Chapter 63: Homecoming Dance

"Today, we received a rather shocking letter from a listener who told me: 'Jonathan, this morning, besides Spider-Man, I also saw another Spider-Man. It definitely wasn't my mistake, because it was a female Spider-Woman in a black suit. She wasn't wearing a mask, only a red bandana.' "

The radio in George Stacy's old car crackled with static, followed by JJJ's deep, almost despairing sigh. George couldn't help but chuckle, tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. "Good heavens, I've never heard him so dejected—it's like the end of the world for him."

Gwen, in her white dress, looked at Peter beside her and asked, word for word, "Another Spider-Man? A girl?"

"Uh, who knows? Maybe it's true."

Peter loosened the collar of his suit; he rarely wore such formal attire. "You'd have to ask Spider-Man about that. He should know best."

"Yeah, if I get the chance, I will ask." Gwen then stood up, leaned forward, and peered at the driver's seat: "Dad, if you see Spider-Man, can you ask him for me?"

"I haven't seen Spider-Man much these past few days. It seems like he's been less active since he got his new uniform. Or maybe it's just because New York has been relatively peaceful lately, with nothing much going on." At the intersection, George stopped the car, waiting for the red light, his fingers tapping the steering wheel as he listened to Jonah continue speaking in a deeply despondent tone.

"Our city has been chaotic ever since Spider-Man appeared. Now someone tells me there's more than one of these pests? Alright, from the description, this Spider-Woman—let's call her that for now—isn't a masked criminal like Spider-Man. At least she only wore a bandana. Of course, we've seen criminals with bandanas before..."

This might have been Jonah Jameson's most terrible day, but it could also be Peter Parker's, because ever since hearing that news, Gwen's gaze hadn't really left him.

"Alright, kids, we're at school. I don't know why you wanted to miss the entire daytime homecoming activities, but that's fine. These kids are getting more out of hand these days, just be back early tonight."

George dropped them off at the entrance of Midtown School. In the distance, the Empire State Building glittered with a dazzling array of colorful lights. Peter nodded his thanks and got out of the car. Gwen didn't get out; she just sat in the car, watching him. Peter smiled, then opened the car door on her side and extended his hand. Gwen smiled, took Peter's hand, and got out of the car, then waved goodbye to George.

Watching her dad's car drive away, Gwen finally let out a relaxed sigh.

"You have no idea how awful I felt when I heard my dad was driving us. I even changed into a white dress."

"I... won't ask what you originally planned to wear."

Peter let out a long breath: "Just a heads-up, I can't dance."

Peter felt a subtle unease, not that there was any danger, but his spider-sense was giving him strange, pure sensations.

It probably wasn't a big deal.

"Don't worry, smarty-pants." Gwen had already anticipated Peter's inability to dance: "This isn't some formal ball. Everyone just wants to have fun. Besides, you have me. Just try not to step on my feet. Easy for Spider-Man, right?"

"No problem at all."

"Then—" Walking down the hallway decorated with various streamers, banners, and fairy lights, and confirming no one was around, Gwen looked at Peter: "What's this about the other Spider-Girl?"

"The spider that bit me also bit someone else. Her name is Cindy Moon, and we just met these past two days because... of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrangements."

The average American citizen didn't have much impression of S.H.I.E.L.D. This wasn't because S.H.I.E.L.D. was intentionally secretive, but because ordinary people simply didn't interact with them. Gwen didn't know what kind of organization it was, but she realized it must be an official agency.

"And this morning, when we were dealing with Mysterio, she helped a lot."

Peter tried to make the whole story as simple as possible. Gwen nodded, showing little expression: "So, besides work, you don't have any other interactions?"

That question really stumped Peter.

So Gwen looked at the speechless Peter Parker, tilting her head curiously.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. arranged for her to transfer to our school next week." Peter finally shifted the blame to S.H.I.E.L.D.: "It's hard to say after that, since we'll be classmates."

"Mmm-hmm?" Gwen raised an eyebrow, but after thinking for a moment, she didn't ask, "Is she pretty?" Instead, she asked another question.

"Then could you introduce me? I'd really like to meet this Spider-Woman."

Her codename is actually Silk.

Peter didn't say that out loud either.

The two walked into the classroom. By now, Harry and Liz were already chatting and laughing. Harry had finally chosen a suit that was, well, quite old-fashioned, but at least Liz didn't seem to mind.

"I didn't even know they were dating."

Gwen looked at Liz with a slight curiosity. Peter vaguely replied, "I just found out too," as he looked around. He saw Betty, who was always on the school TV station. Next to her was Flash Thompson. Peter hadn't known they had a connection either.

However, someone seemed to be missing.

"Are all your friends here?"

"MJ turned down several people who invited her, and it seemed like too many people invited her, so she just decided not to come." Gwen released his hand: "I'm going to say hi to a few friends. Don't disappear on me."

"I wouldn't just disappear."

Peter nodded. He also saw Jessica, an upperclassman. She wasn't with anyone else, and she was even wearing her Sherlock Holmes outfit. It was clear she really liked Sherlock Holmes, to wear it all the time.

"Hey, man."

A hand rested on Peter's shoulder. Peter had heard footsteps earlier, but since his spider-sense hadn't reacted, he hadn't turned around. Only now did he realize that it was Flash Thompson who was patting his shoulder.

"Dude, I heard you called me Flash during the game last night. That's a good name. Now everyone knows Flash Thompson, haha."

"I don't really know much about football, I just thought you ran fast."

Peter said as amiably as possible: "And your Spider-Man cosplay, I can tell you put a lot of effort into it, it's really good."

"Haha, bro, good taste!" Thompson slapped him on the shoulder: "If anyone gives you trouble at school, just come find me."

What could Peter do? He just smiled and nodded in agreement.

After Thompson left, the dance was about to begin. He heard Gwen call his name, but as he took one step, intense pain stimulated his brain, and images appeared before him from nowhere.

The spider with "42" drawn on its back, tearing at the Web of Destiny.

Peter stumbled and leaned against the wall. Gwen quickly ran over.

"Are you okay?"

"Just a little tired, nothing serious."

Peter, who probably understood what had happened, sighed.

He really hadn't had a moment's rest these past two weeks.