MJ
MJ's POV
Michelle felt like she was moving through a mist; a thick, heavy mist that wanted to suffocate for her. Time seemed to slow and speed up all at once. The only thing that kept her tethered from shutting down was school. She didn't know what day it was. She didn't know much of anything. She moved in autopilot from class to class, going to sleep at night and seemingly waking up in her first class for whatever day it was.
That first day after Peter stayed the night, she tried. She tried to engage in her classes, she tried to behave like her usual self, but she felt so exhausted before the day even began. She found herself reaching for her latest book and, like old times, spent any time between classes reading. Even over lunch when she'd usually talk with Ned and Peter, it took everything in her to sit with them and make small comments.
She knew from her light reading of psychology that she was in survival mode. She knew her brain had shut down and was trying to protect her, so after that first day she just gave in. She would find a way out but she was too tired right now.
By the time it reached Wednesday, and she only knew it was Wednesday because she was reminded by Liz that she had agreed to meet up, MJ didn't want to. She wanted to cancel and keep the routine she had going: waking up, studying, going to school, studying and then back to bed. Going to see Liz after school would throw her off, but in the end, she decided to keep her plan. They were meeting at The Bookhouse which had been her and Liz's place before everything changed. After spending a week basically operating like a zombie, she knew on a practical level that getting back "out there" was probably what was best for her and though everything in her was resisting going, she told Liz that she'd meet her after school.
MJ hadn't had the time to think about the whole Liz-Peter situation since her big breakdown. It suddenly felt a lot less of a concern, but she also hadn't had a lot of time to think about Peter as a whole. It was throwing her off, knowing that he knew. She couldn't stand looking at him because his warm eyes, filled with concern every time she caught him glancing at her, reminded her of their night together and their night together was a big red door back to the night that fucked everything over for her. She knew she only had a certain amount of time before Peter staged a potential intervention. She'd probably wake up to Spiderman sitting in her room with textbooks on how to recover from trauma, complete with a list of therapists in her local vicinity. He would mean it with good intention, but even just thinking about diffusing the Peter-concern bomb was too much.
After class on Wednesday, MJ was only self-aware enough to make the right turns to get to the Bookhouse. When she walked through the door, she instantly spotted Liz, eyes drawn automatically to their old booth tucked away in a corner. Liz saw her too, a bright smile lighting up her face which MJ tried to return.
Liz was gorgeous. She always had been but it was especially true now. Her hair was longer, face more mature as it had been slimmed out and jawline more pronounced. As she stood, MJ saw she was even taller than she had been, easily taller than MJ now though she used to be the tallest out of the two of them. She was dressed in a tight-long sleeved turtle neck with checkered pants that hugged her figure. Michelle didn't know what she had expected, but it was stranger to see her like this, looking like an older sister as opposed to a girl her own age.
Feeling awkward and incredibly self-conscious in her basic get-up of ripped jeans, a t-shirt and her usual ratty hair, she stepped forward to give Liz a hug. They held each other for a few moments before sitting down across from each other.
"You look amazing," Michelle breathed, eyeing her friend with appreciation and envy. She wasn't usually body-conscious but Liz was always on her top list of most attractive people.
"So do you," Liz flicked her eyes over her thoughtfully. "But... you look exactly the same as when I last saw you."
"Well," MJ shrugged awkwardly. "I suppose it really technically that wasn't long ago, especially not for me."
They ordered a coffee each and settled in. MJ had a lot of questions. She was intrigued to hear about Liz's college experience, wanting to know everything about Harvard Law School even though Law wasn't what she wanted to study. MJ wanted to go to Harvard, but to study political science. However, even basic information would help her feel better prepared.
After discussing her college experience, Liz asked questions about what things were like for MJ. She didn't disclose much, it felt too strange. They were preparing to leave when Liz told her,
"I'm going to see Peter Parker this Friday. Do you still know him?"
She looked away, biting her cheek before responding.
"A little. He's still in the Decathlon team."
"He's really nice," she said as they began to leave the café. MJ was going to walk her to the bus stop. "He's messaged me a lot since.. the Blip."
"Really?" that was interesting. Was his crush still in existence? She would have thought he'd have moved on, especially after dooming her dad to prison... oh and the fact that Liz was now five years older than them and living a whole new world. She supposed a lot of boys in school were into college girls but she never thought Peter would be one of them.
Stupid boys.
Liz nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah, he's super nice, super supportive actually. I kind of miss him."
She didn't know how to respond to that but Liz kept chatting, about how she was looking forward to her speech at the school on Friday and MJ nodded like she was listening. She felt overwhelmed, too much shit to deal with at once, so she felt relieved when they made it to the bus stop and they hugged goodbye.
