novelhk Chapter 6 Spider-Man: First Day of School
Chapter 6 Spider-Man: First Day of School
Chapter 6 Spider-Man: First Day of School
The American high school system is a credit-based, flexible scheduling system, meaning classrooms are not fixed; students attend classes based on their assigned courses, and their free time is entirely up to them. Courses are divided into electives and required courses. Midtown High School has five required courses and two electives per semester. Students attend five classes a day: three in the morning starting at 8:20 AM, two in the afternoon, and dismissed at 3:00 PM.
The first day of high school was uneventful: an opening ceremony, entrance exams, then getting a timetable based on the test results and your interests, lunch, followed by club recruitment and discussions among upperclassmen about this year's homecoming activities—which had little to do with the new students.
The only noteworthy event was the speech given by the renowned scientist Norman Osborn at the opening ceremony.
The reason why a famous entrepreneur like Osborne would give a speech at an ordinary public high school like Midtown High School is quite simple—his son has enrolled.
"I thought you were very interested in scientists, but I didn't expect you to almost fall asleep during Osborn's speech."
"Osborne is a great investor and entrepreneur, but he's certainly not a great scientist or engineer... Hey, does our school even have its own TV show?"
Peter gave Gwen an ambiguous answer. He had a feeling about Norman that he wanted to care about but dared not deliberately care. Peter Parker had nothing to do with Harry Osborn now, but the spider that bit him was a genuine Osborn technology experiment.
And who can guarantee that Norman Osborn isn't already the Green Goblin?
The only good news is probably that Norman Osborn in his universe is white.
So he could only answer Gwen absentmindedly, glancing at the television in the hallway. On the television, a boy and a girl, both high school students, were broadcasting "Midtown High School Evening News." Of course, they couldn't compare to professional presenters, but they still looked quite professional.
"The new semester has begun, and voting for this year's back-to-school activities is now open. Please visit our school's official website to vote..."
The two watched the news for a few seconds. Gwen seemed quite excited about high school life, which would be much more colorful than junior high.
As for Peter, he's just planning to slip away now. It's already 3 PM, time for Spider-Man to start his patrol in New York.
"Oh my god! Our school has a rock band! I want to join!"
"I think Uncle George would be very angry if he knew that you gave up ballet in high school to play the drums."
Peter walked to his cabinet as he spoke. Gwen, hearing this, leaned against the cabinet and raised an eyebrow.
"If you dare tell my dad, you're dead, you smart kid."
"I surrender."
Peter raised his hands, then opened his new locker (the one he'd been assigned on his first day) and started packing. Gwen realized he was already packing to go home: "Wait? You're already leaving?"
"Huh? Yes?"
"First day of school? Not even going to familiarize yourself with the classroom, or check if there are any clubs that interest you?"
"perhaps?"
"What if there's some kind of Frankenstein's Monster Club, comic book club, or detective agency or something?"
Peter Parker thought calmly for a few seconds and came to an affirmative conclusion.
"Okay, you've convinced me. Let's enjoy high school."
Does Peter Parker want to enjoy high school? Maybe, but he's thinking about other things. For example, Gwen noticed that Spider-Man's shoes were the same as his that morning. This is obviously because making a pair of shoes would cost more, and Peter needs to ensure he has a change of uniforms; he doesn't have the money to specially modify a pair of shoes. But this also reminds him that he must be careful not to expose his identity and avoid affecting those around him.
Of course, if such a thing were to actually happen, those people would definitely regret it.
But it's definitely better if it doesn't happen. So he thought about it. If Peter Parker chose not to participate in any club activities, kept his distance from his classmates, and was always appearing and disappearing mysteriously, not only would Gwen become suspicious, but perhaps his teachers and classmates would also pay attention to him. To avoid that, it would be best to become an ordinary high school student; that was the best way to keep Spider-Man's identity hidden.
In addition, it would be best to join an internship program at Stark Industries or Osborn Technologies so that he could secretly upgrade his suit. But that would require even more careful time management. Fortunately, Spider-Man's rest quality is far superior to that of ordinary people; Peter only needs about four or five hours of sleep to recover from fatigue.
"By the way, why did you say I would play the drums?"
"Because...you're a perfect fit." Peter thought to himself, I can't exactly say that in some universe where you got bitten by a spider, you're the drummer in a band, can I? So he just laughed it off and brushed the topic off.
"So, which club are you planning to join?"
"Hard to say," Peter said casually. "I'd definitely participate in the Olympiads; it'll be really helpful for college. As for the student council... I'm not that interested. Midtown High School is unlikely to have any high-level science research clubs. Internships at Stark or Osborn Industrial School would be more reliable. Otherwise, I'd like a place where I can program with people, play Dungeons & Dragons, or build Lego."
