Lizard Tops the School's Hot List

As expected.

The next day.

While still on the school bus, the lizard monster that appeared on the Williamsburg Bridge yesterday had already become today's hot news.

Bar none.

"Holy crap, did you guys see the news this morning?"

"I saw it. Luckily, my place is in Queens, not Brooklyn or Manhattan, because I can't afford a place in either of those."

"I think we should leave New York City after we graduate."

"What's wrong?"

"Look, a few years ago it was Hulk and Abomination, last year there was that science expo, and this year aliens even showed up. And the year isn't even over yet, and now there's a lizard monster."

"Hiss."

"That's true. What's going on with New York City these past few years?"

"It hasn't been good since September 2001, anyway."

"By the way, am I the only one curious about how that Spider-Man shoots webs?"

"..."

Sitting in the back row by the window, Hawk heard a weak voice from the school bus and raised an eyebrow, instinctively looking at Peter, who was sitting next to him.

See?

It's not just me who's curious.

Peter felt the teasing in Hawk's gaze and tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I don't want to discuss this."

Hawk shrugged, unbothered, and smoothly changed the subject. He glanced at the back row, which only he and Peter were occupying.

"Where's Harry? He's not riding the school bus with you today."

"He's going to be late. He went to Osborn Bio-Industry this morning. He said Osborn was invaded last night."

Peter said, scanning the inside of the bus. Then he lowered his voice. "I asked a few more questions. Dr. Curtis Connors' lab was stolen from. Apparently, the equipment and everything were moved in and out by the lizard-man."

Hawk nodded.

"Apparently? Wasn't The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man there?"

"The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was sleeping."

Peter's lips twitched.

He was incredibly glad he had made himself a Spider-suit and covered his face.

Look at that.

The only person who knew his true identity, and someone who was just as quiet as him at school, was already teasing him like this.

What if it were someone else?

The most important thing was that he was fighting for justice, which was correct. Uncle Ben would probably be very proud to see him now.

With great power comes great responsibility.

But...

No matter how great the power, one still needed to sleep. Even a real spider needed to rest every day.

Let alone that he wasn't a real spider, so he couldn't be out fighting 24/7.

Peter thought, pondering the unfinished topic from last night, and lowered his voice.

"What do you think Dr. Connors is trying to do by doing this?"

"Don't know, don't care, not interested."

Hawk shook his head, a triple rejection.

Peter looked at Hawk, who had returned to his usual taciturn self after saying that, gazing out the window at the passing scenery. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything else.

He never thought about inviting Hawk to join him as a vigilante.

After all, just because he liked something didn't mean others would, and you shouldn't force others to like it.

Peter understood that much.

They arrived at school.

The buzz about the lizard monster hadn't died down; instead, it seemed to be intensifying as students from all grades gathered together.

All sorts of rumors.

All sorts of gossip.

They flew everywhere among the teenage students, fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen years old, brimming with hormones they couldn't contain.

At noon.

Hawk, who had ordered his usual burger and coke, was burying his head in his meal when Gwen, who had a later class and arrived fashionably late, sat down opposite him with her tray.

"Just got word that I don't need to go to Osborn Bio-Industry anytime soon. Dr. Connors' lab was robbed by a lizard-man, and Dr. Connors has gone missing."

"Uh..."

Hawk looked up, thought for a moment, then looked at Gwen and lowered his voice, "It wasn't a lizard-man who robbed him; Dr. Connors robbed himself."

He had originally planned to tell Gwen about this when he saw her at school this morning.

But Mary, the gossipy one, was with Gwen this morning, so Hawk decided against it at the time.

It didn't matter if he told her now.

It wouldn't delay anything.

When Gwen heard Hawk's words, her expression first froze, then instantly turned to shock, her chest visibly rising and falling.

But quickly.

She seemed to realize they were in the cafeteria and it wasn't appropriate to be loud, but she stared with wide eyes at Hawk, who had gone back to eating his burger after speaking.

"What, Dr. Connors is... is that true?"

"Ninety-nine percent probability. Spider-Man said the lizard-man smelled like me, though very faintly."

"Spider-Man?"

"Mhm."

Hawk nodded naturally.

Gwen froze again.

If her eyes hadn't already been wide open, she felt they could have opened even wider.

"You know Spider-Man?"

"Yes."

"Who is he?"

"Can't say."

Hawk shook his head, choosing not to tell Gwen that Peter was Spider-Man.

He told her about Lizard's identity because Lizard had the potential to harm Gwen.

That wasn't good.

But Peter was different.

Especially since this version of Peter was the original Spider-Man, the kind of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man whose greatest evil thought, even when possessed by Venom, was just to buy a discounted suit, ask his boss for a raise, or put some dust in the eyes of someone he disliked.

And Peter didn't broadcast his strength to everyone.

So, he naturally wouldn't tell anyone that Peter was Spider-Man.

Hawk said this, then chuckled as he met Gwen's unblinking, wide eyes, "Even if you stare at me like that, I won't tell you."

Gwen finally looked away.

Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll find out myself.

It was still the same old story.

No one knew Hawk better than she did, and Hawk's network of connections was simple. Basically, anyone Hawk knew, she also knew.

So...

If Hawk knew Spider-Man, then she probably knew Spider-Man too.

She was very confident.

Gwen rapidly sifted through the people she and Hawk both knew, lowering her voice as she did.

"No, how could Dr. Connors have turned into that lizard-man from yesterday?"

"I don't know."

Hawk shook his head. "God probably knows. The last time I spoke with Dr. Connors on the phone, he said his regeneration potion had been successful on a white mouse with a severed tail."

This was only because Gwen had asked him, and he had thought about it a little.

If it were Peter, he wouldn't bother thinking about it.

Even if Lizard tore through New York City, it wouldn't be his problem; someone else would be more anxious than him.

Hawk thought, then saw Gwen's eyes widen again.