Heart of Gwen Stacy

Chapter 4

Flash finally took his leave from us it was a tough morning for us. He flight was schedule at 10 in the morning. We made sure we had one last breakfast with him. It was nice gathering just the five of us enjoying the little time we had left with him. It was so well that Flash and Peter finally burden the hatch with their past and officially declared each other as friends. I was happy to see things turning up for Peter and Flash.

Once breakfast was done we took the subway to airport. It was only 15 minutes before they announced Flash's flight. It still was too real to see him gone, but he had a job to do and no matter what are feelings were he still was leaving us. Harry was the first to say goodbye to Flash they gave each other a bro hug. Mary Jane was next she gives him a hug and kisses him goodbye on his cheek. It was my turn next. I wasn't ready or prepared, but it was drawing his flight leaving. "Well I guess this is goodbye Flash…" He shrugs and lets out a sigh he's trying to hold the tears from coming. "Yeah Gwendy it is…but don't worry I will back in no time at all you'll see!" He grins me a fake smile. "Yeah Flash remember what I said?" He smiles he remembers what I said to him. "Yeah I remember…I will come back and be a hero like Spider-Man!" That's right Flash inspires to be a hero like Spider-Man it'll keep him hopefully and I'll be hopefully know that my friend will come back to us alive. "That's right come back and be our hero!" After I hug him we give him and Peter some space to talk alone. Once they were done Flash boarded his flight and he was gone. Out of our lives. You better come back Flash Thompson.

Days passed and Flash was able to send one letter to us to tell us about his time in the army. He told us about the training he had to undergo, but told us it was nothing like what Spider-Man goes through fighting crime. We all shared a laugh because Flash still was Flash and still loved Spider-Man regardless of what's happening oversea. Flash said he saw some terrible things, but he wanted to be useful to country whatever the cost is. I loved how even when it seems dark and hopeless Flash still had hope and courage I guess holding on to Spider-Man being a hero can make you have strength you'll never believe you have.

Our lives went on like normal. Peter and Mary Jane still together as much as I hate it. Me and Harry gotten a little closer, but really just to make Peter jealous. I know it's bad, but if I could get a arouse out of Peter I would. One day we went to visit Harry and Peter. Harry had called saying that Peter wasn't feeling good, he thought it was common cold it had been snowing so it possible, but Peter still not feeling better.

Poor Peter I do hope he's feeling better. Along with myself Aunt May and Mary Jane goes to visit him. Once we get there Aunt May was the first to check on Peter he looked so out of it. He was pale like as if his youth was sucked from his body. Aunt May places her hand over his forehead. She looks at Mary Jane and me with those sadden blue eyes we could tell his condition worsen than got better.

"Oh Peter!" Aunt May was worried about her nephew, "We should get a doctor to come over and check on you." Peter tries to blow it off. "It's fine, Aunt May I'll be fine!" To me it didn't seem like Peter would be fine I wish there was something I could do to make him, feel better, but I couldn't all I could was just be there for him. "Harry!" I called out to him he quickly came to the room where we all were. "Harry, Peter's still not doing so well can you get a doctor to stop by?" He stutters for a second, but he gives a yes. "Peter you don't have to be all modest we understand you're sick it's okay…" Mary Jane tells him. Peter still tries to stay face for us, but of course we aren't stupid.

"Honey we're going to come back and check on you," Aunt May tell him stroking his face, "I have to go to work, but I promise I'll come back as soon as possible." I forgot Harry and I had classes today and I couldn't afford to miss it while Mary Jane had her modeling job to go too. I know Peter will be fine, but still worries me that we all have to leave him. "Guys I'll be fine it's okay. Now go and I'll be okay it's just a cold okay?" We had no choice, but to believe what he was saying. "Okay Peter we'll come back as soon we can!" With that we took our leave and went on with our day.

