Allergic To Peppermint
Lunch was usually safe. Operative word: usually.
"Want a mint?" Ned asked, tossing a shiny-wrapped candy onto Peter’s tray like it was no big deal.
Peter barely glanced at it. "Nah, I’m good."
MJ, sipping her suspiciously strong coffee, quirked a brow. "Because it’s not vegan, or because you’re a weirdo about breath mints?"
Peter opened his mouth to reply—and then froze. His eyes locked onto the wrapper. Green. White stripes. Peppermint.
Time slowed.
Ned: smiling like a golden retriever.
MJ: looking vaguely amused.
Peter: already sweating.
He stood up so fast his tray flipped, spaghetti launching like a tomato-based firework.
"DON’T TOUCH THAT!"
Silence hit the cafeteria like a slap. Flash Thompson stopped mid-selfie. A grape rolled off a table somewhere. Betty Brant gasped like she’d just seen a ghost. Or worse—a broken WiFi signal.
"You okay, dude?" Ned asked, staring at him. “It’s just a mint.”
Peter’s throat was closing before he could even answer.
"Guys—I—I need—" His voice was suddenly hoarse. His face flushed. Hands trembling. He clutched his chest. “Epi...pen…”
MJ’s coffee hit the floor. “Oh my god—someone help!”
Mr. Harrington, at the next table with the Academic Decathlon team, jumped up and fumbled with his phone. “I—I’m calling 911!”
Cindy Moon rushed forward. "He’s allergic?! What is it—nuts? Dairy?"
Ned held up the wrapper, horrified. “Peppermint. It was just peppermint.”
Peter slumped to the floor, face already swelling. He tried to speak but all that came out was a wheeze.
Brad Davis, of all people, pulled Peter’s bag open and found the EpiPen inside, tossing it to MJ with surprising coordination. She jabbed it into his thigh like she’d been waiting for this moment since freshman year.
Peter gasped—but barely.
Someone screamed, “The nurse’s office is too far!” Another yelled, “He’s not breathing!”
By the time the ambulance screeched into the lot, Peter was only half-conscious. Paramedics loaded him up with practiced speed, glancing at the medical bracelet on his wrist.
In case of emergency, DO NOT take to hospital. Transport to Stark Medical Facility.
Severe allergic reaction risk: PEP-ALL (Peppermint)
"Stark pickup confirmed," one paramedic nodded. "He’s tagged. Let’s move."
MJ stood frozen beside Ned and the rest of the Decathlon team, watching the ambulance doors slam shut.
Later that evening, the school received an email.
Subject: STUDENT MEDICAL ACCOMMODATION - URGENT UPDATE
From: Stark Industries Medical Division
Effective immediately, the following substances are strictly prohibited on Midtown High property due to a confirmed medical risk to a registered student:
Peppermint (oil, flavoring, extract)
Menthol-based products (gum, candy, lip balm)
Essential oils containing mint compounds
Select aerosol sprays with cooling agents
Any exposure may result in severe allergic reaction requiring specialized treatment. Violation of this list will trigger automated alerts to Stark Security.
Attached was a full Stark Security PDF protocol, complete with hazard labels, QR codes, and what might have been a flame-thrower icon.
MJ, reading over Betty’s shoulder, said, “Only Peter Parker could nearly die in a lunchroom and end up with a corporate-sponsored allergy ban.”
Ned was still pale. "We literally almost killed him."
Betty added, “This is going to be so good for the school paper. Is it exploitative if I call it ‘Peppermint Panic’?”
Brad just muttered, “Next time I’m sitting with the drama kids.”