I’m Not Becoming Spider-Man - Chapter 48: It Bit! (Patreon)

Their encounter with Norma had been nothing more than a brief interruption. After saying goodbye, Peter and Harley returned downstairs. Norma had plenty of work to keep her occupied, after all.

Peter checked the little transparent cup in his pocket. The spider was still inside. Satisfied that it hadn't escaped, he made his way back to Gwen at an unhurried pace.

“Peter, guess what!” Gwen greeted him excitedly. “Dr. Connors offered me an internship. I can't believe how lucky I am!”

The minimum age for employment depended on the laws of each area, but at sixteen a person was already old enough to work, or even join the military.

“I wouldn't call it luck,” Harley said. “You're just that good, Gwen.”

“You should think about your schedule, though,” Peter pointed out. “What about the band? And we're supposed to be working on the school newspaper together every weekend. When will you have time for an internship?”

“Oh my God, I'm going to die...” The reminder made Gwen feel as though her entire schedule was about to collapse. Why did she have so many things to do?

“Come on, let's take a few pictures,” Peter said, producing his camera. “I'll use them to promote the fair in the school newspaper.”

“All right.”

Neither girl saw anything suspicious about the request.

“Stand over here and act like you're looking at the exhibits. I'll take one from behind.” Peter selected a suitable display and lifted the camera as if framing his shot. “Gwen, sweep your hair over to one side. It's getting messy. Harley, move a little farther away from her.”

They followed his directions. With Gwen's hair out of the way, the side of her neck was exposed.

Peter wasted no time. He slipped the little cup from his pocket, checked its occupant, took two quick steps forward, and flicked the spider onto Gwen's neck.

The tiny creature seemed bewildered. Where on earth had it been sent?

Then it saw Peter and immediately prepared to bare its fangs at him again.

Peter pointed first at the spider, then at the girl it was sitting on.

Bite her!

The mutated spider opened its fangs.

Peter smiled and nodded encouragingly.

The spider closed them again.

Peter shook his head, annoyed.

The spider began to open its mouth once more.

Smack!

Something tickled Gwen's neck, and she slapped the spot. “Are we done yet, Peter?”

“Uh... Almost.”

As soon as she lowered her hand, Peter looked for the spider. Where had it gone?!

He hurriedly finished taking the photograph, then searched the area around them. He couldn't find the creature, not even a crushed body.

Had it worked or not?! If the bite hadn't happened, was he supposed to go steal another spider?

“Peter? What are you three doing here instead of staying with the group?” Mary Jane asked from behind him. Cindy was standing beside her.

“Taking promotional pictures for the school newspaper.” Peter held up his camera.

“Well, good luck with that,” Mary Jane replied. “I hope you'll find time to take a couple of pictures of just me later.”

“You'll have to come up with a suitable headline for the newspaper first.”

“You know that's not what I mean...”

“Mary Jane, there are people everywhere. Whatever it is, we can talk at home.”

“Hmph!” She made no attempt to hide her displeasure.

Cindy, standing off to the side, could hardly believe what she was seeing. How had her very own rock queen managed to fall for a country bumpkin like Peter?

Look at him! That boring blue work shirt, those hopelessly old-fashioned glasses, and a hairstyle so ordinary that he'd disappear in a crowd. He was the definition of a nerd.

Was it because he could cook?

All right, Cindy had to admit that Peter was genuinely talented in the kitchen. But good food and high grades weren't nearly enough to make her heart race.

No matter how many beautiful girls gathered around him, she was certain she'd never feel anything for him.

He could go ahead and enjoy all that female attention. One day she'd beat him on the school rankings!

Cindy was feeling quite pleased with that thought when a faint pain pricked her leg.

She'd worn athletic shorts for greater freedom of movement. Looking down, she discovered a little spider biting her exposed skin.

“Aaah!” Cindy shrieked.

“What's wrong?” Everyone turned toward her.

“N-nothing! I'm fine!” The sudden attention made her even more flustered, and she promptly hid behind Mary Jane.

“Well, let's catch up with the rest of the group,” Peter suggested with a shrug. “If we hang around here, they'll be heading home before we know it.”

If the spider was gone, it was gone. He'd done what he could. The rest was up to fate.

As they moved off, Cindy glanced back at the little spider she'd shaken onto the floor. Its large eyes were still trained on her.

She brought her foot down and crushed it.

“Ugh... Wait for me!” she called, hurrying after the others.

A few seconds later, the flattened spider somehow got back up. It scuttled away as though nothing at all had happened.

...

Gwen's life had become almost impossibly busy.

Now that she'd joined the Oscorp internship program, Peter told her to stop worrying about work at the school newspaper and concentrate on her band and her new position instead.

She was embarrassed. She'd only recently promised to help out, and now she already had to back out.

Peter understood perfectly. An internship at Oscorp while she was still in high school would be a tremendous addition to her résumé. With Gwen's exceptional grades, joining the company after university was practically a sure thing.

Then, one day, George came to visit his daughter.

He had been worried about her, to tell the truth. Gwen was living away from home on her own, and although she appeared to have a dependable group of friends, a concerned father couldn't help imagining all the difficulties she might be facing.

He happened to have some free time, so he bought a cake and decided to see how she was doing.

“Oh my God, Dad, what are you doing here? I'm completely swamped!” Gwen exclaimed when she saw him.

“Well, I brought you a cake...”

“Gwen, are you ready yet?” Mary Jane called from the doorway. “Actually, forget it. I'm heading over first. Just don't be late!”

“I'll be right there!” Gwen called back. Still gathering her belongings, she turned to George. “I don't have time right now, Dad. You'll have to wait here.”

“Hey, Gwen! Hold on! You forgot breakfast!” Peter appeared with a paper bag and handed it to her. “Mary Jane's portion is in there too. Don't forget to give it to her.”

“Got it!”

Gwen snatched the bag and rushed out to her band activities.

George stood by the entrance holding his cake, at a complete loss.

“Oh, are you staying for dinner?” Peter asked, emerging from inside and noticing him.

“No, I...”

“It's no trouble. One extra plate and set of utensils, that's all. Sit down. I'll get some fruit.” Peter took the cake, ushered George toward the couch, then added, “You probably should have called before coming. Gwen doesn't really enjoy surprises.”

“Right... Well, she seems to be doing all right,” George admitted.

He'd actually pictured Gwen throwing her arms around him in delight the moment she saw him.

It had been such a long time since they'd met, after all!

Well, a little over a month, perhaps...