Chapter 1: A New Beginning Part 1
Peter Parker, a 15-year-old sophomore in high school with glasses and rumpled chocolate-colored hair gazes upon the giant stone and brick-built structure in front of him causing Peter to let out an audible gulp with anxiety starting to corner him. Midtown High School.
"Pete! What're you so worried about? Sophomore year is going to be amazing, what could go wrong?" Peter's best friend, Gwen Stacy says.
Peter looks at his best friend's blonde colored hair, piercing blue eyes, and her usual black headband that she's wearing before shifting his gaze down to Gwen's eyes as some uncomfortable memories begin to flood back into Peter's mind.
"I don't know. Maybe Flash and Kong publicly embarrassing me again, right after I foolishly asked Sally Arvill out on the last day of school last year. Remember that?" Peter exclaims.
"Yeah, I know Pete. I'm sorry, I just wanted us to start the school year off on a good note. Who knows maybe you'll meet a girl who likes you," Gwen hints.
Gwen has known Peter for years now, ever since the 3rd grade when she moved to Queens, just a few blocks away from Peter's house. But ever since the middle of last school year Gwen started to develop feelings for Peter, feelings that she'd never felt before. Intense feelings. If not for her other friends, Liz and MJ, Gwen's only good friend would be Peter. Likewise, Peter is friends with Liz and MJ as well, but nowhere near as close as he is with Gwen. To Peter, Gwen is just his best friend and nothing more.
"Hmmm. I don't know Gwen. I'm with the best girl in town right now, so I think I'll just stick with her," Peter innocently says.
"Thanks Peter," Gwen smiles.
Gwen, although shy, can't stop her cheeks filling with color from Peter's comment. Her heart skips a beat, causing her stomach to fill with butterflies. Nothing makes Gwen feel more at ease, more at calm than being right next to Peter's side.
Inside Midtown High School, Peter and Gwen are met with a series of school counselors who are handing out the school schedules for each student. Peter heads to the student counselor with a sign next to him that reads "Last names K-P", while Gwen makes her way towards the counselor with the sign that reads "Last names R-Z."
"Name?" the counselor asks Peter.
"Uh…Peter Parker."
"Right, Peter. Here's your schedule. Have a great semester, classes start in 5 minutes. Don't be late," the counselor advises.
Peter thanks the counselor, folding the paper schedule up and putting the schedule in the back pocket of his jeans. Peter makes his way down the hallway to meet Gwen who is waiting there for him with his schedule crumpled a little bit in his hand. Just as Peter opens his mouth to speak to Gwen a foot sticks out in Peter's path and before Peter knows it, he's down face first on the floor.
"Hey Parker! Have a nice trip?" Flash bends down to laugh in Peter's face.
Clenching his fists in pain as he strains himself getting up, Peter slowly stands up to see Flash face to face, with Gwen just to Peter's right. Without hesitation, Gwen steps in front of Peter to defend her best friend against Flash Thompson.
"Gwen, don't. It's not worth it," Peter pleads.
Peter softly puts his hand around Gwen's wrist, unconsciously shifting his hand up Gwen's hand to her fingertips. Feeling Peter's hand softly clasped around her wrist makes her heart skip another beat. She didn't want Peter to ever let go, in fact she wanted to hold hands with Peter and never let go.
"Okay," Gwen mumbles with a sheepish smile.
Before anything else can happen, the school bell rings indicating the start of class that both Gwen and Peter are late for.
"See you around, Parker! Welcome back to school," Flash snickers.
Gwen shifts her attention over to Peter, cautiously examining the sweet bruise Peter is now sporting alongside his cheek.
"Pete, you okay? I'm sorry about that," Gwen apologizes.
"I'm fine, what else is new?" Peter says in a flat tone.
"So, since we're both going to be late anyways. What class you got first? I have AP Physics first," Gwen tries to change the subject.
Peter takes out the folded paper schedule he was handed by one of the school counselors just a few minutes ago and Peter looks at his schedule for the first time, with Gwen sneakily trying to catch a peak at what Peter is reading.
