Chapter 6

"So, what time are we meeting tonight?" Harry asked whilst heading back to their respective classes.

Peter continued humming to himself, deep in thought about the tweaks he was planning to make to his web-shooters. "Hmm? What for?"

"Pete! Did getting dunked in the head just knocked out your brain or something?" Ned asked incredulously. "MJ's gig, remember?"

"Huh? Oh sh-you're right," Peter smacked his own head, before letting out a resounding sigh.

"Earth to Peter? You're still in there man?" Harry teasingly waved his hands in front of Peter's face.

"I don't know man, I don't think I'll be going," Peter said regretfully.

"What?! Why?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"It's, you know, I don't want to cramp her style," Peter said hesitantly.

"Cramp her style? What are you, from the 90s?" Harry remarked sarcastically.

"You know what I mean,"

"Not really, no," Harry continued to look at him in disbelief.

Peter shrugged his shoulder. "What if we end up embarrassing them?"

"Man, for a supposed 'genius', you're pretty stupid huh?" (Hey!) Harry rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Pete, she asked you to come, directly. Pretty sure that means, she wants you to come,"

"Yeah bu-,"

"Besides, this is MJ we're talking about," Harry pats Peter on the shoulder. "Pretty sure, not coming is gonna spell the end for you man," Harry said, giving Peter a look of (fake) concern.

Peter started to argue, before thinking better of it. "That's a good point actually," Peter mulled to himself.

"Besides, Gwen's part of the band isn't she," Harry gave Peter a slight smirk. "And we all know how much you 'love' your Gwendie," he teased Peter.

"Lay off man," Peter swatted Harry's hand away in annoyance. "She's a friend,"

"Glad one of you thinks that way," Ned continued to tease Peter.

Peter let out a small groan in annoyance. "She's got a lot on her plate," Peter said defensively.

"And that 'naivete' is why we love you Pete," Harry ruffled his friends hair before being swatted away by Peter again. "Seriously though, what time are we meeting up?"

Peter mulled over the situation for a few moments. "What time's the concert?" he asked.

"Gig" Harry corrected him.

"Same difference," Peter brushed him off.

Harry shrugged his shoulder. "It's supposed to start at 10," he replied, as he scrolled through his phone to look up the details of the gig. "I think the MJ's are the opening act,"

"Let's meet up near Harry's place," Ned suggested. "Then we can get to the 'Floorboard' nice & early,"

"Good plan, big man," Harry beamed at Ned in agreement.

"I-I don't know man," Peter continued, still having second thoughts.

"Pete, you're seriously going to blow off MJ?" Harry raised his eyebrow in slight annoyance. "You're seriously going to blow us off as well?"

"What? How am I blowing you off as well?" Peter asked in disbelief.

"Uh-duhh, we're the + 2 remember? We can't go as a '+2' if the main '1' isn't coming can we?" Harry explained sarcastically.

Pete started to argue again, before Harry stopped him. "No Pete, listen," Harry shuts him up. "9pm, my house, full stop. Trust me, this is good for you," Harry assured him.

Peter slumped his shoulders in defeat.

"Don't be late," Harry remarked, before turning the corner, splitting from the group.

*tingle*

Out of nowhere a wayward ball came flying towards Peter & Harry. Instinctively, Peter quickly snatched the ball from the air, before it hits Harry.

"Woah, thanks Pete," Harry looked back in surprise. "Nice reflexes,"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, haha," Peter laughed awkwardly.

*Bell ringing*

"Congratulations on the feature Peter," a plump red-haired man congratulated Peter, as he hands him a certificate & an envelope.

"Thanks Mr. Modell," Peter bowed his head sheepishly. "I got lucky I guess,"

"Nonsense Peter," Max assured him. "Humility is a great trait to have, but not when it denies you of recognizing your own ability,"

Peter smiled sheepishly at Max after his remark. Peter continued to look around to see if someone else would be joining him.

"If you're wondering about Ms. Stacy, she already took hers earlier," Max noted off-handedly while arranging some of the papers on his table. "She asked me for an early leave today, said something about a 'Geeg'?" Max mulled over his thoughts.

