"Along Came a Spider"

by

WildDogJJ

Seventeen year old Peter Parker was just a typical science nerd. Standing at a less than imposing 5 feet, six inches he was so scrawny that he not only looked like puberty had completely passed him by but, at only 98 pounds, a light gust of wind was all it would take to knock him flat on his ass. He had lousy fashion sense, typically wearing T-shirts with superheros or science slogans on them and jeans that no other teenager wore since the nineties. He had a boyishly cute face with inviting brown eyes that girls would probably find handsome. Too bad the coke bottle glasses drew attention away from it. He only had two friends his own age. The rest of his peers thought him such a loser that just talking to him would be social suicide. He lived with his aunt May and uncle Ben. His parents, Richard and Mary Parker, both died when he was so young that he barely remembers them. After their deaths Peter was sent to live with Richard's brother, Ben, and Ben's own wife, May, in Queens.

It wasn't all bad. Ben and May loved Peter as if he were their own. The family lived in a cramped two-story house in the Forest Hills section of Queens. Ben worked as an electrician while May volunteered for various local charities. They didn't have a lot of money, but it was enough and the family never wanted for anything. One thing Ben and May drilled into Peter from day one was the importance of always doing the right thing. Ben was overly fond of saying "With great power comes great responsibility", a lesson young Peter took to heart. They also encouraged Peter's almost obsessive interest in all things science.

It was a Monday morning and they were all at the table eating breakfast. Ben was a large man of about fifty. His middle aged pot belly and friendly demeanor so disarming you just couldn't help liking the guy. May, also fifty, was a petite woman whose auburn hair was just starting to gray. She loved her husband and thought of Peter as more her son than her nephew. Ben and May had no children of their own. A severe infection during her early twenties having rendered her sterile. Ben didn't care that they would never be parents and married her anyway. They still became parents, in a way, since they took Peter in when he was only five years old. It was a very loving family.

"So, Pete," asked Ben, "Is today the day of that field trip?"

Peter answered "Tomorrow."

Peter was looking forward to an upcoming field trip to Osborn labs. He was a science geek, after all. He wasn't looking forward to the rest of the week, though. School mostly consisted of being taunted or ignored by the other kids. He only had two friends, one of whom kept the fact that they were friends a secret.

Peter finished his breakfast, picked up his backpack, and started toward the door.

May said "Have a nice day at school, Peter."

Peter deadpanned "Not that it ever works, but I'll try."

He waved and went out the door.

"Ben," said May.

"Yes."

May said "I worry about Peter. He only has two friends. He must be terribly lonely."

Ben said "High school wasn't the best time of my life either. At least he has two friends to help him through it."

May said "I wish he'd ask Anna's daughter out. A girlfriend would help his confidence."

Ben said "Makes sense. After all, Mary Jane Watson's over here so much you'd think she lived here instead of next door."


Meanwhile, outside...

Peter exited the house to find one of his two friends waiting for him. Seventeen year old Harry Osborn did not look like the kind of kid who'd hang out with a science nerd. He had neatly styled brown hair, wore designer clothes and had such a perfectly chisled face that you'd think every girl in school would be all over him. Despite the movie star looks he was just as much of an outcast as Peter. His father was Norman Osborn, founder, chairman and CEO of Osborn Industries. As such, Harry's family was stupid rich. This did not endear him to the blue collar and middle class kids who composed the bulk of the student body at Midtown High. He and Peter have been friends since freshman year (after Harry got himself kicked out of prep school).

"Yo, Pete," said Harry, "You ready to go?"

Peter said "Ready as I'll ever be."

The two boys began walking as they talked.

Harry said "Hey, Pete, can I ask you a question?"

Peter teased "You just did."

With a laugh, Harry said "Touche, dude."

Peter said "What do you wanna know?"

Harry said "Have you seen Liz Allen lately?"

Rolling his eyes, Peter said "Duh, Harry. She's the head cheerleader."

Harry said "She's also a mega hot blonde."

Peter said "Way to state the obvious. What's this about?"

Harry asked "You think she'd say yes if I asked her out?"

Peter said "No, but her tool of a boyfriend would totally kick your ass."

Harry said "Come on, I'm rich, I'm handsome. Why wouldn't she date me?"

Peter said "One, she's dating the quarterback. Two, your only friend is Midtown High's resident dork. Three, Flash is such a gorilla that he'd pound you into a locker just for looking at Liz."