AP Physics Rm 1974 Santonio Holmes
AP Chemistry Rm 1988 Janet Van Dyne
History Rm 2043 Roger Harrington
Spanish Rm 1481 Luis Garcia
Lunch
AP Calculus Rm 1522 Rich Peterson
Adv. Computer Science Rm 1610 Sterling Cooper
English Rm 2012 Watson Williams
"Woah what are the odds of that? We're all in the same classes together, even the 3 AP classes. How?" Gwen asks, shocked at the revelation.
"Guess we're just meant to be together," Peter remarks, a subtle smile creeping onto his face.
Gwen blushes again at Peter's comment, not wanting to tear her attention away from Peter's, in her opinion, beautiful brown eyes. Peter and Gwen eventually make their way down the main school hallway near the entrance towards their first classes of the school year. AP Physics class.
Eventually, the two friends find room 1974 where their AP Physics class is located. Peter's anxiety turns repeatedly inside his stomach, added to the fact that he's late to class makes Peter squirm a little bit as he turns the door handle and opens the door into the classroom.
"Ah Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy, you must be our late arrivals. My name is Dr. Holmes. Why don't you go ahead and grab those two seats in the middle of the classroom over there," Dr. Holmes adds.
"Einstein said time was relative, right? Maybe I'm not late, maybe you guys are early," Peter jokes.
Peter's joke causes a few chuckles to be heard throughout the classroom, including Gwen standing right next to him as Peter makes his way over to his seat.
"Mr. Parker, now is not the time for bad jokes, please sit down along with Miss Stacy," Dr. Homes says in a stern tone.
Peter sets his backpack down on the floor as he sits down in his seat, grabbing his notebook out of his backpack. Turning his gaze to the right, Peter spots a cute girl he's never seen before curiously looking in his direction.
"I thought your joke was pretty funny," the girl whispers.
"Oh, thanks. I'm Peter. Peter Parker," Peter blushes.
"Betty. Betty Brant. Are you a sophomore too? I feel like I'm insane for being a sophomore in an AP Physics class," the girl whispers again, trying not to disrupt class.
Peter turns around in his seat to look at Betty, not being able to take his eyes off her. Betty has straight, dark hair flowing down to just beneath her shoulders and brilliant hazel eyes. Betty gently tucks her hair behind her ears nervously, showing off a subtle smile to Peter.
"Yeah, I'm a sophomore too. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks they're insane for being in an AP Physics class," Peter smiles.
"Guess we'll just have to watch out for each other," Betty playfully smiles at Peter.
The two classmates soon turn their attention back to their teacher as their class and the school day continues to drone on. Peter thoroughly enjoys all his classes and is pleasantly surprised to find out that he shares all three of his AP classes with Betty.
After a few days of school have passed it is finally Friday, and classes have ended for the week. Peter and Betty have grown into somewhat close friends as the two of them have several classes together and occasionally talk to each other in the hallways and as they leave school. The weekend is upon the students at Midtown High School, Peter is talking to Gwen outside the school grounds about their weekend plans.
"Pete, Oscorp is having this ginormous showcase on CRISPR and genetics this Saturday night. Do you um… maybe wanna go with me?" Gwen asks.
Gwen's face becomes flushed with the color of embarrassment as she asks Peter this question, they've done tons of stuff together just the two of them. But recently, Gwen's attraction towards Peter has grown more than she realized. Something felt different about Peter, like the universe was about to change his life dramatically. Gwen couldn't shake this feeling, being a little uneasy about it, wanting to spend as much time with Peter as she possibly could.
"Gwen, wait. Are you talking about the super spider experiments that Oscorp has been doing under the radar? Yes, I'd love to go with you. The stuff that Oscorp is doing with the spiders is cutting edge," Peter replies with enthusiasm.
"Thanks Pete. I hope it's okay that it'll just be the two of us," Gwen blushes.
