"Excuse me, sir. Do you know where Lab 32A is located?"

"Uh," Peter turned to face the petite blonde who had a look of confusion that mirrored his own. "I'm in the same boat as you."

Panicked students rushed past them as they stood in the middle of Empire State University's main thorough way. The girl cocked her head, furrowing her golden brows. "What?"

Peter chuckled, raking his hand through his mop of unruly brown hair. "I'm trying to find it too."

"Oh!" She laughed and for a brief moment, her cheeks flushed red. She squeezed her books closer to her chest then smiled up at the tall brown-haired man in front of her. "Well, I suppose there's strength in numbers. Professor Connors?"

Peter nodded his head, simultaneously hoisting his backpack strap higher onto his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure it's this way."

The blonde walked some distance with Peter, all the while quietly struggling with the large stack of physics books. The two walked in an awkward silence, both strangers wondering if they should say something to break the silence and yet, both choosing to let it span between them. After a moment, Peter stopped walking and turned to her, a crooked smile hoisting the corner of his mouth.

"You want me to carry those?"

"I, uhh," The blonde looked visibly flustered before finally relenting, "Yes, please." She sighed in exasperation then laughed, her sapphire eyes twinkling, "I wasn't sure which book the professor was going to want for the first day so I brought all of them." Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of genuine concern. "Are you sure though? They're really heavy."

Peter smiled as he took the stack of books from her. "I'm stronger than I look."

Again, the girl's cheeks flushed. "Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I just-" She let her words trail off as they resumed their trek to Lab 32A. After a short while of silence, they arrived at the door to the classroom. Before entering, Peter handed the blonde her books.

"Thanks." She held the books against her chest, peering up into Peter's face. She was a good half-foot shorter than him, even with her heeled boots. He was handsome in an unassuming manner and after a moment of deliberation, she decided that she liked it. "By the way, my name is Gwen. Gwen Stacy. This is my first day at ESU."

"Peter Parker." He peered down at her but this time he didn't smile. "It's nice to meet you, Gwen." He turned and opened the classroom door for her, goosebumps running down his spine.

The police chief's daughter. The only man in New York City who hates you more than J. Jameson... and his daughter ends up in your physics class. Peter walked into the classroom after Gwen then swallowed hard. The laboratory was at maximum capacity with only one seat left. Right next to Gwen Stacy. It's a good thing you aren't a betting man, Parker, because your luck is about as good as-

"Welcome class!" The professor stood at the front of the laboratory, smiling. "I'm Professor Connors. If you would, please introduce yourself to the person sitting beside you. That person will be your lab partner for the remainder of the semester."

Peter bit down on his lip to keep himself from groaning out loud.

"We meet again." Gwen taunted playfully as she reached over to shake Peter's hand. "You must have some awfully good luck, Parker."

With hardly any life to it, Peter shook her hand then mumbled under his breath, "Yeah, why's that?"

"Because I'm a wiz-kid at physics."

Peter laughed hard and loud at Gwen's proclamation. She was so sure of herself within the classroom; not at all like the lost little girl wandering the hallways he had just shepherded to the classroom. After Gwen had turned in her seat and was deeply immersed in Professor Connor's lecture, Peter took a good look at her from the corner of his peripheral.

Maybe, just maybe, your bad luck has run out, Parker. He turned his gaze upon the professor then leaned back in his seat. Maybe...

Author's Note: Fasten your seatbelts, kids! It's about to get bumpy. :) As always, please review! Help me become a better writer. Chapters too short? Are you having a hard time connecting with the characters? Critique, critique, critique! Reviews make my day... kinda like double rainbows make that creepy hippy dude's day "Oh my GAWDDDD! It's a DOUBLE RAINBOW! This is SO amazingggggg!" ^.^