The Amazing Spider-Man and the Prom Date

Peter Parker had a plan. It wasn't a very good plan—it mostly involved a lot of stammering and a half-eaten bag of chips—but it was a plan nonetheless. He was going to ask MJ to prom.

He'd rehearsed the speech a thousand times in front of his mirror. 'Hey, MJ, I was wondering… you know, if you're not too busy fighting crime or saving the world… would you like to go to prom with me? As friends? Or… more? Yeah, more sounds good.'

But every time he saw her in the hallway, his brain turned to web fluid. Today, however, he was determined. He'd even put on his good sneakers—the ones without the suspicious stain.

He spotted her by her locker, laughing at something Ned was saying. Ned caught Peter's eye and gave him a thumbs up, then conveniently wandered off. This was it. Peter took a deep breath, adjusted his backpack, and walked over.

'Hey, MJ,' he said, his voice cracking slightly. 'Got a minute?'

MJ turned, a small smile on her face. 'Hey, Pete. Sure. What's up?'

Peter opened his mouth. The words were right there. 'I was wondering…' Then his phone buzzed. Then the fire alarm went off. Then a giant mechanical bird crashed through the cafeteria window.

The Vulture. Again.

Peter groaned internally. He looked at MJ, whose eyebrows were raised. 'Uh, I—'

'Go,' she said, with a knowing smirk. 'We'll talk later.'

He wanted to protest, but duty called. In less than a second, he was out the window, his suit on (thank you, Karen), and webbing the Vulture's wings. The fight was a blur of metal, feathers, and one particularly painful landing on a food cart. But he managed to subdue the villain, with some help from the police, and swing back to the school just in time for fifth period.

He was not in the mood for calculus. He was in the mood to curl up and disappear. His prom plan was ruined. Again.

After school, he shuffled out to the parking lot, defeated. He was about to head home when he heard MJ's voice.

'So, about that question you were going to ask.'

Peter spun around. MJ was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking amused. 'Oh, uh, right. That. I was going to ask… if you wanted to… you know, go to prom. With me.'

MJ laughed. It was a warm, genuine laugh. 'Pete, I've been waiting for you to ask for three weeks. Yes, I'll go to prom with you.'

Peter's heart did a double backflip. 'Wait, really? You will? You're not just saying that because I accidentally webbed your backpack to the ceiling last month?'

MJ rolled her eyes. 'That was actually kind of funny. And no, I'm saying yes because you're the most awkward, kind, and ridiculously heroic person I know. Even if you did interrupt our conversation to fight a bird man.'

Peter beamed. 'I'm Spider-Man, by the way. In case you hadn't figured it out.'

MJ nodded, a sly smile on her face. 'I knew since Homecoming. You're not exactly subtle.'

Peter's jaw dropped. 'Wait, what? I am so subtle! I have a whole secret identity thing!'

'Pete, you once took a call from Karen while you were sitting right next to me. And you said, 'Can I call you back? I'm with a friend.' It was very subtle.'

He groaned. 'Okay, fine. But still—prom?'

MJ stepped closer and took his hand. 'Prom. And maybe we can get some of those fancy webbed napkin holders. You know, to match the theme.'

Peter grinned. 'I can make those.'

'I know you can.'

And for a moment, Peter Parker—Spider-Man—felt like the luckiest guy in the world. He'd saved the city dozens of times, but this felt even better. He had a prom date. And maybe, just maybe, a real girlfriend.

'So,' he said, trying to sound casual. 'Should we practice our prom dance moves? Because I'm pretty sure I have two left feet. And they're also web-covered.'

MJ laughed again, pulling him close. 'We'll work on it. But first, you owe me a snack. That giant bird interrupted my lunch.'

Peter shook his head, smiling. 'Deal. But only if you promise not to mention the time I tripped over my own web and landed in a dumpster.'

MJ raised an eyebrow. 'Deal. But that's a story for our first anniversary.'

They walked off together, hand in hand, into the sunset—or at least, into the parking lot of a local deli. And Peter Parker realized that sometimes, even a hero's life had room for a little romance. Especially with a girl who knew exactly who he was and liked him anyway.