Spider-Man: Unmasked

Chapter Thirty-Five

"I thought Ultron killed him!"

"I heard he was hospitalized for a month."

"Why is he back? It's been weeks. Can't his superhero Dads just teach him?"

"I know, I heard Tony Stark had a mental breakdown about it."

Peter tried to ignore these little bits of gossip as best as he could throughout the day, which was hard when almost everyone was spreading it. The only people not telling it and discouraging it were Ned and MJ. The teachers weren't spreading the gossip, but they weren't discouraging it either.

He was relieved when it got to the end of the day. He practically ran out of the school after deciding a time to have Ned come over the next day. He heard a car honk its horn and looked in its direction, seeing his Dad's car.

He was glad to see his Dad but frowned a bit as he heard more people gossiping and looking in the direction of the car. Some people were trying to move toward it.

Peter bolted to the car, jumping into the passenger seat. He closed the door and looked at the students outside as if they were a crowd of zombies. Gossiping zombies.

Tony noticed Peter's behavior and quickly drove away, being careful not to run over high schoolers.

"How was school?" Tony asked when they left the premises.

"Fine," Peter said plainly, looking at his Dad. "Lots and lots and lots of gossip..."

"I'm sorry, Pete. It'll die down. I promise." Peter stayed quiet, to which Tony sighed and said, "If it makes you feel better, since you survived the school day, Pops and I have news for you."

Peter perked up a little. "Oh yeah. What is it?"

"Wait until we get home, Pete. We'll both tell you then." Tony laughed quietly and focused back on the road.

They talked a little the rest of the ride, often about how Peter's day went.

"That kid... Dash, was it? Did he bother you any?" Tony asked as they neared Stark Tower.

"He tried to," Peter said slowly, not bothering to correct him about Flash's name. He laughed softly as he remembered what happened next. "He made a remark about me and MJ and... and MJ hit him in the face with her book."

"Ouch. Paperback?"

Peter shook his head. "Hardcover."

Tony laughed. "Nice. MJ. Have I met that girl? I need to congratulate and thank her. From what I've seen and heard, that kid was annoying as heck."

Peter nodded. "I think so. She's come over with Ned once or twice to study."

"Oh yeah. Girl with her face in books all the time?"

"That's the one," Peter confirmed as they arrived. He got out of the car and rushed inside, excited to find out the news.

He got to the Tv room where everyone but Natasha and Bruce was sitting. Peter said hello to everyone and set his backpack down on the floor, sitting next to his Pops.