Spider of My Dreams

Chapter 13

I was just heading out of school one day, when I heard my phone ping.

Aiden: Your dad's here. I'm getting a ride from Alex

Me: MY DAD'S HERE???

Aiden: Yup. Just saw him outside. Thank god Alex was chatting with me

Me: Well, at least one good thing's coming of this. Have fun with Alex ;)

Aiden: Yeah, yeah...

I sighed and opened the door a bit, not seeing my father anywhere. I snuck out slowly, peeking over to where my car was parked. He was leaning on the hood.

I made a run for it. There's an alley not too far away that I'd never tried taking before. I didn't know where it led because it never really occurred to me to think about it. Once I was safely hidden in it, I walked a little ways before texting Aiden.

Me: If anyone asks, Alex gave us both a ride

Aiden: You got it

I shoved my phone in my pocket, before stopping abruptly. "No fucking way," I whispered, staring at that backpack that was webbed to the brick wall beside me.

And the crest on the backpack? My school's.

This could be it, I thought. What if there's an ID in there or something?

I tried pulling the web off, but it wouldn't budge. It didn't matter how much I pulled. The bag wouldn't move. I grabbed my phone and quickly snapped a picture of the backpack. I wasn't sure what to do. My first instinct was to just wait for him to come back and confront him, but I didn't know how long that would be.

I decided to just leave. But as I continued down the alley, I found myself at a fence. I cursed and realised I'd have to either climb over it, or go back to my dad. I could just wait there for a bit before going out, but my dad was determined. He'd wait there all day if it meant catching me.

I stared up at the fence, debating my options. Surely to god my dad would eventually realise I was gone and go home, right? My phone pinged.

Eugene: Where are you? Dad's looking.

Me: I'm at Aiden's. A friend of ours gave us a ride.

Eugene: Bullshit. I saw Aiden leave.

Me: ...did you tell Dad?

Eugene: Duh

Me: I decided to walk home

Eugene: You can only delay the inevitable. You're gonna have to talk to him

If I turned back now, my dad would see me and know I tried to escape. I sighed and started climbing the fence. I swung one leg over one at a time, and climbed down.

"That wasn't so bad," I mumbled to myself.

I continued on, before my phone went off again.

Dad: Where are you?

Me: Almost home. Why?

Dad: I'm waiting for you in your school parking lot by your car. How did you not see me?

Me: I didn't go near the parking lot. I decided to walk home today.

Dad: Why?

Me: Because I took a while getting out of the school. It was totally my fault, but I knew Eugene probably left me if he got there and was kept waiting too long. Totally my fault.

Dad: Hurry home.

I prayed my lie would work.

When I got home, my dad was waiting for me by the door. "I heard you're trying to get the internship at the Daily Bugle."

I winced. "Oh. Where'd you hear that?"

"I went to talk to a few of Eugene's teachers today, and I ran into some kid that says he's your school paper's editor. He said he's gonna make you editor once he leaves."

I gulped. "Well... yeah he said he was thinking about it."

"You know I don't support your writing."

"I know."

"But I also heard that to get the internship, you're gonna write an article on Spiderman's identity. If you can do that — figure out his identity — I'll support you in anything you decide to do."

My jaw dropped. "Really?" My dad was a street officer, and he was sick of Spiderman doing his job and making him look bad. As an officer, he doesn't make that much money — all the money we have is from dead family members.

"Yes."

"I'm close, Dad. I really am. Thank you!"

He nodded and walked away.

I quickly pulled out my phone and texted Aiden.

Me: Can I come over? I have some news

Aiden: Yeah, of course. Good or bad?

Me: Good

I grabbed my keys and headed back out to the car, driving to Aiden's place. I knocked on the door and he answered quickly.

"What is it?"
I told him about the conversation with my dad.

"That's great!"

"I know! Oh god! And you'll never believe what I saw in the alley today!" I pulled up my phone and showed him the picture of the webbed up backpack.

"No way..." Aiden gasped. "Is that...?"

"Our school crest!" I exclaimed. "Spiderman goes to our school!" Which means he's our age... "I tried getting it off the wall to find some sort of ID, but that web is tough. There was no getting it out."

"But this is insane! You're so close! We're gonna get you that internship!"

"I know! But we only have a month and a half left. I think we need to move on to our last resort."

"Which is?"
I sighed. "Recruiting Peter Parker."

Aiden's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. He can help us. I need this, so that my dad will actually help me with my writing. Plus, I'm gonna need him to get a picture of Spiderman anyway."

"Can't you just get it? Ask him to pose?"

"For the article that's going to expose him? Yeah, right. I thought you wanted me to be nicer to Parker anyway!"

"I do! But I don't want you to get close to him again. I don't want him to hurt you."

"Believe me. He has no power over me anymore. I promise."

He sighed. "Okay. Good. So are you gonna talk to him tomorrow?"

"I guess so."