On the way to Midtown High, Hawk learned from Peter and Harry how the two had become friends.
Peter's parents, when they were alive, had worked as scientists for Oscorp. Often, when they had to work long hours, they brought little Peter along to the labs. That's where he and Harry Osborn first met—and bonded.
Even after Peter's parents died in a plane crash, Harry never cut ties. Despite studying in England, he'd always kept in touch by phone. And now, he had transferred back, eager to reunite with his best friend.
For Peter, still mourning Uncle Ben's recent death, Harry's return was the brightest thing to happen in months.
Yes—Uncle Ben had died here too. And with his death, New York gained Spider-Man.
When Hawk heard, he was momentarily stunned, then offered softly: "I'm sorry. My condolences."
Peter just smiled. "It's alright. Uncle Ben taught me something with his life—great power comes with great responsibility. So every time I act as Spider-Man… I feel like he's still right there with me."
The bus rolled on, and half an hour later, it pulled into Midtown High.
Students streamed off, chattering. Across the lot, Gwen stood greeting friends with her bright, easy smile.
"Morning, Gwen!"
"Morning, Elle."
"Hey Gwen, is there going to be a welcome dance this year?"
"Of course, Mark. That's tradition."
Just then, Hawk stepped off the bus behind Peter and Harry. Gwen's eyes lit up—but before she could rush over, a tall figure blocked Hawk's path.
Jennifer Chuck.
The sultry cheerleading captain, with her waterfall of black hair and fox-like eyes, smiled up at him.
Gwen froze mid-step. Her brows furrowed.
"Hey, Gwen." Mary Jane had just arrived, noticing her stiff posture. Following Gwen's gaze, she spotted Jennifer and rolled her eyes. "Oh, her again? Still not giving up?"
MJ smirked. "What is this, her personal tradition? Four years in a row now, every semester she tries to rope Hawk into being her date?"
Gwen's voice was cool. "Not every semester. She also asked him at the year-end dance in June."
MJ arched a brow, amused. "Like he'd even go to a dance." Then she blinked, realizing Gwen's tone carried something more. She turned and studied Gwen quietly.
Meanwhile, Jennifer leaned closer to Hawk, her fox-like eyes shimmering. "Hawk, you turned me down in freshman year. You turned me down again sophomore year. Then again last year. But now it's senior year—our last year. You can't refuse me forever, can you?"
She had no shortage of admirers. But none of them were Hawk. His aloofness had turned her casual interest into something of an obsession.
Hawk, calm as ever, simply shook his head. "Jennifer, you know I don't go to dances."
She grinned slyly. "But if you did—you'd invite me, wouldn't you?"
"Yes. If I ever went. But I won't."
"That's all I needed to hear." With a satisfied smile, she planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving behind a faint trace of perfume, and then whisked away as quickly as she had appeared.
Watching her vanish like the wind, Hawk sighed and turned toward Gwen.
She smiled, though her eyes searched his face. "She asked you to the dance again?"
"Yeah."
"And you said no?"
"I did."
"Oh."
...
(End of Chapter)
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