Miles G. hasn’t planned to tag along with Miles and his friends for the day. To say the least, he was appalled that his counterpart would even invite him. But, it’s Miles of course, being loyal to those he can rely on.
He cursed inwardly at his ability to be so…trustworthy.
Miles (G.) walked briskly and quietly with the rowdy gang of arachnids, trying to match their same level of commotion on the sidewalk in Mumbattan. He watched as Pavitr acted as an official tour guide, leading them in routes only he could possibly know from his rendezvous of “Spider-manning”. ‘Pav’ as they called him, was a fresh burst of energy. He was chipper and the most excited about introducing the group to the gems of his hometown. (Miles G. saw Pavitr shoot a quick side-eye towards Hobie as he uttered gems of India.) He led them through a cluster of markets, they all awed at the site of street food booths and trinket sellers with curious gleams.
Miles was eager to try the cuisine it seemed, asking Pavitr all kinds of questions and comparing it to his mom’s home cooking. Gwen shook her head and shared a look with Margo, both of them giggling softly at Miles’ deep bottomless pit of a stomach he had.
Oh that’s right. Margo did join them too. Margo Kess, huh?
Miles G. felt his heart stutter as he heard her light laughter, he met the girl after they all came to Miles’ aid to save him from 42. She was definitely interesting. Her vibrant purple and pink tinted skin that he could tell glisten with her natural melanin, the way her tightly coiled twin puffs radiated twinkle-like pixels, her luminescent suit he saw on days he met up with the crew. (Which was most eye-catching out of that so-called spider cult. [He heard Miguel’s cornball name for the society, lame.]) Even the small little gap he saw fill her smile with her rounded cheeks. He couldn’t possibly remember the last time he was focused on another girl. Yeah, he might’ve pulled a few unknowingly since he was dubbed as the nonchalant loner, but he didn’t have time due to his Prowler matters. Other than that, he just didn’t care. But, Margo… he cared to know what her deal was.
Miles G. felt a small nudge on his shoulder, he tried not to yelp in the most Miles-like way, but then shot daggers at the culprit. Hobie Brown, the most chillest, yet aggravating guy he ever met. He saw a small smirk tug at his pierced lip and looked smug.
“Eh Forty-two, you not crushin’ on our fellow teamie now, are ya?” Hobie said lowly, only in the braided Miles earshot.
Miles G. scowled at the nickname and shook his head, “Man, it’s not even like that.” He huffed and crossed his arms, looking up at the lanky teen in distaste. He absolutely loathed how much shorter he was compared to this stick.
“Sure, that’s what they all say…” Hobie shrugged and looked at him with a teasing glint in his eye.
“ ‘M sure she feels the same, don’t worry of it.”
The punk gave a light pat on his back and glanced at Gwen and Margo who now marveled at an elegant woman demonstrating her mehndi and ring adorned hands.
“How do you know? I doubt she cares.” Miles G. scoffed, but his face softened at Margo’s focus on tracing the woman’s designs.
Hobie chuckled warmly, “Ohhhh, she talks about you a bloody amount. Drives us completely mad and all knackered. Even asks our Miles advice on what to do for you… oops spoke too soon.” He mimed a zipped lip and made long strides to another vendor, winking at Miles G. as a way to egg him on.
This dude got some nerve.
He made note to sock Hobie in his jaw when no one else looks, even if he had the chance to meet that tree’s height. Bro has been playing in the wrong league this whole time.
Miles G. sighed and walked to his “twin” holding at least 3 different plates of Indian street foods, and a popsicle held to his mouth.
“Oh wassup, you wanna try somethin’?” Miles asked with a full mouth of the icy treat. First of all, ew?
“I’m straight. How do you even hold all that?” Miles G. squinted in concern, spider people are so weird.
His doppleganger shrugged and uttered, “Ionknowbutitsworthspending. I need to find out which food I should come back for next time, because Pav is definitely putting me on right now.” Miles grinned in total greed and began to eat a piece of panipuri.
