[color=ec008c][/color][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XV1PIyT.jpg?2[/img][/center]

[color=f26522]"So you're not gonna say it back, huh?"[/color] Mary Jane asks as the two of us walk behind Harry and Peter, making sure there's enough of a distance between us so they can't hear what we're talking about.  The four of us are on a double date, leaving a movie. Thankfully, this time there's no horrendous explosion causing me to run of and change into tights. [color=f26522]"I gotta say it's not the move I would have made, but hey, you do you. You're still together so clearly he's cool with it."[/color]

I smile nervously at her, [color=ec008c]"Yea, he seems totally fine about it. Meaning he totally isn't fine with it. But he's doing a really, really good job of hiding that fact. And I've already crushed him hard enough. I feel like if I bring it up or push he's gonna go crazy and all this is really going to blow up. I don't want that to happen, you know? But I also don't know how long we can go on go on like this. It's gonna come to ahead eventually. I dunno."[/color]

[color=f26522]"There are an awful lot of thoughts flowing through that pretty blond head of yours,"[/color] MJ's eyebrows raise as I motor on. [color=f26522]"I know you're smart and all, but not even Peter's brain can work as quick as yours is right now."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Not funny, MJ,"[/color] I shoot back. [color=ec008c]"This is serious. Well, as serious as teenage relationships can be."[/color]

[color=f26522]"Don't trivialize,"[/color] she sticks her tongue out at me. [color=f26522]"You could get hit by a bus tomorrow and it could be your last relationship."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Yea, I don't think that'll happen,"[/color] I scrunch my nose up and shake my head. [color=ec008c]"I dunno. Lately I've been thinking it'd be better if I broke it off now. Before anything bad really went down between the two of us. It might save our friendship."[/color]

She considers what I'm saying, a look of mild shock painted across her face. I know she wants the two of us to work out. I know she just wants us to be happy. Unfortunately MJ often has problems seeing beyond the fact that those two things could be diametrically opposed. Maybe Peter and I aren't meant to be together. Especially considering what Johnny has told me. 

[color=f26522]"Listen, I can't tell you what to do,"[/color] she shrugs after a few moments. [color=f26522]"But if you think that's really for the best, maybe it's not the worst idea in the world. I like the four of us as friends. I definitely don't want to lose that."[/color]

Wow, a level-headed, mature, unselfish response from Mary Jane Watson. Maybe I should be worried about tonight. This is like finding a five leaf clover. Just jumping right over four. That's how amazing it is.

[color=ec008c]"Yea,"[/color] I shake my head, still unsure. "[color=ec008c]I dunno. I have to think about it. Let's catch up to the guys."[/color]

When we come up behind them, Harry is explaining something new at Oscorp to Peter, [color=00746b]"I think you need to get on the robotics project, Pete. Dad says it's definitely going to save the company. Stark, Luthor, and Wayne are circling them for a takeover. At least that what I've been able to assume from how Dad's been talking. I don't know. But the robots! He says they're crazy smart. They're finally gonna put him where he deserves to be."[/color]

Harry has always been proud of his father, as he should be. Norman is a great man, but he's always lived in the shadows of others. The Luthors, Waynes, and Starks of the world have just always been more famous and successful. I can't imagine being a person of Norman's intellect and always seeing others talked about ahead of you. It must be infuriating.

Harry wears his emotions on his shoulder. He always has. So it's easier to see how that affects him. Harry is often bitter about his father's diminished status in the media and scientific community. It may just be his young age, but Harry is desperate for his father to be where he thinks he deserves to be.

If companies really are looking at Oscorp for a takeover, it doesn't bode well for Harry's inferiority complex. If Oscorp gets bought out, he's going to be completely devastated.

[color=0054a6]"I think I'll stick with the healing project,"[/color] Peter throws his arm around his friend. [color=0054a6]"I'd love to be able to find a cure for cancer or something."[/color]

Ugh. Why not stick a knife right in my heart. Peter's been on that ever since my mom died. It's the sweetest thing in the world. My tragedy gave him direction, almost in the same way that Uncle Ben's death gave me mine. Of course Peter didn't give my mom cancer, so it just makes me even shittier. 