Peter looks back at Gwen with a huge smile on his face thinking about his upcoming trip to Oscorp with her. It'll be good to spend some time with Gwen, Peter hasn't had the chance to spend time with her these past few months since Gwen was in England for a large portion of the summer.
"That's even better Gwen. I doubt Liz and MJ would be into the stuff Oscorp is doing like we are. Plus, you're perfect company. I'm always down to spend more time with you," Peter smiles.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow night then?" Gwen wonders.
"Yeah, of course! Thanks for offering," Peter smiles.
"Oh, there's MJ and Liz! I'll see you tomorrow, Pete. Can't wait to go to Oscorp with you!" Gwen says as she runs off to meet up with her friends.
Not wanting to spend any more time at school, Peter quickly pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks the time. 3:38 PM. Peter decides to walk home from school instead of taking the bus home, not wanting to be in an enclosed space with Flash for any longer than he has to be during school.
The bright autumn sun begins to set in Queens, New York as Peter opens the door to his home only to find his Aunt May and Uncle Ben conversing with one another on the couch in the living room to his left. As the door shuts and locks behind Peter, May and Ben Parker stop conversing with each other and look towards their nephew, Peter.
"Pete, how's the first week of school gone?" Ben asks.
"Ah, it's been alright. I met this really cute girl named Betty, who's in 3 of my classes. Oh, and Gwen invited me to go to Oscorp with her tomorrow night for this super cool super spider science display. Can I go?" Peter answers.
Ben lets out a slight chuckle as he turns his audacious gaze over to his wife, May. May looks at her husband as well before both of Peter's guardians turn their attention back over to their nephew.
"Of course you can go, Peter. You've been talking about the spiders at Oscorp for months and how revolutionary they will be. Have fun with Gwen tomorrow but tell us more about this Betty girl. Do you like her? More than Sally Arvill?" May asks.
Peter nervously looks down at his white sneakers that we wore to school earlier today while thinking of the question his Aunt May asked him. Weirdly enough, his mind shifts to the thought of Gwen Stacy for a moment before thinking about how he feels about Betty. Struggling to get the words out, Peter eventually shifts his gaze over to his uncle and aunt keenly staring at their nephew.
"I-I don't know…maybe?" Peter chuckles nervously to himself.
"Maybe? That sounds like a yes to me," Ben laughs.
Peter's face turns beet red as he tries to drown out the teasing laughter from his aunt and uncle, who have raised Peter ever since his parents died in a plane crash when he was only 5 years old. Peter's mind once again shifts over to his best friend, Gwen Stacy. Confused, Peter simply shakes his head in embarrassment and heads upstairs to his room to be alone with his thoughts for the rest of the evening. At least until dinner time, it's meatloaf night at the Parker residence.
20 hours later, Peter is pacing in his room when he hears a knock at his bedroom door. The start of the weekend on Saturday morning and into the afternoon went by at a snail's pace for Peter. Both Gwendolyne Stacy and Betty Brant were present on his mind throughout the day. He knew why Betty was on his mind. Peter knew at this point that he liked Betty but wasn't sure what to do about it. But Gwen was the big question.
"Why has Gwen been on my mind? It's probably just that I'm excited to go with her to Oscorp today," Peter convinces himself.
Another knock on the door sounds, snapping Peter back to reality from the two girls who have been in his thoughts all day. Peter rushes to open the door, tripping over the leg of his bed frame causing Peter to come crashing down. When he finally opens the door, Peter's brown eyes widen in surprise as Gwen Stacy is there standing at his bedroom door.
"Hi Pete," Gwen smiles.
"Gwen! H-Hi! Been thinking about you," Peter stumbles through his words.
"Ugh why did I say that? Why am I so nervous around Gwen? She's your best friend, you've done things with her thousands of times before. C'mon Pete," Peter tortures himself with his thoughts.
Gwen's smile perks up into a full smile showing off her teeth to Peter as her nostrils flare. Gwen's blue eyes glistening, not with tears, but with surprise and joy at Peter's comment. Her cheeks fill up, flushed with color, as she continues to think about what Peter just said.
