[GROWING PAINS] ARC

Chapter 3:

The Shape of Things to Come

Flash scowls before rubbing at his arm and walks off, muttering. Gwen looks at you, giving you a nod of acknowledgement.

"Good morning, Peter."

You swallow nervously. How much did she see? Did she see you taunting and leading on Flash? Is she going to be mad at you?

"H-hey, Gwen. How's it going?"

You nervously pull at your collar as Gwen pulls out her book and gestures for you to follow her. Nodding, you quickly make sure you have everything you need before following. Turning the deserted corner from the isolated area where your locker is at into, Gwen looks back at you.

"How are you feeling?"

You blink, looking over your glasses at her, noticing how she's watching you closely.

"I'm fine, all things considered, why?"

She pushes your glasses up with one finger, staring intently before nodding as you let them slide down and look at her again. "Because I've noticed how you've been trying to avoid using your glasses as best as possible. Before today, you were nearly blind without them. And you were more able to dodge Flash than you've ever been able to before."

Her voice is low, using the nearby noise to muffle your conversations.

"We need to discuss things, are you busy after school?"

You pause, searching for anything that would stop you from having this important discussion with her, but you can think of nothing. You shrug.

"Sure, I'm free. What's the plan?"

Gwen pauses mid-step and looks contemplative as you stop and wait with her. When she continues walking, she glances over at you, looking contemplative. "Well, I'd say one of our houses, but I'm pretty sure my Dad would be there, ready to interrogate any boy I brought home, even if he has to work.

"Do you have any preferences? If you can think of anything, just let me know after class, alright?"

As flashes you a smile and you nod dumbly, following her into the classroom. After you sit down in your seat, you look at the clock. Only two minutes until class starts, so that means any time now…

"Hey there, kiddos! Are you all ready for today?!"

Mr. Lee opens the door, smiling widely at the class. He's wearing his usual beige sweater, khaki pants and sunglasses, looking as cheerful as ever, despite the fact he's getting on in his age and his hair has grayed. Honestly, he's probably the only teacher here that really enjoys his job. Opening up his briefcase, he grins at you all.

"Well, we just wrapped up our last chapter on chemistry, so I thought we'd have ourselves a Pop Quiz!"

He hands out the papers and you glance down at it.

You didn't study, but you didn't need to, either. You're a sponge for anything science related. So you pass the test with easy. You turn over the Quiz and rest your hand in your head. Mr. Lee seems to be looking at something on his computer while glancing over at the class periodically.

After another fifteen minutes, he calls for time and collects the Quizzes. As he passes you, he pats you on the shoulder and grins as you look at him. "Mr. Parker, could I have a minute of your time after class?"

You pause before nodding. "Sure, Mr. Lee."

He gives you his trademark grin. "Spectacular!"

He collects the rest of them and walks up to the front of the room, clapping his hands once for attention. "Well, my true believers of science, I'm so sure that you've done well that I'm going to give you the rest of the class as a study period! Just don't get too rowdy!"

You glance over at Gwen, who seems to be busy reading a large book, though you're not sure on what, before thinking about things. Where should you go to have your talk with Gwen?

Well, while there's many places you could go, it'd probably be best to go to your house. Aunt May and Uncle Ben would more than likely give you your privacy. You resolve to ask Gwen over to your house.

You swallow nervously, trying to focus on other things, to busy yourself and not focus on that.

When class finally comes to an end you walk over to Mr. Lee, who sits at his desk, drinking a cup of coffee from his thermos, holding up a finger to gesture for you to wait a moment. After he finishes the cup, he screws it back on to his thermos and smiles at you.

"Mister Parker, good! So, first thing's first."

He opens his briefcase and hands you a piece of paper with information on it. it's a recommendation for you from Mr. Lee. "I'm not sure how good my name is these days, but that should be helpful for you. Have you thought about any colleges? If not, you should start on it. You have this year to do it. Wait too long and it'll be too late."

You stare down at the recommendation in shock, before turning towards your teach and giving him a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Lee."

He shakes his head. "Not at all, Mister Parker. My duty is to make sure you all get the opportunities you need to get ahead in life. And you're just oozing with talent that shouldn't go to waste. Which brings me to my next point. Would you be interested in taking a position as a tutor?"

He holds up a finger again as he continues. "It'll be on your record for Midtown High and it'll look good on your transcripts. More than that though, you're a good kid, which is why I'm asking you first.

"There's a student that attends here that doesn't have the best attendance record because of medical reasons. It's nothing contagious, but his reports he turns in have begun to drop behind and his father has requested a tutor for him.

