"I said, what are you looking at?" She repeated as she stared at me.
"I wasn't looking at anything in particular," I said as I turned toward the window again.
"Hah! Peter Parker, the weird nerd who stares at nothing in particular. You should be careful. One day you might end up staring at something and get into trouble."
"I will keep that in mind," I chuckled. "So, what's up?"
"Nothing much. Just waiting for the bus to stop at the next stop, so I can get off," She took out a small book from her pocket and started reading.
"Bunking school?" I asked as I looked at her.
She looked at me, "You're talking too much today."
"And you are as gloomy as ever," I grinned.
She smirked, "Whatever, nerd. Why do you care? Are you interested in me or something? Let me tell you beforehand, I'm not interested in a nerdy guy. So, don't go through all that trouble."
"Oh," I just smiled as I looked out the window again.
"What? Say it," She said closing her book.
"Say what?"
"You were about to say something. What is it?" She asked, irritated.
"You're wrong," I shrugged.
"About what?"
"You are showing too much interest in me for someone who just said she isn't interested in a nerdy guy."
"What?!" She narrowed her eyes as she stared at me. "I... You... You are... Ugh!" She sighed as she turned away.
"I am what?" I asked, grinning.
"A pain in the ass. So, shut up," She said, annoyed.
"Fine, I won't say anything anymore." I put my hands up, surrendering.
"Good. You better not. I have had enough of your talk for the day," She said as she opened her book again and continued reading.
I just smiled as I looked out the window again.
After a few minutes, Michelle stood up, "You are acting weird today, Parker."
The bus stopped at the next stop as she walked out.
'Humm... Bunking school, huh? Could be fun,' I thought as I followed behind her after paying the ticket.
"Where are you going?" Michelle asked, annoyed.
"Who knows? Maybe you can tell me where you're going, and I will tag along."
"Ugh! You are really testing my patience, Parker!" She sighed. "Just go away. I don't want you to follow me like a creep."
"And here I thought I would invite you to a cup of coffee or something," I shrugged.
"Are you asking me on a date out of nowhere?" She asked, surprised.
"No. Not necessarily. Just two classmates hanging out. You know, having fun and chatting. Nothing else. What? You got anything better to do? I can go my own way if you don't want to hang out."
Michelle stared at me for a while before saying, "Fine! Whatever! I want a chocolate donut with sprinkles and a latte."
"Wow! That's specific," I grinned as we headed toward a cafe nearby.
"One must be specific when it comes to food and life," She replied bluntly as we walked by the street vendors selling flowers.
"True that. So, how come you bunk school today? It's not like you."
"Sometimes I get bored of studying in those stuffy rooms, so I like to go for a walk," She said as she kicked a can on the road. "But what about you? You sound a lot different today."
"You want to know the truth?" I asked as we reached the cafe.
She nodded, "Yes. Spit it out, Parker." She turned toward me near the door.
"Well, I was reborn in the morning like you see in one of those novels or movies. A new me. Like a rebirth."
Michelle blinked her eyes as she stared at me with disbelief, "Ha... Ha... Very funny. So, you decided to be weird today, huh?" She turned around and opened the door.
I just grinned as I followed her inside and ordered the donut and latte she wanted. I ordered a small sandwich. I am not that hungry since I just had breakfast a few minutes ago.
We sat by the window and started munching on our food.
"So, why did you follow me?" She asked as she sipped her latte.
"Haaa... You are not going to let it go, huh?" I sighed. "To tell you the truth, I guess I am just tired... Tired of everything. So, I just wanted to go somewhere different and hang out with someone different."
"And you chose me?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Should I be honored?"
"Why not? You are different from the others in our class. I mean in a good way that is. You are direct and you don't hesitate to speak what's in your mind. I find that pretty cool and refreshing."
"Uh-huh. Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something? You are talking a lot. Where did our shy Peter go?" She asked as she nibbled her donut.
"Well, that Peter doesn't exist anymore. Maybe I am trying to show my true self," I grinned as I unwrapped my sandwich.
"And that is?"
"That I can talk a lot, and I am not as shy as you think I am," I smirked. "And I know you are just like me."
"Ha! How can you say that? Just because I am being nice, you think that means I am hiding something?" She chuckled sipping on her latte.
"Well, I think everyone has something that they hide. And you are no different, MJ." I took a bite of my sandwich and started chewing. "You hide behind your sarcasm and bluntness."
"Pffft. And what's wrong with that? It's better than pretending to be nice and kind," She smirked.
