Chapter 16: Making Friends
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of class, Ben Tennyson discreetly removed his glasses and tucked them into the pocket of his signature sweatshirt. The teacher, having concluded the lesson, gathered her materials and exited the classroom, leaving behind a buzz of excitement.
Almost immediately, Ben found himself surrounded by a throng of curious classmates, each eager to engage with the new student who had quickly become the center of attention.
"Hey, Ben! Is it true you created that app everyone's talking about?" one student asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
Another chimed in, "I heard you're a genius! What's your secret?"
Ben chuckled, trying to field the barrage of questions with his usual charm. "Well, I just like building cool stuff," he replied with a grin. "And as for secrets, let's just say a lot of late nights and a bit of luck."
A third classmate leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "So, what's it like being famous? Do you get recognized everywhere you go?"
Ben shrugged, maintaining his laid-back demeanor. "It's not all that different, really. I just focus on what I love doing."
As more questions flew his way, Ben navigated the crowd with ease.
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As the final bell rang, signaling the end of class, Ben gathered his things and noticed two classmates chatting near the door. Seizing the opportunity to make new friends, he approached them with a friendly smile.
"Hey there," Ben said, trying to sound casual. "I'm Ben. Just transferred here."
The taller of the two, with a friendly demeanor, extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ben. I'm Peter."
The other, who seemed a bit more reserved but equally welcoming, nodded. "And I'm ned. Welcome to the school."
Ben shook Peter's hand and nodded at ned. "Thanks! It's always a bit daunting being the new guy, but you both seem cool."
Peter grinned. "No worries, Ben. We're just heading out for lunch. Want to join us?"
Ben's face lit up. "I'd love to. Thanks for the invite!"
Certainly! Here's a scene where Ben and his friends, Peter and Ned, discuss the "Death Note" and the tweet app that Ben has created, with the twist that Ben is now recognized as the author of "Death Note":
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**Scene: The Cafeteria Chat**
Ben came with Peter, and Ned sat at their usual spot in the bustling school cafeteria, trays laden with food. The conversation naturally drifted to their shared interests—manga and tech.
Peter being , always the most enthusiastic of the trio, leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, Ben, I've been hearing all about this new tweet app you've developed. It's creating quite the buzz. What's it like, juggling your fame as the author of 'Death Note' with your tech ventures?"
Ben took a casual sip of his drink, his smile tinged with a hint of incredulity at his own life's turn. "It's pretty surreal, to be honest. 'Death Note' began as just a small side project, and now it's recognized globally. The tweet app, on the other hand, is a whole different beast—it's about connecting with people in real-time, offering a platform for instant communication."
Ned ,nodded appreciatively. "That sounds incredible, Ben. Managing both must require some serious balancing skills."
With a light chuckle, Ben's eyes lit up with a mixture of pride and humility. "It's all about balance, indeed. 'Death Note' allows me to dive into complex themes, while the tweet app keeps things brisk and immediate. Both are ways of reaching out, just through different mediums."
Peter, unable to hide his admiration, added, "The way you handle both is really impressive. Not many can boast of being a renowned author and a tech innovator."
Ben laughed, a sound that echoed lightly over the din of the cafeteria. "I do my best. It's about leveraging the platforms I have to make an impact, no matter how small."
Ben had barely settled into his desk when he heard a voice behind him.
"Hey, can we join you?"
Everyone turned to see Gwen Stacy and MJ Watson standing there. Gwen's smile was bright, but Ben's heart nearly skipped a beat seeing her up close.
It was Ned who broke the momentary silence. "Why not?" he said cheerfully, gesturing to the empty seats nearby.
As Gwen and MJ sat down, MJ leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "So, what were you guys talking about?"
Peter started to answer. "We were talking about tech—"
Before Peter could finish, Ben cut in smoothly. "We were talking about eating pizza after school."
Ned shot Peter a quick look, silently communicating through widened eyes and subtle nods. Peter hesitated for a moment, realizing what was happening, then nodded as if catching on.
Ned chimed in quickly. "Yeah! That's what we were talking about—pizza after school."
Peter, now fully in sync with the cover story, added, "Exactly. Pizza plans. That's what we were talking about."
Gwen tilted her head slightly, amused by the quick exchange, while MJ crossed her arms with a smirk.
"Oh?" Gwen said, raising an eyebrow.
Ben seized the opportunity. "Will you girls come? I mean, it'll be fun—good pizza, good company."
MJ shrugged. "I can come. I don't have much to do after school anyway."
Gwen hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well, my father usually picks me up after school. I'll have to ask him."
Ben smiled confidently. "Don't worry, I'll drop you home. I've got a bike—it's fast, and I promise it's safe."
MJ nudged Gwen playfully. "Well, that sounds like an offer you can't refuse."
Peter, not wanting to be left out, added, "Yeah, and me and Ned can take MJ home. We all live in the same neighborhood, so it's no problem."
Gwen glanced at Ben, her cheeks faintly pink. "Alright, I'll let my dad know. I guess pizza sounds fun."
"Great!" Ben said, his grin widening. "It's a plan, then."
As the group started chatting, Ben couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He had managed to invite Gwen out, and now he was one step closer to getting to know her better