Hey everyone!

This chapter marks a special milestone, and one I had no idea that I would ever reach; this is the twentieth chapter for this story! When I started this collection of tales, I had no idea how popular it would quickly become, and I wanted to thank you all for your continued support of this story!

To mark this milestone, I decided to do something different. Some of you have given me a lot of great chapter suggestions and prompts, and I know you've probably been waiting to see if I would write a chapter based on your idea. So, I've taken some of these prompts and are including them all in this chapter! Basically, I've written a bunch of short stories based on each prompt and I am including them in this singular chapter! See if your suggestion is among one of the lucky few!

Also, if I didn't write about yours, do not despair. It means I probably want to dedicate a whole, singular chapter to your prompt, or am simply waiting for inspiration for that prompt. Know that I care about each of you, and dedicate this chapter to you all.

Story Prompts

Story One - Painful Feedback

For the last time, you can't just eat any of the experiments in Chemistry class, Eddie thought, walking through the halls of his school. I don't care if they look good -

IT WAS GREEN AND BUBBLY, Venom argued back, feeling slightly annoyed that his human friend wouldn't let him drink from the beaker. WE WOULDN'T HAVE LET IT HURT YOU.

We don't know what Earth chemicals would do to you, the teen reminded him, walking into his English class and taking his seat. For all we know it would turn you bright pink!

THAT IS TRUE…

And drinking random chemicals is never a smart thing to do.

FINE. CAN WE HAVE TATER TOTS INSTEAD?

Dude, you gotta learn to branch out a little, Eddie thought, smiling as he took out his notebook. What about… I dunno… lobsters?

He sensed the symbiote's annoyance. YOU ARE MAKING FUN OF US, the alien accused.

No I'm not.

YES YOU ARE! WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EAT LOBSTERS?

People with good taste, maybe?

ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE DON'T HAVE GOOD TASTE?!

Before Eddie could think of a response that would quell the alien's anger, the school's PA speaker squeaked, a loud whine of feedback filling the room and hallways. Immediately, Eddie stiffened, pain racing through his body as his hands shook. The sound, for some reason, seemed deafening, and the young teen clapped his hands over his ears. A few of his classmates gave him confused looks, wondering why he was freaking out over a little bit of feedback.

Venom, what's happening, Eddie thought, unable to hear anything over the speaker's feedback. The symbiote didn't respond, and the teen couldn't even sense the alien in his mind. Seconds later, the feedback stopped; it had only been on for about five seconds, but it had seemed like forever to the teen. He slowly lowered his hands, wondering what had just happened.

ARE YOU ALRIGHT, EDDIE, Venom suddenly asked, startling the teen.

"Venom," he said out loud, realized that his classmates were looking at him, and quickly turned to his notes. What was that? How come that feedback was so loud?

HIGH FREQUENCIES… WE DON'T LIKE HIGH FREQUENCIES, the alien explained, shuffling around the teen's chest. IT HURTS AND MAKES IT HARD FOR US TO STAY BONDED.

Well… good thing it's over now, Edie thought, and he meant it. He knew, however, that feedback would probably be something that came up again, but at least he knew how to deal with it.

AS DO WE, the symbiote agreed, the two of them focusing on the teacher as she started class.

Story Two - A Birthday to Remember

Venom was sleeping peacefully when he sensed Eddie waking up. Usually, the human was tired and disliked being awoken from his sleep, but this morning, the alien noticed that his friend seemed excited. He sensed a strong happiness within the young teen, who jumped out of bed with a smile on his face. The symbiote searched his host's mind, trying to figure out what is going on.

"WHAT IS A BIRTHDAY," Venom asked, poking his head out of the teen's shoulder.

"Hey, V," the teen answered, smiling at him. "You know what birthdays are; I've told you about them before."

"WE KNOW, BUT WHY WOULD THE DAY YOU WERE BORN BE ANYTHING WORTH CELEBRATING," the symbiote asked. "IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAME UP WITH A CURE FOR CANCER."

"Ha ha. Don't you celebrate birthdays on your planet," Eddie asked, starting to get ready for school.

"OF COURSE NOT! WE DO NOT KEEP TRACK OF WHEN WE ARE BORN."

The young human paused, a little surprised by this. He looked at the alien. "So… you don't even know how old you are?"

Venom nodded. "YES."

"Oh… You don't seem that upset about it."

"SHOULD WE BE," the alien asked, moving to the teen's other shoulder.

