The Bus Stop Encounter
At the bus stop, Peter and Aadi were discussing their upcoming math test. Aadi was unusually calm about it, while Peter nervously fiddled with his backpack straps. "I hope the questions aren't all geometry," Peter muttered.
"You're overthinking it," Aadi replied nonchalantly. "Just remember the formulas, and you'll be fine."
The bus pulled up moments later, and they climbed aboard, finding their seats. Peter spotted Gwen and sat beside her, while Aadi made his way to Maya. However, instead of her usual smile, Maya was staring at him with a look of… intense curiosity. It was the kind of expression a superfan might have upon meeting their idol.
"What?" Aadi asked, tilting his head. "Do I have something on my face?"
Maya didn't respond immediately. Instead, she pulled out her phone, showing him a video clip of Superman's heroic actions from the previous night. She held the phone up and raised her eyebrows expectantly. "So… Is this you, dear?"
Aadi froze. Even Aunt May hadn't recognized him in the video, yet somehow Maya had figured it out. How does she always do this? he wondered.
"No way," Aadi said quickly, shaking his head. "You've got the wrong guy. That's not me."
Maya leaned in closer, her expression teasing but certain. "You're Superman, right? Admit it. You could say, 'I can easily catch it,' and I'd believe you."
Glancing around to make sure no one else was paying attention, Aadi sighed, leaned closer, and kissed her softly to distract her. As their lips parted, he communicated telepathically, "Meet me during break time."
Maya smiled knowingly. "Okay."
They settled into their seats, keeping their conversation minimal for the rest of the ride.
At School
After a thirty-minute ride, the bus reached the school. The morning classes proceeded smoothly, with Aadi breezing through lessons and Peter struggling to focus, his newfound physical sensations distracting him. Gwen noticed his fidgeting and whispered, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just… tired," Peter replied, forcing a smile.
Meanwhile, Maya threw occasional glances at Aadi, still curious about their upcoming break-time discussion. Aadi, for his part, acted calm and collected, though his mind was already strategizing about how to handle her questions.
Break Time Drama
As the lunch bell rang, students poured out of their classrooms into the hallways and courtyard. Aadi and Maya made their way toward the schoolyard, intending to have their private conversation. However, as they neared the open ground, Aadi's sharp senses picked up a commotion.
Across the courtyard, Ned, Peter's best friend, was being cornered by Thompson and his gang. Thompson pushed Ned against the wall, taunting him. "You think you're so smart, don't you, nerd? Maybe we should teach you a lesson."
Maya noticed Aadi's expression darken and grabbed his arm. "Aadi, are you going to stop them?"
Aadi was about to step in when he saw someone else act first—a blur of motion faster than anyone could react to. Peter appeared in front of Ned, his stance firm, eyes burning with uncharacteristic confidence.
"What's your problem, Thompson?" Peter said, his voice steady.
Thompson laughed. "What, Parker? You gonna fight me? Don't make me laugh."
But Peter didn't back down. Something about his posture, his presence, made Thompson hesitate. The bullies exchanged uncertain looks.
Aadi smiled faintly, crossing his arms. Looks like he's starting to figure it out.
"Come on," Maya said, tugging at his sleeve. "Let's go. Peter's got this."
Reluctantly, Aadi followed her to the nearby benches, though he kept one eye on the unfolding scene. Whatever happened next, he knew Peter's journey as Spider-Man was truly beginning.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note
Hey, everyone! Hope you enjoyed the chapter—it's a mix of humor, family dynamics, and some hints of what's to come for Peter and Aadi. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Don't forget—reviews and power stones fuel my motivation to write more! See you in the next update.