"Alright kid, let's see the merchandise."
Surprised at this gruff voice, Peter reached into his bag and pulled out an envelope, handing it to the man seated behind the desk. Putting on a pair of reading glasses, the man pulled a dozen photos out of the envelope.
With an amused scoff upon seeing the photos, the man exclaimed, "Spider-Man?! That menace?!"
Peter merely frowned as the man continued to examine the photos. Last night had been a bit stressful, considering he had been sneaking around behind his aunt's back, again, just to pose in front of a camera. He thought he might at least get some credit, considering he actually managed to get some decent pictures.
After a short silence that seemed to drag on forever, Peter asked, "So, what do you think, uh," stealing a glance at the name on the desk, he continued "Mr. Jameson?"
Jerking up as though he forgot Peter was still there, Mr. Jameson replied rather loudly, "These are abysmal! I can't stand seeing that arachnid roaming these streets, crawling up walls, acting like he own the place!" Placing his cigar in his mouth, Mr. Jameson pulled out a drawer from his desk and started writing frantically as he continued, "That menace- if I had it my way…" as he trailed off.
Peter could only stand there in silence with his hands in his pockets as he repeatedly told himself, I knew this was a bad idea, I knew this was a-
"Tell you what, kid," said Mr. Jameson as he abruptly stood up from his chair and pulled Peter out of this thoughts. He handed a cheque to a wide-eyed Peter and said, "Bring these shots in every week. They're certainly better than the stuff those other bozos send in. Doesn't really help that Eddie's been missing-"
The phone on Mr. Jameson's desk rang, interrupting him. Picking it up at breakneck speed, Mr. Jameson shouted into the receiver, "What, are you trying to grey my hair even faster?! No, no, no, I- I don't care that Wilson broke his fish bowl…"
Drowning out Mr. Jameson's yelling, Peter felt esthetic. He was gonna get his first real job! Well, the "Stark internship" doesn't count, does it? He wasn't exactly getting paid for it, so…
"Joseph?"
Peter's eyes shot up. "Uh, it's er, Peter."
Mr. Jameson lifted up a hand and dramatically pointed to the door. "Exit's that way, Chris. See ya next week."
"It's Peter, and am I, like, hired?"
"No jobs. Freelance. Best thing in the world for a kid your age." He chucked his cigar out the window before saying, "Bring me some more shots of that newspaper-selling clown, and maybe I'll give you a couple more gold coins."
Peter just smiled as he shook Mr. Jameson's hand and uttered a "thanks".
"Alright, now off you go, Alex," he replied, sitting back down.
Before Peter could correct him again, Mr. Jameson was already in a yelling match with his phone. Peter turned and headed out of the office, now needing to get to school. It wasn't exactly a job, but that didn't matter.
The Daily Bugle was located right in downtown Manhattan, so Peter had a bit of a trek ahead of him back to Queens. He could have just brought his web shooters to get back, but he had run out of web fluid last night.
Aunt May never suspected a thing. Peter had made it home to get to sleep before she did, and she was still sleeping when he left the apartment. His suit was safely tucked away where he found it so his aunt would have no reason to believe he snuck out.
Peter sighed, knowing he was going to be a little late for school. Deciding not to be extra late, he skipped out on buying his lunch and headed straight for the subway station.
Okay, maybe Peter was more than a little late. After switching trains, getting on a bus, and getting back on a busy train again, Peter stumbled into his second period class. Seeing the only empty seat beside Michelle, he settled down next to her before his social studies teacher spoke up.
"Peter! Glad you could make it," said Mr. Hendrick, Flash snickering on the other side of the room. "You're a bit late, so find a partner, as we'll be starting a group assignment." He turned back to his computer, presumably to mark Peter as late in the attendance.
Leaning over, Peter asked Michelle, "What's this assignment about?"
Looking up from her book, The Two Towers, she answered, "I dunno, he hasn't given it to us yet." Peter nodded in response before she asked, "So, what held you up this morning? Another Star Wars marathon?"
