ELECTRIC SOUL |
where one life-threatening discovery creates an unexpected friendship between a curious reporter and a web-slinging vigilante.
BOOK ONE IN THE "MENDING" SERIES
EXTENDED SUMMARY INSIDE
POST → SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
PETER PARKER X FEMA...
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"-and as the number of disappearances continue to rise, many districts have closed down their schools until further notice to ensure their students' safety. The districts that have shut down their schools have ranged from all the way to Brooklyn to Queens.Onto another story, Spider-Man was seen swinging around-"
"This is total bullshit!" Adeline snapped, turning off the television before angrily standing up from her couch and stomping over to the kitchen. "That was suppose to be my story!"
"What happened?" Adeline stared at her best friend, Betty Brant who was still sitting on the couch, her eyes full with rage. "Jameson thought the public wouldn't take the news seriously if it came from a kid. So he ended up giving my story to Casey, his assistant. And she's not even a reporter!"
"That's messed up." Betty stated, shaking her head. "Have you tried talking to Jameson?"
"You can't just talk to Jameson," Adeline said while walking back to the couch and sitting beside her best friend. "He does whatever he wants, he practically owns the Daily Bugle. And it sucks because it took me nearly two months to convince him to put me in charge of this sorry, and he just tosses me to the side because I'm just a kid."
"Don't worry, I'm sure there'll be plenty of other stories you can take charge of." Betty attempted to reassure her, but only got an exasperated groan from Adeline. "You don't get it, Betty. This would've been my big break. If this story went viral I would get job offers from bigger tabloid organizations, like New York Times."
"The only reason Casey got my story is because she's sleeping with Jameson." Adeline added, laughing at the wide-eyed expression she got from Betty. "Wait, really? Isn't she like twenty-three or something?"
"Yeah," Adeline nodded, running her hand frustratingly through her long black hair. "And Jameson is in his late fifties. It's extremely disgusting. One time I walked into his office and I knew something was going on. Casey's blouse was only half buttoned up and her curly hair was all messy, and Jameson tried to hide his undone pants but I noticed it."
"I feel bad for you. I definitely would've been scarred for life if I saw that." Betty chuckled, leaning back against the cushioned couch as Adeline nodded her head, agreeing with her. "Trust me, I am. It was quite horrifying."
The sound Betty's phone dinging caught Adeline's attention, her brows raising when she saw her friend check it and a smile spread on her lips. "What's got you suddenly so happy?"
"Nothing," she shook her head, blushing madly. "Ned just asked me if I wanted to go to the carnival with him at the Long Island City Pier. Do you wanna come?"
"Sure," Adeline nodded, "Who's all going with us?"
Adeline immediately noticed the hesitation in Betty's face, curiosity filling her. "There's gonna be more people with us, right? I don't wanna be that awkward third wheel-"
"Yeah, more people are coming." Betty interrupted, smiling innocently before taking a nervous sip of her water that was placed on the coffee table. "Like who?" Adeline asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared at her friend hardly.
"Harry will be with us. He's cute, right?" Betty started, laughing slightly. "Gwen and Michelle will be there too...". Adeline could easily hear the crack in Betty's voice, a sign that she grew to know when her friend was lying or at least hiding something. "...and Peter-"
"Nope, I'm not going." Adeline immediately shot up from the couch, ignoring the groan that fell from Betty's lips. "Come on, Adeline, please? You don't even have to talk to him. He'll mostly be with Gwen the whole night anyway."
Adeline forcefully closed her eyes, feeling her heartache at the mention of her name with his. "I already told you, Betty. I'm not going and that's final."
"But-" Betty began to argue but stopped when she saw the glare she was recieving from Adeline, deciding that it was better not to push the girl's buttons anymore. "Okay fine, don't come. I should start heading home, my mom wants me back before dinner. But if you do decide to come, we'll be at the carnival around nine at night on Friday."
"Bye, Betty." Adeline waved sassily, watching her friend give her one last smile before leaving her apartment. Leaving her alone and letting her thoughts about him fill her mind once again.
• • •
"What's got you all excited?" Peter asked, noticing the large grin his friend had on his lips. "Your eyes have been attached to your phone for the past half hour."
"I'm texting Betty," Ned answered, shoving his phone back in his pocket. "She's coming to the carnival with all of us."
"So, you finally had the guts to ask her out?" Peter smirked, continuing to work on improvements to his suit's web-shooters. "So what, now they're six of us now going?"
"Yeah," Ned nodded, "Betty was trying to convince Adeline to come and she did, but she suddenly didn't want to anymore."
Peter felt his entire body freeze at the mention of her name, the smile that was on his face now dropping into a frown. "Adeline doesn't want to come?" He asked, refusing to let his eyes meet Ned's. "Why?"
"I don't know," Ned shrugging his shoulder, "Betty told me that Adeline said yes at first but then changed her mind."
It's probably because she heard I was coming, Peter thought, the grip he had on his screwdriver tightening.
"You never told me what exactly happened between you two." Ned reminded, breaking Peter out of his thoughts. "You guys used to be inseparable, practically attached by the hip. What happened?"
"We just-" Peter could feel the words get stuck his throat, his heart clenching inside his chest as the guilt began to eat him him up all over again. His eyes then started to tear up as the many memories they used to share consumed his mind.
