Monday morning was pure torture for Peter.
Waking up was a struggle, school was waiting, and to make matters worse, he was currently in the middle of being recruited by SHIELD.
On his way to school, he used his personal Scanning Adapter (SA) to scan the folder Fury had given him, reviewing the terms page by page.
The conditions were straightforward: SHIELD would provide top-tier training, and he would carry out missions for them in return.
He could specify the skills he wanted to learn—technology, combat, tactics, and more—and be trained by a dedicated agent.
Once he met the standard, he would be sent straight into the field.
Honestly, Peter couldn’t find a single reason to refuse.
Patrolling the streets every night was exhausting, and with official resources backing him, his efficiency would easily double.
As for Hydra lurking inside SHIELD, he was well aware, but for now, the benefits of this deal far outweighed the risks.
The only thing holding him back was that he had no intention of giving up his patrol rights in New York.
That was a bargaining chip he would have to hash out with Fury.
Walking into the classroom, Peter shut off the SA.
He didn’t want some handsy classmate snooping through classified SHIELD files.
“Yo, Parker, what’s that thing you’ve got?” Flash sauntered over.
“A Scanning Adapter,” Peter replied without looking up.
“What’s it do?” “Scans physical documents and converts them to a digital format.” “Pretty cool.
Where’d you buy it?” “I made it myself.” Harry leaned in, his eyes lighting up.
“You made that yourself?
That’s actually impressive.” Peter didn’t bother responding to their attempts to cozy up to him.
“Parker, you going to the homecoming dance on Friday?
Or do you think you’re too cool for it?” Surrounded by a crowd of popular girls, Flash turned to tease him.
“Haven’t decided yet,” Peter replied dismissively.
“You’re definitely going to ask Felicia, right?
After all, she kissed you.
She’s clearly into you.” Peter shrugged.
“Maybe.” “Relax, man.
If I had a girl that hot, I wouldn’t want to be away from her for a single second,” Flash grinned.
“You have an actual girlfriend glaring at you right over there,” Peter pointed toward Liz, who looked ready to explode.
Harry threw in a jab, sending the group into fits of laughter.
Peter only found these sycophants annoying.
“Get lost,” Felicia said, pushing through the crowd like she was shooing away flies.
She sat down next to Peter, cast a cold glance at the group, and then gave Peter a subtle nod.
“Either way, Peter, you have to come on Friday.
Flash is bringing Liz, and Harry’s bringing Mary Jane.
It’s going to be a blast,” Harry kept rambling.
Peter raised an eyebrow and looked at Mary Jane.
She rubbed her temples and gave a small nod.
He was a bit surprised Harry was being so polite to her.
“I’ll think about it.” Peter dismissed Harry, then turned to Felicia.
“What are your plans for the dance?” “Why do you ask?” Felicia offered a sly smile.
“Because I want to ask you to go with me.
And grab dinner beforehand.” Peter looked her dead in the eye.
Felicia tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, her lips curving upward.
“Since you asked, sure.
Let’s do it.” Peter’s smile widened.
“Awesome.
How about dinner first?” “Sounds good.
You’re finally making good on that date you owe me.” Felicia winked.
Just as Peter was about to speak, a woman wearing a black pencil skirt and a blue blouse walked into the classroom.
She had curly red hair and a body like a supermodel.
Natasha Romanoff.
Black Widow.
She was here to monitor him.
“Good morning.
I’m Natasha Randall.
I’ll be subbing for you until Mr.
Duncan recovers.” She smiled and scanned the room, her gaze lingering on Peter for a fraction of a second longer.
The boys started whistling, but Peter only felt a chill down his spine.
This woman was a top-tier agent who could slaughter everyone in this classroom without blinking.
The class went by quickly; Natasha’s literary analysis was actually quite deep.
When the bell rang, the boys reluctantly left, while Peter stayed behind.
Felicia caught on, gave him a look, and left first.
“Is there something I can help you with, Mr.
Parker?” Natasha asked with a polite smile.
“I thought Fury was going to give me some time to think about it,” Peter said, getting straight to the point.
Natasha blinked.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Who is Fury?” Peter rolled his eyes.
“Cut the act.
