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Jasper was strolling around the museum, looking like he didn't care about anything. Of course, he was walking with Peter Parker and the others.
Not far away, Thompson glanced at Peter Parker and suddenly threw the bottle in his hand toward him.
He originally aimed for Peter, but his aim was off—and the bottle flew straight toward Mary Jane instead.
Jasper instinctively reached out and caught the bottle mid-air.
Mary Jane had closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but when she didn't feel anything, she opened them—and saw Jasper catching the bottle.
She already knew Jasper was good-looking, but right now? He looked insanely cool!
Jasper casually tossed the bottle into a nearby trash can and acted like nothing had happened.
Mary Jane thanked him.
"Jasper really is hot!" a girl standing near Thompson couldn't help but say.
Thompson scoffed and muttered, "He's all skinny. I could probably knock him down with one punch."
He really didn't like Jasper. Wherever Jasper was, no one paid any attention to Thompson.
"What's so great about some pretty boy?" he thought bitterly.
But the girl went on, "That's what we call a handsome guy—and a perfect one at that!"
Thompson clicked his tongue and stood up, heading straight for Jasper.
"What are you doing?" the girl grabbed his arm. She could tell Thompson just wanted to stir up trouble because his pride was hurt.
"Just gonna have a little chat with him," Thompson said, shaking her off and striding over to Jasper. He stopped in front of him and said, "Hey there~! Pretty boy! Looking like that, I bet everyone likes you, huh? Guys, girls, doesn't matter, right?"
His sarcastic tone made the whole mood tense.
Jasper tilted his head and looked at Thompson. "What's it to you?"
He stared at Thompson with a blank expression. That stare made Thompson a little nervous—but he figured Jasper was just putting on an act.
No way he'd back down in front of the other students. So he reached out, trying to pat Jasper on the shoulder and embarrass him a little.
But Jasper smacked his hand away.
Jasper said seriously, "I don't like people touching me."
"You little punk!!" Thompson stepped forward, glaring at Jasper. So the guy actually had a bit of a temper, huh?
The air was getting tense, like a fight could break out any second. Peter Parker was starting to worry Jasper might actually slap Thompson into the next room.
And honestly, Peter could see him doing it.
"What's going on here? A little bonding time?" their teacher suddenly spoke up.
Thompson turned and walked away.
But inside, he was seething, thinking about how to get back at Jasper.
Because of the little incident, the whole mood had soured.
Luckily, Ned threw out a few jokes that lightened things up a bit.
Lunch Time!
They were eating at a restaurant.
Peter Parker was chatting with three girls, but Ned was the one really keeping the mood alive—he was animated and had the girls laughing easily.
Jasper, on the other hand, didn't talk much. He just ate quietly while thinking about how to grow his shadow army and make it stronger. Looked like it was time to visit Tara's palace again and check out more magic books.
Even though Jasper was super quiet, the girls kept sneaking glances at him. They were all curious what he was thinking about.
Mary Jane looked at him, so calm and collected, and suddenly remembered that awkward moment from not long ago—when she was waiting for Michelle Jones, and Jasper had mistakenly thought she was waiting for him. That had been really embarrassing.
"....."