Spite the Symbiote: Part Seven (special preview)

Four years ago I met Spite. It was all a chaotic mess back then, I mean, it still is, but looking back I had less control then. Over four years so much has happened. Between going into hiding, fighting for my life, and coming to the academy I can't keep track of it all. I never expected to be a hero, let alone one people would look up to. I always figured I would remain that scrawny awkward kid no one noticed. But now, it feels like everyone notices me.

Because our popularity as a hero has increased, the academy has set Spite and me up with a PR agent. Well, so far they’ve set us up with two. Spite hasn’t liked the two that came before. So if this third one doesn’t work out, we could be in a bit of hot water with the academy.

“I don’t like them telling me what to do, like I’m some adorable little puppet who will perform on cue for them! I am adorable, but I have no strings or hand up inside me.” Spite then hesitated, thinking about what he said for a moment. “Max, am I puppet?”

I sighed and rubbed the hoodie he made around my head between my thumb and forefinger. “You’re not a puppet, babe. But you need to be nice! I’m asking you for this favor, if we piss off this next agent, we’re going to be in more trouble than that time you destroyed the coffee bar at the cafeteria.”

“It was all decaf!”

“I don’t care!” I huffed as we walked into the gym. “I’ll give you that the last guy was creepy, but the lady before that seemed nice.”

“She was a clout chaser,” Spite hissed, his tongue wagging into my face from the top of my head.

I moved his tongue back and Spite shifted, making a work out top for me. I went over to a treadmill to start my workout.

I had started getting up early so I could go to the gym when it wasn’t busy. There were a smattering of people around, but I felt comfortable with that. I handed Spite the earphones and he attached himself around them like a chain than cupped over my ears.

This was something else I never would have expected to be doing, let alone enjoy. I started working out after Jack suggested it. I had been working on strength training, but now I had a routine down I really enjoyed. I used to go with Eli, but he tended to get pretty hot and heavy, so we decided to start doing our workout separately. Without him, I enjoyed a less crowded gym. I would usually get done with my workout by the time Eli was getting up and making breakfast, so it all kind of worked out.

Spite hugged tight around my waist as I jogged on the treadmill. It was a bit odd, but I kept going since he wasn’t saying anything. After a bit of running, I went through the rest of my routine. Near the end, I got a text from Eli.

Spite lifted up my phone for me so I could read it as I set down some weights.

“I may not be home when you’re done with your work out. I noticed we were low on a few things so I stepped out to shop. If you feel like waiting I’ll pick us up something at the diner.”

“So we’ll have the apartment alone if we leave?” Spite tittered.

Eli sent another message. “Send me cute selfies while you’re at the gym.”

I chuckled and sighed, glancing around before I stepped in front of the mirror. I took a picture and Spite scoffed.

“Not like that! Your generation invented the thirst trap, what are you doing?” Spite rose up over my chest as well as pushed the front of my pants down just enough so it was suggestive, but nothing was overtly hanging out. He snapped the picture while I was stunned.

“See?” Spite showed me the picture. “You’re hot stuff!”

I looked over the picture and realized I didn’t recognize the person in it. In my head I was still that skinny, scrawny twerp from four years ago. The guy in the picture was tall and lithe with a pretty stellar physique. I mean, I knew I had grown and changed, I’d just never seen it in such a pleasing manner.

“If we head home now I’ll show you how to take nudes,” Spite cackled.

I swallowed and sent the picture to Eli. “I would like a shower.” I gathered my things and Spite formed the hoodie around me again. “Since we have that important meeting today and all.”

“Oh sure, the meeting,” Spite laughed. “Why are you so worried about this anyways? We don’t need that academy to keep punching people in the face.”