Chapter 35: The Calm Before the Storm
The following morning arrived just as all the others had in recent weeks—bright, crisp, and seemingly full of promise. Peter had woken up late, a rare occurrence after sleepless nights filled with webs and battles. But today, he was determined to enjoy his brief reprieve. He'd finished breakfast, shared a few laughs with Aunt May, and was now heading off to school, still feeling the warmth of the previous evening's family dinner.
His mind, however, was already starting to shift back to the reality of his life as Spider-Man. Even though he had given himself a break, he couldn't shake the nagging thought that the calm wouldn't last long. It never did.
As Peter walked through the halls of Midtown High, he noticed that his classmates seemed in high spirits. The buzz of gossip, the chatter of upcoming weekend plans, the occasional laugh—it was all just normal. It was the type of environment Peter had grown up in, the kind of atmosphere he used to find comforting. For a moment, he allowed himself to embrace it.
His first class that morning was Chemistry, a subject that had always been a mixed bag for Peter. On one hand, he loved science—it was in his blood. But on the other hand, the dismal state of the classroom and the indifferent teacher didn't exactly make for an inspiring learning environment.
Peter slumped into his seat, nodding at Harry Osborn who sat beside him. Harry had always been one of the few people who seemed to understand the balance between normal life and the madness that sometimes followed Peter's more complicated existence. They exchanged a few quiet words as the class began, but Peter could tell Harry was in a strange mood.
"You look distracted," Peter commented, adjusting his glasses. "Something up?"
Harry shrugged, his gaze fixed on the front of the room where the teacher was setting up the next experiment. "Nothing big. Just a lot on my mind, I guess."
Peter wasn't convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he tuned out the teacher's monotonous lecture and glanced out the window. The city beyond seemed so peaceful. So normal. But Peter knew better than to fall for appearances.
By lunch, the weather had warmed up, and Peter found himself walking outside with Mary Jane. She was the one person who could still pull him away from the endless chaos, even if just for a few minutes.
"So, what's your science fair project going to be?" MJ asked as they walked toward the courtyard. She was holding a tray of food, and Peter had grabbed something small, though he didn't have much of an appetite.
"I'm still deciding," Peter replied with a shrug. "But I was thinking of doing something about renewable energy. You know, harnessing solar power in new ways. Maybe I could even use my web-shooters as part of the project."
MJ chuckled. "You're really going to try to make Spider-Man into your science project?"
Peter laughed, glancing at her with a teasing grin. "Well, my web-shooters are pretty advanced tech, you know. Might as well make something good out of it."
They reached the courtyard, and Peter found a quiet bench under a tree. The school grounds were full of students, but the place had a peaceful energy to it. He felt lucky to have this time with Mary Jane. Sometimes, he wished he could just live in these moments, where his biggest concern was schoolwork and making sure he didn't spill his lunch on his shirt.
"Are you still planning to visit your Aunt May this weekend?" MJ asked, after a long pause. "You haven't gone to see her in a while."
Peter felt a pang of guilt. Between the fighting and the threats, he'd let his visits slip, and he knew Aunt May would worry about him. But something about the idea of sitting around and talking with her felt like it might pull him out of the mess he was in.
"I'll make time this weekend," Peter said, his voice more certain than he actually felt. "She's probably already planning on making one of her famous dinners."
MJ smiled. "You should. I've seen how much she loves having you around. I know it means a lot to her."
Peter gave her a small nod, feeling a warmth in his chest. His family, his friends—they were the anchor he needed. They kept him grounded, reminding him of who he was when the world of Spider-Man became too much to handle.
They spent the rest of lunch talking about everything and nothing—school, future plans, and the latest gossip. As the bell rang, signaling the end of their break, Peter felt a slight weight lift from his shoulders. He still had to face what was coming. The growing sense of something bigger. But for a moment, everything felt… right.
The night was falling by the time Peter got home, and Aunt May was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. The smell of fresh bread and sauce filled the apartment, an aroma that immediately brought back memories of his childhood.
He walked into the kitchen to greet her. "Hey, Aunt May. You need any help?"
She smiled warmly at him as she chopped vegetables. "Just setting things up for Mr. Finkelstein. He'll be here soon."
Peter sat down at the kitchen table, feeling a sense of comfort that had been elusive for weeks. The weight of being Spider-Man was always there, but at least here, in the warmth of his home, he could let his guard down.
Not long after, there was a knock at the door. Aunt May opened it, and in walked Mr. Finkelstein, holding a small bag with what looked like homemade cookies. Peter stood to greet him.
"Good to see you, Peter," Mr. Finkelstein said, shaking Peter's hand. "And it smells like your aunt's cooking something amazing. I hope you're not too busy to catch up."
Peter smiled. "Not at all. It's been a while since we had a good conversation."
Dinner was served, and as the three of them sat around the table, Peter felt a strange sense of peace. The conversation flowed easily, with Aunt May talking about the neighborhood, Mr. Finkelstein reminiscing about his past with Peter's father, and Peter simply listening. There was no talk of crime, no supervillains, just the quiet comfort of family.
As the weekend approached, Peter was back at school. The routine, the mundane tasks of school life, the moments of laughter with friends—it was all there. But as Peter sat in his final class of the day, his phone buzzed in his pocket. A message from MJ.
I have a feeling things aren't as calm as they seem. Stay alert, Peter.
His heart skipped a beat. Despite the normalcy of the day, Peter knew that the calm before the storm was almost over.
The days of peace were slipping away.
End of Chapter 35