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Chapter 3
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After spending a long-time recovering from the pain Penny made it back home a little later than expected but still manages to come inside just as Uncle Ben was in the middle of painting.
"Uh hey! Sorry I was late."
"Oh? Mary Cassatt is finally here to paint her portrait!"
"Who?"
"... Jesus, the education system in this country is a mess. Listen Penny, while I finish up here how about you take out the trash?"
"But I can help you Uncle Ben."
"I know you can, Georgia O'Keeffe. But right now, the brush is in my hands."
"Um..."
"Don't know who that is either? Never mind, just be a dear and take out the trash." Penny sighed and got the trash bag ready, however she and Uncle Ben stopped when they heard Mary Jane's parents yelling at each other again.
"What is he on about now? Beer? Seriously? Damn it, I feel so bad for that girl." Penny only looked at the window for a second before just looking away to continue taking out the trash. Penny just walked out into the back of the house and placed the trash in the cans however at the same time Mary Jane exited the house to get away from her parents. Penny didn't want to seem like she was eavesdropping despite the fact that she actually wasn't but, it didn't work as Mary Jane saw her and called her out.
"Did you hear all of that?" Penny froze in place as she was so close to getting back into the house, she then slowly turned to Mary Jane while guilt covered her face.
"I... I wasn't trying too; I was just taking out the trash but... yeah I heard most of it." Mary Jane then took a deep breath and wiped the tears off of her face.
"I guess that makes sense, they're always yelling."
"I mean... everyone yells."
"Your Uncle and Aunt don't."
"Well, they don't need to, trust me your heart would stop if you saw Uncle Ben's glare of disappointment." Mary Jane then giggled but she quickly stopped as she looked uncomfortable about something. That look on her face reminded Penny of the look she made back at school when she beat up Flash, Penny was instantly filled with guilt thought it was more directed toward scaring Mary Jane instead of hurting Flash.
"Uh, Listen Mary Jane, I'm really sorry about today. I was, out of control."
"You uh... you're really not like other girls huh?"
"I guess... um, is Flash, ok?"
"He's just glad you didn't give him a black eye, though he is trying to wrap the story that it was Harry who beat him up."
"What? Why?"
"I'm guessing he doesn't want anyone to know a girl beat him up. He'd rather say a guy did it."
"Haha, uh say you know as his girlfriend I was kinda expecting you to be more upset."
"Oh! Well, uh... Penny can you come here." Penny looked at Mary Jane in confusion but walked up to the fence and Mary Jane walked up close to Penny. Penny then blushed when Mary Jane signaled her to lean her ear in closer so Mary Jane could whisper something to her.
"I don't actually like Flash."
"REALLY?!" Penny couldn't help but shout that out of pure joy but Mary Jane quickly shushed her to keep quiet.
"Sorry... but seriously? Then why do you date him?"
"It's mainly cause he's strong and has money, god I sound like such a gold digger saying that."
"No! no, I get it. I mean... what else is he good for?" Mary Jane then giggled and so did Penny, she couldn't help but blush and smile blissfully as she saw Mary Jane smiling again.
"haha... hm, so where are you going after graduation."
"Oh, I'm going to go to city, get into college, and get a job as a photographer to pay off my intuition! I'm mainly going to focus on science and biology so that after I graduate, I can become an Arachnologist."
"Arachnologist?"
"Someone who studies spiders, I want to find a way to use their silk for conventionally purpose in our world. Hopefully no one will beat me to the punch by the time I get there. Scientists are already working on ways to use spider silk for military body armor."
"Cool..."
"Uh what about you?"
"I'm going to the city as well, kinda want to get out of here for..." Just then more crashing and yelling could be heard from Mary Janes house.
"Two VERY good reasons."
"Ah... so what are you going to do in the city?"
"Um... I kinda wanna... act on stage."
"That's- That sounds amazing! you'd be perfect! I still remember when you did Cinderella for a school play."
"Penny that was like in 1st grade."
"And it was a great start! Its like you were destined for acting! You just need to keep trying, your the only one holding yourself back." Suddenly more crashing and yelling could be heard from Mary Janes house.
"Um, as well as other things... ok look, I don't think your wrong for wanting to pursue what you love! So am I!"
