Chapter 8: The Party Begins! American Bullying!
After Class
Peter Parker ran up to greet Dr. Connors. "Dr. Connors, I didn't expect you to be teaching at our school! That's great!"
During his summer internship, Peter had studied under Dr. Connors and performed even better than Gwen.
"Peter, I'm glad to see you too, but I think you misunderstood," Connors said with a smile.
"I only give occasional lectures, not permanent classes. After all, I have ongoing research projects at Oscorp."
"Oh? How's the latest progress?" Peter asked eagerly.
"Peter."
Gwen walked over at that moment. "I don't think it's a good idea to discuss Oscorp's research projects here at school."
"Hey, Gwen," Peter greeted her shyly, scratching the back of his head.
"It's fine, Gwen. It's not a classified project."
Connors picked up his briefcase and said self-deprecatingly, "Regrowing lost limbs by transplanting lizard DNA sounds too far-fetched for most people. They'll probably just dismiss it as a joke."
"If it's you, Dr. Connors, I'm sure you'll make it work," Gwen encouraged him sincerely.
Although she had only a vague understanding of Connors' research, she didn't think it was as unrealistic as others might.
After all, she herself had gained incredible superpowers.
Peter chimed in, "Yes, Doctor! I can help you."
Connors chuckled. "I should probably decline your offer… but I do need your help. You're a genius, Peter."
Peter's intellect, even in this version of events, surpassed his Spider-Man counterpart. At Oscorp, he had not only learned but had also given Connors several valuable insights.
"My lab is always open to you."
With those words, Connors prepared to leave. Before he did, Gwen extended an invitation. "Dr. Connors, there's a party tonight. Interested?"
"That's a young people's event, Gwen. I'll sit this one out."
"Alright, take care."
After seeing Connors off, Gwen turned to Peter with a grin. "Peter, don't try to skip the party tonight. There'll be plenty of girls there. Maybe I can introduce you to someone."
Peter had been her neighbor since childhood. Though she didn't have romantic feelings for him—her heart belonged to Ethan Lee—she still hoped her friend would be more outgoing.
"Uh… okay, I'll definitely go, Gwen!" Peter stammered before quickly dashing away as if making an escape.
"Hehe~"
Jessica appeared behind Gwen, smirking. "Gwen, there's a special event planned for the party~"
"Special event?" Gwen asked curiously.
---
That Evening
The party was held at Ethan Lee's Sunivel Manor.
Jessica was one of the organizers, alongside Harry Osborn, the heir to the Oscorp fortune.
By the time Ethan arrived in his flashy modified car, the party was already in full swing.
Let's see how Gwen reacts to this, Ethan thought with a mischievous glint in his eye. He pulled out an absurdly long scroll from his trunk, grabbed two small gifts, and walked straight inside.
---
"Mr. Lee?"
"Even though Jessica didn't say it, I figured you'd show up."
It was Harry Osborn who greeted Ethan first.
For a time, Ethan had tutored him in art classes.
"Harry, it's been a while. Have you been keeping up with your art studies?" Ethan asked.
Harry, dressed in a casual suit, looked relaxed—clearly, he hadn't yet experienced the Green Goblin incident.
Hmm… has Norman Osborn already turned into the Green Goblin? Maybe I should pay him a visit sometime, Ethan mused.
Unaware of Ethan's thoughts, Harry chuckled. "Between classes and learning how to manage a company, I barely have any free time. I don't have a brain as sharp as Peter's."
"Peter?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right. Speaking of him, he's not exactly having a great time right now."
Ethan pointed across the room.
The party was in full swing, but at the entrance, Peter, holding his camera, was being blocked by a burly blond guy and his group of followers.
"Hey, look who showed up."
Flash Thompson, Peter's classic school bully, sneered at him. "What are you doing here, Parker? This is a party, not a charity event."
A guy in a black jacket chimed in, "Yeah, we don't let trash in here."
Flash smirked, waving a hand dismissively. "Go home, Parker. Or stick around and do my homework for me."
"I'm here for the party, Thompson! You can't stop me!" Peter shot back, his hands tightening around his camera. He wanted to swing it at Thompson's head—but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Oh? And who invited you, nerd?" Flash mocked.
"A lot of people!" Peter insisted. "Gwen, Jessica, Harry—they all invited me!"
"Yeah, Thompson, Peter's on the guest list," Harry said, stepping forward with a frown. "You better step aside."
"Heh, still hiding behind other people, huh, Parker?" Flash scoffed, but seeing that one of the party's hosts had spoken up, he decided not to push it further.
Muttering under his breath, he shot Peter one last disdainful look before turning away.
Peter let out a breath, adjusting his grip on his camera. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.