Along came a new spider.

Alex walked down the hallways he had been pondering ideas for his Spider-Man outfit, he wasn't in the slightest 'rolling in dough'. But he had to try.

"Having a bit of trouble there dear?"

Alex turned to face Rarity, of course she had her time well spent in school, but it hardly seemed to have a affect on her. They both walked down the hallway.

"So Rarity, I've been meaning to ask, how do you get...spandex?" Alex asked. 'Well, it was better than: Hey where do I get spandex for my Spider-Man outfit?'

"Well, why do you need it?" She asked.

"Well, since Halloween is coming up, I figured I'd get my costume ready." He explained.

"Darling, Halloween isn't for another month, I'm sure you could wait for it."

"Aren't you like, a fashionista? Y'know, those people who like to be prepared months before the deadline?" Alex asked.

"Fair point, but no. I don't have any spandex, who were you going to dress up as?" She asked.

"Uh, Superman or something."

"I see."

"Well I'm going to auditorium. How about you?" He asked.

"Well, my band has a gig at a pizza parlor soon, we're just getting the equipment to perform." She said. "What about Insomnia?"

Alex paused. "Actually now that you said it, I don't think they told me, y'know, because you're rivals or whatever." He said.

"Interesting." She noted.

They both entered the auditorium, but to their surprise no music was playing, however arguments could be heard throughout.

"I don't care if you need to move your equipment. We were here first!"

Alex saw Sarah and Twilight, both of them arguing along with their respective band members. He could hear the basics:

"Move your stuff over there!"

"You're blocking our equipment!"

"Why are we arguing again? Luis asked, followed by a 'Shut up Luis!' from Sarah.

"Guys! Shut the fuck up!" Alex exclaimed. Everyone turned to him.

"Jeez, you guys argue like five-year-olds. What's the problem?" He said.

"Well, we were practicing a new song we wrote when all of a sudden, this bitch came up and said we need to leave. When I asked why and she said and I quote: 'To get our stuff' one thing led to another and here we are." Sarah said.

"Uh-huh, say, mind telling me the part that was not exaggerated?" Alex asked.

"That wasn't exaggerating."

"Sure, Twilight, say something before I lose my mind. Believe me, it's messed up as it is." He said.

"We just came and said if we could get our stuff for our gig and she wouldn't budge, because she was blocking the closest!" Twilight said. Alex just simply face-palmed.

"Seriously?" He said.

"Yup."

"Don't tell me you believe her." Sarah spat.

"I don't, I don't believe either of you, but to make yourselves feel better, I'm going to say I believe both of you." He said. "But this is a huge waste of an argument. So I'm going to cut to the chase. Sarah, just let them through."

"Why? They didn't call dibs."

"So?"

"I own this spot." She snarled.

"Of course you do, Sarah, get out of the way." Alex said.

"What! Why?!" She exclaimed.

"You did this to pick an argument, now this is the part where I pick sides, but quite frankly I don't think I can handle something stupid as this. Sarah, apologize, and Twilight, apologize for acting rash." He said.

"But I didn't-" Twilight began.

"But nothing, I don't want to have to be in a rivalry that could get bloody if not attended to, and frankly, this is the longest anyone has been my friend." He interrupted.

"Fine." They both said.

"I'm sorry." Sarah said.

"I'm sorry." Twilight said.

"Good. We're making progress, now let's forget this ever happened and move on. Good?" He said. He saw all the nods that came through. "Thought so." As he turned to leave, Luis called out.

"Hey man! Leaving so soon?" Luis said.

"Yeah, because I can only take so much before getting a splitting headache for the rest of the day. So, bye." Alex said as he exited the auditorium.

The walk back was brief, or so he thought. Alex made his way to the orphanage and entered through the door. Surprisingly, there was no stench of alcohol plaguing the building. Alex turned to see Earl, lying on the couch with a glass of tea.

"Hey Earl, how come it isn't a dump now?" Alex asked.

"Oh, didn't see you there, I've been trying to get sober for the past few days now, been drinking tea instead of beer. Been going strong for two days now." Earl replied, clearly tired, but at least sober. "Why, do you need something?"

"No, but I'm surprised, good job man." Alex said.

"Yeah, yeah, beat it before I get jumpy again." Earl smirked.

"Ok, see ya around Yogi." Alex teased.

"You too wall-crawler." Earl grunted.

'Damn, he got me there.' Alex thought as he made his way upstairs, opening the door to his room, Dylan, appeared to be writing something.

"Hey Dylan, whatcha doing?" Alex asked, making Dylan jump.

"Jesus man, you scared me. I was writing a story for this group who are taking gifted writers. I'm applying there." Dylan explained.

"That's great man." Alex began, but paused. "Does that mean you're going to leave the orphanage?" He asked worryingly.

"Yeah, but here's the good part, they're going to give me an apartment with two rooms, a bathroom, and a beautiful living room. You know what that means." He explained.

"No way." Alex said in disbelief. "Wait, will I still go to school?" He added.

"Sure, as long as I'm your guardian, they'll let you go to school." Dylan explained. "So what do you say?"

Alex paused, Earl was something of a father figure to him, in a drunken-but-happy father to him. Whenever Alex was in a pinch, Earl gave him the advice he needed to go on.

So why leave the only person he still considered a parent?

Alex opened his mouth for an answer, his thoughts not catching up with his mouth. He wasn't sure if he liked the outcome.

Or if he'll regret it forever.