I went to class, but it was hard to concentrate knowing that Peter was sick. Classes were a blur to be honest. I saw that I was so focus on the Peter that was sketching and doodling him and his name. My God I have crush on this man…in fact I'm in love with him. I had to find something to get my mind off of Peter, but it's damn near impossible. I had some free time before my class started so I decided to meet up with my Dad at the café. I walk into the café there he is sitting down reading the newspaper with his smoke pipe hanging from the side of his mouth. Charming as ever my father is. I notices me his face lights up when he sees me of course I'm his baby girl he still sees me as that little girl of his and I love being his baby girl, his princess. "Princess!" He says he hugs me and I hug him back, "Come sit down and tell me about your day?" I take seat opposite of him. "You know I was alittle surprised you called me out for lunch. Usually you're with your friends today." Of course my dad was right I love my father, but I try to spend as much time as I can with my friends, but since we're all busy and Peter is sick…

"Well Daddy can't a girl spend time with her father?" I asked him in a charming fashion. He just chuckles. "I'm just saying I have an hour before my next class start and I wanted to meet up with you for lunch." He just takes out his pipe and grabs a menu. "Okay Gwendolyne…let's have lunch and talk about Peter." My heart sank when he utter Peter's name from his mouth. What did my dad know that I didn't? "Oh dad that's so silly Peter's with Mary Jane." Really my father is just talking even though I know he's telling the truth, but I really don't want to admit that…not out loud at least. "Gwen I'm your father I know what's going on I see the way you look at Peter…" Oh my God I could just die right now! "Come on you can tell your father anything Gwen. Do you like Peter Parker?" Of course I like him, but he's with Mary Jane right now there's nothing I can do about it. Maybe I could? "Gwen?" My father pressed on more for answers.

I sighed, but I finally gave into my father's question. "Yes…yes father I do like him. Is that what you wanted to hear?" He smiles and reaches out for my hand. He had a gentle touch on my hand in a caring way I always felt protected when I'm around my father he's always been there that's one thing I never have to worry about. "Does he knows honey?" I shook my head no of course not; we haven't had time to talk about our feelings when he started to date Mary Jane. "No daddy I haven't told him yet. He's dating Mary Jane now and I won't try to make a move on him while he's dating Mary Jane." He just sighs, but I think he understood my feelings for Peter were strong it's one of those moments where I was able to admit my feelings for Peter out loud, but what could I do about it? "Honey don't wait too long. Life's too short. I remember when I saw your mother I was a shy thing." My father shy that's impossible to believe that. "Yes Gwen it's true I nervous when it came to your mother she was dating someone else at the time and I wanted her to notice me. She'll say "hi" to me every now and then, but we never really talked as much."

"So how did you win Mom's heart then?" I asked him. He smiles and gives a look I was confused by his look but he continues his story. "Well one day she broke up with him and she was saddened by her broke up with him. Me being the charmer I am I went over to talk to her. At first she didn't want to have anything to do with me because she was upset, but I decided to stay there with her I didn't say anything I just offered my shoulder for her to cry on. From there we went out and the rest is history. The thing is Gwen sometimes you just have to go for it regardless of what's going or who's in the way. Don't leave his side if you truly like him like you say you won't leave him." Of course I will never leave him there's no doubt in my mid with that one. I'm glad I was able to talk to him about Peter. We settle into lunch and he told me about his day and how he help Spider-Man investigate Kraven the Hunter, which was the person who kidnapped Harry from the party. Good thing Spider-Man was there to save Harry with my father's help. After we finished with lunch I went to back to class and continued my day I felt pretty good after my talk with Dad about Peter. I will be with Peter no matter what, but I have to wait and I will.

Later in the day a doctor came and visits Peter and he was okay. Thank God I was glad that Peter was doing fine. I was hard not to shed a tear because Peter works so hard he hasn't had time to relax especially when it seems like he has the worst luck. It was good though because I hated to see Aunt May worry so much about Peter he worries just like he worries about her. For the rest of the day we hung out at their apartment just talking and enjoying our time with one another.

