After the performance, Gwen stepped up to the front of the stage, pulled down her hood, and shook out her golden hair, her eyes sparkling under the lights.
"Thanks for the love, everyone~"
The crowd exploded.
"Wait—Gwen is Ghost-Spider?!"
"No way—my top two crushes are the same person?!"
"Get real, it's just cosplay. But man, Gwen nailed it!"
"I used to stan Jessica, but Gwen just moved to number one."
"Didn't you say Ghost-Spider was your favorite?"
"Yeah—at school, I mean!"
"Only kids pick sides. I support both!"
The energy was electric. Laughter, teasing, and applause filled the room. The Mary Janes disbanded from the stage, waving to their classmates. Jack Kadere and the others made their way backstage to change out of their costumes.
Inside the dressing room.
As soon as they were alone, Gwen rushed at Jack and threw her arms around him, landing a kiss that sent several of the girls nearby into a frenzy of giggles.
"Oh-ho~!"
"Gwen's going full PDA tonight~"
"I guess someone's still riding the adrenaline high~"
Most of them were already halfway through changing. They didn't mind Jack's presence—he'd already seen worse during art workshops. He kept his gaze respectful, focused mostly on Gwen, who was still in full costume.
Jack whispered against her ear, "You were stunning tonight, Gwen."
"It's all thanks to you~" she said with a grin.
As they exchanged another kiss, Jack helped unzip the back of her Ghost-Spider suit. Gwen helped him out of his own costume in return. Their teamwork—whether on stage or in the changing room—was seamless.
The other girls laughed again.
"You two seriously need to cool it," Betty said, pulling on a jacket.
Jessica rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "And to think Gwen didn't want to wear the suit at first. Now she's acting like she was born for it."
Gwen chuckled, stepping closer to plant a playful kiss on Jessica's cheek. "You're the reason all this worked. Thanks, Jess~"
"Ugh—Gwen!" Jessica wiped her cheek in exaggerated disgust. "I may have a girl fanbase, but I'm still into guys, thank you!"
Mary Jane grinned, "Alright, now that our star performers are out of costume—Jessica, what's next for the club?"
Jessica struck a dramatic pose. "Next? Recruitment. And this crucial task… will be handled by…"
She turned slowly toward Jack.
Jack, who had one arm still casually slung around Gwen, raised a brow. "What?"
Jessica pointed at him. "Vice President Kadere. That's you."
"Huh?"
Jessica gave him a flat look. "You're the only one here with a flexible schedule, big bro. Don't even try to argue."
....
The next day.
Midtown High – Ghost-Spider Fan Club Registration Booth.
Jack Kadere leaned back lazily in his chair behind the club sign-up desk, his posture the embodiment of disinterest. A clipboard rested on his thigh, a pen dangling loosely from his fingers.
"Name?" he asked flatly, not even glancing up.
"Uh… uh…" The chubby boy clutching his backpack stammered, "Ned. Ned Leeds."
Standing behind him, Peter Parker gave Jack a look. "Seriously, Jack? We're signing up for a fan club, not entering a detention facility."
The implication was clear: Could you be any more lifeless?
Jack yawned, unbothered. "Huh? What's the issue, Peter?"
Still slouching, he lazily scratched his head. "I'm not the one trying to save the world in tights. Just trying to survive Monday."
He scribbled something onto the clipboard.
"Age?"
Peter: "…"
Ned: "…"
Despite Jack's painfully bored tone, the two best friends eventually signed their names and officially became the first members of Midtown High's Ghost-Spider Fan Club.
Jack gave a half-hearted clap. "Congrats, you're in. Don't forget to bring snacks next meeting."
....
"Next!" Jack called out, tapping the pen against the table.
A confident voice answered.
"Hi there, handsome~"
Jack barely flicked his eyes up.
A tall, stylish girl with wavy dark hair and a cool, mixed-race vibe sat down in front of him. She looked right at ease, chin resting on her palm as she smiled playfully.
"I caught your guitar solo last night," she said. "You were pretty electric."
Jack blinked. "Oh. Thanks."
He paused, pen still hovering. "Name?"
"You're no fun," she pouted. "It's Skye. Skye Lincoln."
That made him pause. He looked up at last, actually registering her presence.
"Skye… Lincoln?"
She winked. "Got a problem with that?"
He raised a brow but didn't argue. He wrote it down.
"Alright, Skye. Welcome to the club. But don't expect VIP treatment for flirting."
"Oh, I'd never expect it. I always earn it."
Jack chuckled under his breath. This one was going to be trouble.