An Arachnids Adventure
Chapter - 3 - New Beginnings
S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters
Mid-Year 1998
"Sir….About my report.."
"..."
"..."
"Now isn't the time….Barton, you can give me your report at a later time...what I would like to know, is why there's an unidentified teenager...in my office...standing right behind you.."
Currently, In the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, Nick Fury's office, there was standing a total of three people, Nick Fury standing behind his desk now more grisly than before, having abandoned his former suit and tie, wearing a large amount of black leather, yet still retaining his orderly nature, his eyepatch leather as well.
Across the room stood a tall, young 20-year-old adult man and a pubescent teenage girl, the man standing at roughly 5'11, had, dark brown hair cut in a crew cut style haircut, seemingly sometime ago as his sides were already coming back in. Dressed in a slightly altered standard S.H.I.E.L.D agents outfit. It's sleeves cut off at the shoulder's giving more ease of access to the young man as well as displaying his shapely arms.
Behind and slightly beside the young man, stood a girl of a fairly average height of 5'7, her hair a bleeding dark scarlet and shoulder-length. Dark green eyes, where if a light were to shine on them they would appear azure.
This girl had a remarkably beautiful appearance for one at her age of 14, with features of Eastern European in origin, appearing to be immaculately carved with smoothened features. This girl, despite standing in the current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D's office showed not the slightest flicker of emotion nor the slightest twitch nor any sweat on her brow, looking to be completely calm as if her current surroundings were not her own but instead someone else's. Showing a mettle not common in most others, be they, agents or soldiers alike, most people who step into this office would experience some sort of psychological pressure. This young woman, on the other hand, appeared to be completely unaffected by her circumstances.
Fury noticing this had his curiosity peaked, interested in this girl and her origins, for her to stand in his presence and withstand his pressure without even a slight reaction was impressive, to say the least.
"..Sir, after the recent assignment Agent Coulson sent me on, I was on orders to investigate and infiltrate the foreign organization known as the 'Red Room', according to our intelligence. a secret training facility based in Eastern Europe. Made to train female Spies, starting with girls of young ages, coming from all kinds of backgrounds. On my orders, I set out and began my investigation, slowly but surely I began to grow closer to my goal, before long, however, I was attacked….I completely didn't see it coming, after fending the attacker off and capturing them. I noticed how young my attacker was."
Barton, finishing his sentence, looked toward the young woman to his side then continued his report.
"After, learning all I could from my 'now' hostage, I was tempted to end her, then and there….however...I couldn't do it. Looking at her...she reminded me of agent Widow, thinking back on her...and what she would have done...I decided to spare her, to give her a chance…she didn't let me down, after learning of my purpose, she, 'Natasha', aided me in taking down this cell, this offshoot of Hydra power. She gave me vital intel on locations, private personnel and all other assortments of information important to my mission, without her help I genuinely don't know if I would've been able to get out of that situation. She even aided me in my mission more than once, however, her aid came at a cost, a set of conditions. One, being that I let go of one of the other trainees of the 'Red Room' facility. Two, being that I arrange a meet up with my superiors. I know I did this without order, that I made the call, whether I had the right to or not...but isn't that why you called me here in the first place...Sir?"
Fury, after having heard this went silent. Thinking over one of his best agents words, before long had passed, Fury spoke.
"Agent Barton, you're dismissed...you may leave matters regarding miss 'Natasha' to me from now on."
"...Understood, Sir."
Agent Barton turned around and took one last look at Natasha before leaving the room.
The room now only occupied by two people was dead silent. Fury seized the moment and asked.
"...That other trainee that you had Barton spare, who was she?"
"..the 'little one', 'Rooskaya'." The girl finally spoke for the first time since entering the room, her voice a mellow trained tone, with not the slightest accent noticeable, despite her Russian origins. Her eyes never leaving Fury's figure.
"The little, 'Russian'?" {Rooskaya: means russian}
"..a nickname, her name...or as I know her by is Yelena Belova...she was still young...untouched by the surgeries...still un-tainted like all the others. Not brainwashed or incorporated to all the psychological bullshit."
"...and you weren't?"
Natasha remained silent for a while. Her answer coming a few seconds later. "...I was, then I wasn't...back and forth I went...before long all I wanted was an end to it all...Agent Barton presented that opportunity."
"What's to say you won't go back to that thought process after you're done with it all."
"...I won't...after all, I have nothing to go back to now." Natasha after saying her piece let a small smile crawl on to the corner of her lips.
"...Your name?"
"I don't have a real name...at least not anymore. The name they gave me, was Natasha Romanov."
"Well, miss Romanov, you asked for a meeting...what can I help you with?" Fury asked, his present curiosity being sated, sat back down in his seat, pondering his next action.
"..." Natasha kept quiet, in search for a way to ask her request in a manner that wouldn't be immediately denied.
"Miss Romanov?" Fury pressed.
"I want to become a shield agent." Natasha blurted out.
