Sorry it took so long to update! I was sick with the flu and wasn't able to write, and then I had to work like crazy to catch up on all the schoolwork I missed. So not fun. Anyway, here's the second chapter!
These are all scenes from the movie; however, in the next chapter I'll have a short scene that I made up to fit the story. :) Please leave a review and tell me what you think!
I take a deep breath, tapping my nails on my clipboard. I have to lead a tour through the labs for a group of students in just a few minutes. Strangely, I'm a little nervous. I've always felt comfortable at Oscorp and enjoyed my job, but being around other teens makes me jittery. I don't want to mess up and risk looking like an idiot.
Man. My fingernails are really chipped, I notice as I tap them. When did they get so chipped? I should probably paint them soon. Dark purple nails look much more professional than short, chipped nails. Okay, focus. Aside from your nails, your appearance is very professional and normal-looking. Just chill. I look at the clock and realize that my few minutes are up. It's show time.
I walk out into the main entry room, praying that there's no one I know in the group, because I'm certain I'm going to mess up or embarrass myself. I did skim the list of names earlier and I didn't recognize anyone, but you never know.
I look up at the group and paste on a smile that, hopefully, looks enthusiastic rather than manic. "Welcome to Oscorp. My name's Gwen Stacy, I'm a senior at Midtown Science and I'm also a head intern to Dr. Connors. I'll be with you for the duration of your visit. Where I go, you go. That's the basic rule." I shrug and smile again, feeling like an idiot. "If you remember that, all will be fine. If you forget that––" I cut off abruptly.
"Listen! Tell them Rodrigo Guevara is here! Please just tell them Rodrigo Guevara is here! My name's Rodrigo!" On the floor below, a teen is screaming at the top of his lungs as a couple guards drag him out. Okaaay. I wrinkle my brow, wondering what all the commotion is about, but at least it proves my point.
"I guess I don't need to tell you what happens if you forget. Shall we?" I lead them into a lab room. My heartbeat is actually settling and going back to normal. This is going really smoothly so far, thank goodness. "Come around this way." I come to a halt as Dr. Connors walks up and joins us.
"Good afternoon, Gwen," he says in his dignified, gentle voice.
"Dr. Connors." I smile warmly. This may be going well, but I'm glad to hand it over to him so he can do the talking.
"Welcome. My name is Dr. Curtis Connors," he says. My mind drifts as he continues with his usual introduction, which I've heard so many times I practically have it memorized. He ends with a joke, and the teens all laugh.
Then the doctor clears his throat and says, quietly but distinctly, "I want to create a world without weakness. Anyone care to venture a guess just how?" A brief pause before one brave soul raises his hand. "Yes?"
"Stem cells?" the boy says uncertainly.
"Promising. But the solution I'm thinking of is more…radical. No one?"
Well, this isn't a surprise. People can rarely guess the answers to the doctor's questions.
"Cross-species genetics," a voice from the back speaks up.
My eyebrows go up. The crowd parts to make way for the speaker. I have to hold back a gasp when I see Peter Parker's face. Yeah. My heartbeat? It's going super fast again now. I look down at my clipboard, positive that he's not on the list. I would have noticed if he was on it, I'm sure.
"Person gets Parkinson's when the brain cells that produce dopamine start to disappear," Peter starts off hesitantly.
I frantically scan over the list. No Peter Parker is listed. I knew it! I look up. So what is he doing here? How on earth did he get in? I watch him as he shifts awkwardly on his feet, nervous with all the attention on him.
"But a zebra fish has the ability to regenerate cells on command. If you could somehow give this ability to the woman you're talking about, that's that. She's…she's curing herself," Peter finishes.
I have to give it to him. He really knows what he's talking about.
"Yeah, you just have to look past the gills on her neck," a student jokes. Everyone laughs.
But I can tell Dr. Connors is impressed. "And you are?" he asks, curious.
I cut in before Peter can answer. He'll just make things for worse for himself. "One of Midtown Science's best and brightest."
The doctor stares at me. "Really?"
