Arachnid: New Spiderman

[Peter's POV]

Uncle Ben and I managed to get most of the work done in a few hours. 

We couldn't completely fix the flooding issue, but I can say that even such an unpleasant task felt fun with Ben's company. 

As for the remaining puddles, I'm sure Aunt May can handle them just fine.

"My father, Richard, and I used to say, 'There's nothing better than a job well done.'" 

Uncle Ben said, tossing me a water bottle.

After taking a sip of the refreshing drink, I finally asked a question that had been nagging at me for a long time.

"Uncle, what was my dad like?"

Suddenly, the happiness that had lit Ben Parker's face just a moment ago was replaced by a shadow.

"Your father loved you and your mom very much, Peter. He was a good man." 

Ben said, his voice quieter than usual.

"I understand, Uncle Ben. Thanks." 

I replied with fake calmness.

"So, what are your plans?" 

Uncle Ben changed the subject.

"Well, there's quite a lot on my plate. First, I got the chance to work with a top-tier journalist at the editorial office. You could say he's a legend and preparing an investigation into a criminal organization, with the leader hiding behind the mask of a respectable businessman and philanthropist."

"That sounds pretty dangerous." 

Uncle Ben said, his brow furrowed.

"Honestly, it is. But I think it's a risk worth taking. Besides, I'm just the photographer on standby."

"That's true too. Moreover, your sudden teenage development definitely will be useful." 

Ben smirked, gesturing to my muscles. 

"I'm sure you'll manage just fine."

"Exactly! Also, a few projects..."

"Is that why you lock yourself in the basement so often at night?"

"That's labs, and yes."

It's so convenient that I can hide my nightly Spider-Man activities behind my "experiments."

"Just don't get too caught up in work, you know. Girls don't like it when they're ignored." 

He winked.

"I know." 

I said, rolling my eyes as I pulled out my phone, "Speaking of which..."

"Good morning, Tiger! The weather outside is practically begging for a walk. Are you in?"

I grinned as I looked at the message from my girlfriend.

"Hey, sleepyhead. It's already noon."

"When I wake up, that's when it's morning. ;). So, about that walk?"

"Get ready, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

"I'll be waiting :)"

"Looks like my day is just getting started. I'm out, Uncle."

"Good luck, Casanova!" 

Without turning around, I wave at the cackling old man.

I run into the lab, checking the projects and chemicals, making sure nothing's going to explode while I'm gone. 

I grabbed my backpack and threw in the suit and web-shooters.

I stood in front of the mirror and saw a strong, handsome guy of average height staring back at me. 

I fix my hair, add a little cologne, and boom! 

I'm ready.

...

I knocked on the door, and within moments, MJ opened it.

"Hey, Pete." 

She said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me.

"Hey, beautiful, tell me the truth—did you peek through the peephole?"

"Maybe just a little. You ready?"

I simply offer her my hand, and we walk down the sidewalk.

"To the park?"

"To the park!"

"So, Mr. Parker, what can you share?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm transferring to Midtown, and school starts soon. I need information."

"You want gossip?"

"I need information!"

"Alright, alright, I'm joking. What exactly do you want to know?"

"Who's who, what kind of groups have formed, what usually happens, and all that."

"Wow! I don't even know where to start. It's a pretty standard school: athletes, nerds, regular students. It's nothing too flashy."

"Very informative, and your group?"

"My group?"

"Clearly, you're no longer a nerd, but for an athlete, you're a bit too..."

"Smart?"

"Pragmatic. You've never really liked that path."

"True, Redhead. There are a few people: first, Harry Osborn. You might remember him; he visited me several times as a kid, so you two might've crossed paths."

"I vaguely remember, but it's a bit fuzzy."

"Then, there's Miles Morales, a cool guy, a bit of a brainiac, a bit of a geek. A good friend."

"Uh-huh."

"And Gwen Stacy. She is the daughter of a cop. She transferred here last year, so I think you two will hit it off."

"Gwen..."

"Whoa, I hear some growling tones of jealousy, kitten?"

"Not at all! And wait, kitten?"

"Since I'm Tiger, you're my kitten."

"Why not Tigress?"

"You can be a Tigress to everyone else, but to me, you're my kitten," 

I whispered in her ear, pulling her waist into a tight lock with my hands.

MJ slightly shivered and blushed, but the romantic moment was interrupted by a loud roar.

"PAARKER!" 

Kenny Kong yelled as he ran towards us across the park, with Gloria Grant struggling to keep up behind him.

"Kenny, you didn't have to be so loud. We clearly interrupted Peter and... sorry, I don't know your name," 

Gloria said apologetically.

"Come on, Gloria, we haven't seen Parker all summer!" 

Kenny laughed, chewing on a hot dog.

"I'm Mary Jane Watson. Nice to meet you." 

MJ extended her hand to Gloria, "Are these your friends, Tiger?"

