The New Guy
Twitch.
"...So she did a stakeout on the roof, and dropped a water balloon on him. But it wasn't water. It was cherry soda."
"Haha! Seriously? Man, this school is a riot. I'm so glad I moved here."
"And after that, he and the other girl started dating."
"Well, that's one way to play matchmaker. Speaking of which, maybe I could use someone like her in my corner."
"Remember your promise. 'Fair and square'."
"I know, I know."
Her eye twitched again.
"So you said earlier that you move a lot because of your dad's work, right?"
"Yeah. Mostly along the east coast, but we've been all over. Word of warning: stay away from Jersey. Pennsie's okay because they've got the pretzels."
"Pennsie? Oh, Pennsylvania."
"Anyway, my old man doesn't plan on moving again so I should be here for a while."
"Well that's good news."
"Hey..." she finally spoke up.
Peter and Harry looked up. They didn't notice the girl standing by their table until then. "Oh, hi Gwen," Peter cheerfully greeted. "What's up?"
Gwen slammed her tray onto the cafeteria table. "Don't 'what's up' me! Could somebody please explain to me why my BOYFRIEND and my STALKER are acting so friendly together?"
Harry dramatically held up a finger. "In the first place: It's not an act - we really are friendly together." Two fingers. "In the second place: I'm not your stalker yet."
"I heard that 'yet' part!"
Standing behind her, Mary Jane was desperately trying to contain her laughter.
"Please relax, Gwen," Peter said gently. "Harry's actually a great guy once you get to know him. He's funny."
That's one word for it, she thought.
Gwen sat down across from them. She stared at Peter, dumbfounded. "Peter, you're my boyfriend. You seriously don't see the problem with this situation?"
Peter and Harry looked at each other, confused.
He used to be so smart. Is Spidey rubbing off on him? Am I speaking to Spidey?
"Don't you think it's a little inappropriate for you to befriend him? You're aware that he has an obsessive crush on me, aren't you? He's probably thinking of how to steal me away."
"Of course I'm aware."
"'Of course,' he says..." Gwen hung her head.
"He talks about you all the time, but why is that a problem? It's not like he can actually 'steal' you against your will. He can't do anything unless we break up." His expression became nervous. "T-That's not what's happening, right?"
"What?"
"Did - Did I do something wrong? We're not going to break up, a-are we?"
"No! That's not what I meant. I just... Ugh..."
I guess he's not wrong. Peter's not the possessive type, anyway. It's not like I'll EVER return Harry's feelings.
Gwen looked at Harry. He was smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary - like always. "So what's your angle with this?"
He raised his eyebrows high. "Me? With an angle? That doesn't sound like me."
"You don't have any ulterior motives for hanging out with Peter?"
"Of course not. Pete's a nice guy. He's smart. He's with it. And we have common interests."
"Like what?"
"You!"
"Shut up."
"When you like something, you want other people to like it too. Why should crushes be different?"
Gwen stared at him silently.
"I know what you're thinking," Harry said. "You're worried I'm gonna try to sabotage your relationship with Peter. That's not how I work. I won't do anything so underhanded. I'll just improve myself as a man until I can win you over with my charms, fair and square!"
"Yeah... If your 'manly charm' is anything like the rest of you... Not gonna happen."
He cheered up and wrapped an arm around Peter's shoulders. "The point is: just because we both understand how wonderful Gwen is, we have no reason to be enemies! The two of us are friends, as well as rivals in love!"
Peter got caught up in Harry's excitement and pumped his fists. "That's right! I'll do my best so I'll never lose to you!"
"That's the spirit!"
Gwen sighed. Maybe I just don't understand boys...
Mary Jane looked up. "Hey, even more company."
The others followed her gaze. Debra was walking to their table, flanked by Flash and Kong. "Are those three ever separated?" Mary Jane mumbled.
Debra smiled. "Good afternoon, everyone. Mind if we join you?" Nobody objected. The trio took their seats around the table, with Debra sitting on Harry's other side.
She extended her hand. "I felt it was appropriate for us to meet in person before the day was done. My name is Debra Whitman. These are Flash Thompson, and Kong McFarlane."
Harry nodded and shook her hand. He spoke calmly and politely. "It's nice to meet you. My name's Harry."
Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"I'm used to being the new kid, so I'm also used to other kids trying to learn about me. I don't mind. Ask what you like." He leaned back in his seat, but while he would have done it in exaggerated motions a minute ago, now he was merely being casual.
Gwen exchanged a look with Mary. She noticed it too. It was like his personality changed.
