The final bell rang.
Students rushed out of their classrooms like prisoners making a break for it.
Jack stretched in his seat.
"School really is torture."
He grabbed his bag and walked down the hallway toward the music wing.
The faint sound of instruments echoed through the corridor.
"Guess this is the place."
He pushed open the door.
Inside, three people were already there.
Gwen stood near a guitar amp, tuning her instrument.
Mary Jane sat behind a keyboard.
Jack had seen MJ in class before, but they had never really spoken.
And behind the drum set —
Peter Parker.
Jack stopped.
"...Peter?"
Peter looked up with a grin.
"Hey Jack!"
Jack pointed at the drums.
"You play drums?"
Peter looked genuinely confused.
"Yeah? Why wouldn't I?"
Jack scratched his head.
"Just didn't expect it."
Mary Jane laughed from behind the keyboard.
"Pete's been playing since middle school."
Peter shrugged.
"My uncle made me learn. Said it builds rhythm. And MJ invited me when their previous drummer and rhythm guitarist moved to another band."
Gwen walked closer with her guitar resting against her shoulder.
"So you are ready for the interview?"
Jack smiled slightly.
"Guess so."
She looked him up and down.
"Alright. Show me."
Jack picked up the spare guitar from the stand.
His fingers moved across the strings.
A short riff filled the room.
Peter blinked.
"Whoa."
Mary Jane leaned forward.
"Not bad."
Gwen crossed her arms.
"Again."
Jack played a longer sequence. Clean chords. Good rhythm.
Not professional, but solid.
Gwen finally nodded.
"Okay. You're in."
Jack grinned.
"Glad I passed the interview."
Peter spun a drumstick between his fingers.
"So what's the plan?"
Gwen walked toward the whiteboard and wrote quickly.
Lead Guitar — Gwen
Rhythm Guitar — Jack
Drums — Peter
Keyboard / Vocals — MJ
Mary Jane raised her hand dramatically.
"I accept my role."
Peter laughed.
"Drama queen."
Gwen pointed her guitar at Jack.
"Let's start."
The next two hours flew by.
Music filled the room.
Drums pounding. Guitars clashing. MJ's voice tying everything together.
By the time they finished, the sky outside had already turned dark.
Jack set the guitar back on its stand.
"Not bad."
Peter wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Man, we might actually win this thing."
Mary Jane stretched.
"Or at least not embarrass ourselves."
Gwen grabbed her jacket.
"Let's go."
Outside in the school parking lot, a police car was waiting.
A tall man stood leaning against it with his arms crossed.
Gwen walked straight toward him.
"Hey Dad."
Captain George Stacy looked up.
"How was practice?"
"Good."
Then Gwen pointed back toward the group.
"This is Jack Walker. Our new guitarist."
George stepped forward and shook Jack's hand firmly.
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, sir."
George studied him for a moment. The way cops always did.
"You kids need a ride?"
Jack shook his head.
"I can take the bus."
Peter immediately spoke up.
"Come on, man. We're heading that way anyway."
Mary Jane nodded.
"Yeah, get in."
Jack hesitated for a second. Then shrugged.
"Alright."
The police car drove through Queens slowly. Streetlights passed overhead.
George glanced at Jack through the mirror.
"So, Jack... where do you live?"
"Near Queensbridge."
George raised an eyebrow.
"That area isn't exactly the safest."
Jack shrugged.
"It's cheap."
George kept his eyes on the road for a moment.
"Parents at home?"
Jack shook his head.
"No."
"Orphanage?"
"Yeah. Left about a year ago."
Mary Jane looked a little sad.
"Sorry."
Jack waved it off.
"It's fine."
George was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke again.
"There's a small house near ours."
Everyone in the car looked at him.
"Rent is cheap. Quiet neighborhood. Better than Queensbridge."
Jack looked genuinely surprised.
"You serious?"
George nodded.
"If you want, come check it out this weekend."
Jack smiled slowly.
"I will."
A few minutes later the car stopped near Jack's apartment building.
He stepped out and waved.
"Thanks for the ride."
Peter leaned out the window.
"See you tomorrow!"
The car pulled away.
Jack walked toward his building slowly.
"Moving houses already..."
He chuckled to himself.
"Life's changing fast."
Inside the apartment he dropped onto the couch.
The system panel appeared quietly.
[ Hero Points: 36 ]
[ Next Alien Unlock: 50 Hero Points ]
Jack smiled.
"14 more points."
He stood up and stretched.
Outside, the city lights glowed.
Night had arrived.
Which meant —
Work time.
Jack looked at the Omnitrix.
"Alright."
"Its HERO TIME"