The previous teacher has only been in the hospital for two days, and you’re already here filling the vacancy?
This school’s administration isn’t that efficient.” “I just happened to be applying…” Without warning, Peter threw a punch right at her face.
Natasha’s eyes sharpened.
Instinctively, she ducked to the side, grabbed his arm, and executed a clean shoulder throw, slamming him onto the floor.
Peter rubbed his shoulder as he stood up, grinning.
“Fast reflexes, teach.” The warmth drained from Natasha’s face, replaced by a cold, evaluating gaze.
“Fury said you were fast, but I didn’t expect you to be this fast.” “Thanks.
Natural talent.
Now, I suggest you keep your distance so people don’t think you’re hooking up with a student on your very first day.” Peter patted down his jacket.
Natasha’s lip twitched slightly, as if finding him somewhat amusing.
“I looked over the contract.
I can accept it, but I have two conditions.” Peter’s smile faded.
“State them.” “First, I keep jurisdiction over protecting New York.
I understand there will be out-of-town missions, but if this city is in danger, I have to be able to come back.
I won’t sabotage any missions, but I can’t just leave New York to rot.” Natasha nodded.
“Reasonable.
And the second?” “I like inventing things.
Will Fury provide me with research and development funding?
Who owns the intellectual property for the things I make?” “You’ll have to ask Fury about that, but I will pass your requests along.” Natasha returned to her professional smile.
“If there’s nothing else, Mr.
Parker, you should get to your next class.” The door opened, and the next wave of students walked in.
Peter wished her a good day and walked out.
All day, he felt like someone was watching him in secret, but he couldn’t spot any cameras.
He chalked it up to paranoia.
At lunch, he brought his tray to a corner and sat across from Felicia.
“Hey, Tiger.” Felicia loved using his nickname.
“I think you’ve earned the right to give me a nickname too.” “Really?
Any requirements?” “You decide.” She looked down to eat her salad.
Peter stared at the fork in her hand.
The handle had a little black cat pattern engraved on it.
“How about…
Kitten?” He kept his voice low, letting the word slip out with a slightly husky tone.
Felicia paused, looking up in surprise.
“Why did you call me that?” “The cat on your fork.” Peter pointed.
“I think you’re a lot like a cat.
Cold, clever, and incredibly elegant.
So, Kitten?” “Damn you, Parker,” she muttered, though the tips of her ears flushed red.
“What’s wrong, Kitten?
Don’t like it?” “No…
do whatever you want.” She mumbled and kept eating, her heart clearly racing from the deep, intimate address.
After school, Peter spent an hour in a study group with the two girls, then headed to the dojo.
“Peter, you’re my best student.
You’ve learned more here than I did in years.
Are you really sure you can’t continue?” Colleen Wing looked deeply regretful.
“I’m sorry, Sensei.
My family needs money, so I have to prioritize taking care of them,” Peter explained, half-truthfully.
“That truly is a pity,” a middle-aged man’s voice came from the doorway.
The newcomer wore a suit and had a neatly trimmed beard.
Peter recognized him instantly.
The Hand’s master, Bakuto.
“Master Bakuto!” Colleen bowed respectfully.
“This is Peter Parker, my best student.
Unfortunately, he has to leave.” Bakuto looked warmly at Peter.
“Mr.
Parker, would you mind telling me why?” Peter cursed inwardly.
This old fox wanted to brainwash him into becoming a mindless thug.
“I need to make money to pay for college,” Peter said, keeping a straight face.
“If that’s the case, my organization would be happy to offer you a full scholarship, provided you perform well,” Bakuto offered, dangling the bait.
Colleen excitedly chimed in to explain that it was a very wealthy non-profit organization.
“Thank you, but I don’t think that would be fair to the others.” Peter met Bakuto’s gaze.
“People like Marcus need that money more than I do.
I’ll just find some cash gigs.
Don’t worry about me.” “You’re wasting your talent, Mr.
Parker.” “I’d rather waste it than have my family sacrifice everything just to support me,” Peter retorted coldly.
“Excuse me.
Goodbye.” He turned and left.
Colleen called out to him from behind, but he didn’t look back, jogging straight out of the dojo.