Spider-Man - Chapter 7: Three's a Crowd... (Patreon)

"Mm-hmm. Hello, Gwen. I'm Mary Jane Watson." Ignoring Peter's introduction, Mary Jane introduced herself and gave the girl in front of her a thorough once-over.

Gwen had short, shimmering golden hair, wore a hoodie, and had a pretty face. But she also radiated a distinct keep-your-distance air. Mary Jane couldn't imagine how Peter had managed to hit it off with her.

"Hi," Gwen replied. She had a bad feeling about this. For some reason, she could sense that the other girl was hostile toward her.

"So, Mary Jane, have you found a club you like?" Peter cut in quickly when he noticed the atmosphere turning awkward.

"The school must have a drama club or something like it. You want to be an actress, don't you? That sounds perfect for you," he added.

"It does sound good, but there are too many rules. I don't like that." Mary Jane answered him, then stepped into the newspaper club's tent.

"Oh, hello, Mary Jane! Interested in joining our club?" the upperclasswoman asked enthusiastically. "The work is easy, there's a little money in it, and our school publication has been running for years. You might even get to meet some celebrities!"

She had pinpointed exactly what would appeal to Mary Jane.

"Hmm. What do you think, Peter? Should I join?" Mary Jane turned toward him, her fiery red curls falling around her shoulders.

"That's your decision." Peter could only sigh.

"But I do hope you'll think about it carefully..."

"Then I'll join." Mary Jane filled out the application and handed it to the senior. "There aren't any rules about what kind of music members are allowed to like, are there?"

"Of course not. That's a matter of personal freedom. Why do you ask?"

"I'm thinking of starting a rock band. What do you think, Peter?" Mary Jane asked again.

"If that's what makes you happy."

"You can't just say that, Peter. My band still needs a drummer, and I think... you'd be perfect." She edged closer and bent forward until her face was near his.

"I can't play the drums," Peter replied flatly.

"You learn everything so quickly. I'm sure you can manage. Besides, the rest of us are beginners too. We can all learn together, can't we, Peter?" Her voice softened. "I need you, Peter."

"Looking for a drummer? Maybe I can help." Gwen stepped between them. She could tell Mary Jane was putting pressure on Peter, almost as though she might do something if he refused.

Peter had rescued Gwen from an awkward situation a moment ago. Now it was her turn to help him.

"..." Mary Jane hadn't expected Gwen to stand up for Peter, and her opinion of the girl sank another notch.

Were they really just friends who'd met a few days ago?

Perhaps she should check Peter's letters. For all she knew, they had been exchanging them for ages, and this pen pal had swooped in while Mary Jane was being kept at a distance.

Should she drive Gwen away? But Peter had only recently started warming to her again. Maybe that would be moving too quickly.

Mary Jane couldn't openly admit she disliked Gwen, so she settled for asking, "Can you actually do it? Being a drummer isn't as simple as listening to a couple of songs. I don't want my band ruined."

Peter rolled his eyes. She certainly wasn't holding Gwen to the same standard she'd applied to him.

Gwen had only intended to get Peter out of trouble, but Mary Jane's challenge had roused her temper. Her musical taste and talent weren't something she was willing to have questioned.

She took a step forward until she was face-to-face with Mary Jane. "Then let's try it. I promise I'll play the drums hard enough to blow your eardrums out."

"..." Peter covered his face with a hand. What was happening? How had two of his friends ended up arguing so fiercely?

"Gwen did mention that music is her thing and that she's planning to join a band, didn't she?" the upperclasswoman interjected, looking from one girl to the other. A fight breaking out at the recruitment fair was the last thing she wanted.

"Ha! Then we'll start rehearsing this weekend. Don't be late." Hearing the senior confirm Gwen's interest, Mary Jane realized the offer might not be an empty challenge. Her tone softened slightly. "I'm looking forward to hearing that explosive drumming of yours."

Mary Jane apparently had other business to attend to. In fact, it seemed she'd come over just to see Peter. Before leaving, she asked, "Can I still come over tonight, Peter?"

Peter sighed. "Of course you're welcome."

Once she'd gone, Gwen turned to him. "Peter. Just friends?"

What kind of friend talked like that?

"She's my neighbor. She lives right next door, and she's been clinging to me since we were kids."

"Then I feel sorry for you." Gwen shrugged. Even after their brief first meeting, she could tell Mary Jane was bossy and self-centered. Still, calling her a bad person wouldn't be entirely fair. She'd seemed a little gentler once she believed Gwen genuinely cared about music.

"It's not that bad anymore. You haven't seen her at her worst." Finally finding someone willing to listen, Peter let his complaints spill out. "She was impossible. Always demanding that everything be done her way, always trying to control what everyone around her did..."

He went on for a while, and Gwen listened, nodding along.

Then Peter stopped abruptly and sighed. "Sorry. Forget everything I just said, Gwen. I shouldn't have told you any of that."

"Huh?" Gwen blinked, bewildered by his sudden change of heart.

"I'll explain why sometime, but not now. Once you know the whole story, I think you'll understand her."

Mary Jane had grown up in a poor, broken home. She had learned to be tough, even domineering, because she couldn't afford to show weakness or give anyone a reason to look down on her. Holding her head high was how she concealed the pain and insecurity left by a childhood without a mother's love.

"..." Gwen nodded. Apparently this was more complicated than she'd thought.

"Anyway, can Mary Jane really join the newspaper club if she's putting together a band?" Peter asked. He was hoping to find a way to keep her out. He didn't need that little redheaded kitten following him around whenever he went out to take photographs.

"Of course she can. The band's a private group, so it doesn't conflict with us. As long as she manages her time, there won't be any problem," the senior answered.

The band had nothing to do with the newspaper club, after all. Provided Mary Jane fulfilled her club duties, there was no reason to object.

"Oh, and Gwen, how about joining us too?" the upperclasswoman asked again.

"Uh... I don't think..."

"Look, Peter's here, and Mary Jane's here. It'll be lively! And when we go out to take pictures, it's easier to work with people you know." The senior continued coaxing her.

"O-okay..." Gwen scratched her head, unsure how it had happened, and somehow agreed to join the newspaper club after all.

The upperclasswoman looked extremely pleased with herself. Everything had gone exactly as planned.

Three new members this year. Not bad at all.