"Yeah..." Mary Jane was smiling but she had a hint of sadness in her eyes that Penny could see from miles away.
"Alright, what is it?"
"What is what?"
"Something is still bugging you, come on, out with it."
"I just... I also wanna get married and have kids but, I just haven't met the right guy yet. What about you Penny?"
"Me?! Oh uh... I... I guess I just never really found guys all that... interesting..." Penny was standing there red and embarrassed while Mary Jane started smirking at her.
"Hmph, really? You sure you haven't found someone at least a little bit interesting?" I'm actually staring at her right now, Penny was thinking while sweating bullets but knew there was no way she could just say that out loud. As if saved by the bell, Flash showed up on his car calling out to Mary Jane for a ride. Mary Jane sighed as she saw him she then looked back to Penny one last time with a smile.
"Bye Penny, I'm glad you and I are friends."
"Uh, me too Mary Jane!"
"Haha, just call me MJ! Everyone does." Mary Jane then waved goodbye to Penny as she ran to Flash immediately talking in excitement about his car and getting in as they drove away. Penny sighed as she walked back into the house where Uncle Ben was waiting for her.
"Ready to show off your magic, Augusta Savage?" Penny just looked at Uncle Ben confused as she still had no idea who he was talking about.
"Alright I'm just going to stop trying, here take this and get started." Penny then took the pain roller and started coating the last wall.
"So... you were having a long conversation with Mary Jane huh?"
"Huh? Oh yeah MJ is fun to talk too."
"MJ? You too got close quickly." Penny nearly tripped on nothing while blushing in embarrassment by what Uncle Ben said.
"Uh, we're just friends, and we only meet today so its not a big deal!" Penny's face stayed red as she kept painting the walls, all while Uncle Ben was smiling at her.
"Ok! If you say so, thought frankly I'm glad she has a friend like you. Rather than having to deal with that rotten family of hers. Its quite sad that her only escape is that ruffian Flash, but oh well, I guess its just common for girls her age to flock to guys with cars." Penny then stopped paining and looked at Uncle Ben confused.
"Wh- What do you mean?"
"Oh well you know, boys like him think cars are the best way to lure girls in. No different that a male bird flocking his feathers for a female. But then again I guess it does work. Not that I'm saying Mary Jane is weak minded! I'm just saying that Flash is using his wealth to get objects that attract girls to him is understandable but also kinda savage if you think about it." Uncle Ben then left the Kitchen while Penny went back to painting the walls thought she kept thinking about what he was saying. She then remembered that Mary Jane's friends had a car as well and used it to help her skip the bus. Penny then got the idea that if she had a car then Mary Jane wouldn't have to keep relying on Flash anymore. However, that would require money and lots of it to get a decent car, and she would need more if she was to actually wanted to keep that car.
After Penny was done painting the walls she immediately retreated to her room where she started looking through the newspaper, she got form Uncle Ben. However as she did she saw the spider walking freely on her desk and right toward her.
"Wow! Hey, how did you get out?" The spider looked at her for a second then it looked back to the glass box, it pointed one of its legs toward a one of the corners of the box where Penny saw a large, cracked hole just large enough for the spider to get out.
"Oh... you are strong, aren't you?" The spider then bowed seemingly proud of itself.
"Wait you can understand me?!" The spider then sarcastically shook its head, Penny sighed in annoyance, as she kept looking through the ads that where showing cars that are for sale. The spider then walked onto the paper to see what Penny was looking at out of curiosity.
"Ah, I'm trying to find a car to uh... impress someone." Penny started blushing in embarrassment as she realized how dumb her plan sounded. The Spider looked at her in confusion and started making hissing noises as if it were trying to talk, it then started doing strange back and forth movements while raising its two front legs in the air, as if it was dancing.
"Ew! Impress her with a mating dance? That's not how humans work!" The Spider seemingly hissed at Penny in annoyance and started walking back to its glass box; However, before doing so it quickly shot out a web and caught a fly while midair. The Spider then dragged the fly into the glass box and webbed it up to eat later.
