Mary Jane stood alone in the house. She was pacing around the kitchen and worried sick about Peter. 'He's been gone for almost three hours.' Mary Jane sighed. 'Is it always going to be like this?' she wondered. 'Peter leaves, I stay home and worry, and rejoice when-if-I get to see him alive? I love Peter, but...' Suddenly, she felt her cell phone vibrate and play the tune to her favorite song: "Vindicated."

"Hello, Mary Jane Watson speaking. Who is this?" said MJ after she flipped open her new Samsung camera phone.

"Hi, MJ. It's me, Liz."

"Liz?!?!" MJ exclaimed excitedly as she leaned against the kitchen counter, "How are you? I haven't spoken to you since high school!"

"Yeah, where have you been MJ? No-don't answer that. I know that you've starred in your first Broadway play. Congrats!"

"Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't invite you over. I've been..."

"I know, busy. Don't worry about it. How did the wedding go?"

"What?" asked MJ. Her eyes were wide.

"Hello-earth to MJ. Your wedding with that cute, hunky astronaut."

"John?"

"Duh. MJ, he's your husband, he's mad cute, and from what I've heard, he has charisma. I'm so happy for you."

"Um..." MJ shifted uncomfortably. She stood up and walked over to the window, "Actually, Liz-I didn't marry him."

"What?!?!? Are you fu-"

"LIZ!!!" warned MJ.

"All right. Geesh. Whatever. Look, I don't know what the hell was in your mind, but the guy's got everything: looks, a charming personality, fame, money."

"But he's not the guy that I really loved, Liz. When I looked at my reflection before the wedding, I knew that the guy that I wanted wasn't the guy who was waiting for me at the altar. John is a great guy-"

"Great, he's AMAZING!!!"

"Ok, fine, but I love someone else."

"Who's this 'someone else?' "

"It's-you know Peter-"

"Oh my god. You cannot be serious. Peter Parker?!?!?"

"Yeah-"

"What is wrong with you girl?!?!?!? That guy is a LOSER!!!"

At this MJ turned away from the window in anger. "Liz, Peter's sweet-"

"Not to mention a bookworm, ugly, and rude."

"Liz, you don't even know him that well-"

"Look, I know that if I was you, I would go for John Jameson. What makes you so attracted to Peter Parker?"

"He accepts me for who I really am. I don't have to pretend to be anyone else except me, and-"

"Whatever. You know who I'd like to marry? That costumed hunk, Spiderman. Oh my god. He's gotta be the cutest guy EVER!!!"

MJ chuckled slightly.

"What's so funny?" said Liz defensively.

"Nothing. Listen Liz, I know you've dated a lot of guys before, and-"MJ shook her, "No never mind."

"No, what's up? I'll help MJ."

"Well," said a hesitant MJ, "See, Peter's been gone a lot lately. It's not that he's cheating on me, but it's because of all the stuff he has to do, you know? Like he has to work, he has to go to school, he's trying to get an internship, pay for his rent, and his aunt has been at the hospital and all of this bad stuff is happening to him. And I know this sounds kind of selfish, but I feel-I feel so alone. I'm always worrying about him and waiting for him to come back home. Even though I love Peter with all my heart, I want to make something of myself. I don't want to be stuck here all the time waiting for him and worrying all the time. Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

"Yeah," replied the blonde as she filed her nails, "I totally get you. Look, MJ, if a guy can't make you the center of his life then you should just dump him. I'm sorry to say this but a girl who dates a guy like that has no self-esteem whatsoever, and she doesn't have any respect for herself. MJ, trust me, you're not being selfish. It's natural."

"But it's for a good cause. Peter tries to help others as much as-"

"No-no buts. No matter what a guy's doing, he has to make some room for his own girlfriend. MJ, why are you waiting for Peter to save you every time? Why are you letting him take control of your life? Make decisions for yourself. Just because Peter's doing stuff, it doesn't mean that they should get in the way of your dreams. Look, I gotta go, but if you wanna talk to me, just give me a call or e-mail me, 'K?"

" 'Kay."

"Bye!" MJ heard the phone click on the other end. She slowly closed her phone and looked out of the window with a dozen thoughts running through her head. 'Is Liz right? I know that Peter just wants to help-no, he believes it's his duty. Peter doesn't have to do what he's doing, but-Oh god, I don't know what to do.' She leaned her head back against the yellow wall of the kitchen, closed her eyes, and sighed.