บท 31: Chapter 31
MJ stood outside the address Gwen had given her, her gaze fixed on the faded red walls of what she now realized had once been an old meth lab.
It was one of those things you knew existed but never thought much about until you found yourself face-to-face with it. Like most people, she'd seen it on the news but never paid attention to its location—until now.
She cursed silently, hoping this wasn't some elaborate prank from Gwen. Maybe it was her way of getting back at Flash for all the trouble he'd caused Peter.
No, MJ thought, shaking her head. Gwen's not that petty.
Now that she had a chance to examine it properly, it was clear this wasn't some dilapidated drug den.
The exterior had been thoroughly power-washed, making it look much cleaner than the other buildings in the area. The sidewalks had been weeded, and gaps had been filled with fresh concrete. The gate and fence shone with a coat of new paint. It was obvious Peter had been putting in a lot of effort—and the results were impressive.
It wasn't just the building that stood out. MJ had walked through the neighborhood earlier, wanting to check out not only the apartment Gwen mentioned but the overall vibe of the area. A decent apartment in Hell's Kitchen was still a gamble, but as she explored, she found the area to be surprisingly clean and lively. Sure, it was busy and noisy, but it wasn't the chaotic mess she had expected.
Her instincts weren't screaming at her to leave, either. The streets were mostly free of trash, with no signs of cardboard shelters or makeshift encampments. It felt like a typical, working-class warehouse district.
Even the coffee she'd grabbed from a nearby convenience store wasn't bad. She hadn't brought enough money to try breakfast from one of the food trucks, but there were plenty of options, and the long lines suggested they were both popular and good.
Bracing herself for potential disappointment, MJ walked up the path. If Gwen had been truthful about the rent, this could be her new home—or it was back to Flash. Living with Flash was something she desperately wanted to avoid.
At $1,000 a month plus utilities, MJ didn't have much choice. It was this or dealing with the sleazy landlord who openly ogled her, clearly considering alternative ways for her to "cover the rent" if she ever came up short.
Life hadn't been kind to MJ. Mary Jane "MJ" Watson—an average student with far-above-average looks—was the daughter of an absent mother and an alcoholic father. She had worked hard to carve out a life for herself, despite the obstacles.
Her father's drinking had made her childhood miserable. He constantly berated her, whether it was about her mother leaving, her appearance, her grades, or even her career ambitions. He always found something to criticize.
When MJ finished school, her father demanded more rent money, using any excuse to lash out at her. Flash entering the picture hadn't improved things. Sure, her dad behaved better when Flash was around, but when it was just the two of them, MJ bore the brunt of his frustrations.
Her budget was tight. Working as a waitress, she earned decent tips thanks to her looks—but those tips often came with unwanted comments, phone numbers, and inappropriate advances. She put up with it, clinging to the hope of one day landing a modeling or acting gig that would change her circumstances.
Still, the world had its contradictions. Society preached empowerment, yet MJ constantly felt judged for her appearance and ambitions. She was told she was too smart to play dumb, too pretty to avoid criticism. It seemed like she couldn't win.
Her father made sure to add to her insecurities. His favorite pastime was making her feel ashamed of her own beauty. "Quit being a fucking whore," he'd say.
MJ crushed the paper coffee cup in her hand, forcing herself to stop spiraling.
Get it together, MJ. Focus.
It was time to grab life by the horns and take charge.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the buzzer at the main door. Gwen's cheerful voice crackled through: "One second!" The lock clicked, and moments later, Gwen pulled her inside with an excited hug.
"Holy crap," MJ exclaimed, wide-eyed.
The exterior might have been unremarkable, but the interior was stunning.
Gwen hadn't exaggerated. Three walls were lined with double-stacked modular homes, painted a deep, striking blue. MJ had seen "build your own home" videos online, but seeing it in person was something else.
The concrete floor was spotless, etched with a brick-like pattern that created pathways dividing the different areas of the warehouse. Each home had a neat patch of carpet out front. The whole setup was tidy and well-organized—nothing like what she had expected.
"Earth to MJ," Gwen giggled, waving a hand in front of her face.
MJ blinked. "Oh, hey. Uh, it's not what I expected," she admitted.
Gwen laughed. "Yeah, Pete's been busy. Pick one—it's $1,000 a month. Pete's over there finishing the last two." She gestured toward the homes on the far side of the warehouse. "He's got a proper lease and everything—nothing shady, I promise." Gwen mock-saluted.
"Shady?" MJ teased, raising an eyebrow.
"It's a word!" Gwen retorted with a playful nudge.
"Which one's yours?" MJ asked. Gwen pointed to a unit on the west side of the warehouse.
"Not much inside yet, but it's got plenty of space."
Inside the unit was even better than MJ expected. It was larger than her room at home and far more modern.
For $1,000 a month, MJ realized she could finally breathe. She wouldn't be living paycheck to paycheck anymore. She could save money, buy things she wanted, and even eat properly.
It also meant she could avoid the darker side of the modeling industry. She was determined to stick to legitimate jobs—no pornography or "tasteful nudes."
She wasn't willing to compromise her values just to make ends meet. She had heard too many horror stories and been handed too many "business cards" offering "artistic" photoshoots.
Sexism was rampant in the industry, but MJ refused to let it define her future. Low-budget soft porn—or worse—wasn't an option for her.
MJ explored the three rooms in the modular home, feeling more and more certain that moving here was the right decision. The space was larger than she had expected, with a quirky urban aesthetic that she found surprisingly appealing.
Initially, she had worried that living in a warehouse might mean no running water, which would have been a deal-breaker. But to her relief, the home was fully carpeted, had a compact kitchen, and even a fully equipped bathroom. In fact, the whole setup was leagues ahead of the place she currently lived in.
