Gwen lowered the passenger window. It seemed the air conditioning wasn't working in the truck, and it was a sweltering late spring day on the North Shore. Gwen was moving to the music playing and singing along. Adam glanced at her as they rode along the back highway towards their mysterious destination.
"You like Skillet?"
Gwen smiled.
"I like all music."
"Fair enough."
Gwen leaned her head into the wind and closed her eyes. She loved every minute of this getaway. He turned left. The farmlands gave way to the beginnings of a small town. He passed through it and to a fairground that declared that it was an annual Strawberry Festival. From the dirt parking lot Gwen could see a midway and several large tents and a few buildings. He parked the truck. The pair got out and walked into the festival. The pick-up seemed like it was on the crappier side of the cars in the lot. She smiled at Adam.
"Oh, I see the prince wants to go into town dressed as a commoner."
He shrugged.
"Look, I spend all day, every day being Senator Thomas's son. My family has been wealthy since the eighteen hundreds. We've had a presence on Long Island. Politics. Sometimes it's nice to just be Adam who wants to go to a strawberry festival and win a girl he likes a prize."
Gwen blushed and bumped into him playfully as they walked. She found herself speechless. Adam was just so damn cute. He paid for two all day ride bracelets. Gwen's eyes went wide when she saw funnel cakes with fresh strawberries and ice cream filling.
"I need one of those, maybe three of those."
Adam laughed. He tried to pay but she pulled out her wallet and bought two of them. She handed one to him and kept the other. She sat down on a bench and devoured hers. Adam was barely halfway through his by the time she'd finished. Between mouthfuls he shook his head at her.
"This is a date; You should have let me pay."
Gwen gave him a fake frown.
"Hey, mister I can pay my own way. I'm not looking to be taken care of."
She blushed and smiled then said more quietly.
"Not with money anyway…"
She trailed off. Adam almost choaked on his ice cream and swallowed hard. He managed to finish it without further incident. He offered her his hand. She took it and they walked towards one of the various strawberry displays. One had the history of the festival and the field that it bordered. No one paid either of them much attention. There were lots of other teenagers in attendance. They laughed their way through every single ride they could fit on. As the afternoon wore on the pair drifted closer towards each other as they walked. It was just after six by the time they finished sampling all the different strawberry dishes and types. Riding all the rides. They'd have to leave soon to get back to the estate for the party. Adam was trying to decide which game he would play to try and win a stuffed animal for Gwen. Gwen thought it was cute that he was so indecisive. A group of teenagers noticed them. They seemed to be roughly their age. One of the girls approached Gwen. She appeared to be fifteen or sixteen. Was dressed similarly to Gwen, but where Gwen's tips were pink, the girl's hair was dyed blue on one side, pink on the other.
"Hey!"
Gwen smiled at her.
"Hiya. What's up?"
The girl smiled back.
"I'm Nancy, I love your hair! We haven't seen you two around here before. You new here? Are you going to school here next year?"
Gwen glanced at Adam, who seemed to be too distracted by the choices before him to notice the conversations she was having.
"No, umm, I'm actually from the city. My boyfriend's family has a farm, I'm just up here for the weekend."
Nancy seemed a bit disappointed but then she bounced.
"You know what, it doesn't matter, we're having a bonfire on the north beach tonight. It has a great view of the fireworks. You and your boyfriend should come."
Gwen bit her lower lip.
"Well… his parents are having this family party thing. You know, I'll talk him into it. I think we'd rather be at a beach bonfire than dealing with drunk uncles."
Nancy laughed.
"Yea. Especially if they're creepy drunk uncles. If you just follow the road there and turn on Beach Way, we'll be down from an overlook there. I hope you can come. I'd love to hang out."
Gwen nodded. She waved to Nancy when the latter went back towards her friends. Adam had finally decided on the ring toss game. It did not go as well as he seemed to expect it would. Gwen knew how rigged this sort of thing was from Coney Island. It looked easy, but it was anything but easy, she hadn't tried them since she had developed her powers. He gave up eventually. Gwen wrapped her hand in his and snuggled close.