"...why? I thought you wanted an end to it all? Didn't you want an end to all this? Spy work an all?" Fury further investigated, despite already having an idea as to what her answer would be.
"...it's all I know, It's what I've been trained to do, for as long as I can remember. Besides, what I wanted to end was the 'Red Room', and all of it's 'Training'." Natasha finished with just the slightest smidgen of spite making its way through her well-trained facade. The most emotion she had shown beside her earlier bringing up of Yelena.
Fury paused before thinking over the positives and the negatives of this decision, thinking over what Barton had mentioned, how capable she was, how much good she could do with those skills. In the end, his curiosity won out. Fury sat at his desk, picked up the phone and dialed a number himself.
"Agent Hill, come to my office immediately."
"...Sir, I'm currently feeding Teresa her dinner.." A tired voice bled through the mic piece of Fury's landline phone.
"Have Barton come over and finish feeding the little one, it'll be good practice for when he and Laura have kids." Fury pressed with a headshake to highlight his exasperation. Natasha seeing this was surprised by Fury's mannerisms and his lack of on the job decorum, revealing both the fact that one of his agents had a child as well as another agent's possible wife's name. Laura was it? This kind information while not much was still quite a bit in the hands of a well-trained assassin or agent.
"...Yes, Sir." The tired voice let out a sigh and responded in acceptance.
Not ten minutes later, Agent Maria Hill walked into the office, looking older since last seen, having filled out in certain places such as her hips and bust, although not to a ridiculous level, she was quite well endowed. Dark circles under her eyes and a slight slouch in her step, the cause for both more than likely a severe lack of sleep.
"Sir, you called?"
"Agent Hill, meet new 'prospective' agent Romanov, you, starting tomorrow will be her vetting proctor as well as her Training instructor, teach her all that you can, everything thing that you were taught by agent's Eagle and Widow as well."
"...Sir, I don't know if I'll have the time...for that..raising a child is difficult enough as is…" Maria slightly complained, showing yet another change to her past self, more than likely the fact that she could now spot when Fury was just using her and others as a scapegoat.
"It'll be good stress training for you, after all, once you enter a position of power you'll have to deal with multiple things at once, so get used to it." Fury responded not putting her rebuttal to mind at all.
Maria hearing this thought to her self 'Oh, yeah and then I'll just leave every one of my duties to my lessers, just like a certain someone I know.'
Though Maria would never actually voice such thoughts. Maria looked towards her new trainee and saw her staring back at her.
Maria and Natasha thought to themselves.
'This isn't gonna be easy…'
At the Parker Residence
The Year 2002
In an Upstairs Bedroom, covered in a pile of messy covers was Peter. With covers half-covering his young adolescent body, Peter soon awoke more than likely because of the sun's rays shining through the window across his room and was thus hitting his face.
Peter now groggily awake, looked around his room and came to appreciate his somewhat new surroundings. Just last week his Uncle and Aunt came to the decision to redecorate his room in honor of Peter's new status as an up and coming Middle schooler. No longer a child's room with toys tossed about but instead, a clean floor with nary a single spot out of order. His low to the floor desk now a large computer desk in its place, Drawers stacked three high on either side of the seating area, a backboard for the desk with simple shallow shelves adorned upon it as well as an area for a standing desk light to supply sufficient lamp light for late-night work.
His small twin bed now a queen size, and his small bedside table now a small dresser doubling as a nightstand. Across the room could be seen a large four-foot-tall dresser of similar design. His floor now no longer covered in the large circular carpet of yesteryear but instead showing its true wooden design.
Peter took a few moments more to awaken himself entirely, he looked out his window and across the street into the widow of his childhood 'friend's room, MJ. Seeing MJ's curtains now closed Peter thought back to the time in which every morning the two would look across the street at each other and smile then wave. Greeting each other and wishing a 'good morning'.
In recent months the last few months to be exact, MJ had taken to distancing herself from Peter. Peter being none the wiser assumed it was because of his own actions, but no more, no, today would be different. Peter was sure of it, Today was his first day of Middle School, he would be attending 'Midtown Middle', an adjacent 'sister' school to Midtown High School, one of the best schools in the district, alongside MJ, they would even be taking the bus together, every school day from now on. Peter thought that with all this new time together, he could for sure, close the distance once more, between the two.
As Peter was getting up from the bed and about to go get some clothes, Peters mood was in the end somewhat affected by his recent thoughts, appearing distraught and slow in his movements.
However, before Peter could get to his dresser and grab some clothing his door was opened and in walked his Uncle Ben, smiling and proud of his boy's prospective achievements, thinking on how he was going to be taking 11th grade Math and science in his first year of Middle School, Pre-Calculus and Advanced Chemistry respectively, classes effectively applied to Peter and a handful of other students, the only reason Peter wasn't moving on and skipping grades being, because of his lack of knowledge in other subjects, his only major interests being in Math and Science, although Peters grasp on English or Literature, on the whole, was pretty great in and of itself, it simply wasn't very interesting to him. Thus, his current grades were not reflecting his true potential in said subjects.
