Peter Parker: A Spider-Man Origin Story

The faint hum of fluorescent lights filled the air as Peter slumped in his chair, absently doodling in the margins of his science notebook. The classroom buzzed with the chatter of students waiting for the lesson to begin. He kept his gaze low, his cheeks still flushed from the humiliation of the morning.

"Hey, Pete." Gwen slid into the seat beside him, leaning forward with a concerned look. "You okay?"

Peter shrugged, not quite meeting her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... you know."

She frowned, giving him a knowing glance. "Flash is a jerk. Don't let him get to you."

Before Peter could respond, Harry appeared, setting his bag down with a loud thud. "What she said," Harry added, sitting on the edge of the desk. "And don't sweat about earlier. You don't have to fight my battles, man."

Peter clenched his pencil tightly, staring at the notebook. "I should've done something. I just froze."

Harry reached out, giving him a light nudge on the shoulder. "Pete, you're my best friend. I'd do anything for you. Don't beat yourself up over this, okay?"

Peter offered a faint smile, but the knot in his stomach didn't loosen.

Their teacher clapped his hands at the front of the room, silencing the scattered conversations.

"All right, everyone, settle down. Big news!" he said, his voice laced with enthusiasm. "Next week, we'll be taking a field trip to Oscorp Industries."

The class erupted in murmurs. Peter's head shot up, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Oscorp?" he whispered to Gwen.

"Big deal for you, huh?" she teased, leaning closer.

Peter nodded eagerly. "They're pioneers in genetic engineering. I've read about their research in cross-species biology. It's... incredible."

Across the room, Flash snorted loudly. "Bet Parker's already writing a love letter to Oscorp. 'Dear nerd paradise, can't wait to nerd out in your nerdy halls.'"

The class chuckled, and Peter's ears burned. He buried his face in his notebook, muttering, "Real original."

Meanwhile, Harry leaned back in his chair, his expression tightening. "Oscorp, huh? Great," he said under his breath, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

Peter glanced at him. "You okay?"

Harry shrugged, his fingers tapping nervously against the desk. "Just... not a fan of the place, that's all."

Peter tilted his head. "But your dad-"

"Exactly," Harry interrupted, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "You've seen the way he acts around people, Pete. The big speeches, the fake smiles. It's all a show. That place-Oscorp-it's just another way for him to make people think he's something he's not."

Gwen gave Harry a sympathetic look. "You don't have to go, you know. You could stay back."

Harry sighed, shaking his head. "It's fine. I'll survive. Just don't expect me to play tour guide."

The final bell rang, and the hallways filled with the usual chaos of students eager to leave. Peter, Gwen, and Harry walked together toward the exit, their conversations casual but tinged with anticipation about the upcoming trip.

As they stepped outside, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. Norman Osborn stepped out, his sharp suit and commanding presence drawing attention from the surrounding students.

"Harry," Norman called, his tone clipped but polite.

Harry groaned quietly. "Great. Here we go."

Norman's gaze shifted, locking onto Peter and Gwen. A practiced smile spread across his face as he approached. "And you must be Peter Parker," he said, extending a hand.

Peter blinked, fumbling with his bag before shaking Norman's hand. "Uh, yes, sir. It's an honor to meet you. I've read so much about your work-your research in genetic engineering is groundbreaking."

Norman's eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued. "A young man of science. I like that. Perhaps you'll find our facility inspiring."

Harry rolled his eyes and leaned closer to Peter, muttering, "Careful. He's just buttering you up."

Norman turned his attention to Gwen. "And you are?"

"Gwen Stacy," she said, her tone polite but cautious.

"Pleasure to meet you both. I look forward to seeing you on the field trip," Norman said before gesturing to Harry. "Come on, son."

As Norman walked off, Harry shot Peter a look and mouthed, "Don't trust him."

Gwen lingered with Peter, both waiting for their rides. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the courtyard as students milled about.

"You didn't have to say all that to Norman, you know," Gwen teased.

Peter laughed nervously. "I couldn't help it. The guy's a genius. Though, uh... Harry doesn't seem to think so."

Before Gwen could reply, a football whizzed through the air, striking Peter square in the back of the head. His glasses flew off as he stumbled forward, landing hard on the concrete.

Laughter erupted behind him. "Nice catch, Parker!" Flash shouted, his buddies high-fiving each other.

"Seriously?" Gwen snapped, marching over to stand between Peter and Flash. "Grow up, Flash."

"What's your problem, Stacy?" Flash said, feigning innocence.

"My problem? You're acting like a five-year-old," she shot back, crossing her arms.

Flash held up his hands, smirking. "Relax, it was just a joke. Let's go, guys."

As Flash and his cronies sauntered off, Gwen knelt beside Peter, picking up his glasses. "You okay?"

Peter sighed, brushing dirt off his shirt. "Yeah. Thanks."

Gwen handed him the glasses, the frames bent at an awkward angle. She paused, studying him for a moment.

"You know," she said, a smile tugging at her lips, "you actually look kinda cute without these."

Peter blinked, his cheeks turning pink. "Uh... thanks?"

Gwen laughed, standing up. "Don't let it go to your head."

The two sat on a nearby bench, waiting for their rides. Gwen talked about her father, recounting how he always seemed to be working late as the captain of the police department. Peter listened intently, grateful for the distraction.

"He's always lecturing me about responsibility," Gwen said with a sigh, "but I guess that's his job."

Peter nodded. "Sounds... familiar."

As they waited by the bench, Peter adjusted his crooked glasses, a burst of laughter caught his attention. He turned his head to see Liz Allan walking across the courtyard with her friends. Her dark hair shimmered in the late afternoon light, and her easy smile lit up the space around her.

Peter froze, his heart skipping a beat. For a moment, the noise of the bustling courtyard faded into the background.

She's perfect, he thought, gripping the straps of his backpack tightly. Just walk up and say something… anything.

But his legs stayed rooted to the ground. The words he wanted to say tangled themselves into knots in his mind. He wasn't like Harry, with his easy confidence, or even Gwen, who always knew the right thing to say. He was just Peter Parker—awkward, clumsy, and invisible.

Before he could muster the courage to take a step, Flash Thompson strode past him, his presence impossible to ignore. Flash's confident swagger drew attention as he made his way to Liz.

"Liz!" Flash called, his voice loud enough to echo across the courtyard.

Liz turned, her smile widening as Flash approached. The two met in the middle, and without hesitation, Flash wrapped an arm around her. They shared a brief embrace, laughing together as if they were the only two people in the world.

Peter's chest tightened. He looked away quickly, pretending to adjust the broken frame of his glasses, but the image burned in his mind.

Before long, their rides pulled up. Gwen waved as she got into her car, her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "See you tomorrow, Pete!"

Peter waved back, his broken glasses slipping down his nose. He swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the ground as he started walking toward the parking lot.

Uncle Ben's old car was parked near the curb, its familiar hum a small comfort. Peter climbed into the passenger seat, closing the door a little harder than usual.

"Rough day, kid?" Uncle Ben asked, glancing at him as they pulled away.

Peter shrugged, resting his chin in his hand and staring out the window. "You could say that."

Uncle Ben didn't press further, his steady presence offering quiet reassurance. The drive was calm, the streets bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.

Peter's mind swirled with thoughts—Flash, Liz, the field trip to Oscorp, and everything in between. He felt small, insignificant, and stuck in a cycle he couldn't seem to break.

But somewhere deep down, a small voice whispered: This isn't forever.