At 15, Peter Parker faces a harsh awakening after the tragic death of his uncle, realizing the weight of the responsibilities that come with his newfound powers. Balancing the challenges of high school, a mysterious new girl, and the shocking transf...
"Peter's got a wicked sense of humor, and we just love hanging out with him,"
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THERE are a lot of thoughts that run through your mind when your head's shoved into a toilet. Like, a lot.
First, yeah, it's absolutely disgusting.
Second, it's unsanitary—I mean, no amount of mutant spider powers can make this less gross.
And third, it's just plain wrong. But as the water floods my nose and mouth, the only thing I can really think about is how I'm going to explain to Mr. Baldwin why I'm late to his class for the third time this week. And again, how this is Flash Thompson's fault.
Flash yanks my head back, his laugh echoing in the empty bathroom. "Parker, you some kinda fish or something? 'Cause you're starting to look way too at home down there, man." His cronies laugh behind him, like it's the funniest thing they've ever seen.
"Yeah, Flash," I mumble, shaking water out of my hair. "You know me—just can't get enough of the school plumbing experience."
Before I can catch my breath, Flash forces my head back into the toilet. The water rushes in again, cold and foul, and I'm really starting to wonder if this counts as my cardio for the day.
I really hope I'm not missing anything important in class.
After what feels like an eternity of dunking my head like some kind of cruel carnival game, Flash finally decides he's had enough. He lets go of me but not before whipping out his phone, capturing the moment I'm still dripping wet and gasping for air.
"Hey, Charlie? Think they'll let me put this one in the yearbook?" Flash grins, proudly showing off the picture.
Charlie glances at the photo, then at me, his face scrunching up as if he's debating it. "I don't know, man. He looks so pathetic, it's starting to make me feel bad." He smirks before pulling out his own phone, aiming it at me. "C'mon, Parker. Give us a smile this time."
Flash stands behind him, motioning for me to play along with that smug look I've seen too many times. If I don't, I know I'm in for it later. So, I smile. Not one of my best, but it'll do. Charlie snaps the picture, and both of them laugh like they've just won the comedy jackpot before they saunter out, leaving me alone in the bathroom.
I could've put their heads in that toilet. That thought lingers as I dry off.
If I weren't, you know, trying to live by that "great responsibility" thing, they'd be the ones swimming right now. But, nope—this is how Peter Parker handles it. Spider-Man gets to be the hero. Peter Parker gets dunked like a teabag.
After fixing myself up as much as possible, I head to my last class. The moment I step through the door, all eyes are on me, as if they can smell the chlorine-like stench from across the room.
