Spider-Boy: A New Beginning

Hey Peter

"Patricia?"

"Patricia Parker?"

"H-here. It's... Peter..."He grumbles under his breathe. 

"What was that dear?" The teacher asks looking up from her roll sheet. 

"I go by Peter." He quickly replies while clearing his throat.

"Are you sure?" Looking confused she gives it a moment. "Are you sure maybe not Patty... or...  Patelline?" Awkwardly laughing to herself. She realizes Peter doesn't budge and quickly starts scribbling at his legal name. 

"How about Pat?"

"It's Peter." Looking everywhere to avoid eye contact.

"Okay. Peter is fine Miss Parker."

He takes a deep breathe while shutting his eyes. The world silences for him for just a moment. Miss Parker. Patty. Her. SHE. Says the voices in his head. All whirling inside as if mocking him. He takes another breathe to let it go in acceptance. This is his life. It took him a life time to be properly gendered back at home, and it'll take another to start anew in this small town. Serenity Hills. Middle of no where. For no one. After Uncle Ben died his Aunt May had to move them to a more financially stable home. The landlords let May find a job before paying rent, but has only found small jobs like dishwasher or babysitter. Peter has told her, time after time, he would help with finances, but she only expects him to go to school and live a normal teenage life. How normal can it really be? 

"Hey Peter I'm talking to you!" 

"Huh? What?" Startled, he rattles his desk and looks around. He sees a girl with curly hair standing right next to him.

"Class has been over for about two minutes now."

"Sorry I-"

"Weirdo." She smirks and walks away.

He digs into his jacket pocket to find his schedule and bolts out the door. Going back to grab his backpack. Quickly pacing through the halls he focuses on the paper.

"Shoot. Is that B125 or 6?" 

"126." A voice next to him says.

"What?" He sees the same girl walking right next to him.

"Are you following me now?" She questions seriously. "Stalker much?"

"No. N-No. I was. My class. I was just. I promise. This-"

She laughs. "B126 is English, plus 125 has been empty since Mr. Martinez got fired." Looking at him, he's puzzled. "Long story. I have B-126 right now also." 

"Okay. Cool." He breaks away from looking at her as they hurriedly walk together. 

"Marie by the way. Marie Juarez if you weren't paying attention back there."

"Oh, hey. Thanks Marie." 

"No problem... Peter Parker?" She smiles, "Sounds like a super hero. PeTER parKER."

He shrugs, "It feels more fitting then my given name."

"MJ is more appropriate now that you mention it. Marie Juarez is what my mom calls me when I hit my siblings on "accident" or whatever they deserve." They both chuckle softly. 

"Do you have any siblings?"

"No," he replies, "I just live with my Aunt May."

"Oh," They stop in front of the classroom door, "Do you have cousins?"

Wanting to avoid the sob stories he looks down and quickly answers.

"No." 

"Ladies." The teacher says squeezing between the two to get into the class. 

Peter rolls his eyes at the comment and hustles into class leaving MJ to simmer in the moment. 

"Hey, wait a minute Peter." She trails behind him. 

"Sit down young lady class has started."

She takes a seat behind Peter and sees the change in spirit. The names get called and he's finally called.

"Patricia Parker?"

"Here." He quickly replies with no addition or movement. The teacher continues with the next name and struggles with the pronunciation. 

"Hey, hold on a second." She says out loud. 

"Is there a problem Miss Juarez?"

"Peter... Parker..." She stands up.

"Who?"

Peter looks at her with mixed eyes. 

"He goes by Peter Parker... not Patricia." slowly sitting down.

"I see... Is that true Miss- Mr. Parker?"

"Yeah." His voice cracks and he clears his throat now projecting with a lower tone, "Yeah it's Peter. Peter Parker."

"Okay, Peter Parker it is then" The teacher says with no objection and carries on with his list.

"Why did you do that." Peter whispers over his shoulders. 

"Because I think everyone should meet Peter Parker."