Gwen had spent the last 18 months trying to set her feelings aside and ignore the dull aching in her chest – the constant reminder of the she lost. It was difficult - being in love with a man whose existence was the primary cause of her father's demise. She knew it wasn't Peter that stabbed her father in the heat of the moment, but he was the cause for Curt Connors' mutation and in turn, the reason behind her father dying. Every day brought on a new rationalization for the love that refused to go away despite it being tied to her deceased dad. Captain George Stacy could have been killed by anyone, hypothetically speaking. Some drunk driver on his way home from the store; a disgruntled, armed robber while he went to the bank; the number of criminals he put behind bars that had a score to settle with him. The fact of the matter lingered still – Peter Parker was the reason her father was gone.
Harder still was the fact that she knew Spider-man was the cause of the police captain's death, yet she couldn't stop feeling the way she felt about him. Boys had come and gone for the beautiful girl, yet no one mattered the way Peter did. From the moment she stumbled into him in the crowded hallways of their freshman year of high school, Gwen knew that the awkward boy was special. Unintentionally knocking her books out of her hand, the shy boy scurried to collect all the discarded items she dropped and nervously handed them back, stuttering an apology as his eyes faltered in looking at hers. Time after time, he presented the courage that no one else had in standing up to bullies like Flash Thompson, and time after time she fell harder and harder for him. She could count on one hand the number of times they kissed, but for the life of her she couldn't recall ever being kissed by anyone else that way. Something about Peter had caused every detail of him, of them together, to engrain itself into her. She wondered if this was her fate – to live with this undying love for a man who was never going to be able to be with her.
She thought after the battle against Alistaire and his robots the two of them might actually come together once more, but that unwavering devotion still lingered in Peter's eyes. The one she saw when she went to see him after her father's funeral. There weren't many things in life you could assure, and Gwen's safety was definitely not one of them, yet somehow Peter had vowed to keep her safe and in doing so, solidify their status as star crossed lovers. Not thinking of Peter Parker was an impossible task for Gwen, but busying herself with books had made it a little easier. For the past two weeks it had gotten somewhat easier after Flash Thompson showed up at the table she had been eating lunch and asked her to go out on a date with him. For two solid weeks the two had spent time together, going on walks, talking about nothing of real interest, eating together, watching horrible movies, and fighting attraction. Flash was definitely easy on the eyes, but his disinterest in the things that inspired Gwen, such as science and the various projects she worked on at Oscorp, made connecting with the muscular man a little difficult. For Flash, the challenge was keeping his hands off the incredibly irresistible young woman, wondering if her intelligence had made her that much more immune to his charm and good looks. Most girls fought each other to catch his eye, but with Gwen, he actually had to work for her attention.
With the speedy arrival and departure of Peter the delivery boy, Gwen and Flash had become completely silent, and stayed that way through the duration of their meal. Unable to focus on her school books, Gwen found herself back at square one – the sudden glimpse of her former flame had made her a giggling 14-year-old again. It was quite embarrassing. Finishing a few slices before dismissing Flash, promising she would see him later for the party he had somehow managed to talk her into going to with him, Gwen hurriedly grabbed her robe and towel to head off for a long shower.
Singing in the empty bathroom in the middle of the day was the only peace Gwen could find while at the busy college. She constantly contemplated taking her mother up on the offer to come home and keep her and her brothers company. It seemed silly paying room and board when she lived ten minutes away, but it was the whole college experience she was interested in getting. The idea that rooming with a total stranger, sharing a bathroom with dozens of girls, and fighting for a decent internet connection would somehow bring out her inner social butterfly was absolutely absurd. Still, she was giving it a couple semesters until she concluded that it was hopeless. This was her third semester, and she was sure by the end of the fourth she was probably going to "accidentally" let one of her science projects blow up the entire dorm.
Drying off before wrapping the robe around her and the towel around her head, Gwen set off to her room, once more dancing around people in the crowded hallway. Why did people have dorm rooms if they just decided to stay in the hall? Honestly, people were impossible to understand. Turning on her macbook while she let herself dry off and contemplate what to wear for the ridiculous frat party later that evening, she studied her assignment list before checking her e-mail.
Heart failure.
