she was the last person i expected to confide in. we hadn't even met, i had only heard a couple stories about her around the tower, so when she asked for me to stay behind at the end of the meeting with the avengers, you would right for thinking i'd be confused.
she closed her laptop and walked over to where i was sat in the chair, leaning against the table. "look, peter, you've had a rough time, like no other, if you ever need a break or time to yourself just ask, or if it's someone to talk to, i'm here. i know we haven't talked much, myself only being there when Fury is present, but you can trust me. i'm here to help you."
"um... wow, thank you, i appreciate it." i sent her an appreciative smile, i really did mean it. i didn't think she would help me in this way, whenever i've seen her she's always put on this strong front, but like she said it was for missions. this side of her was nice. "i have homework to do, but i will take you up on that offer sometime." and with that i left the office to my room.
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a couple weeks had passed since my talk with maria, and i had become dissociated from the avengers, i rarely went out as spider-man. my midterms were putting me in a bad way. i hadn't been eating properly (living on caffeine, junk food and takeaways), my insomnia had gotten worse, my room was a mess - papers all across my floor - and i was always in a bad mood, i didn't want to speak to anyone, i wanted to keep to myself.
i just got back from school. my history exam was today and it's safe to say i failed. the teacher hadn't even taught us half the topics on the exam and even the ones we had learnt, the questions were worded differently which confused the fuck out of me. i got a chorus of "hey pete" but ignored them all and walked to my room, throwing my bag on the floor, face planting my bed, and just let the tears flow.
i was tired.
i was angry.
i just wanted things to go back to normal and for school to stop being such a bother.
i roll over onto my back and let my mind wander. i find myself picking up my phone, and dialling her number. she tells me to meet her in her office.
"hey, thanks for letting me come see you."
"it's fine, i said you could at any point, so what's on your mind?"
"i can't do this anymore, it's so draining, i'm tired and i'm done with it all."
"with what?"
"school... midterms are on, i failed my history, i've not been out as spider-man for a while because that's the least of my worries, even though it's a pretty big deal and spider-man helps people, and i'm pretty sure my health has degraded. i need help."
she gives me a soft smile, wrapping her arms around me. "okay, so first of all, what exam do you have tomorrow?"
"chemistry."
"right you don't need to revise for that you're already insanely smart. so, i propose we go down to the training room, spar for a while, get out your anger." i smile and nod my head.
we battle for a while, throwing kicks and punches, she also helps me improve parts like my stance, giving a few tips and tricks, which i appreciate.
"okay we're done, go have a shower, put on some fresh clothes, it'll make you feel better, whilst your doing that, i'll sort out your revision to make you have a clearer space okay?"
"thank you." i let out a sigh of relief and we head back to my room. i jump in the shower, relaxing as the water hits my body. i enter my room after putting some clothes on and notice it looks a lot better. "wow..."
"great you're ready, come on." she leads me towards the kitchen, we're she hands me a pasta dish. "i asked them to make this up for you, rather than eating pizza." i laugh and sit across from her at a table in the cafeteria.
once i finish up we walk back into the elevator. "you must be really tired."
"yeah i feel it."
"good, now you'll get a proper nights rest."
"thank you so much maria, you really helped me." i give her a quick hug before retreating back to my room. i know i will go to her in the future for anything, i can trust her.
