Chemistry

04

TWO MONTHS LATER

Peter was standing in a packed subway train. He took out his phone and typed out a text. Alessa stood next to him, scrolling through Instagram.

'Hey Happy just checking in. Alessa and I are out of school at 2:45 PM

'Ready for our next mission!'

'It's Peter BTW.'

'Parker'

He scrolled through numerous unanswered messages to Happy.

Alessa glanced up and said, "Still no answer?"

Peter shook his head. "Nope. How long does he expect us to wait?"

"Maybe he's busy. He is an Avenger after all."

"Yeah, I guess."

They boarded the train and Alessa rested her head on the side and closed her eyes.

The train dropped Peter and Alessa off at 36th Avenue Station, which is right next to Midtown High. Peter shook Alessa awake and they walked downstairs to street level where football fields stood surrounded by fences. Peter and Alessa strolled down the sidelines and approached the main building. Students were playing all kinds of sports on the field. They climbed a flight of stairs, then he quickly avoided being hit by a convertible driven by Flash Thompson. Peter pulled Alessa back, seconds before she could get hit.

"What's up, Penis Parker?" Flash taunted. "What's up, Little Lessa?"

Students chuckled. Peter suppressed a sigh and moved on.

Alessa glared at Flash. "Do you ever get tired of being an ass?"

Flash pretended to think, then shook his head. "No, not really."

She went to lunge at Flash and another friend of hers pulled her away.

---

A school news report was playing in the hallway. Betty Brant and Jason Ionello were the news anchors.

"Rise and shine, Midtown Science and Technology," Betty said.

"Students, don't forget about your homecoming tickets. Do you have a date for homecoming?" Jason asked.

"Thanks, Jason, but I already have a date."

"Okay."

"Yeah."

On TV, Jason rolled his eyes awkwardly.

"Good morning," Principal Morita greeted.

A teenage boy flew a drone around the crowded hallway. Peter walked by. Principal Morita grabbed the drone out of the air and said, "Damn it. You, in my office right now."

The drone pilot followed the principal. Other students carried elaborate science projects. Peter stopped at his locker and took off his jacket. He entered the combination and opened the locker. A hand popped up behind him. It was Ned Leeds holding a Palpatine Lego figure over Peter's shoulder. Alessa stood next to him with an annoyed pout.

Ned, imitating Emperor Palpatine, said, "Join me, and together... we'll build my new Lego Death Star."

"What?" Peter asked, glancing around and heard a cheerleader mutter something.

"So lame," the cheerleader said.

Alessa huffed. "You're lame."

"No way!" Peter cried, yanking Alessa closer to him. "That's awesome. How many pieces?"