Even after being turned down by Harry, Gwen still walked beside him.
After all, they were heading in the same direction. Harry had a part-time job to get to, and it just so happened they shared most of the route. This wasn't unusual, they'd often walked home together after school.
Descending the steps, Harry chatted casually with the ever-radiant Gwen, waving to classmates along the way. Everything felt normal, relaxed... until Harry suddenly stopped mid-step, an amused grin spreading across his face like a proud uncle catching sight of a toddler's first crush.
Gwen, puzzled, followed his gaze.
A few meters ahead, a boy stood chatting with a bubbly, good-looking girl. The boy's posture was awkward, his hand fumbling with his backpack strap, and his face just a little too red. Gwen recognized him instantly.
Peter Parker. Harry's younger brother.
Once the girl left, Harry strolled over and clapped Peter on the shoulder, his smile full of mischief.
"Evening plans, eh? Tell me I'm right. You've got a date tonight, don't you?"
Compared to the outgoing and ever-popular Harry, Peter was more reserved, the kind of student who aced every test but avoided eye contact in the cafeteria. Though he shared Harry's academic talent, he had none of his older brother's social charm.
Harry worried about him. After all, it was senior year, and Peter still hadn't had a single girlfriend. Harry had even considered pulling strings to set him up with someone. But now… maybe he didn't need to meddle.
"That girl's got good taste. Don't mess it up," Harry said earnestly, giving Peter a friendly nudge.
Peter, however, looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. He rubbed the back of his neck, voice awkward.
"It's not what you think. She just wanted me to take a picture of her boyfriend's car... for a birthday present. That's all."
Harry's smile froze.
"…Right."
Clearing his throat, he quickly changed the subject. "Anyway! Aunt May's making your favorite tonight, fruit pizza. Let's hurry, I've been dreaming about it since breakfast."
The three of them continued on, weaving through the school's halls. As they stepped outside, their presence didn't go unnoticed. Classmates stared. Some whispered. Peter shrank under their gazes.
He wasn't used to attention.
But it wasn't him they were staring at. Not really. It was Gwen and Harry, the stars of Midtown Tech. He was just the guy standing next to them. Background noise.
It stung.
Why is Harry so popular? We're brothers. Why is his life so different from mine?
The thought spiraled into another, darker one.
Why do Aunt May and Uncle Ben always treat him like the golden child? I've been here longer. Why does it feel like I'm the one tagging along?
They reached the front courtyard just as a commotion drew their attention.
In the center of the quad, a crowd of students had gathered in a tight circle, chanting rhythmically:
"Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!"
Pushing through the crowd, they saw what was going on.
Eugene "Flash" Thompson, the school's notorious bully, had grabbed Gordon, one of Harry's classmates, and was shoving the boy's face into a tray of mashed food like he was some kind of circus animal. Laughter erupted around them, cheers rising from every side.
It was obvious.
This was bullying. Plain and simple.
Flash noticed Peter watching. His eyes lit up.
Still gripping Gordon, Flash struck a dramatic pose and called out, "Hey, Parker! Snap a photo for us, would you? Make sure I look good!"
Students jeered and egged him on.
"C'mon, Peter! Everyone knows you're Midtown's best photographer!"
"Yeah! Put it on the Wall of Fame next to his 'Most Punchable Face' award!"
Peter's stomach twisted. He wasn't going to be part of this circus act.
He stepped forward, shaking his head.
"No. I'm not taking that photo. Let him go, man. This isn't funny."
The laughter faded slightly. Flash's eyes narrowed.
"What did you just say?"
Peter swallowed but held his ground. His voice was quieter, but firm.
"I said no."
Flash stared at him. Silence spread through the crowd. The bully's smirk twisted into a sneer as he shoved Gordon aside and started walking toward Peter, cracking his knuckles.
"You're gonna regret that, Parker."
Peter flinched. He wasn't exactly built for fights. His strength lay in books and cameras, not fists. He braced for the punch.
It never came.
A hand shot out in front of him, stopping Flash's fist mid-air. The impact didn't even budge the figure who'd intercepted it.
Harry.
For a moment, everyone froze.
Harry's expression was unreadable. Calm, but his eyes burned with quiet anger. He didn't look like the golden boy anymore. He looked like someone you didn't want to mess with.
Flash tried to pull his hand back. Harry didn't let go.
"Tell me, Eugene," he said, voice low. "What's it like being a pathetic coward who picks on kids half his size? You want to try someone your own level?"
Flash's mouth opened, but nothing came out. His eyes darted to the watching crowd, to the whispers, the phones held high. His usual confidence cracked.
"Let me go," he growled. "I'm warning you, Potter."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Or what? You'll cry for detention?"
Flash roared and swung with his other fist.
Big mistake.
In one smooth motion, Harry stepped to the side, caught Flash's wrist, twisted, and brought him crashing down. In a blink, he had the bully's arms pinned behind his back, one knee pressed into his spine.
The courtyard erupted.
Gasps. Cheers. Someone whistled.
Harry leaned close, voice ice-cold.
"That was your final warning. Next time I see you laying a hand on anyone, it won't end this easily. Got it?"
Flash only grunted in response, face mashed against the pavement.
When the three of them finally left the school grounds and stepped onto the leaf-covered streets, Gwen broke the silence.
"Okay, wow. I had no idea you could fight like that. That was... really cool."