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TWO WORLDS COLLIDING

"This was the very first page, not
where the storyline ends."
—Taylor Swift
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PETER Parker was slowly getting the hang of being Spider-Man, with a few instances here and there of either small robberies or thieves taking purses from defenseless women. New York was becoming his own playground and abiding by his rules while balancing having a job at the Daily Bugle. Started sleeping in late and waking up before dawn to catch criminals, becoming a rigorous routine throughout the weeks. Everything happened so fast when he discovered his new profound abilities, and just like summer vacation he was going to enjoy them while he could. It wasn't easy keeping it from Aunt May, but the sooner he moved the better.

Harry was the one to convince him to do the whole 'roommates' ordeal, the plan was to be in college together and slowly work his way to being a scientist. Yet he's going to have to put that aside once Spider-Man appears, might as well add a few cash pockets by photographing himself as the hero. It worked that's for sure, now he had to finalize packing with a little help of his new webs. That being said, his best friend informed him that he could start moving into the apartment. In the following days, he focused on getting better, Peter started getting confident... sure of himself, and even stopped using his glasses for a while.

He hasn't seen Mary Jane ever since graduation, although he remembered the sudden breakup she had with Thompson. And she moved away the following weekend after the ceremony without even saying goodbye, something he was slightly confused about. However, it was eventually becoming a thing of the past as Harry often invited him along with Adeline. She was nice and kind from what he remembered as kids but the more time they spent together, both teenagers were conflicted with their own predicament. Right now he had just come back from finding work and was exhausted with another petty criminal trying to rob a convenience store.

It was late evening and Peter remembered that the party would be tomorrow, unsure if he wanted to go or not. The boy snuck through the back door and trying his best not to wake up his Aunt May, he went to his room and decided to get some sleep. There was still time to pack before the moving van came tomorrow evening, thinking he could do it tonight instead. Not to mention bringing something for the apartment or as Harry wants to call it the 'bachelor's pad'. He was more popular with the girls in high school, unlike Peter who never had one glance at him.

Well... at least Peter thought that no girl would give him a chance. He just never realized that the said girl was in a different country throughout most of their childhood. Or the fact they had no way to communicate, much less know how to keep in contact with each other. But perhaps the party can give Peter the chance to get to know Adeline more, that is if she's willing to. Although his mind always seemed to wander to the redhead no matter how hard he tried to focus on something else.

Meanwhile, the Osborn family had dinner together for once, seeing this was Harry's last night at the penthouse. Adeline knew it would feel empty without him but he was becoming a man now and who was she to stop him? Norman didn't say much, Harry seemed forced to be here, and Adeline enjoyed eating together. That was until their father mentioned the Charity Ball and needed both of them to start getting involved in the company. He glanced at them with a serious expression in his eyes, especially at Adeline if she could help merge with Smythe Industries.

"I'm depending on you both, you understand?" Norman stated firmly, getting a piece of the steak and waiting for their answer. The siblings seemed to have a mutual understanding, Harry being Oscorp's successor and Adeline as his Director of Science.

"I know, Dad," Harry said quickly, almost as if not caring much about it. Adeline who was sitting across the table and silently kicked his foot to be nice, this was their future after all.

"We won't disappoint you," Adeline reassured him, Norman outstretched his hand towards her as she gripped it and sent small smiles at each other. Adeline will always be his favorite in terms of following his footsteps but Harry was the one to carry the family name.

Harry quietly excused himself and ruffled his sister's hair slightly before leaving, he had other things to worry about. One was the party he was secretly planning and the other was he still hasn't received a response from any of the colleges he applied to. On the other hand, it seemed like the perfect time for Norman to tell Adeline his proposition if she was willing to stay in New York. Drowning down his champagne before explaining, "Sweetheart, we still need to discuss the proposition."

"Yes, sir. What do you want me to do?" She nodded in agreement, and a soft smile appeared to show her genuine decision.

"So you made up your mind?" Norman held back his surprised expression as she simply continued to nod softly. He felt that everything was falling into place as he momentarily coughed before saying, "That's good to hear... the proposition I have for you is in four days you'll meet the Head Director of the Engineering division. He has a son that I want you to get acquainted with, you'll be working closely together when you join the company."

"I see... Can I just ask for one small request?" Adeline softly nodded her head, drinking her iced tea as she thought about it. She wasn't naive; she knew what he was referring to, another step towards merging the companies and securing the Osborn bloodline. Harry didn't have to worry about that since it was mainly the women's duty in the family to produce heirs.

"And that is?" Norman asked with a hint of curiosity.

