Arachnid: New Spiderman

[1st POV]

September 1.

Peter Parker's room.

The serene silence is interrupted by the horrible beeping of the alarm clock. With a swift motion of my hand, I smash it into tiny pieces.

"Great, another one to buy."

I mutter as I get out of bed, yawning heavily.

Why did I think it was a good idea to try if I could get fully rested in two hours instead of my usual four and right before the first day of school?

To be fair, I was busy.

Who would've thought that the Beetle's boot would give me an idea of how to improve the device I used to beat him?

I finally solved the issue with the two-way short circuit. Now, I don't have to spend a lot of time preparing charges for the Electroweb.

It was all about a carbon-fiber alloy with a touch of rubber.

After completing my morning routine, I went downstairs for breakfast.

"Morning, champ. How'd you sleep?"

Uncle Ben asked.

"Like a baby."

I replied, letting out a massive yawn.

"Did you spend the whole night in your laboratory again?"

"Labora—"

I stopped mid-word, surprised that I didn't have to correct him, "I finished an old experiment. It's a success. Can I have a triple shot of coffee?"

"Just this once."

Aunt May said as she set a mug in front of me.

"You're a miracle, Auntie."

"You have school at nine. Why'd you get up at six?"

"I wanted to wrap up a few things and take a walk before school instead of catching the bus."

"Alright, boys, less chatting and more eating."

Aunt May gently scolded.

The Parkers' usual cozy breakfast began.

Still yawning, I stepped outside. I had just pulled out my earbuds to pop them in when a pair of hands suddenly covered my eyes.

I was momentarily confused about my Spider-Sense for not kicking in, but then a familiar, soft voice reassured me.

"Guess who, Tiger?"

"Hmm… soft, soft hands, a mesmerizing, sultry voice… shower me with a powder and call me a cupcake if it isn't my sweetheart, Mary Jane Watson."

"You could've been a little less dramatic."

She said, leaning in to kiss me as I turned to face her.

"I forgot that dramatics are your thing."

I teased, brushing her cheek gently, "But I'm genuinely surprised to see you up at half past eight in the morning."

"I decided to walk my boyfriend to school and maybe show off that this handsome guy is already taken?"

"You're so perceptive."

With a playful atmosphere filling the morning air, we went to Midtown High.

...

The usual bus ride to school takes fifteen to forty minutes. We walked to school at a normal, leisurely pace for less than an hour.

"Just look at those sleepy, unproductive faces, you could tell they were schoolchildren returning from vacation."

I said.

"Or students or adults at the beginning of the week."

"Touché."

"Hey, Pete!"

Turning around, I saw Miles running toward me, with Gwen strolling along behind him, smiling.

"Hey, guys,"

I said, smiling as I shook Morales' hand and hugged Gwen lightly.

"Ahem-ahem."

"I haven't forgotten about you."

I told my girlfriend, "Guys, meet Mary Jane Watson—my neighbor and the lady who stole my heart."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Miles."

The boy said with a friendly wave.

"Gwen Stacy."

Gwen introduced herself.

Was it just me, or did her smile dim ever so slightly?

"Nice to meet you too. I hope we'll get along. I'll be transferring here soon."

MJ said.

"That's great! I'm sure you'll love it here."

Gwen responded with a sweet smile.

For some reason, a shiver ran down my spine, but Miles's sudden exclamation shifted my focus entirely.

"Look!"

Turning toward the fountain, we saw Sally Avril loudly berating Bronie Howl, one of our classmates. Her sharp voice seemed to disorient poor Bronie so much that he lost his balance and stumbled straight into the fountain.

"I guess that's.."

"Yes, the same menace."

I replied.

The school courtyard, fueled by Sally's outburst, seemed ready to start making fun of him but something happened that I didn't expect.

Randy Robertson stepped in, helped Bronie out of the fountain, and firmly calmed his girlfriend down.

"Good thing Robbie taught his son the right lessons."

I remarked as I approached Randy.

"Yeah, my old man's like that. Hey, Pete."

Randy greeted, extending his hand. He was the left midfielder on our football team.

Amusingly, Sally turned up her nose in defiance. She was one of the few who still couldn't accept that I had climbed up the school's social hierarchy. Even Flash had come to terms with it.

"Randy, don't waste your time on losers."

"And hello to you too, Sally."

I replied.

"Ugh."

She scoffed, dramatically flipping her blonde hair as she strutted toward the school.

"Sorry, Pete. You know how she is."

Randy said before following after his girlfriend.

"No offense taken."

I assured him as he walked away.

"That was harsh."

Miles commented.

"Some people never change, Miles."

I replied.

"I don't mean to rush you, but we should hurry to class too."

Gwen pointed out.

"You're right, Gwen."

I turned to my redhead, "See you later, kitten."

"Show them, Tiger."

She said, rising onto her toes and pressing her lips to mine.

We embarrassed Miles and Gwen with our passionate farewell.

"Alright, we need to go. It was nice meeting you, Mary."

After saying our goodbyes, we entered the building.

...

The first lesson was math, and as usual, we started falling behind the schedule right at the beginning of the school year.

The classes that deserved more attention were physics and biology.

In physics, Harry brilliantly defended the project we had been working on.

We had spent a week on it and the effort paid off.

Professor Foswell even praised him even though he usually only complimented Gwen, me, and sometimes Miles.

There are only very few students who can keep up with his advanced course.

However, a very interesting happened in biology. At first, everything went as usual with recessive and dominant genes, the usual topics.

Then, after the class ended, Professor Tonneson asked Gwen and me to stay.

"Students, do you remember last year when Dr. Curt Connors from New York University visited our classes?"

" Of course, professor, Dr. Connors' research is mind-blowing."

Gwen said with sparkling eyes.

I just nodded silently as if asking to get to the point.

"Well, yesterday, I received a request from his lab asking me to send two of my best students for an internship. What do you think about it?"

Hmm.

An internship at the future Lizard's lab? Of course, it's probably wrong to view people whose POSSIBLE future I know as potential enemies, but it's quite hard to ignore.

Dr. Connors is a decent guy for the most part, but I still believe his desire to regain his lost arm will override his reason, and the tragic transformation into a lizard will take place.

"That sounds amazing, right, Peter!"

Gwen enthusiastically nudged me.

'I don't even know... I have my job at the Daily Bugle, studies, not to mention a girlfriend, and life as Spider-Man.'

"Professor, do you think they could just go with Gwen, or could you find someone to take my place?"

"Hmm, well, we could send Mr. Morales. However, he's quite an absent-minded fellow. Still, think about it, Mr. Parker. This internship will open great opportunities for you when applying to university, not to mention for scientific research."

"I'll think about it. Goodbye, professor."

We left the class, and just a second later, Gwen grabbed me by the shoulder.

"Pete, are you out of your mind?! This is such a great opportunity!"

"Gwen, first of all, don't grab people like that. It's not cool. Second, I said I'll think about it. Besides, they could send Miles with you."

"But I want... I mean, as a partner... you're more useful."

Gwen finished, turning bright red.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Please, Pete. It'll be fun."

Gwen said, giving me her best puppy-dog eyes.

"Alright, alright. I'll go with you and only if the situations are right, I'll stay."

"You're the best!"

"I know."

After laughing and chatting, we headed to the cafeteria.

To be continued...