Chapter 8: Enlighten Spider-Gwen! Photo with Hulk!

Chapter 8: Enlighten Spider-Gwen! Photo with Hulk!

...

Gwen's expression froze. Her eyes widened in surprise and a touch of panic. She was young, and her emotions played openly across her face. It was evident that Lorien had hit the mark.

She fidgeted, her fingers nervously twisting together, and she looked away, biting her lower lip. She seemed at a loss for words, caught off guard by Lorien's perceptiveness.

Understanding her hesitation, Lorien leaned back in his chair, giving her space to process her thoughts.

Lorien opened the drawer and took out a photograph. Sliding it over to Gwen, he watched her reaction with interest.

Gwen picked up the photo and her eyes widened in surprise. It was a picture of Lorien with none other than the Hulk, the green giant who was infamous across the United States.

Citizens knew Hulk as a member of the Avengers, notorious for his volatile temper. Recently, he had fought with Iron Man and caused significant destruction, yet here he was, in a photo, seemingly at ease with Lorien.

It was clear from the photo that Hulk, despite his fearsome reputation, approved of Lorien. This was an implicit endorsement from one of the world's most unpredictable and powerful beings.

"You recognize him, don't you?" Lorien's voice broke her reverie. "So, you understand that a psychiatrist like me keeps everything confidential. Your secrets are safe with me; they'll never go beyond these walls."

Gwen hesitated, then nodded, clutching the photograph. After a moment of biting her lip, she finally spoke up.

"I have this... friend," she began, her voice tentative. "She suddenly got these abilities—she's more flexible, stronger. But she doesn't know if she should get checked out at a hospital. She's worried about being studied if she does. Should she use her powers for good? Or would that be too presumptuous?"

As Gwen spoke, Lorien listened intently. He almost chuckled at her thinly veiled disguise of "a friend." Instead, he maintained a professional demeanor, sensing the confusion and anxiety in her words.

"Your friend," Lorien began thoughtfully, "is like someone who has stumbled upon a large sum of money. She's unsure if she should use it, if she's allowed to use it, or even how to use it."

Gwen nodded, clearly relating to the analogy.

Lorien reached into his desk, pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen, and quickly sketched something. He then handed it to Gwen. The drawing depicted a person swinging on a swing in the midst of a bustling city.

"So, here's my advice," Lorien said. "Tell your friend to take that money and go home. Sleep on it. Once she's certain the money is truly hers and that no one will come to claim it, she can then think about how to use it. Maybe she can even spend a little of it to see the world, to understand its value better."

He paused to let his words sink in, then added, "Finding such money—or in your friend's case, gaining these powers—is a gradual process. It's not something that requires immediate action. She should take her time to adapt."

Gwen's eyes widened with understanding. Lorien's metaphor resonated with her. It was clear now—she needed to allow herself time to adjust before deciding her next steps.

"I once heard a song that seems fitting," Lorien continued. "The lyrics go, 'If I ever become rich, my first choice isn't to travel the world but to lie on the world's largest and softest sofa, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, for a whole year.'"

Both Lorien and Gwen laughed at the whimsical lyrics. Gwen, feeling lighter, adjusted her hair and nodded.

"I'll tell my friend," she said with a smile. "I'll let her know that the best psychologist in the world suggests she should take it easy, maybe turn into a couch potato first before deciding anything big."

Lorien leaned back, sipping his own milk tea. "I never said that exactly, but the idea is there."

"I get it," Gwen replied playfully. "The lyrics said it, but it's all the same."

Just as Gwen was about to say more, her phone rang. Glancing at the time, she quickly stood up.

"Sorry, I forgot about band practice! My friends are waiting for me."

Lorien nodded. "Go ahead. Don't keep your friends waiting too long."

Gwen grabbed her green bag and the unfinished milk tea. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back with a playful wink.

"Thank you, Mr. Lorien. You've helped my friend a lot!"

"You're welcome," Lorien replied with a smile. "Take care."

"Thanks again!"

Her final words echoed in the room as she disappeared into the elevator. Lorien watched her go, thinking to himself that whether or not she remembered to pay was inconsequential. If she didn't, she would just have to come back—and that wouldn't be such a bad thing at all.

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