SWNOVELXO Chapter 2: Part 2
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Slowly, I was bringing my new body back into shape, like a meticulous engineer, to the peak of its capabilities, so that I would have the best 'suit' at my disposal, not some shabby Abibas. And although I didn't know how it all worked, it didn't stop me from upgrading it. And the first thing I got back was clarity of vision, muscle flexibility. And a little enhancement, so Parker wouldn't pass the human test now, but he was a step up to something perfect. I opened my eyes slowly and started the internal processes, and I squeezed my eyes shut pleasantly, switching everything to first-person view. As I took control, I immediately forgot that I had been a spider, but I smiled as I quickly chased the thoughts away and brushed off my god complex, for I had been given a chance to start over, no matter that I had taken that chance away from someone else.
Fully synchronised with the recipient's memory, I slowly absorbed new knowledge, and there was plenty of it, because the guy had a genius mind and encyclopedic knowledge in many fields and various sciences.
I sincerely did not understand how it is possible to have such outstanding brains, and at the same time not to use them at all. But what else can you take from teenagers? In the same Scandinavia, they are all children under twenty-five years old, so what is not an age? I sighed and headed for the kitchen, where my aunt was already cooking something delicious. As it turned out, 'I' was an orphan, which made it easier for me to fit in as a student. Parker lived only with Aunt May, his parents were dead, his uncle died not so long ago from blood cancer, practically in front of the boy's eyes. Quickly going through all the events of Peter's life in my head, I mentally noted all the unhappy events.
Finishing the analysis, I realised why the kid was so emotionally distressed. Recognising that it was normal, I went down to May's room, as it smelt like something so pleasant. As it turned out, it was just regular waffles. But damn, when was the last time I had a proper home-cooked meal? I'd forgotten what it was like to eat breakfast with my family, and in such pleasant company. May didn't look her age at all, and I wouldn't give her more than thirty, and who wouldn't enjoy the company of such a hot Italian girl, albeit of American origin? I smiled at May and sat down majestically at the table.
- There's my sleepyhead. How did you sleep? What are we doing up so early in the morning? - May asked mischievously.
- It's good to see you too.
- Buca. - Auntie grinned.
- I slept fine, I came in, ate and went to sleep.
- Yes, I noticed how you worked up an appetite yesterday, so much so that the whole fridge was empty. Did you have a good time? - May asked with a smile. - Any dryness? Or has your appetite woken up for some other reason? - Auntie winked at me.
- May! - I looked at the woman with a sincere indignation. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement, but I didn't pursue the subject and continued eating the damn delicious waffles with jam.
- Yes, Peter? - she asked warmly. - By the way, did you hear that your girlfriend was coming today? That redhead you were chasing earlier. - Auntie smiled wryly. - Don't you want to go out tonight?
- Is that what you've been trying to get me to do all morning? Sly, I'll admit you're sneaky. So why would I go out with her? I know it's a childhood crush and all that, but I haven't seen that redhead in ages, love's gone, wilted, ever heard of it? No? So what's your interest, May? - As I looked intently into my aunt's thoughtful eyes, I could still see the flame of excitement in them.
- Hmm, that's right, you little devil, you're interested in everything. - May's pleasant laughter prevented me from finishing my waffle, and I turned my gaze to her. - You remember my friend Anna, with whom we go to yoga, right? Well, she's the one your girlfriend is staying with, and Anna and I are having a young wine night, you know how hard it is to get Burgundy and have a free Friday night? So be a bunny and take a walk with the girl, show her the city, give her an ice-cream, do I have to teach you? - Auntie said, immediately moving on to the pleasant part of our conversation. - Well, and in return for all your deprivation, suffering and torture on a date, I will cook your favourite lasagne in Neapolitan style. How's that sound? - May knew how to bribe me, because my love of her cooking made me happy. Wait, not me, but Peter, though what's the difference?
Grumbling more for show, I nodded.
- Auntie, you are a real criminal genius, how can I compete with you? I'll take you up on your offer, but I'll demand a Hawaiian pizza as a nice addition to the lasagne. - May laughed mischievously and, after patting me on the head, replied.
- So be it. A deal? - She winked, holding out a dainty pen.
- A deal. - I immediately agreed, shaking her hand in return, but the feeling of deceit never left my mind. I guess I was wrong, and I should have asked for more. Shit, seeing the triumph in Mei's eyes, I realised I'd cheaped out, but there was nothing to be done.
- That's the deal. - She turned around and walked out of the kitchen with a proud look, but quickly remembered the waffles were burning, and then she yelped and returned to the table as if nothing had happened, with the same triumphant look.
As I ate my waffles, I realised that I didn't have much to do, but I could always go out, and it would be nice to see my childhood friend, because who knows what grew out of that redhead? There's always a chance of running into a beauty. So why not?
I was still enjoying the hot waffles and the pleasant company, but soon I felt a sense of satiety, and thanking my aunt for everything, I left the kitchen without any hurry, because I had to find out the local news and see what was going on in the world.
It's nice to be alive again. I recommend everyone to live a little bit. It's nice. Getting high on the small pleasures of life, I comfortably settled down on the sofa and switched on the old TV. Stark. Stark. Hammer. Stark again. It was boring news. Wait, what's this nightclub massacre?