I nod. "Second in his class." Great, I don't sound obsessive about him again, do I? It was bad enough the other day when we were talking in class and I made a total fool of myself. I seriously hope that my crush on him isn't totally obvious.
"Second?" Peter says.
I force a tight-lipped smile and nod. He's wearing glasses, these really cute black frames. Where did he get them? He's never worn glasses before. "Yeah."
"Sure about that?"
I'm first in class, so yeah. I drop the smile. "Pretty sure."
We stare at each other for a moment, and just when I think it couldn't get any more awkward, I'm saved by the ringing of Dr. Connors's phone. Thank. Goodness.
"I'm afraid duty calls," the doctor states. I'll leave you in the more-than-capable hands of Miss Stacy. Nice meeting you all."
I take a deep breath. "If you'd like to gather round." I motion for the students to look at something, but my attention is no longer on them. I'm not really watching them, I'm watching Peter. He leaves the group, and I quickly take off after him.
"Hi," I say. Yeah, that's totally a great conversation starter. Could you sound any less intelligent?
He turns and faces me, his face expressionless.
I catch his nametag badge out of the corner of my eye. "What are you doing here, Rodrigo?" There, that's a smart reply, with just a touch of sarcasm. Much better.
He smiles nervously like he has no idea what I'm talking about. Then he glances down at his badge and realizes what I meant. "Oh, yeah."
I smile back without meaning to. Look tough, Gwen! You're going to look like a freak if you don't stop with all the crazy smiling.
"I work here. I don't," he stammers out in a rush. "I was going to say I work here, but it seems like you do, in fact, work here. So you know that I don't."
Yeah. This has definitely progressed past 'awkward' territory. "You following me?" I say, mostly joking, just curious to see what his reaction is. Not that I don't watch him every day at school.
"No, I'm not following you, no, I'm not. I had no idea you worked here."
It's kind of cute how he rambles on in long sentences. But I make myself toughen up. "Then why would you be here?"
"I just snuck in because…I love science."
Hey! We have something in common! That's the first step towards any relationship, right? However, I raise my eyebrows and look skeptical. It's possible he's just saying this to have an easy way out. "You love it?"
"I'm passionate about it," Peter says intensely, his eyes drilling into me.
Okay. I believe him. Besides, he wouldn't be second in class if he didn't like science. I glance behind me to make sure no one else is hearing our conversation. "So you snuck in––? I have to lead this tour group."
"I know."
"I'll ask you more about this later. Do not get me in trouble." I give him a warning look.
"I promise you I won't," he says softly.
"Stay with the group." I hold back a sigh. My earlier nervousness has dissipated, but I still really do not feel like showing the group around. I walk back to them. "All right, guys? I'm going to take you to the…" my mind briefly scrambles for the right answer, "bioreactor room now." I lead them away, scolding myself silently. I've got it bad for this guy when I can't even remember how to lead a tour group.
About a half hour later, the tour is winding up. I had to struggle to stay calm through the rest of it, because for some reason, Peter didn't stay with us. Where on earth has he been? Then I see him walking down the hallway through the glass wall.
I stride over to him, dreading this conversation. I thought he wouldn't risk getting me in trouble, that he could be trusted. Now I don't know what to think about him.
Peter smiles when I approach him. He does this a lot when he's worried, it seems. At least I don't have to feel so bad about the fact that, most of the time, I smile right back at him.
Only not now. Right now, I'm mad. I told him precisely what to do and he didn't listen. "All right, give me the badge." I hold my hand out expectantly. "Give it to me."
He hands it to me, looking apologetic. "Sorry."
Whatever. I don't want to hear his apologies right now. I'm just plain-out annoyed. I had thought he was a good guy, after standing up to Flash and making such good grades. But why would he be sneaking around like this if he is? I snatch the badge from his hand and stalk off, feeling bitterly disappointed in him.
"Aaah!" he cries.
I whirl around. Peter's clutching a hand to his neck, looking like he's in pain. What on earth? But I pivot back around and continue my hurried pace, determined to forget all about him. If he's going to act this way, then he's not worth my time.
Aaand, that's the end of this chapter. Thanks for reading!
