𝙄𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙤𝙧𝙠...

Til You Find Me Once More

"Can I help you," she asked him politely, the picture perfect model of a good employee.

"Hi," he introduced hastily, "Um, My name is Peter Parker. And I..."

Peter paused before he could continue, loosening his grip on the paper in his hand. He doesn't know why he lost his confidence and let the nerves take its place, but the second he looked into her eyes, all hope seemed lost. She had looked at him with blank eyes like everyone else had. He folded the sheets of paper back up and tucked it into the crevice between his pointer and middle finger. "Would like a coffee, please," he finished timidly.

"Okay, no problem, Peter Parker," her brows knitted in confusion as she pursed her lips. Michelle then took her place behind the counter, turning on the coffee pot while standing in front of Ned again as they continue to chat.

Peter, who shuffled closer to the counter on the other side of them, couldn't help but listen in on their conversation.

"Donut for my fellow engineer," MJ stated as she handed Ned a free donut over the counter.

"Oh... Wait, what?"

"MIT, they're the Engineers. The
Mascot."

"Oh, right, right, right. I should
probably know that. But hey... look at you with the school spirit!"

"Tell anybody, I will deny it."

"Oh, right, right..." Ned then went back to scrolling on his phone.

At this, Peter smiles. He couldn't help but feel happy to see them and thrilled to know they had got in—despite how bittersweet it may have been that he didn't get to go alongside them. Just then, Michelle slides Peter's coffee to him.

"Peter Parker," she called out, but there was no response. He was wrapped in his own thoughts and pity and seeing Ned again to notice. But as she calls out his name once more, he breaks his concentration and turns to her.

"Your coffee," MJ continued.

"Right. Thank you," he expressed his gratitude and picking up the cup.

"Mmhmm."

Peter stood there for a moment before he could fish out his wallet and then asked her, "Um... are you excited for MIT?"

She seemed confused at first, face contorted, but then realized that he must've overheard her and Ned's conversation. It was a small shop after all.

She didn't know how to respond but nodded along awkwardly, "Oh. Uh, right, yeah. Uh..." Within her pause, there was a renewed enthusiasm as she answered once more, "Yeah, actually, I am excited which is weird 'cause I don't really get excited about things. I kind of expect disappointment—"

"—'Cause then you'll never actually
be disappointed. Right?" Peter interceded, not realizing his mouth had opened without thought.

There was a flicker of deja vu in Michelle's eyes as she stared into Peter's, but the moment had ended as quickly as it came, with Michelle recovering in her words.

"Uh, yeah. Right. It's just, um--
I dunno, it just kinda feels different this time for some reason."

This then gives Peter a pause as he grasped her words. It was a new life for her. A fresh start without all the chaos that he'd dragged her though. And he felt dazed, guilt overwhelming him. He then finishes paying for his coffee. Hand brushing into hers unexpectedly, but almost natural.

As Michelle worked the register, she brushed her hair back to reveal the bandaid above her brow on the injury she had from falling off the Statue of Liberty.