Chapter Text
Good Morning Midtown! Today is Wednesday, October 9th, 2024.
The auditorium will be closed today for the college and career assembly: Juniors and Seniors must attend. It will begin after the first bell. Students should proceed to the auditorium instead of homeroom.
The Robotics lab is closed today, and the computer lab will be open during first, third, and fifth periods and lunch.
Today's Lunch special is a Club sandwich; please note that a vegan option with Tofurkey, Lightlife Meatless Veggie Ham Slices, and MyLife Cheddar Cheese Slices is available as an alternative.
The Academic Decathlon team practice has been canceled for today and is rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, October 10th.
A reminder that The Forensics Club will have a quick meeting today after school in room 154. We will be discussing the upcoming field trip.
Attention Seniors: Are you looking for a community service opportunity? Elementary PS 144 needs volunteers for a Basket Raffle on October 25th. Students are required from 11:45 – 3:30 and 2:30- 4:00. Sign up outside room 236.
That's all we have for today! Signing off, I'm Betty Brant-
And I'm Jason Ionello!
Have a Magical Midtown Day!
"Hey, loser."
Ned turned, "Hey MJ." He tossed his jacket in his locker and closed it. "Find anything?"
She shook her head. "Still nothing, it's like he vanished."
"I don't get it!" he growled. "Peter Parker wasn't listed for those who disappeared, and neither was May. I tried calling his old cell and Mays, but they've both been disconnected. We went to his old apartment, but a new family is living there now. They had no idea what happened to the previous family."
"Did you try searching for his new number?"
He stared at her.
"Sorry," she shrugged, "Just making sure you had all your bases covered."
"When he went public about being Spiderman in 2018, they must have scrubbed all his personal information on the web. The only number I can find in the Spiderman fan number and I've called that like a hundred times and nothing."
"I went over to Stark Tower after school yesterday," she said.
"What!" he stopped and turned to her. "And you didn't lead with that?"
"It didn't lead to anywhere," she said. "I got to the front desk, said I had a meeting with Peter Parker and that my name was Michelle Jones. The lady called someone, and then I was told he wasn't available and was, in fact, out of the office for the rest of the week."
"At least we know he's working there, I mean I wouldn't expect anything else, but now we have proof," he said sighing. The pair paused as the first bell rang. "Come on, let's go get this College and Career Day over with."
"Alright, Midtown!" Mr. Harrington said, walking back on stage. "Let us give a big round of applause to Harry Osborn. Mr. Osborn, thank you for coming out and talking to us about your experiences at Columbia University and the many career options available at Oscorp. Last but not least, we have a Midtown Graduate! He graduated Midtown in 2019, he has not only a bachelor degree but two masters and a is up for consideration for his doctorate and he's only 23 years old: Please give your full undivided attention to Mr. Peter Parker!"
"No fucking way," Ned muttered.
"Um, thank you for that wonderful introduction Mr. Harrington, it's good to have you back. AcaDeca was not the same without you. And a thank you to Harry Osborn, for being a wonderful opening act-"
"Shove it, Parker!" a shout was heard off stage.
"I'm kidding!" Peter laughed, "Don't let the fact that our companies are archenemies fool you, Harry and I went to NYU together, until he abandoned me for Columbia to get his masters. Now, I attended Midtown for my freshman and sophomore year until the-" he paused and glanced around the room. "Until the decimation, when 50% of my classmates, many of whom are here today, disappeared."
"Friends my ass," MJ growled. "Can't even answer a damn phone call."
"So after the snap, those of us who were left had a choice to make. Remember this: 50 % of all life on earth was gone. There were 50% fewer doctors, fewer teachers, fewer workmen. University's started fast-tracking degrees. Encouraging students in high school to get their GED's if they wanted to. My wife-"
"His what?" Ned said, turning to MJ. "Did he-?"
"Yup."
"-looked around at all of the damage and destruction and chose to get her GED and then her AA and joined the fast nursing program at NYU and became a NICU and Pediatric Nurse. I, on the other hand, had the biggest temper tantrum that a 15-year-old kid could have. Like a multi-million dollar tantrum. How many have you have been to the Avengers Museum?"
Ned and MJ raised their hands. It had been one of the first places they went in their hunt to find Peter once they learned he had gone public with his identity.
"Ok, so the Iron Spider Suit in the Spiderman exhibit. That is not the original suit, the original suit is, in fact, a melted cube of scrap heat that I destroyed. Like hulk smash destroyed. So, after my temper tantrum, I got my GED, I went to NYU, which, according to Tony Stark, is blasphemy. I think turning down my full ride to MIT gave him his second heart attack. Anyways, I attended NYU and got a degree a duel bachelor's Biomolecular Science and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, along with a master's in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. Currently, I am in the process of writing my thesis for a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at NYU and in biomedical engineering at Columbia ."
