14 Morning Struggles

Upon waking, Gwen realized that she was feeling surprisingly well-rested. The previous night had been unusually tranquil. Villains like Nightling seemed to have disappeared into the shadows from whence they came, and even the small-time crooks and hoodlums seemed to have taken the night off. As a result, she had spent the evening swinging through the city, enjoying a sense of solitude as she threaded her way through the maze of city traffic.

Peeling herself out of bed, Gwen moved towards the bathroom. A glance in the mirror revealed a reflection that was the antithesis of the vibrant city outside her window - hair disheveled, and eyes still clouded with sleep. She shook her head slightly at her own disarray, a soft smile touching her lips.

She picked up her toothbrush and, with mechanical precision, set about brushing her teeth. The act, mundane as it was, helped to banish the remaining dregs of sleep. Following that, she attempted to tame her unruly hair, a battle she waged every morning. After a few minutes of determined brushing and styling, her hair finally resembled something presentable.

Next came a layer of light makeup, carefully applied. A touch of concealer here, a brush of mascara there, and finally, a dash of lip gloss to complete the look. She observed herself in the mirror - the result was subtle, highlighting her natural features without making her seem overdone.

Dressed in her usual casual outfit of jeans and a comfortable tee, Gwen navigated her way downstairs. The aromatic scent of pancakes wafted towards her, instantly making her mouth water. As she entered the kitchen, she saw Aunt May by the stove, expertly flipping the golden circles onto a waiting plate.

"Good morning, Gwen," Aunt May greeted warmly, her voice carrying an inviting familiarity that filled the kitchen with a sense of homeliness. She moved with practiced ease, her every action manifesting years of pancake-making experience. Gwen, a bit confused, merely sat down on the chair, grabbing a fork... the visitor not yet registering in her mind.

As Aunt May deposited the stack of pancakes in front of Gwen, the aroma enveloped her, making her stomach emit an appreciative growl.

"Aunt May? Is that really you?" Gwen blinked in surprise, her fork pausing mid-air. This was an unusual sight indeed. Ever since Peter had taken off to California for his extended study period, the visits from Aunt May had become a rare event. Gwen had missed their familiar kitchen camaraderie.

"Yes, dear. I'm here on some business," Aunt May responded cheerily, her smile as heartwarming as the pancakes were delicious. "Your father asked me to come over. We had a visitor at the station last night, and he wants me to continue with the analysis, so he's fetching some more files of the individual's past misdemeanors."

A frown replaced the surprised expression on Gwen's face. "A visitor?" she echoed, curiosity piqued.

Just as the words left her mouth, the kitchen door creaked open to admit Gwen's father. He was rubbing his eyes in a futile attempt to banish the remnants of sleep, the other hand burdened with a hefty brown box that bore signs of frequent use - the box of past criminal case files.

"Yeah," he confirmed, punctuating the word with a stifled yawn. "Nightling, the villain who's become something of a celebrity on the news circuit, decided to pay us an unexpected visit."

Gwen's eyes widened at her father's casual revelation. She dropped her fork and sprang up from her chair, concern immediate and palpable. "Oh my god, are you okay?" she exclaimed, her words spilling out in a frantic rush.

As her father set the box down, Gwen started inspecting him, her eyes darting all over him, searching for any signs of harm. Her hands patted him down, checking for any injuries that her eyes may have missed.

Her father, caught off guard by his daughter's sudden worry, tried to reassure her. "I'm fine, Gwen," he said, attempting to placate her with a tired smile. "Nightling might be a troublemaker, but he didn't harm anyone at the station."

Witnessing the affectionate interaction between Gwen and her father, Aunt May couldn't help but regard them with an affectionate smile playing on her lips. With an air of well-timed intervention, she suggested, "Perhaps we could continue this discussion over breakfast?"

Her gaze drifted towards the pancakes, now a slightly less inviting shade of beige. "After all, we're going to need every bit of our strength today, and running on empty stomachs won't do us any good, will it?"

Having assured herself that her father was indeed unscathed, Gwen finally settled back into her chair, her mind a whirl of anxious thoughts. The quiet of last night made sense now. The streets had been silent because Nightling was busy wreaking havoc at the station. But that realization brought a new wave of anxiety. Had Nightling discovered her secret identity? Was he using her father as bait, a means to draw her out?

But then, her rational side kicked in. No, that couldn't be it. If Nightling truly knew she was Spider-Woman, he wouldn't have spared her father so easily. And yet, the nagging seed of doubt was planted. What if he did know and was playing a twisted game of cat and mouse? The risk was too high to ignore. She would have to keep a close eye on the station, ensure her father's safety. After all, Spider-Woman had a responsibility to protect those she loved.

Her musings were interrupted by Aunt May's voice, her tone ringing with curiosity. "You seem deep in thought, Gwen. Is there something on your mind?" Aunt May's eyes were kind, her concern genuine, making Gwen blink away from her internal monologue.