Another reason, being the fact that Peter needed to learn how to interact with people his own age, or at least those were the thoughts of all the adults surrounding him, in truth Peters thought facilities were already far beyond those of his age, if anything, he was still a bit naive, however, Peter, unknown to the adults around him already knew a great deal on how to deal with others on a daily basis, his only short point would be his lack of expertise in 'love' and his lack of knowledge on the opposite sex in general.
Ben, in his high mood, walked into Peter's room and soon noticed Peter's current funk. Looking at Peter, he asked. "Hey, tiger, what's up, why so glum? Today's your first day of Middle School! You should be happy!"
"Hey, Uncle Ben, I am excited...it's just, I've got something weighing me down."
Ben, hearing this, pulled Peter to his bed, sat him down then walked to Peter's desk, pulled out his rolling chair and brought it in front of Peter then sat down and looked Peter in his eyes and asked. "What's going on junior? Lay it on me."
Peter, hearing this, sighed in relief at finally being able to talk to someone about his feelings then began to explain the current circumstances regarding him and MJ.
Ben, hearing this, chuckled and then proceeded to talk to Peter.
"Haha, I was wondering if you two would ever actually have a disagreement."
"Uncle Ben! Why are you joking around!"
"Calm down Tiger, don't want you busting a blood vessel."
Peter, having heard this, calmed down but still gave Ben the side-eye.
"Lister Pete, you're Aunt...she uh, she gave you the 'puberty' talk...right?"
Peter heard the word Puberty and began to squirm and look away even more before responding.
"..yeah…"
"Well...this, uh, Puberty, is in the end, just a growing phase. Not just physically but mentally as well, you, well you mentally grew up fairly quickly because of that you didn't have to deal with having to go through both 'growth' phases at the same time, you're able to take it fairly easily by comparison to others your age."
Peter heard what his uncle had to say then nodded. Peter knew he was different from others his age, he had been, whether through kindergarten then elementary, he had seen how others thought and conversed, whether, with adults or other children, he knew he was different than them, how he was reading and doing math more advanced than the others, it was his crux to bear with, dealing with others slower than him, it was also his difficulty to face the others around his age when they found out he was smarter than them, how he used to be faster than them due to his early physical advancement. The name calling or the physical bullying.
One of the reasons he was able to pull through it was because MJ was there, helping him along. Now knowing how she had been treating him made him fear the idea of going through all that alone, however, he wasn't the same kid he used to be, now he could defend himself.
"MJ should be about twelve now, this is about the time when a girl goes through a lot. Let alone the fact that MJ is dealing with a lot of things, you know what her situation with her parents is like, how hard that must be for her...if she is distancing herself from you, it's probably because she needs some space. Peter, she was there for you when you needed her, now it's your turn to be there for her, if she needs to be away from you for a while then give her the space she so desires... I'm not saying don't be there, I'm saying be there for her when she needs it, just let her know that you're there for her...and if she doesn't ever return to your side after all you've done for her then just know that it wasn't meant to be. There is only so much that you can do for a person if they're not willing to open up and let you be a part of their lives. But Tiger, for now, give her some space and let her know that you care….and if you ever decide...that she's the 'one'...don't give up on her...fight for her...tooth and nail, after all, she's quite the catch and if you think that there won't be any competitors out there then you're being arrogant , don't ever, and I mean 'EVER', hurt her, whilst stuck in your pride though...trust me that's a hard crack to fix."
Peter hearing all this, took some time to take it all in.
[BEEP BEEP BEEP]
However, as Peter was coming to terms with all that he had heard, his alarm clock bleated to life, startling both Ben and Peter out of they're collective stupors.
Peter reached for the electric alarm clock on his nightstand, one of the few things that was delivered to his door after his parent's 'passing'. Peter gently clicked the button atop its surface and looked to the picture frame next to it, in the frame was a photo of his Uncle Ben and Aunt May, as well as a slightly younger couple, the woman in the said couple, was holding a crying baby in her arms. According to his Aunt and Uncle, those two people in the picture were his Mother and Father, the baby obviously being himself. Uncle Ben had told him this picture was taken the day his parents had left him with them.
Ben noticing Peters gaze looked towards the picture as well, sighed then said. "..They would be proud of you, you know."
"..."
"You remind me so much of your father, and your mother at the same time. Your hair is so similar to your mothers while keeping your father's locks. Your face is a spitting image of your father when he was your age...Peter, while they may not be here anymore, know that they live on in you...in so, so many ways."
"..what do you think they would think of MJ?" Peter said, still looking at the young couple in the frame.
"..Your father would love her, your mother...on the other hand...might be a bit...uh, picky? Mary was very protective of you, although, if she knew what MJ has done for you over the years, she would have probably accepted her."
Peter, hearing such, smiled then looked at Ben and hesitated to say something. Ben seeing this looked at Peter once more and said.
