Gwen Stacy's mind was a tempest. She was sitting on her bed, phone clutched in hand, still reeling from the events of the evening—the near-kidnapping, the reveal of her charismatic classmate Su Yi as the formidable Spider-Bully, and his abrupt, electrifying confession: "Gwen, I like you. Be my girlfriend."
Just weeks ago, she had successfully maintained her composure when Su Yi first flirted with her at the coffee shop. Back then, her feelings for him were a mere flicker of interest. Now, after seeing his courage and having him save her life, that flicker had become a roaring flame. Her heart was completely invested.
"I..." Gwen started, prepared to finally give the "Yes" she had desperately longed to say.
Knock, knock.
"Gwen, may I come in?" It was her mother, Helen Stacy.
Gwen instantly slammed the phone down, her face hot with the embarrassment of a teenager caught in a secret moment. "My mom's here, I have to hang up!" she whispered urgently into the phone before ending the call.
Su Yi, at his villa, listened to the sudden click with a wry, bittersweet smile. Interrupted by the future mother-in-law. A classic setback.
Gwen quickly opened her door. Her mother, Helen, entered the room, her expression soft with concern. "Gwen, I know you had a terrible fright. I just wanted to make sure you're truly okay."
"I'm fine, Mom," Gwen insisted, forcing a confident smile. "Because the Spider-Bully appeared, I wasn't hurt at all. I'm just worried about Dad. Those men were definitely after him."
"Try not to worry about George," Helen reassured her, sitting beside her. "He's experienced, and he's going to handle this." Helen then addressed the elephant in the room. "And you know his identity means he has certain views on masked people. Don't let his frustration with the Spider-Bully upset you."
"I'm not angry," Gwen sighed, looking out the window. "It's just that I know the Spider-Bully is good. He's helping others, trying to make the city better, just like Dad. It's frustrating that Dad can't see past the mask."
"He just needs time, darling," Helen said gently. "He'll understand, because he's a good man, too."
Helen then shifted the conversation. "Gwen, you barely ate dinner. And when I came in, you looked like you were on a very important call." Helen smiled knowingly, a veteran seeing the obvious signs of first love.
"I'm not trying to pry into your privacy, and I fully support you having a relationship. But if you could bring him home for dinner sometime soon, so your father and I can meet him properly, that would be wonderful."
Gwen's blush deepened. "I... I need to talk to him about it."
"No rush," Helen replied. "Just let me know the time, and I'll make sure to prepare his favorite meal, whatever it is."
"Thank you, Mom."
"So, tell me about him." Helen leaned in conspiratorially. "He sounded very sweet."
Gwen launched into a passionate, detailed description, her earlier shyness forgotten. "He's Su Yi. He's Eastern, incredibly handsome, and Mom, he's a genius. He barely studies, but he knows everything." She hesitated. "He also knows martial arts. He actually beat Flash Thompson in a fight."
Helen listened, her own smile growing wider. "He sounds like a very excellent young man, Gwen. I trust your judgment completely, and I'm very much looking forward to meeting him."
After her mother left, Gwen was once again alone, phone in hand. She hovered over Su Yi's number.
Should I call him and tell him my answer? Or should I wait until tomorrow and tell him in person? Who confesses over the phone anyway?
Just as she decided to wait until morning, her phone buzzed with an incoming message.
Su Yi, who had waited patiently, decided to send one last message before retreating for the night.
Su Yi: I love you. Good night.
Gwen's hesitation vanished. The simple, heartfelt message was exactly what she needed. She immediately typed back.
Gwen: Su, are you asleep?
Su Yi: Not yet. I've been waiting for your answer. But I was trying not to pressure you.
This time, Gwen didn't pause. She typed her answer, her fingers trembling slightly.
Gwen: I love you too, Su.
Su Yi, who had been lying down, shot bolt upright in his bed, a triumphant, uncontrollable grin splitting his face. The long-awaited moment had finally arrived. He was no longer just the super-powered transfer student; he was Gwen Stacy's boyfriend.
He texted back instantly:
Su Yi: Gwen, I can't wait to see you tomorrow!
Gwen: Me too!
The two chatted briefly, but Gwen, remembering her mother's warning, finally forced herself to hang up and prepare for bed.
Gwen, however, was far too excited to sleep. She tossed and turned, the images of Su Yi's gentle face and the dark, protective figure of the Spider-Bully swirling in her mind. Eventually, accepting her insomnia, she went to her desk.
She pulled out her sketch pad and a drawing pen. Though not a professional artist, she was talented. Soon, a detailed drawing took shape: the powerful, sleek body of the Spider-Bully's symbiote suit with the unmasked, handsome face of Su Yi looking out from the collar.
Looking at the drawing, a satisfied smile lit up her face. "It's perfect," she murmured. She held the picture, staring out the window at the Manhattan skyline, her mind racing with anticipation for the morning. Gwen Stacy was officially in love, and it was the most exhilarating feeling she had ever known.
The next morning, Gwen woke up late, her dark circles clearly visible—the result of her joyous insomnia.
"Gwen, what is wrong with you?" Helen asked, concerned. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."
"I... I was just too excited about everything, Mom," Gwen fibbed, hoping Helen wouldn't guess she'd been texting until 3 AM.
Helen, already suspecting the "everything" meant "the boyfriend," simply offered a gentle warning. "Try your best not to fall asleep during class, dear."
Gwen rushed to school, her heart pounding with anticipation. She arrived in the classroom, her eyes immediately scanning for Su Yi.
He walked in a moment later, looking rested and radiating confidence. Gwen stood up, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Hi, Gwen," Su Yi said, walking straight to her. He noticed her exhaustion. "You don't look well. Did you have insomnia?"
"Yes," Gwen admitted, a nervous giggle escaping. "I was just... too excited."
Su Yi leaned closer, his voice soft enough only for her to hear. "So, is that it? Just a normal greeting? After last night, shouldn't we do something else?"
Gwen's hint was as clear as day. Su Yi didn't hesitate. He took her hand, his eyes shining, and gently confirmed their new status, a private, intimate moment shared in a very public room.
The entire classroom reacted instantly.
Betty Brant gasped, turning to Mary Jane Watson. "Wait, Su and Gwen? Are they... official? What about Mary Jane?" Betty's gaze immediately snapped to Mary Jane, whose expression was a complex mask of hurt, shock, and bitter envy.
Mary Jane pretended not to notice, clutching her book tightly, her usual effervescent demeanor replaced by a rigid silence. She avoided eye contact with everyone, quietly retreating to her seat.
Across the room, the "Little Spider," Peter Parker, watched the exchange, his already tumultuous mind reeling.
"Wait, Ned," Peter whispered to his friend. "I thought Su was interested in Mary Jane? Why is he holding Gwen's hand? What happened?" Peter looked at Mary Jane's dejected figure. "They must have broken up. Does that mean... I have a chance with Mary Jane now?"
The sight of Mary Jane's genuine sadness stirred something protective in Peter. He felt a sudden, sharp surge of anger at Su Yi for apparently causing her pain. He started to rise, preparing to demand an explanation from Su Yi.
The dynamic of the main friend group has drastically changed with Su Yi and Gwen becoming official. Peter is angry, and Mary Jane is hurt.