I’m Not Becoming Spider-Man - Chapter 22: Visiting Harley's Home (Patreon)

“Uh, Harley, can you get home on your own?” Peter asked, supporting her as she walked. She really did look as though she'd taken a nasty hit.

“I... I'll just get a cab...”

“Forget it. I'll come with you.” Peter sighed. Of course, by “taking her home,” he meant that Harley would pay for a cab while he accompanied her.

Mary Jane insisted on coming along. “Someone has to keep an eye on you for Aunt May. Who knows what kind of bad boy you might turn into when you're out of the house?”

“I think you're going to be disappointed.” Peter shrugged. The three climbed into a taxi, with Peter and Harley in the back and Mary Jane in the front passenger seat.

“How are you feeling, Harley?” Mary Jane asked.

“I'm okay. It just hurts a little...”

“You should probably get checked out at a hospital,” Peter suggested. “You could have a concussion.”

“Oh, come on, Peter! Don't scare me like that... I'm not dizzy at all. It just hurts.”

“You should still have a doctor take a look.”

“Fine, I'll take tomorrow off. Thanks for worrying about me, Peter.”

“Don't mention it. We're good friends, aren't we?” Peter smiled and draped an arm around Harley, earning a poke in the stomach.

“Honestly, I think Gwen hurt me worse when she dragged me away.”

Being knocked unconscious had only taken an instant. While dragging Harley, though, Gwen had accidentally let her face scrape against the ground and left it bruised and scraped.

A blow to the head wasn't something other people could see. A bandage stuck to her face, on the other hand, would be impossible to miss.

“Gwen's not exactly a powerhouse, but I suspect she's still stronger than you. At least she gets some exercise. You ought to find the time to work out yourself.”

“If I ever have the time,” Harley muttered.

When the cab stopped and the three stepped out, Mary Jane looked up at the luxurious Osborn building in Manhattan.

“Wow. You live here?” she exclaimed, gazing up at the tower. “That's pretty impressive.”

“I hope you don't mind...” Harley began, then wondered why on earth she'd said something so stupid.

Peter, who already knew what to expect, wasn't impressed or surprised. “We're good to leave you here, right?”

“Would you like to come up for something to drink? It's fine, really. Hardly anyone ever comes over.”

“Uh, I think...”

“Peter!” Harley interrupted. “I visited your house, didn't I? So there's nothing wrong with you visiting mine once!”

“All right. But I can't spend the night here. I'd have to clear that with my family first.” Peter shrugged and agreed to go in.

If Peter was going, Mary Jane was going too. She followed him inside, looking this way and that as they walked.

“What's wrong, Mary Jane? Envious?” Peter asked.

“Even if I were, it wouldn't make any of this mine,” Mary Jane replied. “I'd rather pay attention to the people I already have around me. For example...”

“Oh, hey, Harley! What floor do you live on?” Peter hurried forward, escaping the conversation to catch up with her.

“Hmph. Stupid Peter,” Mary Jane grumbled, though she let it drop.

“Uh... the... the top floor?” Harley answered.

“Yeah, I figured.”

They entered an enormous, lavish elevator and rode to the top. Harley's home was so absurdly spacious that a newcomer could easily lose their way inside.

“Okay, we'll rest a little and then go home. Got that, Peter?” Mary Jane made herself comfortable on the couch without a moment's hesitation.

“Can I get you two something to drink?” Harley asked.

“Whatever you've got is fine,” Peter said. He wasn't particular.

“Then how about a little something we're not supposed to...”

“Nothing with alcohol,” Mary Jane declared firmly.

“All right, juice it is. And some snacks. Please don't leave until you've had something to eat,” Harley said.

“You know, it's surprisingly quiet in here for such a huge place.” Mary Jane looked out through the windows at the sprawling New York skyline.

“Well, only Harley's family lives in a place this big. I suppose there's a cleaning crew that comes by regularly, too,” Peter said.

“I thought there would be a couple of maids, or at least a butler,” Mary Jane remarked, surveying the room.

“You've watched too much television,” Peter told her.

“What's wrong with that? I think it would be nice. Isn't that how rich people are supposed to live?”

“I don't like having people around all the time.” Harley returned carrying a tray. “Cherry juice, and some cake... Though I don't actually know what flavor the cake is.”

Once she'd sat down, she continued, “I don't have much to say to the staff anyway, so there's no reason to make them stay here all day. I can call if I need something. They live on other floors.”

“Even the servants have their own accommodations. Yep, I really am poor,” Mary Jane joked.

“You'll get there someday, Mary Jane. Have some faith in yourself. You're going to be a big star,” Peter said.

“Thanks. Let's hope you're right, Peter.” But Mary Jane had a simpler, quieter goal in mind than any dream of becoming a famous actress.

“Mary Jane wants to be an actress?” Harley asked.

“For now, that's the plan. Who knows what I'll want later, though? Maybe I'll change my mind.”

“What about you, Peter?” Harley asked.

“Me? Uh... probably medical school, then maybe becoming a dentist. Right now, though, I'm focused on making connections at school, winning whatever awards I can, and figuring out how to get a good recommendation letter.”

“That sounds complicated...”

“It's actually pretty straightforward. Midtown High has some distinguished alumni, like Dr. Connors. If I get on good terms with him, it shouldn't be too difficult to secure a recommendation for college,” Peter explained. “The recommendation I'm aiming for would help me get into medical school. Anyway, enough about me. What do you want to do with your life, Harley?”

“I... I don't know yet...” Harley couldn't picture what lay ahead. But she did want to prove herself, especially to her mother, Norma.

She wasn't some useless failure.

After Peter and Mary Jane finished eating, they got ready to leave.

“Oh, wait, Peter. Here, take this and get a cab home.” Harley pulled some money from her wallet and offered it to him.

“Uh, no, that's okay. We'll just take the subway.”

“That would take forever, and it's almost dark. Please take it, Peter. Think of it as a thank-you for looking after me today.”

“Why turn down a kind offer? Thank you very much, Harley.” Mary Jane stepped in and accepted the money. It was pocket change to Harley anyway. “See you tomorrow?”

“See you tomorrow!” Harley smiled as she walked them to the door, watching until the elevator carried them down.