"Hey, I bet you can I can hang on longer than you can over there at that pull up bar game."
Gwen knew it wasn't even a remotely fair bet.
"Are you serious, even I know how much of a scam that is. They do it all the time in Europe."
Gwen blinked innocently at him.
"Scared I might beat you?"
He laughed.
"Okay, okay what are the stakes on this."
Gwen tapped her chin.
"You win, hmm, I'll kiss you. I win… you let me win you the stuffed animal, and we go to the beach bonfire here tonight."
"That seems a bit one sided. How about if I win, you let me try and play games until I win you something. If you win you do the stuffed animal winning. Either way you kiss me, and we go to whatever this bonfire thing is."
Gwen leaned in and kissed him on the lips. She had meant it to be a simple peck but then their lips met, and the kiss became way more passionate. Their bodies pressed together. She felt how much he liked it through his shorts. She was feeling something similar herself. They had mad chemistry. This was a dangerous road. She felt way more into Adam physically than she ever had with Flash. That one kiss made all of her other kisses before it seem to be pale imitations. They broke their embrace. Adam seemed as stunned as she was. He pointed at the pull up bar challenge. Adam offered up a twenty-dollar bill. Gwen felt like scamming the scam artist. She held up two twenties.
"How about I hold it for five minutes and you pay me double if I can?"
The carnie who looked like a seasoned veteran of the industry laughed.
"You're on."
She winked at Adam who reached up and grabbed the bar. Gwen crouched and jumped up and easily grabbed the bar that wanted to spin in her grip. It was literally as easy as not letting go for her with her wall crawling abilities and superstrength. Adam lasted thirty seconds of slipping and rolling grip. Gwen smiled at the carnie who stared at her in disbelief. When the six-minute mark rolled around she let go and landed on her feet with no trouble. She held out her hand. The carnie shrugged, counted out two hundred dollars.
"Are you a rock climber?"
Gwen nodded.
"I do a lot of climbing."
He laughed.
"Good one, kid. You got me."
Adam shook his head in disbelief. Gwen pulled out one of the twenties and offered it to him.
"Buy yourself something nice."
He laughed at her.
"You totally played me. Damn it. I should have known… So, you climb a lot?"
Gwen shrugged.
"I do, yes."
The pair heard a scream. Their eyes turned towards the Ferris wheel. A little boy was hanging off a bucket and his mother was desperately trying to get him back inside. Gwen didn't really think before she acted. She bolted towards it and parkoured up the wheel trying desperately to reach the child before he fell. She caught him by his wrist. She easily pulled him up and lifted him into the bucket. She'd been going out as Spider-Woman so much she hadn't even thought. She'd just acted on instinct. In fact, she had tried to shoot webs to catch him as she ran. Of course, she had no web shooters. The boy's mother and sister were still screaming. Gwen climbed into the bucket beside the boy. Whom she addressed promptly.
"Arms and legs inside the ride at all times kiddo."
He was only six or seven and just stared up at her. Once the mother realized her son was safe she started thanking Gwen over and over again. Gwen just smiled at her and nodded. She thought how much easier this was with a mask and web shooters, so she didn't have to deal with the… accolades later. When she got off and the ride operator stared at her she just flashed her all day ride pass wristband and walked towards Adam. He stared at her.
"Holy shit. You just saved that kid's life!"
Gwen waved her hand dismissively.
"Whatever, now hmm which stuffed animal am I going to win you. It has to be huge, embarrassing and most of all we need to post it to your social media with the caption, my new girlfriend won me this tonight."
Adam looked back at the Ferris wheel, then the boy Gwen had saved then back to her.
"So, we're just going to ignore the fact you climbed up a sixty-foot-tall Ferris wheel and risked your life to save a random kid?"
He pulled off his baseball cap and rubbed the back of his head.
"You know what, I'm game. Let's do it."