"And that's what makes you... You. Different from everyone else," I said as I finished my sandwich.
"Coming from the weird nerd," She shrugged.
"Hey, now that's being mean. Don't call me a nerd. I had to study hard since I wanted to get a college scholarship," I pretended to be sad. "And it hurts, you know."
"Alright," She looked at me and smirked. "Not nerd then. How about weirdo?"
Hahaha! She is good. Man, I'm having a hard time coming back with a reply. This is a change. But I gotta try though, right? No more shy Parker. He is dead. It's time for me to step in and up the game a bit. We talked for a while and MJ would always come back with weird replies. Sometimes I couldn't even say if she was serious or joking, and it was kinda funny and annoying at the same time.
But, she is a nice person.
"So, any plan for what to do next?" MJ asked as I paid the bills. Oh! My wallet. I need to earn some cash ASAP.
"I thought you had a plan?" I asked as we stepped out the door.
"Yeah, right," She rolled her eyes as she tied her long brown hair into a bun.
"Wait! Don't tell me you planned to just go on a walk, hoping something interesting would pop up," I stopped in my tracks, stunned. This girl is so lazy.
She glanced back with a smirk and started to walk as I followed her.
"What was that again you said?" I asked, smiling. "Something about specific or something like that? Care to jog my memories?"
"People who live in the past are stupid like you. People who look forward are smart, like me" MJ smirked.
Oh! This girl is good!
"Anyway, you don't mind if I join you in this planless adventure, right?" I asked, catching up with her.
"This is a free country and you are a free person. Do what you want, Parker" She shrugged.
We just wandered around the city, going through the shops and markets, and walking around the Central Park. As we got near Times Square, the energy of the city was electrifying. It feels like years since I have visited this place. Man, this brings back old memories. Some good, and some bad. But still...
"I wonder how much time they spent painting themselves. If it were me, I would just put paint in the bathtub and dip into it. Time saved. And as the saying goes, time is money," MJ said as we came across a man posing as a statue near the side lane.
"Now, that's some great advice," I chuckled.
As we were nearing the Rockefeller Plaza, I noticed a couple arguing. It was weird. She just started accusing him of cheating and throwing his stuff on the ground. The man looked puzzled and couldn't say anything. People around just ignored them and walked by.
"That's life," MJ said as we passed them. "That girl is the cheater. I saw her smooching an old guy last week near that alleyway."
"Whoa, are you sure?"
"I don't wear glasses like you Parker, so yeah, I am sure," She crossed her arms.
"Damn! So much for her and her boyfriend," I shook my head. "Life's not fair, huh? Wanna butt in? Could be fun? You know... like in the movies?"
MJ looked at me for a while before grabbing my arm and dragging me to the couple. "Hey! Excuse me! I noticed your arguments and I think it's better if I intervene," She said with her thick sarcasm. "Now, I will be blunt. She has a sugar daddy." She turned toward the baffled boy who was on the verge of tears, "Take your stuff, and don't waste your life on someone who doesn't love you, blah, blah, blah. Got it? Great. Bye!"
Before the boyfriend could reply or process what she just said, she had already pulled me to another alley and started laughing hysterically.
"Now watch the boy," She peeked out and then leaned against the brick wall.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Watch the boy," She repeated as I followed.
"You bitch. Give my Pixel phone back, oh and don't forget that Mac I bought last month. Also, the two diamond rings," I heard the boyfriend shout as the girl yelled back, "It's too late now. I knew you were the one cheating, but a fucking sugar daddy! You fucking gold digger!"
MJ started to laugh as the couple fought and then finally parted ways.
"This is life. Never judge a book by its cover," She smiled as she straightened her green hoodie.
"That was something else. It was fun, but also awkward and hilarious," I shook my head. "But still, sugar daddy?"
She shrugged, "Like I said, never judge a book by its cover. Humm..." She glanced toward my face, narrowing her brows, "Right... I guess I have judged a book by its cover, huh?"
"People who live in the past are stupid like you. People who look forward are smart, like me," I threw her words back at her as I started walking.
"I will kick you, smart pants," MJ said as she walked with me.
"As long as you don't cheat on me or start smooching an older gentleman, I'm good," I smirked.
"Dream on, Peter. Dream on."
---
[đđPOWER STONES AND REVIEWS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AS ALWAYS]
Support Link: www.pat reon.com/XcaliburXc
âRead 22 advance ChaptersâÂ
[Exclusive r18 contents] + [Early access to Big Brother in Marvel]
---
AN: I tried to keep Michelle's character a bit quirky.Â