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The day of the science expo arrived fast.
Peter and his classmates filed in for the tour they'd have to write a report afterward. Sylas tagged along.
"You actually came?" Peter blinked.
Sylas slung an arm over his shoulder. "What, leave you to be bored alone? I'm playing wingman."
"We're with classmates," Peter said, gesturing at the group behind them acquaintances, not quite friends.
"Oh—Sylas, you made it!" Ned Leeds grinned and high-fived him.
"Just keeping Peter company," Sylas said.
"Relax, I've got him," Ned thumped his chest.
"Alright, everyone, with me," their chaperone called from the front.
Each student wore a badge with the school, class, and name. In neat lines, they followed the guide into the exhibition halls.
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Thirty minutes later
"Free time starts now," the chaperone checked his watch. "Half an hour. Meet back here."
"So… uh… anyone want to see the radiation & genetics exhibit?" Peter asked, tentative.
Every head turned.
"Give it a rest, bookworm," Flash Thompson snorted. "Careful you don't soak up gamma rays and turn into a freak. Ha!"
Snickers trickled through the group, No one volunteered to go with Peter.
"Sorry, man, I'm gonna…" Ned's eyes slid toward a curvy blonde across the floor.
Peter deflated. "Yeah. Sure."
Sylas nudged him. "Told you, Pete, let's go, I'm in."
"Thank God for you," Peter sighed in relief, without Sylas, he really would've gone alone.
"Alright, Camera time," Peter said, pulling the Yashica from his bag.
"Lead on," Sylas nodded, and the two headed toward the exhibit.
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Radiation & Genetics Exhibit
"Sylas, check this out," Peter murmured, clicking away.
"Uh-huh," Sylas said, eyes scanning Peter's perimeter, 'Where's our radioactive spider?'
There.
A spider crept silently along a cable, lowering toward Peter as he framed another shot.
"Ah—" Peter flinched, hand slapping the side of his neck. "Something stung me."
Sylas moved fast, dropping to a crouch as if to tie his shoe. His right hand snapped up, trapping the fleeing spider.
Its fangs sank into his palm, sharp and hot.
"—tch." Sylas swallowed the hiss. It hurt more than he'd expected.
He straightened, casual. "What's up?"
"Felt like I got bit," Peter rubbed his neck, puzzled. "But there's nothing there."
Sylas glanced around. "Didn't see anything."
"Whatever. I think it's already fading," Peter said, rolling his neck.
"Forget it, you done shooting?" Sylas asked, redirecting.
Peter lifted the camera, pleased. "Got plenty. Let's regroup."
"Cool. I'll hit the restroom first," Sylas said lightly, already walking.
Inside, he shut the stall, flicked open a shadow fold, and dropped the spider into the Shadow Dominion. He washed his hands and stepped out.
"So fast?" Peter blinked.
Sylas gave him a look. "I scuffed my laces. Just rinsed off some dust."
"Right. Let's go," Peter said, and they headed back to the meeting point.
...
Students trickled in by twos and threes.
"Hey—how was it?" Ned jogged up, grinning.
"Pretty good," Peter said, proud of his reel. "You?"
Ned leaned close, waggling his eyebrows. "I asked Kate out. We're hanging out tomorrow."
Peter stared. "You… actually… asked… and she—?"
"Yup, and Peter, seriously, you should tell Liz Allan how you feel," Ned urged.
He knew Peter's crush and Peter's chronic lack of nerve.
"Next time," Peter muttered, eyes drifting to the blue-eyed blonde across the room.
Liz, mid-chat with a friend, felt the stare and glanced over. Peter panicked, dropped his gaze, and pushed up his glasses.
"What is it?" Liz's friend followed her line of sight.
"Bookworm Parker? Don't tell me you're into him. He is a brain, I'll give him that," she said sweetly and not at all kindly.
Liz shook her head. "As if." She turned back to her conversation.
A minute later, Peter whispered, "Is she still looking?"
"Nope," Sylas said, deadpan.
Peter finally peeked she wasn't.
"Phew."
"Don't do that," Ned sighed. "You've got to meet her eyes."
"Next time," Peter said again, noncommittal.
Ned knew him too well to push harder.
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Thirty minutes up.
The chaperone returned.
"Alright, that's a wrap. I expect clean, thoughtful reports on my desk Monday."
Groans rolled through the group. Peter alone looked unfazed. Sylas smirked Not my class, not my problem.
"And Sylas," the chaperone added, eyeing his badge, "I've spoken with your teacher. Your assignment is the same report. Due Monday."
"…Fantastic," Sylas muttered, pinching his brow.
After dismissal, Ned tried to pull Peter out for more wandering.
"Maybe next time, Ned. I feel a little woozy," Peter admitted.
"Want me to walk you home?" Ned asked.
"Thanks, but Sylas is here," Peter said.
Truth be told, Sylas felt faint, too, just a whisper blunted by his enhanced constitution.
"I've got him," Sylas said, hefting Peter's backpack.
"Later," Ned waved, peeling off.
"Later," Sylas echoed and guided Peter out.
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Home
"Aunt May, I'm gonna lie down," Peter murmured, leaning on the banister as Sylas helped him upstairs.
"Long day?" May asked, puzzled.
"A lot of walking," Sylas said easily, steering Peter into his room.
Peter collapsed onto the bed and was asleep in a breath.
Sylas yawned, The drowsiness crept up his spine, heavy and warm.
He eased the door shut and slipped to his own room.
As both boys slept, something subtle and seismic stirred in their blood. Genes twisted, lit by a quiet spark.
Change had begun.
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Thanks for reading!