"Oh, yeah, I heard about that as well," Peter nodded in agreement, slightly disappointed at missing Gwen.

"Well, as long as it doesn't affect your studies, 'Go for it' I always say," Max chuckled at his seat happily. "Every brilliant scientist needs a hobby or two Mr. Parker,"

"Oh, yes sir, I agree," Peter nodded thoughtfully.

"Hmm, yes," Max nodded in tandem with Peter, while stroking his beard in thought. "How are you doing right now Peter?" Max asked nonchalantly.

"Hmm? Oh, uh, fine. All great sir," Peter replied, slightly taken aback by the sudden question.

"I see I see," Max continued to nod thoughtfully, before continuing. "Ms. Allan recently came to me, actually. She raised her concern to me," Max continued nonchalantly. "regarding you actually,"

Peter closed his eyes & took a deep breath, realizing where this conversation is headed. "Is it about the 'Decathlon' sir?"

"I see she's talked to you as well then," Max chuckled at his seat.

"Uhh, yeah sir, she did talk to me, earlier today in fact," Peter nodded in confirmation.

"Ah, I see," Max drummed his fingers, considering the situation carefully. "Now, normally, I would've brushed any concerns regarding you off, seeing as I know how smart of a boy you are Peter,"

Peter smiled ruefully in his seat.

"But, when it's the captain of my team that's raising this concern," Max continued calmly. "And we all know how brilliant & dedicated Ms. Allan is when it comes to her college recommendations," Max smiled ruefully as well.

"Yes sir, I, uhh, I promise that you both have nothing to worry about," Peter said slightly hesitantly. "I'm 100% in the game, I swear,"

Max looked over at him thoughtfully. "Well, to be honest, it's not just Liz, Peter," Max said as he leaned towards the desk, facing Peter. "Your grades have taken a nosedive as well recently,"

Peter grimaced internally at Max's assertion. "Yes sir, I, uhh, noticed," Peter smiled awkwardly. "Sorry about that,"

"I know you've been through a particularly tough time recently Peter," Max looked at him with genuine concern. "I also understand if you, might need to distract yourself, and do some other stuff to take your mind off of things,"

Peter nodded in silence, slightly hesitant to say anything that might worsen the situation he's in.

"What I'm saying is, maybe we can find a better 'balance' for yourself eh?" Max suggested warmly. "Look at Ms. Allan, she's doing well in her cheerleading, but also, Decathlon captain," Max said cheerily. "Or Ms. Stacy! Can't say I understand her hobby," Max mulled over by himself for a few moments. "But, she's maintaining her stellar academic records still,"

"Yes sir,"

"And I'm sure you can too, Peter," Max said encouragingly. "It's all about management Mr. Parker,"

Peter nodded thoughtfully at Max's words. "I'll be sure to do better sir," Peter smiled weakly at Max.

Max returned the smile warmly. "We have high hopes for you Peter," Max assured him. "Your aunt & uncle have raised an outstanding young man," Max placed an arm on Peter's shoulders warmly. "Now run along then, don't want to keep you any longer than necessary,"

'Balance, that's always been the issue,' Peter thought to himself, before letting a small sigh. 'How does Gwen & Liz even do this,' Peter shook his head slowly.

'It's hard enough being an honor student, but playing in a band, and being a cheerleader, at the same time?' Peter continued his inner monologue as he made his way down the hallway. 'I mean, sure, it's not the same as being a he-'

*tingle*

Suddenly someone from the corner slammed into Peter. 'Ouch, next time, please tell me where it's coming from as well, stupid sens-' he remarked to himself before looking at the guy he bumped into. "Prof. Warren! I'm so sorry sir,"

Miles Warren was quickly picking himself up & colleting the scattered documents left on the floor. "Parker, what are you doing here?" Miles said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Uhh, I study here sir?" Peter said jokingly.

The professor flashed him an annoyed scowl before turning back towards the documents. "Look, just, don't disturb me, and go away,"

"Right sir," Peter nodded quickly, before reaching out to help his professor out. "Let me help you out with those firs-," Peter said as he reached towards the papers & briefcase that was on the floor.

"NO!"

