Chapter Text
“There’s a bank robbery with that menace Spider-Man at the scene and we don’t have pictures!” Jameson scolded. “Where were you? Photographing squirrels? You’re fired Parker.”
Peter began to make his way to the door. Betty Brant stopped him from exiting. “Chief, the planetarium party.” She reminded him.
“Oh, right. You’re unfired, I need you. Come here. What do you know about high society?”
“Oh, well I uh-“ Peter stuttered. Pausing to think his answer over. He knew absolutely nothing, but he couldn’t tell Jameson that.
“Never mind kid, don’t answer that. My society photographer’s out, you’re all I got. Big party for an American hero.” He said with pride in his voice. “My son, the astronaut!”
“Could you pay me in advance?” Peter was a little behind on his rent. The sooner he got payed, the better.
Jameson burst into laughter. He stopped, once he saw the expression on Peter’s face. “You’re serious? Pay you for what, standing there? Tomorrow night, the planetarium, 8 o’clock. There’s the door.”
Peter made his way over to May’s. She was extremely insistent on Peter coming over for some reason. For once, he was going to be on time. Or so he thought. “Shit.” Peter cursed. Sirens echoing in the distance. It’s as if God had a sense of humor. Peter looked down at his watch. He was due at May’s in fifteen minutes. If he was quick, he could make it.
He changed into his suit quickly behind an alley, quickly swinging to the source of the sirens. Just then, May called. Peter answered quickly.
“Peter, don’t forget you’re supposed coming over in fifteen minutes. Please try to be on time today.”
“Don’t worry May, I’m walking over now.”
Bang.
“Peter? What was that noise?”
Shit, shit, shit. “I’m uh, watching a movie.”
“I thought you said you were walking over now?” May asked curiously.
“I-I am.” Peter stuttered. “I gotta go. Love you.”
Peter arrived at May’s 10 minutes late. A small cut on his face, and hair a mess. “Sorry I’m late, May. I was-“
“I don’t want to hear an excuse Peter.” May interjected. “You remember me telling you about this girl Michelle?”
Peter thought back to several occasions.
Peter walked into the kitchen to see aunt May. A bright smile appeared on her face.
“Oh good, you’re up! I’ve just been visiting with Anna and her niece, Michelle!” May said excitedly. “You have to meet her!”
Peter thought for a moment. It was no secret he was terrible when it came to talking with girls.
“Why don’t we head over now?”
“Oh, uh, I’d love to.” Peter lied, putting on a fake smile. “But I promised Ned I’d help him study.”
“Maybe another time then.”
“Dude, are you going to homecoming?” Ned asked.
“Probably not. I was just going to go out on patrol that night.”
“Were you even going to try to get a date?”
“I guess I could ask Michelle.”
“Who?”
“Just some girl May wants me to meet.”
“I was thinking of asking Betty.” Ned sighed
Peter was sitting in his room studying for finals. Just a few more weeks and he could be Spider-Man all summer. May burst through the door, holding a flier. “Peter, what’s this?”
“Nothing important. Just an invitation to some graduation party.” Peter responded, eyes glued to his textbook.
“Are you going?”
“Of course not. I don’t even have a date.” Peter regretted his words the second they came out of his mouth. He knew where this was going.
“Why don’t you ask Anna’s niece, Michelle!” May said, excited at the idea of setting her nephew up with some mystery girl.
“Thanks May, but I’m alright.”
“Oh Peter, you live such a sheltered life.”
God if she only knew. Peter thought to himself.
“Please May, not this again.” Peter sighed.
“You’ve been putting this off for years Peter. Anna and I arranged for the two of you to meet for dinner at Fiorta’s.”
“Seriously May!” Peter whined.
“This isn’t a discussion. Go get yourself cleaned up. I left you a suit in your old room.”
Peter knew better than to argue with May. He stepped into the bathroom to wash the dirt and blood off. He used a little bit of hair gel to try and fix his mess of curls. The cut on his face could not be helped, but it would heal in a few hours.
The suit that May had left him in his roomed looked very expensive. She and Anna really went all out. It would be a shame to let it go to waste. There was no way he could get out of this without feeling guilty.
The suit fit surprisingly well. It could also be used for the planetarium tomorrow night. Seriously, how long has May been planning this?
Peter looked down at his watch, sitting at the table. For once in his life, he was early. A million questions were going through his head. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she doesn’t want to meet me? What if-
“Excuse me?” A feminine voice questioned.
Peter quickly looked up from his watch. He was immediately speechless. Standing before him was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Long curly hair, beautiful brown eyes, and a dress covered in flowers. One thought went through Peter’s head, dang she’s tall.
“Are you Peter Parker?” She questioned.
“I uh-“ Peter stuttered. He tried to form words, but only small sounds came out.
“Are you always this articulate?” She teased.
“Yes. I mean, I’m Peter.” He finally answered, standing up.
“Michelle. But you can call me MJ.”
The pair sat down at their table. Cue awkward silence. After a few seconds, Peter spoke up. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise. So, what is it you do?”
Smalltalk. Peter’s biggest weakness. “I’m studying engineering at ESU. I’m also a part time photographer. How ‘bout you?”
“Biology at NYU. I plan to go to medical school afterwards.”
“Cool.” Peter smiled.
Dinner went surprisingly smoothly. Exchanging stories, personal thoughts, and terrible jokes. There was a little argument about paying the bill. Eventually they agreed to split it equally.
“Aren’t you going to walk me home?” Michelle asked teasingly
Peter being Peter didn’t understand and panicked. “Oh! Uh- yeah! I mean uh- only if you want me to.”
Michelle laughed at his nervousness. “I was just joking. But I’ll let you.” She smiled.
Peter and Michelle came up to her apartment building. It was far nicer than Peter’s. I guess that’s what happens when you can pay your rent on time. “I’m sorry.” Peter blurted out.
“What for?”
“I’ve actually tried to avoid meeting you for a while.” Peter avoided her gaze due to embarrassment. “But I actually ended up having a good time. And you’re cool.”
Expecting anger, Michelle just giggled. Peter was in shock. “I know. I actually wasn’t happy about this either. But I also had fun.” Peter stood with his mouth agape. “Let’s do this again sometime.” Michelle said, giving Peter a soft kiss on the cheek and walking into her building.
Peter couldn’t get his mind off of MJ. He couldn’t believe he’d spent all that time trying to avoid her. Peter was immediately pulled out of his thoughts by J Jonah Jameson.
“Parker! Get over here!”
Peter rushed over to Jameson. Douche. “Yes sir?”
“Have you gotten the pictures?”
“Yeah.” Peter showed his boss the photos he’d already taken.
“You could do better.” Jameson said, unimpressed as usual. “Go over there and get a picture of my son and daughter.”
Peter sighed. “Yes sir.” On his way over, his thoughts went back to MJ. Peter raised his camera and looked through the lens to photograph Jameson Jr and his sister. There’s nothing that could go wrong with Michelle. As usual, God had amazing timing. Michelle was Jameson’s daughter.
Shit.