Shaking his head, Peter chuckled, "No, I was actually at the Daily Bugle, delivering pictures."
"Couldn't that have waited till after school? I mean, it's all the way in the city."
Thinking about it for a second, Peter replied, "Yeah, I guess so, but, I'm just eager to get a job, you know?"
"Yeah, whatever loser," says Michelle before she pauses for a moment. "Anyway, do you, like, wanna- wanna work together?" she asks skeptically.
Caught off guard, Peter took a moment to say, "Y- yeah, yeah." Clearing his throat, he finished, "Sure."
"Cool."
"Awesome."
Not too long after, Mr. Hendrick came around and handed out the worksheets for the assignment. That sheet stated that they were required to pair up and write an opinion-based essay on the Sokovia Accords, due on Monday. Their teacher would assign them either Steve Rogers' side, or Tony Stark's side.
After reading the instructions, Michelle piped up, "Great. Either a war criminal or a guilty billionaire."
Peter just smiled at her sarcasm and asked, "Who do you think was right about the Accords?"
Rolling her eyes, Michelle answered, "I'd feel a lot safer knowing that the Avengers weren't restricted from saving the Earth, so I agree with Rogers."
"Yeah, he's actually a pretty nice guy."
Shit.
"You say that as if you've met Captain America before." stated Michelle as she raised an eyebrow.
Cringing, Peter slowly replied, "Yeah, through- um, the Stark internship, er- once."
"Wasn't that after he became a war criminal?"
"Yeah…" said Peter sheepishly, thinking about to when he stole Captain America's shield and fought with him two months ago.
Michelle seemed to stop and think for a moment before saying, "I never bothered to ask before, but, what did you even do for your 'Stark internship'?"
Looking like a deer in the headlights, Peter couldn't answer. He always talked about his so-called "internship", but never gave any details whatsoever. All anyone knew was that he had worked for Tony Stark and nothing else.
"I- um, I- I did some-"
By some miracle, Mr. Hendrick interrupted Peter's stuttered response by saying, "Peter! Michelle! You guys are partners, right?"
Michelle nodded and Peter just said "Yeah".
"Alright, you guys are assigned Tony Stark's side for your essay. Good luck!" he finished as he moved on to assign the next pairs.
Trying to keep the topic away from his "internship", Peter breathed, "So, wanna- wanna go work in the hallway?"
"Y- yeah, sure," said Michelle a little too quickly as she stood up with her school bag.
Giving a nervous laugh, Peter jumped up and followed her out of the classroom.
Once settled down on the floor and against the lockers, Peter pulled out his laptop to get started on their assignment.
"So…"
"So."
Not sure how to go from there, Peter tried to think of a way to get started on their project. It didn't really help that he was partnered with Michelle, because- well, he didn't really know. Peter knew that he was trying to avoid spilling his secret identity, but Michelle was usually easy to talk to. He found that he was suddenly getting nervous when he looked at her and tried to start a conversation.
Trying to convince himself that it just his skepticism on revealing his alter-ego, Peter managed, "So, um, why do you think Tony Stark was right about the Accords?"
"I don't, remember?" answered Michelle, making Peter go slightly red. She went on, "But, we have to write this paper anyway so… you apparently know him personally, so you tell me."
Peter honestly didn't know Mr. Stark's full motives for the Accords; only that he couldn't bear the fact that people die because of the Avengers. But, if it weren't for the them on that day eight years ago, a lot more people would have died at the hands of aliens and the government (no thanks to their attempt at nuking the city).
Thinking about it, Peter found that he didn't agree with what Mr. Stark was trying to do.
"Y- you know, I don't really think Mr. Stark was right about the Accords."
Slumping back, Michelle sighed and said sarcastically, "Great. Fantastic. How are we going to write this essay now?"
Pursing his lips, Peter thought and said, "Well, we could work on it after school to give us more time, or the weekend. Wait, well- today's Friday, so after school technically is the weekend, so that works I guess…" He decided to stop his rambling before he ended up saying something even more idiotic.
