Chapter 2

It had been a week since Peter and MJ reconnected and every morning, they would head over to school together. It had been awhile since Peter got excited for something that didn't involve being Spider-Man.

As they walked down the street on their way to Midtown High, MJ asked him, "So when are you gonna talk to Harry and Gwen."

Peter sighed and replied, "I don't know. I've barely spoken to Harry since his dad passed. We kind of grew distant over the year, with his football success and then his trip, we barely hung out. He doesn't really support me taking pictures of Spider-Man."

"I remember when you first introduced me to the gang at the dance. You called Harry your best friend. He still is Peter, you just might need to be the one that extends your hand," said MJ.

Peter paused for a second. Why is she always right?

"Okay, I guess you're right," said Peter as the two slowly entered the campus.

"When am I wrong?" said MJ jokingly. "I'll see you later Tiger."


Harry was at his locker, getting ready for the upcoming classes, when he heard a voice behind him.

"Harry."

Harry looked behind him to see Peter.

"What do you want Peter?" said Harry.

Peter taken aback slightly said, "Nothing, just, its been awhile since we've hung out and I was wondering if you wanted to hang out after school?"

Harry, still not meeting Peter's eyes, said, "Why now?"

Peter said, "What?"

"Why now Peter? My dad died and after his funeral you barely spoke to me," said Harry looking Peter in the eyes.

Peter looked down and said, "I'm sorry Harry. After everything, me taking pictures of Spider-Man, I thought…."

"Well, you thought wrong Pete. So, spare me your sappy apology now, my life is fine without you," said Harry as he walked past Peter.

As Peter sighed, he felt that one coming, maybe it wasn't the best idea to talk to him.

"You did the right thing," said someone behind Peter.

It was Gwen.

"Oh, hey Gwen. I guess you saw that."

Gwen looked at Peter and said, "Harry's had a rough month, he's still grieving. He didn't mean what he said. I can talk to him if you'd like."

Peter smiled and said, "I'd appreciate that, Gwen."

Gwen nodded and started walking away, but not before could say, "Gwen wait!"

Turning around Gwen faced Peter again, "I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have distanced myself from either of you. Truth is I missed you guys. Is there any chance we can start again?"

Gwen gave Peter a half-smile and said, "I'd like that, but let me talk to Harry first."

Peter smiled and said, "Thanks. I'll see you around."

As Peter was walking away, Gwen said, "Peter."

Peter turned around.

"I missed you too," said Gwen.

Peter smiled and turned around on his way to class.

Wow thought Peter.


The rest of Peter's day was nothing out of the ordinary until the end of class when he saw Liz Allan walking by him.

Suddenly, Peter's stomach dropped, Oh man.

He had felt bad for dumping Liz for Gwen, but Peter tried to reassure himself that he did the right thing. He was never much of a boyfriend to her in the first place, and even though she was so patient and kind to him, he knew she deserved better.

"Hey Liz…"

"Peter," said Liz coldly as she continued walking.

Add that to the list of people I need to get back on my good side, thought Peter to himself.

As he was leaving the campus grounds, he saw MJ who was waiting at the traffic light.

"Hey Red! Wait up!" called Peter.

MJ turned around to see the happy Peter Parker she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Hey Tiger, how was your day?" asked MJ.

"Well, I spoke to Harry."

"Oh…?" said a questioning MJ.

"It did not go well," said Peter sadly.

MJ paused for a second, until Peter spoke and said, "But I got Gwen to talk to me and she said she'll talk to Harry."

"That's great Pete. I'm sorry about Harry, I'm sure that Gwen will get him straight," said MJ.

Peter shrugged and said, "I hope so. He was so angry MJ; it was almost scary."

MJ put a hand on his shoulder and said, "You reached out and that's the important thing, what Harry does with that is up to him."

"Yeah, I guess. Though, I wouldn't have done it if you didn't convince me MJ. I owe you one," said Peter.

MJ smiled and said, "You can repay it right now with a coffee if you're free?"

"That sounds good to me," said Peter, leading the way to the closest coffee shop.

As they continued to walk together, Peter soon heard sirens in the distance. He stopped in his tracks, sounds like a job for the Spectacular Spider-Man. MJ looking at Peter knew he needed to go.

"MJ…I"

"It's okay Tiger. Go," said Mary Jane softly, smiling.

Peter smiled and said, "You're the best! I'll make it up to you, I promise. How does a Latte sound?"

"You're heading in the right direction Pete," said Mary Jane laughing as Peter took off.


"YEEE HAWWW" yelled Spider-Man as he swung from building to building. Suddenly, web swinging felt exhilarating again. No longer was it a refuge from his troubles but an almost comforting experience if he wasn't heading to where the gunshots were.

As he arrived on the scene, there were a bunch of robbers in a gunfight with the police. Thinking fast, Spider-Man swung in taking out as many of the robbers as he could.

"It's the Spider! Take him down" yelled one of them.

"Y'know how many times I hear that a week guys and here I am! Take your best shot!" yelled Spider-Man.

It wasn't long before the threats were taken care of, and the police were detaining them.

Spider-Man found Captain Stacy.

"Thanks for the assist Spider-Man!" yelled George Stacy.

"Anytime Captain," said Spider-Man. "Any indications as to what they were after? Who are these guys anyway?"

"Looks like a new gang, with Tombstone gone, there's a power struggle among the gangs and this new one is looking to take its place. No clue who they are, just that they mean trouble," said Captain Stacy.

"As for what they were after, this facility holds tons of military grade technology and weapons."

Spider-Man, puzzled, asked, "Seems like a big haul for a new gang. Any clue who their boss is?"

"We've interrogated some of their men already with no luck, but whoever they are, they mean business."


Across town, a tall figure stood at a window, looking down at the city as the sun was setting.

"Sir, our men were unsuccessful in collecting the weapons."

Displeased, the man asked, "What happened?"

"Spider-Man showed up and took them out."

"Well, if Spider-Man is going to join the party and threaten our business, we may as well bring our own masked threat," said the man.

"What shall I do sir?" asked the other man.

"Get me the Prowler."