Chapter 191: Planning the Camping Trip
"As a graduating senior, I..." Peter's confident smile instantly captivated many of the female students in the audience.
"Since when did Peter become so handsome?" Ned asked in surprise.
"When a person has confidence, they look more handsome than anything else," Silas noted with satisfaction. It was heartening to see the shy boy who once feared speaking to strangers become so outgoing.
"Really? What about me?" Ned quickly straightened his posture, trying his best to project a confident smile.
Watching Ned's forced expression, Silas dealt a blow to his ego: "Ned, you just look even more creepy like that."
"...Fine. It seems I can only attract girls," Ned quipped, winking playfully.
"Ned, you have no idea how punchable your face looks right now." Silas almost couldn't resist giving him a shove.
On the Podium
Peter finally finished his speech and turned to shake hands with Coulson.
"How does it feel to graduate?" Coulson asked with a smile.
"Pretty good," Peter replied.
Coulson nodded and asked, "How will you protect this city?"
"Don't we already have Spider-Man for that?" Peter joked.
Coulson was slightly surprised by the answer; it wasn't what he expected. He thought Peter would say something about doing his best to protect the city. He hadn't expected Peter to be so... then again, he was just a young man.
"The next person is waiting, Principal," Peter reminded him before stepping down.
"Oh, right." Coulson snapped out of it and spoke into the microphone: "Next, please welcome our star athlete, Flash Thompson!"
Indeed, Flash had also become an outstanding student, and he was even more popular than Peter. As soon as Flash stood up and waved to the crowd, the room erupted in cheers and screams.
"Hmph~" Flash walked onto the stage and spread his arms wide. This was the era of Flash! His photo would surely hang on the school's Wall of Honor.
"Hello everyone! I'm Flash Thompson!" he shouted. Compared to Peter's confidence, his tone was arrogant, but he had the credentials to back it up. He was the ace of the baseball team and had achieved great results in football. He had already decided to join the football team in college.
"Flash! Flash!"
"Flash! Flash!"
The baseball team led the chant, using Flash's nickname and quickly igniting the atmosphere.
"I really can't stand that cocky look on his face," Ned muttered, smacking his lips.
"But he does have the talent, doesn't he?" Peter said calmly. As long as Flash didn't bother him anymore, he didn't care what the guy did.
"So, what day are we going camping?" Ned asked.
"Hmm~ how about this Saturday?" Misty suggested after a moment's thought. She had to go to the countryside on Sunday with her parents to visit her grandparents.
"It's a deal then!" Silas said, high-fiving everyone.
Soon, the graduation ceremony drew to a close. Coulson gave the final remarks, officially ending the event.
After School
"How did it feel, Flash?" a friend nudged him with a grin.
"It felt amazing." Flash loved being the center of attention, and his friends' support had been the icing on the cake.
"Where are we going this weekend?" his friend asked. Flash thought for a moment; he hadn't decided yet.
Ahead of them, Peter's group was chatting and laughing.
"I'm really looking forward to this camping trip," Misty said excitedly. She had never been camping before—at least, pitching a tent in the backyard of her family's estate didn't count.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Misty. The day after tomorrow is Saturday," Silas said, resting his hand on Misty's shoulder.
Ned took in the scene and suddenly realized a problem. If the four of them went camping, Silas and Misty would obviously be a pair. Wouldn't that mean only he and Peter would be left together?!
"Wait, guys, can I invite a partner to join us for the camping trip?" Ned stopped and asked. He specifically wanted to check with Misty, since she was the one sponsoring the whole trip.
"Of course, Ned. No problem," Misty said. One more person didn't make much of a difference.
"Awesome." Ned broke into a smile. Silas chuckled; he seemed to understand the meaning behind Ned's request.
"Looks like we're adding another partner to the group," Peter laughed foolishly, completely unaware of what his situation would be like during the trip.
"Hahaha~" The other three all laughed at Peter.
"Camping?" Flash, walking behind Ned, overheard the conversation. Camping did sound like a good idea.
"Let's go camping this Saturday," Flash told his friends.
"Sure!"
"I've never been camping either."
"Sounds great."
His friends all agreed. Even those who didn't really want to go said yes. Flash was a school star; who wouldn't give him face? If he wanted to go camping, they were going.
"It's settled then," Flash said. He just hoped they wouldn't run into Peter's group.
School Entrance
The Parker brothers parted ways with Ned and Misty.
"I didn't expect it, Peter, but you've changed quite a bit over these past few months," Silas said, leaning toward his brother.
"Changed a bit? How have I changed?" Peter asked, patting his chest.
"You're not so introverted anymore. Speaking of which, since you're like this now, why don't you find a girlfriend to bring along camping?" Silas felt he should remind his brother so Peter wouldn't end up being the fifth wheel.
"Girlfriend?" As soon as Silas mentioned it, Peter's expression became unnatural and embarrassed.
"What is it? Do you have your eye on someone?" Seeing Peter's reaction, Silas wondered if there was a girl he liked.
"No, don't talk nonsense, Silas," Peter quickly denied.
"Really now~" Silas drew out the words. He didn't believe it.
"You definitely don't believe me, do you?" Peter's mouth twitched. Silas's expression was the definition of disbelief.
"Mmhmm," Silas teased. "So, who is she?"
"Nobody!" Peter insisted, speeding up his pace toward home.
"Hey! Don't be like that, I'm your brother!" Silas shouted, chasing after him.
At Home
"We're home, Aunt May!" Silas shouted as he kicked off his shoes.
"Welcome home, boys." Aunt May took their backpacks.
"I thought Uncle Ben said he was coming home early today to celebrate with us?" Peter looked around and noticed Ben was missing.
"He just went out to buy gifts for you. Didn't you run into him?" Aunt May placed the bags on the sofa.
Peter shook his head. "No."
"We don't really need gifts, Aunt May," Silas said. He felt it was a bit much, given that Ben didn't have much money—though now that he had Parker Industries...
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