"I don't need an answer today, but would you be willing to think about it?"

You frown. Normally you'd jump at such a chance but until you know if that spider bite isn't going to kill you, it'd be better to wait. At least until after talking with Gwen.

"I'll think about it, Mr. Lee. Who is this student, anyway?"

Mr. Lee pours himself another cup of coffee. "That's fine. Take a day o two to consider it. The student is Mister Felix Hardy. He's a quiet student that doesn't come too often. You might recall him?"

You try to think about it, but you do recall someone named that. Rather quiet and never attended gym. Kinda disappeared after a while, so you thought he must've dropped out. Still you can't recall much more than that.

"A little. Never really met him."

Mr. Lee nods before glancing at the clock. "Whoa, better hurry My. Parker, don't want to be late for your next class!"

You glance at your watch and nod, hurrying out the door as Mr. Lee waves goodbye. You hurry to the class and focus on taking notes but you have two thoughts in mind. The first is of Gwen and you and your meeting. The second is of Mr. Lee's offer.

You think about them, your body on autopilot until you feel someone shake you on the shoulder. It's Harry. "Hey, Pete, you in there?"

You give him a grin. "Yeah, I was just thinking."

He pulls you by the arm. "Well think about it later, its time for lunch!"

You're dragged to the cafeteria by Harry ad after dealing with the lunch lines, you sit down staring at the school lunch as Harry grins over at you. "So, what's got you all braindead, Pete?"

"Well, first of all, Mr. Lee offered me a tutoring position. I'm not sure if I should take it."

Harry raises an eyebrow at you. "Why's that? Seems like it'd be something you're good at. Don't like the person you'd have to tutor?"

You shake your head. "No, not at all. The student's Felix Hardy, apparently he's always out with a medical condition or something. I don't really know him, do you have anything on him Harry?"

Harry closes his eyes and leans back humming slightly. "Let's see… Hardy, Hardy… Ah, Hardy!"

He leans forward, opening his eyes and pointing at you. "I remember him. I sat next to him last year, when he was present. He's rather polite and well spoken, but doesn't like to talk much. Also didn't like people touching him, but the medical condition would explain that."

He taps his fingers on the table before shaking his head. "That's all I can remember. Anything else up with you?"

You consider asking his advice for when you ask Gwen over, but knowing him he'd misinterpret things and it'd get spread around. No, best to keep that one close to the chest. Harry pauses and checks his phone as a very displeased look crosses his face.

"Bad news Pete, I'm on lockdown for now. My dad's sending someone to come get me."

You raise an eyebrow. "What's up?"

Harry looks hesitant before he writes something down and slides it over to you. His note says 'Dad sent me a message saying that that industrialist, Tony Stark, has been kidnapped during a display for the military. Its under wraps right now, don't tell anybody.'

"Not much, Pete. Just him being paranoid again."

When you read it, he takes it back, crumples it into a ball and eats it, grimacing as he swallows the paper. The rest of the lunch period is much more somber. Harry waves goodbye after lunch before heading off. The rest of the day, you mind seems to be on the fritz. When the last bell of the day rings, you approach Gwen.

"Peter, did you decide on anything?"

You nod, swallowing nervously.

"y-yeah, I thought it'd be pretty private at my house so if you want we could talk there, if not I'd understand and we could just go to the library or-"

She raises an eyebrow as you trail off, looking faintly amused. "Your place is fine, Peter. Are you sure your family is okay with it?"

You shake your head. "I don't see why it would be, but I should probably go ahead and call ahead to check. I'll be right back."

She nods as you walk off and find the phone the school has for student use. Dialing your house, you wait as it rings.

"Hello, Parker residence, May speaking."

You smile at her voice. "Hey, Aunt May, is it alright if I bring a friend over?"

You hear Aunt May chuckle. "Finally bringing other friends than Harry over, Peter? Alright, We'll see you when you get home. Goodbye, Peter."

She hangs up and you do the same as you walk back over to Gwen, who is on her cell phone, talking with someone and looking a little exasperated. "-it's fine dad. I'll be home later, alright? Love you too."

Closing her phone, Gwen smiles at you. "Everything alright Peter?"

You give her a thumbs up. "Yup. All's clear at my place."

She gives you a nod and gestures at you. "Lead the way, then."

You start making your way towards your house, Gwen walking by your side.

"So, do you remember Felix Hardy? Mr. Lee asked me if I'd like to tutor him. Poor guy's been unable to get much schoolwork done because of his health."

Gwen looks at you. "Felix Hardy? Let's see… Isn't he the person that's always sick?"

