Chapter 218: A Week From Now...

[Third Person's PoV] 

The Next Morning…

Peter sat up in bed, groaning softly as he rubbed his face with his hands. The faint light streaming through the window cast soft shadows across the room, highlighting his disheveled appearance. His voice was muffled by his palms as he muttered, "I'm so freaking pathetic. How could I have possibly ended up sick? Come on, man..."

The words lingered in the still air, but Peter froze mid-thought. A strange, prickling sensation crept down his spine, like an itch he couldn't quite reach. Slowly, he lowered his hands and turned his head sharply toward the window. His brows furrowed in confusion as his gaze scanned the empty space outside.

"What the hell..." Peter muttered, shaking his head before glancing at his watch. He raised it toward his mouth. "Aria… Am I being monitored?"

Aria's holographic form blinked into existence above the watch, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild concern. "Monitored? Uh, yeah? Isn't that, like, my entire job?" she quipped, tilting her head.

Peter shook his head, his tone tinged with unease. "No, not by you. It feels like… someone else is watching me. I can't explain it. It's weird."

Aria's playful demeanor shifted instantly, her expression growing serious. "Give me a second. I'll initiate a perimeter sweep using the Advanced Surveillance Engine. Stand by."

The hologram disappeared, and for the next thirty seconds, the room fell eerily silent. Peter's uneasiness grew with every passing second, his fingers tapping against his blanket. Finally, Aria reappeared, her tiny form looking puzzled.

"No signs of anyone nearby," she reported. "I even considered Kraven, but he's still busy setting up his mansion across town."

Peter frowned, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the headboard. "So, what? I'm just imagining things? No, it feels real... but I can't pinpoint it. It's like... static in my head."

Aria hummed thoughtfully, her tone softer now. "Maybe your body's just overreacting because it's not used to being sick? It's pretty rare for you, after all."

Peter sighed, shaking his head. "That's not it. I feel fine—better than fine, actually. Whatever it is, it's annoying. Keep an eye on me and anyone around me, Aria. High surveillance mode."

Aria saluted with a mischievous grin. "Yes, Father! High surveillance activated! And don't forget—happy recovery!"

Peter snorted, his lips quirking into a smirk. "Thanks, kiddo."

He barely had time to enjoy the banter before he felt a faint presence on the other side of the door. He turned his head and called out, "Come in!"

The door creaked open, revealing Aunt May with her fist half-raised, poised to knock. She lowered her hand with a small smile. "Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling? Need another bowl of chicken soup?" she asked in a sing-song, babying tone.

Peter groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. "Ugh! I'm fine, Aunt May. I'm already recovered!"

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "That quickly? Oh, right." She made exaggerated air quotes. "'Superpowers.'"

Peter squinted at her, deadpan. "Why do you sound almost disappointed?"

Aunt May sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "No reason. It was just... nice having someone to fuss over for once." She turned to leave, pulling the door closed behind her.

"Aunt May," Peter called softly, falling back against the pillows.

She paused, cracking the door open slightly. "Hmm?"

"Thanks… for taking care of me," Peter murmured, his cheeks faintly flushed.

Her warm smile returned. "Anytime, sweetie." With that, she shut the door.

Peter let out a long sigh before throwing off the covers. "Time to get moving," he muttered, heading for the shower to start his day.

---

After School

The rumble of a motorbike engine filled the air as Peter and Gwen waited at a red traffic light. Peter sat behind her, the wind ruffling his hair despite the helmet perched on his head.

"I can't believe people are still moping about Felix leaving," Peter said with a shake of his head, his voice tinged with amusement.

Gwen, who was steering, chuckled softly. "You should've seen it yesterday when the teacher broke the news. Some of the girls were practically in tears."

Peter scoffed, glancing over her shoulder. "Was it the ones who kept glancing back at his seat every five minutes?"

"Yup," Gwen confirmed, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "It's like he's destined to be a player—just like his dad."

Peter puffed out his chest mockingly. "Oi, I didn't choose the harem life. The harem life chose me."

Gwen rolled her eyes, giving him a playful shove with her elbow. "You really have to stop saying that. It's embarrassing."

The light turned green, and they sped off, weaving through the busy streets toward their part-time job. Once they arrived, the pair walked into the building and headed in separate directions. Just before Gwen could disappear down a hallway, Peter called out.

"Hey, I never did ask—what exactly do you work on with Susan?"