Raising an eyebrow, Michelle slowly asked, "So, where are we going to meet up?"
Surprised that Michelle had agreed to work with him outside of school, Peter attempted to answer her question. He was just about to suggest the public library before remembering he couldn't. His aunt still had him under house arrest. "I can't leave the apartment, so, my place?"
"What, you scared of the big, bad city?" she mocked.
Peter flushed and mumbled, "I- I'm, grounded…"
Michelle just scoffed. "Okayyy, I- I've gotta return a book to the library, so I'll meet you at your place afterwards."
"Yeah, sou- sounds good."
They remained silent for a short while before Peter spoke up, trying to break the ice.
"So, what book are you returning?"
Michelle faced him and studied him before replying, "The Fellowship of the Ring."
"But, didn't you, like, start reading that yesterday?"
"Maybe."
"I take it you liked it," said Peter coolly.
"Sure."
Peter swelled with pride. That was pretty much her way of saying she loved it, because, well, what book doesn't she love? Anyway, he finally had someone to share his nerdiness with, other than Ned of course.
Before Peter could get even to get into a geeky discussion about Middle Earth, the bell rang, signalling the classes end. Peter and Michelle had different classes for third block, so they said an awkward "goodbye" and went their separate ways.
Peter didn't understand why he had gotten so flustered when talking to Michelle. Not wanting to think about it too much, he decided that it was because of his fear of revealing his identity. That was probably it, right?
The next few classes leading up to lunch were boring as usual, and Ned was still suspended for apparently masturbating in the chess club room. Well, that was just one of the many rumors going around the school about what he was doing during homecoming. Ned was earning a reputation and he wasn't even there to see it. Peter did have appreciate that Ned had taken one for the team.
Walking into the cafeteria, Peter realized that he didn't have a lunch. He couldn't exactly buy his own from the concession; they only accepted cash and he only had a cheque from this morning and his bank card.
Before he knew it, Peter was sitting by himself again. Looking around, Michelle seemed to be nowhere in sight. He had avoided talking to her after their awkward "conversation" in second block, so Peter felt a bit relieved at the fact that she wasn't here. Probably in the library, reading as usual.
No lunch, no homework, and no one to talk to. If only Ned hadn't been suspended. Peter started to felt a little jumpy after about five minutes of sitting there. Within those five minutes, he checked Instagram, looked at some videos of himself (as Spider-Man of course), checked Instagram again, then tried watching some Star Wars theories. He desperately wanted someone to talk to. If only Michelle was here… Wait, no, Ned.
"You look hungry."
Peter looked up to find Michelle standing across from him, with a book in her hand of course. His loneliness disappeared instantly.
Giving a weak smile, Peter responded, "Yeah, I, uh, forgot to buy a lunch this morning. And the concession doesn't take debit or cheques so..." he trailed off.
Wordlessly, Michelle reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill, stretching her hand towards him.
Peter's eyes darted back and forth between Michelle and money in her hand. "F- for me?"
Michelle rolled her eyes and quipped back, "No, for the freshman behind you."
Being the idiot he is, Peter turned to look at whoever she was talking about, only come face-to-face with the wall at the back of the room.
"Hey loser, you hungry or not? My arm's getting sore here."
Peter spun back around and looked at the bill dangling in front of him. The food at the concession was disgusting, but Peter was too hungry to care. Anyway, it's not everyday that Michelle just offers lunch money.
Muttering an awkward and barely audible "thanks", Peter took the twenty and headed over to the concession.
As he paid for the "food", Peter debated whether or not he should sit with Michelle again. He felt, well, intimidated by her somehow. He just didn't know why. Michelle had actually willingly helped him out lately, so there should be no reason to feel that way. Peter just felt nervous when he talked to her, or looked her in the eye, or just being around her in general. But, he found that he wanted to be around her. She was fun to talk to, incredibly smart, and not to mention, extraordinarily beautiful.
Wait, where did that come from?
Peter spotted his backpack still at the table, so he had no choice but to sit with Michelle again. No that he minded.
