"Hey, May," I call out as I shut the door to our apartment, stowing my keys in my pocket.
"Hello, Peter," she says softly, stepping out of the kitchen. She's clutching an envelope to her chest, her face drawn.
I stop short. "What's wrong?"
She looks down. "The bill came today."
I slide my backpack off my shoulder, a knot forming in my stomach. "It's too expensive?"
"Only if we…" She sighs. "Peter, I…I don't know how to say this…we…we can't afford your treatment this month."
I stare at her. "W-what?"
"The therapy. I'm sorry, Peter, but we can't afford it."
Thunk. The backpack hits the floor as herwords sink in. "I…May…"
"I'm so sorry," she whispers.
I slump against the wall, me head in my hands. I feel like I want to cry, but I can't. It'll only make my aunt feel even worse. I have to stay strong for her. For both of us.
I thread my hands through my hair and rest them on the back of my neck. "Okay…alright. It's okay, I'll be fine."
Her face is filled with guilt. "Are you sure?"
I fake a smile. "Positive. Now…" I pick up my discarded backpack. "I'm gonna go do my homework." I kiss her on the cheek, then run to my room. I close the door and lean against, my head falling back against the wood. I knew something like this would happen eventually.
"I need to get a job…" I mutter.
But how could that work? I'm already juggling school and Spider-Man. Throw a job in there…It wouldn't work. It'd be a mess. I'd need to work for someone who could pay me enough so that I could afford my hormonal treatment, but someone who already knew I was Spider-Man-
Tony Stark.
My eyes snap open. That could work. He already knows I'm trans, he put a binder in my suit. Plus, I have the internship. We could turn it into a job.
I pat my pockets and pull out my phone. He's third on my contacts, right after May and Ned. I dial his number and hold the phone up to my ear, bouncing on my toes impatiently. "Oh, hey, Mr. Stark! Listen, I was wondering…"
"He's giving me a job," I tell Ned as we get our lunch and head over to our table. "It'll be easier to afford my treatments."
Ned glances at me. "Does he know-?"
"-I'm trans? Yeah, he put a binder in my suit and made me a few compression shirts."
We sit down and Ned opens his milk carton, taking a thoughtful sip before speaking again. "Does he know you want the job so you can afford your treatment?"
I pause with a forkful of green beans halfway to my mouth. "Um, no, I didn't mention that."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to be a pity-"
"YO, PENIS PARKER!" A voice shouts.
I freeze. Oh, shit. "Hey, Flash…"
Flash sits on the edge of the table, his arms folded across his chest. "How's your 'special treatment' going?"
"None of your business," I mutter.
He smirks. "Hey, I need to ask a girl out for homecoming. Would you like to-"
I lunge at him, tackling him to the ground and sending my food flying.
"Peter!" Ned shouts, standing.
I pin Flash down and pull my fist back. "What did you just call me?! "
"I-I-"
"Mr. Parker!" Mr. Harrington runs over, followed by Mr. Dill. He grabs my arms and pulls me off of Flash. "What are you- why would you attack Mr. Thompson?"
"Because he's an arrogant, self-absorbed son of a b-"
Mr. Dill gives a warning look. "Language, Mr. Parker."
Flash glares at me. "Temper, little girl."
That's when I snap.
All I remember is Flash crying.