Gwen smiled at him. She spotted the stuffed toy. A giant pink and white teddy bear that was as tall as her. She pointed at it. It was the ring toss game. She walked over pointed at the bear.
"How many rings?"
"Twenty dollars for nine rings, three plays, get them all on, you get that beautiful bear."
Gwen offered a twenty. The woman running the game tried to give the rings to Adam. Gwen intercepted her.
"Oh no, I'm winning it for him."
The woman shrugged and stepped back. Gwen tossed the rings one after another in rapid succession. Her keen eyesight identifying the bottles that would fit the rings. Some were just a little too large. It took her about fifteen seconds. The woman looked at her suspiciously. Gwen blinked innocently. The carnie took a long metal hook and pulled the bear down. Gwen took it.
"Thanks!"
Gwen shoved it at Adam who had some difficulty seeing around the huge thing. She held out her hand.
"Phone please."
Adam blushed, groaned softly and handed her his phone which he unlocked. She took several pictures of him and offered his phone back. She took the bear. Gwen glanced around it and looked over Adam's arm.
"Now, remember, my new girlfriend won me this today."
He sighed and typed it out exactly as she said. He hit the send button. He looked at her.
"I'll need to stop underestimating you. You didn't even hesitate. You just shot up there like lightning."
Gwen shrugged.
"Instinct. If I'd stopped to think of it, I probably would have been too scared."
He shook his head.
"Gwen, I doubt you're afraid of anything."
Gwen laughed and she looked around. She saw a giant pink panther and she pointed.
"I should win you that too."
Adam redirected Gwen's path.
"I think they're wise to you now. Besides I'm not sure where we're going to fit Sammy here."
Gwen blinked at him.
"Sammy?"
He nodded.
"Boy-girl name. It is non-binary."
Gwen leaned against him briefly then they walked towards the truck. He pulled his phone out as they walked.
"I should call them and just tell them we're going to miss the party."
"I don't know your parents well; How will they take it?"
Adam leaned down and stuffed the bear into his truck.
"Let's see how mom takes it. She's the big party person."
He pulled out his cell phone and made a call as he wandered off. Gwen lowered the tailgate and hopped up on it. Her legs dangled off the ground. She saw the mother, daughter and son who had been involved in the Ferris wheel incident. She hoped they wouldn't notice her. Her hopes were dashed when the mother saw her and walked over with her children.
"Oh my god, there you are. Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? You rushed off so quickly."
Gwen shook her head.
"I'm fine."
The woman moved closer.
"I have no idea how to thank you for saving my son."
Gwen held up her hands.
"It was no trouble really. Just doing my part."
Gwen could tell that wasn't enough to appease the woman's guilt just by seeing the look in her eyes. The woman continued.
"I don't even know your name? You look so young."
Gwen shook her head.
"Ma'am, it's not important. Your son is safe, that's what matters."
The woman shook her head.
"You're a hero. People need to know."
Gwen frowned.
"Ma'am, that's a bad idea. Right now, not many people know about it. But when more know, they'll start asking questions, like how did her son even get over the edge. It's alright, we all make mistakes, I know you were on your phone…"
The woman went pale.
"What? No… how did you?"
"I assumed. The same thing police and child services will assume. Right now, no one knows who you are, or who I am, and no one is asking questions… The carnies won't want too much attention, it's bad for business. I'm just trying to keep you from making another mistake."
The woman inched closer all color drained from her face.
"What are you trying to say?"
Gwen lowered her voice.
"Right now, this is a random thing that happened, but one picture, then you admit… then it goes viral. Then next thing you know… people start saying bad things about you. I don't want that for you. You don't want that for you. I didn't do it to be famous I did it because your son was in trouble."
The mother's hand went to her mouth.
"But… it might inspire other people…"
Gwen took the woman's hand.
"I gave you and your family a second chance today. Inspire others with how good a mother you are. Kids need their mom's, trust me I know, mine died."
