A/N: to anyone who was extremely confused, and this doesn't apply to those are in the future and have no idea what I'm talking about, I practically removed my story. But, it's the same, just some chapters were meshed together and so basically the first chapter of this consists of like 4 or 5 of the original chapters that I had planned. All the same words though. After I post this, I'll try to refrain from posting for another couple days, it's just that I have a lot written already and am eager to get it out. But. I must have self control. *Breathes in deeply* control... Ok, and as always, thanks for reading and reviewing, So here's another chapter!
~Sophie
"Today, we will be starting a new unit. Genetics. And will specifically be using spiders as our specimens." Peter sat in the corner of his advanced science class, suddenly rather uncomfortable. Ugh, you have got to be kidding me. He mentally complained. Peter then continued to listen to Ms. Robinson's lecture about their beginning-the-year course.
"Now, all of you should know the basics, which is what the regular science classes are studying. This is basically, why you have the characteristics you do, dominant and recessive genes, and lots of vocabulary. In this class, we will be figuring out how that works by basing an experiment off of that information and expanding our knowledge on the subject. Now, you may be wondering, where do spiders become involved? Well, let me explain…" Before she could, however, Gwen raised her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Stacy?" Ms. Robinson then pointed to Gwen.
"Does this project have anything to do with cross-species genetics?" She asked. Ms. Robinson raised an eyebrow.
"Well, yes in fact, it does. Anyone venture a guess on how that would work?" Gwen was about to answer, when Peter spoke up.
"Well, in order to transfer genes from one organism to another, you would first want to locate the gene. Let's say, we pick the proportionate strength of a spider. We then replace the part of the genome responsible for strength in the host subject with that of the spider's. Let's say we replace a human's strength with that proportionate of a spider. Well, since some species of spiders can lift up to fifty times their own body weight, theoretically speaking, the host human could lift up to eight thousand pounds. That is, if the extraction and delivery of the genes is done correctly, for on most occasions, it would be fatal." Peter finished, leaving Ms. Robinson with wide eyes.
"Um, well, yes, that's correct, Mr. Parker. So, that seems rather complicated, doesn't it? Some of you may be wondering, how the heck are we supposed to do that? Well, we will be starting simple. Our main project will be attempting to locate certain parts of the genome, and extracting the gene responsible for certain characteristics. Studies will then be done on whether the subject changed in the area effected. Extra credit will be for attempting to transplant those extracted genes into a host species. For those interested in experimenting with that, and may I add it is very advanced, mice will be available. Remember, you don't have to have a successful experiment to get a good grade, you just have to show effort. For now, you should all start taking notes on the basic information that I will go through, so that you have some guidelines on your work. Everyone get out your notebooks."
The rest of the class period was spent on taking notes on how to locate and extract certain genes, and the basic vocabulary and background information that the other classes are learning. The bell rang, bringing the class to their feet. Peter and Gwen still decided to stick together in terms of finding their classes for the next few days, for Gwen was still getting used to the new school. Gwen had even decided to sit next to Peter at lunch again, which was surprising since Gwen had made a few other acquaintances that Peter figured she would sit next to. Peter was glad that she decided to sit by him, for, not only was the company nice, but she kind of provided as a personal body guard against Flash. Yeah, it was kind of lame, but Peter was thankful none the less. As they walked in to their next class, Gwen tapped Peter on the shoulder.
"Hey, Peter?"
"Yeah?"
"Um, I was thinking that maybe we could work on our science homework together after school, you know, get research done and share our ideas on the subject." She said, all the while staring down at her hands.
"Oh, uh, yeah, sure." Peter said, nodding. "Do you want to come over to my place?"
"Yeah, that would be nice." She looked up and smiled.
"Ok. Maybe we could meet outside the front of the school. We can then walk to my house."
"Yeah, I'm gonna need to, uh, call my parents when we get there, though, so that they aren't wondering where I am."
"Ok."
"Ok." They concluded with a light nod, and reached math with an awkward silence.
/
One thing that was great about Gwen was her persistent working habits. The second she arrived Peter introduced her to Aunt May. (It was rather awkward, Aunt May had that humored look.) Right after that, however, it was right up to Peter's room to start on homework. It really wasn't very drastic homework, they just had to do a bit of research on spiders and their adaptations. Ms. Robinson told them to do this so that they could pick and choose certain characteristics that they wanted to insert into the host subject. Peter pulled up to his computer as Gwen set out her current notes from class and laid them out on the floor.
"Ok, so Ms. Robinson told us that we needed at least five sources. I'll get a separate sheet for each source." Gwen started, and Peter hadn't even turned on his computer yet. Once his computer had come to life, Peter pulled up a browser turned to Gwen.
"So, what should we search first?" Peter asked, his fingers wiggling over the keyboard.
"Just search, like, spider adaptations, or something." She said, preparing a sheet of paper. They continued to work like this, Peter looking up facts and Gwen taking notes on what they decided important, for a couple hours. After that, they had a good amount of information down.
"Ok, so I know this is what we were going to discuss in class tomorrow, but," she grinned, tapping her fingers together like an evil scientist would do, "Out of all these characteristics, which do you think would provide most useful to the host subject." She looked at Peter, one eyebrow raised.
