For a brief moment after Flash finished speaking, the courtyard fell strangely quiet.
It lasted barely a second. Then the entire crowd erupted — laughter, cheers, and whistles exploding from every direction.
"No way!" "Flash actually apologized!" "Did someone record that?!"
A group near the front immediately lifted their phones, replaying the moment they had just captured. Flash stood awkwardly near the microphone as the reaction spread across the courtyard. Being popular meant he was used to attention. But this kind of attention was very different.
He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced toward Peter again. "…Anyway." Then he stepped away from the microphone and walked off the stage with his band.
The host clapped his hands loudly. "Give it up again for all our bands today!" Music began playing through the large speakers as the crowd slowly relaxed, the tension of the competition dissolving into excited chatter.
Back on stage, Peter still looked completely frozen. His drumsticks hung loosely in his hands as he stared toward the microphone Flash had just used. "…Did that actually happen?"
MJ leaned over the keyboard with a grin. "Oh yeah. You just witnessed a historic moment."
"What moment?"
"The rare event known as Flash Thompson admitting he was wrong."
Peter looked like he was still processing the concept. "…I should write this down."
Jack chuckled quietly beside his guitar. "You might want to frame it."
Peter slowly climbed down from the drum platform, still looking dazed. Students were already gathering near the stage.
"You guys were amazing!" "That guitar solo was insane!" "Neon Skyline!"
Several students chanted their band name again while others crowded forward to congratulate them. Peter immediately shrank back a step. "…Why are they looking at us?"
MJ spread her arms dramatically toward the crowd. "Because we are now officially famous."
Peter turned to Jack. "…I am not prepared for fame."
Jack smirked. "You handled the drums in front of half the school. You'll survive."
Peter pointed at him. "That was different."
Meanwhile Gwen stepped down from the front of the stage, adjusting her guitar strap as she walked over. Students moved aside for her instinctively — she had the kind of quiet presence that naturally drew attention. A few complimented her solo as she passed. "That guitar part was awesome!" "Thanks," she replied with a small smile.
Then she stopped in front of the group. For a moment she simply looked at them. Then her eyes landed on Jack.
"You know," she said, crossing her arms slightly. "This win didn't happen by accident."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure luck helped."
Gwen shook her head. "You joined the band less than a week ago." She gestured toward the stage behind them. "And still kept the rhythm section steady the entire performance."
Peter nodded immediately. "Yeah. If you messed up the tempo even once I probably would've passed out."
"You almost passed out anyway," MJ said.
Peter ignored her.
Gwen stepped a little closer to Jack. "For someone who joined at the last minute," she said quietly, "you carried a lot of the song."
Jack shrugged. "Team effort."
Gwen studied him for a second. Then she smiled. Before Jack realized what she was doing, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
It was quick. Soft. But very noticeable.
MJ's eyes widened immediately. Peter froze like someone had paused him mid-thought.
"…Oh." Peter slowly turned toward Jack. "…What just happened?"
Gwen stepped back casually. "Consider it a thank-you."
MJ burst out laughing. "Oh wow. That definitely wasn't part of band rehearsal."
Peter pointed at Jack with his drumstick. "You joined the band for one week and you're already unlocking secret rewards?"
Jack rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "…I did not plan that."
Gwen picked up her guitar case. "You should still be proud of that performance." She glanced toward the crowd, still buzzing around the stage area. "We all should."
The stage crew began carrying equipment away while the festival slowly transitioned into its final activities. Students were already spreading across the courtyard again, talking about the competition, several still approaching the band to congratulate them.
Eventually the group walked toward the school gates together. The evening sky had begun turning golden as the sun lowered behind the buildings of Queens. The excitement of the festival slowly faded as they stepped onto the sidewalk outside the school — cars moving through the streets, people passing by in small groups, New York returning to its normal rhythm.
Gwen glanced down the street. "My dad should be here soon."
Peter nodded. "My aunt will probably pick me up too."
MJ stretched her arms above her head. "And I need food. Winning competitions makes me hungry."
They laughed.
A police car pulled up along the curb. Captain George Stacy stepped out from the driver's seat.
Gwen waved. "Hey dad."
George nodded toward the group. "Congratulations. I heard your band won."
Peter looked impressed. "You heard already?"
George smirked slightly. "News travels fast in a police department."
Gwen turned toward Jack. "You want a ride home? My dad's driving — Peter and MJ are coming too."
Peter nodded. "Yeah, we're heading the same direction anyway."
MJ added, "Free ride. Very valuable."
Jack hesitated. For a brief moment he considered it. Then he shook his head. "I can't."
Gwen tilted her head. "Why?"
Jack gave a small smile. "Got some work to do."
Peter looked confused. "…Work?"
Jack adjusted the strap of his guitar case. "Just something I need to take care of."
MJ shrugged. "Alright, mysterious guy."
Gwen nodded. "Try not to work too hard."
Jack smirked. "I'll try."
They said their goodbyes as the others climbed into George Stacy's car. The police vehicle pulled away slowly down the street. Jack watched it disappear around the corner, then turned and began walking in the opposite direction.
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