Peter Parker read the interview in the next copy of the Bugle. It was really strange to see his exact words in print. And Amanda's…

Peter called Harry Osborn that morning, and one of his butlers or something picked up.

"Just tell Harry I called." Was all he said. Harry didn't know he was Spider-Man, so he didn't want the butler to give info that Spidey himself could have.

Aunt May served breakfast that morning. The same pancakes and bacon she made every Monday for Peter.

"How is that Amanda girl you like so much? I saw the news…how awful!"

"She's okay." Peter assured her, shoving some syrup-drenched pancake into his mouth.

"What a lovely girl."

"Yeah…she's a good friend."

Peter shoved the rest of the bacon down his throat and headed for the door after kissing Aunt May's cheek.

"Love you. See you later."

"Have a good day at school, Peter. Love you too."

Peter grabbed the strap on his backpack as he headed out the door, breathing in the fresh morning air.

Amanda and Mary Jane were at his bus stop, plus a few other kids from the neighborhood. They looked at each other, unsure of whom knew what and who knew whom.

"You guys okay? I saw you on the news."

"Yeah. I'm fine." Amanda played along.

"Me too, I guess."

Peter just stared at Mary Jane's emerald green eyes. Her luscious red hair. Her beautiful smile.

Oh my god…I do still love her! Amanda was just a rebound!

As the yellow school bus came to a halt at the corner, they got on and Peter sat next to Mary Jane awkwardly. She didn't approve or question his act; she just stared out the window.

"You have a game after school, right?"

"Yeah…" she responded, looking at him for the first time since the bus left.

"I'll be there."

"Really?"

"Really. You're a cheerleader, and you're my friend. I'll be there to watch you."

She smiled brightly. "Awesome."

"And…could we talk? After the game, I mean?"

"Sure. Whatever you'd like."

Midtown High was buzzing about the three students that had been taken hostage by the crazed supervillain known as Carnage. And, even more so, about how helpless Spider-Man had been after he was shot.

"Poor Spidey."

"Was he really shot?"

"He swung the new girl home! Lucky!"

"He's so cool!"

"Who shot him?"

"Is Carnage in jail?"

"Mary Jane Watson! No way!"

"Oh my god! How traumatizing!"

"Crap! I would 'a passed out!"

Peter just rolled his eyes. At least there were no rumors about Spider-Man. But he hated gossip. These were his friends they were talking about that had been in mortal danger, not them. But still, they were teenagers. They loved this sort of stuff.

Social Studies was even worse. And, of course, Mary Jane was in his class. The teacher spoke of this 'current event' and said how Mary Jane, Amanda, and Harry's word were considered a first-hand account, and that this would be documented on various files to update Carnage's convictions. Mary Jane was blushing the entire time, so Peter helped himself to changing the subject off of Mary Jane.

"What about Spider-Man? Didja see the way he saved them?"

"He was so lame! He had a broken arm!" Some kid from the back called out.

"Well, excuse him for being shot!" Flash Thompson, the hotshot jock of the football team, yelled. He thought Spider-Man was the greatest.

"He's cool." Mary Jane added. "I mean, he saves people. That's what he does. What would the world be without a Spider-Man?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Mary Jane and Peter's eyes met.

Then the bell rang, and they headed to their separate classes.

Yes, Peter thought. What would the world be without a Spider-Man?

A/N: I tried to update as fast as I could! Thanks for the reviews!