Film to Pen: An Experiment in Fan-fiction (Spiderman AU) Chapter Five

 While Hey thought he could make some webshooters, we decided to search the internet first for what people thought was the web formula Spider-Man uses. "We can get the twins to help. They are always trying new slime. Besides if I know what we're dealing with it will be easier to make the ejection mechanisms,". 

"One point to robo nerd! Also I'm going to have to step up my kickboxing practice. You know if I'm going to beat the crap out of baddies. I could use a sparring partner…". 

"No way, I told you I'm a nerd not a jock, now let's go find the twins,".

I shrug as we leave the bedroom. After an hour of different concoctions and sticky slime, probably stuck in my liver as well as my hair, Hey and I tweak a formula we think has promise. Sally, or maybe it's Sadie, is plopping blobs of failed formula on nice glass plates and serving it to Sadie (Sally?) and the toddler Harper who was coming dangerously close to actually eating the stuff. Noticing this as well Hey decided it was time to clean and we called it a night on the web formula.

*Ha Aaa Haa snork* Hey was laughing...at me. It was my, about one hundredth, attempt to land a leaping kick from the shed to a lawn chair while kicking a birdhouse hanging from the tree on the way. It was one of a few maneuvers I thought might be good to get in my muscle memory. Most tries I missed the bird house entirely, but this try I had just brushed it and my foot stuck. Leaving me with one leg still in the air as I desperately cling to the back of the lawn chair. "You can try it if you want," I tell him sweetly. He shakes his head, "No, por favor it's all yours Spider-Girl,". Grousing under my breath I kick trying in vain to dislodge my foot from the birdhouse. Silently the string holding the bird house snaps and my legs crash to the grass smashing the little house. That starts Hey laughing all over again. "You can't be much of a look out if your eyes a watering from mirth,". I say to change the subject. Getting a hold of himself he says, "That's true, but I know my family's schedule. How do you think I get anything done on my own around here,". Picking at the wooden pieces still on the side of my shoe I respond with. "Fine, but you could at least try and take this budding vigilante training more seriously,". 

"Seriously, are you sure this is how to get your dad to take you back again? I've seen a lot of kids come and go. Many of them wanted their parents back. Even the barely-keeping-it-together parents. But if your dad just wants you safe isn't this the opposite of that. Throwing yourself off roofs? Sometimes what's best isn't always together". Angrily I tear off a chunk of birdhouse only to find it stays on my palm. "You don't get it. Ever since I found out who my dad was I thought he meant until we were older. Then he'd come get us, when we could protect ourselves. Once I realized he meant to stay away for good, I resolved to prove to him I could stay safe and protect Beni. That's when I started kickboxing and climbing. I decided even if I didn't have the spider gene or whatever I could help him in the family business. Now I have inherited the powers and how can I do nothing with such a gift. My family is a shattered glass, I just want to stick back together what I can,". Hey nods slowly, "Fine, I almost have the shooters ready, but the formula disintegrates too quickly and I haven't had time to figure out what's wrong. When do you want to try a patrol? I suggest a Saturday morning to get the most buzz. Since we're trying to get his attention right?.  Finally flinging away the wood on my hand I say with more confidence then my clenching gut has, "Give me two more weeks, that is if the formula is ready,". Hey says doubtfully, "That seems early, but if it's done you can try. I suppose anyway let's head in and start homework. Dad should be back soon from the baby swim class,". I mentally groan at homework, who can focus on polynomials when you could be training for superhero-dom. But I remind myself if I want to get my visits with Beni reinstated my grades will have to blind those Smiths with their brilliance.

Cc: ben_baller@pmail.com

 Sender: jaderinger@pmail.com

Subject: Checking in!

Hey Beni, hows life with the prudes? Are they making you memorize the use of every fork and where to put it xP Also next visit I have the most epic thing to show you.

Still here for ya, Jade

Cc: jaderinger@pmail.com

Sender: ben_baller@pmail.com

Re: Checking in!

The prudes are okay, but they want to cancel your next visit. Did you really drop a roof tile on the guy's head? I know they like to exaggerate. Maybe show me your surprise next month.

Your bro, Ben

Cc: ben_baller@pmail.com

Sender: jaderinger@pmail.com

Re: Checking in!

Yes, but it was a total accident. And I really don't want to wait until next month, it has something to do with Dad. Can you meet me somewhere?

Your sis, Jade

Cc: jaderinger@pmail.com 

Sender: ben_baller@pmail.com 

Re: Checking in!

Please, I'm too old for your stories. It's okay. I get that after Mom split it was too much for the guy and he dumped us in the system. I don't need to be some special orphan like from a cheesy movie. This is our life. Maybe if you accepted it we could be with the prudes together. That and if you stopped almost killing people with your climbing.

Ben

I blink as the screen goes back to login. I hadn't realized how long I'd been staring at Beni's reply. The library computer had shut me out, they only give twenty minutes at a time. Had I been here that long already? Glancing at the time in the corner of the monitor to my left I see it's true. So I knew Beni didn't totally take my Spider-dad story anymore, before yesterday there were times I doubted too, but it still stung. Especially since it was why I wasn't with the Smiths and him. Getting up I sharply turn to leave and hear a snap as the mouse comes disconnected from the computer and the cord hits my leg. Internally howling a little from the shock (okay and sting) I find the mouse stuck firmly to my hand.  After finally removing the mouse and still angry at myself and maybe just the world as a whole, I decide it's time to go vent some frustration. Originally I stumbled upon the kickboxing studio trying to lose a few jerks from middle school. Immediately when I saw the people practicing through the window I knew it was the perfect way to learn how to prove to Dad I could protect myself. Of course having no money was a problem, but after a few weeks of begging for odd jobs around the place and watching all the time Bruce (the head teacher) gave up and said I could help set up/take down and clean off mats in exchange for lesson time. And not to brag, but I think I'm one of his favorites by now. None of the other kids are as dedicated as I am. Okay, a few might be more consistent with showing up, but I practice whenever and wherever I can.  "Look who decided to show up", Bruce calls across the room. The studio is a big room with different mats set up for practice and punching bags hanging from the low ceiling. My hands up I say, "I know, it's been awhile,". 

"Some of the rascals here thought you weren't coming back,". Bruce says gestering to the gaggle of kids from knee high to a few reaching Bruce's chest. "Like I would ghost, I just moved to a new home. Had to get settled, ya know?". Bruce nodded, "Settled enough to help me demonstrate?". I also nod and hurry to get suited up then taking my position next to Bruce.