"Hmph, savage." Penny continued looking through the ads on cars, she wasn't surprised but still annoyed at how expensive they all where. Penny just sighed in annoyance as she was in over her head, she should just accept the fact that she'll never impress Mary Jane and just let her stay with Flash. However, that was until she found an ad about amateur wrestling, she just scoffed at it and was about to turn the page until she saw that the prize money was a $1,000. Apparently, they had a new fight arranged every day and if you kept winning the price would get higher and higher. If Penny started now, then by the time Graduation came in she could earn somewhere between $10,000 to $30,000. Penny was excited to know this but then she quickly realized that one she was not a wrestler and two she was a girl, Penny wasn't really sure if female wrestlers existed and if they did this amateur wrestling probably wasn't interested in female wrestlers.
Penny sighed in annoyance as once again all the cards were not in her favor. She leaned back in her chair while looking out the window to where Mary Jane's room was. Penny already thought her plan was stupid, what was she even trying to accomplish? Impress Mary Jane despite the fact that she already had friends who already had cars? Besides even if Penny did impress Mary Jane, they would still be friends in the end, even if Penny really was in love with Mary Jane there's no way MJ would like her back. Just as Penny tossed the ideas out of her head, the Spider used its webs to swing its way to Penny and gently landed on her forehead.
"Oh, the little savage done hunting?" The spider started hiss talking again while raising its two front legs, it then started raising them up and down as if it was throwing punches.
"Ugh, I can't fight in that underground wrestling thing because first I'm a girl, second I don't know how to fight, I just got lucky when fighting Flash, third I don't even have a costume." The spider then really showed of his fangs while hissing.
"Yeah, you did make me stronger when you bit me, not going to say thank you by the way! It hurt and for all I knew you were poisonous." The spider again hissed in annoyance.
"But it doesn't matter how strong I am, they still wouldn't let a girl in." The spider then shot another web into the ceiling and pulled itself upward, it then made a big web on the ceiling for Penny to see. It started cutting and placing new strings onto the web until it made the shape of a mask.
"Huh? yeah I know I need to wear a costume, what's your... Wait you want me to use make a costume and use it to pretend to be a guy?" The spider then nodded in excitement.
"That... actually might work. I could use foam to stuff it so that I would look more muscular and since I'm wearing a costume no one would think twice, also its amateur wrestling so they wouldn't even bother asking questions! This could actually work!" The spider hissed in excitement as if it was cheering it then jumped out of its web and Penny held out her hands so that it would land safely in them.
"Aw, you're a genius little buddy!" the spider raised its head fully accepting the praise.
"Hm... I think I'm going to call you Peter; I always wanted a brother named Peter." Penny then gently left Peter on her desk while she pulled out her notebook and pen, she then started drawing costume designs.
The next day during school Penny found it actually pleasant which was probably because Flash and his friends finally left her and Harry alone. After school however she went straight to the first place for the wrestling thought she told Aunt May and Uncle Ben that she was going to the library. Since her costume still wasn't ready, she made sure to put a thick jacket, with jeans, and wore a ski mask in her backpack. Once she found a safe place to put it all on, she went to the first wrestling location, thankfully with her face and body covered all she had to do was make her voice a little deeper and she got in. She ended up winning her fight quite easily thought it was obvious she was lacking any talent in wrestling as though she won the crowd was booing at her. As such after she got the reward money, she made sure the first thing she did after getting home was to put the money in a safe place and start learning more about wrestling.
From that day forward that became Penny's daily routine, she would go to school, go home to tell Aunt May and Uncle Ben she was studying for finals, go to the next wrestling location, then go home and study all she could to improve herself. However, it wasn't like her plan was flawless, Aunt May bought the studying lie but as time went on Uncle Ben could feel that Penny was hiding something.
"Penny, where did those bruises on your face come from?"
"Oh, I uh, I fell down some stairs at school."
"... Your school only has one floor."
"Uh... I'm gonna study in my room now."
"Penny, why are you watching wrestling?"
"Oh uh, I just couldn't find anything else on TV."
"Then why are you taking notes?"
"... I'm gonna study in my room now."
"Penny, why were you out so late?"
"What? I was just studying at the library."
"The library closed hours ago."
"..."
"You're going to study in your room now?"
"Yeah, I'll just do that."
