The Void

Chapter 50 - Remembering

(Your POV):
"I know that you're probably all surprised to see me here, standing before the entire school giving the memorial speech for Harry Osborn. But that's the kind of person he was, he was able to get an extremely introverted friend to stand in front of hundreds just to share some words about him," I spoke as I looked out at the rows of kids in the bleachers. I still didn't understand why the school had asked me to give this speech, but if I was to be the one to give it, then I needed to make sure I did Harry justice.

"I think everyone in this room knew Harry. He was someone who could make friends with every person he met with just a flash of his charming smile. He knew how to get teachers off topic or make them forget about the homework that they had assigned him but he didn't do. He brought such a life to this school and now his death has extinguished that flame. On top of his friendliness, he was extremely intelligent for his age. If he truly wanted it, he could have easily been his class's valedictorian, but he never flaunted his vast knowledge. He'd rather be the kid that everyone was friends with than the kid that was so obsessed with school that they failed to have a life outside of it.

"But there was more to him than everything we saw on the outside, the charming rich kid who threw the best parties. Since the death his father, he's been constantly battling demons. He had to take over Oscorp as a teenager, having to balance that responsibility with high school, which we all know is a struggle within itself. And as if that wasn't enough, he also had to deal with the loss of his father and the need for revenge that had swelled up within him. Of course we all know the story about how he struggled with the Green Goblin serum. But his past continued to haunt him after that and he was overcome by guilt. I think that's why he decided to put on the suit again last night. As an attempt to make up for the wrongs he had committed by protecting society from those two enhanced. In the end, he gave his life for all of us. Not just those in this assembly, but for the entire world. The truth is, we never deserved Harry Osborn and now it is all that we can do is honor his memory as we go forward in our lives and to never forget him. So next time you are in a room with someone that you don't normally talk to, give them a smile- give them Harry's smile."

I had to fight tears, but failed miserably as the leaked out despite my wishes. I should have left and not finished the speech, refuse to let the school see me as weak as I was now demonstrating myself to be. But I needed to get through it for Harry, no matter how much it pained me or what the school would think of me as a result.

The principal thanked me for the speech, relieving me of my spot in the front of the school and allowing me to steal a seat in the front row of the bleachers. They moved on to a video that some students had hastily thrown together to remember Harry by, but it was too much for me. The scene of his death kept playing in my head as I looked at each of the pictures and I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that it was my fault he was gone.

Before I could have a full breakdown, I slipped out of the auditorium so that I could have a moment to myself. Tears were streaming down my face before reaching the bathrooms and I quickly locked myself in one of the stalls, allowing the sobs to arise. It hurt so much and there was nothing I could do about it. If I could turn back time, throw myself in front of Harry and take the blow instead, I would have done so in a heartbeat. No one would have mourned my death, but there was an entire school hurt by his.

I was in the bathroom for what felt like an eternity until the heaves finally calmed and I finally felt strong enough to leave the privacy of my stall. Glancing in the mirror before leaving I could see that my eyes were red and my face blotchy. But I didn't care if the school knew how hollow I felt inside, I just needed this day to end, I just needed Harry back.

I hadn't walked more than ten steps when I felt a hand on my wrist and a familiar voice call out, "hey, (Y/N)."

Instincts kicking in, I spun around and grasped his hand in my own. However upon seeing that it was just Peter, I relaxed and apologized, "sorry, I haven't been much of myself lately."

He gave me a small smile, "Yeah, Harry's death has been having that affect on a lot of people here. And I can imagine how you are feeling right now, it seems that you two grew really close lately. I-I just wanted to thank you for the speech that you gave. I know that that must have been really hard for you and I know that the entire school appreciates you standing up there in memory of Harry and I- well, I appreciate too."

"Harry and I didn't always get along, but he was probably my closest friend these past weeks, I felt obliged to do it. You don't need to thank me."

"But it was-" Peter was cut off by Gwen coming over and taking his arm.

"I thought you were going to walk me to my next class after the assembly?" She asked with a small pout, causing rage to build up within me.

"I should get going to my own class," I replied curtly, leaving Peter before that rage grew into something that I couldn't control. I reminded myself that it was my choice to let him go, but seeing the two together still hurt and I didn't need that when I was still working through the pain of losing Harry.

Unfortunately Peter seemed to notice that I was upset because he found me in the hallways right before lunch and jogged up to meet me, "(Y/N), I was wondering if we could talk."

"About what?" I shot back in response, not in the mood to have to talk to him. This was turning into the longest day of school.

"You seemed upset earlier, I just wanted to know why. I know that we aren't together anymore, but I do still care about you and if there's something that I am doing that's causing you pain, I will stop it immediately."

"It was nothing," I lied, but even I could hear the falsity in that statement.

"(Y/N), please, just what am I doing that's hurting you?"

I turned to face him, anger flashing in my eyes, "can't you see it yourself? I still care about you too, Peter, that's my problem! And every time I see you hanging out with Gwen it's like a dagger to my heart!"

Peter's face grew from one of confusion until reaching the same anger that I felt, "you're upset about me and Gwen? How do you think I felt seeing you around Harry all of the time?! You broke up with me, (Y/N), I should be allowed to move on without hurting you! But when you moved on, to date one of my best friends as a matter of fact, I knew it was time for me to find someone else as well!"

"Harry? You think I was dating Harry? Peter, Harry was constantly urging me to fix things between us!"

"Really? So why did you never take his advice?!"

"It was kind of difficult when Gwen was all over you constantly!"

"Well it wouldn't have worked anyway, you already broke up with me once, you'd do it again! You are just too afraid to be in a relationship and if you're not willing to take the chance, I know someone else who will!"

"Maybe you should just leave and go make out with Gwen then!"

"Maybe I will!" He retorted, glaring at me for a second before crashing his lips on mine. I met the kiss eagerly, not understanding how it had happened, but needing to feel his touch once more. I was filled with a need for him and I knew that I couldn't let him go again. It hurt to much and I had already endured too much heartbreak. I needed to protect him from my parents, but perhaps I could be strong enough to keep him safe while still dating him. It was a risk that I found myself more and more willing to take the longer that Peter's lips were on mine.

-

(A/N): Ok no make up sex for y'all but at least a step into remedying your relationship! This is the last chapter of the first book and I want to thank the few readers that I have following the story at the moment and especially black0spiderx who has been a faithful reader basically since the beginning and has left a bunch of comments that have encouraged me to continue on with this story. So thank you so much!

I will begin posting the sequel, Breaking the Void, tomorrow and we can continue your story! I hope that you've all enjoyed this book and I look forward to continuing it!