A Bad Idea (Spideychelle)

Ch. 17: Way Too Damn Needy

Peter POV

"Okay, well, not all of us can have healthy, loving relationships," MJ teased, gently shoving Betty.

"Hey, you could totally pull guys, you just choose not to. Or, you go screw around casually with Brooklyn kids." Betty raised an eyebrow at MJ.

I took a sip of my drink, trying to stay out of this particular conversation.

"I'm getting more action than you two are," MJ shot back.

Ned sighed. "Not all of us are lucky enough to have travelling business men for fathers."

"You're right, having a dead mom and an absent father is an absolute party."

Ned swallowed. "I'm gonna- Betty, do you need a refill? I'm gonna get more water..."

Betty held up her glass, and Ned took it, going into my kitchen to refill their glasses.

Betty let out a sigh when he was out of the room. "He's staying over tonight, and my parents are out of town, and I'm not really in the mood to do anything, but I don't want to disappoint him, you know?"

MJ nodded. "Yeah, it's a tricky balance. Sometimes it's just easier to go with it, and that way it's not awkward or anything."

Betty nodded, smiling a little. "Exactly."

I glanced at MJ, wondering exactly how many times she'd agreed to do stuff with me without really wanting to.

It made me feel sick.

They kept talking about how sometimes it was worth it to just go with it, because it'd end up being fun or whatever, but I kept thinking about all the times MJ and I had had sex and how many of those times she felt like she had to.

"Peter," Betty said, interrupting my train of thoughts. "You look a little green."

MJ turned to look at me, and then scooted closer, narrowing her eyes like she was examining me. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Em."

She clearly didn't believe me. "Here, lemme grab you some crackers and water," she mumbled, ruffling my hair as she stood up. "That'll help."

"Actually, um, is it okay if I kick you guys out? I just...wanna go to bed, I think."

Ned and MJ shared a concerned look.

"Are you sure you're okay, Peter?" Ned asked. "You didn't get hurt because of the internship or anything?"

I shook my head.

Betty stood up, starting to gather her stuff. "Em, do you wanna come back with Ned and I-"

"It's MJ."

I imagined I looked as confused as Betty, as she backtracked. "Right. MJ. Sorry. Um, I was thinking we could go see a mov-"

"Actually," I interrupted, "I was gonna ask MJ to stay back and help me clean up a bit."

The three of them shared another confused look, but ultimately all nodded. MJ came back over to me, the back of her hand landing on my forehead as she wished Ned and Betty a goodnight.

Once the door was closed, she asked, "Okay, are you gonna tell me what's wrong?"

"Do you seriously hook up with me even when you don't want to?" I asked, pulling away from her hand.

She sighed, grabbing burger wrappers and glasses and starting to clean up. "Yeah."

"MJ!"

"What? Clearly, I'm not the only girl in the world who-"