Harry said "True, but I can dream."

Peter said "That's all either of us can do when it comes to girls."

Harry asked "So that's why you never asked out Mary Jane?"

Peter said "Yeah."

Harry said "Dude, she's supremodel hot. And, unlike the other popular girls, she actually hangs out with us sometimes."

Peter said "When none of her 'cool' friends are around, you mean. We're just friends."

Harry said "She likes you, I can tell."

Peter said "Of course she likes me. We've been friends since, well, always."

Harry said "She likes you as more than a friend, I can tell."

Peter said "What are you, a mind reader?"

Harry decided not to press the issue. He thought For a genius, you can be so clueless.


Meanwhile, in Manhattan...

A large building that says "Osborn" in huge letters on the front is part of the New York skyline. Inside of a lab in the building a general is being given a tour. The general is a tall man with a face that perpetually scowls. The entourage includes the company's founder and chairman/CEO Norman Osborn. Norman looks like a forty-something version of Harry. The tour is being led by a short balding man in a lab coat. His name is Dr. Stromm.

"As you can see," said Dr. Stromm, "Our project is proceeding on schedule. The War Glider is now fully operational."

They watch as a man rides what looks like a jet powered hover board. The general said "What about the other part of the project?"

Norman said "Dr. Stromm, explain our progress with the Super Soldier Serum."

Dr. Stromm said "We started with a base formula for the serum Dr. Erskine used in World War II to create Captain America. Since the original formula was never committed to paper we had to fill in gaps in the information. We tested this base formula on spiders. Aside from growing to an unnaturally large size the spiders showed no effects."

Losing his patience, the general said "And?"

Dr. Stromm said "We went back to the drawing board and found a workable formula which we tested on rodents. The rodents displayed a massive increase in strenght, speed and stamina. The increase was well beyond what can be achieved by natural means."

Norman said "What Dr. Stromm is saying, general, is that we've successfully recreated the Super Soldier Serum."

The general, disbelieving, said "That remains to be seen, Mr. Osborn. Were their any side effects?"

Dr. Stromm said "In one trial..."

Norman interrupted "That was just an abberation. Nothing to be concerned about."

The general said "Any chemical that'll be used to make our men in uniform superhuman is ALWAYS something to be concerned, Mr. Osborn. Dr. Stromm, what were the side effects?"

Dr. Stromm said "Aggression, violence and lack of rear. In short, the rats displayed symptoms of psychosis. To put it another way, it made those animals insane."

A visibly nervous Norman said "That was just one test."

Adamant, Dr. Stromm said "We need to rework the formula."

The general looks displeased.


Norman's office, a short time later...

Norman is giving Dr. Stromm a world class ass chewing.

"REWORK THE WHOLE FORMULA!? Dr. Stromm, what the hell!?"

Dr. Stromm said "You rather we turn someone into a superhuman psychopath?"

Norman growled "I'd rather we not lose a lucurative military contract just because you worry too much. How long will it take?"

Dr. Stromm said "Six months."

Norman shouted "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Get it done in two weeks."

Dr. Stromm said "But, Mr. Osborn..."

"DO IT, OR I'LL FIRE YOUR ASS AND BLACK BALL YOU SO HARD YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET A JOB FLIPPING BURGERS!"


Meanwhile, in Queens...

Midtown High is your typical high school, complete with a student body segregated into cliques based on whether or not you're "cool". Peter Parker was at the bottom of the totem pole. He was approaching his locker and dismayed that someone taped a note that said "LOSER" in all capital letters. Tearing the note down, Peter opened the locker to get some books out when...

"HEY, SHRIMP!"

Peter knew that voice all too well. He turned around to find a bunch of guys in varsity jackets standing behind them, the leader of whom has made it his personal mission to make Peter's life hell.

Eugene "Flash" Thompson was a towering six feet with blonde hair, a perfectly chisled face and muscles like a total juice head. He was the star quarterback and captain of the wrestling team. He was at the top of Midtown High's pecking order and loved to throw his weight around. Peter had the misfortune of being his favorite target.

Peter sighed "What do you want, Flash?"

Flash said "Watch that tone, Puny Parker, or I'll give you a wedgie you won't forget."

Peter looked around and saw Flash's buddies barring all avenues of escape. He immediately resigned himself to the abuse he was about to take.

"Sorry. What's up?"