Self-loathing is not where I want or need to be right now.

[color=00746b]"Okay, enjoy hanging out with the vermin,"[/color] Harry shrugs back. [color=00746b]"But the robots are totally top of the line. They'll be able to build sky scrapers in months, maybe even weeks. Dad even has them learning using cells from the lab. It's crazy."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"I'm definitely going to have to check this out,"[/color] Peter agrees with him.

[color=ec008c]"Yea, best to have our supergenius ready for when Harry's dad releases Skynet on us,"[/color] I chuckle.

[color=00746b]"Not. Funny. Gwen,"[/color] he glares at me.

[color=ec008c]"Lighten up, Francis,"[/color] I shoot back, my tongue sticking out at him.

[color=f26522]"Yea babe,"[/color] MJ adds in, [color=f26522]"no need to lose it."[/color]

[color=00746b]"Fine, fine,"[/color] he rolls his eyes. [color=00746b]"But don't be surprised when I tell you I told you so. Oscorp is about to be back in a big way!"[/color]

[center]**********[/center]

[color=0054a6]"So that was fun tonight,"[/color] Peter smiles as we reach my door. Mary Jane and Harry have peeled off already, leaving the two of us to go the rest of the way on our own. [color=0054a6]"Even if the movie was kinda crappy."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Seriously,"[/color] I think back to the cinematic turd we just witnessed. [color=ec008c]"Very rarely do I root for the giant shark, but come on Jason Statham. You're better than that."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"Is he though?"[/color] Peter cocks his head to the side.

[color=ec008c]"No. No he is not."[/color]

The two of us laugh as I unlock the door. 

[color=0054a6]"So, one more night of freedom after tonight, huh?"[/color] he says. 

I almost ask what he's talking about, before realizing that, yes, in two days our senior year of high school will have started. A sudden, inescapable sense of dread overtakes me. I thought I had so much time. I thought it was so far in the future. But no, it's here. I'd rather take on the Enforcers and Sandman at the same time.

[color=ec008c]"Yea, crazy that high school is coming to an end,"[/color] I muse. [color=ec008c]"May it burn in hell forever."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"Oh come on,"[/color] he laughs. [color=0054a6]"It's not that bad."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"No, it really is,"[/color] I admonish him. Peter loves school. When you're a super genius like him it makes sense. Not that I'm some slouch or anything. But I'm bored. High school is too easy. Maybe that's why I now prefer to punch giant Russian guys in the face. Just a little more engaging. [color=ec008c]"But college is gonna be awesome."[/color]

I've been looking forward to college since Mom died. It's probably not fair to Dad, but I just want to live life on my own for a while. The problem is, now that I'm New York's resident superhero, I don't know if I can leave. Not that there aren't great schools in the city, of course. But it's not the same as going away.

[color=0054a6]"Yea, I can't wait."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Peter,"[/color] I laugh, [color=ec008c]"you could be there now if you wanted to be."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"I know,"[/color] he smirks and looks down at his feet. [color=0054a6]"But I don't want to go without you guys."[/color]

When he looks up I plant a kiss on him, [color=ec008c]"I wouldn't want that either. Goodnight."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"Goodnight."[/color]

[center]**********[/center]

My phone ringing wakes me from a light sleep. It's only nine, not late at all, especially for me. After Peter left, I just kind of dozed off. I guess after everything I've gone through recently, I need to crash just a little bit.

[color=ec008c]"Hello?"[/color] I answer groggily.

[color=7bcdc8]"Gwen,"[/color] Dad's voice comes over the other end. [color=7bcdc8]"Listen, I just want to let you know I love you, and stay at home."[/color]

Instantly my stomach drops. Something's wrong.

[color=ec008c]"What is it?"[/color]

[color=7bcdc8]"Just...well...the Silk Cartel has started open warfare. The city is chaos. I'm not gonna be home tonight."[/color]

As he explains what's going on, I'm already getting my Spider-Woman suit ready to put on. 

[color=ec008c]"Okay, Dad. Keep safe. Just make sure you come home."[/color]

[color=7bcdc8]"I will, sweetheart. Love you."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"Love you, too, Dad."[/color]

And I'm going to make sure you're safe tonight.