"I dunno… I guess you shouldn't be." Eddie sighed. "I just can't imagine not knowing about or ever celebrating my birthday."

"WE SEE," Venom replied, searching the young teen's mind for his memories of birthdays. He saw memories of presents, birthday cakes, people singing a song to him. It appeared that Eddie had a lot of fond memories associated with his birthday, and the alien realized that his host was no longer cheery. Realizing it was probably his fault for saying birthdays weren't important, the symbiote decided to make things right.

"WELL, WE WANT A BIRTHDAY TOO," the symbiote announced, poking his head around so he was facing Eddie.

The human looked up with surprise. "You want a birthday," he asked, not sure if he had heard his friend correctly.

"YES. WE LIVE ON EARTH NOW, SO WE NEED TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY TOO. BESIDES, WE WOULD LIKE PRESENTS; ESPECIALLY IF IT'S CHOCOLATE OR TATER TOTS!"

Eddie couldn't help but smile. "Okay. How about… April 14th? It's the day we first met."

"APRIL 14TH?"

"It's okay we don't have to do that," the young teen said quickly. "You can choose whichever day you want if you like -"

"NO… WE LIKE THAT," the alien said, grinning at him. "APRIL 14TH; THAT IS OUR BIRTHDAY NOW."

"Good. Remind me to get you a present," Eddie said, walking over to his window to open the curtains. At this statement the teen suddenly felt Venom flinch, and sensed the alien's fear.

"WE DID NOT GET YOU ANYTHING," the symbiote said. "WE HAVE TO GO TO MRS. CHEN'S -"

"Venom, it's okay," the human assured him. "You don't have to get me anything."

"WE… WE DON'T?"

"Of course not. You didn't know, so I won't expect you to get anything for me."

The alien was relieved, though he still wish he had something to give his friend and host. "OKAY. WILL ANY OF YOUR OTHER FRIENDS GIVE YOU PRESENTS?"

"Probably; we're teens now, so we don't exactly give each other gifts now." Eddie winced. "Actually, I'll be lucky if I can avoid getting any birthday noogies from my teammates."

"BIRTHDAY NOOGIES," Venom asked.

"Yeah. Whenever it's someone's birthday on the Track team, everyone give him a noogie until they reach the number of years he's turning. I'm fourteen now, so they're gonna give me fourteen noogies."

"WE SEE." The symbiote got a sudden idea, an evil grin on his face. "EDDIE, WE JUST OF SOMETHING TO GIVE YOU."

"Really? What is it -" The teen realized what his friend was insinuating. "No, don't you dare -"

"TOO LATE." Venom quickly transformed into his tall and terrifying humanoid form, grabbing the human in a light but strong headlock and beginning to ruffle his hair with his free hand.

"C'mon, Venom, cut it out," Eddie complained, though he was trying not to laugh.

"WE WILL, ONCE WE GET TO FOURTEEN," the alien replied, starting the second noogie. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDDIE!"

"Yeah… happy birthday to me," the young human answered, but he had no malice in his voice. While he may not be having a birthday party this year, at least he had his best friend to hang out with, and even if he had to endure a few noogies, it would be worth it.

Story Three - Grammar Concerns

Mrs. Williams had been teaching eighth grade English for nearly twenty-four years. She loved her job, and was glad that she got to play a part in helping mold young minds. However, there was always one student that struggled more than the others, and this year, that student was Eddie Brock.

The boy was a little different from the other students, keeping to himself most of the time in her class. He was a bright student, and a member of the school newspaper group, but he there was something about him that made Mrs. Williams wonder. Still, he was never late with an assignment, and was a very creative writer.

However, Eddie had a problem with his grammar, mainly when writing. Sometimes, instead of using 'I' when writing in the first-person perspective, he used 'we.' Also, sometimes using 'us' and 'our' instead of the correct grammar for his writing assignments. The teacher also noticed it in his speech, sometime saying 'Sorry we're late' instead of 'Sorry I'm late.' However, these speech slips were rare, and were more visible in his writing.

Mrs. Williams had many talks with Eddie about his writing. She reminded him that if he wanted to be a reporter, he would need to learn now that proper grammar and punctuation were the foundation of all good writing. He had understood, apologized for the poor use of language, and promised to do better. He did do better, with a 'we' only appearing once or twice in every other assignment or so.

Yes, while his grammar was not the best, Mrs. Williams could not deny that Eddie Brock was a special student, and would be a great reporter someday.