"What you asked...do mean you think MJ is the 'one'?"
"I don't really know what, being the 'one' means. But I know that I love MJ."
"Mmm, that's quite something. Do think you're going to tell her?"
"No, not now at least...You said it earlier, I think MJ needs some space right now. So I'll wait…for a while, then I'll tell her when she's ready to hear it."
"Mmm, well, do me a favor and tell your Aunt May before you do, after all, as a woman she'll know better how MJ is feeling...as well as what the best words are to say to her when you do tell her."
"Okay."
"Alright Tiger, go get dressed then come on down and get some breakfast, your Aunt's making some serious grub on behalf of your first day."
"Okay Uncle Ben, I'll see you later, have a good day at work!"
"Yup, I will"
Outside the Parker Residence
7:10 AM
Peter, standing out on the sidewalk could be seen waiting for the bus, which should be arriving at around 7:15.
He was standing there looking across the street, seemingly waiting, waiting for something besides the Bus, after waiting for another two minutes Peter finally saw what he was waiting for, MJ, had finally come out of her home.
Peter, not waiting another second, crossed the street and walked up to MJ and said. "MJ, Good Morning!" With a slightly bashful smile on his face, Peter spoke happily.
MJ, seeing Peter, put on a small smile and said. "Good Morning Pete."
Peter, thinking over his conversation with Ben this morning, stopped for a moment and then said. "MJ...I don't know what's been going on lately...but if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here...you were there for me when I needed you, If you- If you ever need me, I just want you to know that I'm here for you." Peter finishing his sentence, turned around and resumed his quiet wait for the bus.
MJ, hearing what he had to say, felt her eyes sting and turn red, her mouth turn and she said under her breath. "...idiot."
Not knowing that Peter could hear her, MJ sighed and waited by his side, not moving away as she would have prior.
Peter hearing her mutter but seeing her not move away from him as she had been in recent times, grew even more confused and thought to himself, 'Girls going through puberty are weird..'
Peter, unaware of MJ's thoughts, assumed her actions today and as of late to be ones under the influence of her changing body and mental growth.
However, only MJ knew why she had been acting this way as of late,
'Honestly, I don't know how Peter can be so smart and so dumb at the same time.'
MJ's actions as of late could be said to have been due to 'jealousy' although she was loathed to admit it.
MJ, recently, due to her own schools final day being a half-day had decided to stop off at Peters school to congratulate him on his 'top of the class' graduation.
Having seen Peter at school without his own knowledge, MJ had thought she had seen the 'true' Peter, not that he had done anything 'wrong' per se, but just that after waiting for Peter to come out of class, she saw something she didn't expect to see. Peter surrounded by his female classmates, being crowded about and talked and teased to and by them.
Peter, however, completely oblivious to his surrounding classmate's affections, was quick to respond and reply to their attempts at getting closer.
Make no mistake Peter was ostracized by his peers, his male peers that is, Peter was kind, smart, well-spoken and athletic by school grade standards, having a nice face and good hair made him the ideal boy for girls his age, and thus attracted a lot of female attention. This was also one of the main reasons for him attracting so much hatred from his male peers. Although Peter never knew this, he always assumed it was his smarts and physical talents that made him a target for all of his suffering.
MJ, having seen this, grew indignant at first, thinking to herself that he was her 'Tiger', that no one could intrude upon her territory. Thus affecting her mood and made MJ go straight home without 'confronting' Peter that day.
Anna, seeing MJ come home that day in such a hissy fit, spoke to her. After learning of the reason for her niece's mood she laughed uproariously. Then proceeded to say. "MJ, do you like Peter?"
"Of course, why else would I do all that!" MJ huffed.
"Why, why do you like him?" Anna seeing her niece act as such, continued asking.
"...what?"
"Why do you like Peter?"
"Well...because he's nice, and he's smart...and he's cute, and he always knows what to say to make me feel happy...and he's strong...and because he's important to me…" MJ listed off one reason after another, almost all of them superficial, but in the eyes of a twelve-year-old child, such reason's were worth the world's weight in gold.
"..wow, that's a lot of reasons...well that's beside the point, my point is if you can see all those things about him, why can't other girls?" Anna verbally lynched any rebuttal MJ may have had with this one sentence.
"..." MJ looked towards her aunt in defeat and with a small amount of betrayal.
"If you can find out about all those things about Peter and come to like them, to like him for them, then why can't others?" Anna continued in hopes of awakening her niece from her foolishness.
"Because-because it's not fair!"
"Fair? What's not fair about it?"
"It's not fair, because I was here first! I've been by his side this whole time." MJ whimpered. Tears on the cusp of falling from her eyes.
"...MJ, while I think that you're still too young to think about relationships, and would like for you to focus on your grades and your hobbies, let me tell you something. Peter is special, very special, If you want to hold on to him, you're going to need to stick by his side and fight for him. You know Peter pretty well by now, do you think he's actually aware of the feelings of those girls around him?"
