Mary Jane Watson stood not far away in a red dress, talking to a few girls. Light swept over the ends of her hair, and Peter's eyes refused to look away.
Gwen Stacy glanced at Peter, then at Mary Jane, wearing an expression that said, "I really have worried myself sick over you two."
"Peter, I've already invited Mary Jane. Harry Osborn's job is to keep you here so you don't run away. Your job is to prove you weren't bluffing."
Peter said quietly, "I wasn't bluffing."
"Good, then. Don't get too nervous," Gwen said. "Spider-Man shows up, says hi to you, everyone is amazed, Mary Jane thinks you're awesome, and you ask her to dance. The steps are very clear."
Harry Osborn nodded. "A perfect plan."
Peter said, "Why do you two sound like you're planning a military operation?"
Gwen said, "Because getting you to pursue someone is harder than a military operation."
Harry Osborn said, "And the success rate is even lower."
Peter said, "Thank you, my friends. You really know how to encourage someone."
Just then, a voice cut in from the side.
"Parker, do you really know Spider-Man?"
Eugene "Flash" Thompson walked over with a soda, followed by two other students.
Peter's shoulders tensed slightly.
"I told you I do."
Flash made an exaggerated show of looking around.
"Then where is he? Hiding under the snack table? Or did you pack him in your backpack?"
Someone behind him laughed.
Harry Osborn frowned.
"Flash, don't start."
Flash shrugged.
"I'm just curious. Spider-Man is so cool. Why would he know Parker? That's like saying Iron Man checks my homework."
Peter opened his mouth.
He really wanted to say that Iron Man did, in fact, check his homework.
But saying that would only make him sound mentally unstable.
Gwen