Seeing an actual e-mail from Peter Parker after months of no correspondence was surely a mistake. Double checking the name before opening it, she re-read the actual e-mail address several times before looking at the message itself. The icy tone of the letter sent actual chills down her spine. When did Peter Parker become heartless? Chocolate House. That wasn't heartless, that was heartbroken. She knew the man had remembered every detail of them just as she had, and while it would normally send waves of excitement through her, she knew it was pointless to be excited for such a sentiment. Hope was a very dangerous thing, and she'd spent far too long hoping for something more with Peter Parker. Shaking her head as she continued to stare at the e-mail, she wondered what to write. Leaving the computer for a while to get dressed and blow dry her hair, Gwen had idly hoped inspiration would hit her mid-preparation.
Blow drying her hair to get it straight all over, Gwen chose a simple black headband to match her modest black and tan dress she opted to wear. Letting her clothes lay out while she sat in her robe a while longer, Gwen let her mind wander to the possibility of Peter being at the party tonight. Something romantic like in the classic films where a crowded room ceremoniously parts to show him at one end, and her at the other. They could run to each other, confess their undying love and have an absolutely epic kiss to seal their never ending devotion. Shaking her head clear of such thoughts, she looked back to her computer. She might as well expect unicorns and flying pigs at the party, it was probably more likely. Returning to her computer desk, the taunting e-mail still staring at her, Gwen finally hit reply.
Dear Peter Benjamin Parker,
I do believe your parents, aunt and uncle, and schooling taught you better manners. Also, what I do or don't do and who I date or don't date is none of your concern. Please P.S. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, that was a terrible way to find out. Respectfully Yours,
I will not find a new establishment seeing as Pizza Shack is timely with their deliveries,
cheap with their pay, and downright delicious in their execution.
refer to your e-mail in which you said we could never be together. Point made.
Mayor of Chocolate Town
Smiling at her sign off before hitting send, Gwen closed her laptop once she looked at the time and hurried to pull on her black above the knee socks and knee high tan boots. Applying the little makeup she wore, she tugged on her dress and grabbed her purse before flying out the door and downstairs. Flash was rarely punctual, so the fact she was cutting it so close wouldn't matter, but Miss Punctuality couldn't chance being late if her life depended on it. Cursing herself as soon as she realized how chilly it was, she debated running back up to grab a cardigan but stopped as she was surprisingly taken back by Flash's timely arrival. Glancing at her skinny watch, she smiled brightly at the boy as her head turned just in time to avoid his lips touching hers. Kissing his cheek as well, Gwen tucked her arm around his and nodded towards the street.
"Shall we?"
With a quiet dinner at her favorite Mediterranean restaurant down from her dorm, Flash and Gwen enjoyed a light supper before begrudgingly heading to the party of the man's choice. The point of fraternity or sorority parties was unseen to the girl, the reasoning behind an obscene amount of people getting together, dancing to awful music, and drinking to excess made no sense. Still, Flash had been so kind to do things Gwen wanted in the past week, she found it unfair to deny him this one night of stupidity. Sighing heavily as they came upon the house, clearly the party had already spilled outside. Stealing a glance at her watch, she realized it was only 9 o'clock, and this was definitely going to be a long night. Kicking a red plastic cup out of the way as they walked into the house, Flash immediately abandoned her in search for beer. Reminding herself it was meant to be a chivalrous act, she did her best to quietly observe the locals and their customs.
The couple making out on the heavily occupied staircase were clearly setting out mating calls. The girls giggling in the corner, cups still full, faces overly caked with makeup, and shorts small enough to tell they weren't wearing underwear were giving the distinct impression that they wanted to be welcomed into this strange society. The gathering of men in the adjacent room were enjoying some bonding ritual, a circle chanting on as two already intoxicated 'brothers' wrestled each other's arms to see who was the strongest. Yeah, even with a sociological approach, this night was still going to be daunting. Turning as her arm was grabbed carefully, she eagerly accepted the beer from her date before returning to observe the villagers. Beer had never been an interest for Gwen, but if it took the edge off this depressingly mundane evening, she was willing to give it a whirl.
Cringing as a high-pitched squeal rung out somewhere behind her, Gwen stumbled slightly as her arm was shoved and a busty red-head threw her arms around Flash. Despite not being close to falling, she found herself held by the waist anyway, surely some drunk man had wanted any excuse to get friendly. Turning to see the owner, arm raised and ready to swing, the blonde stopped herself as she looked at Peter. It had been close to a year since she'd been so close to him, and probably more so since he dared to extend his arm to touch her, even in an unromantic gesture such as this. From her increased proximity, she could see the small changes in the man that she had failed to notice earlier that day with his surprise arrival at her dorm. He didn't look tired, but his eyes looked exhausted, something behind them were clearly haunted. It was a look she was all too familiar with and partially why she avoided mirrors at all costs.
