16

### Peter's POV

I just got up after last night's fiasco. MJ slept in my room, Gwen and Cindy were with her all night, and I slept in the basement. Suddenly, Gwen rushed inside and said, "Come and WATCH THE NEWS!"

"It's probably about my adventure superhero-ing," I thought as I went upstairs and saw everyone gathered near the TV. I switched it to the morning news and saw MJ, who looked fine now. I said hi to everyone, and they greeted me with a good morning. We all turned our attention to the TV.

"Good morning, everyone. My name is Michael, your host for today's 8 AM News, and today we have one special story to report for you all."

A picture of me bringing people out of the fire, dressed in my Spider-Man suit, appeared on the top right corner of the TV. I had to admit, I looked fantastic. Changing the color of the original Spider-Man suit was a good idea. Good job, me. Although it wasn't for aesthetic reasons that I did it, it actually turned out better than I expected. I wanted to show that I was different, that I'm not like I was in my last life. That...

The blonde news reporter started talking, and they enlarged the picture on the screen.

"A vigilante has appeared in our city of New York. We don't know what his motives are, but he has started helping stop crime all over this city. The pictures you see in front of you are of him helping firefighters rescue people from a burning building down in Manhattan. Thanks to his help, those people are still alive. But that wasn't all he did. Apparently, there have been multiple reports of his activities all over Manhattan and Queens.

I know what you may be asking yourself. How did he appear between those places so fast? And the answer to that question is WEBS! Multiple sightings have been made of him swinging all over the city while shooting webs from his wrists and using them to travel. Where do those webs come from? No one knows.

Now then, we have our lovely reporter, Linda Rose, at the scene, where she talks to the survivors of the burning building, sharing their story with the vigilante. Linda?" the news anchor nodded, finishing his segment.

"Spider-Man," Gwen exclaimed. "It looks like it."

"Hey, show some excitement. It's a real superhero, right girls?" Cindy and MJ chimed in.

"Yeah, Peter. Look how he's shooting webs from his wrists and swinging across the city."

I sighed. "I admit defeat with both my hands up against the three of you."

Gwen made a playful face. "Hmph! Baaah!" Cindy and MJ stuck their tongues out at me, joining in on the fun.

"What else do you think they'll say?" Gwen wondered aloud.

"Do you think they will talk bad about him?" MJ asked, concerned.

"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad," Cindy added, trying to be optimistic.

"I just feel so excited to be on the news!" Gwen said, bouncing with excitement.

"Yeah, I can tell. You're being way too excited and anxious about this," I replied. "Why don't we just listen to what they have to say first?"

While we were talking, a woman appeared on the news in front of the burnt building where I previously was.

"My name is Linda Rose, and today we are here with survivors of this unfortunate incident. With me here are the parents of young children who had the chance to talk with the vigilante. Ma'am, what can you tell us about that vigilante that appeared today and your experience with them?"

The mother smiled as she pulled her two kids close. She spoke into the mic, "Yes, it's thanks to him that I'm able to stand here with my babies. If it wasn't for him, I don't even want to think of what would have happened to these two. If you're watching, Spider-Man, thank you once again."

Gwen scoffed. "Spider-Man? He should have called himself something better."

I argued, "It's a good name. He dresses like a spider, and I can see he has high-tech in his suit that I'd love to get my hands on."

While we were arguing, Cindy and MJ were watching as if it were a drama. I asked them what they thought, and they said, "This is what it should be like, but nowadays, we rarely see this."

"I said I'm working on something big, and it's a surprise. I'll show you when it's complete," I announced.

All the girls joined forces and threatened me, saying I better.

I turned to Uncle Ben and Aunt May for support, but Uncle Ben turned away, saying, "You're on your own. Who said to get three girls?"

The news lady then talked to a couple wrapped in a blanket.

"Hello, sir and miss. Can you tell me your experience with the vigilante today? Is there anything you can share?"

It was the couple I saved on the first floor, who were stuck under the log and rubble. MJ sat up from my shoulder and started to pay close attention to the news, watching them with fascination.

"You seem really interested in this," I remarked, raising a brow.

She turned her head and asked excitedly, "And you're not? They're talking about actual heroes, with powers and secret identities and all that stuff."

"I've known you since we were little. There's no way you have a fascination with heroes and I didn't know about it. Or were you just keeping it a secret that no one was ever supposed to know?" I teased.

MJ got embarrassed. "It's not the superhero part that got me excited. It's the whole powers part. I always wonder how amazing it would be to have powers and fly and things like that."

Her face turned redder. "I also like listening to their different stories," she continued. "I've told you this before, that my dream was always to be a journalist or a reporter. I like discovering the truth and listening to the different perspectives people have on things, like their point of view and stuff."

Seeing her like this, I couldn't help but pat her head. "I think it's wonderful you have a dream and goal to work towards."

Peter just lowered his head. "Because it's nothing really great compared to what you all are doing. Harry wants to work as an environmentalist, Gwen wants to be a biologist/genetics expert, and Cindy wants to be a professional hockey player. I don't really know what you specifically want to do, but I know it's smart. I felt that you guys would look down on it or make fun of it since it isn't as smart or as beneficial to everyone else."

Peter sighed while he brought me closer and leaned his head against mine. "MJ, you've known us for a really long time. Did you really think we would laugh or make fun of something you love or have a passion for?"

I slightly shook my head. "I know you guys won't, but the fear of the possibility is still there."

"MJ, if you truly want to be a journalist/reporter, just know you have my support a hundred and ten percent. It's not going to be easy—no job ever is—but I know you. If anyone can do it, it's you."

I closed my eyes and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Tiger. It means a lot."

"You can stay in my room. I can always stay in the basement, right, Uncle Ben?"

Uncle Ben nodded. "Sure, we will do anything to help."

Gwen said, "MJ, how about you stay with me?"

Cindy added, "I can also help, you know."

Gwen erupted, "THAT PIECE OF SHIT! HOW DARE HE? He deserved every one of those punches. Too bad you stopped. He had what was coming to him." She hugged me tightly. "Right, MJ?"

### MJ's POV

As I sat there, feeling the warmth of Peter and the girls' support, I couldn't help but think about living here with them. I have my mother, who has always been my rock, but the idea of having a monopoly over Peter and the constant love and support from Gwen and Cindy was tempting. Yet, I knew I couldn't just decide without talking to my mother first. She was still at work, unaware of what happened last night. I would reply after discussing everything with her.

### Cindy's POV

I watched the scene unfold, feeling a sense of camaraderie and love for my friends. It wasn't always easy, dealing with my own feelings of jealousy and envy, but moments like this made it all worth it. We were a team, a family, and we would support each other no matter what.

"Peter, do you have anything to say to us?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Peter grinned. "Maybe I do. But you'll have to wait."

We all laughed, feeling a sense of relief and happiness. Despite the challenges we faced, we knew we had each other. And that was enough.

### Peter's POV

As the news segment continued, I felt a sense of pride and fulfillment. Being Spider-Man wasn't just about the powers or the fame. It was about making a difference, helping people, and being there for those who needed me.

"We should do something special after we deal with your father MJ," I suggested. "How about a trip to Central Park? We can have a picnic and just relax for a while."

The girls all agreed, excited about the idea. It had been a while since we had done something fun together, and we all needed a break from the chaos of our lives.