MJ taking some time to think about Peter and his dense nature when it comes to girls. Then thinking back to his expression when talking to those girls, MJ shook her head to signify no.
"Then how long do you think it will take him till he does?"
MJ grew startled by the possibility of that happening, imagining that one day her 'Tiger' would leave her for some other girl, MJ grew scared and angry by the idea.
"MJ, this is something you have to come to terms with. Unless you two are in a relationship, there's no way to keep Peter from meeting and interacting with other girls, no even if you were in a relationship you still couldn't keep him from interacting with other women. To try and do so would be cruel and it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up resenting you for your jealousy. Tell me MJ are you ready to be in a relationship with Peter, right now?"
"...no."
"Then you need to learn how to keep a boys interest, although I'm not too sure how well that will work with Peter of all people, after all, I told you he's a special boy."
MJ having truly listened to her Aunt had come to a new understanding with regards to her and Peters 'relationship'.
After this conversation she began to distance herself from Peter for two reasons, one, to work her way through her emotions on the matter, and two, to play hard to get, however, seeing how her plan backfired on her with Peter's words today, MJ had decided to let the matter slide and do her best to attract Peter in other ways.
Before long had passed, the bus arrived, and with it, the two entered the bus together, one after the other, Peter letting MJ go first. After Peter got on the bus he greeted the driver to no response and then looked around the bus. Peter saw some familiar faces and some new ones as well. Peter looked for a spot on the bus with room enough for two, MJ doing the same, they both soon found the ideal spot.
The two looked toward the spot and began to make their way over, right before arriving at the seat a person blurred by them, before the two of them could say anything the person spoke up.
"Hey, beautiful, the names Flash, Flash Thompson, are you looking for a seat cuz I've got one right here."
Completely ignoring Peters very existence this new person known as Flash, began chatting up MJ. Before Peter could even say anything, MJ responded.
"My names MJ, not beautiful. Do you mind moving back to your seat? I would like to sit next to my friend."
Flash ignoring MJ's rude tone, an obvious sign of her displeasure, looked towards Peter for the first time and scoffed.
"What? This bag of bones? Hey kid, do me a favor and find another seat, I wanna sit next to 'MJ'."
Peter, hearing this, almost had the urge to laugh at this person, not for his remark about his size, because while comparing physical size and height with Flash, it was true he would lose on that front. Not that he would lose in any other, although Peter might be smaller than Flash he was already considered to be of average height and weight, he was in fact deceivingly strong. As for looks the boy in front of him while not ugly didn't have Peters fine features either. Flashes hair being a bright blond, with brown eyes.
No, he wanted to laugh because of this person's ridiculous behavior and that foolish grin he had on his face while asking for a 'favor'.
Peter looked towards MJ and asked.
"Do all the guys who go after you in such a blunt way, look this dumb or is he a special case?"
MJ hearing this blanked out for a second, then giggled. MJ would later realize she had just caught a glimpse of a side of Peter she had never seen prior.
Peter then looked at this person, Flash, and thought back to Ben's words about 'competition' for MJ, looking at Flash, Peter thought to himself. 'If this is my competition for MJ, then I'll be having an easy fight.'
Flash, finally reacting to Peters words stood up and grabbed Peters collar trying to lift Peter, only to no avail.
"You! What did you say!"
"I asked if all her pursuers were as stupid as you, why? Do you disagree?" Peter asked in mock curiosity.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Suddenly the bus grew still and quiet, looking at the confrontation between the two boys.
"Do you mind letting go of my shirt if you're not going to do anything? You're stretching the fabric." Peter asked calmly.
"What are you going to do about it if I don't!"
Peter raised his hand to his collar grasping Flashes hand and squeezed it until Flashes face grew flush and he began to sweat.
Flash finally unable to hold on to his collar released his grasp on it.
"Flash, right? I won't say anything if MJ decides to sit by your side herself, but if you even think about pressuring her into it again...then we're going to have a problem, understand?"
Flash, hearing this, grew indignant and was soon going to raise his fist to strike Peter.
"Enough, sit down the three of you, you're on a bus, not a magic carpet ride!"
Yelled the gruff female bus driver after seeing the situation in the rearview mirror.
Flash hearing this returned to the seat that Peter and MJ were going to sit in, grinning pettily that he could split the two of them up.
MJ having stayed quiet this whole time, was looking at Peter with a gleam in her eyes, having finally noticed the situation, looked around the bus once more for a free space with two seats open. Soon noticing that her endeavor was futile.
Peter, on the other hand, was looking for a spot for MJ, one that she wouldn't feel pressured or ill-fit in. Soon seeing just the right place, Peter grabbed MJ's hand and pulled her along.
MJ thinking Peter had found a place for them, followed him along quietly.
"Excuse me, my names Peter Parker, this is Mary-Jane Watson."