"Actually," Debra said, "and I'm a little guilty to say this, but we already know about you."
"Oh?"
"We investigated you. It's what we do." Kong got out a clipboard, seemingly from nowhere, and placed it into Debra's hand. She read. "Harold Osborn. Age seventeen, born in Albany, New York. Parents divorced. Your father is the founder of Oscorp Industries, which has major branches in New York, Massachusetts, and California. You have a three-point-nine grade point average - very impressive - and previous teachers have praised you for your serious, responsible demeanor."
The group was speechless for a moment. Debra returned the clipboard to Kong. "It's not a very throughout profile, but it covers the basics."
"That's amazing, Debra," Mary Jane said. "Especially considering he only got here this morning."
"Oh please, it was easy" Flash spoke up. "Just 'cause Spider-Man gives us so much trouble, that doesn't make us useless as an Investigation Team."
"We've got contacts," Kong proudly said.
"Wait, what was-"
"Isn't that invasion of privacy?" Peter asked.
"It's only the stuff everyone at his old schools knew," Flash answered.
Harry raised a hand. "What was that about Spider-Man?"
"Oh, yes, that's our real focus," Debra said. "The three of us form an Investigation Team trying to uncover the identity of Spider-Man."
"But we've got pretty much no leads," Kong added, "so we also investigate any other strange rumors going on in the city. In fact, we're officially part of the school newspaper now."
"Really? I didn't know that," Peter said.
"We were approved at the start of the semester," Debra said. Then she got a small glint in her eye. "You know, Peter, you'd be up to date if you were still on the team. Feel like joining again?"
He shook his head. "N-No thank you. I'm not really interested in Spider-Man anymore."
Debra returned her attention to Harry. "On paper, we're just a division of the reporter group. But in reality, we're using this opportunity to look for any clues about Spider-Man's identity or powers."
"That's awesome. That's just... so totally awesome!" Harry's energy levels spiked up. He reverted to his old personality. "That's like the plot of a manga! I was right. This is the best school ever! I'm so glad I came here!"
She smiled. "Now that we have your attention, you wouldn't happen to have heard anything interesting, would you?"
"Spider-Man's true identity..." He rubbed his chin, trying to look extra-dramatic. "He'd have to be a brave man who loves adventure. Do you think it could it be... me?"
Sad thing is, you are a lot like him, Gwen thought.
"It couldn't be. He's been around long before you moved here."
They took him seriously?
"As a matter of fact, I saw him the day I moved here."
That caught the Team's attention. They leaned forward. "Really?"
"Yep. He even swung directly overhead us, while Gwen and I were having special alone time."
"We were not!"
Debra looked at Gwen. "You never told us you saw Spider-Man."
She shrugged. "It didn't come up."
"Maybe we can interview you two later," Debra said. "We can always use more eyewitness reports. We'll try to narrow down our estimations for his body measurements."
"Sure thing," Harry helpfully replied. He looked at Gwen.
"The interviews will be separate," she instructed.
Flash spoke up, depressed. "But even if we find a guy who exactly matches his height and weight, that won't prove anything."
"If only we knew how Spider-Man's powers worked," Debra mused. "And how did he get them?"
"He got them from Oscorp," Harry carelessly said.
Mary Jane spat out her drink - directly onto Kong's shirt. He clenched his jaw. "Again...?" He reached for some napkins.
The redhead looked at Harry in shock. "Why, I mean, what makes you say that so... confidently?"
He shrugged. "It's as good a guess as any. I don't mean to brag-"
"Since when?" Gwen asked.
"-but Oscorp makes the most advanced inventions and science-y stuff anywhere. So where else would Spider-Man get his powers?"
Gwen groaned internally. Hit the bull's eye. I hate it when he does that.
"Come to think of it," Kong muttered as he wiped his shirt, "Spider-Man was first seen right after that field trip the school took to Oscorp."
Peter wanted to change the subject and fast. "So, uh, your dad runs Oscorp Industries, right?"
"That's right."
Mary Jane said, "So that pretty much means you're rich?"
"Yeah, very rich." He smiled at Gwen. "Impressed?"
"No."
"What's your dad like?" Peter asked.
"He means well, but he's kind of insane."
His nonchalant tone caught everyone off guard. "What do you mean, 'insane'?"
"You know. Insane. Whacked out. Nuts. Like, BWLAAUGH!" He threw his hands up for emphasis, startling the group.
"I... see..." What else could someone say to that?
Peter and Gwen walked home together after school.
"Are you mad at me?" Peter asked.
