บท 2: can you empathize

The next day, Peter wakes up to his phone alarm and gets ready as slowly as possible, perhaps hoping that something will stop him from going to school. But, as one might expect, nothing happens—just an ordinary day. He grabs an apple as he heads out the door. Having missed the bus, he walks to school, much later than usual. By the time he arrives, the first classes are nearly over.

Peter looks nervous but decides to enter the classroom. All eyes turn to him, and he freezes. The teacher's voice breaks the tension. "Take your seat, Peter." During the last ten minutes of class, Peter doesn't notice anyone talking about him, but it feels like everyone is glancing his way. He continues through the rest of his classes, getting the same unsettling feeling from everyone.

When break time comes, he notices Flash and his buddies walking over. "What's up, Pete?" Flash says, going for a handshake. Peter extends his hand. "Peter, don't forget we have a practice match after school today." "Sorry, Flash, I think I have something to do today." "No worries, just try not to miss too many days if all of us want to play basketball in college."

Peter's three other friends walk over with Flash. "If you have a problem, just say it." Peter smiles as he watches one of his teammates shadowboxing. "Just say it, Peter. These guns are ready for a fistfight." After a long talk, everyone heads back to class.

When Peter is leaving to go home, he walks by the gym. Hearing all the noise, he stops for a few seconds before walking past the closed doors. On his way, he sees Gwen heading home and runs up to her. Gwen looks startled. "Peter, how many times have I told you not to sneak up on me like that?"

"I wasn't sneaking. You're just easily startled," Peter replies with a grin. Gwen looks annoyed.

"Gwen, did you see MJ today?"

"Do you not know? She moved to a different school for her safety. That's what I understood from MJ." Peter looks ahead, deep in thought.

"What are you going to do, Peter?"

Peter snaps at Gwen, "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?" Gwen hits Peter on the arm, and he winces, holding his arm in pain.

"Calm down, idiot," Gwen says.

"Sorry," Peter mutters, embarrassed for yelling in public. He starts walking away quickly, trying to avoid the curious glances of people passing by. Gwen smiles and speeds up to keep pace with him.

When Peter gets home, May and Ben say nothing about what's going on or what he plans to do. They act like everything is normal, just like before they got the news from MJ's parents. Peter pretends nothing has happened, though sometimes Uncle Ben looks like he wants to say something but doesn't.

After four months, Peter is back to playing basketball and maintaining high grades without much effort. Over time, Uncle Ben has started looking more disappointed in Peter, while Aunt May remains understanding but often has a sad expression.

Three months later, Peter begins to suspect that Uncle Ben might be helping MJ. He notices Ben talking on the phone with her or going out for errands, and sometimes Aunt May is involved, but he doesn't mind.

One month later, Peter turns 17. Aunt May has been talking to Peter about his birthday for a few weeks, but Peter has been insistent on not celebrating. Maybe it's out of guilt for the kind of person he's been these past eight months, or perhaps he's afraid his uncle might be even more disappointed. Peter starts to feel a growing fear, imagining Uncle Ben walking out on his birthday.

"Aunt May, no need. I have other plans," Peter says.

"Are you sure, Peter? We could spend more time with everyone," Aunt May suggests gently.

"I'm good. I have plans," Peter insists, though the weight of his words hangs heavy between them