Flash said "You got my geometry homework, small fry?"

Peter said "No, but I have my own."

Flash backhanded Peter so hard that his glasses fell off.

"Look, shrimp, I need to practice football plays. I don't have time for brainy stuff. You know the deal. You do my homework for me, I cut you a break."

Peter said "Maybe I want something more than just a break."

Flash smiled.

"Never mind. No hard feelings?"

Peter was shocked. Flash was just letting this slide!?

"I...I guess."

Flash said "Cool!"

He patted Peter on the back so hard that his glasses fell off again. Afterwards, Flash and his buddies began to walk off.

"Later, loser."

Peter picked up his glasses and put them back on. No sooner had he done that when one of the other students ran up behind him and kicked him in the rear so hard that his glasses fell off again. Once the glasses were back on Peter just had one thought.

Flash taped a "Kick Me" sign on my back, didn't he?


The lunchroom, an hour later...

Peter and Harry are eating lunch alone at the 'unpopular' table, as usual.

Harry said "Hey, Pete, what's up?"

Peter hands Harry the 'Kick Me' sign that Flash taped on his back earlier.

"That's what's up?"

Harry said "Flash?"

Peter said "That's what I get for refusing to do his homework for him."

Harry shoots a hostile glance at the 'popular' table where Flash and his buddies are eating. On one side of Flash is a very attractive blonde with blue eyes and a tan. Her name is Liz Allen. She's the head cheerleader and Flash's girlfriend. Peter's eyes move from Flash and Liz to another group of popular kids. This group of girls were incredibly attractive and dressed in the latest styles. They were Midtown High's version of mean girl squads such as "The Palstics" from "Mean Girls" and "The Fashion Club" from Daria. Their leader was a stunningly beautiful brunette named Betty Brant. She was the queen bee of the group. Peter cast a brief glance at her before staring at another girl in the group. The one who was not a shallow airhead like the rest.

Mary Jane Watson was without a doubt the most attractive and popular girl at Midtown High. Her red hair, flawless face, perfect body and beautiful green eyes were the stuff of magazines and catwalks. She had no shortage of friends and admirers. Every guy in school wanted to date her and every girl in school wanted to be her friend. Peter's gaze lingered on her and his heart skipped a beat. He'd never admit it, but he had a huge crush on her. She was the other friend Peter had, the one who's friendship with Peter was a secret.

When Peter was first sent to live with his aunt and uncle he was shy and quiet. He was a stranger in a strange place. He noticed that the family next door included a pretty red haired girl who was his age. One day at school, she actually talked to him. Her name was Mary Jane Watson. At first, Peter was a little annoyed. He just wanted to be left alone but Mary Jane kept following him around wanting to play with him. After a few weeks of this, he finally talked to her. The two kids immediately his it off. Peter and 'MJ', as everyone called her for short, were soon BFFs. Throughout elementary school they were totally inseperable. Once, in third grade, she even beat up the class bully for picking on him.

Things changed in middle school, however. He became a total science nerd while she fell in with the popular crowd. Despite this, they would still hang out. In high school they continued with this unlikely friendship. It was actually Peter's idea to keep the fact that they were besties a secret. Around her other friends, MJ would pretend that Peter was just 'that boy who lives next door' but whenever the opportunity presented itself she'd ditch her popular friends to hang out with him.

Peter's gaze lingered on MJ a little too long. Harry decided to snap him out of it.

"Yo, Earth to Pete."

Peter immediately came out of his trance.

"Sorry."

Harry said "You know it's only a matter of time before the jocks catch you staring at MJ and kick your ass, right?"

Peter looked away and sighed. If he'd kept looking, however, he would've caught MJ now staring at him. She visibly felt bad.

It's not fair she thought, If they knew Peter like I do my other friends wouldn't be so mean to him.


Osborn Labs, the next day...

A science class from Midtown High was being given a tour as part of a field trip. The class included Peter, MJ and Harry. Since none of MJ's other friends were in this class she was openly hanging out with Peter and Harry.

"Peter," she said, "I saw you staring at me at lunch yesterday."

Peter immediately blushed with embarrassment. Harry said "I warned you, Pete."

Peter said "I'm sorry, MJ. I didn't mean to."

With a reassuring smile, the beautiful red head said "It's okay. I was flattered. Why don't you come sit with us some time?"

Peter said "Because your friends would laugh me out of town if I tried. That's if Flash and his goons don't pound me into the floor first."