*TINGLE*

Peter's suddenly gripped by a massive headache & vertigo as he reached for the briefcase. Prof. Warren immediately snatched the briefcase away, and collected the papers under his arms. "I'm fine Peter. Now go away & don't disturb me," he insisted, before rushing off outside.

'Ugh, what was that?' Peter thought to himself as he sat there clutching his head.

"That'll be $2.99,"

"Oh, okay," Peter handed out the money to the cashier.

"Let's see, got the eggs for May," Peter mused as he looked over at his watch. "& its only 6pm, more than enough time to make it to Harry's,"

He quickly looked around to make sure no one's paying him any attention, before sprinting to a nearby alley & quickly stripped off.

'Right, shoes off. Backpack, check," he noted mentally as he tossed them away into corner. 'Pants off. Shirt,'

As he continued to strip down to his boxers, he quickly puts on his suit. "Come on, come on," Pete mulled, slightly agitated. "Oops, can't forget the mask," he said as he grabbed his mask from his backpack & puts it on. He quickly stuffed all of his clothes into his backpack before tossing them away & webbing it securely out of reach.

'Web-Shooters,' he noted as he gave the bracelets a few click. 'Nice,'

Peter loosened his limbs and started limbering up. "Awesome," he smirked to himself before thwipping himself up to the nearby rooftops,

"WOOOooooHOOOooo!" He yelled out in excitement. "Ugh, finally," he smiled to himself as he landed on an adjacent rooftop overlooking a nearby street.

Immediately he notices a bike thief speeding away on a nearby walkway.

'Not exactly Grand Theft Auto, but hey,' Peter mulled to himself before swinging over & landing right in front of the thief. "Hey, can you hold this for a second? Thanks," he joked, before thwipping the thief onto a nearby building.

"Hey, is this anybody's bike? No?" Peter asked around. "Hey buddy, is this your bike?" Peter asked a nearby passer-by.

"No change," he replied, without giving Peter any attention.

"Does anyone have a pen? Do you have a pen?" Peter asked around

*Thwip*

The air rushing through his mask as he swinged over to the next block. "Man, this feels good," Peter mused to himself as he swinged over to a nearby bridge.

"Whoo! Everybody good?" He asked the nearby onlookers on the bridge.

He continued swinging until he landed on a nearby rooftop.

"Hey! You're that Spider guy on Youtube right?" a man shouted out from a nearby street vendor.

Peter beamed proudly under his mask. "Call me Spider-Man!" he shouted back.

"Ok Spider-Man, do a flip," the man continued.

Peter immediately did a backflip and landed with a flourish.

"Yeah!" the man shouted in excitement.

"Not bad!" another nearby onlooker shouted.

"WHEEEeeeooooHHHH!" Peter exclaimed as he jumped off the building and swings away.

Helping ladies across a street, showing some of the tourist the directions around New York, tightrope walking across his own webs. 'Hey, you might as well enjoy it,' Peter mused to himself.

"Hey buddy," Peter greeted a would be car thief, as he dropped right in front of him, stopping him from cracking the car (with a ruler?). He then webbed up his face & slammed him against the car, and then webbed his hands onto the car.

"Trying to steal cars is bad," Peter shook his head comically at the thief, the car alarm now blaring loudly because of the impact.

"It's my car, dumbass!" the man replied, groaning in pain.

"Hey!" shouted a lady from a nearby window. "Shut that off!"

"I was just trying to-," Peter said defensively.

"Wasn't my fault!" the webbed up man shouted back at the lady.

"Yo, I work at night, come on dude," said another man, as more and more people from the neighborhood came out due to the commotion.

"That's not your car! That's his car!" said another man.

"How am I supposed to know its his car!" Peter continued defensively.

"Everyday with these damn alarm!"

"Shut it off!"

"Don't make me come down there, you punk!"

"Oh? Hey Garry! How ya doing?"

"Margerie! How are ya? How's your mother?"

'Time to leave,' Peter grimaced internally as he swinged away.

Twisting & turning his body acrobatically, with greater moment-

"Woah!" Peter exclaimed in surprise as he missed his intended target, and landed flat on his face.

"Ugh, I'm good," Peter groaned out to no one in particular.