Spider-Man: Finding a New Home [Andrew Garfield]

3

3.

First Day of School

Adalia

I feel sick to my stomach.

I feel disoriented, and on the verge of panicking.

I am blinded by white, hot flashing lights. My ears hurt because of the loud, obnoxious screaming done by people who hate me. And I struggle to read vulgar signs with Peter and I's faces on it, depicting us as menaces to New York City.

The one place I thought I'd be safe from the world's scrutiny has been overrun with several broadcasting stations. My school, Midtown School of Science and Technology, proves to be a futile place for temporary sanctum. I arrive at school with Peter, Ned, MJ, and police escorts, and I regret having agreed to attend school in the first place. If I stayed home, I could have avoided hundreds of angry people who wish to scream and curse at me for Quentin Beck's death. I hear obscenities thrown at me left and right, and I can't believe the disgusting things I'm being told.

I hold my head high, though, trying to show those who wish me harm that their words have no bearing on me. And to be strong in the face of adversity, takes a lot of courage.

I've faced worse; I have been face to face with Thanos, the Chitarui, the Winter Soldier, and many more. Adults, who have nothing better to do, have arrived at my school to criticize me–a kid in high school; I do not fear them, and they mean nothing to me. I am much stronger than they think, but there's only so much I can take. For two months, I have been forced to live in seclusion to avoid the masses of hateful people. The media, which I refuse to look at anymore, has spread lies and rumors about me to fit their narrative of Spider-Man and La Sombra being villains.

As I look at the large crowd gathered behind barricades to keep them from entering my school, I start to wonder when the hatred for Peter and I will wane. I wish to have a fraction of the privacy I had before, and I don't know how much longer I can take the constant judgment. My mind wanders to my parents, and their grudges against me, and my stomach twists and turns at the thought of the silent treatment I've been given. I compare the strangers outside of my school to my mother and father, and find zero differences.

My parents can barely look me in the eye, and now, they refuse to speak to me unless they find it necessary. I've truly messed up this time, and my relationship with my parents has worsened.

I wish my life could go back to the way it used to be...

As Peter, Ned, MJ, and I slightly huddle together to walk through our school's entrance, we pass by nosy students to a fairly empty hallway. We all heave a sigh of relief, and I notice our bodies have become less tense compared to when we were outside. I can still hear the roar of the crowd just beyond the doors of the school's entryway.

"That was... tough," says Ned, with a shaky voice. Peter and MJ hum in agreement, while I simply nod my head. The quiet hallways give me a peace of mind for a moment, but soon, students will be piling in. The tiny moment of peace will end once the entire school arrives. And I get the feeling that no student will want to miss the opportunity to see Peter and I in our frazzled states. "Do you guys wanna head upstairs?"

"Yeah," says a nervous, yet brave Peter, "sounds like a good idea. Come on, let's go." Peter tilts his head in the direction of the second floor stairs, and he walks away from Ned and I with MJ close beside him. I glance at their holding hands, noticing that they've been glued to each other from the moment we arrived at school. My bottom lip trembles, and I long to be in MJ's position. My shoulders slump, and I force my legs to move me forward. If it were up to me, I'd leave this school and never look back. Although I appear strong, I'd rather be in my room, and hide; my ego has taken many hits for several weeks now, and I can take another.