"No," she answered after brief hesitation. "I don't mean to tell you your business. You can hang out with whoever you like... I just want to know why him? Of all people?"
Peter shrugged. "We just... hit it off. I like him. He makes me laugh, and he's confident. And he has some really interesting views on social identity. He's actually pretty smart in a lot of ways." He hesitated. "Besides... I was a little lonely."
"Lonely?" she asked with concern.
"It surprised me too. I used to be fine on my own. I told myself I didn't need friends. But since I met you... I guess I got greedy for more. Don't get me wrong - You and Mary Jane are great! But she's more of your friend than mine... or more of You-Know-Who's friend. And besides, sometimes I want to hang out with someone my own gender."
Gwen nodded, understanding all his points.
"And..." He trailed off.
"And?"
Peter sighed. "I can't thank you enough for the support you've given me... but I need a friend who doesn't know about You-Know-Who. I need someone I can pretend to be normal around."
This, too, Gwen could sympathize with. She knew better than anyone how fragile Peter was inside.
"Okay, I won't complain about it anymore. But you need to be careful with your secret around him. He has this nasty habit of figuring out what you're thinking."
"I understand."
"Actually, just be careful in general. I don't like how you can never get a straight answer out of that guy."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean like with his dad. He said his dad was insane but he couldn't possibly have meant that for real." She nervously added, "...Could he?"
Peter couldn't answer that.
Meanwhile, Harry walked home alone after school. Or rather, he meant to, but Mary Jane suddenly tagged along.
"Somethin' up?"
"Gwen and Pete got to know you pretty well. I just figured it was my turn," she answered.
"How do you like me so far?"
"Well, my BFF can't stand you. But you wouldn't be the first person like that I befriended. And Pete likes you, so I guess you're okay."
He grinned. "You wouldn't be interested in helping me win Gwen's heart, would you?"
She grinned back. "Not in a million years."
Harry's face dropped slightly.
"I've been rooting for Gwen and Pete since the start. I even got them back together after a nasty break up." Mary Jane smiled sweetly. "If you split them up again and render my hard work for nothing, I'm gonna do something really terrible."
He matched her expression. "What's love without obstacles?"
They walked in silence for a few moments. Mary Jane was hesitant to bring up the next topic, but she was curious.
"Say, Harry. I noticed that you're real hyper and eccentric around Gwen, but you calmed down for a while when Debra and her add-ons showed up."
(Somewhere far away, Flash and Kong became inexplicably irritated.)
"What's that about?" she asked him.
"I am a multiplicity. Like the song!"
A pause. "I know you feel like that explains things, but..."
"I have a bunch of different personalities, so I pick and choose which one seems best at the time."
That got Mary Jane's attention. "Different personalities?"
"Everyone does it to an extent." He smirked. "You don't act exactly the same way all the time, do you? You change your mood depending on who you're with or what you need to get done."
"I see. So that's all you meant. That means... you remember it all, right? You're aware of how you act as it's happening."
"Uh, yeah? Why wouldn't I be?" He was confused, but he said it with a laugh.
Mary Jane didn't answer him.
Harry let it slide and kept talking. "Around the guys at school I can be the cool and mysterious new kid. Or, with a teacher, I can be a diligent, serious student. And around Gwen, I'm a fool in love... Come to think of it, I've been stuck in fool-in-love-mode a lot recently. I guess that shows how deep my feelings are. But I could still choose to be any type of person I want."
"So you're faking it? You're just pretending to be someone else?"
"No. Not faking. I always mean everything I say. I just meant I can become another me." He laughed. "Besides, you can never really be someone else. That's just stupid. No matter what you do, you're still you."
"That's not true."
Harry was surprised by her stern tone. They both stopped walking.
"It is possible for someone to be more than one person. Even if you're not like that, it's still..."
She stopped. The things Harry said were like a denial of her friend's existence. But...
Sorry Spidey, I shouldn't say any more.
Mary Jane turned her nose up and walked proudly. "Don't act like such a know-it-all."
Harry watched her for a second, but then he followed her.
She wanted to change the subject. "This is all very interesting, but you never answered my real question. Why do you act in - What did you call it? Fool-in-love-mode? - around Gwen? You must be able to tell that it bugs her. Isn't that counterproductive for your master plan?"
"...That depends on what I want."
"Huh?"
Harry narrowed his eyes. "You think it doesn't affect me?" he asked quietly. "Sharing a school and a homeroom with the girl I love when she likes someone else? How else am I supposed to deal with that? At least this way we have a relationship. Even if it's just banter... even if she thinks of me as a nuisance... I'll take whatever I can get."