"Hmm..." Gwen remarked, "Sounds like a shut-in."
"I'm just a homebody. I like reading, science, anime, and board games. I know nothing about sports. The only thing I do is stick to long-distance running and combat training."
The two chatted as they planned to check out the school's club recruitment events. But after only a few steps, they heard a familiar, irritating laugh.
A tall, burly man in a short-sleeved shirt was shoving another student's head against a locker. Peter sighed helplessly, reopened his locker, and took something out.
"I can't believe this kind of stupid thing has to happen in every American high school, with football or basketball idiots bullying classmates by the lockers." Peter closed the locker door and looked at Gwen, who was waiting for him. "I thought you were going to go up and help that poor little guy."
"If you're not planning to go, you will. But right now I have to carry you back to the infirmary."
"High school won't be like that, Gwen. I only went there a few times in sixth grade in middle school."
Peter walked towards the scene of the bullying. The surrounding area was bustling with activity. Sometimes Peter thought that the atmosphere in high school might have been better in his previous life. How could America be an place that dislikes studious high-achievers, idolizes athletic underachievers, and even enjoys watching and cheering over bullying?
The bullied boy was a young Asian boy whom Peter didn't know, but he was very familiar with the bully, who was Calkin, the boy he had spent three years of junior high school fighting against.
It's really a narrow road.
He was about to speak when someone beat him to it. A brown-haired guy in a black jacket squeezed between the two men and threatened Kalkin: "Listen, buddy, I don't know who you are, but if you don't stop, you're in big trouble."
"Yeah?"
Like a high school bully in any American TV show, Kalkin clenched his fists, making a cracking sound, and approached with his 1.9-meter-tall, muscular body: "You're in big trouble now, you nosy bastard."
"Hey, Carl."
A familiar voice called out to him. Peter Parker walked towards him calmly and confidently: "How about this, if you don't bully your classmates in high school, we can still be friends, what do you think?"
Peter Parker extended his hand to Culkin with a kind smile. Culkin actually ignored the two men, reached out to Peter Parker, and grasped—no, squeezed—Parker's hand.
"You won't think that way when you beg for mercy, Parker!!!"
"A shocker, Karl. You won't get shocked if you shake hands properly." Peter was still holding Karlkin's hand. "And I suggest you don't lay a hand on me. I learned a lot of fighting techniques from my uncle during the summer. If I beat you up, I'll have to explain to the teacher that I wasn't the bully."
Fuck you!
Calkins, having shaken off Peter's hand, angrily threw a punch, which Peter caught with his palm. Calkins then let out another painful howl. Peter sighed helplessly, looking at the two men: "Did anyone hear me explain 'touch-press'?"
"Um... isn't the electric shock a bit...?"
"Don't worry, I've known Karl for three years, I know he can handle it." Peter smiled at his helpful older brother. Karl stepped back again, then lunged forward.
"I'm going to beat you to a pulp..."
"Hey Karl, give me some advice, stop yelling." Peter shuddered, dodging to the side, grabbing Karlkin's wrist, and twisting it behind his back. He released Karl as he howled in pain, simultaneously giving him a slight kick to the ankle, sending the big guy sprawling to the ground.
Calkin was still angry and about to stand up when he saw Peter Parker's hand, which had something on its palm, placed lightly on his face, and then turned into a gesture of reaching out.
"Like I said before, if you don't bully your classmates in high school, we can still be friends. What do you think?"
Fuck you.
The same words were spoken with different tones on the two occasions. This time, Calkin learned his lesson, slapped Peter's hand away, and ran off in a flustered manner.
The students watching were amazed and excited by this unexpected development. Peter ignored them and sighed with feigned regret, "I thought I could be friends with him in high school. How are you, guys?"
He turned towards the bullied side. The short Asian guy who was getting up was alright, but another guy who also liked to meddle had already come over.
"You were so cool, man. You took that guy down in one go."
"We went to the same junior high school. I was bullied by him before, so I know how to deal with him."
Peter then took a closer look at the man. He had short brown hair, was almost 1.8 meters tall, and was definitely handsome. At least in terms of looks, Peter thought the man was better than him.
"Peter Benjamin Parker, a freshman in high school."
"Harold Lyman, you're a freshman like me, just call me Harry."
Harry realized belatedly after shaking hands, "Oh! I really didn't feel anything."
"Only guys who want to punch someone get electrocuted. Are you okay?"
"Thank you... um, thank you. My name is Zhao, Amadeus Zhao."
If Harry only reminded Peter of Harry Osborn, whose whereabouts were unknown, then the name Amadeus was enough to make him lose himself in thought. However, he quickly composed himself and extended his hand to the other man: "Nice to meet you, buddy."
(End of this chapter)