Chapter 6
When the class were all, once again, packed into the elevator, Emily began explaining the cafeteria to them.
“There is an array of fast-food joints down the left of the hall, and catering options from Stark Industries down the right, with all the seating in the center. Each of you have a $15 balance on your ID cards to be able to choose whatever you want. There are toilets at the back, too. You guys have 45 minutes so have fun and chill out.” And with the end of her sentence the doors opened and the teens flooded out.
Shortly later Peter, MJ, Ned, Harley, and Morgan all had their food and were sat around the table in content silence just eating away.
A small giggle escaped from Peter as Morgan managed to miss her mouth and just slam pizza into her face.
The amusement was short-lived however, as just when MJ went to wipe the younger girls face, Flash took the opportunity to pull peter away from the group by the sleeve and over to a quieter corner of the room.
“Spill the beans Parker, how’d you manage it?”
“Manage what, Flash?” He had only just started eating his lunch and honestly did not have the energy for any of this right now
“You know what I mean Penis, we all know your internship is fake, so how’d you do it? With your knees on the ground? I bet that’s it huh, I bet you’re the company prostitute, not that anyone would even pay for something like you.”
Just as Flash was in the middle of his berating, a very familiar voice boomed behind him
“I don’t like bullies, son”
The short statement absorbed the attention of not only the two boys in the corner, but the entire room.
“Uh... Mr…Uh...Cap…Sir”
“Enough” Steve Rodgers cut off Flash’s panicked ramblings “I will not stand for bullies as it is, much less those against Peter. I thought it was bad enough that F.R.I.D.AY. had to alert me of an issue with physical contact, but then I hear you say those disgusting things? I highly suggest you sit down and leave peter here alone, because I can guarantee that the next time an issue is raised, it will be someone a lot scarier than me who responds. Do I make myself clear?”
“Uh… y-y-yes” was all flash was able to stutter out, in complete shock. His sense of ‘fight or flight’ was overruled by the third option of ‘freeze’.
Only a second later Mr Turner quickly approached the group at the edge of the room, filled with a rather foolish level of confidence.
“Good afternoon, Mr Rodgers” he politely greeted “I’m Rodger Turner, the teacher of these students. I apologise for the alert that made you come down here, but I can assure you that these issues with Mr Parker have been acknowledged and will most definitely be appropriately dealt with on our return to the school.”
There was a brief moment, during which Flash collected himself, Peter shrunk in the awkwardness, praying that Steve would misunderstand and leave the situation be, and Steve simply tried to process the words that were said.
“Issues with Mr Parker?” the Avenger finally questioned.
“Yes, Peter has caused a number of disturbances during his time here, and some offences pertaining to his relations with Stark Industries.”
“Well Mr Turner, we have very strict security measures throughout the building, and I think you will find that it was this young man…” he motioned to Flash “…that has caused a number of alerts to go off, all the while not a single alert has been raised against Peter, a highly credited member of staff here, with a not a single ounce of bad in him. I strongly suggest that you re-evaluate the actions of these boys. That will be the end of this matter” and with that, he turned on his heels and left, before he could cause the damage he so desperately wanted too – also causing the disappointment of the class, who hoped to get a chance to speak with the solider.
Steve’s words could be terrifying when he wanted them to, such to the point that even Peter, despite the praise that was offered about him, was left feeling small and anxious.
After returning to his table, Peter was finally able to take a moment, for the first time all day, to sigh and relieve some of the tension that had inevitably built up during the day.