MJ seeing who Peter was talking to was fairly shocked that the boy from earlier hadn't already asked to sit beside this girl, not knowing that before she got on the bus Flash was already annoying the girl in front of her. Her build a slender one with slight curves wearing the perfect rich girl from next door outfit, a loose weave knit long sleeve sweater, at the collar of the sweater was shown fashionable striped 'Guess' blouse, at her waist was a knee-length skirt with shorts underneath. Appearing fashionable and simple, the girl looked up at them and smiled.
"You can call me MJ."
"Hi, My name's Gwen, it's nice to meet you two."
"Ditto!" MJ said.
"Hi Gwen, do you mind if MJ sits with you?" Asked Peter, slightly surprising both girls, MJ to hear Peters request, and Gwen thinking Peter would ask her to move so he and MJ could sit together.
"Um, no I don't mind." Responded Gwen
"What about you?" Asked MJ.
"I'll find someplace else, it's not the end of the world."
"Well.. alright, see you later."
"Mm, thanks for this Gwen." Said Peter before leaving to find his own seat.
Not long after Peter left he could hear MJ and Gwen talking and getting along. Peter now looking for a seat found, all the available seats with Male students beside them, now covered up either by backpacks or by legs, essentially telling Peter these spots were taken. Peter, not minding, walked to the back of the bus in search of his place.
Peter finally at the very back of the bus, looked around to see a girl sitting by herself, looking out the window without the slightest care for Peter's presence.
"Excuse me?" Peter called out politely.
The girl, caught unawares by Peter's greeting, looked towards him, allowing Peter to finally get a good look at her face, shocking him to his core.
This girl carried an exotic beauty, to those in the know, she would have oriental ancestry. {Imagine a young Taeyeon from 'Girls Generation', a k-pop group, with black shoulder-length hair}
The girl noticed Peter gawking, scoffed and turned around, thinking him to be like all the other racist pricks around here.
Peter snapping out of his gaze, hesitated for a moment before continuing on to say. "Umm, excuse me?"
"What?" She snapped.
"Um, do you mind me sitting here?" Peter continued, in the hopes of defusing her new prickly nature.
"What? You mean you don't mind sharing a seat with the freak 'chink'?" Asked the young girl sarcastically, letting her displeasure for being stared at known.
"Wha- I-I didn't call you that!" Flustered, Peter hurried to respond.
"You might as well have, staring at me like I'm some kind of freak show!"
"Ugh, listen I didn't mean to stare, It's just, well you're like, uhm-like really pretty." Stated Peter, stutteringly.
The girl stared at Peter, incredulously for a while, surprised he just went and said that.
Peter seeing her stare grew red in the cheeks and said. "Now you're the one staring."
"Huh...oh, sorry..um, what-what did you want?" The girl responded, somewhat dazed.
"I asked if you would let me sit here, with you?"
"There's plenty of other seats around aren't there?"
"Look around, won't ya?" Peter somewhat bitterly responded.
The girl hearing him say that, did as asked and saw all the girls grouped together, and all the 'empty' seats near the guys miraculously 'full'.
"...What did you do to get that hated so quickly?"
"If I knew then I wouldn't be here, now would I?"
"...I guess you can sit here.." The girl shimmied closer to the window, making room for Peter.
"..Thank you." Peter shyly responded.
The girl scooted over towards the window once more, proceeding to look out the window, trying her best to get over her embarrassment from earlier, whether her words or his.
Peter noticing the quiet, couldn't quite sit still and began to squirm, before he couldn't take it anymore and asked.
"My names Peter, Peter Parker, what's yours?"
"...Cindy, Cindy Moon."
"Hmmm?"
"What?"
"Well, earlier… you said called yourself a, well a certain word, that word is a derogatory word for Chinese people, as far as I know, 'Moon' isn't a Chinese name, unless it's translated."
Cindy looked at Peter with surprise and annoyance that he mentioned her earlier outburst.
"That because it's not a Chinese name, how did you know that?"
"From what I know of the Chinese language, Mandarin to be specific, which isn't much, I know practically nothing about Cantonese. Moon isn't an actual last name from there, unless it's translated as I said earlier. If I had to guess Moon would be a Korean last name...if that's the case why did you call yourself a...well that word..earlier?"
Cindy once again looked at Peter with surprise, before answering. "It is Korean...I called myself a 'chink' because that's what everyone who has had a problem with me would say, I thought you did too..because you were staring for so long, I thought you were making fun of me."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to look like that...I'm also sorry you went through all that…"
"...don't be, it's not your fault there are idiots out there."
After a few moments of silence, Peter made a decision and then spoke.
"...they call me an unwanted orphan; because my parents handed my care to my Aunt and Uncle and passed away not long after when I was young…"
"..What?"
"I know it's not the same, but I do know what it's like to be picked on for being different. I just wanted to share that."
"..oh, I see." Cindy quietly murmured a response.
"They also make fun of me for being smarter than them..though I'm still not sure why that's something for them to laugh at?" Peter continued.
