"Have you informed the other detectives and the Captain about this yet?" Elise asked.
"Yes, I did," Mathew replied. "The whole precinct is in an uproar. But let's forget about that for now. The other kids will be arriving soon." He knocked on the door and said, "Come on out, kids. We should head back downstairs."
"Ryan, don't let on that we overheard anything. Just act natural," I said, nudging him. Ryan nodded, replying, "Coming."
A few minutes later, the four of us returned to the main hall, where guests had already started trickling in, each accompanied by a parent.
The Smith family had been an integral part of the neighborhood for nearly two decades, a fixture in the community that had grown to feel like home for them—and for everyone around. Mathew, a decorated cop with a reputation for integrity and dedication, was widely respected; he wasn't just an officer of the law but a reassuring presence. Neighbors knew they could rely on him, not only for his protective role but for his straightforward and compassionate approach to resolving disputes or helping those in need.
Mrs. Smith, meanwhile, brought warmth to their home and the community with her welcoming spirit. Known for her kindness, she was always quick to offer a smile, a hot meal, or a comforting chat to anyone who needed it. With her knack for bringing people together, her house became the heart of many neighborhood gatherings, from festive parties to small, casual get-togethers. Together, the Smiths were more than just longtime residents—they were a cornerstone of the neighborhood, a family that everyone trusted and admired.
"Hey, what were you doing up there?" a familiar voice asked. I turned to see Peter sitting at the dining table with two of his friends—Ned and Liz. While I expected Peter to be here since Aunt May and Mrs. Smith were friends, Ned and Liz's presence was unexpected. They didn't know Ryan or his siblings.
Sensing my curiosity, Peter immediately introduced his new friend "This is my classmate Liz. She is a part of the debate team like me. And you know Ned my best friend."
Before I could even greet them Liz stood up and said "We were just walking him home and he invited us over. I hope it isn't too much trouble for all of you. I see so many people are already here.:
"No problem at all. I'm sure the twins would be thrilled to meet you," I replied with a smile, putting her at ease.
Ned quickly chimed in, "We don't usually walk home together. Peter was just feeling down about Professor…"
Peter silenced him with a nudge.
"Feeling down? Why? What happened?" I asked, glancing between them. The smile on my face instantly disappearing and a frown replacing it.
Before Ned could respond, Peter waved it off. "Nothing, Jared. He's just exaggerating."
I had a hunch. Peter had mentioned a professor giving him a hard time that morning. I looked at him for a few seconds but then decided to let it go since this wasn't the right time or place to talk about this. "I'm sure Peter can handle any challenges he faces at school," I said, letting the topic slide, and walked away.
Third Person POV
As Jared left, Peter turned to his friends. "Ned, what were you thinking, spilling all that in front of my brother?"
"What? He's your brother; why not just tell him? He is a senior and maybe he can do something that will take the heat of you." Ned argued.
Peter was about to protest when Liz intervened. "Ned's right, Peter. What Professor Morris did was uncalled for. He was clearly singling you out, asking you the hardest questions. I'm starting to think he's trying to lower your score on purpose."
Peter thought back to his morning conversation with Jared about Professor Morris. He couldn't risk Jared hearing the name again—nothing good would come of it. "Jared's right," he said with forced confidence. "I can handle this. You two are worrying over nothing."
Half an hour later, the birthday party was in full swing. Many classmates of the twins arrived with their parents, filling the house with excitement and laughter. Jared stayed busy helping wherever needed as the party wound down, and guests started to trickle out. Detective Elise was the first to leave, followed by Ned, Liz, and then the other children. By the end of the night, Jared, Peter, and Aunt May also headed home.
Parker Residence - 9:30 PM
Jared's POV
When we arrived home, all of us were exhausted. Thankfully, Aunt May hadn't mentioned the murder to Peter, sparing us a barrage of questions. As I made my way to my room, a newspaper on the table caught my eye. It bore the same photograph I had seen earlier in Elise's car.
Next Morning
I woke up to find my computer screen still on, tabs open with every bit of public information I could gather on Jakuna Singh. Though none of this confirmed his Council role, I did find out where he'd be staying—and that he was set to arrive in the city today. Since I had seen the newspaper article yesterday, I felt that meeting him could be fruitfull so I have decided to give it a try. Although Jakuna mostly lives in India but for some reason he was going to come to New York today.
As I sat up, bracing my hand on the bed frame, I heard a cracking sound. Loosening my grip, I looked down, surprised to see the wood splintered from my touch.
The bed isn't that fragile… something's off.
I slid a hand beneath the bed, lifting it cautiously. Usually, it would take considerable effort to budge, but now I could raise it almost effortlessly. My strength wasn't superhuman like Thor's, but it was definitely above average. Over the next few minutes, I tested my newfound strength, unintentionally breaking a few items. I also weighed myself—nothing unusual there. My physique hadn't visibly changed either, so I wasn't sure if this was connected to my powers, but a little extra strength couldn't hurt.
An hour later, Peter and I were on our way to school. He was absorbed in a book, so the walk was quiet until we reached campus.
"Peter, I need a favor."
Peter looked up, eyebrows raised. "A favor? What's up?"
"I have a project due today, and after that, I'm meeting someone. I won't be back at the usual time, so I need you to cover for me."
I expected a simple "sure" and for us to move on, but instead, Peter's expression turned uneasy.
"Out with it," I prompted, noticing his hesitation.
"Its about the professor I told you about. That's what Ned was talking about yesterday. I didn't want his name to come up at the party and spoil your mood so I stopped him from talking. And as you said I am capable of handling it." Peter said.
I felt a little bad for the kid since he was taking punches from this professor for no apparent reason. Ever since he was little, peter never let himself get bullied due to his witty and quick thinking nature but he wasn't the type to confront someone and that too someone who is an authority figure.I was gonna suggest him to inform this matter to the school counselor but then decided against it since Peter would be the prime suspect if i decided to take any action on my own.
"You are going to meet such idiots every step of the way and the year you are in right now, it doesn't matter if you score less in one subject. Just don't let yourself get troubled by him. I am sure he will also let it go if he stops getting any reaction from you. If he decides to fail you or something, then we can file a complaint." I said as I patted his shoulder.
Peter nodded as he understood what I was trying to tell him and said "I'll do that...and don't worry about going out. I will cover for you."
Third Person POV
The school day proceeded as usual, with Jared and his group successfully submitting their project.
"The project went great! Thankfully, we weren't hit with any unexpected questions," Derek said, happily slinging an arm around Ryan.
"Yeah, you and Jared owe us big time for pulling that together so quickly," Ryan added. "So, what now? Should we grab something to eat?"
Jared stepped forward and replied, "You guys go ahead. I've got something to take care of. Catch you later." Before anyone could ask, he'd already disappeared into the crowd of students.
**
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