Gwen sat in her car opposite the gates of the cemetery, worry clouding her eyes as she stared toward the entrance.
She had known for some time that Hawk's sister had died in September 2009, during the battle between Hulk and Abomination. She had even guessed that Hawk's obsession with becoming stronger was tied to that night.
Sure, the way Hawk trained—throwing punches day after day until he could kill Lizard with a single strike—made no sense scientifically.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was that hearing it directly from Hawk's lips was different from simply guessing.
And yet…
His enemies were Abomination and Hulk.
Abomination was one thing—dead already.
But Hulk? Could Hawk really take him on? And if Hawk went after Hulk, wouldn't the other superheroes intervene to protect him?
Could Hawk win?
Gwen worried.
Yes—worried, not about convincing Hawk to give up his vengeance for peace and love.
Her lips curled in a bitter smile. Peace? Tell that to the feds after 9/11. If peace was enough, why did they strike back?
Why keep fueling wars all over the world if they were so devoted to peace?
She scoffed inwardly. She wasn't some naïve girl brainwashed by public schooling—she was a top private-school scholarship student who thought for herself.
As her brows furrowed deeper, a figure appeared at the cemetery gates.
Anna.
The same elegant beauty who had just spoken to Hawk with warmth now walked with icy coldness. Her face was a mask, her steps sharp and forceful, a bodyguard carrying Hawk's golf bag at her back.
Moments later, a crimson Porsche roared to life. Anna vanished down the street in a streak of red.
The bodyguard followed in a black SUV.
Soon after, Hawk emerged, wheeling a carry case toward her car.
Gwen's eyes flicked to the SUV disappearing in her mirror, then back to Hawk. She quickly got out to meet him.
Hawk loaded the case into the trunk.
"What's that?" she asked, noticing how the weight made the car dip.
"Take a look," Hawk said, stepping aside.
She shot him a quick glance, then popped the case open.
Her eyes went wide.
"—!"
"Yeah." Hawk grinned. "That was my reaction too."
She slammed the lid shut, scanning the area nervously before glaring at him.
"How?"
"Five weapons," Hawk said casually. "You know which ones."
Gwen froze—then blinked rapidly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Gwen," Hawk said, voice amused. "I can't act, but you can't hide either."
He didn't need to say more. The photo of Anya on his nightstand. The badly repacked bundle of weapons under his bed—different from his careful style. Gwen had seen them, panicked, and forgotten to put them back the way they were.
Her lips parted, caught red-handed.
A second later she slammed the trunk shut, cheeks reddening as she muttered, "NYU's here already. We need to hurry back."
Without waiting, she turned briskly, climbing into the driver's seat.
Her ears burned pink. Cute.
Hawk smiled faintly, but didn't press. He slipped into the passenger seat.
Gwen hit the gas, and the car shot forward.
On the way back, she kept her face stiff, refusing to look at him or say a word.
Silent driving, in its purest form.
Hawk leaned back, letting her simmer, while his own thoughts drifted.
Anna.
That "gift" she'd mentioned… what was it?
The ride that should have taken forty-five minutes was cut to thirty under Gwen's heavy foot. They pulled up outside Midtown High, and Gwen parked fast.
"The NYU reps are in the office already," she said.
"Got it." Hawk nodded and got out.
As he walked away, Gwen raised a fist and mouthed, "Good luck."
He smiled. "Yeah."
She stayed behind—this wasn't her place. An NYU meeting wasn't Berkeley's. Outsiders barging in would only look bad.
Hawk knocked.
"Come in."
"Mrs. Snow."
He entered, scanning the office. Beside his counselor sat a well-dressed middle-aged man, posture immaculate.
Mrs. Snow smiled warmly.
"Hawk, this is Mr. Gary Cooper, admissions officer for NYU. Gary, this is the student I told you about."
Hawk quickly stepped forward, offering his hand.
"Mr. Cooper."
"Hawk." Cooper shook it, smiled briefly, then grew serious again.
"I've reviewed your scholarship application. Today, I have a few questions. Please, sit."
Hawk nodded, taking a seat opposite.
For the next hour, Cooper questioned him carefully, scribbling notes as Mrs. Snow watched with quiet anticipation.
Finally, Cooper closed his notebook. He looked at Hawk for a moment, then stood, extending his hand with a smile.
"Congratulations, Hawk. Welcome to NYU."
Mrs. Snow gasped, covering her mouth, eyes shining.
"This is wonderful!"
Hawk froze, then sprang up, gripping Cooper's hand.
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me," Cooper said, smiling knowingly. "Thank my colleague Anna. She was the one who put your file on my desk."
…
(End of Chapter)
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