.'s eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh Harry…well that's it then. After the show I'm going to give you the time of your life at the Carnival." She grinned. "Ok. That's it. I've just hit corny bottom there by saying that." She laughed as she saw Harry hold himself back from chuckling at her.
"Watson! 5 until curtain call!" A stagehand yelled poking his head in.
"Well that's my call. I'll see you after the show ok, Harr." He nodded and gave her thumbs up as he left backstage to join the audience with the others.
Mary Jane stood in the back watching the beginning performers take their places and enter onstage with a pleasing applause before they began. She didn't take place on the stage until Baptista, Bianca, Gremio, Hortensio, Lucentio, and Tranio entered place.
"Lots of "ios" there." She muttered reading over her part. Time went by from what felt slowly and a stagehand signaled to her to enter.
She appeared on stage with the others and waited for her time to speak.
GREMIO :[Aside] "To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.
There, There, Hortensio, will you any wife"
Her cast mate spoke leading to Mary Jane's spot. She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she spoke in turn.
KATHARINA: "I pray you, sir, is it your will. To make a stale of me amongst these mates?"
Mary Jane could pull off being Katharina easily, especially with her current frustration of what had being going on in her life for the past month and a half. She could hear the audience stir in laughter as she told Gremio to comb his hair with a 3 legged stool and paint his face like a fool. She smiled in reaction keeping her face from the audience the whole time like a pro. She rested her hands on her hips with an ever so skillful scowl. By the end of the scene she stalked out, feeling everyone's eyes upon her again. Going to the side of the curtain she opened it only enough so she could see out at the darkened audience. She could make out the first two rows; she saw her Aunt May and Aunt Anna sitting with another older woman paying closely attention to the play. Sitting behind Aunt May she saw Harry. She didn't see Peter, which wasn't really much of a surprise. She knew he wouldn't voluntarily go to see her on stage when he had a date. Until she finally caught an odd movement out in the audience towards the back. She squinted her eyes struggling to see. It was Peter. He was sitting uncomfortably with some girl sitting next to him. She had seen that girl before somewhere. She blinked astounded. This girl was definitely more beautiful than Mary Jane and was wearing. 'My god, that dress is really short…and… oh man…there's no competition…He's not going to be with me definitely after being with her.'
She leaned against the wall hanging her head sadly. To see him with another girl who was much better than M.J. in everyway, with her arm around him, legs crossed to show off her soft skin, killed her inside. She drew her lips back tightly holding back any if all tears that wanted to cascade down her face. She was happy that only half of the play was being performed that night. She didn't want to think about them while she acted and it would only be for that night that she did have to see them together. After the show she would have she and Harry have fun on all the nights to take her mind off of it. She hadn't checked the time and it was time for her to enter onto stage again. This time to be the unruly sister and lose her temper. Should be a piece of cake, she was pretty mad. This would show that blonde girl what type of Mary Jane was when she got mad.
Both she, and the girl who played Bianca traded lines and it was time for her to lose her temper as Katharina.
Bianca: "Is it for him you do envy me so? Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive You have but jested with me all this while: I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands."
The girl spatted, battering her innocent eyes at Katharina (M.J.) showing a steamed anger the character Katharina walked up to Bianca.
Katharina: "If that be jest, then all the rest was so."
All within character Mary Jane let out a powerful strike on the girl, causing her to fall down. The girl looked up at Mary Jane with shocked eyes whispering softly to her. "A little too hard Mary Jane but really good." Mary Jane smiled to herself as she was able to get back into character chasing after Bianca and striking her several times, the two of them yanking each other's hair screaming. The audience found it uncontrollably amusing. Some were rolling in their seats laughing and Mary Jane was happy to give them something good to watch. Finally with Bianca running out Katharina had to finish her excerpt and leave the stage.
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After having changed back into her white flowered cotton dress that hung freely over her knees she appeared in the front waiting for Harry, Aunt May, and her Aunt Anna. May and Anna hugged her congratulating her on her very talented performance even though they only did the first half that night.
"Oh my grand-daughter was Katharina a few years ago, and she also played Juliet in her private school's senior year. They said that she was a very talented and aspiring actress." The woman said clutching the sapphire broach on her collar.
Anna scowled while May only scolded.
"Really, Dorothy. Today is Mary Jane's night in the spotlight and you have to ramble on about your grand daughter's achievements to brag!"
"It's ok Aunt May, I don't mind." Mary Jane said placing her hand on May's shoulder trying to calm her down.
"Oh god bless you Mary Jane. You are never selfish and always considering other's feelings." May said gripping M.J.'s arm in a motherly manor. Dorothy rolled her eyes in irritation.
"Really May Parker. Maybe you should adopt her." Dorothy said sarcastically. When Mary Jane had her back turned in discussion with Harry and Anna, May smiled whispering to Dorothy.
"She is already practically family, Dorothy. Peter is absolutely crazy about her."
Dorothy scoffed in return. "We'll see about that."
"Well we'll see you later. Harry's never been to a carnival before and I thought that I'd take him on some rides. Bye." She waved to them as the two of them left.
"So M.J., that was very unlike you on stage hitting that girl." Harry stuffed his hands into his coat pockets as they walked along hearing the excited screams coming from some nearby roller coaster.
"That's the point Harry. I had to be in character of Katharina. That's called acting," she laughed humorously.
"Yeah well it's a turn on." He grinned.
"What do you mean?" she laughed looping an arm around his.