You nod. "Do you think I should, given what's going on with...y'know, us?"

Gwen rubs at her chin. "Well, I'd say, if you have the time, give it a day or two. If nothing's happened, and you want to do it, then do it. Honestly, I could see you as a teacher if you were a little more confident."

You nod, growing quiet as you're unsure of what to say until your mind flashes to the news this morning. "Oh, did you hear about Professor Richards?"

Gwen nods. "I'm more into biology, but I've head of it. He's exploring the effects of cosmic rays on different samples. Can't say his judgment is too good, what with that incident with the Latverian heir, and the fact that he's taking his friend, girlfriend, and her little brother with them instead of a more dedicated crew. But it's his time and money.

"What's more interesting, however, is Doctor Otto Octavius's works into cybernetic prosthetic limbs. We're approaching the technological singularity, Peter, and I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords."

She gives you a grin and you can't help but smile back as the two of you chat comfortably on the way home. When you arrive home, you open the door and call in. "I'm home!"

Sitting back on the recliner, legs propped up, is your Uncle Ben, whose eye cracks open and he gives you a grin. "Hey there, sport. Heard you were bringing over a friend."

Gwen peeks her head in and waves. "Hello, Mister Parker."

Uncle Ben raises an eyebrow and waves you both over. "Please, call me Ben, miss?"

"Stacy, Gwen Stacy."

Uncle Ben's eyes widen. "You're George's girl? Get outta here!"

Gwen looks interested, walking over. "You know my father?"

"Well, yeah, I've known him for a while, especially when I worked on the police force. Nowadays I'm just a mall security guard, but I knew him when he joined the force. He and I still occasionally meet up to talk about the old days. Did you know that when he first started up, your father-"

You hear someone clear their throat and you look over at an amused looking Aunt May. "Really now, Ben, you can tell embarrassing stories about George to his daughter later. Right now let's leave them alone."

She shoots you a look and Ben gives an embarrassed chuckle. "Alright Alright. You two have fun, but not /too/ much fun!"

Your face flushes as you sputter at him. "U-uncle Ben!"

He laughs as you lightly grab Gwen's wrist and pull her upstairs, her face red with embarrassment as well.

When you finally get to your room, you lock the door and turn to Gwen. "S-sorry about that, he's a real kidder!"

Gwen shakes her head, her face returning to her normal shade, mostly. "No, its fine. So, where should we begin our conversation?"

You walk over to your alarm clock, looking it over. It's a bit dented, but still seems to work. "Well, firstly, you've noticed some things about me. So, let's compare notes in a sense. You already noticed I dodged Flash easier than a roadrunner avoiding a coyote and that my glasses are useless. Besides those changes, push-ups are as easy as breathing for me, so I think I'm stronger."

You show her the clock and put your hand over the same sized indent.

"I can't help but notice that you don't seem to have any problems with your glasses. But, to be honest, I'd be surprised if you /couldn't/ already do what you did to Flash."

Gwen looks surprised. "Ah, you noticed that? Well, the truth is they're fakes." She takes them off and hands them to you. You look through them and see she's telling the truth, handing them back to her.

"See, I don't really care for people paying me attention so I generally make myself look as plain as I can. I don't so make-up or anything like that and I wear baggy clothes and glasses. I'm more concerned with having a good conversation than having people only pay attention to me because I've made myself look pretty. So now that I'm a bit more toned, nobody will notice anyway."

She puts back on the glasses as you think about something. "But, come to think of it, none of the teachers or Harry called me on my glasses. How did you figure it out?"

Gwen look away, clearing her throat. "So, was that everything that's changed with you Peter?"

You swallow, thinking about the implications. "W-wait does that mean t-that you were…"

You trail off as Gwen refuses to look t you as you take a deep breath, not wanting to pursue the topic any further. "W-well okay, anything else? Oh, I do have this weird danger sense, too. It's like a-"

"Buzzing in the back of your head when there's trouble coming?"

You nod dumbly. "Yeah, how did you know?"

She shrugs. "Well, when Flash came charging at me it was a bit of a surprise, but…"

Your mind filled with science now, you scratch at your chin. "Well, honestly, we should see what else we can do now. Set a base line of where we're at and then if nothing like The Fly happens, we can see if it was a one time thing or if the…changes are continuing."

Gwen nods, pulling out a piece of paper. "Good idea, so that was a, what type of spider bit us?"

Recalling the exhibit, you remember the Red-and-Blue spider's empty exhibit. "it was some sort of jumping spider, with other things put into it."