"Y-You've been thinking about me?" Gwen blushes.
"Well, yeah. I'm super excited to be with you and go to Oscorp today. You're my best friend, Gwen," Peter responds rather quickly.
Peter gestures his hand towards Gwen, indicating his desire to leave with Gwen towards Oscorp since they'll be taking the bus there. Gwen follows the motion of Peter's hand and heads down the stairs towards the front door where Gwen spots Ben and May Parker.
"Me too, Peter. I'm excited to be with you today, can't wait to get to Oscorp," Gwen blushes.
Peter flashes back a smile at his best friend, while simultaneously saying his goodbyes to his aunt and uncle as Gwen and Peter walk out the door towards the bus station. Gwen can't help but let out a small giggle as she can't believe she is finally getting to spend some alone time with Peter, the man she has a crush on.
The bus slowly lurches to a stop right outside the momentous 107-story building that is Oscorp Industries. Gwen subtly places her hand over Peter's fleece jacket that he's wearing, while looking straight at Peter's eyes.
"Hey, Pete. Thanks for coming with me. I appreciate you," Gwen smiles.
"God, I'm so into Peter, it's not even funny," Gwen laments in her thoughts.
"I appreciate you too, Gwen. This was such an amazing idea," Peter remarks.
Gwen smiles and scooches closer to Peter, laying her head down on his shoulder as people start to depart the bus. As Gwen's head hits Peter's shoulder, Peter can only look down at his best friend and smile. Peter couldn't explain why, but the feeling and visual of Gwen's shoulder was surreal. It just felt good, as if everything was right in the world for once.
Several minutes later, Gwen steps into Oscorp followed by Peter, both of whom gasp in awe at everything on display in front of them. The renowned scientists at Oscorp, Dr. Norman Osborn and Dr. Otto Octavius, step up to the stage to begin talking about what is on display for the event.
Everything from plastic consuming bacteria to cures for genetic diseases were talked about by both scientists. Once their opening speech ended, Gwen and Peter scurried about from display to display, excitedly talking to each other with enthusiasm, until they got to the spider exhibit.
"Hey Pete, look at this. This sign says they introduced several genetic traits from several other species of spiders into one radioactive super spider," Gwen motions to her best friend.
Peter bends his knees a little bit as he reads the same sign that Gwen is still reading, looking at the pictures of the different spiders that were basically combined into this one super spider.
"Wow. They were actually able to incorporate—wow, this is amazing. There are limitless applications to this. Imagine if the gene that allows lizards to regrow lost limbs can be applied to humans. Think of how many people would be able to grow their lost appendages back," Peter explains with some excitement.
Gwen slightly turns her head to gaze into her best friend's eye, full of enthusiasm and wonder for science. Gwen smiles at Peter, admiring that both of them have a love for science before turning her gaze to the display of the radioactive super spider, where all 15 of them are kept. Gwen shifts her eyes from case to case looking at each spider until she gazes reaches the middle box in the 2nd row of spiders. To Gwen's surprise there is not a spider to be found in that specific display case.
"Huh, that's weird…" Gwen mumbles.
"What?" Peter asks, barely hearing what Gwen said.
Not even bothering to look at Peter, her eyes still fixated on the one display case that is missing its super spider, Gwen relays her findings to Peter.
"There's supposed to be 15 of these spiders. There's one missing," Gwen reveals.
"Huh, you're right Gwen. Maybe they just took it back to the laboratory for further research or so—OW!" Peter screams in pain.
Peter's hand immediately swats the back of his neck, hearing a CRUNCH sound as his hand slaps the back of his neck. Peter bring his hand back around to where he can see his hand and is shocked to see the squished and fleshy form of the missing super spider that Gwen just mentioned. Before Gwen or anybody else notices, Peter quickly throws the spider on the ground and puts his foot over it.
"Ow, that hurt. The spider bite will probably just end up being like that bee sting I got last week," Peter says in his thoughts.