MJ said "Peter, you know what your problem is?"

Peter said "I'm a nerd and people don't like nerds."

MJ said "That's not true. Me and Harry like you. You're problem is that you don't have any confidence. You need to believe in yourself. I know my other friends would warm up to you if they knew the real you."

Peter felt good hearing that. MJ always knew how to cheer him up. Seeing Peter feel better made her feel better as well. When he smiled she hoped no one noticed her blush. Just as Peter wouldn't admit to liking MJ as more than just a friend MJ couldn't bring herself to admit that she felt the same way about Peter.

Unbeknownst to the class there was a spider in their midst. This spider was no ordinary spider, however. It was one of the spiders from the top secret project to recreate the Super Soldier Serum. It was even bigger than a tarantula due to having been mutated by the experiments. It was crawling down a web line right towards Peter.

Norman Osborn approached the class.

"Hello, students, and welcome to Osborn labs." he pointed out Harry and added "Hi, son."

Now it was Harry's turn to blush as the other students snickered. Norman said "Here at Osborn Labs we are at the cutting edge of scientific research. Building a better tomorrow, today. That's our motto. Now..."

As Norman continued his lecture, the mutant spider landed on Peter's shoulder. He was too engrossed in the lecture to notice. The spider crawled down Peter's arm. It soon was on the back of his hand. Peter now felt it.

"What the..!?"

As he moved his hand to look the spider was startled. It immediately bit him.

"OWWWWW!"

Peter swung his arm violently. The spider released Peter from it's bite and landed on MJ's shirt.

"OHMYGOD!"

She immediately flung the spider off of her before it could bite her as well. No one saw where the spider went after that. Only Peter and MJ had actually seen the spider. Everyone else only heard the commotion. Peter immediately grabbed his hand and covered the bite mark.

Norman asked "Is there a problem?"

MJ said "Yes , a huge.."

"Pen!" Peter interrupted, "I accidentally stuck myself with a pen. Um...Sorry about that."

No one thought any more about it. Norman resumed his lecture while MJ looks at Peter with great concern.


The Parker residence, that evening...

Peter was in his room looking at the mark on his left hand. It was massive, and it was swelling.

"Peter!" he heard his aunt May call out from downstairs, "Are you all right?"

Peter called back "I'm fine, Aunt May. What's going on?"

May called "You have a visitor."

"Send them up."

Less than a minute later the door opened and Mary Jane came in.

"Peter," she said, "What's going on?"

Putting up a front, Peter said "Nothing. I...um...I just was...uh...embarrassed...yeah...embarrassed that a spider freaked me out."

With concern in her voice, MJ said "You really suck at lying. Come on, tell me the truth. I thought we had the kind of friendship where we could tell each other anything."

Feeling guilty, Peter admitted "That monster spider bit me."

He shows MJ his marked and swollen hand. Her eyes go wide.

"Are you crazy!? You need to see a doctor."

Peter said "Don't worry. It looks a lot worse than it is. I'm fine."

Suddenly, he feels extremely dizzy. He almost collapses but MJ catches him.

"You're not fine, Peter. What if that spider was poisonous?"

Peter weakly said "All spiders are poisonous, MJ. But it wasn't a black widow or a brown recluse. Those are the only ones potentially fatal to humans."

MJ said "Okay, so you're not dying. You're still sick."

Peter said "No, I...". He nearly fell again as he tried to stand up.

"Okay, I am sick."

MJ said "I'm telling you're aunt and uncle. You need to see a doctor."

Peter pleaded "Please, don't tell them about the spider. I don't want them to worry."

MJ said "Fine, but you're still sick. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Peter asked "Where are you going?"

MJ said "Duh, Pete. You're sick and it's dinner time. I'll tell your aunt and uncle you aren't feeling well. I'm also gonna ask to spend the night."

Peter asked "Why?"

MJ said "Because you're my best friend and I'm not leaving until I'm sure you're okay."

Peter decided not to argue. As she walked out the door MJ said "I'll also bring up some DVD's. If you're up for it we can watch cheesy movies like we did when we were little."

She was about to leave when...

"MJ."

She turned around to find Peter smiling. His smile made her feel all warm and fuzzy.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it, Pete. You just rest up and I'll be right back."

Peter thought Why is she always so worried about me.

MJ thought Dammit, MJ. Why can't I tell him I worry because I love him.