"I thought you were going to fall."
Nodding at his explanation as to why he felt the need to grab her, Gwen realized without intentionally meaning to, she had toned out everyone in the crowded house except Peter. It was very cinematic, indeed. Smiling as she reached up to push his disheveled hair away from his right eye, Gwen let her hand fall to the boy's shoulder before raking down his arm. Brushing her fingers against his, she took all the sensations they brought eagerly, tying them to her memory in the moment. Finding her bottom lip between her teeth, she was shaken back to the reality around her as Flash grabbed her waist. His hand on her hip was much less welcome than Peter's a moment before. Now, the busty red-head that almost knocked her over in route to Flash was now hanging on her bug boy. Who was this slutty ginger in the skin tight black mini dress and why was she trying to surgically implant herself on Peter Parker!?
"Gwen, this is Mary Jane Watson. I guess Flash already knows her…?"
Gwen smiled at the skeptical look Peter was giving Flash in that moment, clearly oblivious to the tramp on her friend's arm giving her a death glare. Forcing her eyes to fall on gingwhore when she finally spoke, Gwen found the girl's voice to be the utmost annoying shade of hideous.
"So! You're Gwen Stacy! Petey has told me like.. so much about you! You didn't do her justice, babe! You're so pretty.."
Unable to determine whether that was a thinly veiled insult or an actual compliment, Gwen simply nodded at the girl and Petey..?! What the hell was this broad smoking? Glancing to Flash who was clearly enthralled with the amount of cleavage this Mary Jane character was presenting, her eyes wandered back to Peter whose gaze hadn't moved from Gwen's face. Smiling sweetly at him, she felt his hand on hers urging the girl to move forward. Leaning in as Peter moved forward, they left Flash and the stripper to talk about whatever uneducated people conversed over.
"I wish we could get out of here, the smell of all this beer and hormones is making me sick to my stomach."
Peter's whispered comment against Gwen's ears sent chills down her spine in the same fashion his previous e-mail had, only these were warm, and had a direct connection to her libido. Laughing quietly as her hand tightened on Peter's, the blonde nodded, her loose hair falling like a veil between them.
"I hear Chocolate Town is good this time of year."
"Is that right, Miss Mayor?"
Pulling apart as their dates tugged their arms, Peter and Gwen's hands parted as their heads did. Smiling enthusiastically as her cheeks found color, Gwen leaned against Flash before tearing her gaze away from the man she loved.
"I'm going to find the bathroom."
"OH! I know where it is!"
Feeling her arm grabbed by Mary Jane and tugged before she could say another word, Gwen let the high-heeled hussy drag her through a crowd of people to the back of the house. Opening a door to a single bathroom with a handful of stalls, the blonde nodded her thanks before entering the nearest one. She really didn't have to go, she just had to get a moment to herself and out of arms reach of Peter. A year and a half of convincing herself she didn't need to be with the man was shattered to pieces in the matter of five minutes according to her watch. Running her fingers through her hair to shake it to life, Gwen waited a few beats before flushing the toilet. Surprised to see Big Red still waiting for her, Gwen washed her hands and checked her minimal makeup as The Squealer talked.
"Oh Gwen, you have to tell me all you know about Petey. See, his aunt and my aunt are neighbors, so I've pretty much known him for a while, but like when we were younger he was so ugh.. nerdy and gross, but now he's all buff and hunky.. my God! Did you get him while he was still nerdy or did he beef up when you were together? So I know he's super smart and going to college for science stuff or whatever, but like what does he do for fun? I don't think he's had a good day, what with getting hit by a car and all, but like he isn't
talking. At. All. It's sooo frustrating! Was it like pulling teeth when you guys you know.. talked and whatever? Maybe he just needs to get to know me better…"
Staring at Mary Jane as she rambled on, only pausing to take a breath to look in the mirror and adjust her hair, makeup, and boobs, Gwen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Was this girl for real?! Why the hell was Peter with this obnoxious slut? Surely the need to have sex wasn't so bad that he lowered his standards to the likes of this tramp. Did she even know how to spell "frustrating"?!
"So yeah! He said you two were like really close, and went to school together forever, but things didn't work out with you two? But you're still like friends and whatever, right? Usually I get sooo jealous when my guy is close with another girl, but Oh. My. God. Flash. I can't believe you're dating him! He's like so ridiculously gorgeous. I could lick the sweat off him, ugh. So, you guys hang out a lot or what? I really like your dress, by the way. It's cute in that vintage, my grandmother owns something like that but it's short enough to say I'm not a senior citizen kind of way."