"How is that even possible? Can you take that many classes in that short of time?" MJ whispered.
"I don't think so, I mean, he had six years, and all those programs had similar classes, so maybe but still, that's a lot."
"Now I know that sounds crazy, but I did a lot of fast track courses and basically skipped my AA. It also didn't hurt that I had Tony Stark and Bruce Banner as my personal tutors and lab buddies. In August, I began working at Stark Industries, working in Research and Development at putting those degrees to good use. Now Stark Industries isn't just about making the StarkPhone; we're also more than clean energy and Iron Man. We're about innovation and creativity and trying to figure out how we can make the world better with what we have and if we don't have it, discovering where we find it or build or create it. We have employees who spend their days in labs with whiteboards and chemistry sets and holo-tables just creating and testing new ideas. I honestly could never dream up a better place to work." Peter glanced at his watch, and MJ could see the thin black band on his finger that stood out against his pale hand. He was really married. "We have about 15 minutes left until your final bell, so if it's ok with Mr. Harrington, I'll open up for questions? Yeah? All right, who's got questions?"
Hands across the auditorium flew into the air.
"Wow-" Peter laughed. "A lot of questions, ok let's see if I can spot someone I know… Josh Scarino."
"How did you balance going to school and being Spiderman? I mean, how much more work did you have?"
"So this is where I'm supposed to say that it's all about balance, which to be fair, it's true. College is tough, and the way I did it did not make it any easier. I did lighten my spiderman load for the first two years, but that was a personal decision that did not have to do school. When you do get to school, the workload will increase, and it can get overwhelming. Honestly, the best advice I can give is that when you get to school, find a support system. It can be your high school friends or roommates or kids you happen to share classes with. Find the people you want to spend the night camped out in the library with pizza and enough coffee and soda to fuel a small country. Find the people you want to get pancakes with, in your pj's when you haven't slept in two days, and finals are over with. Another question? Um….ooh! Spiderman shirt in row...ugh I think its 15?"
"Why, NYU?"
"Why, NYU? So after the decimation, I didn't have any family left, and what was left was here, and New York and I didn't want to leave them. Before the decimation, my dream school was MIT, and while I was accepted..." Peter took a deep breath. "MIT just wasn't an option anymore. There isn't a specific reason why I picked NYU, it comes down to they had what I wanted to study, and they were fast-tracking students."
"Alright," Mr. Harrington said, coming back out. "Students, we have 5 minutes left, so let's give a big thank you to Mr. Parker. You are all dismissed; you may make an orderly exit from the auditorium."
"Let's go," MJ whispered, "If we're quick, we can meet him outside."
"Right behind you," Ned whispered. "Why are we whispering?"
"I don't know, let's go!"
The two pushed through the crowd and ran backstage.
"Mr. Leeds, Ms. Jones," Mr. asked Harrington. "What are you doing back here?"
"We're looking for Peter, sir," said Ned quickly, "he told us to meet him after."
"Ok, he's back there. I think he is in the dressing room with Mr. Osborn."
"Thank you, sir," said Ned.
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Harrington," said MJ.
"Alright, Harry, see you on Sunday," a voice called. Peter appeared from around the corner, his back still facing them.
"Later, Parker, tell Lila hi for me."
"Peter!" yelled Ned.
Peter froze.
"Come on, loser, turn around," said MJ "Look at us."
Peter turned around slowly, "Hey guys."
"Nice suit," MJ muttered, "have fun selling out to corporate America?"
"Nah," Peter laughed, "I just handed my wardrobe over to Pepper Potts. I'm only allowed to dress myself on weekends."
"Why haven't you reached out to us, dude?" Ned asked. "I thought I was your best friend."
"You were- are Ned. It's just-" Peter began. There was a ding, and he pulled his phone and typed. "Listen, I have to go but meet me on Saturday at 9 am? By the Alice in wonderland statue in central park? "
"Peter, seriously, you don't have five minutes?" MJ asked.
"I don't. I'm sorry," said Peter, still not looking up from his phone. "Come? Please?"
"Seriously-" MJ started.
"We'll be there," said Ned. "See you then."
Peter nodded before running out.
"Seriously, Leeds!" MJ muttered. "You didn't think he had five minutes?"
"I don't know, but I'm not going to fight him. It's a start," Ned said. "I've got to go, but I'll see you at AcaDeca practice tomorrow."