With a few minutes left until midnight, Danny ran back to meet up with MJ. [color=red]“Where have you been?”[/color] MJ exclaimed as if he didn’t already know Danny was Spider-Man. “I got a picture with Spider-Woman!” He said as he showed Danny his phone.

Danny rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. [color=pink]“Um… running in fear…”[/color] Danny lied. [color=pink]“I’m not going to stick around with some maniac on the loose…”[/color] Danny’s heart raced as he tried to maintain his composure under MJ’s scrutinizing gaze. He knew he wasn’t the best liar, especially when it came to MJ.

MJ raised an eyebrow.

[color=red]“Really? Running from a maniac? This coming from the same guy that took on Skyler?”[/color] MJ said.

Danny shifted uncomfortably, searching for a convincing excuse. [color=pink]“Well, you know, I just didn’t want to risk getting hurt, you know? I mean, I’m no superhero like the Spiders... Speaking of which, that’s a cool picture you got there.”[/color]

MJ continued to study him for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. [color=red]“Alright, Danny. I won’t push it. Let’s just enjoy the countdown and the fireworks, okay?”[/color]

Danny breathed a sigh of relief, and nodded eagerly. [color=pink]“Yeah, sounds good.”[/color]

As clock counted down, the boys eagerly awaited for midnight. When it came, there was much celebration. There was fireworks and confetti.

Danny nervously asked MJ if he could have a New Years kiss.

MJ smiled apologetically. [color=red]“Danny, you’re sweet, and I like you, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I’m not ready for that kind of relationship right now.”[/color]

Danny's heart sank at MJ's response, but he tried to mask his disappointment with a forced smile. [color=pink]"No worries, MJ. I understand."[/color] he replied, attempting to sound casual.

MJ placed a comforting hand on Danny's shoulder. [color=red]"I hope you're not too disappointed. You're a great guy, Danny. It's just... I'm not looking for anything serious right now."[/color]

Danny nodded. [color=pink]"Yeah, I get it. No hard feelings."[/color] He wanted to be understanding, but MJ was quick to kiss Spider-Man, but Danny gets rejected. Just another reminder that Spider-Man is cool, but Danny Davis is a loser.

MJ, sensing Danny’s disappointment, did his best to help. [color=red]“Listen, you’re really cute and sweet. You should go out and see other people, live your best life.”[/color] MJ suggested. [color=red]“Any guy would be lucky to have you! And maybe one day, I’ll be ready.”[/color] He winked.

Danny managed a small smile, though his heart still felt heavy with disappointment. [color=pink]“Thanks, MJ. I appreciate it.”[/color] he said, trying to sound grateful for the encouragement.

As they continued to watch the fireworks, Danny couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy as he saw couples around them sharing kisses and embracing in the New Year’s celebration. He wished things could be different between him and MJ, but he knew he had to respect his friend’s boundaries.

As the festivities continued, Danny did his best to enjoy the rest of the evening with MJ and their friends, putting aside his feelings of inadequacy and focusing on the fun of the New Year’s celebration. Deep down, though, he couldn’t shake the sense of longing and disappointmet. wondering if he would ever find someone who would reciprocate his feelings.

But for now, he decided to take MJ’s advice and focus on living his best life, knowing that someday, he might meet someone who would appreciate him for who he was. 

——

As Spider-Man swung through the city, his senses alert for any signs of trouble, he spotted a massive pile of sand, wreaking havoc with destructive intent.

Without hesitation, Spider-Man swooped down, landing in front the movinf. [color=pink]“Hey, hey! What’s going on?”[/color] he called out.

The Sand reformed into a human. [color=C2B280]“Stay out of this, Spider-Man! This is between me and Norman Osborn!”[/color] He growled.

Spider-Man’s eyes widened. [color=pink]“Norman Osborn? What did he do?”[/color] He asked with genuine concern.

[color=C2B280]“He lied to me, Spider-Man! He promised he had a cure for my daughter’s leukemia, but it was all a trick. He’s responsible for what happened to me, and now he’s going to pay.”[/color] The man started to become sandy again.

Spider-Man sighed. He really felt for the guy. He was also surprised that Norman Osborn would do something like that. I mean, he knew he wasn’t the best father, but this?

[color=pink]“I know you’re hurting, but this isn’t the answer.”[/color] Danny insisted. [color=pink]“We can find another way to hold Osborn accountable, together. But first, we need to stop this before anyone else gets hurt.”[/color]

The man hesitated. After a tense moment, he slowly began to stand down, his sandy form starting to solidify.

[color=C2B280]“Okay, Spider-Man. You win.”[/color] The Sandman conceded. [color=C2B280]“But mark my words, Osborn won’t get away with what he’s done.”[/color]

Spider-Man nodded. [color=pink]“We’ll find a way to make him answer for his crimes. But for now, let’s focus on helping your daughter.”[/color]

And then, as if on cue, Norman came out, surrounded by a bunch of armed officers. [color=green]“Thank you Spider-Man, that will be all.”[/color] He said as the officers apprehended the Sandman.

Danny was stunned silent. He managed to talk the guy down from killing Norman Osborn, and he gets arrested anyway. It wasn’t fair. How was he going to look Mr. Osborn in the eye when Danny Davis reports for internship with him. Even worse, how was he going to tell Harry?