Gwen wondered if she didn't reply to this incessant twit if the girl would just stop talking. It was highly unlikely, but worth a shot. Walking back through the crowded room to get to the door where they left their respective dates, it appeared as though Flash and Peter had: a.) abandoned them, b.) been kidnapped, or c.) joined the villagers in their customs. The last option reigned supreme as Big Red squealed with delight, Gwen assumed, and ran into the macho man room with the arm wrestlers. Flash was at the table across from a man she'd never seen before and they seemed incredibly enthralled with what was going on. Rolling her eyes, Gwen departed from the foyer to grab fresh air. Leaning against the banister, she looked over the car filled street and wondered how long it would take to hail a taxi to get her back to the dorms.
"If you're swinging my way, I can give you a lift."
Turning to look at Peter, Gwen smiled warmly as her eyes rolled at the comment. She wondered if she was still the only one that knew his secret. Reaching out to grab his hand again, she let her fingers slide up his long sleeved coat and over his wrists. Nothing. Dropping his grasp once again, she turned to look down the road at all the buildings. They were all too short to swing from, though the sentiment was sweet, the probability of their quick escape was impractical. Crossing her arms over her chest, Gwen let out another sigh as she cursed herself for forgetting to grab a cardigan.
"Won't Tits McGee miss you all the way out here? I wasn't aware your leash traveled that far."
Not making eye contact, Gwen couldn't mask the bitterness in her tone as she thought about Peter and Mary Jane together. The girl was a vain idiot, Peter had no right being with her. Then again, Flash was the male equivalent and Gwen was with him. Feeling her body tighten as Peter moved behind her, a genuine smile covered her lips as his coat replaced her goosebumps, covering her arms to give her some shelter from the cool breeze. Moving her arms quickly to shove through the sleeves, she hugged the fabric to her, letting her nose bury itself in the high collar to take in the scent. Peter Parker. Her favorite.
"You know, I don't think my ankle bracelet is out of range yet, so she probably doesn't know. What about Rocky Horror? Is it safe for him to be so far away from the lab?"
Reaching over to smack Peter's arm, Gwen couldn't mask her laugh at his comment. Looking over to take in his playful grin and boyish charm, it took all the strength she had to keep from leaning over and kissing him. Shifting from one foot to the other as she moved closer, unwelcome tears began to cloud her eyes as she looked at this beautiful man that she wanted more than anything in the world, but couldn't have. It was truly tragic. Letting her hand reaching up, breaking the little space between them, Gwen let herself have a moment to remember what it was like to be so close. Brushing her smooth fingertips over his cheek and over his prickly chin, the girl's fingers faltered before brushing a thumb across his full lips. Squeezing her eyes shut as Peter's large hands covered her cheeks, he quickly brushed away the stray teardrops as they made their escape.
"I have to go."
Pulling away from Peter, Gwen moved to look in the window to see if Flash was still busy. He clearly was – busy chatting up the slutty red-head. Turning back to her friend, Gwen quickly wiped a few more tears away before walking past him.
"Tell Flash I went home. Probably soon if you don't want him taking your date with him."
Taking the twelve block walk back to the dorms by herself, Gwen hugged Peter's jacket impossibly tight to her body as more tears stained her cheeks. It was embarrassing, walking past strangers and them wondering why this little blonde girl was crying. With five blocks down, Gwen slipped into a small corner store and grabbed some Cherry Garcia before continuing her trek. Two blocks to go, a bench on the side of the road beckoned her to stop and eat half of the melting pint of frozen yogurt. The tears that had fallen into it made the sweet treat somewhat salty, but edible anyway.
Throwing herself on the bed once she stumbled into her dorm, Gwen set her pint on the nightstand and peeled off Peter's jacket and her boots and tights. Swapping her dress for a nightgown, she noted her roommate was still out. Gwen thought briefly about the last time she'd actually seen the girl, and deduced her fellow dorm dweller - April, if she recalled correctly - was either dead or dropped out. Laughing weakly to herself, Gwen pulled back on Peter's jacket and laid down. Reaching into her purse to grab her iPhone, she looked through her messages. Empty. Apparently Flash cared more about boobs and beer than Gwen's departure. Looking at the small red ball alerting her of an e-mail, the girl stared at it for a few minutes before opening it.
Miss Mayor, Before your father asked me to stay away to keep you safe,
I promised to love and cherish you as long as I live.
One out of two isn't bad. Yours,
Bug Boy
