I’m Not Becoming Spider-Man - Chapter 56: The Internship (Patreon)

Peter stood outside the apartment building with a cake in his hand, staring at George, who happened to be carrying a cake of his own.

They had run into each other downstairs. George looked rather embarrassed. He could hardly admit he'd come over again because he was worried about his daughter. It hadn't been that long since his last visit.

Still, he couldn't help it. Without Gwen at home, something always felt missing. Even having nobody to argue with left the aging father feeling strangely lonely.

“Come on up, Uncle George,” Peter offered.

“Sure.”

Once they were upstairs, George looked around but saw no sign of Gwen. “Uh, has she gone to another band practice?”

“Yeah. She'll probably be home late.”

“I really should've come tomorrow.” Once again, George had missed her. But he was too embarrassed to put on a stern face and demand that she tell him exactly when he'd be allowed to visit.

Since Gwen had rented her own place, his home had felt decidedly empty. He had told her she could visit whenever she missed him and promised to keep her room clean. Yet Gwen hadn't gone back even once. Instead, he kept finding excuses to come here.

Between school and the band, Gwen was always busy, and George's work schedule didn't make things any easier. He barely knew how she was doing these days. Was she even eating properly?

“Actually, she might be busy tomorrow too,” Peter said. “She got an internship at Oscorp, and she's starting tomorrow.”

“Sh-she did? She didn't tell me.” George's expression grew worried. “Is it dangerous? Will she be handling sulfuric acid or anything like that?”

“Nothing of the sort.” Peter shook his head. “She's working with Dr. Connors. It'll probably be simple lab work, recording data and things like that. She won't be anywhere near sulfuric acid.”

“I see... But I still worry. You know, Peter, she's just a kid. When I was her age, I was still out playing basketball.”

“I'll make sure she knows you're concerned, Uncle George.”

“No, no! Please don't tell her that.” George hesitated. “Actually, Peter, could you do me a favor and check on her?”

“You mean go with her to Oscorp?”

“Just have a look around, that's all.”

“Of course. That's easy enough.”

“Thanks, Peter. I'm glad she has a dependable friend like you.” George visibly relaxed. Even the creases in his face seemed less pronounced.

“By the way, Uncle George, do you have any hobbies?” Peter asked, studying the lonely man.

“Hobbies?” George scratched his head. He didn't really have any. His life was a cycle of work, rest, and looking after Gwen. Did stopping to buy her something to eat on his way home count?

“Well, we're thinking of going fishing next weekend. Would you like to come?”

“Me?”

“Sure. Just a few of us guys. Me, Harley, and a guy called Thompson. You probably don't know him, but I'll introduce you. He's pretty entertaining.”

“Oh, no, I couldn't...”

“Busy? We're going on the weekend.”

“No, it's just that...”

“Think of it as being our bodyguard,” Peter said. “A bunch of kids going out without adult supervision could be dangerous, you know.” Then he lowered his voice. “Gwen's coming too.”

“Well, in that case... all right.”

They chatted a while longer before George checked the time and headed home. Police work never seemed to leave him alone.

Only after he left did Harley ask, “Since when were we going fishing next weekend?”

“Since just now,” Peter replied. “We've put the comic on hold, so there's time to relax. We can get some material for the school newspaper while we're at it. George looks lonely, and having a responsible adult along isn't a bad idea.”

“I'd say you're responsible enough yourself. Fine, I'll get things ready. Next weekend, right?”

“Right.”

“Oh, and... you promised George you'd go to Oscorp Tower with Gwen?”

“He asked me to look in on her, so I should.” Peter didn't think there was much cause for concern. He could treat it as a chance to say hello to Dr. Connors. “I'll go ask Thompson about fishing. Could you start preparing the vegetables?”

“Of course, Peter.”

Peter headed downstairs. It had been a while since he'd visited Thompson. Football practice meant Flash got up earlier than the rest of them, and he had more training after school. But today was Friday, so he ought to be home.

Peter knocked. A little while later, Thompson opened the door.

“Hey, Flash. We're going fishing next weekend. Want to come?”

“Yeah, I can make it.” Thompson hesitated before adding, “By the way, Peter... about that Batman comic...”

“Oh, we're planning the next installment. Glad you like it.” Flash was one of Batman's biggest fans. He'd bought several copies of each school newspaper issue and even bound the comic pages together himself. “Drawing a new chapter every week is exhausting, though. We're taking a little break.”

“I could help!”

“If you want to.”

“Of course I do!” Thompson beamed. Getting to know the story ahead of everyone else and helping make the comic? That was awesome.

...

Gwen felt as though her body was about to fall apart.

She'd stopped to deal with another group of criminals on her way to band practice, arrived late again, and gotten another lecture from Mary Jane.

Fortunately, her skin had grown thick enough that she could take it.

Her heightened senses were helping, too. Even though she had attended far fewer rehearsals than before, the results were surprisingly good. Their first performance was scheduled for the school's anniversary celebration at the end of the month. So far, it looked like they'd be ready.

And tomorrow she had her internship at Oscorp. One thing after another.

“I'll go with you to Oscorp tomorrow, Gwen.”

After dinner, Peter came to find her while she was resting in her room.

“Huh? Do you have business there?”

“Your dad asked me to check that everything's all right. He's still worried about you.”

“Oh... I hope Dr. Connors won't mind.”

“It'll be fine. If I need to, I'll have a chat with him. Biology isn't my specialty, but I know enough to keep up a conversation. I'm sure we'll get along.”

“Are you sure that's okay?”

“Trust me,” Peter said. “Just get up early tomorrow. I'll drive you over, and I doubt Connors would appreciate you turning up late.”