Few days later we got a call from Harry he tells me that Aunt May is sick. Anna Watson, Mary Jane's aunt called she said that May was feeling ill. Peter was already on his way to see Aunt May. I along with Harry, and Mary Jane headed over to Peter's Aunt May house as quick as possible. Once we got their Peter was upstairs with Aunt May along with Anna Watson who sitting at the edge of Aunt May's bed. Peter was quiet and Ana Watson was sobbing through her body. Mary Jane came in and rushed to Ana's side. Harry placed his hand on Peter's shoulder. I just stood at the door entrance holding myself. It was a hard thing to see first Peter was sick and now Aunt May. How much more could a family take? "I'm a horrible nephew…"Peter said he didn't look at any of us he just said it. "No Peter you're not," Anna reminded him, "You were busy you can't be everyway. You did what you could do to help support May she loves you and she wouldn't want to see you like this." Peter didn't respond or move he just sat there. "Come on Pete don't blame yourself for something you have no control over." Harry tells him. Peter begins to chastise himself. "No it's my fault if I didn't move in with you Harry. If I didn't try to go off to college if I had just stayed here with Aunt May I could've looked after her. I didn't pay her no attention I wish I had just been here for her." I didn't like what I was hearing at all I hated hearing Peter talk so down about himself. He tried his best and that's all anyone could ask for.

The next day Peter was feeling down about his life his grades were slipping and we couldn't just stand by and watch it any longer. Harry brought me and Mary Jane Peter's room. There he was sulking lying in his bed. My God he looks pathetic. Mary Jane goes over to him she slightly touches him. He shuffles a bit before giving Mary Jane his attention. "Tiger come on this isn't like you at all!" He just mumbles. "Come on Tiger get up! I know you're feeling down, but we're here we're your friends!" I had to chime in. "Peter…she's right. I know you feel like you can't control anything in your life, but it's okay. Aunt May is doing fine she just was feeling ill, but that doesn't give you permission to give up. Not on us, not on life, and not on yourself!" I could punch Peter, but it wouldn't solve anything. "Come on Pete! Remember there are lot things worse than this so get up!" It seems like ages before we finally broke through to Peter, but finally we got through to him what a relief that was. "Okay…"

Months passed and we got the call the call that we all wanted to hear Flash was coming home. It was the best news to hear. I mean of course it was furlough, but it was better than nothing. When we heard the news we had to meet up with Flash. Of course we we're all free except for Peter he was working, I was upset that he couldn't come, but I understand he had to work and it just happened to be on the day Flash was coming home to visit. We waited at the airport flights were coming in and out, any second Flash could come we all waited just excited to see our friend coming back. Finally after four flights of waiting Flash finally appeared we were excited to see the old Flash becoming a new military Flash. He had a buzz cut wearing his army hat with a big army brigade bag on his right shoulder he gives us a big smile.

"Guys!" He drops his bag and hugs both me and Mary Jane. "It's so good to see you girls again!" Harry coughs getting Flash's attention. "You two Harry!" He shakes his hand almost looking like he was gonna rip his arm out the socket. "Hey, where's Pete?" He wondered. "He's working , but as soon as he's done he's coming to meet us!" I tell him. Flash was alittle disappointed, but he understood. "Okay shucks I hoping I was gonna see Pete, but I understand. Well come on then I came home to hang out with my friends and for the time being I have most of them with me! So I think we should have a welcome home party for me what do you say?" Flash still haven't change a bit it's good to see him smiling. Of course even though my mind is occupied with my love with Peter doesn't mean I don't care about the well-being of my friends especially when dealing with a friend that's in the military I've gotten used to it with my dad, but you still have that wonder in back of your mind will you get the call that he didn't survive and in the military the flag coming to your door it's a hard fact and hard truth to swallow, but it happens and I never want to have to go through it, but I have to put myself in that state of mind, but I don't dwell on it.

While Flash got settle he told us about his time overseas. The stories he told were so horrible so harsh I couldn't believe Flash had to experience that, but I am glad he's here right now. Looking at us in our faces. The good thing about this is that Flash was able to get his bright personality that is thanks to his belief in Spider-Man. He talks about his stories as if he was Spider-Man, but what's the real thing I think it's like the will of Spider-Man that drives him. If Spider-Man was here I think he'll be proud let he has someone that looks up to him and respect him as much as Flash do.

"…So then I was near deep in the woods with team." Flash was telling us a tale of one of his missions. "So there we were surrounded on all sides! And I knew we had to act to fast. I toss a grenade and we dropped! Soon as the grenade went off we charge off! It was a blur all I could feel was the adrenaline that rush of taking down the enemy when the odds are against man I tell you…" Look at him he talks like a getty school boy. "You think Spidey would be proud of me?" We all looked at him. I wasn't excepting him to say something like that. "Of course he would!" Mary Jane went right into it boosting his confidence Harry gives him a chummy smile and thumb ups. "I agree with Mary Jane Spider-Man would be proud, but not as proud as we are. Your friends."

