Morning at Midtown High
The day started like any other at Midtown High. Students rushed to their lockers, catching up with friends and chatting about last night's television shows and social media trends. Peter walked into the building, blending in with the crowd, though his mind raced with thoughts about the strange events that had happened since the bite from the spider.
That spider bite… It's changing me, Peter thought as he navigated the busy hallway. I need to figure this out before I lose control.
He approached his locker, fumbling with the combination. The locker door creaked open, and Peter instinctively reached for his books, but as his hand brushed against them, the stack tipped over and he caught it—mid-air—before even realizing what had happened.
His eyes widened. Okay… That's not normal.
"Hey, Pete!" Ned's voice snapped him out of his daze. His best friend bounded over, practically vibrating with excitement. "You good, man? You seem… distracted."
Peter forced a smile. "Yeah, just tired."
"Well, wake up," Ned said, grinning. "Because I'm not letting you use the 'tired' excuse when you ace the math quiz today. You always do!"
Gym class rolled around, and Peter decided to test his limits discreetly. The students lined up on the basketball court, splitting into teams for a quick game. Peter found himself dribbling the ball across the floor, feeling its weight differently than usual—lighter, faster, almost as though it was responding to his movements.
As Peter positioned himself for a jump shot, he coiled his legs, and before he knew it, he was soaring toward the hoop, far higher than he'd intended. The ball sailed through, and Peter managed to land gracefully, though he nearly stumbled in surprise at his own jump.
"Whoa!" one of his teammates exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "That was crazy, Parker! You been hiding that vertical?"
Peter laughed nervously, shrugging. "Just lucky, I guess."
At lunch, Peter joined Aadi, Maya, Gwen, and Ned at their usual table. The cafeteria was buzzing with noise as trays clattered and students chatted. But the group's focus turned to Peter almost immediately.
"Dude," Ned said, shaking his head, "you've been pulling some serious moves in gym. Like, are we sure you're not secretly Captain America or something?"
Peter choked on his drink, waving his hand. "What? No, no. It's just adrenaline."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Adrenaline doesn't make you jump like LeBron James on steroids, Pete. What's going on?"
Peter glanced at Aadi, whose expression was unreadable but knowing. Does he know? No… He can't know.
"I'm just… having a good day," Peter said, forcing a smile.
"Well, whatever you're doing, it's working," Ned added. "Keep it up, Spider-Dunk."
Evening: Gwen's Transformation
Later that evening, the Stacy household was calm and quiet. Gwen sat cross-legged on her bed, finishing up an assignment, while Maya reclined nearby, scrolling through her phone. The sisters shared the usual, comfortable silence of their evenings.
Reaching into her backpack, Gwen fumbled for her notebook but felt something strange brush against her hand. She yanked it back instinctively, and before she could react, a spider crawled up her wrist and bit her.
"Ow!" Gwen exclaimed, shaking her hand frantically. The spider scurried away, disappearing into the shadows of the room.
"What happened?" Maya asked, sitting up.
"Spider bite," Gwen muttered, inspecting the tiny red mark on her wrist. "That's just what I needed today."
Maya's heart skipped, though she kept her expression neutral. She had known this moment would come—her omniversal insight told her Gwen was destined to become Spider-Gwen. But for now, she played the part of a concerned sister. "You'll be fine. Just clean it and keep an eye on it."
Gwen nodded, brushing it off. But as the night wore on, she felt a strange warmth spreading through her body. Her senses became sharper, her body lighter. She stared at her hand, flexing her fingers as a subtle buzz filled her mind. What's happening to me? she wondered.
As the night deepened, Maya noticed Gwen sitting in the living room, staring at her hands. She approached her sister, sitting beside her on the couch. "You okay?" Maya asked gently. "You've been quiet."
Gwen hesitated, glancing at her wrist. "It's weird. Ever since the bite… I feel different."
"Different how?" Maya asked, her tone calm and curious.
"I don't know," Gwen said, rubbing her temples. "Like… I'm buzzing, inside and out. It doesn't make any sense."
Maya smiled softly, placing a comforting hand on Gwen's shoulder. "Maybe it's nothing, but if it gets worse, let me know. You're not alone, okay?"
Gwen relaxed slightly, nodding. "Thanks, Maya. You're always the calm one."
Maya's smile didn't waver, though her thoughts were racing. The changes have begun. It's only a matter of time now.
To Be Continued
Author's Note
Hey, everyone! This chapter explores Peter's self-discovery and Gwen's first steps toward her future transformation into Spider-Gwen. Maya's subtle, knowing support adds layers to the narrative while keeping her knowledge hidden. Let me know what you think, and don't forget—your reviews and power stones keep this story thriving! See you in the next update! 🚀