Concealing her inner turmoil behind a tight-lipped smile, Gwen assured, "Just pondering over some school stuff, Aunt May." Her words masked her real concerns as her mind started churning, formulating a strategic plan to secure her father's safety. "Just another busy day ahead," she added nonchalantly, trying to steer the conversation away from her distracted demeanor.

"Yeah, you better wrap up breakfast quick so I can drop you off at school," her father interjected, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. His tone carried a sense of urgency. "Then I can get back here to help May with Nightling's files. We've got a mountain of work ahead of us."

"Yes, Dad," Gwen responded obediently, her smile now straining. It felt almost surreal, to sit here while her family discussed the villain who was a thorn in her side. Yet she couldn't betray her secret, couldn't tell them she knew Nightling far more intimately than they could ever imagine.

Forcing herself to finish breakfast quicker than usual, Gwen stood up from the table. She pushed aside her unease and leaned in to give Aunt May a warm, tight hug. With her school bag slung over her shoulder, she followed her father out of the inviting comfort of their kitchen and into the cool morning air.

Her father's police cruiser sat proudly in their driveway, the morning sun glinting off its polished surface. As Gwen slid into the passenger seat, she cast one last glance back at their house, her heart heavy with a tangle of worry. She fortified herself with a firm nod, steeling her resolve for the day ahead. She was facing the daunting task of balancing her school duties with her secret responsibility of ensuring her father's safety. It promised to be a long and challenging day.

The police cruiser drew to a gentle stop in front of Midtown High. Gwen unbuckled her seatbelt, turning to face her father with a soft smile that failed to reach her eyes. "See you after school, Dad. Stay safe."

Her father, usually so stern, softened momentarily, reaching over to playfully ruffle her hair. "You too, kiddo. Remember, no heroics."

Gwen let a faint smile touch her lips at his unknowingly ironic words. If only he knew the half of it. She waved him off, watching as the police cruiser rolled away, vanishing into the bustling morning traffic. An icy pang of apprehension lingered, a bitter taste on her tongue. Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she turned and walked towards the school building, her mind churning with worry.

Stepping onto the school grounds, Gwen was instantly submerged in the cacophonous symphony of school life - her classmates' loud chatter, the shrill ring of the school bell, the distant hum of teacher's discussions. She wished she could dedicate all her time to protect her father, but she had a 'normal' life to live too. She couldn't let her fears bleed into her academic life.

Her best friend, Olivia, noticed her as soon as she entered the classroom. Olivia's face lit up with a vibrant grin. Always optimistic, her cheerfulness was a beacon that Gwen often found herself clinging to in tough times.

"Gwen! You won't believe what happened in chemistry class..." Olivia began, launching into a detailed account of the morning's chaos. However, she wasn't oblivious to Gwen's absent gaze and tight smile. As Olivia's words faded into a concerned silence, she turned to face Gwen fully, her features marked with worry.

"Hey, Gwen... are you okay? You seem... distant," Olivia asked softly, studying Gwen's face.

Gwen wavered for a moment, weighing up whether to share her burdens. Deciding that talking about it might ease the weight in her chest, she drew a deep breath and let her worries spill out. "It's... it's about Dad," she stammered, the words tumbling out in a jumbled rush. "Nightling was at the police station last night. Dad's okay, but what if he comes back? What if he targets Dad?"

Olivia listened in silence, her eyes filled with empathy. After Gwen had finished speaking, she paused for a moment to formulate her thoughts. "Gwen," she began, her voice steady and soothing. "Your dad is one of the toughest people we know, right? And he's not alone there. The officers at the station are all trained to handle situations like this."

"But it's Nightling, Olivia," Gwen retorted, her voice rising with her growing anxiety.

"And that's why they have Spider-Woman," Olivia countered gently. "She's been keeping this city safe, and she won't let anything happen to your dad or any other officer. We all trust her, don't we?"

Gwen's thoughts roared like a tempest in her mind. Olivia's comforting words, intended to soothe her, instead added fuel to her dilemma. If only Olivia knew how right she was. It was indeed Spider-Woman's responsibility. But Olivia's unshakeable faith in her alter ego steeled Gwen's resolve. She had to live up to the city's expectations. She had to keep her father safe.

"Right," Gwen nodded, forcing a smile. "We trust Spider-Woman."

For the remainder of the day, Gwen did her best to focus on her classes, but her thoughts kept straying to her father and Nightling. She knew she had to be vigilant for both her dad and the city. But for now, she had to play the part of Gwen Stacy, the average teenager with school to attend and assignments to complete. As soon as the school day ended, though, Spider-Woman had a mission.

As the day drew to a close, Gwen felt an overwhelming weight on her shoulders - the heavy responsibility of her dual life. But the look of trust and faith in Olivia's eyes served as the motivation she needed to carry on. She would ensure the safety of her father and her city, no matter what the cost. After all, she was Spider-Woman.