"When you were pounding on that one girl, and pulling each other's hair while you were in character there were these two guys behind me that were saying:
'Oh that one girl with the temper is hot!' 'Whoa look at that, she's beating down that one girl and is getting down on her-"
Mary Jane slugged him hard in the shoulder before he could finish.
"Hey-hey! I was just repeating what they had said. I turned around and said to them: 'Excuse me but she is my friend and you should respect her for her bod- mind." He said quickly trying to cover up from what he had begun to say on accident.
"Uh-huh, sure Harry, as if you weren't thinking that yourself." She narrowed her brows having a hard time to be cross with him.
She stopped suddenly as she saw Peter walk by with the girl. She seemed to be engrossed in conversation with him. Somehow Mary Jane recognized her.
"That's Felicia Hardy!" Mary Jane exclaimed.
Harry's mouth dropped open. "She's back from Paris? Huh? How do you know her M.J.?"
"I met her once a few years back when we both tried out for a commercial. She got it of course but I just hated how she rubbed into my face about all the excellent school she had gone to and her horse 'Buttercup' that her mother has bought her. Does that sound like bragging to you?"
Harry nodded assenting. He couldn't believe that a drop dead gorgeous girl like Felicia was with Peter. "I heard that she was dating Flash Thompson from college." Harry said crossing his arms over his chest.
Felicia leaned over and kissed a surprised Peter on the lips as she guided him over to the Ferris wheel.
Mary Jane's face turned a shade about as dark as her face as she spoke with vehemence.
"Oh really now?! Come on lets go onto the Starship ride."
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Sitting atop the Ferris wheel with the lovely Miss Hardy there was only one thing Peter could think about. Mary Jane. He saw her face after she spotted Peter and Felicia together. Only guilt and shame was all that could describe what he was feeling. As their cart stopped at the top Felicia gazed out amazed by the beautiful lights of the Carnival.
"Sheesh you've been quiet all night." She said finally breaking the silence between the two of them. Peter glanced up. She was right; he barely said six words to her that evening. He mainly let her do all the talking; it seemed like what she wanted anyways.
"Sorry Felicia I'm just not feeling well." He said leaning back. She smiled, her rose-colored lips upturning in the corners as if she was conspiring something.
"It's that red headed girl isn't it?" She asked as if reading his mind.
"And how did you know that?" He said looking down below them for the red haired girl Felicia noticed.
"You're Aunt told my grandmother who in turn told me that you were getting over some red haired girl. I can help you get over her, you know." She smiled leaning in close. Feeling uncomfortable Peter scooted to his side of his seat near the edge. He didn't want to get over Mary Jane, and why would Aunt May tell Felicia's grandmother that Peter wanted to get over Mary Jane when she knew how crazy Peter was over her. As the Ferris wheel began to lower to let him down he saw both Mary Jane and Harry walking out from the spinning top shaped roller coaster. Mary Jane was helping Harry who seemed a little disoriented, hunched over clutching his stomach. He smirked softly.
'Poor Harry, he forgot that he had never been to the carnival before. I guess he didn't know about the rule of not to eat right before going on any roller coasters'
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"Harry I warned you not to eat a corndog!" Mary Jane laughed as she helped Harry over towards the bathrooms. He grimaced holding his stomach almost ready to vomit all over the ground. Pushing the bathroom door open she held it open for him as he lurched inside. "Good luck Harry!" She yelled as he went in. She smiled in embarrassment for Harry as she sat down on a bench near the restrooms with a sigh. She looked up at the sky watching the stars quietly and heard someone approaching. She glanced back at eye level to see Felicia Hardy standing in front of her with a smile on her face.
"Long time no see Felicia. Not that I'm griping." Mary Jane said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Of course Mary Jane. Nice job on the play." She said blowing on her nails.
For Felicia to tell someone "Nice job" it would be considered a definite compliment.
"Um thank you Felicia. Having a nice time?" She asked sincerely. She should be having a nice time as long as she's with one of the greatest guys in the world.
"Yes I suppose. You know he never mentioned that the two of you went-" She began but Mary Jane cut her off.
"We never did to go on a formal date, Felicia. If you'd please not to try to rub anything into my face." Mary Jane said softly with no anger whatsoever. She was hurt by Peter saying he didn't want a relationship with Mary Jane and then to go with one of the richest girls in New York.
Felicia snickered to herself and waved Peter over to come join them. He didn't see Mary Jane, so carrying the cotton candy Felicia asked for he walked over handing her stick of cotton. He froze when he saw Mary Jane sitting on the bench. "Peter I should have told you that I had already known Mary Jane. She and I met six years ago when we both tried out for a 'Jell-o' commercial." She smiled. "Your hair is a much more stunning shade than it was back then." She said trying to compliment her. Looking at the ground Mary Jane got to her feet. She clenched her fists tightly and murmured a "please excuse me" and took off from the restrooms. She couldn't stand there anymore and be humiliated. Especially in front of the man she loved and the woman who had always been her rival. But her rival had won, gaining a date from Peter. If she had only turned to look back once she would see the anger on his face that he tried to hold back after Felicia had insulted Mary Jane.
*********Ok I'm ending the chapter here so I can quickly type up the next chapter. I thought I'd spare you all from the length so I'm sorry for the above piece if it gets boring. Some interesting things begin to happen soon I promise. And I'm sorry for bringing Felicia into this, but I thought maybe I could give a slight twist in it****