Penny walked into her room and fell face first on her bed out of exhaustion. She knew she couldn't do this forever, but thankfully they guys who paid her that there was only one more gig tomorrow and after that one she would be paid $3,000. With that kind of money, added to the money she already earned, not only would Penny get a new car but also get a good apartment in the city. Penny was able to smile when she thought about how great things were turning out. To make things even better Peter the Spider called on her while hissing in joy because he wanted to show her that her costume was finally done.
"Wait really?!" Peter nodded and used his webs to open up her closet and there she saw the costume. It was red and blue with webbing details all around it and the foam Peter used made the fake muscles under it look realistic. Penny was amazed at how perfect it looked she then looked at Peter who was hanging by a thread over the closet and smiled at the spider.
"Your amazing little guy!" Peter lifted his head in pride as if he was saying 'I know I am' in a smug tone. Penny laughed caught the litter spider in her hands and leaded it to give it a little kiss to show her appreciation; she then started giggling when she saw Peter thrashing around in anger, not liking the kiss. Penny then placed the annoyed Peter on her desk and went to sleep to get ready for tomorrow.
Penny woke up full of vigor knowing that today was the last wrestling gig and that she was going to be given $3,000 for winning again. Penny got dressed, put her costume in her backpack, gave Peter a cup full of crickets to keep him occupied, then went downstairs.
"Bye you guys! Going to school!" Uncle Ben was in the living room reading the news but when Penny ran by he looked at her in confusion.
"School? Penny it's the weekend."
"Uh... I mean the library! Finals waits for no one ya know! Gotta stay ahead." Penny then tried to open the door but Aunt May stopped her there with a gentle smile on her face.
"Why don't I take you then?"
"Uh, that's ok Aunt May, you don't-"
"I have to go to the grocery store anyways, so why not?" Penny then looked at Uncle Ben and he nodded as if to gently tell her she had no choice. Penny sighed but she smiled and agreed even though inside she really didn't want Aunt May to go with her.
Penny and Aunt May were quiet for the entire drive, Aunt May was just calmly humming to the tunes of the radio while Penny was wishing this would go by faster. Finally her wish was granted when Aunt May parked the car in front of the library which was unfortunately quite far from where she actually needed to be, guess I'll have to run then, Penny thought.
"Thank's Aunt May! I'll be back late!"
"Wait Penny, can I talk to you?"
"Uh, can we talk later?"
"Why? Can't we talk now? It's not like you're in a rush." I actually am, Penny thought but knew better than to say out loud.
"Ok, uh, what are we talking about." Aunt May then had a deep sigh as if to prepare herself mentally.
"Your Uncle Ben is worried about you and so am I. We know you're at that age where things... change. We just want you to know that, you can talk to us. Don't be afraid and hold it all in, your Uncle Ben and me will always be there for you."
"... Ok." Penny then opened the door to leave the car, but Aunt May stopped her again.
"Penny! Please talk to me!"
"About what? There's nothing to talk about!"
"Penny, I may not know what it is but I know your hiding something."
"No, I'm not, I... Look I know you guys are worried but I'm fine ok! So DON'T worry, I'm ok and I'll be ok! So just leave me alone already!"
"Penny..."
"Aunt May! For the first time in my life, it's like things are finally going my way! I finally have the strength to do what I want without the embarrassment! without the pain! without the consequences! I'm finally free!"
"Penny-"
"So, stop treating me like a child! I don't need you anymore!" Aunt May just sat there looking hurt, but she was also didn't say a word. Penny just glared at her in annoyance but then looked at her wristwatch and quickly left the car but stopped when Aunt May grabbed her car.
"Penny, I'm sorry. I know that as you're getting older your also getting stronger, I just wanted you to know you weren't alone. But if you want to be, then I'll respect that, but please remember what your Uncle Ben always says. With great power comes great responsibility."
"... Got it." Penny then left the car and slammed the car door while walking away. Penny then looked back at Aunt May one last time, she saw that Aunt May started crying which actually stabbed daggers of guilt into Penny's heart. Penny then sighed deeply and kept walking to the wrestling location, I'll apologize to her when I get back, Penny thought to herself, I'll even use the money to get her a nice flower bouquet... yeah. Penny then checked her watch again and started running, hoping she could make it to the location in time.