"Well," Peter tapped his fingers together and looked up, as if in thought. "If I were the mouse, or, any creature for that matter, strength would definitely be an advantage." Gwen took a note. "What could you add?" Peter asked, with an interrogational look to him, causing Gwen to giggle.
"What about reflexes and agility? That would definitely help. The mouse wouldn't really need strength or any kind of offense, because if it could easily evade attackers and stay away. The only reason it would need any source of offensive advantages would be to get food, and for the mouse that wouldn't matter for they are scavengers." Gwen finished as Peter nodded, and Gwen quickly took a note.
"You could say the same thing for general adhesiveness, if mice could climb walls, and this would prove to be an advantage in quite a few things, then they could easily stay away from predators and get to places easier. Such as a location to find food." They continued to go through characteristics, deciding to not include the ability to produce webbing, because the location that it would excrete from would be rather inconvenient. By the time they had a solid list, Aunt May was calling up the stairs.
"Peter, Gwen, dinner is ready!" They both looked up from their notes that they were going over. For like the fifth time. (Gwen was very exact.)
"Ok, Aunt May!" Peter yelled back. He then looked at Gwen. "Time sure flies when you're having fun, doesn't it."
"No kidding. So, I should probably leave, my parents are probably expecting me soon and I wouldn't want to intrude on your family and take advantage of your hospitality." She started to pack up her stuff.
"You can stay. It would be no problem. My Aunt and uncle would be glad to have you as company. No intrusion at all."
"Really? Because I-"
"No, seriously Gwen, come down for dinner." Peter looked at her with his big brown doe eyes, and she finally sighed in resignation.
"Fine, I'll stay." She giggled. "It smells good anyways." They set through the bedroom door and down the stairs, the smell of pot roast flowing into their nostrils.
"That smells really good, Mrs. Parker. And thank you for letting me stay for dinner."
"It's my pleasure. And please call me May." Aunt May then set dinner down on the table. "Peter, will you please go get your uncle? I think he's in the office.
"Sure thing, Aunt May." Peter went down the hall and through a door on his right. Inside Uncle Ben was doing some things for work. "Uncle Ben, dinner is ready." Peter said, and his uncle turned around at his voice.
"Ok Peter, I'll be right there. Just let me finish up some work." Peter ducked out of the room and back to where the food was laid out.
"He'll be here in a minute." Peter said as he sat down at the table, right next to Gwen. From there on dinner progressed smoothly. Once everyone sat down, Peter introduced Gwen to his Uncle, who asked Gwen a few questions such as what her family is like and so forth. Turns out, Gwen's dad is the new head police chief, Captain George Stacy. She also said that she has three brothers, who she also notes are getting more and more annoying by the second. Everyone laughs at that and Gwen starts asking about Peter's life. With the combined efforts of Peter and his Aunt and Uncle, they explain how Peter came to live at the house they were currently dining in.
"I'm so sorry. I know I would be absolutely crushed if my parents had died in a plane crash. Or, at all." Gwen said sympathetically.
"I know, I really miss them. But then again, however much I do miss them, I would never have been living with these, wonderful people." Peter motioned to his Aunt and Uncle.
"Same." Uncle Ben said. Peter stared at him for a second.
"Really? All you say is, 'same'?" Peter started to laugh.
"Well I'm sorry if you wanted some grand speech of how I am so glad that you are in this household because you are out of luck." Uncle Ben said, and soon everyone was chuckling. Gwen then reached into her pocket and took out her phone.
"It's getting kind of late, I should probably leave. Thank you for letting me stay for dinner and for accepting my company. It was really fun." Gwen said.
"Oh, it was our pleasure, dear. You are welcome anytime." Aunt May then began to clear the table. Gwen then turned to Peter.
"Um, I'll just be getting my stuff from your room then, and then I'll be off." Gwen then started toward the stairs. Peter hurriedly caught up to her.
"I'll help you get your stuff together." He said and when they got to Peter's room they started to gather up the notes and pencils. "So, do you want to keep the notes, or should I? I'm kind of thinking you because I don't know about you but sometimes my homework decides to play hide and seek and is often really good at it." Peter said, glancing at Gwen, who was giggling.
"Uh, yeah, sure, I'll take it." Gwen said all the while smiling. They both stood up from their place on the floor and faced each other, Gwen's stuff having already been packed. "So, uh, thanks again for letting me stay."
"No problem, and like my aunt said, you can come here anytime." Peter smiled. Gwen smiled and nodded her head, staring at a random point in space. Suddenly, she stood up straight, slightly on her tiptoes, and gave Peter a peck on the cheek. Before Peter could even process what had just happened, Gwen stormed from the room and down the stairs. She waved goodbye to Peter's Aunt and Uncle before opening the door into the late summer evening and closing it again. Peter was still in his room, and he looked out the window only to see Gwen walking home. He noticed that he had a slight skip in her step. Peter felt like he was filled to the brim with hot coco, a warm, sweet feeling filling every corner of his body. Peter laid down on the bed and looked up to the ceiling, smiling.