Hold On Hope

Chapter 6 and 7

Chapter 6

Gwen had to stay in hospital for another couple of days, in case there was something wrong with her that the doctors hadn't picked up on yet. Peter stayed with her, sleeping in the chair by her bed. They laughed a lot and talked even more. About what happened, what could've happened, about going to England. Pretty much everything except Gwen's father, because that always led to tears and silences. Gwen called her mum, Peter called Aunt May. When it was time to go they were almost sorry; Gwen was getting used to having Spiderman all to herself.

Chapter 7~ Gwen's POV

'Mum, I'm home!' I haven't seen her since the accident, and I've missed her. I haven't missed the atmosphere in our house, though. When dad was alive, my parents were always fighting, and now he's gone all she does is talk about him. Of course, I understand, but it's hard on me and my brothers too. I kind of wish she'd realize that. My dad was the one with opinions, the one who made the rules, and although it made him hard to live with at times, he was the one I felt closest to.

'Mum? Hello?' Her footsteps speed up on the stairs, and she draws me into a hug. 'Gwen, darling, are you okay?'

'I'm fine, mum. Honestly.'

'I came to visit the hospital while you were out of it but the doctors thought it was better if I didn't go in'. She looks really apologetic; I guess she feels bad that Peter was there all the time, and she wasn't.

'Mum, it's okay, really, I get it. You've got enough to worry about with George and Simon. I had a pretty good time anyway,' I smile. It's true, she's pretty busy. I do wish she'd pay a bit more attention to me, seeing as I'm moving half way across the world soon, but I guess that's what happens when you're an 18 year old girl with two needy, pre-teenage brothers. Anyway, I've got Peter.

Mum strokes my arm. 'What happened, Gwen?' Oh God, I didn't think about that. Of course, I can't say I almost died helping my boyfriend fight his ex best friend who's now determined to kill him. I guess I'd better use the explanation Peter gave the hospital, incase she hears from them. 'Um, well me and Peter were skydiving. That sounds weird. It's just, he's decided to come to Oxford with me and so we're gonna go together and we were celebrating...kinda...and I guess my parachute broke.' I shrug like it's not a totally ridiculous explanation. I don't know why I told her about Peter coming to Oxford with me, either.

My mum looks perplexed. 'You were skydiving on the night of your flight?' Oh, good point. 'Oh, we decided to postpone the flight a week or two. He needs to say goodbye to his aunt and stuff.'

'So, he's coming to England? Is he in a university?' It hits me just how badly thought through me and Peter's plan is. A typical kissing-on-a-bridge-in-New-York-at-sunset plan.

'Uh, I'll ask him...' I know this will make her mad, but I really have no idea what to say.

'You'll ask him? Gwen, this is ridiculous. You're going to England together but you don't even know if he's in university? Your father would be so frustrated with you.'

To be honest, I think he'd understand. He may not have approved of Peter at first, but that was for my safety, and I'm pretty sure he knows what love feels like. My and Peter's plan was for me to go to uni, and Peter to fight Jack The Ripper (that'd make him laugh), and we'd both have part time jobs. Going to Oxford's my dream, being Spiderman's his, and if we don't spend to much, we'd make it work.

I can't tell my mum that, of course, and Simon runs downstairs just before she blows up on me. For a second he looks pleased to see me, before he says 'So you and your boyfriend are going to England? Ha, I'll be glad to get rid of you!' Simon is twelve but he acts about eight. I grin, 'Shut up, Simon!'

'Mu-um' he whines. 'Gwen told me to shut up.'

'Shut up yourself, Gwen,' mum mutters, angry about us leaving without consulting her or forming a plan. I half smile apologetically; I hate it when she's mad at me. I go find George, probably skulking in his room. I know I shouldn't say this, but I really can't wait to leave home.