Fighting for you ~ Peter Parker and MJ

The daily bugle

Norman Osborns funeral was a long day, we all came for Harry. All of our families were there, Olivia standing with Harry as they lowered the casket into the ground. Harry's face was unreadable, a blank expression as he watched. He didn't really say anything to anyone. I stood with Peter and Gwen, Peter felt at fault for the death of Harry's father, even though it wasn't his fault. We didn't tell anyone what happened, not even Ned and Olivia.
After the funeral was over, the rest of us walked over as Olivia kissed Harry on the cheek, gave us all a smile and left with her family.
"I'm sorry about your dad Harry. We're all here for you." Peter said quietly, making eye contact.
"It wasn't your fault, it was spider-man's. And he will pay for it." Harry muttered, giving us all a weird look, then walking away. Peter looked down with sadness, not wanting his bestfriend to think he was the one who killed him. Harry didn't know Peter was spiderman, but Peter didn't want to have it on his conscience.

A few hours later into the day, I decided to go with Peter to the Daily Bugle, for some moral support. Peter was nervous because J.Jonah Jameson had said he wanted to talk to him, not explaining the context of the situation. Mr. Jameson hated spiderman the most out of all of them, and conveniently Peter was his designated spiderman photographer.
We walked up the stairs, into the office where J.J worked.
"Hey beautiful people." We looked over to see a girl named Mae, not to be confused with Aunt May.She was an intern for the office while Betty Brant, the usual secretary was gone for the summer.
"Hey Mae, is Jonah around? He called me in to talk." Peter sent her a smile back, as she looked at me with a big grin.
"Oh yeah, he said he was expecting you. But he has some random guy in there right now trying to sell some spidey pictures, i'd hurry." She said, giving me another wave as she looked back down at her computer.
I waved back, and we walked into the office, seeing someone who we've never seen before. He wore a white shirt with a tie, and black jeans. When we walked in, he smiled at us and waved.
"Oh, you just be Peter. I'm Edward Brock Jr, but you can call me Eddie. I'm new around here." He said as he and Peter awkwardly shook hands.
"Peter! Ive been waiting." Mr Jameson spun around in his chair, looking at us all.
I just stared around the room, looking at all the articles. I cringed at one claiming, "Spiderman tries to kidnap woman off the street!"
What really happened that day, was that he was helping her across the street. She bought him a churro afterwards, he told me the story.
"I'm here to make a bargain to you boys." Jonah breathed out a puff of smoke as he removed his cigarette, smushing it on the ashtray perched on his desk.
"Sir, I will do anything to work with the best newspaper editor in town, J.Jonah Jameson." Eddie said, smiling and making eye contact with Jonah, obviously trying to woo him over. Peter just subtly rolling his eyes, looking at me then back at Jonah.
"I need a new staff member, I need someone who can do what I need. I need someone who can get me a picture of Spiderman of the menace he truly is, catch him in the act."
"Don't you think spiderman has made already enough headlines, sir? And considering this one here." I let out with a small clearing of my throat, pointing to a small, newer article about Spiderman saving a bunch of children the night Norman died.
"Ah, I love your input little lady, but it's not you who is being offered a life changing opportunity." I scowled at Jonahs remark, a life changing opportunity was definitely from his massive, inflated ego.
"Sir, thank you for offering me this in the first place, but if there's a staff job, I think I should get it. I've been here for years." Peter spoke out quickly, I nodded in agreement. Eddie just stayed silent.
"Everyone wants all these jobs, and pictures and all these things. Does anyone care about what I want?" Jonah exclaimed as he turned away, putting another cigarette in his mouth.
"I do!" A random business man walked in, us all looking at him confused.
"Shut up, get out." Jonah said with a sigh, turning back to us.
"I'm sorry to intrude, but photography is more about talent, creativeness, not about well, the time you've been doing it for." Eddie said with a laugh, sneaking a smile at Peter. Peter just rolling his eyes nonchalantly.
"Well I love a friendly competition. Whoever brings me the best photo of Spiderman being the menace he is, gets the staff job." Jonah said, sitting in his chair, spinning around to make it clear the debate was now officially over.
"You got it, sir." Eddie exclaimed while walking out, Peter then following close behind him.
"You're not going to get that photo." Peter made clear behind Eddie.
"Oh we'll see."

Peter walked me home, us both not saying much. Peter was in a very obvious bad mood, so I didn't say anything to let him be alone with his thoughts to think. That's how I cope with people expressing emotion, because well I don't really do emotions very well. I keep to myself all the time, and I hate when people try to pry when unwanted. So I don't bother with other people unless they show me they want me to.
"Ill see you later, okay?" Peter muttered as we got to my door.
"Yup, and hey, don't worry about Jameson ok? it'll work out." I nodded back, opening up the door with my key.
We exchanged a few more words before parting ways, and as I walked in my parents were both in the living area, where I was walking into. Great.
"Hello Michelle." My dad was drinking a bottle of beer as usual. Not looking up from the TV they were watching.
"Hey guys." I simply said as I opened the fridge, taking out an apple.
"You didn't take out the garbage."
"Are you joking? Is that what you're going to say everytime I come home? No 'how was your day Mj?' or anything?" The words just left my mouth without thinking, about the consequences that could come. This time, I didn't care though.
"If you care that much, then, how was your day Mj?" My dad muttered, mid taking a sip.
"Whatever, it was fine. I'll take out the garbage."
"I don't think you should hang out with those kids anymore. They distract you and have you coming home at unreasonable hours."
That made me turn around, and look at him in utter confusion.
"What? But it's only 6,"
"You aren't doing chores, you aren't contributing to anything in this household."
"So because I forget to do simple chores I can't have friends? Is that seriously what you think is fair?" I said with more volume, looking at my very silent mom, hoping she would say something and be on my side for once, but she didn't.
I didn't feel like talking to my dad anymore, so I quickly walked to my room and shut the door. I put in my earbuds, and listened to music for the rest of the evening. Trying to zone out the sad truth and feelings of what living with my parents were like. It was alike I was only alive when I forgot to do something for them. What i looked forward to most, was moving out.