Chapter Text
Peter shot up as his aunt walked in the door, mail in hand. Her face was practically glowing.
What got her so happy?
“Peter! It’s a letter from Stark Industries!” She exclaimed, darting over to where Peter was, handing the letter to him.
Peter had recently applied for an internship there, Stark Industries didn’t hire people still in high school, but Aunt May had urged him to apply when the option was open.
“It’s a rare opportunity, and you’re 100% smart enough to get in!” she had argued.
Peter was doubtful he’d be accepted at all, getting a letter back from them, though? Insane.
Shock washed over his face, he fumbled with his hands, unsure how to go about grabbing the letter. Why can’t I remember how to hold something? Pulling himself together, he grabbed the letter from Aunt May.
He opened it, he read it, his eyes darted over the words, once, twice, a third time. Holy shit.
“I got in?!” He yelled, too loud for their thin apartment's walls but he didn't really care. He’d just gotten a paid internship at Stark Industries?! Happiness overruled any other emotion at the moment, thank you. Aunt May pulled him into a tight hug, filled with pride for her nephew, practically her son. She was squeezing his ribs a bit too much for his liking, but he simply returned the favor, joy filling his body.
“I never want to forget this moment.” Peter thought.
And he never would.
Peter rushed into school the next day, a stupid grin all over his face. He was so excited to tell Ned the amazing news.
He ran into homeroom, immediately rushing over to their table, a bit frantically.
“Peter? What’s going on?” Ned looked over to Peter, slight concern tainting his look of amusement. Peter kind of looked insane, his eyes wide in shock as he darted towards Ned.
“Dude. I just got accepted as an intern for Stark Industries.” Peter breathed, his brain still not having processed the information fully yet, happiness awe covered his entire expression.
“NO WAY.”
“YES WAY.”
“DUDE?”
“DUDE!”
They looked at each other in shock, giddy smiles plastered both of the boys. Although, the moment didn’t last long. Peter heard a laugh from a few desks over, and turned to look at Flash Thompson. God, he hated Flash. He couldn’t seem to catch a break from the entitled kid. Daddy's money seemed to make Flash think he could do whatever with anyone at any time. And honestly, what annoyed Peter the most was that he did do whatever he wanted with anyone he wanted at any time he wanted. It was just plain disrespectful to everyone around him.
“What?” Peter shot, the word escaping his mouth before he could stop it.
“Nothing, just not sure how.. truthful that statement was.” Flash looked at Peter, almost snickering. Judgement and a hint of mockery in his expression. “Aren’t only college students allowed to intern anyways? Lying isn’t a good look on you, Penis.”
Peter paused for a second, his expression faltering. It didn't help that that only made Flash look even more full of himself, if that was possible. But the kid had a point, how did he get an internship if he was only a sophomore in high school? “Whatever, Flash. You’re just mad Peter was smart enough to actually get in. Unlike you… we've all seen your Algebra grades,” Ned retorted, rolling his eyes as he went back to his homework.
Flash looked offended, before one of his friends snickered something in his ear, and Flash laughed, going back to whatever he was talking about with his (not-so) little group of friends.
Ned looked over at Peter sympathetically, a frown on his face, “Ignore him, dude. He’s just jealous of your genius." Peter sighed, he was so done with Flash's games, “He’s so annoying sometimes...”
The day dragged on, luckily he only had 3 classes with Flash, and 2 of those were after lunch. He was able to relax more as the day continued, he even managed to finish his homework in class for Algebra 2.
“MJ. You’re never gonna believe the news I’ve got for you.” Peter sat down, slamming his hands on the table dramatically. MJ looked up from the food she was picking at, it looked gross. A curious expression appeared on her face, her lips pursing slightly, “Do tell?” Peter pulled out a slip of paper from his bag and unfolded it, reading the words out like some kind of ancient scroll.
“Dear Mr. Parker:
You are receiving this letter to confirm Stark Industry’s acceptance of your internship application on October the 17th, and to inform you on what position you will be filling, as well as where you will be going on your first day.
You will report to the Stark Industries tower in Manhattan at 9:00 am on Saturday, November 1st as an entry-level intern in the engineering wing on the 23rd floor with the starting salary of $28,300.
Thank you for your valued contribution to the work of Stark Industries.”
MJ dropped her sandwich in quiet shock, a dramatic reaction for someone usually so... reserved. She quickly grabbed it again and congratulated Peter happily. “No way! That’s awesome, Peter!” She exclaimed, grabbing the letter from Peter, and she read it in disbelief. Unfortunately, the moment was cut short, as a look of deliberation cut across MJ’s expression. “Wait. Peter, how’d you get into the program if you’re not in college?” She questioned. There it was.
Peter paused. “See, I uh… haven’t quite figured that part out yet,” He said, sheepishly. MJ gave him a look that he couldn’t quite decipher, she was always hard to figure out. This was not helping Peter's already existing anxieties. Did she think he was lying? “I swear it’s real, though! I wouldn’t ever lie about something like this,” Peter suddenly defended, the idea of MJ thinking of Peter as a liar was terrifying.
“Don’t worry Peter, I believe you,” MJ reassured, and with a sigh she muttered, "That's crazy..." The table fell into a fairly awkward silence, and MJ promptly went to eat her sandwich again, ignoring the pushed apart salad beside it. Peter looked over at Ned, hoping he’d be able to get them out of the weird tension happening right now. Ned was of no help, sadly. He looked like he was off in thought. Suddenly, he turned to Peter, only to find that he was already looking back at him.
“Peter, do you think you being accepted so young has anything to do with… you know?” Ned whispered, only to be met with a confused look from Peter, “No Ned, I don’t know.” Ned sighed, “You know… Spider-Man!” He whisper-shouted.
Peter looked shocked for a second. There was no way that could be possible, right? …Right? “Do you really think they figured out my identity that easily, Ned?”
“I mean, maybe? Stark Industries has some really advanced equipment. It couldn’t be that hard,” Ned reasoned. Peter looked away from Ned, the anxiety had now made it down to his stomach, and suddenly his food didn’t look very appetizing anymore. Not when he had problems like his entire identity on the line.
Maybe Ned was just being crazy. Maybe it was just a crazy theory. There’s no way he’s on the radar of Tony Stark, right?
He hoped so.