Stars in the Web | Peter Parker

Chapter 3

"I'm headed out." Sylvie announced as she headed to the door,

"And where do you think you're going young lady?" George spat, dropping the paper he was reading alongside the TV,

Headed out to go underage drinking and blow all my money, was what she wanted to say, but instead she replied with, "to my job, diner called and asked me to work late," in the politest way possible as to not further upset George in his fragile state. She paused by the door awaiting a response, however she took his silence as approval and began the somehow shorter commute to work. New York is somehow quieter at night, yet the vibrancy never dulled. Crossing lights – although always ignored, changed more frequently and cabs didn't seem as rushed yet, water in the gutters glittered under the lights and rubbish was less visible. Sylvie found peace in the mundane of New York, an aspect of the city not usually associated with its expectation, the low ticking of the crossing slights and the consistent hum of cabs passing.

The walk overall took 15 minutes, and it was the most peaceful 15 minutes Sylvie had had since she arrived at her new residency. Thus, entering her first shift again since her arrival, she was greeted by the usual motley crew which frequented,

"Sylvie." came the comically curt voice,

"Frederick." She responded in an equally curt voice, the gimmick between the two consisted of overly courteous displays of greetings, often with ma'am's, kind sir's and milady's thrown into the mix.

Frederick, more commonly known as Freddie, had been one of Sylvie's closest friends since their commencement at the diner together some 3 years ago. Bright-eyed and toothy-grinned, 14-year-old Freddie had mellowed yet not dulled in the boy she knew before her. The very definition of tall, dark, and handsome – as per quoted from him directly, Freddie had a soft spot for the dramatics and given the crowd the diner seemed to attract, especially at an hour as late as this, there was never a dull moment.

"See that woman over there," Freddie leaned over the counter, gracefully crossing his arms. Attention piqued, Sylvie cocked her eyebrow signalling him to continue, "she's been here for 45 minutes and has ordered 4 cups of coffee, apparently waiting for someone. Her date, allegedly, has a million allergies and she's quizzed me on everything on the menu," Freddie lived for the drama and she could see the void in his own personal slowly be filled by the shortcomings of others, although flamboyant by nature, Freddie was an incredibly private person, "no ma'am the steak isn't vegetarian," he finished, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh oh, it gets better," he started up again, extravagantly waving his hands around to refocus her attention, "the coffee was decaf."

The shift continued into the early morning, later than usual but the sweet old lady who lives in the complex down the road managed to sleepwalk her way into the diner which sparked a whole chain of events to get her safe and sound – string of pearls very much still intact.

"I should walk you home."

"Mhm you should, but I like living on the dangerous side"

"I'm walking you home."

"Thank you." Sylvie smiled quietly, appreciative of Freddie's chivalrous nature. Once, entirely as a piss-take, he laid his jacket over a puddle for her to walk over and a seemingly feuding couple walked past. A "See. I told you chivalry isn't dead" and "you just can't hold yourself accountable" was thrown around and thus the gimmick was taken a step further, thus, Freddie 'proposed'. Freddie Giacomel lived for the drama.

--

Sylvie returned to an uncharacteristically worried and highly-strung Helen. The TV was on, so was the radio and each member of the Stacy household was in the main living area – bar George. Concerned eyes darted around the room, desperately trying to put 2 and 2 together; it was Gwen who rushed over to her first, engulfing her in an embrace causing an "oof" to escape from Sylvie's lips. From over her shoulder, she read the headline flashing 'Elder man gunned down by petty thug. Gunman is unidentified and police fear more may fall victim'. Acts like this happen all the time in New York, why this specific one was broadcasted was beyond her, but the consequences were momentous. For the first time since she'd moved, Sylvie felt as though she was apart of the family and loved and respected as such. After Gwen came a hug from Helen, shortly followed by Simon, Phillip and finally Howard; although never verbalised, they had all evidently been worried about her safety – fearing she may've been another to 'fall victim'. Returning to her room, Sylvie didn't bother to wash her face or brush her teeth, all she could muster was the ability to kick off her shoes and flop into bed. Light shone through the window, finding its way to Sylvie's eyes; squinting in displeasure she propped herself up to better inspect the pesky light, moonlight met her eyes.

It was full moon.

a/n: hi sorry this is short but i've just started school again, also comment, vote all that fun stuff + tell me what you think