MJ
MJ's Pov
By the time the final bell rang, MJ was exhausted. She had decided to spend her breaks in the library, cramming her head with even more work to keep herself distracted. She thought about taking the bus home, just to give herself a break, but that meant getting home earlier and the more time she was away from home, the better.
So her feet began moving and she put on her podcast, shoving past the students still milling in the halls. She couldn't even bother saying goodbye to Parker and Ned who waved at her before shrinking back when they saw her face. She was probably scowling. She did that a lot.
The walk home felt long and short all at once. She kept daydreaming about napping when she returned although she knew she wouldn't get the chance. The house was still a mess after her mother's boyfriend stayed and there was a pile of dishes that desperately needed attention. She had spent the weekend hiding in her room so they couldn't be left any longer. The only blessing was her mum wouldn't be home until late as she had an evening shift at the ER. The house would be all hers and she breathed a sigh of relief knowing no mum around meant no boyfriends around. What was the new one's name? Steve? Harry? She couldn't keep up anymore so she didn't bother trying. It wasn't like they'd stick around anyway. It usually only took a week or two. Sometimes MJ didn't even notice when they swapped. She was used to a steady flow of men coming and going. She just tried to stay out of their way.
After heaving herself up the stairs, she decided to give herself fifteen minutes to crash on her bed and flip through her phone. She caught up on her Instagram feed and Facebook before getting to work. It didn't take as long as expected but the house was clean by the time it was done. She looked around the small two-bedroom apartment and sighed. It would be messy by the time she got home again tomorrow but at least she could enjoy it for now. The only consistently clean area of the house was MJ's room; which she kept control over it like any area of life she could. She lit some incense and a candle and sat down to work on her homework and the now clean table that was only an hour ago covered in empty beer bottles and cigarette butts. She had decided to start on an assignment that wasn't due for a month but only managed half an hour before dropping her head in her hands. A headache was formulating on her right temple and she groaned as she massaged it. She knew it was from a mixture of things: studying most of the day, her lack of sleep from the weekend and... her memories of the weekend.
Michelle shoved away from the table, standing to her feet. The small apartment began to feel even smaller. She felt a cool sweat break out as her eyes skipped around the room. There. That couch. That was where...
Michelle grabbed her jacket from the kitchen bench and made a break for the door. She needed to get out of here.
Practically sprinting down the stairs, she decided that she would spend the rest of her evening walking though her legs were already tired. As long as she was back before her mum, she could take as long as she wanted. She patted her pockets, breathing a sigh of relief when she felt her wallet in the jacket pocket. She could tick of some chores.
One of the great things about being in the city is that it never sleeps so it's perfect for the people who don't either. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was 7pm and decided to pick up some groceries. The shopping was almost always left up to her to do now. Her mother basically lived off of booze and cigarettes anyway, so any food Michelle wanted she had to get for herself. Her mum would only remember the things that mattered to her, so she had long since learnt to take care of herself.
With the shopping completed, she decided to mill around her favourite place: The Bookhouse. The Bookhouse was a place that held a library, and you could read while drinking your coffee. She paid for a small coffee and went hunting through the books. What's something that would keep her distracted? She rolled her eyes at herself as she headed for the same shelf she always did: true crime. Even though there were plenty of options, she chose her usual anyway. The black dahlia was her favourite murder and while she knew the ins and outs having spent many hours researching the case she was still fascinated.
Being away from the apartment, in a place where she had grown to feel safe in, she was able to slump in a chair in the corner and read. Michelle loved to read, every word pulling her deeper and deeper into a world that wasn't her own boring and miserable one. She loved it. She could spend hours doing this.
And she did. She would have kept going too if the shop owner didn't tap her on the shoulder.
"I waited as long as I could, but I have to close up now," said Ben with a sheepish shrug. "We love having you though. You don't even have to buy a coffee to stay here."
Michelle yawned, trying not to seem disappointed. She wasn't ready to go home though she knew it was inevitable.
"Thanks, Ben, you're the best. Sorry if I kept you."
"You didn't," he said as he took the book from her and walked with her to the door. Pulling the handle open and giving her a wave, "have a good night Michelle. Don't stay up for to long and be safe walking home."
"I won't. I mean I won't stay up late." It was a lie of course.
It took an hour just to get back to her neighbourhood and a glance at her watch said she still had three hours until 2am when her mother would return. That gave her three hours to spare.
MJ began to mutter to herself as she made her way through the park. She should be home studying. She should be researching for her assignment. She should be reading. She should be safe and warm and tucked into bed. But home wasn't a safe place anymore. She was going to have to find somewhere else.
At this point, her phone went dead. She had charged it while working on her homework earlier but it was obviously too short of a time.
"Fuck," she cursed and surveyed her surroundings. She was two blocks away from her, strolling through the corner park where kids gathered after school hours. She could make out some girls playing on the swings as they chatted, and a group of guys were at one of the benches sharing a smoke between them. Michelle wrinkled her nose. Did they not know the dangers of smoking? They were going to get cancer and die.
Walking slower to delay the inevitable, she walked with her hand trailing the old brick buildings. This area was a dump but she secretly admired some of its old charms. She stopped at an alleyway between two of said buildings and glanced up at the fire escape the led to one of the roofs. The building was empty. It had been for ages. There were probably cameras but who'd care if some random kid climbed to the roof? Her mind was already made up. Let them throw her in jail. At least she'd get decent rest there.
Climbing the stairs quietly and with a new sense of determination, it did not take her long to reach the top. She breathed in a sigh of relief as the cool breeze touched her skin. This was one of the taller buildings in the area so no one would see her from here. She was in her own little world.
The roof space was mostly empty. MJ noted a few broken bottles and a foldout chair. There was a small shed that sheltered the hatch that gave access to the roof. She marched over, to check around it for anything interesting. The chair was rugged but maybe there was another? Either way, she could get some shelter from the breeze against the shed.
As she passed the building, she noticed a silhouette sitting with their feet hanging over the edge. Michelle squinted before her eyes opened in surprise.
The red and blue suit was familiar. Everyone knew who the Spiderman was but from behind, she noticed the lack of mask. Before stopping herself, she whispered,
"Spiderman?"
He jumped. What about his so-called spider sensitivity? Shouldn't he have heard her before?
But as he turned to her face her, all questions fell away except one.
Eyes met her, wide in shock.
"Peter?"