Well, 'Fish Cheeks' isn't a novel. It could be a piece of creative non-fiction or a memoir perhaps. But it doesn't have the length and structure of a novel.
I'm not sure who Sandy specifically is without more context. She could be an ordinary person with an interesting life story, or perhaps a character in a fictional work that has been made into an audio story.
Another aspect is the reaction of the other characters. His friends like Ned and MJ, or even Aunt May, have to deal with this new situation. They might have to protect him, or figure out a way to bring him back. It often leads to some really interesting character development for them as well. In a lot of these fics, Ned shows his loyalty and intelligence in trying to solve the mystery of Peter's hibernation.
One success story could be a young man who initially had a patchy beard on his cheeks. He started using beard growth oils regularly. After a few months, the patches filled in nicely. He also made sure to maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins like biotin which is known to promote hair growth.
Yes, it is. 'Fish Cheeks' has the characteristics of a short story, such as a narrow scope, a single main conflict, and a relatively short narrative length to deliver its core idea effectively.