"Well, you could say that, Mary. The big guy is Kenny Kong. And his charming companion is Gloria Grant. They're my classmates and will be yours in the future."

"Hah! 'Tiger,' you heard that, Gloria? It really suits our Pete." 

Kenny tried to grab me in a headlock and mess up my hair, but I slipped out.

"Careful, King Kong, you'll mess up my hair."

"Kenny, stop it, you're embarrassing us!" 

After scolding Kenny, Gloria continued the conversation, "So, Mary, you transferred to our school?"

"Yeah. I moved here from Boston. I'm living with my aunt. Peter and I are neighbors, and we've known each other since we were kids."

"I see, you two don't just know each other." 

Gloria shot us a sly look, noticing our intertwined fingers.

"Nothing gets past you, Gloria. You ever thought about starting a private detective agency?"

"Don't be rude, Tiger."

"It's just a joke, kitten. So, what brought you to the park on this lovely day? A date, perhaps?"

Judging by the red faces of both Gloria and Kenny, I hit the mark.

"That's nice. Do you want to walk with us?"

"Oh, that's a great suggestion as long as we're not in the way?" 

Of course, their eyes turned to me.

Mary was questioning, while Kenny and Gloria were cautious.

"I don't think I'd turn down the opportunity to have MJ gather information about the school, not just from me."

"Awesome!" 

Mary exclaimed, grabbing Gloria by the arm.

As the girls walked off at a respectful distance, Kenny approached me with an unusually serious expression.

"So, everything's cool?"

"Don't worry about it, Kong. Of course, I won't forget all your screw-ups anytime soon, but maybe the appearance of this beauty is your only chance for my calm and even friendly attitude."

"I hope I won't disappoint you." 

Kenny replied with a smile.

I couldn't help but return a slight smirk.

"I didn't think my opinion mattered that much."

"After what happened with Flash? I really don't want to be in his shoes." 

Kenny raised his hands in an "I give up" gesture.

We both laughed at that.

"Alright, the girls are calling us, let's go, Kongster."

...

The walk turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant. 

I never thought I'd say that Kenny turned out to be quite the fun guy. It must be the positive influence of Gloria.

After the park, we headed to the pizza place. We ordered three pepperoni with mushrooms, two of which Kenny devoured on his own. 

Mary and Gloria got to their favorite pastime: gossiping. To be honest, I was listening just as intently.

The big news of the summer was not everything is peaceful in paradise!

Apparently, there was a huge fight between Flash and Liz in Hawaii. 

The rest was just trivial stuff. 

Sally Avril started dating Randy Robertson.

The school prom has been moved to mid-October this year, and so on and so forth.

"Listen, Mary, after last year, Peter's reputation really grew. If he shows up at the prom with a girl like you, you two have every chance of becoming the king and queen of the school!"

That's an unexpected suggestion.

"I don't know, Gloria. I'm not sure my paperwork will be ready by mid-October. The administration mentioned early November last time."

She had an uncertain look in her emerald eyes in my direction.

"I'll always help with everything."

"Don't worry, MJ, and besides, you don't have to be a student to come with someone from our school."

"That's a matter for later, now let's eat!"

"Kenny, you just ate two pizzas.

"Only two." 

Kong philosophically raised a finger.

"As for the prom, I'm sure there won't be any problems."

I concluded the discussion, grabbing a slice of the remaining pizza.

"You don't mind?"

"Why would I?"

"I didn't think you liked these kinds of events."

"You have to start stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes."

I shrugged and took a bite.

Wow, not bad, I should remember this place.

"Stan's." 

Huh.

...

We had spent quite a long time, and it was already getting to evening, so it was time to wrap things up. 

After saying goodbye to my classmates, we headed home.

"You know, they're actually quite nice."

"Gloria has always been, but Kong's changes must result from her positive influence."

"I couldn't help but notice your slight… tension?"

"I remember, during our date, you said that when you first came, you saw me, and I looked "like a real bookworm."

"You're not upset, are you?"

"Not once. But, as you can understand, a guy like me didn't have a great reputation, and Kong's crew, led by our unbeatable athlete Flash Thompson, loved to mock 'Worthless Parker'."

"Then something must have changed? I noticed a caution in Kenny's eyes as he tried to keep his distance from you. And what about the attempt to grab you?"

"I think it was a desire to relax and just act normal. And don't dodge the question."

She furrowed her brows slightly.

"Of course, Oprah. As Gloria said, my reputation skyrocketed last year. The thing is, I decided to fight back, and it helped."

"Was there a fight?

"More like a beating."

I said with a grim smile, but noticing Mary's slightly frightened look, I quickly added cheerfully, "Of course, afterward, I extended my hand to Flash and offered a truce. It's just that it doesn't happen instantly."

"I get it."

We continued to walk in silence. 

Mary was lost in her thoughts, and I was worried whether I had revealed too much of my "dark" side.

When we reached the Watson house, I kissed Mary goodbye and headed home.

The evening came, and it was time for patrol.

To be continued...