"Peter, are you okay?" Gwen asks full of concern in her twinkling baby blue eyes, hearing Peter yelp in pain earlier.
Peter puts his hand back behind his neck to where the radioactive super spider bit him and feels the puncture wound that the spider made.
"Peter. What's wrong?" Gwen asks again, her voice much more sincere and caring this time.
"Sorry, I-I just got bit by a mosquito and it just hurt a lot," Peter lies.
Peter takes a few steps forward until his entire body becomes flushed in perspiration, his mind becoming woozy and dizzy from the spider bite as he stumbles towards a nearby wall completely disoriented. Peter tried to hide his dizziness from Gwen as best he could, but his best friend knew him too well for that to happen.
"Pete. Talk to me, what's wrong?" Gwen asks once again, this time her blue eyes glistening with worry about her best friend.
"I…my head is throbbing. I feel like I'm about to keel over and pass out," Peter admits.
Gwen looks at Peter for only a moment while a million different thoughts run through her head, only wanting the best for Peter.
"Pete, let's get you back home then. It won't be any fun for you if you wander around Oscorp feeling like shit," Gwen says.
"But Gwen, you've been talking about this event for months. I-I don't want to ruin it for you," Peter coughs as he still leans against the wall.
Gwen just looks at Peter and smiles, her mind running amok with thoughts at how much Peter means to her.
"Peter, you're too important to me to ruin a stupid science convention. I care more about you than just hanging around in a silly science center all day. Let's go," Gwen answers.
The ride back to Queens on the bus was quiet, eerily quiet. Peter sits with his head slumped against the window, attempting to get rid of his headache by increasing pressure on the side of his head. Gwen is sitting right beside Peter on the bus, her mind racing a million miles an hour, full of concern and worry for her best friend.
"I hope you feel better soon, Peter" Gwen thinks in her mind as she wraps her arm around Peter to comfort him.
After a few minutes, Gwen realizes that she subconsciously put her arm around Peter and debates pulling her arm back or not. Seconds pass by and eventually minutes pass by as Gwen continues going back and forth before she finally decides to keep her arm around Peter, since he doesn't seem to mind it. Peter didn't know if he dozed off or if he was just that out of it, but when Peter opened his eyes again, he was staring at the bus stop right outside his house. Peter rubs his eyes and groggily stumbles out of the bus onto the sidewalk in front of his house, with Gwen making sure Peter didn't collapse or anything of the sort. A big part of Peter just wanted to collapse under the blankets of his bed and sleep for a week, but he had to get inside his house first for that to happen.
Arriving at his front door with Gwen standing by her best friend, Peter stands and turns around to face Gwen. A part of Gwen, eager to hear what Peter was going to say, wanted to go inside with Peter and help him with anything to make him feel better. But Gwen knows Peter like the back of her hand and knows that Peter is going to crawl under the sheets of his bed as soon as he could to try and sleep off whatever was hurting him.
"Gwen, look I'm sorry we had to leave early because I feel like absolute shit. Let me make it up to you next week," Peter apologizes.
"Peter, it's not your fault. You're more important than Oscorp. Get better soon. Text me when you wake up from the nap you're about to take?" Gwen asks.
Peter, despite looking like a sick dog, with slick, cold sweat running down his face forces a groggy smile to sneak onto his face. Gwen nervously brushes her blonde hair behind her black headband as she awaits Peter's answer, even though she knows that Peter will text her anyways tomorrow.
"Of course," Peter answers.
Note: Hey everyone, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you all enjoyed reading this new take on Spider-Man's origin (Spider-Gwen coming soon as well). But basically this origin story is going to be split into two parts and then we'll have some cool Spider-Man stories after that, but I wanted to start this whole thing anew because I just really didn't like the direction of where my earlier Spectacular Spider-Man story was heading. I hope you all can understand. Now with this series, I'll do my best to make the chapters a little shorter so it won't take me so damn long to upload them and I also have this really cool idea for a Spider-Man crossover that I'm going to work into this story. Stay tuned! Next chapter being uploaded on Friday, finger crossed.