"If it doesn't work out, I would like to focus on my studies and not worry about finding a suitable partner." The teenager declared, taking another sip of her drink before using a handkerchief to clean herself. Her father could only chuckle softly, seeing that his daughter was getting a bit bolder.

"Of course, sweetheart. You got a deal." Osborn agreed to her request, although he was already planning to make sure it wasn't going to happen.

"I would like to be excused," Adeline told him, getting up from her seat and picking up her plate and glass. Bernard insisted that he would do it, taking it away from her as the teenager decided to gently kiss her father's cheek. "Good night, Dad."

"She's becoming more like her mother every day... Emily would have been proud of her...." Norman mentally pondered as he held a tiny smile on his lips. Seeing his daughter growing up to be a responsible woman brought a sense of pride to him.

The young Osborn headed upstairs to talk to Harry for a bit, knocking on his door yet there was no reply. Thinking he was sleeping, she left and got ready for bed as she didn't put much thought into it. Sighing softly as she thought about her father's proposal, Adeline knew it was her duty and honor to secure the family business. Yet a small voice in her head told her otherwise that she was only a pawn in a game of chess. Hoping she could rest before tomorrow, slowly drifting away in her sleep to dream.

The next day, Adeline had an appointment with a personal shopper for the upcoming charity ball. The family butler, Bernard drove her to where all the elite families buy their clothes. Otherwise known as 5th Avenue. She spent most of her time debating between three dresses until the young girl just decided to get them all. Pairing it with some accessories and shoes at the request that she must look 'exceptional' for the important event. Even bought something nice for her brother since he wasn't the type to care too much about fashion.

It was still early afternoon when Adeline received a message from her brother about the secret party he was hosting at the new apartment tonight. She smiled softly as she accepted the invitation as the girl needed to return home to put away her new designer items and change clothes. When she got home, there was a stack of papers by the sideboard which were transfer files for Midtown High School. Seeing that she needed to finish those first before leaving, she grabbed the packet to head upstairs to her bedroom.

At the same time, Harry was setting up the apartment for the party with decorations, food, and drinks. He invited all his classmates that graduated from high school or anyone he thought was cool. Not wasting a moment as he knew exactly how to execute the plan he had in mind. He took out his phone to dial a number before hearing it ring loudly. Eventually, the call was connected, and the person on the other line answered to which he casually said, "Hey bud, don't forget the party is tonight... bring a housewarming gift or something."

"Yeah about that... I'm not sure about it. I still have some things to pack— it's most likely I won't know anyone..." Peter replied after a moment of pausing, unsure of the sudden urgency. He was actually busy returning home after another incident, seemingly never catching a break ever since he became Spider-Man. Wondering himself how he was managing to swing while answering the phone.

"Hey, I can't hear you well. Are you busy?" Osborn questioned as he placed a finger on his other ear. A high-pitched noise was heard in the background when in reality some police sirens were roaming through the streets. Peter swiftly adjusted himself on a side of the building to have a better view before continuing to listen.

"What? Uh, no, it's just the... laundry room." Parker feebly made up an excuse, but Harry didn't know the difference and assumed it to be true. He paused momentarily to check the time, briefly checking his watch and then contemplated the details of his plan.

"All I ask is that you live a little, Pete. Look, I'll send the limousine to your place... let's say around 7 o'clock." Harry insisted as it was an offer Peter couldn't deny, pondering on the deal before returning to Aunt May's house.

"...Alright, but there's something else isn't there?" Peter inquired as it wasn't common for Harry to randomly remind him of something like a party. He hurriedly swooped down towards the petty criminals but not before he secured his phone on the lamppost. Intervening in the crime scene as he webbed them up and quickly did the job. Afterward, Parker got his device back– actually, it was borrowed so he went to great lengths to keep it safe.

"Don't forget— at seven. See you there!" Harry reminded him before hanging up, it would be a couple of hours before the party officially began. Parker quietly managed to slip through his bedroom window, seeing that there was so much to pack. Thinking he can speed up the process by using his webs until something accidentally breaks. Now he resorted to putting everything away by hand since he didn't want to make the same mistake twice.

However, Peter was unaware that a visitor would come along with him. As it was nearing 7 o'clock, Harry decided to play a bit of matchmaker and 'accidentally' sent Adeline the wrong address to the new apartment. She came in the family limousine at the front steps of Parker's residence, sending a glance to Bernard in confusion. Texting her brother as it didn't seem like the right place, considering it was the outskirts of New York City. When she didn't get a reply, the young Osborn tried to figure out what was happening.

"I think we're lost, Bernard." Adeline looked forward at the front car mirror, holding a housewarming gift for the party. The old butler simply smiled as he stepped out and opened the door for her while taking the gift from her hands.

