New York International Airport — Several Weeks Later — Night
The atmosphere at JFK Airport was buzzing with activity.
Peter, Gwen, and their classmates stood in a single-file line, ready to board. Excitement filled the air, mixed with a slight sense of nervousness. Supervised by their teacher, they were finally about to board the plane that would take them to Paris for their school trip.
— "Stay calm and remain in line! We'll be boarding in just a moment!"
Peter and Gwen stood side by side, slightly apart from their friends, who were scattered throughout the long boarding line.
Peter let out a huge yawn.
— "Tired?"
— "Yeah..."
— "How come?"
Peter slowly turned his head toward her.
The dark circles under his eyes reflected just how exhausted he was. For a moment, he genuinely wondered if she was serious.
— "...Are you serious right now?"
Gwen tilted her head slightly, wearing an expression of fake confusion.
— "What?"
— "Oh, I don't know... Last time I checked, there was this blonde girl who sneaks into my room in the middle of the night and wakes me up by kissing me nonstop."
He looked at her with a mock accusing expression.
— "I could've slept for another two hours, but no! You just had to wake me up, didn't you?"
Despite his complaint, a wide smile eventually spread across his face.
Gwen gave him a mischievous smile.
— "Don't act like you didn't enjoy it."
Faced with his girlfriend's confidence, Peter couldn't help blushing slightly.
— "That's not the point!"
Gwen chuckled softly, amused by Peter's obvious embarrassment.
At that very moment, the line began moving. The last passengers boarded until it was finally the students' turn.
— "Alright, kids! Your turn! Go on!"
The teachers and chaperones motioned for them to head down the boarding bridge.
Boarding finally began.
Once seated, Liz, Sally, and Flash sat together. Peter, Gwen, and their teacher took seats a few rows away, while Miles, Anya, and Harry shared another row.
About thirty minutes later, the plane finally took off. A seven-hour flight awaited them. Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was calm and relaxed.
Some students chatted with one another.
Others watched movies, listened to music, or slept soundly.
A few snacked on food, while others kept making trips to the restroom.
France — Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris — The Following Morning
After several hours of flying, the plane finally landed in Paris.
Still slightly tired, the students stepped off the aircraft before collecting their suitcases and bags.
The organization was a little chaotic, but everyone eventually found their group.
Peter and his friends deliberately stayed close together to avoid getting lost.
Once everyone was gathered, the class boarded a coach reserved specifically for them and headed toward their hotel.
France — Hotel in Paris — Lobby — Afternoon
Upon arriving, their teacher headed to the reception desk to speak with the receptionist while the students waited in the lobby.
Some sat down on chairs.
Others simply sat on the floor. A few remained standing, quietly waiting.
After a few minutes, Roger Harrington returned carrying a key ring filled with small keys.
— "Alright... I now know everyone's rooms, and I have the keys. You'll be assigned in pairs, two students per room. You'll share one key between the two of you, so try not to lose it."
Harry immediately raised his hand.
— "Yes?"
— "C-Can... can we choose who we share a room with?"
Roger Harrington didn't answer.
He simply stared at him.
Harry immediately understood the answer and lowered his head in disappointment.
— "Does anyone else have a question?"
The students exchanged a few glances, but no one spoke.
— "Good. As for the rooms... Stacy, you'll be sharing with Corazon."
The moment she heard that, Anya immediately smiled, relieved she wouldn't be sharing a room with Liz or Sally.
Their eyes met, and Gwen gave her a warm smile.
— "Allan, you'll be with Avril."
The two girls immediately exchanged a knowing glance, clearly delighted.
— "Osborn..."
The moment he heard his name, Harry's heart started racing.
He silently prayed.
— "You'll be with Morales."
— "Fuck yeah!"
Every head instantly turned toward him. Their teacher's expression was undoubtedly the most unimpressed of them all.
Blushing with embarrassment, Harry immediately calmed down and apologized with nothing more than an awkward look.
Beside him, Miles lightly punched his arm.
They exchanged a smile. No words were needed... their expressions said everything.
The teacher continued.
— "And as for Parker... you'll be with Thompson."
Neither Peter nor Flash reacted.
Neither of them showed any sign of discomfort or annoyance. They simply accepted the news calmly.
Harry and Miles, however, couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
They were relieved they wouldn't have to share a room with Flash, but they wished Peter didn't have to either.
Peter noticed their expressions.
With a small reassuring smile, he silently let them know he was simply happy that the two of them had been paired together.
Their teacher then continued assigning the rooms.
— "Now, as for the other group..."
He then called out the names of the students from the second class, pairing them up room by room.
As always, some students were thrilled with their roommate, while others struggled to hide their disappointment.
France — Hotel in Paris — Peter and Flash's Room — Day
The students gradually settled into their rooms, two by two.
Peter shared his room with Flash. Harry stayed with Miles, Gwen with Anya, while Liz was paired with Sally.