She nods making a note. "Well we should see what he can do. Spiders can normally can climb walls, generally through scapulae, but I haven't noticed any differences on my hands, but it would be fun to check anyway. They can also spin webs and have venomous bites, but I haven't noticed any odd changes in my body other than improved musculature, have you Peter?"

You shake your head as she continues, making more notes. "We also seemed to have improved strength and reaction times, so a baseline for strength would be good, too."

"Anything else you have to add, Peter?"

You freeze at you think about it. Other than looking at your new physique, you didn't look around for anything else, not really.

"I…really didn't think to look, actually. All I know is that I was more fit. Crud. You slide up your sleeves and start looking at your wrists, then your ankles. "What are you doing Peter?"

You glance at Gwen. "Well spiders have spinnerets on their thoraxes because they're legs would better deal with manipulating it. So, more than likely, it would be on an analogous part for us. Like the wrists. But, nothing's different. How about you?"

She pauses and double checks, shaking her head. "No, I'm good, too. So what should we begin testing, Peter?"

You think about something she said. Spiders have the ability to climb walls, so it'd be as easy as trying to climb them, right? Taking off your shoes, you press your hands against the wall and attempt to climb.

"Hey, what are you up to…"

To your surprise, it's working. It is actually working! You're climbing the wall! You stare down at Gwen, who has dropped the pen she's holding as she stares at you in shock. You continue and attach yourself to the ceiling and crawl across it before down the other side, before pressing you hand against the wall and removing it easily.

You feel a slight buzzing in the back of your head as you're grabbed by the shoulders, turned around, and shaken almost painfully by Gwen, who looks both enthused and freaked out.

"Peter, how did you just do that?!"

Focusing on how you did it, it seemed like how you managed to work was.. Intent. You intended to climb the wall, so you adhered to it. So, therefore, if that principle is true…

You reach up a finger to the bridge of Gwen's glasses with the intent to cling to it and pull away, the glasses attached. "It's elementary, my dear Watson. All it requires is the right intent."

She freezes, staring at her glasses before you push them back up and smile at her, pulling away your finger sans glasses. "Are you sure?"

You shrug as best as you can in her grip as you get a good look at her up close. Really, if she was trying not to be pretty, she's failing badly. She lets go and looks at the wall, then back at you.

"I'm going to try, alright?"

She hesitantly unties her shoes before mimicking your earlier motions. One hand after another she climbs the wall, looking amazed as she looks down at you. "Peter, this is amazing. Really, really amazing!"

She climbs down as looks shocked and thrilled. "We should do other tests, like our spider sense or our baseline."

"Spider-sense?"

She looks at you, seemingly embarrassed and a bit anxious. "Well it was a spider that bit us and now it's a new sense so… Spider Sense. Why? Does it sound too kiddy or something?"

You shake your head. "Nah, just didn't think about what to call it. But you're right, we should test things out. Maybe we should start with the baseline, just to make sure we know what we're dealing with and don't accidentally get hurt. Maybe also a blood sample so we have the 'us' of right now to compare future samples to in case of further mutation?"

She nods, putting back on her shoes. "I agree. What should we do first, then? Should we see the limits of how strong we are or how fast we can go- or what?"

"Hmm…"

You ponder things, putting on your shoes, before a mischievous thought overtakes you. "Well, I guess we should try to test the limits of our strength."

Gwen looks at you, seeming somewhat wary. "Peter are you up to something?"

You grin as you quickly move in and pick her up by the waist, easily lifting her up into the air. She flails looking surprised, as she glares down at you as you set her back down. "Well, looks like that test was no good, Gwen, you're as light as a feather!

"Besides, I always figured I was bad at picking up cute girls."

She flushes, heavily embarrassed, as you grin at her. "Y-you…."

You feel your Spider Sense kick in at Gwen gives you a dangerous grin. You swallow nervously as she starts advancing, as you retreat towards the door. "N-now Gwen, what's with that look?"

She grins at you cheerfully. "I don't know what you're talking about Peter."

Your spider sense goes into overdrive as your hand comes into contact with the door. Unlocking it and opening it, you manage to dodge out the door as Gwen grabs at you. Running down the stairs you wave at your aunt and uncle. "Hey Aunt May, Uncle Ben, we'll be back!"

You quickly make for the door as Gwen chases after you from the top of the stairs. "PETER PARKER, YOU COME BACK HERE AND DIE LIKE A MAN!"

Uncle Ben grins at you, giving you a thumbs up as you bail out the front door, Gwen hot on your heels. You start making your way towards the park, chuckling as Gwen tries to catch you.

Well, things could be worse.

END

To Be continued...

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