Two weeks had passed since Ben Parker first donned the mask of Spider-Man. In that time, he'd made quite a name for himself, swinging through the streets of New York and stopping crimes wherever he found them. Yet, no matter how many crimes he thwarted, he couldn't shake the unease that crept in every night when he returned home.
This particular night was no different. He slumped onto the couch, mask tossed carelessly onto the coffee table. The glow of the TV bathed the dim room in soft blue light. Ben barely paid attention to the talking heads until the words "multiple dead bodies" caught his ear.
He straightened, eyes narrowing as the news anchor spoke grimly.
"Authorities are baffled by a string of mysterious murders. The victims, found in alleys and abandoned buildings, all share similar characteristics: pale skin, two puncture wounds on their necks, and no signs of a struggle. Officials are urging citizens to remain cautious as they continue their investigation."
Ben frowned, his spider-sense tingling faintly. Something about this didn't sit right. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone.
Grabbing it off the table, he saw Johnny's name flash on the screen. He answered.
"Yo, Ben! You ready for the big moment tomorrow?" Johnny's voice was as lively as ever.
Ben sighed but couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, yeah, I've got a plan."
Johnny laughed. "Good. It's about time you asked her out."
The next day, the school's lunchroom buzzed with the usual energy, but Ben had a mission. Johnny hyped him up at their table, practically bouncing with excitement.
"I've never been more proud of you, bro. You've got this!"
Ben took a deep breath, steeling himself. He got up and made his way across the room to where Felicia Hardy sat alone, casually scrolling through her phone.
"Hey, Felicia," he began, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. "Uh, I was wondering if you'd like to go out this Saturday?"
Felicia looked up, her icy-blue eyes meeting his. A slow smile spread across her face. "Took you long enough," she said, her tone playful. Ben blinked, confused. Felicia leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Did you forget your promise?"
Before Ben could respond, she pressed a kiss to his cheek and slipped a piece of paper into his pocket. "I'm free Saturday," she said with a wink before walking away, leaving Ben standing frozen in shock.
Johnny ran over, grinning from ear to ear. "How'd it go?"
Ben, still in a daze, pulled the paper from his pocket and held it up. Johnny let out an excited yell, pulling him into a hug.
"Dude, we've got to get you some new clothes!"
Saturday: The Date
The day of the date arrived, and Johnny had been preparing Ben all morning. After much deliberation, he handed Ben a fresh outfit: a beige tracksuit with orange stripes on the sleeves and pant legs, a white T-shirt underneath, and white sneakers to match.
Ben looked himself over in the mirror, adjusting the jacket nervously. Johnny gave him a thumbs-up. "You're gonna kill it, champ. Good luck out there."
Ben made his way to Felicia's house, feeling more nervous with each step. He knocked on the door, and when it opened, his breath caught.
Felicia stood there, radiating confidence in a black leather crop top with a fluffy white collar, distressed jeans, and a small chain-strap handbag slung over her shoulder. Her silver hair framed her face perfectly, and the playful glint in her eyes made Ben's heart race.
"You look… really good," he managed to say.
Felicia giggled. "And you look cute," she replied, linking her arm with his. "Let's go."
Their first stop was the arcade, where Felicia showed off her competitive side. She challenged Ben to a game of air hockey, teasing him mercilessly every time she scored.
"Come on, Parker, I thought you were supposed to be good at this," she taunted with a smirk.
Ben laughed, trying to keep up, but Felicia was relentless. By the end, she had won three games in a row.
"Alright, alright, you're the queen of air hockey," Ben admitted, raising his hands in mock surrender.
Felicia grinned. "Damn right I am."
Next, they headed to a cozy diner for lunch. Over burgers and fries, they shared stories from their childhood, laughing at old memories. Felicia leaned across the table at one point, her expression softening.
"You know, I never forgot you," she said quietly.
Ben's heart skipped a beat. Before he could respond, Felicia flashed a playful smile, breaking the tension.
After lunch, they took a stroll through Central Park. The crisp autumn air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant laughter. Felicia clung to Ben's arm, her head resting lightly on his shoulder as they walked.
"Remember when we used to play tag in the park as kids?" Felicia asked.
Ben chuckled. "Yeah, and you always cheated."
"I did not!" Felicia protested, laughing. "You were just too slow."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Felicia stopped abruptly, turning to face Ben. Her eyes searched his face, and she stepped closer.
"I never forgot you," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ben didn't hesitate this time. He leaned in, and their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them.
When they finally pulled apart, Felicia smiled. "You're a good kisser."
Ben blushed, about to respond when Felicia's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and frowned.
"Sorry, I've got to go," she said, tucking her phone away. She kissed him again, this time quickly, and gave him a playful smack on the butt as she walked off. "Let's do this again sometime."
Ben stood there, dazed, a huge grin spreading across his face. The moment she was out of sight, he jumped in the air, pumping his fist.
"Best. Day. Ever."
He sprinted home, bursting through the door to find Johnny watching TV. Johnny jumped up when he saw Ben's expression.
"How'd it go?"
"I got kissed twice!" Ben exclaimed, his excitement contagious.
Johnny whooped, and they celebrated the only way they knew how: an all-night gaming session of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero.
Meanwhile…
In a dark alley across town, a woman stumbled, her breathing ragged as she fled through the narrow passage. She glanced over her shoulder, but the shadows seemed to close in around her.
A pair of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness, accompanied by the glint of sharp, white fangs.
The woman's scream echoed into the night, but soon, only silence remained.