"I'll see you Friday," Liz smiled warmly and MJ did her best to return it, making sure to wave as the bus pulled away.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the bus rounded the corner, taking Liz with it. She began her trek home when she felt her phone buzz in her pocket.
It was another message from Peter. He had been messaging her over the week, offering words of support and comfort and she didn't have much energy to respond.
Spiderboi: Look fast
Attached was a photo of him in his spidey suit, posing with peace fingers.
She looked around but saw nothing suspicious. Maybe he messaged the wrong person.
She sped up her pace, making her way back to her suburb. She wasn't far from their spot when she heard scuffling, looking up to see Spiderman swinging towards her. She paused as he came to stop in front of her.
"Would you like a lift somewhere, Miss?" he asked and she couldn't help but smile a little in response. Her usual snark decided to make an appearance.
"I have legs that I look to use, but thank you, Friendly Neighbourhood Spiderman."
She pushed past him, grinning slightly as she kept up her pace. She wasn't all that surprised that Peter bounded after her.
"Oh, come on," he whined. "It'll be fun. I'm not doing the usual rounds so we can chill. Plus I got us snacks."
"I should be getting home," she sighed.
He jumped in front of her, holding up his palm. She knew he was smiling under his mask.
"Ma'am, I have to insist. I think it'd be good for you."
"I'm a Ma'am now?" she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Peter just stood there so eventually she sighed. "Fine, but I don't know if I'm going to like this much and I don't want to be out late."
There wasn't anyone around so she gave Peter a nod, trying to communicate through her expression that if this little shit dropped her, she'd end him. He bounded forward in response, scooped her up with no effort and looked down at her.
"You won't regret it. This is the best part of my job."
And then they were off. Her stomach dropped the same way it does on a rollercoaster as he shot his web in the air and yanked them upwards. She curved inwards, hugging his neck and squeezing eyes tight as she tried not to scream.
"I'm. Going. To. Kill. You."
Peter laughed in response, letting out a hoot as they hurtled towards the rooftop.
The only sign they had arrived was the lack of rush of air through her hair. She still clung to him as she tried to get her brain and body to relax. Peter slowly lowered her to the ground and she stepped back shakily, glaring at him as he ripped off his mask and grinned at her.
"Why hello, Miss," he stepped forward and held out his hand. "I'm Peter Parker, your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman, and I believe we go to the same school. I haven't seen you for a while."
She knew he was trying to be nice but it rubbed her the wrong way. She didn't take his hand, but her glare deepened.
"So you decided to stage an intervention?"
It didn't seem to bother Peter. He dropped his hand and gestured to the little shed they sometimes huddled against as the weather grew colder.
"If that's what you want to call it. I know some of your favourite snacks and I know snacks help me feel better sometimes."
"Why do you think I feel bad?" she gritted out, realising how stupid it was as she did it because obviously, she wasn't okay.
"Em," he stepped towards her now, grin dropping. "Come on. I know that... somethings up."
"Even if there is, that's not your job to fix," she stepped away, glaring at his outstretched hand. He pulled it back towards his chest, confusion evident on his face.
"I just thought..." his voice trailed off as he looked down. She knew she should stop. She knew she should say thank you and tell him everything was fine and sit down and laugh and joke around with him, but now she just wanted to be left alone. This was too much.
"Well you thought wrong," she finished with him, turning away. "I want to go home."
There was a beat of silence before he said quietly.
"Okay, MJ. I'll take you home."
She could feel the hesitance in his body as he picked her up again, looking away from her. She was doing the same. She should tell him she wants to walk but she was suddenly exhausted. She was grateful for the feel of his strong and sturdy arms because she would be sinking to the ground right now if it weren't for them.
He jumped from the building and she felt the start of tears dripping down her cheek, feeling icy as the wind whooshed past. They were there almost as soon as they started and he was lowering her gently onto her window ledge after opening the window with one arm.
She tried to keep her eyes away as she clambered in, not wanting him to see her face.
"Thank you," she said quietly, trying her best to discreetly wipe her cheeks, still facing away from him.
"It's okay," he answered quietly.
Silence fell and she thought for sure he was gone. Her knees felt weak and she was ready to sink to the floor before his voice stopped her,
"I'm here, MJ. I'll give you space if that's what you want, but it's important you know that at any moment of any day, you can call on me."
She should thank him. She should turn around and hug him. There were so many things she could and should do, but they felt unbearable.
So she didn't answer. After a few minutes she looked behind her and he was gone.
She finally let herself sink to the floor.