Just like you

Chapter 3: The presentation

"Ben Parker was an excellent performer, I even went to one of his shows once. I had some delicious caramel apples and popcorn, plus the young woman selling it was super hot and-" Mr Stark was interrupted by a stern look from the Principle, who had stopped by to greet their 'honored guest'. "-and that's enough about me." Mr Stark finished smoothly. 

The screen was showing  a photo of a dark-haired young man that seemed to be climbing up the walls of a blue, white and red stripped tent. "The used to call him Brilliant Ben, which seems a little too Brit for me but yay alliteration, right? Oh, and they also used to call him-"MJ finished the sentence for him, loud enough for everyone to hear. "The Spider" Peter froze and his heart stopped. 'How did MJ know about Uncle Ben? Did she know about his secret?' 

Then Mr Stark's amplified voice asked her name. "MJ, Sir." She answered as levelly as ever. "Do you have a last name Miss MJ?" Peter knew MJ hated her full name and he wished Mr Stark hadn't asked, what  would she say? He knew first-hand she was never afraid to speak her mind and he really wanted Mr Stark to like her, though he would NEVER EVER tell Mr Stark he liked someone. How embarrassing would that be? Peter was blushing just thinking about it and he hoped Mr Stark hadn't hacked into the surveillance cameras.

"Michelle Jones", sir, but I prefer MJ." As she said it there was a note of challenge in her voice that Peter was sure Mr Stark wouldn't miss. "Hello, Miss Jones. I am giving this presentation but by all means if you want to please enlighten us." Peter groaned and slid down in his seat. MJ was staring down the speaker. "No, you enlighten us. Why are you doing this? You're not his Dad." Peter covered his face with his jumper, if only to decide how he wanted Mr Stark to answer. At that point he heard the horrible taunt of 'Orphan Boy! Orphan Bo-" Then it seemed to dawn on the boys that the legendary Tony Stark, who was listening to them right now, was an orphan. 

There was a tense silence.

"Oh, shit." swore one of them under his breath. There was the sound of boosters and an Ironman suit flew in from who knows where and hoovered in front of the bullies. "Say that again." They shook their heads frantically. Tony's voice turned honey-sweet as he said "C'mon now boys, if you can say it to Mr Parker, surely you can say it to me." The boys shook their heads again. "SAY IT." Mr Stark's voice trembled with suppressed anger and the boys trembled with fear. Finally, one of the boy shrunk back as he whispered "Orphan boy." 

There was a zipping sound of machinery as Mr Stark (or a message suit, Peter could never tell the difference.) turned his head to look at Peter "Right. Kid, you're coming with me." Peter saw all of his fellows staring at him "No." Peter said aghast and embarrassed. "No? What do you mean, no? You're coming with me." Peter wanted to die right then and there, MJ was watching this! "I d-don't wanna go." A few of his classmates smirked when they heard his stutter. "Don't make me drag you out of here, kid." Mr Stark warned. Peter went, because he could only imagine what that would look like.

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 Okay, okay. I know  Ben wasn't really called 'The Spider' and that's not why Peter is called Spiderman but I thought it was a fun detail. :)

I know MJ's name in the comics is Mary Jane Watson but this fic is going to be based on the cinematic version and in that her name is actually Michelle Jones. Sorry about that comic fans ;)