Chapter 32

Chapter 32

- Where have you been? - Daisy's voice came as soon as I got back to the lab.

- I went to get something. And did you get hired to babysit me? - I threw the suitcase on the table, then took the reactor from her hands, which she eyed with interest.

- Hmm, we're actually partners, don't forget that. Or have you already forgotten about the time I picked up your wounded carcass on the street? - The girl was outraged in a flash.

- All right, all right, why are you getting so worked up? I just went to get some important material. - I pointed to the suitcase, and then placed the reactor on a special stand.

- It's a Tony Stark reactor, right? And you were able to build it!

- Oh, and please don't touch any more of my stuff. Some of them can kill you if used improperly! - I said with my back to her, fiddling with the computer and preparing equipment to study the properties of vibranium.

Seeing that I wasn't paying attention, Daisy got a little angry, and then went over to the suitcase and opened it to see what I had brought.

- Peter, what do you need that pickaxe for? Are you going to break something here? - she expressed her bewilderment.

- It's not just a pickaxe! It's made entirely of pure vibranium. - I smiled proudly, and then took it from the girl's hands and placed it on the scanner.

- What? Where did you get it from!? - exclaimed Daisy, not believing her ears.

- On the black market. As it turned out, it was an ancient Wakandian instrument that was kept in some museum. And for a token amount of money, the instrument was stolen and delivered to me.

- That's insane! You basically stole from some national museum! - she looked at me reproachfully.

- It's insane to keep such a valuable metal as an exhibit! - I disagreed with her opinion.

The scanner beeped, signaling that it had finished analyzing the metal, so I immediately went to the computer and began studying the data.

As it turned out, vibranium is able not just to dissipate the force of impact, but to absorb any vibratory energy. And the more it absorbs, the stronger it becomes. Of course, everything has a limit, but this metal has a pretty high one. But the amazing thing is that this metal can release stored energy. Originally, I wanted to just reinforce my suit with vibranium. But now I've decided to synthesize it with fiber to take full advantage of its features. And most importantly, I wanted to make a nanotech suit. It would have to appear on me from the reactor, and would be able to change its properties and shape.

Of course, I got the idea from Tony's blueprints. But his project was in its infancy, and I'm gonna try to make it happen...

***

Midtown School of Science and Technology.

It's been a few days since Gwen attacked Peter. And because of that, she felt incredibly guilty. She realized that she had fallen under the control of that black thing that gave her incredible power, but that power had caused her to make such a mistake. The moment Peter detonated the shock grenades near her and the suit separated from her body, her rational mind came back to her and Gwen realized that she had almost killed Peter. Immediately afterward, the girl had somehow yes managed to get rid of the source of her problems, but she was weakened for a while because of it, so she missed that damn black mass. But she didn't care about that. The only thing that bothered her was how she was going to be now. She was sure Peter hated her now. She remembered all their interactions after she had gotten the black suit. The way she had rudely sent him away and told him to stay away. And then the way Peter had kissed Liz himself. She remembered his words when she choked him, and then the way she'd stabbed him through his body. And if he had been a mere human, he would have died for sure. All these memories made her heart ache as if it was being cut with a knife. But there was nothing she could do about it.

Gwen had avoided seeing Peter all these days, but it couldn't go on like this. Today they were supposed to have a combined chemistry class. So Gwen decided to explain herself to the guy she had fond feelings for and apologize. Yes, after all this situation, Gwen was sure that she fell in love with Peter like the last fool....

Pulling herself together, Gwen calmly walked into the classroom and looked around, but she didn't find the guy. She did see Liz though, so she decided to go up to her and ask about Peter.

- Hi Liz. - Gwen smiled awkwardly, stopping in front of the desk of her new friend and love rival at the same time.

- Oh, hi Gwen. How are you doing? Do you want to team up with me? - Liz replied cheerfully.

- Uh, I wanted to team up with Peter, but I don't see him. - The girl replied embarrassed.

As soon as Liz heard about Peter, her smile disappeared from her face. And that reaction didn't please Gwen.

- Is something wrong? You seem a little down. - Gwen asked worriedly, hoping her hunch was wrong.

- You don't know yet, Peter hasn't been to school for days. As the teacher told us, he has some health problems. That's why he flew somewhere for treatment. I've called him many times, but his phone is always off the hook... I was hoping that you knew something, since you were closer to him..." Liz said sullenly.

- What!? How long exactly is he not coming? I need exact information! - Gwen turned pale in a flash, thinking that her attack had not gone unnoticed by him after all.

- Today is the fifth day. - Liz sighed.

As soon as Gwen heard that, tears sprang to her eyes and a lump rose in her throat. After all, she had hurt Peter exactly five days ago, which meant that Peter hadn't been at school since then.

- Gwen, what's wrong?! Why are you crying? - Liz was worried.

- I...I just...it's probably my fault Peter hasn't been attending school. I had a big fight with him five days ago, maybe he got stressed out or something..." she pulled herself together.

- Oh, come on, Gwen. Peter's not weak enough to get health problems from a fight. I'm sure he'll be fine and he doesn't resent you at all. All we have to do now is wait! And anyway, you've got something to cry about. Come on, wipe your tears and start getting ready for class. The bell's about to ring!

- Yeah, thank you for your support, Liz. I'm glad I have a friend like you. - Gwen smiled, and then wiped away her tears and hugged her friend gratefully....