Gwen paused, turning back with an eager glint in her eye. "Mostly biology experiments. We're researching potential cures and studying the biological components of various life forms. For example—"

"Already lost interest," Peter interrupted, waving a dismissive hand as he turned to walk away.

Gwen's eyes narrowed. Before Peter could take another step, she launched herself onto his back, locking her arms around his neck and wrapping her legs around his waist.

"UGHHH!!" Peter made a choking sound as he went and tried to pry her arms off, 

"You bastard! What's the whole point of asking me if you were just going to lose interest!" Gwen exclaimed with a pissed off expression. 

"I was joking! I was joking! I'm interested in your biology project! I'm interested in your biology project!" Peter said with a large gargul..

"Finpe! Your scientific study! I'm interested in your scientific study!" Peter gasped, finally managing to pry her arms apart.

Hearing the commotion from the lab, Reed, Ben, and Susan exchanged curious glances before stepping out to investigate. The sight that greeted them was, to say the least, amusing: Gwen choking Peter out with a pissed off expression. 

Susan smirked, crossing her arms. "What did you do this time, Peter?"

Gwen didn't miss a beat. "This idiot right here," she said, tightening her hold slightly to make Peter squirm more, "asked me what I was working on. He acted all curious, so I started explaining. Halfway through, he turns around and says he lost interest! Can you believe him?"

The three exchanged knowing glances, their expressions a mix of exasperation and amusement. Reed shook his head, sighing. "Peter, you really don't know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?" He turned to walk away, waving dismissively. "Just don't get blood on my lab floor."

"Traitor!" Peter gurgled dramatically, flailing toward Reed's retreating back. "I thought we were bros! Don't leave me here with this monster!"

Ben chuckled, crossing his massive arms. "Kid, you're only digging yourself deeper. Best to just ride it out." He, too, turned away.

Susan rolled her eyes, still watching the two of them. "Alright, you two, that's enough. Drop the act."

"Aww," both Peter and Gwen groaned in unison as Gwen reluctantly released him, hopping off his back. Peter straightened up, rubbing his neck while grinning sheepishly.

Susan tilted her head, amused. "It's good to see you're feeling better, Peter. Gwen told us you were sick yesterday. You should've seen her—she couldn't even focus on her work."

"Susan!" Gwen exclaimed, her face flushing as she spun around to hide her embarrassment.

Peter chuckled softly, his smile growing warmer as he glanced at Gwen. "Well, I didn't know I worried you that much. Thanks."

Gwen huffed, muttering something unintelligible, before walking briskly toward her workstation.

Peter watched her go before turning back to Susan. "Hey, where's Johnny? I'd have thought he'd be the first one here" 

Susan sighed, running a hand through her hair. "He's out. On a date."

Peter snorted. "Of course he is." He stretched, turning toward Reed and Ben. "Well, I guess I'd better get to work."

---

As Peter entered the portal lab, his eyes widened at the sight of the towering structure dominating the room. The portal was massive, nearly reaching the high ceiling, with intricate cables snaking outward like a mechanical web. 

"It just looks absolutely beautiful…" Peter sighed as he put a hand by his chest while looking up towards it. 

Reeds chuckled, "I know what you mean, our work these past few months are coming into fruition I can't be any more excited" 

"Do you guys know when we're going to be finished with it?" Ben asked curiously. 

Peter and Reeds looked at each other with a grin, "Next Week" They both said a little giddy. 

Peter started pressing his fingers together as he asked, "Hey do you mind if some of my friends come and watch it together" 

"Hm?" Reeds asked with a raised brow, only to see Peter behave like a kid asking his parents for permission to invite his friends over to sleep over. 

Only for Reeds to realize that Peter was in fact still a kid, having been working with Peter and seeing how smart he is had made Reeds forget Peter's actual age. 

Reeds rubbed his chin slightly, "How many and how much do you trust them?" 

Peter's face turned serious as he held up 4 fingers, "I trust them with my life" Peter said without hesitation. 

"They're Gwen's and I best friends, I wanted to show them what we've been working so hard on…" Peter said, rubbing the back of his neck slightly. 

Reed's eyes then widened in realization slightly, "Well this achievement is as good as yours as it is mine, I know that if I was in your position I would have wanted Ben, Johnny, and Susan to witness it as well. So sure you can invite your friends to come and witness the Portals first activation process" 

Peter pumped his fist excitedly, "Yes!" Peter exclaimed before nodding graciously, "Thank you" 

Reeds chuckled as he patted Peter's shoulders "You have nothing to thank me for, now let's go and add the finishing touches. We don't want to lag behind in our estimation" 

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