After talking with Freddy for a while, Arin sensed movement at the end of the hallway — a small group of people walking together.
Freddy turned and waved.
"Oh— there they are! My siblings."
Arin look at the approaching group first was a beautiful tall girl Mary Bromfield, then Pedro Peña a fat child, third was Darla Dudley fourth was Eugene Choi
And lastly Billy Batson with hands shoved in pockets,looking lazy.
They were the Shazam family… before they ever became heroes.
Freddy introduced Arin.
"This is Arin Aether — from Midtown. Cool guy."
Arin gave a calm nod.
"Nice to meet you all."
Darla gasped dramatically and ran forward.
"He's sooo handsome!"
Billy rolled his eyes.
"Darla, stop that."
Mary smiled kindly.
"You must be the student from New York high school ."
Arin gave a small smile.
"Yes I come together with class for cultural exchange ."
Mary's eyes look at boy in front on her, she found a little attractive towards him .
Billy, arms crossed, sized Arin up with suspicious.
"what are you doing alone here ," Billy muttered.
Hearing this Arin smile and said "oh I just got separated from my
Classmates and plan to wonder around alone.
Hearing this billi don't say anything .
Within minutes, the siblings warmed up to him.
Arin talked to Pedro about heroes, to Eugene about tech, to Darla about… everything she threw at him.
Even Mary have good impressions of him sob, she can't resist urge to know more about him so she ask asked gently:
"Um… Arin? Can I have your number?"
Arin look surprised and look at Mary .
Seeing Arin gaze Mary cheeks slightly pink:
"Ah! Only because you seem responsible. I'd like to coordinate if you and Freddy talk again. You're… good for him."
Arin smiled softly.
"Of course."
He exchanged numbers with her.
Billy watched from the side, raising an eyebrow.
"…Dude, how many girls are in your contacts?"
Arin froze for a second.
He didn't know how to answer that.
Freddy laughed.
"Yeah, Arin. How many girls are in your contacts?"
Arin pretended not to hear.
---
After saying goodbye to the Shazam siblings, Arin looked around.
"I should find Gwen and MJ," he said, scanning the halls.
Mary noticed.
"You're looking for some one ," she smiled. "I can help. I know every corner of this school."
Arin nodded gratefully.
Mary walked beside him, leading him through classrooms and corridors.
A few students stared — Mary was one of the popular girls here… and Arin clearly stood out.
Finally, they stepped into a small courtyard.
On a bench beneath a tree sat Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson.
Gwen waved instantly.
MJ smiled brightly.
Mary turned to Arin.
"Looks like your friends are waiting."
He nodded.
"Thanks, Mary."
Mary gave him a warm smile.
"No problem. If you get lost again, text me."
She walked forward with him.
Gwen's eyes widened slightly at seeing a pretty girl walking next to Arin.
MJ's smile stiffened a little.
Arin stopped in front of them.
"Gwen, MJ — this is Mary Bromfield. She helped me find you two ."
Mary smiled politely.
"Hi! Nice to meet you."
Gwen smiled back.
"Nice to meet you too."
MJ gave a friendly wave.
"Hey there."
Mary noticed immediately that both girls were… looking at Arin more than her.
She blinked, surprised — then smiled knowingly.
After a few minutes of friendly chatting, Mary excused herself.
"See you later, Arin."
"Yeah. Thanks again."
Mary walked away.
Both Gwen and MJ turned slowly… and stared at Arin.
He blinked.
"What?"
The two girls spoke in unison:
"Arin… how many girls did you meet today?"
Arin froze.
Students walking by whispered:
"Damn, is he some kind of chick magnet?"
"Two beautiful girls watching him like hawks…"
"Who IS THIS BOY??"
Arin sighed, covering his face.
He didn't mean to look like an "womanizer."
He didn't flirt with anyone.
He just talked politely.
But now, with Gwen and MJ looking at him like he had multiple girlfriends…
He felt honestly embarrassed.
He rubbed his neck.
"I just made friends. That's all."
Gwen raised a brow.
MJ crossed her arms.
