HEARTSTRINGS ▹ P. PARKER [ON HOLD]

four.

Michelle Jones was a mystery. After Gwen returned home from her meeting with Spider-Baby as Siren, she arrived with Michelle sprawled on her bed reading a book. She was still wearing her Avengers uniform, and the only reaction she got from her friend was a book dropping.

MJ didn't ask questions. She waited for her friend to say everything she had to say. About her parents, Reed and Susan, being victims of cosmic radiation and gaining some powers alongside Gwen's uncle, Johnny, and their friend Ben. About her being born with healing and sound powers. And about graduating from Harvard at 15, landing a job at Stark Industries and the Avengers.

Gwen finished her speech by admitting her feelings for Peter. That she teased him all the time because that was the only way he'd pay any attention to her.

She had to give her friend some credit because Michelle was much calmer than Ned and way better at keeping secrets, considering that the only thing she said was, "Your crush on him wasn't a secret."

"That's it? Is that all you have to say?"

"I'm just trying to process all of this info," MJ shrugged. "Are you even allowed to tell me these things?"

"Nope," Gwen sat on her bed while taking off her uniform to put on some comfortable clothes.

"Then why did you?"

Gwen stopped her motions to look at Michelle.

"Before attending Midtown High, my only friends were a girl who lives in another continent, Tony Stark and Roxanne Kovalenka."

MJ raised an eyebrow. "The arrogant billionaire and his girlfriend? Aren't they, like, 50 or something?"

"Exactly my point," Gwen dismissed it. "What I mean is, I never knew how it was like having a normal teenage life and normal teenager friends. You're my best normal friend, and I thought that after everything we've gone through, you deserved to know."

There was a moment of silence.

"We've actually gone through nothing. It's just high school," Michelle said slowly.

"I know! Isn't it amazing?!" Gwen chuckled, making the other girl join her.

"I always knew you were hiding something, but now that I know what it is, everything makes much more sense. Like your top grades and your parents' absence. Except for your crush on Peter Parker. It will never make sense to me." She smirked, earning a playful punch on the shoulder. "But, really, thank you for telling me."

"I know you're not gonna tell the entire school that I'm friends with the Siren and make me take her to some lame party in the suburbs."

MJ and Gwen shared a laugh before grabbing some ice cream and binge-watch Game of Thrones.

"By the way, why did you choose to live in an apartment beside Parker? Are you his babysitter or something?"

-oOo-