Gwen released her hand. The woman nodded and moved away quickly ushering her children towards a car the boy looked behind and lifted his hand. Gwen smiled and gave him a small wave. Her head was bopping to a song only she heard in her head when Adam got back from his call. He smiled at her.
"Well, it appears we're off the hook. Mom was sad but understood."
Gwen narrowed her eyes.
"What did you tell her?"
"I told her the date was going well and that if she wants us to date more she'd be better to leave us to our own devices tonight."
Gwen smiled and spread her legs. She motioned him closer. He moved between them, and she kissed him on the lips when he leaned down. He was smiling like an idiot when he stood up. So was she. Sparks flew when their lips met. Gwen didn't know where the future led, but she knew any future with Adam would be a danger to her virtue.
"Well then you need to feed me. I've been known to chew my boyfriends arms off if they starved me too much."
He laughed.
"Fine. There are a lot of good restaurants around, what are you looking for?"
Gwen pondered briefly.
"The portions need to be huge. There has to be meat of some description and I am not getting changed. So, it better be for normal people and not rich idiots."
He nodded.
"Alright, I know a barbeque place. It fits all of that. Hop in."
Gwen grinned and hopped into the passenger side. He backed up and soon they were driving down the highway. Gwen was enjoying the fresh ocean air. The drive was short. The building housing the restaurant didn't look at all inspiring. It was worn and faded. He hopped out. When they got inside Gwen was hit by the most wonderful smell. She closed her eyes and inhaled. It was busier than Gwen expected. One of the waitresses motioned to a booth. She slid into the booth across from Adam.
"You doubted me when you saw the outside didn't you?"
The staff seemed to be run off their feet, so their waitress dropped a couple of menus and went about dropping off some food. Gwen leaned across the table.
"If this food tastes as good as it smells you might need to roll me out to the truck."
Adam laughed and shook his head.
"You are unlike any girl I've ever met."
Gwen picked up her menu she looked at Adam before opening it.
"That's because all the girls you know want to impress you. I don't feel the need. I am who I am, love me or leave me. I tried the whole being the perfect girlfriend for my ex. I felt like an imposter. So, screw that. I tried being the perfect little employee for Obadiah… and… I'm done being what other people want me to be."
Adam smiled at her.
"Never change, Gwen Stacy. That fire in your eyes right now, that is why I wanted to meet you in the first place."
She blushed and opened her menu, half to see what she would order and half to hide her embarrassment at his compliment. The waitress arrived shortly after. Gwen ordered what would constitute a full meal for four people. All of it meat. The waitress looked between the pair skeptically.
"Y'all aren't planning on dining and dashing, are you?"
Gwen pulled out the money she'd won at the Strawberry festival and put it on the table.
"I think that should cover everything we ordered plus a huge tip. Are we good?"
Adam gave her a look. Gwen gave him a look right back.
"What?"
Adam sighed.
"You said I was paying."
The waitress content the pair could pay for what they ordered wandered off. Gwen shrugged.
"I'm not paying; The carnie I outwitted is."
He laughed and nodded.
"I can't believe you said yes."
Gwen smirked.
"I can't believe I said yes either, I mean look at you."
Adam put his hand to his chest in mock indignation.
"Does this usually work for you?"
"I don't know, never tried it before. I'm feeling bratty apparently."
He pointed to the well-defined muscle of her forearm and upper arms.
"Honestly, how much do you work out?"
"I do a lot of parkour, climbing and obstacle courses. Daily in fact."
Adam thanked the waitress when she dropped off their drinks. He took a long pull from his iced tea's straw.
"Hence how you jumped up that Ferris wheel like you do it for a living."
Gwen shrugged and nursed her own drink. She lifted it and held it against her forehead. Then took a sip through the straw.
"Something like that."
The pair fell into silence as their orders arrived. Gwen as usual tore through hers with gusto. He only had to wait a short time for her to finish after he'd finished his. He shook his head in disbelief.
