Waiting For The Bus…

As we walked down the steps of the Oscorp building I realized that I didn’t exactly have the best poker face. My eyes stayed wide, my jaw hung slightly open, and I was muttering to myself as all of the images of what I saw drilled themselves into my head. Even as I said bye to Ms. Osborn it was quick and awkward.

“Well… that was fucked, huh?” Harriette said as we waited at the bus stop, and my eyes went wide and I quickly sat up straight, scooting slightly away from her as I kept my legs closed tight.

“Fucked? Huh? What? I… I don’t know… what you’re talking about!” I stuttered out quickly as a fake exaggerated smile grew across my face and I chuckled awkwardly.

“I was talking about Ariana being fired like that…?” Harriette says as she puts one hand on my thigh, and very quickly my leg starts to shiver in response and she quickly pulls back. “Holy fuck… what did you see in there?”

“You don’t wanna know.” I say, before clearing my throat and straightening my back again, doing my best to regain my composure as the bus arrives. The two of us stand, though she needs to help me up with my wobbly legs, my knees still buckling slightly, and I take a couple steps forward as Harriette steps on the bus. But right before I put my foot in the door my phone rings.

I look down at the caller ID and saw a picture of the beautiful old lady who raised me. A small smile crept on my face and I took a step off the bus as I looked up at Harriette.

“Go on back to the dorm! I’ll meet you there later.” I say quickly. Harriette gives me a nod and walks back to her seat as the door closes and I answer the phone, sitting back on the bus bench.

“Hello?” I say quickly, and a big smile grows on my face at the sobering sound of Aunt May’s voice.

“Petra! Finally! I’ve been trying to talk to you for days! Last time I called you were in such a rush… Is everything ok, dear?” Aunt May says, and I remember the last time I talked to her was when I was fighting Rhino and… yeah I guess that was a little rushed.

“Sorry May… Yeah everything is fine! Sorry, I’ve been meaning to call you back… What’s up?” I ask with a smile, doing my best to stay positive when on the phone with her.

“Don’t apologize so much, Petra! It’s just been a while… any chance you’re in the area? Could use a couple extra hands at FEAST today.” She says, and very quickly I become aware of the background noise on the phone: Pots, pans, and a cafeteria full of people.

Aunt May had been working at FEAST, New York’s finest Food Kitchen, for as long as I could remember. I used to help her a lot more with it in high school, but ever since my powers, and college, I haven’t had a ton of time to go down there. I take a quick look at the time, smile, and put the phone to my ear again.

“I’m… actually right down the street at Oscorp. I can be there in 10.” I say in a soft voice with a cool smile on my face.

“Oh lovely dear! Thank you! My hands are getting numb and these dishes need washing!” May says with a chuckle, and I couldn’t help but giggle in response.

“Be there soon, May.” I say softly as I hang up the phone, and with no hesitation I stand up and start my walk to FEAST, leaving the maniacal shit I saw in that lab figuratively, and literally, behind me.