"Pfft, yeah, that's true, but idiots will be idiots. I'm uh- I'm pretty smart too." Cindy looked at Peter, deciding to open up a little bit.
"Yeah?" Peter answered happily, glad at the fact that she was finally responding normally.
"Mmm, they make fun of me too, though I do kinda get why they make fun of me, after all, I'm kinda freaky."
"What, how?"
"I uh, I have what's called an 'eidetic' memory."
"Woah, you mean like a photographic memory?"
"You know what that is? Well yeah, although it's different than what a Photographic memory sounds like."
"How so?"
"Most people think that when I try and recall something it'll come back to me like a picture, one that I can just read aloud, that's not true though, When I try to recall something I've learned it's true that I can do so much easier than other people, but it doesn't come out like a picture in my head, I remember things just like normal people just that I don't forget as easily."
"Woah, that's so cool!"
"Haha, yeah, although the one thing kinda similar to a photo with my memory is when I try to remember specific strong memories, they come back to me like a first-person movie, only, un-important stuff will come out blurry. For instance, When I first met my aunt, I remember her face and expressions that day vividly and most of the words she said as well, but I can't remember what she was wearing, like I know she was wearing clothes but I don't remember the color or the type."
"How old were you when you met your aunt?"
"Like three."
"...That's pretty crazy."
"Yeah, as I said, I kinda get why they treat me like a freak,"
"I don't think that treating someone different, like they're a freak is normal, nor is it okay."
Cindy looked at Peter and laughed.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because you're weird, Peter Parker."
"Well, you've got me there."
"So what classes do you-"
Before Cindy could finish her sentence, the bus came to a stop, it seems they had arrived.
"Hey, Cindy let's talk later, ok?"
"Yeah, Lets."
After a few minutes of students crowding out of the bus, followed by students being corralled into the school, all new first-year students were then brought to the gymnasium.
Once in there, they were all told to sit in an orderly fashion on the rowed folding chairs to await further instruction for the assembly to start. Peter was in the same row as Gwen, MJ, and Cindy.
Although he was sitting next to none of them, instead he sat next to Flash Thompson, as well as a particularly pretty girl with long blond hair, wearing a nice two-piece set of school uniform, although not Midtown's, as there weren't any Uniform requirements to this school's dress code. She was more than likely wearing her former schools uniform. When this girl turned and looked at Peter, giving him the chance to see her facial features properly, What with Hazel eyes and a model like face, she gave him a big bright smile and introduced herself.
"Hi, My names Liz Allen, it's nice to meet you."
"Hello, my name's Peter, Peter Parker."
Liz, getting a good look at Peter, had her eyes sparkling, before she could say another word however.
"Don't bother with this one Liz, he's bad news!"
Flash Thompson made his presence known, seemingly familiar with her.
"Flash, be nice, whatever the problem is I'm sure it isn't so one-sided."
Although Liz remained polite with Flash, it was clear to see which side she chose with her choice of words. Peter not wanting to get in the way and start a quarrel, chose to simply smile at Liz and proceeded to keep quiet.
A Very Exhausting 4 hours later
AP Chemistry Class
Peter walked into an almost desolate lab room, within this room there was a total of 8 lab-station countertops aline in two vertical rows from front to back with two stools behind each countertop of a lab station.
At the front of the class was a regular teachers desk, with a standard rolling chair stationed behind it. Seeing no one in the room, Peter checked his schedule once more, then proceeded to check the class number.
Seeing it as correct Peter turned on the light and sat at the first-row left-hand lab-station and waited for the teacher and other students to enter.
After waiting around a minute alone, the door opened again with a blond haired head peeking from behind the door. Peter seeing who it was, was surprised to see Gwen, standing there curiously looking around the room.
"Hey, Peter is this the AP Chem classroom?"
"Yeah, Gwen, or at least I think it is, that's what it says on my schedule."
"Ha, Mine too, but where is everyone?"
Peter shrugged and said. "No idea."
Gwen checked the paper in her hands once more, then proceeded to walk into the room and next to Peter.
"Do you mind if I sit here?"
"Nope, that's funny I asked you something pretty similar earlier this morning."
"Haha, yeah I guess so."
"So you're in AP Chem as well?"
"Yup, why, I don't look the part?"
"I'm not really sure how one is supposed to 'look the part', of being in an AP Chem class."
"Then what is it?"
"I just thought it was a pretty funny coincidence is all, the first girl I talk to besides MJ that goes to my school, ends up in my AP Chem Class, after all, they told my family only a handful of students would be able to enter this class."
"Huh, now that you mention it that's true. Although I can't say you're the first boy I've talked to who goes to this school."
"Really? Who is then?"
"Do you remember that jerk on the bus?"
"Who, Flash?"
"That's the one, before you and MJ got on the bus, he was harassing me nonstop, so I suppose I should thank you and MJ for getting him to leave me alone."
"Ha, don't sweat it and hey if that guy bothers you again, just let me know."
