Chapter Twenty
When Peter woke up the next morning he was annoyed to find out that his entire body still hurt from yesterday's training session. Why had his healing abilities become so slow? He didn't used to get sick so often. Then again he didn't used to get beaten up by Scott either.
Scott. He shut his eyes remembering the announcement that him and May had made yesterday. They were getting married and more than likely he was going to move in with them. How was he going to make it without getting slapped around for 2 years until he left for college?
Peter pulled out the small jar of pills that Dr. Strange had given him and took 2 pills. He hoped that it worked fast because it felt like his muscles were on fire. He grabbed his backpack and headed outside, the last thing he needed was to miss his bus and be late to school.
He had been on his way to first period when he heard MJ and Ned calling his name. "Parker," MJ huffed only looking slightly annoyed. "Where have you've been?"
"What do you mean?" Peter asked confused. "I just got here."
"Not today," Ned protested. "Where have you've been? We haven't talked in days. Are you ignoring us? Did we do something?" he said genuinely concerned.
Peter thought back to what MJ and Ned were saying. It was true, he hadn't really talked to them in days, maybe even weeks. He had been so busy trying to avoid Scott like the plague. "I'm sorry." He said weakly. "Things have been-I'm sorry."
MJ gave him a small shrug. "It's cool, we are just glad that you are not hiding the end of the world from us. What's new?"
Peter had been about to tell them about Scott and May's engagement when he felt his stomach give a sudden jolt. He raced towards the bathroom and entered the first stall that he saw. He hadn't eaten dinner last night nor breakfast this morning so he ended up throwing up the pills that he had taken and did a lot of dry heaving.
"Peter," Ned knocked on the door sounding frantic. "Peter, are you ok? Do you need me to get the nurse?"
Peter waited for a few seconds until he calmed down his beating heart. The last thing that he needed was to have a panic attack otherwise he would never hear the end of it. He flushed down the toiler and exited the restroom where Ned was waiting there with a quizzical expression. "I'm fine Ned," Peter said with a wobbly smile. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked pale and sweaty.
"What's taking so long?" MJ demanded as she shoved herself in the bathroom not caring who saw. "We're going to be late for US History and I don't want to be late. I need to correct Mrs. Greenberg on many facts regarding the Civil War. The things that they tell us in textbooks-" She frowned when she saw Peter. "What's wrong? You look like you lost your hopes and dreams."
"Peter vomited," Ned said as he handed him a bottled water.
MJ wrinkled her nose, but looked sympathetic. "I have some Tums in my bag or crackers."
Peter shook his head as they exited the bathroom. "I'm fine guys," he decided to change the subject to a less pleasant one. "May and Scott are getting married."
MJ and Ned exchanged looks. "Wow, that's kind soon isn't it?"
Too soon for Peter's liking, but Peter shrugged as they entered history class. "She says they're in love."
"You don't seem happy," MJ observed as they sat down in their seats. She pulled out her textbook and a notebook filled with fresh crisp notes.
"That's because of the vomiting."
Flash wrinkled his nose, he was seated a few seats besides Peter. "Please don't breath near me, Penis Parker. I'm having a kick ass party this weekend and I don't need you to be spreading your germs everywhere."
MJ rolled her eyes. "Please Flash, you could use some of Peter's intelligence."
"Settle down everyone," Mrs. Greenberg murmured as she took a sip of her coffee. She was a middle aged lady who always wore colorful suits and too much perfume. "I have some exciting news, for our Civil War Unit each of you will be working with a partner on a particular battle. You will be instructed to create a diagram that you can show to the class highlighting the war as well as a powerpoint presentation. It is due 2 weeks from today."
Ned raised his hand. "Can we pick our own partners?"
Mrs. Greenberg shook her head. "I don't want to have the same people presenting so I will be choosing the partners." She pulled out a sheet of paper ignoring the groans. "Michelle Jones you will be working with Stacy Adams on the Battle of Gettysburg. Ned Leeds you will be working with Amber Tucker on the Battle of Shiloh. Peter Parker you will be working with Flash Thomson on the First Battle of Bull Run-"
"But I don't want to work with Parker," Flash complained and Peter rolled his eyes. "Mrs. Greenberg, Peter might not want to go to college, but I do. Can I work with Amber and Ned can work with Peter and problem solved."
Mrs. Greenberg narrowed her eyes at him. "My decision is final, Flash you will be working with Mr. Parker. Can I continue my lesson or would you like to continue this discussion in detention?"
After school Peter hurried home, when he got home he saw that he was the only one there. He guessed that May was probably at work. She had placed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the kitchen table in the shape of a big heart. Peter ignore the sandwich not feeling very hungry.
He went to his bedroom and put on the mask. "Hello Peter," Karen said softly. "How can I help you? Are you going on patrol?"
"No," Peter tried to keep his voice steady. He loved Karen's soft and welcoming voice. "I just need some advice and I need to talk to someone. Karen, I don't want Scott to marry May. I don't want him to move in here."
"You seem afraid of him, Peter." Karen said softly. "Even though you are stronger than him. If you are feeling afraid for your life you should let Mr. Stark know."
"No, I don't want to bother him." He said quietly. "He already has so much going on. I don't want to add another thing for him to worry about on his shoulder."
"He's got big shoulders." Karen said gently. "Peter, I would like to remind you that I am programmed to let Mr. Stark know when you are in danger."
Peter whispered as he clutched the mask in his hands. "Karen, please there has to be a way to get Scott out of my life even if it makes May unhappy."
"You're stronger than him," Karen reminded him gently. "Fight back. If you want him to stop making you so unhappy then fight back."
-End of Chapter Twenty-
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