"In all my years of serving your family, Miss Osborn. I can assure you... that is not the case. We have yet to pick up another guest," He insisted as she felt something off about the whole ordeal. Either way, she hesitated on walking up to the front door before her knuckles lightly knocked for a few seconds. A muffled voice could be heard inside until the door swung open, standing in front of her was Peter Parker.

"Peter?" Adeline asked at the same time as he said her name. Both were unsure of what was happening, she noticed a few boxes beside the door. Staring at each other but he was the first one to look away, the girl offering a sweet smile. Silently thinking of what to say before greeting him. "It's nice to see you again. Um... I think Harry wanted me to accompany you."

"Who's at the door, Peter?" An elderly female voice called out before he could respond, still a bit tongue-tied as he had a sheepish smile on his face.

"It's uh... Harry's sister, Adeline." He explained, causing Adeline to feel a bit embarrassed while she made a mental note to herself to bring this up to her brother.

"Is that so? Well, invite her inside...." The woman said, Peter softly nodded his head while slowly opening the door wide for her to enter. Glancing back at her butler who gave an encouraging gesture, the girl eventually walked inside. Immediately greeted who Adeline presumed to be May Parker, pulling her into an embrace, "You must be Adeline, dear."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Parker," Adeline replied politely, liking the warm hug she received from her before slowly pulling away. Smiling kindly while Peter's aunt took a good look at the girl, nodding in approval as she noted a similarity between her brother.

"Oh, just call me Aunt May, Peter told me all about you." Aunt May insisted, gently getting Adeline's hand in hers in a sweet manner. At the same time, Peter couldn't help but struggle to hide his flushed face hoping Adeline didn't notice him.

"Really? But I'm sure he was just being polite." The young Osborn responded as she felt a flush creeping to her cheeks, biting her inner cheek faintly. Adeline decided to change the subject considering both teenagers tried fighting off their blushing faces. Trying to find the right words, she tells Aunt May calmly, "I came by to help Peter finish packing, Harry couldn't make it since he had to finalize some things."

"Oh, what a shame. Well... Peter, aren't you going to say thank you? I'll be in the kitchen." The elderly woman announced as she gave a final smile at the girl before slowly walking away. Once again the two teenagers stood there in silence, the boy awkwardly glancing between Adeline and his Aunt May.

"Sure Aunt May...." Peter muttered softly, not knowing what else to say. Adeline took the initiative and asked what she could take to the limousine yet the boy interjected kindly. But she insisted on helping as she took a small box from him and walked outside where Bernard already had the trunk open. It took them about fifteen minutes to put everything away although he gave a warm hug to his aunt.

Adeline smiled softly as she waited for Peter by the limousine, seeing the message Harry just sent her. It was a lame excuse for the 'mixup' but she knew better as she decided to ignore it. After the farewell, they both got in the vehicle as they sat on opposite sides on the way to the apartment. The young Osborn occasionally stared out the window while Parker would change his gaze ever so often. His eyes eventually lingered on the housewarming gift Adeline had in her hand, his mind thought of something, "Harry wasn't busy... was he?"

"No, he wasn't. I assume he planned this on purpose...." She told him as she showed Peter the message she got from Harry. The boy nodded softly in understanding, silently clearing his throat since he was thinking about the situation they were in.

"Did he mention why?" Parker questioned innocently, not aware that Adeline bit her bottom lip faintly. She contemplated how to respond as she knew part of the reason why Harry did it.

"Honestly... not a clue." She muttered faintly, avoiding glancing at him. Adeline was lying again, Harry knew about her little crush on Peter and he was using it against her. Sometimes she wished she never told him that considering Peter was his best friend. Fidgeting with her ring before she told him, "But at least I have someone besides my brother for the party. I don't think I'll know anyone there...."

"I have a feeling it's some old classmates... I-I wasn't the most popular there..." Peter uttered as he thought about it, still unsure about attending the party.

"Guess we gotta stick together, Parker. Because you're stuck with me until it ends." Adeline teased which caused the boy to be flushed at the comment. She turned to look at him with a small smile to ease her nervous expression, trying to ignore her heart pounding rapidly.

"Guess so... I wouldn't mind." He answered, liking the idea that he had someone else to talk with. Hoping that the party wouldn't be boring now that she was with him, both unaware that everything was going to change tonight.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey guys! I know it's been a long time since I've updated but it will get interesting trust me! Honestly, they are so cute together and this is just the beginning! Anyway, don't forget to comment, like, and please don't be a silent reader! Until next time my loves!