I DON'T OWN THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN OR STOKED.

-Parker-

Ever since the first run in with Kong, he and his friends continued to torment me at work. The pranks were simple and to be honest, kind of duller then back in New York, probably because they knew they couldn't get away with inflicting physical abuse. There was news of some kind of international tournament and that was why the players and cheerleaders; one that would keep them here for another few days. So I just have to survive until then and I won't have to deal with them. The treatment I got while I was working was a walk in the park compared to the way things were when I was asleep. The venom nightmare had replaced the one featuring goblin as recurring nightmare and each time I woke up I forced myself to remember the symbiont was separated from Eddie and the chances of the symbiont getting another host before it died was slim to none.

Funny, here the enemies that were still kicking stayed out of my head unless they were attacking while the ones that died won't leave me alone. This isn't the first time I had nightmares of Venom returning and as much as I wanted to just say Venom wouldn't return, I couldn't believe it. The first time I separated the pair, Venom returned, but only because Eddie was looking for the symbiont. This time Brock was given a gene cleanser and repelled the symbiont. However, the chances of Venom wasn't the worst part of the dream. Fin getting involved is what really gets my pulse racing and forces it's way into the waking world. After the first dream showed itself, I couldn't get myself to relax around Fin. Eventually I started avoiding the blonde which, by the way, is hard since we are co-workers and basically neighbors. A few times after I started avoiding Fin, the others came to me to ask why I'm avoiding her.

"Parker." Emma called out. Reflexively I looked over, now I can't pretend I didn't hear her and with no jobs at the moment, I couldn't rely on the job to get away from a talk that would likely be awkward.

"Yeah?" I asked. Before she could get any more words out, my name was called behind me, only this time not in a friendly manner. Approaching me was Kong and to one side was Hobie Brown. Brown was a good enough guy, he didn't actively torment me or anyone he saw as "unpopular" but he didn't object when the others did. "What do you want?" I asked.

Kenny started laughing and pointed at us saying, "Look how the nerd puffs up to look tough." I hadn't even realized I pushed Emma behind me in preparation for a possible fight. "That one guy said you were a good surfer. Let's see how you do against Brown. Meet us at the beach at three." Kenny said, leaving before I could get a word out. I was about to reject the challenge when Johnny sent me outside to be some rich dude's caddy. By the time I got off my shift, it was only a few minutes until the challenge. If I went with the challenge then there would be a chance I'd expose my super hero side.

"Emma told me how those haoles challenged you to a surf contest. Just wanted to know how much talent your going to unleash to put them in their place." Fin said. When I first got here, that would've confused me, but now I understand many of the terms these guys use and know she called them wannabes.

"None. Because I'm not going." I replied.

"What?! Are you nuts? After all those pranks you finally get to show these kooks up and you're letting pass by. Why?"

I took a big breath and said, "Before I got my powers, I was an uncoordinated nerd. After I got my powers, I still acted like I was uncoordinated to prevent anyone from connecting Parker to Spider-Man. So if I show off, there's a chance that someone will connect the two of us."

"That's ridiculous. You don't have to go full arachnid on them to show them up."

"But if I don't do as well as I normally do then the others will get suspicious. But if I do as good as I have been then they might be able to put two and two together."

"I bet they can't count to two. If your worried then you can hold back a little more than usual and if the others ask, you can say the competition made you nervous."

"I guess...but-" I started.

"Look at me." She said and I met her crystal blue eyes. "Nothing bad will happen. Okay?" I couldn't get my voice to work so I just nodded. "Good, meet ya there." Unbelievable. One look and she can get me to lose my voice AND do what she wants me to do. Even Gwen's most potent "look" couldn't achieve both. But why? Is it because I haven't developed any immunity to Fin? Or is it for a different reason? I quickly changed into my shorts and grabbed the board. I had arrived at the main beach to see all my old tormentors and new friends were there. All ready to enter the water. I went to thank my friends for coming when I saw Liz.

"Hey Liz." I called out to get rid of some tension. Instead of responding, she just turned away.

"What's up with her?" Broseph asked.

"We used to go out." I told him.

"She'll regret breaking up with you after you win this. Betty's love winners." Reef said

"Actually, I broke up with her." I corrected, mentally kicking myself for saying that when I saw the dumbstruck look on Fin's face. Although it was funny what I saw to one side.

"You dated a cheerleader?" Broseph asked.

"And you dumped her?" Wipeout finished. Before I could say anymore, the two dropped to their knees and started bowing at my feet like I was a king. Both were saying, "We're not worthy! We're not worthy."

"Ready whenever you are." Kenny said, pointing to the water where Hobie was sitting on his board. I picked up my board and started to join my opponent.

Before I could get my feet wet, Lo stopped me and said, "I made a bet with that Sally hodad. If you win then she has to shave her head. But if you don't then I will have to shave my head, after killing you."

"So, no pressure." I sarcastically said before continuing the trip to the open sea.

-Finish-