Peter's Journal

You Put On The Mask Then

"You can't even manage to keep your own life together, son. Look, your grades tremendously dropped over the course of your freshman year. You're not going to get far in life, Peter. You better clean up your act. You're not benefitting anyone much less yourself."

Something caused him to lecture me. Probably making another small mistake such as forgetting to throw my plate away was what set him off. The third strike. First it almost tripping outside because I didn't see the bump on the sidewalk. Then it was me phrasing a sentence in a way that just sounded offense even though none of it was. Now this. I hate this.

"Ever since you started going out there 'saving the world'", he quoted with his fingers in the air, "You've been slipping up a lot more. You're killing yourself both socially and academically. You're always tired. You're always spaced out. You keep forgetting about your priorities, Peter."

He kept listing his reasons on why I'm failing at life, but they didn't have the effect he wanted. They didn't have any effect at all. Until he figured out where to stab me.

"You do all these things and I'm not saying I'm glad you want to make a difference, but what difference are you making? The whole city takes you for granted; the newspapers call you a menace' despite your efforts. I don't see any change in the city, Peter. Look at the city, it's still filled with criminals. The same criminals you tie up for the police to arrest. Things haven't gotten better. Then you come back from battles with lunatics like the Green Goblin... Clinging to life. I don't understand! What goes through your head when you do these things? How can you not see your efforts are just in vain?"

My anger boils. I want to take a jab at him, but I hold back.

"There's so many superheroes out there now a days. Those that can actually make a difference. Why don't you just quit? Let someone else take your spot."

I grab him by the collar and shove him against the door and shout. "You don't even know the slightest thing that happens out there, huh? The reasons why I fight? The reasons why I keep this city safe so ungrateful bastards like you can still live at home without worrying that you'll die?"

His face screams fear. He wants to cry for help, but can't find the breath to do it. Adrenaline surely is running so fast he doesn't know what to do.

"Have you ever tried even imagine what it's like for me hear all the bullshit you just spat at my face? I do all of these things because they are promises I made to people who were dear to me. They're in everything I do, and by saying that there's no use in doing what I do, you insulted all of them."

I drop him and he still is in shock. I clench my mask in my hand. "You said there's people that can actually make difference unlike me..."

I push the mask on to his chest, forcing him to take it.

"Fine. You put on the mask."