Their eyes didn't believe him.
But neither of them said anything cruel.
Instead…
MJ scooted closer to him and smiled threatenedly .
"It's okay. You're popular now ..
With girls "
Gwen took his other side and and quietly .
"Just… don't forget us, okay?"
Arin's felt goosebumps all over his body .
He forced a smile and said .
"I won't."
Hearing this they relaxed… for now.
Though in their hearts, Gwen and MJ were thinking the same thing:
I need to stay close to him… before someone else takes him.
And Arin?
He just wanted to survive this situation.
Soon ring bell ring indicating the lunch break time, hearing this sound Arin felt like he heared a havenly sound and quickly said "Gwen and MJ, i felling hungry let go eat lunch.
And toward the cafeteria like a man escaping danger.
Walking inside he saw it was filled with students from both schools gathered together , Long tables stretched everywhere filled with plates.
Arin walked with Gwen and MJ on either side of him.
Gwen clung lightly to his sleeve, cheeks pink.
MJ walked close enough that her arm brushed his every few steps.
Every eye in the cafeteria turned toward them.
"Is that the guy from Midtown?"
"He's with Gwen AND MJ again!"
"Damn… what's his secret?"
"Kill him."
Arin ignored all of them and followed the girls to an empty table near the windows.
They sat down.
MJ slid in on his right.
Gwen grabbed the left seat instantly.
Arin had no escape.
MJ leaned forward.
"So… what do you want to eat?"
Gwen smiled softly.
"I'll get something with you."
He felt warmth on both sides.
Before he could answer—
A familiar cheerful voice sounded.
"Arin!"
Mary Bromfield approached their table with a bright smile, waving her hand. Behind her came the rest of the siblings — Freddy, Darla, Eugene, and Pedro.
Gwen blinked.
MJ looked mildly surprised.
Arin smiled.
"You all also come to lunch?"
Freddy nodded.
"Yeah! Thought we'd join you for lunch."
Mary added kindly:
"I hope we're not intruding."
Gwen shook her head politely.
"No, please sit."
MJ smiled warmly.
"More people, more fun."
Within a minute, the entire Shazam siblings sat around the table.
Darla plopped down excitedly between Gwen and MJ.
"You two are soooo pretty! Are you dating Arin?"
Both girls choked on air.
Arin nearly dropped his drink.
"what!" Maria stuttered.
Gwen turned bright red.
Arin coughed lightly.
"We're just… friends."
Billy raised an eyebrow.
"Just friends? Sure looks like more from here."
Gwen hid her face behind her hair.
MJ crossed her arms, trying not to smile.
Mary laughed softly and looked at Arin.
"You sure are popular."
Arin rubbed his forehead.
"I didn't ask for this."
The table erupted into laughter.
Soon, trays filled the table.
Burgers, fries, cafeteria salads, sandwiches — a mountain of food.
Gwen relaxed quickly, talking with Darla, who adored her immediately.
MJ ended up chatting with Mary about school life and acting dreams.
Freddy excitedly explained superhero trivia to Arin.
Pedro quietly listened but smiled every time Arin asked him something.
Eugene bragged about beating every video game.
Darla jumped between conversations like a hyper lightning bolt.
Seeing this scene.
Arin felt something warm.
And start eating with them
MJ leaned closer and whispered:
"You look so happy today."
Arin glanced back softly.
"Because I meet made some good friends today ."
Mary watched the three of them and smiled knowingly.
This boy… is special.
Even Billy, trying to look tough, relaxed and leaned into the conversation.
"So Arin… where in New York you from?"
"Midtown. Close to the school."
"That place is crazy."
"You get used to it."
Billy laughed — something he rarely did.
To Everyone Else…
The cafeteria was buzzing with whispers.
"That guy has TWO school flowers AND Philadelphia's flower around him!"
"He built a mini kingdom."
"How charismatic IS he?"
"Is this his harem?"
"No way—"
"MAYBE."
Arin heard the whispers.
He ignored them.
He was too busy talking with Freddy about foster life, teasing Darla to make her giggle,
This lunch felt… very good.