Chapter 30: Meet Skia...

(Chimichangas Paluza...)

Mayday Parker entered the Chimichanga place with a heavy heart. The day had been rough; she had missed her dad's birthday celebration due to an unexpected battle with Crazy Eight.

As Spider-Girl, she faced risks her father, Peter and her mother, wished she wouldn't take. She wanted to find some way to make it up to him.

Her eyes scanned the dessert menu, looking for something sweet to lighten the mood at home. Lost in thought, she didn't notice the lone figure at a nearby table, watching her with a quiet interest.

"That cheesecake's pretty good, if you're looking for a recommendation," said the young man, casually leaning back in his chair.

Mayday turned, a bit surprised. "Thanks. I might try that."

The guy introduced himself with a simple, "I'm Grim."

"Mayday," she replied, extending a hand.

Grim seemed like any other teenager, albeit with a slightly sullen demeanour. They struck up a conversation, Grim mentioning he was waiting for someone who didn't seem to be showing up. Mayday offered a sympathetic smile.

Their conversation flowed naturally. Mayday found Grim's laid-back attitude and dry humour somewhat refreshing. He listened intently as she spoke about her life, giving away little about his own.

As they sat down together, Mayday realized she didn't really want to go home just yet, and Grim didn't seem to mind the company.

Suddenly, a commotion outside caught their attention. Two men had snatched an elderly lady's purse and were speeding away in a car.

Without thinking, Mayday rushed outside, only to see the robbers disappearing around the corner.

She cursed under her breath, realizing she didn't have her Spider-Girl costume with her.

....

Meanwhile Grim noticed a young kid on the sidewalk, leisurely eating an ice cream while perched on a sturdy-looking bike. An idea sparked in Grim's mind.

Approaching the kid, Grim asked, "Hey, how much for the bike?"

The kid, looking up with a mischievous glint in his eye, replied, "This old thing? It was my dear sick grandpa's. I couldn't part with it for less than 200 dollars."

Grim raised an eyebrow, countering, "I'll give you 120 and throw in a five-scoop ice cream."

The kid seemed to consider it for a moment before shaking his head. "Nah, make it 300, and you've got a deal."

Grim let out a small laugh. "How about 150 and..." Grim reached into his pocket and took out 5 coupons for five fifty percent of chimichangas." And these coupons."

The kid smirked. "250, and you also buy me a new skateboard."

They went back and forth, the kid proving to be a surprisingly tough negotiator. Grim admired the kid's savvy but was growing impatient.

Finally, Grim sighed and said, "Alright, 250, and I'll keep Σκιά. away."

The kid's eyes narrowed. "Who's Σκιά?

As if on cue, a low growl emanated from the kid's shadow. A widened in terror, his ice cream forgotten as it dropped to the ground.

"250 sounds good," the kid stammered, hastily getting off the bike and stepping away from the menacing shadow.

"Good choice," Grim said calmly, pulling out the cash and handing it to the kid.

The wolf, Skia, retreated back into the shadows, disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared.

The kid, still shaking slightly, took the money and scampered away, not once looking back.

Grim grabbed the bike, a small smirk on his face.

He turned just in time to see Mayday looking around frantically, obviously considering her next move in pursuit of the purse snatchers.

....

Then, she heard the ring of a bicycle bell. Turning, she saw Grim holding a somewhat old, but sturdy-looking bike.

"Mind if I borrow that?" she asked, already calculating if she could catch up to the thieves with her strength.

Grim chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "No need to borrow. Let's go."

Mayday was surprised but hopped on behind him. Grim pedalled with unexpected speed, zipping past startled pedestrians.

Mayday clung tightly, her heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and disbelief at the bike's speed.

They caught up to the robbers just as they were getting cocky about their escape.

Mayday leapt off the bike, quickly taking down the thieves with her agility and strength. Grim watched, an impressed look on his otherwise stoic face.

After handing the robbers over to the police, Mayday and Grim returned the stolen purse to the grateful elderly lady.

"Thanks for the help, Grim," Mayday said as they walked back to the Chimichanga place. "You're pretty fast on that bike."

Grim shrugged nonchalantly. "I get around."

Back at the restaurant, they sat down again, this time with the cheesecake Mayday had originally come for.

"So, you're in school, right?" Grim asked, taking a bite of his cheesecake.

Mayday nodded, a playful grin on her face. "Yeah, the usual teenage circus – homework, tests, and trying not to fall asleep in class."

Grim chuckled. "Sounds thrilling. What subjects do you like?"

"I'm into sports, especially basketball," Mayday said, her eyes lighting up. "And photography! It's like capturing moments, freezing them in time. My dad's really into it too."

"He must be proud," Grim commented.

"Definitely, though he's always cracking these dad jokes. I swear, it's a genetic thing," she laughed. "I might have inherited a bit of his humour."

"And what about outside school? Any hobbies?" Grim inquired, genuinely interested.

Mayday leaned back, thinking. "Well, I do a lot of… let's say, extracurricular activities. Keeps me pretty busy."

Grim raised an eyebrow. "Sounds mysterious."

"It's just... community service, you know? Helping out where I can," Mayday replied, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Grim nodded, sensing there was more to it. "That's pretty cool I guess. It's important to make a difference."

"Yeah, my mom always says that. She's an incredibly outgoing person, always talking to everyone. She can be unintentionally charming, or so I've been told," Mayday shared, a fondness in her voice.

"You seem to have gotten the best of both worlds – your dad's humour and your mom's charm" Grim observed, her body was nice and so was her face, she was a stunner.

Mayday blushed slightly. "I guess so." She said as she checked out Grim, and in her eyes, he was a hottie.

The evening had taken an unexpected turn, but for Mayday, it was a welcome distraction from her earlier troubles.

Grim, usually keeping to himself, found Mayday's company oddly comforting. Her energy was pretty infectious.

They talked for a while longer, sharing stories and laughs. Well, she was the one mostly laughing while Grim just listened.

Eventually, Mayday decided it was time to head home.

She thanked Grim again and promised to return the favour someday.

However, when she got home she chastised herself because she completely forgot to get Grim's number.

....

(Crazy Eight- Picture)