a second chance | gwen stacy (wlw!)

7: Silk & Perfume

"Y/N, I'm gonna need you to pick up some cakes." Y/N's mom rummages through the mess, ripping apart the packaging for party supplies. I look at my mom while carrying a stack of utensils and plastic plates. "Cakes? Where?" I place down the load onto the folding table covered with a tablecloth.

"Remember that place we used to go to for your birthday parties? On 24th Avenue and Younge?" She begins placing out the supplies one by one. "People are already here, so I want you to go straight and back. No distractions, whatsoever. I invited Doctor Octavius, and I don't want her to arrive here and have her wait for you. She might kick you from your job if you do that!"

She holds up her finger to me. I nod with a smile, shaking my head. "Mom, she won't do that.." I sigh loudly. "I wouldn't miss my own party for the world." I say with a hint of sarcasm as she tries fixing my hair. "Here's some money for the cake." She holds up it, stuffing the bill into my pocket.

Unexpectedly, someone taps my mom's shoulder. She turns around. "Hey! Gary, you made it. It's so nice to see you." My mom gestures towards me, making the person's eyes widen. "Oh, Y/N! You've grown so much." He says, clasping his hands  together. I nod politely and smile. "Thank you so much for coming." I open my arms, hugging the old neighbor.

"Oh, and congrats on that new job! I-It's not easy getting a position at a company such as Oscorp.. and at such a young age.." He sighs while shaking his head slightly, pulling back and looking at me with a proud smile. I appreciate his geuniness, blushing a little. "W-Well, it's not really a job. More like an opportunity."

He waves his hand, closing his eyes. "Oh 'pecuh! Don't be so humble. Most people my age are still unemployed, working at fast food restaurants." Gary guffaws as my grin widens. He then looks down, becoming slightly serious.

"I'm sure your dad would be proud of you." Gary says with a large smile as I look to the ground and back at hm. "I'm sure he would.." My mom says with a thoughtful look. "Well, this party wouldn't be complete without some cakes, I'm sure." He says, letting me go and giving me a pat on the shoulder.

Gary walks past me with an earnest smile on his face as my mom pushes me to start my journey to get the cakes. The bustling atmosphere on the rooftop filled with current and old neighbors, as well as family and relatives makes the party more lively and exciting. I observe around me a little, hoping to see Gwen and her dad, but my face saddens when I don't spot them.

I hurry down the fire exit, going through my apartment and travelling down through the elevator.  Mom thought it was a little incovenient to make guests climb through a window, but I thought it was worth it to give them a little exercise. I try to speed-walk through the streets in order to get to the store as quickly as I can. I check my phone, showing that it was about a 4 minute walk.

After walking through a bunch of slow crowds and accidentally bumping into someone on the way, I finally reach the store, pushing the door open and ringing a bell. The person in the front stands there behind the counter, seemingly bored. It seems like this place doesn't get a lot of business anymore.

I hurriedly walk up to the person, wanting to get the cake in a hurry. "Um, I have a cake under L/N? It's supposed to be a red velvet cake and ice cream-" The person interrupts me by smiling while tilting their head. "Hey.. aren't you Y/N?"

I glance down and back up, seeing my mom had just texted me, asking where I was. "Uh, y-yeah?" I reply back with a suspicious tone. They follow with a chuckle. "I'm in your Biology class.. name's Harry Osborn?"