Mary Jane was silent.
"Oh! Don't get the wrong idea. Just 'cause I'll take what I can get, doesn't mean I won't try to get even more." His bitterness was gone completely. Was that just another act?
They reached an intersection. Harry turned to face her and smiled. "Well, I go this way. It was nice talking with you. I got some... very valuable information."
Mary Jane raised an eyebrow, trying to hide her nervousness. "About what?"
"Just kidding!" And he ran off.
She watched after him, replaying their conversation in her head. Then she readjusted her bag and walked away.
And as all this was happening, in Oscorp, two scientists walked down the hallways with nervous expressions.
"You heard the news, right?" Natasha Quarter asked. "The founder moved back to the New York branch."
Howard Backyard nodded. "Better now than back when all that chaos was happening."
"Now that he's here, in person, you don't think he'll find out about what we did, do you?" Quarter asked.
"No way. That's all in the past. As long as we stay calm and act natural, he'll never suspect anything."
"I certainly hope so. If he even remotely suspects us, we'll be fired. Or arrested. Or worse."
"What's worse than getting arrested?" Backyard asked.
"People have been known to disappear around him..."
"That's just rumors! We'll just keep working like we always have and-"
A voice called out behind them. "Good afternoon."
They spun around. "Mr. Osborn!"
Norman Osborn wore a fitted suit and had black hair slicked back. He wasn't very tall, but he had a presence that could make anyone feel smaller. He smiled warmly at them. "We've met before. I never forget a face. You're... Dr. Quarter. And you must be Dr. Backyard."
"A-Actually, I'm Backyard," he pointed to himself.
Osborn waved his hand dismissively. "My mistake. You spend so much time together you're practically interchangeable."
They frowned. He didn't seem to notice. "Walk with me. I'm trying to get re-acquainted with all the workers at this branch." Still smiling, he moved past them. They followed his pace.
Things were very quiet as they walked. Backyard and Quarter glanced at each other in confusion. "Um..."
"I have a question for you," Osborn suddenly interrupted. "Why do you think I started Oscorp Industries?"
"Huh? Oh, I couldn't hazard a guess. Could you, Natasha?"
"N-No."
"The answer is simple. I did it out of love."
Not the answer they expected. "Love, sir?"
"Yes, love. I love science. Also, I love humanity... Just so we're clear, I mean humanity as a whole, not necessarily each member. But that doesn't matter. We're talking about science now."
The two scientists glanced at each other. Then they looked at his back again.
"I'm more prominent in the business world now, but I've always viewed myself as a scientist and an inventor. I love science because it teaches us how the world around us functions. All experiments, be they successful or failures, are breeding grounds of knowledge."
"...Okay."
"Creation can be an experiment too. It lets humans observe something never before seen. So by extension of loving science, you could say I love creation, too. The creation of something new is a magnificent thing. That's why I'm an inventor... However, like I said, I also love humanity. So if there were ever an experiment or an invention that hurts humanity - no matter how magnificent if may be in its own right - I'll destroy it instantly."
"Is... Is that so?"
"Oscorp is prominent in weapon designs, but they only exist for the self-defense of the community. It's just like the creation of Spider-Man."
The two scientists tensed up for a moment, but they managed to hide it.
"He's a very violent person," Osborn continued, "but he works to clean up the crime in this city. I don't know who he is but I admire him greatly. It's my wish that he stay out there, fighting crime forever. The creation of Spider-Man is an example of a good creation."
"Uh, yes. We agree too."
"A bad creation would be, for example, if a criminal got the same powers as Spider-Man and used them for harm. That would leave a bad taste in my mouth."
"I suppo-"
"THEREFORE!"
Backyard and Quarter jumped. Osborn turned toward them and glared death.
"I'll forgive you because you helped create Spider-Man. But the next time you build an organic bio-graft in my lab and try selling it to a delivery man pretending to be the Kingpin, I will consider it a very... very... bad... thing. You don't want to irritate the man who has already forgiven you once... do you?"
The two employees silently shook their heads.
Osborn smiled warmly again. "That's a good attitude to have." And with that said, he calmly walked away from them.
Author's Notes: (4/4/2012) Special Shout-Out to "jordylilly777" and "anonymous" for reviewing. It means a lot to hear that this is amazing and original. I wasn't sure about continuing this story, but you asked for it. I still had an idea or two in reserve anyway. (Sorry it's a little late.)
Disclaimer: "I am a multiplicity. Like the song!" The song Harry refers to comes from the movie Benji's Very Own Christmas Story, which I do not own.
