Midtown High buzzed with a rare, electric excitement. Word had spread fast: Dr. Adrian Toomes, a renowned scientist and engineer, was joining the faculty as the new science teacher. By the time the first bell rang, the halls were alive with speculation—students clustered in groups, whispering about his rumored inventions and the stories of his time at Oscorp and Stark Industries.
Toomes wasn't the only new face at Midtown. Just last week, two transfer students arrived from across the city: Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson. Gwen, sharp-eyed and blonde, was already recognized for her quick wit and her well-worn blue journal, filled with observations and sketches. Her striking beauty turned heads wherever she went. Mary Jane, with her striking red hair and easy confidence, quickly made friends through her humor and fearless approach to new situations. Her captivating presence and charm made her stand out as a top-tier beauty. Both girls came from a prestigious magnet school, and their reputations for intelligence and creativity preceded them.
The classroom was already half full when Peter and Liz slipped into their usual seats in the front row. Liz dropped her bag with a thud and nudged Peter. "Bet you five bucks Toomes tries to blow something up before lunch."
Peter grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Only if you promise not to write a scathing editorial about it."
A ripple of laughter came from just behind them. Gwen and Mary Jane, having chosen seats directly behind Peter and Liz, exchanged amused glances. Gwen, already jotting notes, looked up with a smirk. "You two sound like you've seen your fair share of mad scientists."
Mary Jane leaned forward, her voice low and conspiratorial. "If he does blow something up, I want the exclusive for the school paper."
Liz turned, her eyes lighting up. "You're the new transfers, right? Gwen and Mary Jane?"
Gwen nodded, her smile warm. "That's us. We heard Midtown's science program was good, but we didn't expect front-row seats to a potential explosion."
Peter laughed. "You picked a wild week to transfer in. Midtown's never this exciting."
Mary Jane grinned, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. "Or so much drama. But hey, at least the people are friendly."
Liz nodded, her tone genuine. "We're glad you're here. Midtown needed a shake-up."
Just then, the classroom door swung open, and in strode Dr. Toomes—a tall, thin man with sharp features, silver hair, and piercing eyes that seemed to scan the room all at once. He wore a crisp suit, but his hands—long-fingered and slightly trembling—betrayed a nervous energy.
He smiled, but there was a strange intensity behind it. "Good morning, class. I'm Dr. Toomes. I've spent my life building things—machines, ideas, sometimes even people's futures. I hope to do the same here."
Peter leaned over to Liz, whispering, "He's got the mad scientist look down."
Liz grinned, whispering back, "He's definitely got a vibe. I bet he's hiding a death ray in his briefcase."
Gwen and Mary Jane, close enough to hear, both burst out laughing. Gwen covered her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles. "If he is, I hope it's set to 'stun' and not 'disintegrate.'"
Mary Jane added, "And if he's got a death ray, I call dibs on the exclusive interview."
Toomes continued, his voice shifting from warm to almost severe as he discussed the wonders—and dangers—of technology. "Science is power," he said, his hands trembling slightly as he gestured. "But power must be respected. Misuse it, and you risk everything."
Gwen raised her hand, her tone curious but cautious. "What's the most dangerous thing you've ever built?"
Toomes paused, his eyes narrowing for a split second. The room seemed to hold its breath. "Sometimes, the most dangerous things aren't what you build, but what you inspire in others." He smiled again, but Peter felt a chill run down his spine.
Mary Jane scribbled in her notebook, leaning toward Gwen. "He's intense," she whispered.
Peter's senses tingled. Something about Toomes felt… off. He watched the teacher's hands shake as he wrote complex equations on the board, and caught the way Toomes' gaze lingered on the classroom's old, outdated tech. When a student's phone buzzed, Toomes' eyes snapped to it, and for a moment, his expression darkened before he forced a smile.
After class, Toomes lingered by the door, inviting students to sign up for an upcoming field trip to Oscorp.
"Oscorp is at the forefront of innovation," he said, handing out permission slips. "You'll see things there that could change the world. I encourage all of you to come—especially those who want to see science in action."
Liz's eyes lit up. "We have to go," she whispered to Peter and Gwen. "Oscorp's been in the news for all the wrong reasons. I want to see what they're hiding."
Peter smirked. "You just want to catch a mad scientist in the act."
Gwen grinned, tucking her journal into her bag. "Or at least get a good story for the school paper. Imagine the headline: 'Oscorp's Secrets Exposed by Midtown's Finest.'"
Mary Jane chimed in, "If there's a scandal, I want front-page credit."
Liz elbowed Peter. "Come on, Parker. You're my research assistant now."
Peter rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Fine, but if I see any green goo, I'm out. I've seen enough movies to know how that ends."
Toomes overheard and chuckled, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Curiosity is a gift, Mr. Parker. Just be careful where it leads you. Some doors, once opened, can't be closed."
Peter met his gaze, feeling a strange sense of warning in the teacher's words.