Chapter 2: Changes

Peter woke up suddenly from his bed, sweating. He felt like he had a nightmare but could not exactly remember what it was about.
A quick glance at his alarm clock told him it was 6'o clock AM, thirty minutes earlier than usual.
Peter got up from his bed and was about to take his glasses when he saw his reflection in his bedroom's glass "What the hell" he mumbled, dumbfounded. His body had gone from scrawny to muscular in the space of a night.
As he watched himself closely, he felt like all the muscles in his body had at least doubled in size,he had for the first time a six pack and was also a bit taller.

As peter flexed his new biceps, he felt for the very first time in his life powerful and a fleeting smile appeared on his lips.
"This power feels good but I need to know how and why it happened" he thought. "Moreover I can see now clearly even without my glasses, there must be a logical explanation."
"The bite from yesterday..., maybe I should have a talk with Dr Connors.
Peter was interrupted in his thoughts when he heard his aunt shouting "Peter dear, time for breakfast"
Peter quickly decided to choose the lousiest clothes to hide his new muscles (which unsurprisingly fit him quite well now) as he wouldn't be able to answer how and why he had changed so much in such a short span of time.
before rushing downstairs and joining his family for breakfast.

As he was eating his cereals, Peter saw his uncle watching him, an eyebrow slightly raised.
"Peter, aren't you taller today ?" he asked "Of course, they would notice" thought Peter As he was searching for something, anything to answer, Peter was saved by his aunt's intervention.
"It must be a growth spurt Ben, I heard at the news it may happen sometimes at his age" Aunt May said, smiling "Hmm, maybe you're right" Uncle Ben answered as he resumed the reading of his newspaper.
Peter breathed a sigh of relief; at least that topic was avoided for the moment. Peter ravenously devoured his breakfast before taking his schoolbag and leaving for school.

Walking along a crosswalk while listening to his walk-man, Peter suddenly felt a buzzing like signal in his head and hardly had time to jump back before watching a truck rushing right before him.
"What the..." It looked like a warning signal or something, weird..." "Anyway, I have to hurry or I'll be late for school" he thought "I'll investigate later".

The morning went at school uneventfully for Peter until PE, Peter's least favorite class and also teacher...
Peter was used to sit down on the bench, never expecting Flash's father or anyone else in his class to invite him to play with their team, but not today.
Peter wanted to delve into these new abilities of his and basket-ball was the perfect wat to try this.
"Sir, I wish to join a team please" Peter asked loudly "What, Puny Parker thinks he's able to play like a Man" snarled Flash with contempt "Shut up Eugene" shouted his father Harrison Thompson, the PE teacher.
"Parker are you REALLY sure about it, I don't want to waste the team's training time for nothing..."
"Yes sir, I want to try" Peter said with confidence in his voice.
"Ok son, if this is what you want, take a red jersey and join the team" he told Peter. A look of anger and disgust appeared on Flash's face as Peter donned the red jersey "You'd better run from me Parker" he whispered to Peter before entering the court.

Peter knew how to play basketball as a used to play for fun with his uncle Ben and Mary Jane at their home but was never interested to play at school since he knew he was not physically fit but now things have changed and Peter Felt a sudden urge to show off his new abilities.
As he was about to receive the ball, he felt again the same warning signal and skillfully received Flash's shot which was most certainly aimed at his head. Peter went on running on the court outracing the other team and shooting a three points goal in front of the stunned other students.
After scoring about twelve points during the match, Peter finally returned on the bench barely tired "Parker" said the coach "You did well, more than well" he said "Would you be interested in joining the team ?"
"Uh?" said Peter surprised at once, "Can I think about it ?" he answered.
Peter didn't expect to be asked to join the team and felt both flattered and reluctant. Flash would certainly cause a ruckus if he'd join them. Somehow this idea seem very enjoyable to Peter though As PE time was over, Peter went on his way to join math class when I saw Mary Jane rushing toward him.
"Nicely done" Peter said MJ, laughing ,"Flash's face when you received his shot was priceless" "How did you do it by the way ? You usually shun that kind of sport ?" she asked him He had to better extremely careful about how he answered to MJ as he knew she was very inquisitive .
"Well, I thought, it was time to try to socialize with the other guys, isn't it what you always repeat to me ?
"Hmm, I suppose so" answered MJ looking not completely convinced.
"Time to divert her attention now" thought Peter "So did you hear about any new superhero activities in town ?" he asked her, knowing that she was fond of superheroes.
"Well, there's a new one roaming NYC streets, I heard about him three days ago. Still not sure if he is a hero or a villain though..."
"Why" asked Peter, curious.
"Well, according to several descriptions, he is very muscular looking guy in some sort of black suit with a white spider on it with clawed hands and a fanged mouth. He has already saved several lives but seem to be a bit brutal when dealing with crooks.
"Does he have a name ? asked Peter "Yes, he calls himself Venom"
"Venom.." whispered Peter, the name and the description seemed oddly familiar to Peter yet he had never heard about him before...
"MJ, can you keep me informed about this "Venom" he asked her.
"Sure thing" answered MJ but why ?
"Just curious that's all" he answered.
"Gotta go, MJ, I'll see you later.

Peter Parker's home Evening

Peter was sitting on his bed, thinking about his brand new powers and how to use it.
On his way to fetch himself a glass of juice, he heard a discussion between his aunt and his uncle Ben.
"...Ben, at this rate we will have to mortgage the house to pay for these bills, you know that don't you" his aunt said with a resigned voice.
"I know May, we shall do what we need to to, Peter's future is and must remain our top priority" his uncle said, firmly.
Peter quickly rushed into his bedroom, he had no idea their financial state was that dire.
He needed to find money as soon as possible to help them...