I'm working on Marvel's Spider-Man in American comics.

Chapter 64 Homecoming Dance

“Today we received a very shocking letter from a viewer who told me: ‘Jonathan, this morning besides Spider-Man, I saw another Spider-Man. It must not be my imagination, because it was a female Spider-Man in a black suit. She wasn’t wearing a mask, just a red face covering.’”

A faint static crackled from the radio in George Stacy's old car, followed by a deep, almost desperate sigh from JJJ. George couldn't help but laugh, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel. "My God, I've never heard him so depressed—it's like the end of the world."

Gwen, dressed in a white gown, looked at Peter sitting beside her and asked, slowly and deliberately, "Another Spider-Man? A girl?"

"Well, who knows? Maybe there really is such a thing."

Peter loosened the collar of his suit; he rarely wore such a formal suit. "You should ask Spider-Man about this; he should know the most."

“Yes, if I get the chance, I’ll ask him.” Gwen finished speaking, stood up, leaned forward, and approached the driver’s seat: “Dad, when you meet Spider-Man, could 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 changed into his new suit. Or maybe it’s because New York has been relatively calm lately, with nothing much happening.” At the intersection, George stopped his car and waited for the red light, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he listened to Jonah continue speaking in a very desperate tone.

"Our city has been in chaos ever since Spider-Man appeared, and now someone's telling me there's more than one of these pests? Well, judging from the description, this Spider-Woman—let's call her that for now—isn't a masked criminal like Spider-Man. At least she's only wearing a mask. Of course, we've seen masked criminals before..."

This could be Jonah Jameson's worst day, but it could also be Peter Parker's, because Gwen's eyes have been practically glued to him ever since she heard the news.

"Alright, kids, we're at school. I don't know why you're missing a whole day of back-to-school activities, but it's fine this way. These kids are getting more and more unruly these days. Come back early tonight."

George drove them to the main gate of Midtown High School, where the Empire State Building was flashing its colorful lights in the distance. Peter nodded and thanked him before getting out of the car, while Gwen remained inside, watching him. Peter smiled, then opened the other door and extended his hand to her. Gwen smiled, took Peter's hand, and got out of the car, then waved goodbye to George.

Gwen finally breathed a sigh of relief as she watched her father's car drive away.

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

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

Peter breathed a sigh of relief: "Just so you know, I can't dance."

Peter sensed something was off. It wasn't that there was any danger, but his spider-sense was acting strangely—just a feeling, nothing more.

It shouldn't be a big deal.

“Don’t worry, smart kid.” Gwen had expected Peter couldn’t dance. “It’s not a proper dance party, everyone just needs to have fun. Besides, I’m here. Just don’t step on my feet, that’s easy for Spider-Man, right?”

"It's not difficult."

“So—” Walking down the corridor decorated with all sorts of colorful ribbons, banners, and little light bulbs, Gwen looked at Peter after making sure there was no one around: “What’s the deal with that Spider Girl?”

"The spider that bit me also bit someone else. Her name is Cindy Moon. We only met a couple of days ago because of... S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrangement."

The average American has little recollection of S.H.I.E.L.D., not because S.H.I.E.L.D. is deliberately keeping it secret, but because ordinary people have little interaction with them. Gwen didn't know what kind of organization it was either, but she realized it must be an official force.

"And she was a great help in dealing with Mysterio this morning."

Peter tried to keep the whole thing simple, and Gwen nodded without much reaction: "So, you two don't have any interaction outside of work?"

This question really stumped Peter.

Gwen looked at the silent Peter Parker and tilted her head curiously.

“S.H.I.E.L.D. has arranged for her to transfer to our school next week.” Peter finally shifted the blame to S.H.I.E.L.D.: “After that, it’s hard to say what will happen, since we’ll be classmates.”

"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 help introduce her? I'd really like to meet this Spider-Woman."

Her actual code name is Spider Silk.

Peter didn't say those words aloud.

The two walked into the classroom. By this time, Harry and Liz were already chatting and laughing. Harry finally chose a suit, which, to put it simply, was quite old-fashioned, but at least Liz didn't have any objections.

"I had no idea they were dating."

Gwen looked at Liz with a hint of curiosity. Peter vaguely replied, "I just found out too." Looking around, he saw Betty, who was always appearing on the school's television station, standing next to her was Lightning Thompson. Peter didn't know that they were also related.

However, it seems that one person is missing.

"It seems not all of your friends have come?"

“MJ turned down several invitations, and it seems like there were too many, so she simply decided not to come.” Gwen let go of her hand: “I’m going to say hello to a few friends. Don’t disappear.”

"I won't just suddenly disappear."

Peter nodded. He also saw Jessica, who was all alone. She was even wearing the Sherlock Holmes outfit, which showed how much she loved Holmes, as she wore it all the time.

"Hey guy."

A hand landed on Peter's shoulder. Peter had heard the footsteps earlier, but because his spider-sense didn't react, he didn't turn around. Only then did he realize that the person patting his shoulder was none other than Lightning Thompson.

"Hey buddy, I heard you called me 'Lightning' when you were watching the game last night. That's a good name. Now everyone knows 'Lightning Thompson,' haha."

"I don't really know much about rugby, I just think you run very fast."

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

"Haha, bro, that's classy!" Thompson patted him on the shoulder: "If anyone in school gives you trouble in the future, come find me."

What could Peter do? He could only smile and nod in agreement.

After Thompson left, the ball was about to begin. He heard Gwen calling his name, but as soon as he took a step, intense pain stimulated his brain, and images from who-knows-where appeared before him.

The spider with the number 42 drawn on its back is tearing at the web of fate.

Peter stumbled and grabbed the wall for support, and Gwen rushed over.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm a little tired, but it's nothing."

Peter, having roughly understood what had happened, sighed.

I haven't had a single day of rest in the past two weeks.

(End of this chapter)