"You know there is this place that has this pizza challenge. Eat an eighteen-inch meat lovers pizza that weighs six pounds in less than an hour. You get it free and a T-shirt. I should take you there sometime."
Gwen nodded.
"That sounds amazing. I love pizza, I love meat."
He shook his head.
"You know most girls would be insulted…"
Gwen started to clean her hands off with a wet nap.
"I eat a lot. I have never made a secret of that. Got a problem with that?"
He held his hands up in surrender.
"That's good, it means we will never have to go to one of those restaurants idiot rich people go to."
The waitress arrived took their plates away. When she came back with the bill Gwen just handed her the stack of twenties. Gwen tugged Adam towards the pick-up.
"Come on, I don't want to miss the fireworks."
Adam laughed as they got in. He shook his head the whole way to the beach. The bonfire was raging when they arrived. Adam looked at Gwen.
"You know, I would have never thought about going to something like this before I met you. I'd be with my parents being the dutiful son."
Gwen motioned him closer. They kissed and once again the world seemed to stand still around them. He grabbed a hoody from behind the seat and tossed it at Gwen.
"In case it gets cold."
Gwen quirked an eyebrow.
"And here I thought if it got cold, I would be wearing you."
Adam blushed. She slid out of the truck and closed the door. The pair walked down the stairs. Nancy noticed Gwen and motioned her over.
"Gwen! You made it."
"I couldn't say no to a bonfire."
Nancy pointed to a cooler.
"Beer's in there but use one of the plastic cups so the cops won't notice."
Gwen nodded; She decided not to drink. She'd never had alcohol before, and she was fairly sure her abilities did not preclude her from getting intoxicated. She looked at Adam.
"Not getting a beer either?"
Adam shook his head.
"Nah, I have to drive."
One of the other teens in attendance tossed them a beach blanket. Gwen spread it out. Adam sat down behind her and spread his legs. She snuggled in between them and leaned back. He wrapped his arms around her, and they both stared into the fire. Gwen let out a sigh of contentment. The first of the fireworks started. She wrapped her fingers around one of Adam's hands. The pair looked up at the sky that was now filled with red, white and blue flashes of light. She squeezed his hand. He held her tighter. As the fireworks show faded from the sky one of the boys surrounding the fire pulled out a guitar and started strumming. Adam looked down at Gwen.
"You should sing."
Gwen shook her head.
"No, I'm a drummer."
Adam looked into her eyes as she lifted her head to look up at him. He gave her cute puppy dog boy eyes.
"Do it for me?"
Gwen rolled her eyes.
"Fine."
Adam grinned. He called out.
"I bet my girlfriend here, that she couldn't make me cry with her singing. Do you know Wicked Game?"
The guy with the guitar smiled.
"Sure, I know that one."
He strummed a few cords of it. Gwen blushed as she looked at Adam who was drinking her in as she stood. Gwen started swaying to the beautiful tones coming off the acoustic guitar. It was a slower version of the song. She closed her eyes, and she thought back to the night she found out her mother had died. Then to Flash's last voicemail. To Uncle Ben looking up at her from her lap as he lay dying. She started to sing as her eyes moistened. She poured all of her hurt into her song. Just like she poured all of her anger into the drums.
"The world was on fire, and no one could save me but you. It's strange what desires will make foolish people do. I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you. And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you. No, I don't wanna fall in love…"
Tears dripped down her cheeks. She could see Adam's eyes getting moist as she finished. She wiped her tears away. She rarely sang in front of anyone. Her singing was personal. Something she didn't like sharing. Everyone around the fire was staring at her. The boy playing the guitar clapped. It broke the spell her sorrowful voice had cast over the group. There were more than a few moist eyes. She slipped in between Adam's legs, and he held her tightly. She felt him kiss the back of her head before whispering to her.
"Thank you. That was almost as beautiful as you are."
Nancy looked at Gwen from across the fire. She smiled. Gwen smiled back. She let her eyes close, and she leaned against Adam. For some reason she felt safe with him.