After class ended, Peter Parker eagerly caught up with Dr. Curtis Connors.
"Dr. Connors! I didn't expect you to show up at Midtown High. This is awesome!"
Peter had interned under him at Oscorp during the summer. In fact, he'd even outperformed Gwen in a few lab sessions.
Connors smiled. "I'm glad to see you too, Peter—but this isn't a permanent arrangement. I just give the occasional lecture. My real focus is still my research at Oscorp."
"Oh? How's that going?" Peter's eyes lit up at the mention of Connors' projects.
"Peter..." Gwen chimed in as she approached them. "Maybe it's not the best idea to start discussing Oscorp's research in public?"
"Hey, Gwen." Peter greeted her, suddenly bashful.
"It's alright," Connors replied kindly. "It's nothing classified. Besides, most people just think I'm insane for trying to regenerate lost limbs using lizard DNA."
He picked up his briefcase and chuckled. "Let's just say the funding committee isn't impressed by reptilian biology."
"If anyone can pull it off, Doctor, it's you," Gwen encouraged sincerely.
Though she only had a general sense of Connors' research, she believed in it. After all, she herself had gained powers that defied logic.
Peter nodded. "If you ever need help, I'm always around."
Connors gave him a knowing smile. "I should probably say no—but frankly, I could use someone like you. You've got talent, Peter."
The doctor glanced at his watch. "Anyway, my lab is always open to you."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Oh! Dr. Connors," Gwen added quickly, "There's a party tonight. You're welcome to join."
Connors chuckled. "That's sweet, Gwen, but I'll leave the partying to the younger crowd."
"Fair enough. Take care!"
As Connors walked off, Gwen turned to Peter. "Hey, don't bail on us tonight. There'll be a bunch of girls there. I can even introduce you to someone nice."
Peter, who'd been her neighbor since they were kids, turned red instantly. Though Gwen didn't have romantic feelings for him—unlike her confusing feelings for Jack Kadere—she genuinely hoped he'd come out of his shell.
"Y-Yeah, sure! I'll be there!" Peter said quickly before practically sprinting away.
"Hehe~" Jessica Jones suddenly popped out from behind Gwen. "Gwen, you're going to love the special event at the party~"
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Special event?"
...
That evening arrived quickly.
The party was being held at Sunnyvale Manor, Jack Kadere's sprawling and ostentatiously designed home.
Jessica was one of the main organizers. The other was Harry Osborn—yes, that Osborn. Son of Norman, heir to Oscorp, and co-sponsor of tonight's chaotic energy.
By the time Jack rolled up in his customized car, the manor was already buzzing with music, lights, and the excited chatter of Midtown High's social scene.
Jack grinned mischievously.
Let's see what kind of face Gwen makes when she sees this...
With that wicked thought, he pulled a comically long scroll from the trunk, grabbed two small wrapped boxes, and strolled inside.
...
"Teacher?"
Sure enough, Harry Osborn walked up, dressed in a laid-back designer suit. "Jessica didn't say, but I figured you'd show up."
Jack smirked. "Harry, long time no see. You skipping out on your art homework?"
For a while, Jack had been tutoring him in art. It was a short-term arrangement, but the two had developed a comfortable rapport.
Jack noticed that Harry seemed completely at ease. No signs yet of Green Goblin drama. So Norman Osborn hasn't gone full supervillain... maybe. Might have to keep an eye on that.
Of course, Harry had no idea Jack was mentally scheduling a fistfight with his dad.
As they walked into the manor together, Harry chuckled, "Between school and learning how to run Oscorp, I barely have time for anything else. I'm not exactly built like Peter when it comes to brains."
"Peter?" Jack raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? Yeah, Peter Parker. Why?"
Jack casually pointed forward. "He's over there. And it looks like he's not exactly having the best time."
In the main hall where the party was going strong, Peter Parker stood awkwardly at the edge with his camera—blocked from entering by Flash Thompson, the quintessential Midtown High bully, flanked by a few cronies.
"Well, look who showed up," Flash sneered. "What are you doing here, Parker? This is a real party. Not a pity gathering for losers."
A guy in dark streetwear beside Flash snorted, "Yeah, go crawl back to your science club."
Flash added with a smirk, "Unless you're here to take my pictures and do my homework, better turn around."
Peter flushed red. "I was invited, Thompson. Gwen, Jessica—and Harry—said I could come!"
"Yeah, Thompson," Harry said, stepping in beside Jack. "We all invited Peter. Back off."
Flash's smirk faltered, but he covered it with a scoff. "Still hiding behind rich kids, huh, Parker?"
He motioned for his group to back off and stalked away, tossing a final glare over his shoulder.
Jack shook his head and muttered, "High school never changes."