Sitting down with his new acquired lunch, Peter ate in silence as Michelle busied herself with her reading. Before Peter could break the ice, Michelle beat him to it.
"So, how was your trip to the Daily Bugle?" she asked as she stuffed a bookmark in the paperback and closed it.
"It- it was fine. My new boss, Mr. Jameson is quite the character though," chuckled Peter.
"Oh, so you did get the job."
"Well," began Peter, tilting his head, "not really. I'm freelancing."
Michelle just nodded in response.
"You should probably see my pictures on the front page tomorrow."
"Hmm," hummed Michelle, "Doesn't it bother you though? The Daily Bugle doesn't seem too fond of Spider-Man."
Peter stiffened.
"I mean, like, you're friends with him and all." She frowned at him slightly and asked, "Are you?"
Peter just nodded and exasperatedly breathed out, "Yeah..."
Michelle straightened herself and crossed her arms on the table. "So, what it like? Being friends with a superhero, that is."
You should ask yourself that, was at the tip of his tongue, before Peter stopped himself answered, "It's- it's pretty cool."
Michelle looked like she was about to start throwing more questions about Spider-Man, but was interrupted by the bell.
Standing up a little too fast, Peter said, "See ya in class, uh, MJ," and rushed off.
After grabbing a hall pass during class, Peter made sure the coast was clear before lifting up the row of lockers and pulling out bottle of web fluid for refilling his canisters later. Dropping the lockers, Peter hastily stuffed the material in his bag in hopes of no one catching him carrying a bottle of sticky, white liquid.
Peter spent the rest of the day trying to avoid Michelle. I wasn't exactly sure why. Maybe it was because of Ned's suggestion, or because she seemed to be acting nicer lately, or because they were meeting after school today, or because of the fact that he turned into a rambling idiot whenever he looked her in the eye. He didn't know.
Despite his attempts at evading Michelle, she stopped him on his way out after school.
"Hey loser, we haven't made plans for this weekend."
Realizing that he indeed forgot to make plans, Peter replied, "Well, what time works for you?"
Michelle shrugged. "Anytime today, after I return a few books to the library."
"A few?" Peter asked, impressed. "How many books do you read in a day?"
"Depends whether or not you interrupt me throughout the day."
Blushing, Peter stammered out, "S- sorry, I don't mean to-"
"Relax, you dweeb. I'm joking."
Peter stopped talking and noticed the playful look in her eye with a hint of one of her rare smiles playing on her lips. Before he could make it awkward, Peter broke eye contact and said, "Well, see you at my place later," he turned towards the subway station.
"Hey loser, I don't know where you live."
"Oh. Sorry."
After clumsily pulling out his phone, Peter traded numbers with her so he could send his address. He sent her the location and made his way onto the train with a stupid smile on his face.
Michelle was coming over and he felt both excited and scared. They've never hung out before, so he didn't know what to expect. Peter was a nervous wreck, and it confused him. Being around Michelle was the easiest thing in the world, yet he's been a bit tense around her lately. There's no reason to be, unless…
Oh fuck. I have a crush on MJ.
Before Peter could dwell in his thoughts any longer, the train came to a stop at his get-off point. He exited and made his way towards his apartment.
That can't be right. I like Liz, right? thought Peter, as he entered the complex. He groaned, knowing that he'd have to take the stairs, as the elevators were under maintainance. Since his realization, Peter felt even more exhausted now, and taking the stairs wouldn't help one bit.
By the time he made it up the stairs to the seventh floor, Peter had broke into a sweat. Probably a combination of fatigue and nervousness. Michelle would be coming over shortly, and his anxiety levels were steadily rising.
Now at the door to his apartment, Peter fumbled around in his pockets trying to find his keys. He tensed up upon realizing that his keys were indeed not in his pocket. Giving a heavy sigh, Peter slowly raised a hand and knocked on the door.
This day couldn't get any worse.
The lock made a small click before the door swung open to reveal Aunt May holding an empty web fluid canister.
"Wanna tell me what this is all about?"