Overall, everyone seemed satisfied with the roommate they had been assigned... even Peter.
After unpacking their belongings and quickly looking around the room, Flash went over and sat down on his bed.
France — Hotel in Paris — Peter and Flash's Room — Day
— "Looks like we're rooming together."
— "Looks like it, yeah."
— "Well, obviously I would've preferred being with Harry or Miles, but it's not the end of the world. Besides... maybe this'll be a chance to talk with Flash and understand a few things."
Still standing, Peter tried to connect his phone to the hotel's Wi-Fi.
Flash watched him discreetly.
He seemed to want to start a conversation, but hesitated several times before finally speaking.
— "Hey."
— "Yeah?"
— "...Do you... remember when we used to play together when we were kids?"
Hearing that question, Peter immediately looked up from his phone and turned toward him.
His expression revealed genuine surprise.
Flash noticed it right away.
— "W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
— "Am I dreaming... or is he actually trying to be friendly with me?"
— "Did... did I say something weird?"
Flash began to feel slightly uncomfortable. For a moment, he wondered if he had made a mistake.
Peter eventually came back to his senses.
— "Flash... are you okay?"
— "Uh... why wouldn't I be? We're on a trip."
— "I'm talking about the way you've been acting... toward me. Ever since this trip was announced, you've suddenly changed, and honestly... I'm having a hard time understanding it. Before, you couldn't stand me, and now... here we are sharing the same room, and you're talking to me like we're friends."
The faint smile on Flash's face disappeared.
A sadder expression gradually replaced his confidence. He slowly straightened up before sitting on the edge of his bed.
— "...Some things happened in my life. And... they made me want to change. I want to try not to be the Flash Thompson who hurts people for no reason anymore. I know it isn't much, and I know it doesn't excuse or erase all those times I insulted you, disrespected you... and even hit you, but..."
He slowly stood up before walking over to Peter.
— "Just know that I'm sorry for everything. I really mean it."
He held out his right hand.
— "I really want to spend three good days with Liz, Sally... and all of you."
He hesitated one last time.
— "I mean... if you're okay with that..."
Flash stood motionless in front of him, his hand still outstretched.
Peter, meanwhile, remained frozen... speechless. What he had just heard was beyond anything he had imagined.
Suddenly, several knocks echoed against the door.
— "Parker! Thompson! You're the last ones! Everyone's downstairs! They're waiting for you, so hurry up!"
France — Hotel in Paris — Lobby
Peter and Flash were the last ones downstairs.
They walked side by side, and their closeness didn't go unnoticed. A slight feeling of unease settled among their classmates.
Roger Harrington then spoke.
— "Alright, since it took us quite a while to arrive and get settled into the hotel, we've lost a bit of time. So just so you know, we won't be sightseeing today. We're simply going to eat at a restaurant. We'll focus on visiting the city tomorrow, alright?"
Everyone nodded.
— "Anyway... I hope everyone's hungry."
Several enthusiastic stomach growls answered him.
The teacher burst into laughter.
— "I don't think I could've asked for a better response."
A collective laugh rose from the group, more polite than genuinely heartfelt.
France — Paris — Restaurant — Late Afternoon
The class had settled into a traditional Parisian restaurant. Two long tables had been arranged to accommodate all the students.
Peter sat at one of them, surrounded by Gwen, Harry, Anya, Miles, Liz, Sally, and Flash.
At the neighboring table sat the rest of the class along with Mr. Harrington.
Everyone had now been served.
Their drinks, utensils, and meals were already in front of them. And yet, around Peter's table, the atmosphere was especially tense.
Cutlery clinked together in an almost icy silence. As Peter watched the scene, a memory suddenly came back to him.
Flashback (Peter Parker) — Thirty Minutes Earlier
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Harrington spent a few moments talking with several employees.
He was trying to find a way to seat the entire class around one large table.
Without success.
He then discreetly motioned for Peter and Gwen to join him a little farther away.
— "Alright, listen, Parker and Stacy. Since we can't get one big table for everyone, I'm going to sit with the other group. And since you're the most mature students in the class, I'm leaving your group in your hands. Can I count on you?"
Gwen immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
Her smile was warm.
— "Don't worry, sir. We've got it covered!"
A relieved smile appeared on the teacher's face.
— "Thank you, you two."
He gave each of them a light pat on the shoulder before heading back to the rest of the students.
Gwen wore a satisfied smile.
Peter, on the other hand, stared at her with a thoroughly deadpan expression.
— "Seriously?"
He gave her a distinctly unenthusiastic look.
— "What, you wanted us to say no?"
She gave him a playful wink.
— "You'll handle it, don't worry!"
Then she casually walked back to the others, leaving Peter frozen for a few seconds.
Gwen's words took a moment to sink in.
His eyes suddenly widened.
— "Wait, what?! What do you mean 'I'LL handle it?!"
TO BE CONTINUED.