When the Wolf-Spider Howls (Peter x OC): A Marvel Spider-Man Fanfiction

Chapter 6: Save the Last Dance

"Seriously, who keeps a countdown clock on the head of a robot?! Stupid slayers are REALLY starting to get on my nerves!"

Marie complained to herself as she cracked her back, sore from the earlier fight that day. She and Spidey had saved the city from a bomb-rigged slayer bot, but applying the leverage they needed to get it out of the premises in time really wore her down. At least she had managed to make it to school on time. All in all, the wolf's top speed was a handy skill to have when running late.

As she rounded the corner, Marie was greeted by a crowd of people blocking the hallway. Gwen, Anya, Miles, and Aleksei Sytsevich, an exchange student from Germany. However, among that group, she was surprised to see that Harry was among them, beaming from ear to ear. "Harry? Is that you? What's going on here?"

"Marie, you're never going to believe it!" Anya said excitedly, pushing a few people aside to meet her friend. "Harry's been cleared of all charges! He's been accepted back into Horizon!"

Those words were enough to perk Marie back up. "Really? That's great news!"

"I really owe you one, Marie," Harry said, also coming forward, taking her hands and shaking them. "Your testimony got me off the hook! If you hadn't told them about overhearing everything backstage, I wouldn't be here. Thanks so much."

Marie tried to form the words to say "you're welcome", but her brain seemed to have short-circuited due to Harry holding her hands. What came out instead was a blathering mess. "I--gh--you--welcome--blurf-"

Harry looked puzzled by her flustered words. Luckily, Harry's phone rang, which he dropped Marie's hands to pick up. "Hello?"

"Harry! It's Peter! What did you wanna tell me?"

Just as soon as he had picked up, the boy on the other side of the line rounded the corner to find the group gathered in the hallway as well. "I've been cleared of all charges," Harry told his best friend. "I'm back, baby!"

"Yes!" Aleksei said enthusiastically. "Harry is in the house!" The joke caused everyone to laugh. Peter smiled and joined the others.

"Sorry, buddy. I tried to tell you," Harry apologized as Peter walked up to him.

"No, I'm just...happy I didn't miss the celebration," Peter replied.

"We SHOULD celebrate," Max agreed, also joining the students. "Harry is a big part of this school. So we should do something the whole school can take part in."

This suggestion made Marie seize up a little. She wasn't very good with large gatherings and events. She was more used to quiet celebrations back in Minnesota. Still, she knew she couldn't miss this. Not if it was for Harry.

"Let's have another science fair!" Miles piped up.

"No way, a Physics tournament!" Anya insisted.

"All good options..." Max said thoughtfully. "But maybe something different this time. Aleksei, how do they celebrate in your country?"

"Mathlympics, baby!" the German boy said earnestly. "Loser shovels snow."

Peter breathed a sigh of relief. "*Phew!* I was afraid you were going to suggest a dance."

However, Pete had spoken too soon, as Max caught on. "A dance...that's perfect! We'll have a dance this Saturday night! Great idea, Peter!"

It took every ounce of Marie's willpower not to wring Peter's neck. Sure, she knew how to dance, quite well, actually, but a meager dance at a school for geniuses? "GREAT. Just when I think this guy can't piss me off anymore!"