"Peter." Ursula, the landlords daughter called my name from the hall. I groaned and set my camera down on the desk. "Yes Ursula?" I yelled back through the thin walls. I heard the stomping of her heels as she clomped over to my door. "Can I come in?" She asked. I paused for a second. "Sure." The door was jammed, but after a moment Ursula was able to pry it open. "Oh Peter." She exclaimed in her slight accent. "You got a phone call from a Miss Mary Jane Watson."
My heart thudded a little quicker. "Did I really?" Ursula nodded eagerly. "Yes; and when I asked if I could take a message she said that she wanted you to meet her at a spot in Central Park that you could know." My mind instantly jumped to the park bench where MJ and I had had our first, and last, date. "Thank you Ursula." Ursula gave me a small smile from behind her curtain of hair. "It was nothing." She muttered, cheeks beet red.
Ursula rushed from the room and I heard the door of her and father's apartment click shut. I pulled on my glasses and red windbreaker before practically skipping down the creaky stairs. No, I wasn't in love with Mary Jane because I loved Gwen, but the prospect of seeing her did thrill me. I hummed a song under my breath as I walked down the familiar bustling street towards the park. People shoved past me, but not even angry New Yorkers could burst my bubble.
I shortly arrived at the said park bench and waited for Mary Jane. The rustling leaves gently lulled me into a peaceful stupor, where I lived a charmed life with Gwen and no Spider-man. "You look…. content." A voice interrupted. I looked up in surprise. The sunlight flittered past MJ's figure, lighting her hair up like fire. She moved to sit down beside me. Her green eyes were heavily decorated, as was the rest of her face. "You don't need that much makeup." I told her.
MJ blushed like a stop light. "Peter. I spent my entire life having my father and Anna yell at me that I was an ugly piece of trash. I can't even look at a mirror without makeup." I smiled. "Well you should. You're gorgeous MJ. I mean once, in high school, Harry…." My voice faltered at the thought of my once best friend.
Harry Osborn had been rich, handsome and charming. Yet all through high school he had been my best friend. And man, we had been brothers. His father, Norman Osborn, was the head of Oscorp and like a father to me. At least he had until he had tried a super serum on himself and turned into the Green Goblin who had to fight me regularly. "
How is Harry O?" MJ asked quietly. I sighed and bit my lip. "Last time I checked, not well. After you dumped him and all the issues he had with his dad, he just lost it. All I know is that he's a hard core drug addict." Mary Jane looked close to tears. "Can you bring me to see him?" She asked.
The last thing I wanted was to go see Harry, but somehow I ended up nodding. "Okay." I resolved. Mary Jane squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck. While Gwen always smelled like a fancy rose perfume, Mary Jane smelt like a cheap vanilla. It was oddly refreshing. I racked my mind. "Harry still lives with his dad." I admitted as I led Mary Jane down a path. She nodded. "I figured he would."
I tried to find a way to prepare her. "MJ, he's not the Harry that he used to be." I said, trying to test the water. Mary Jane gave a short laugh. "Of course he isn't. We've all changed. I mean come on, nerdy Peter Parker dating Miss Gwen Stacy? Ridiculous." I felt offended for a brief moment. "Uh thanks MJ. That's not what I meant though. The drugs, they really have done a number on Harry."
Mary Jane twirled a piece of hair. "And I assume that it's my fault." I looked at her profile. "Well, only partially." She nodded. "Great." We stopped in front of the looming building. "Ready?" She asked. I nodded and Mary Jane led the way inside. The once grand building was still impressive, but it was definetntly lacking some of its former glory. The building concierge eyed us for a moment. "Is it really Mr. Parker and Miss Watson?" He sputtered. I smiled. "Hello Jerome. Can you let us up into the suite? We need to see Harry."
He grimaced. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Osborn Sr. has specific orders that no one is allowed to see Harry." MJ pouted. "Jerome. We're old friends. Please?" She stuck out her lip in a fake pout. Jerome's face faltered. "I do it only for you Miss Watson." He said as he buzzed the elevator. "And you didn't get the part in the soap?" I muttered to her as we walked into the elevator and the doors slid shut.
As the numbers clicked higher, I felt my blood pressure increase a tenfold. "Hey." Mary Jane squeezed my hand. "He used to be your best friend, remember?" I shook my head. And I used to be a regular, non-spider enhanced guy. I mentally snapped. The elevator hopped to a stop and the doors slid open. The Osborn's house was dim and stank of human waste. "Harry?" MJ called. There were scuffling sounds, but no answer.
We awkwardly felt out way through the darkness, trying to find Harry or at least a light switch. "Who's there?" A familiar voice growled. "Harry?" Mary Jane gasped. Suddenly, the lights flooded on and I blinked in surprise. I looked around the trashed living room, spotting Harry balled up on the floor a couple feet away. Mary Jane instantly rushed to his side and knelt down to hold his hand. "Oh Harry." She moaned.
Harry looked at her, brown eyes huge and defocused after repeated drug uses. His cheeks were now gaunt and his once smooth brown hair was dishelmed and oily. "Is that Mary Jane?" He whispered, voice ragged and chalked with pain. Hus once handsome features now looked blurry, torn and bleached. "You came back." Mary Jane nodded. "Of course Harry, I'm your friend." I saw Harry's knuckles whiten.
"Friends, why do we have to be just friends?" He hissed. Mary Jane shook her head. "I'm sorry Harry, but we are over." He squeezed his eyes and desperately shook his head. "No." He moaned. "Hey Harry." I said softly, coming to stand by MJ. Harry kept his eyes closed but cocked his head to the side. "Is that Peter Parker I hear?" I patted his back. "Sure is buddy." He opened his eyes. "Why did you stop coming by?" He asked. I ignored his questions. "Harry, what happened to you?" He narrowed his eyes and lips pursed.
"It was a red headed enchantress." He muttered. "She messed with my mind and hurt my father. She messed with him, just as she messed with me and probably you." He exclaimed. "Harry, there is no enchantress." I exclaimed in a voice that was most commonly used with teaching younger children. Harry's eyes were flat and reflective discs, rabid with anger. I knew he didn't remember his time as the Green Goblin and all the damage he had done, but some of the anger that had driven him to it was there.
Mary Jane was crying, tears dripping onto Harry's nose. "The sorceress can make it rain!" He hollered. Mary Jane stood up and ran to the door. I heard her sobbing as she went. "Good riddance!" Harry crowed. "Harry, please come back." I whispered.
Harry turned his oddly lifeless eyes on me. "Why Spider-man, where have I gone?" He whispered. I jerked away from him and stumbled backwards into the hallway, following Mary Jane's path. Harry's delusional laugh rang in my ears, bouncing into my head and shattering into a billion different pieces.