Chemistry

07

A small, old television was set up beside Coach Wilson, the PE teacher, who was standing with a bored expression. Captain America's Fitness Challenge was playing on the screen. Captain America, in his full uniform, smiled pleasantly, standing in a locker room.

"Hi," Steve greeted. "I'm Captain America. Whether you're in the classroom or on the battlefield..."

Midtown High students were sitting in neat rows on the bleachers, watching Captain America give a speech on screen. Behind Peter and Ned, Michelle was completely engrossed in a book called 'Of Human Bondage'. Alessa was reading 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe.

"Do you know him too?" Ned asked.

"Yeah, we met," Peter replied.

Ned's eyes widened in awe and his jaw went slack.

Steve continued. "...fitness can be the difference between success or failure."

"I stole his shield," Peter boasted, feigning nonchalance. Ned's jaw dropped even more.

Alessa glanced at them and rolled her eyes before turning back to what she was reading.

"What?" Ned questioned.

Peter and Ned continued to watch the television with their classmates.

"Today, my good friend, your gym teacher..." Steve said, pointing to his right. Coach Wilson, who was standing on the wrong side, waved his hand to the students. "..will be conducting the Captain America Fitness Challenge." He raised his hand in a salute. The screen transitioned to 'Station I: Sit-ups'.

"Thank you, Captain," Coach Wilson said. "I'm pretty sure this guy's a war criminal now, but whatever. I have to show these videos. It's required by the state. Let's do it." He blew his whistle.

Midtown High School students were engaged in various exercises. Climbing ropes, doing chin-ups, push-ups, et cetera. MJ and Alessa were lying on their mats by themselves and wielding their books like a weight, still immersed in the contents.

"Do Avengers have to pay taxes?" Ned wondered.

"Shh!" Peter told him.

"What does Hulk smell like?"

"Shh!"

"I bet he smells nice."

"You have to shut up."

"Is Captain America cool, or is he like a mean, old grandpa?"

"Ned, just, shh, okay?"

Alessa huffed and said, "He doesn't know if they pay taxes, I imagine Hulk doesn't smell great, and Captain America is a pretty cool guy and so is his best friend. Stark Internship. Now shut up and don't draw further suspicion to Peter."

Peter, who was lying on a mat doing sit-ups, glanced at Alessa with a thankful smile and turned back to Ned who was holding his legs in place for him.

"Hey, can I be your guy in the chair?" Ned asked.

"What?" Peter replied.

"Yeah. You know how there's a guy with a headset telling the other guy where to go?"

Peter's face contorted into a weird expression. He was still doing sit-ups faster than any other student.

Ned continued. "Like, like if you're stuck in a burning building, I could tell you where to go. Because there'd be screens around me, and I could, you know, swivel around, and... 'Cause I could be your guy in the chair. Or is Alessa your girl in the chair?"