"Well enough on my troubles of war," Flash changes the subject. "I want to hear about you guys! Come on tell me about your lives!" I understand he wanted some kind of distraction from the war. I'm not stupid he's trying to make us feel okay about him serving our country I don't know how the others feels about this, but I'm not stupid I know there are things he can't talk about the same thing just like my father I know the looks. Both of them try to hide it from their love ones, but some of us can tell. I can tell. I don't know much what was said Harry was explaining to him about how he was working on a new project and hanging out with Peter. I'm glad Flash and him are friends now, but I can tell he felt a little hurt because Harry and Peter have gotten closer now that Flash was gone. Mary Jane was telling him about her model experiences and dating Peter. It just seems like everyone had a connection to Peter some kind of way it went right back to Peter like it always do. What about me? What connect do I have to Peter? Nothing beside his closest girl friend, but most of the time he's with Mary Jane or Aunt May those two are the important women in his life not mine. I felt despair creeping on me and I just sat there and dwell in it.

"Gwen?" I hear someone call my name. I didn't respond because the voice felt like a haze in my head. Then I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turn to see Flash he was calling my name. "Gwen is everything alright?" I nod quickly snapping out of my haze. "Oh yeah sorry Flash I zoned out for second." I didn't think they brought it, but he did. "Oh okay so what about you Gwendy?" In my mind I wanted to say I'm in love Peter Parker and I'm mad he's dating Mary Jane and I'm jealous, but I wouldn't say that. It sounds spiteful. "Oh the usually trying to pass these classes and Mary Jane even help me get a model gig surprisingly I was good at it, but not as good as Miss Watson over there she's a champ. And you know being the daughter of the Captain he's always overprotecting me." Flash bust out laughing. We all followed his lead. It was good times sometimes just laughing makes you feel better.

"Hey Mary Jane?" Flash gathered the red head's attention. "Hm?" She responded. "How's dating old Petey? I mean I didn't think in years he could even pull a girl especially someone like you!"

Mary Jane just smiles with a sigh. "He's charming, but I think I'm too much for him. Tiger can't handle all of me…and neither can you Mr. Thompson." Flash turned red in the face after all Mary Jane just embarrassed him in front of us. I couldn't help it, but I enjoy this moment Flash maybe a tough solider man, but he is still a man. Seeing him fluster is some good entertainment to be honest. "Well…um yeah good for him." Mary Jane gives him a shady look. "Sure…"

Finally after some time Peter came to meet us. Of course Peter always late, or running behind. I can't blame him not that much he has a lot on his plate we can't fault him for that. "Hey Guys!" Peter shouted across the airport food courtyard. "Sorry I'm late! I had an extra shift! Jameson was not letting me go, but I made it!" Peter finally gets up to our table and stops inhaling and exhaling trying to catch his breathe. Harry hands him the soda he had and Peter quickly takes it. "Thanks!" He takes a huge gulp letting the soda drown from the side of his mouth once refreshed he wipes his mouth and places the cup back on the table. "Pete!" Flash gets up from his seat and without giving Peter a second to calm down he gives him a big bear hug. "Ugh…" Peter struggles to speak, but Flash forgot how tight he was squeezing him, "Flash…Flash I can't…breathe!" Flash suddenly forgot and releases him. "Sorry Pete. I'm glad you're here really! I'm so glad to see you!" He rustles his hand through Peter's hair. "Well come on and joy us Pete! I'm came to hang with my friends that includes you!"

We all sat down and hung out with each other. It was nothing like enjoying our time together as friends. One thing I wasn't excepting to that came from tonight was a question. "Hey Gwen?" Peter turn to me. "Yes Peter." I wonder what he could ask be asking me. "Will accompany me to the science symposium that's held by Professor Warren?" I couldn't believe he asked me that question. I look over to Mary Jane for an answer because I didn't want her thinking I trying to come in between them. "It's okay Gwen I'm busy that day." Then a thousand times yes and yes and yes. Yes I will go with him then. "Okay…sure I would love to go with you!" His face lights up I think it was more so because someone was coming with him. But for me it was the fact that I get to hang out with him and I'll take any time I can to be with him. Peter Parker what a nerd you are…