Marvel: The Amazing Spider-Man in the Multiverse

Another day of being Spider-Man… well, today isn't a good day for being Spider-Man, because today Peter Parker needs to go to school with Gwen. It's a good chance to leave the Chameleon hanging; he's probably waiting for Peter to go to him this morning. Instead, Peter won't go see him this morning, and then he'll go see the Punisher this afternoon, making the Chameleon work for free for a day.

Gwen didn't wear her Supergirl cosplay to school. Unlike Peter's suit, the Tenth Doctor doesn't really have a uniform, just wears regular clothes, so Peter could just head out dressed like that. Gwen chose to put hers in her backpack and decide at school—even if it was Midtown High's Theme Day, Gwen wasn't keen on wearing a cosplay outfit to school.

But anyway, it was more convenient than Harry's electric wheelchair.

"So, Peter? How many classmates have you met since coming to this new school? Besides Harry, Amadeus, and your Detective Club senior, Jessica... how many other classmates have you met?"

Peter felt a bit awkward facing Gwen's question. Actually, there's also Flash Thompson, but considering Flash doesn't recognize Peter Parker, he thought for a long time before honestly answering: "None."

"It's the second week of school, and you're telling me you've only met three new classmates?"

Gwen was truly astonished: "You've broken your middle school record, buddy. How do you manage to only meet three people in a week of high school?"

In my past life, I went to university for four years and couldn't even match the names and faces of the female classmates in my class, let alone having to be Spider-Man. Where would I find time for socializing?

Peter thought this to himself, but couldn't say it out loud. He could only shrug helplessly: "I'm not sure how to socialize with others. Especially opening topics, you can't always talk about the weather, right?"

"What about your friends? Harry and Amadeus? Didn't they introduce you to any friends?"

"Don't even think about Amadeus; I think his situation is worse than mine. He's an exchange student, lives with a host family, and was even bullied by guys like Karl on his first day of school..." After Peter finished, he thought of Harry. Harry must be Harry Osborn. He's always watching Spider-Man related videos, doesn't get along well with his father, and isn't willing to bring friends over to his house. Peter could basically conclude that; the only question was Norman Osborn's situation—whether he had become the Green Goblin or not, how much he knew about Spider-Man, and what his attitude was.

"Harry... he doesn't get along well with his father. He said his father doesn't like any friends he's made since he was little. So I guess he's probably not very good at socializing either."

Gwen's mouth opened, and she shook her head vigorously: "What kind of friends are these?"

"A middle school psychological support group? I'm responsible for the therapy, and they're responsible for the venting, something like that."

The two talked as they got on the subway. Peter habitually took out his phone and opened a Spider-Man video. Gwen leaned over, staring at the screen: "Are you very interested in Spider-Man?"

"No, Harry is always watching it. I asked him why, and he said it's like homework, so I'm watching it too. Do you think Harry's family has any connection to Spider-Man?"

Not a single lie, Peter just casually dodged Gwen's questions. Gwen thought for a moment but didn't respond. Peter then opened the next video: "Yesterday afternoon at two o'clock, Spider-Man helped two drug addicts in Hell's Kitchen, preventing them from being beaten to death by drug dealers collecting debts..."

"What's wrong? You don't sound very happy?"

"Nothing, I just feel... even if Spider-Man saved them, it wouldn't make their lives better. Some things are better left untouched from the start."

Peter said this, and as the subway gradually approached Manhattan, Gwen seemed to think of something and told Peter: "I'm going to the police station to see my dad after school today. Do you want to come along?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing, I just thought of it suddenly. The people at the police station don't know you, so they probably won't let you wander around freely."

Gwen smiled, tucked her hair back, and changed the subject. The subway also arrived at the station at that opportune moment.

A few minutes later, Peter arrived at his locker, preparing himself for Karl King having put something inside to scare him. His spider-sense gave no warning, indicating that whatever was inside wouldn't pose a danger.

"3, 2, 1..."

He yanked the locker door open; there was nothing inside. Peter put his bag in and then took out his books.

Having five consecutive days of the same theme day has one benefit: if someone thought their Day 1 outfit wasn't good enough, they could completely change it for a better one. For instance, Harry's dull and bulky Dalek shell was gone today. When Peter walked into the classroom, he saw a Cyberman also watching Spider-Man videos.

"Hello, Doctor."

"Hello, Cyberman."

Harry said, half-joking, while Amadeus, sitting in the back, seemed to be spaced out. Peter greeted him too.

"Hello, Amadeus, did you really just dress up as Doctor Banner? I thought you'd dress up as the Hulk."

"I have the Hulk's mask, and there's a green T-shirt inside." Amadeus picked up his mask, smiled, and then put it away.

"How's your health?"

"Good, just a bit of a cold. A day's rest and some medicine, and I'll be mostly fine."

Amadeus nodded, seemingly truly fine. Peter then smoothly asked the next question: "Where do you live now? Maybe we could visit, and if you get sick again next time, we could come check on you."

Amadeus was stumped by the question. He paused, seemingly trying hard to find an excuse.

"Well, you know I live with a host family... I don't know if they'd allow me to bring friends back, so I'd have to ask my landlady first."

Amadeus, who seemed to have fended off the question, then shifted the topic to Harry: "Besides, we don't know where Harry lives, do we?"

"My dad has some issues; he doesn't like me bringing friends home, sorry."

So, after all that, only Peter Parker's home was freely accessible.

"Since there's nothing much going on these days, why don't we all go to Peter's place and play D&D?" Harry looked at Peter, asking cautiously: "Your aunt and uncle won't mind us being noisy, will they?"

"I don't know, but they're out these days. I'm the only one at home, so it's fine if you want to come. When are you planning to?"

"These next two days?"

"Then remember to call me when you're coming. If I'm out, I'll let you know." Peter thought for a moment, felt that there genuinely wasn't anything pressing to do these days, and agreed. If he was free in the evening then, it would work.

Good social interaction is a key part of concealing his Spider-Man identity, even though Spider-Man only has two friends.

The few of them spent the class like that. After class ended, Peter left the classroom, only to find someone standing by his locker. On closer inspection, he realized it was the person who came with Karl King yesterday to pick his locker lock.

But today, the person wasn't picking the lock, nor did they run away upon seeing Peter, as if they were waiting for him.

Peter frowned and walked over, asking: "What's wrong?"

"I... I don't know. I wanted to ask you if you know what's wrong with Karl; he didn't come to school today." The guy, who looked like a small-time thug, was cowering in front of Peter, as if scared by something. He looked around, very nervous.

"Didn't you call Karl King and ask?"

"I did, his mom answered and said he was sick and couldn't come to school, so... I mean, he's been really scared of you lately, so I was wondering..."

Peter sighed, understanding roughly what the other person was thinking.

"I haven't done anything, alright? I'm not Karl; I won't be a bully. If you're worried I'll come beat you up, then you can rest assured. Why not tell Karl to be a good person? That way, he won't have to be so scared."