"Thanks, Pete, I can call you Pete, right? That's what I heard MJ call you after you left to find a seat on the bus."
"Yup that's fine!"
"so ...uh you and MJ..are you two, like a thing?"
"Hmm? Me and MJ...no we're not together, we're childhood friends and...she's important to me...I guess."
"I see." Gwen quipped, slightly happy for a reason unknown to even herself.
"So what did you and MJ talk about on the bus?"
"Nothing special, introductions, likes and dislikes, I also asked who you were."
"Me? Why?"
"...do you really not know?"
"Know what?"
"You the kid who stood up to Flash Thompson, the up and coming football star and got off scot-free. Almost the whole school is talking about you...well the new first years at least."
"Woah, I didn't know he was that famous."
"Well, he is. Now you are too."
"That's, gonna take some getting use to."
Gwen chuckled and said, "MJ and I saw you talking to that girl on the bus, MJ seemed pretty jealous, who is she."
"Who? Cindy?"
"I don't know her name, but I hear she's pretty famous too, though for different reasons."
"Yeah I heard, some idiots make fun of her for her eidetic memory."
"What? No not that, I didn't even know she had a- uh eidetic memory, if that's even how you say it. I was talking about the fact that she's one of the best female Hockey players in the district."
"What? She is?"
"Yes, I am!"
Came a voice from behind the duo, startling them both. Looking back peter saw Cindy staring at the two, somewhat playfully.
"Jeez, Cindy you almost gave me a heart attack." Gasped Peter.
"Well, that's what you get for talking about someone behind her back!" Griped Cindy jokingly.
"We-we weren't saying anything bad." Whined out Gwen
Cindy looked at Gwen and said, "And who are you, you already know my name."
"Uh, Gwen Stacy, it's nice to meet you." Weakly replied Gwen.
"Cindy, Cindy Moon, ditto." Chirped Cindy, much more friendly than before.
"Hey Cindy, I never got to ask, what's your schedule look like?" Asked Peter.
"The usual, nothing out of the ordinary except this class and AP Pre-Calculus after this." Answered Cindy.
"You have Pre-Calc?!" Asked a shocked Gwen.
"Mhm, Yup right after this class, same classroom too." Answered Cindy.
"I do too, Same class and everything," Peter said earning looks from both girls.
"Ok, so I have an eidetic memory, how did you get into two AP classes as well?" Asked a bewildered Cindy.
"Pete, you have both AP classes too? I barely tested into this class." Asked an almost ashamed Gwen.
Peter scratched his head and answered both girls at one.
"I don't know, I just like math and science, they're my two favorite subjects."
"..."
"..."
Both girls remained quiet, looking at Peter like some freak of nature.
"Y'know Pete, when MJ said you were special...I just assumed she was crushing on you." Said an exasperated Gwen.
"MJ?" Asked a curious Cindy.
Before Peter could answer Gwen teased and added in.
"Pete's girlfriend."
"?"
A confused and slightly betrayed Cindy looked to Peter for information.
"She's not my girlfriend, she's my friend, who's a girl…"
"Oh yeah, a friend that you're willing to stand up against the school bully for." Teased Gwen once more.
"Oh really?" Responded an intrigued and curious Cindy.
"That's nothing special, I'd do it for either of you as well."
Both girls going quiet once more.
"So this MJ said he was special, huh?" Cindy asked looking towards Gwen.
"Yup." Responded Gwen looking towards Cindy.
"I think I'm starting to see it." Slyly responded Cindy.
"Yeah, being around this smooth talker for too long could be bad for a girls heart." Gwen stated giving Peter the side-eye.
"Anyways!" Peter doing his best to cut and end this embarrassing conversation, asked.
"So do you girls have any classes together? do we?" Asked Peter while pulling out his Schedule.
Both girls pulled out their schedules and compared. Gwen was the first to speak out.
"Besides the class were in now, and your two's Pre-Calc class next we all have P.E together...MJ has this slot too, we compared schedules earlier too."
"Cool!" Responded Peter.
"Yeah it is, I can finally meet this 'MJ'." Teased a relentless Cindy.
Peter thought to himself this is going to be a long three years…
*Authors Note*
Well, here we are 3 days later, like I said previously, even if I did cut it close.
This chapter was somewhat difficult to write, after all, I introduced many new characters, some of them I didn't even want to at first...truth be told I was originally planning to introduce Gwen way later in the series, like ESU days later.
But once I got started writing it all just sort of rolled onto the page. I kind of enjoy moments like those, because if it comes so naturally to me it tends to feel right in the long run.
As you can tell Peters story kinda starts during Middle school, instead of the typical end of High school era bite. There will probably be one or two more major time skips before our boy gets bit by the spider.
Anyways I don't have much to say here, other than my thanks, If there are any of you guys out there who have questions feel free to leave a review, I respond to almost every review, and enjoy each one.
Once again thanks all of you who took the time out of your day to read my little Fanfic.
Till next time, this has been Mister MC and I'm out.