She decided it was time to take the leap. Flash and her father could be dealt with later.
"Gwen, go get Peter. I'm ready to sign."
Gwen let out an excited squeal and wrapped MJ in a tight hug. Living here with Peter and MJ was going to be amazing, she thought. Gwen knew MJ had been through a lot, and this felt like a fresh start for her. If only Felicia hadn't been so stubborn, Gwen mused with a hint of regret.
Just as Gwen was about to shout for Peter, who was busy working on one of the homes, he emerged, carrying a roll of waterproof felt and laying it out to cut.
Gwen grinned and nudged MJ, who looked at her in confusion before turning toward Peter.
MJ's breath caught.
Damn, she thought, seeing Peter shirtless. He's shredded.
Even Flash, with all his training, wasn't as lean and well-defined as Peter.
Her eyes lingered on him for a little too long, and when Peter turned to catch her staring, he flashed a grin and flexed his arms playfully. MJ blushed and quickly looked away, embarrassed to have been caught.
"You still haven't told him, huh?" Gwen asked, a knowing smile on her face.
MJ shook her head. She and Peter had been close growing up, but after the mugging that took Uncle Ben's life, Peter's childhood had ended abruptly. He became distant, and after moving to a smaller apartment, they lost touch.
When they reunited at Midtown High, Peter had been thrilled to see her again—until Flash entered the picture.
At first, it felt like old times, as though nothing had changed. But then Flash asked her out, and MJ, caught off guard, said yes without realizing what she was getting herself into.
Dating Flash had been fine in the beginning. MJ couldn't even remember what had caused the initial tension between Flash and Peter. But one innocent comment from her had turned Peter into Flash's target.
Everything spiraled after that. Flash became possessive, and MJ had no idea that casually mentioning she missed hanging out with Peter would set him off so badly.
Within a week, Flash had shifted from charming to controlling. MJ tried to defend Peter, but the one time she stood up to Flash, he gave her a look she knew all too well. It was the same look her father gave her before his temper exploded.
Flash's twisted sense of masculinity cast Peter as a threat, a rival who would steal MJ away from him. And so, Peter became the outlet for Flash's insecurities.
The social pressure didn't help. Flash didn't need to argue with MJ—other girls at school made sure she understood her place. Keep Flash happy, or face the consequences. She had become yet another trophy for the school's golden boy. Nobody cared as long as Flash didn't physically harm her. Nobody saw the emotional wounds he left behind, much like her father's.
Her only escape was Gwen. Flash didn't mind MJ having female friends, only male ones. Gwen gave her the smallest glimpses of happiness. Sometimes, MJ wished those moments could lead to something more—something that could free her from everything else.
"I… I can't," MJ murmured, her eyes still drifting back to Peter. "But aren't you dating him? Why would you…"
Gwen grinned and winked. "That's my little secret. So, would you?"
"I'm dating Flash. Well… maybe," MJ replied with a sigh. "I don't know."
"Flash?" Gwen asked incredulously, glancing back at Peter, who seemed to be taking his time with the felt. He bent over more than necessary, and Gwen couldn't help but smirk.
"Yeah," MJ sighed. "He wants me to move in with him, and so does my dad. But I can't. I…"
Gwen noticed the change in MJ's tone. The usual defensiveness when discussing Flash wasn't there.
"I don't want to talk about it," MJ admitted, folding her arms across her chest.
Gwen nodded and gave her a comforting pat on the arm. "It'll be okay." She nudged MJ gently.
MJ looked up to see Peter picking up the roll of felt along with a tub of sealant.
Gwen called out, "Hey, Pete! MJ's ready to sign!"
Peter set the sealant down and gave them a thumbs-up before miming washing his hands and heading into his home.
He reappeared moments later, now wearing a T-shirt and drying his hands with a towel.
"Alright," he said, motioning them over to a table where he pulled out a stack of papers. "Here's the lease, utility agreement, and everything else you need to sign," he explained, sliding the documents and a pen toward MJ.
MJ carefully read through the paperwork. It all seemed straightforward—though she wasn't exactly an expert on leases. The terms were clear: $1,000 a month plus a third of the utilities.
After reading it twice, she signed and handed it back to Peter, who smiled and signed his name as well.
"First month's rent is due when you move in—which is, uh, next week," he said, neatly stacking the papers into a folder labeled "MJ."
"We still going out tonight? I mean, no exams, and prom's canceled," Gwen asked, glancing between Peter and MJ.
"I, uh…" MJ hesitated before making her decision. Screw Flash. Screw my dad. "Yes. I… yeah, I'd like that."
Gwen looked between them, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Just don't tell shithead."
"I won't," MJ said firmly, though she avoided meeting Peter's gaze. She knew they'd need to talk at some point, but she wasn't ready yet.
Peter sighed. "Just give me a heads-up if Flash ever shows up. I'm not saying he can't, but I'd rather not see him," he warned.
MJ shook her head. "I don't even know if he'll want to come here. And honestly, Peter… I don't know if I want him here either. This… this is a lot for me." She gestured around the warehouse. "When did all this even happen? It's incredible."
With Gwen's unexpected invitation and the sight of the beautifully transformed warehouse, MJ felt it—a spark of hope. For the first time, she saw a real opportunity to break free—not just from her father, but from Flash as well.
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StoryWanderer
StoryWanderer Thanks for reading. If you want to support me and read up to 14 chapters ahead you can go to my p@treon pa treon.com/StoryWanderer. I would really appreciate it. The third +18 chapter with Gwen is also there now.
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