“I need to know if Mámi tried this, she’ll tear this up.”
“Bro, I can’t remember the last time I took her to a market. It’s been a hot minute.” 42 sighed, and looked around at the stands, it wouldn’t hurt to bring his mom something back right?
“Take her something, she’ll love it regardless. Anyways, I saw they had these wings, and I couldn’t help but to try….” Miles began, his eyes shone of pure joy talking about the food.
“Dude, did you get enhanced hunger? Ain’t no way you’re still going.” Miles G. laughed at his behavior.
“Whatchu mean? This is totally what I’ve been waiting for. Pav! Hold up! Nah, you never mentioned desserts man!” Miles shrieked, trying to balance the weight of plates in his hands, “I’mma be right back, also Margo is looking at you, PEACE!” Miles scurried off to Pavitr, hurrying as if he was on a mission.
Did he just? Okay.
He was trying to gather himself and wiped his palms on his jeans to avoid looking sweaty due to another mention of Margo. Miles G. turned around, but failed to realize she was right behind him. So, like the dork he is, he screamed again.
“Aw, sorry! I just…Hi!” Margo tried to calm him down, and looked sheepish for scaring the boy.
“Uhh, hey.” Miles G. coughed, his voice dropped quickly.
“I just wanted to see what you’re up to. So, you found anything cool?” Margo laughed nervously, looking at her freshly painted nails that she picked for her avatar.
“I mean, I was with him over there ‘til he left. Just checkin’ foods out. You ate yet?”
“Naw, I was too busy looking at clothes and prints. Can you believe the material they have here? It’s amazing and the fibers would really work for a suit! Stretchy and thin. Maybe that’s how Pav’s work so well, because his never seems to get ripped and— H-how’s your suit, from your… own matters?” Margo stopped herself from getting off track, slow and calculated. She quickly realized how much ranting she did, growing anxious.
“A few tears, nothing I can’t handle. You.. want something I don’t mind paying. If you want to share?” Miles cleared his throat awkwardly, and rubbed the nape of his neck.
He kept in mind that his Uncle did say good foods or snacks was an old trick to get a girl you dig to like you. His words not his!
But, he didn’t really have a love language, to say. He just felt inclined to make the girl stay with him.
“Yeah! That’s cool! What did you have in mind? Mumbattan has sooo much to offer, I honestly forgot they had some amazing stuff. Like their jalebi, it’s soo….” Margo laughed loudly and grinned at Miles G.
He chuckled along with her, and asked, “What’s that, is it a treat?”
“It’s like funnel cake, it’s sweet and warm. Instead of powdered sugar, it’s syrup on top. So good, you gotta try it!” Margo tugged his jacket excitingly, and smiled widely. He felt his ears warm, she’s just so pretty.
“Alright, we can test it out. Lead the way.” Miles G. nodded.
Margo’s grin grew ever bigger and she felt her cheeks turn a deeper shade of magenta. “Sure thing Milo.”
Wait pause, Milo? Since when did he ever agree on… His thoughts were cut off as Margo yanked his arm wildly through the streets. It was almost as if she was zipping through the crowd, well technically she was.. courtesy of her powers.
Luckily, his own agility and athleticism was on par with Margo’s, so he gladly let her pull him into the spur.
Mans was far too deep now.
It all came to an abrupt halt as they stood in the bumbling line in front of them.
“I guess you remember the spot pretty well huh.” Milo panted.
“Mhm hmm! I’ve been here before with Gwen, this is our favorite joint. I’m tellin’ you, you won’t forget about this at all.” Margo assured him.
“Uh huh, I’m listening.” Milo felt a smile twitch at his lips.
“Once you have it in your mouth, it’s like a burst of magic. The sugary and warm syrup, with that lil’ crisp? Milo they are so addictive, I feel like my teeth are gonna fall out.” Margo sighs and holds her cheeks dreamily.
“I feel like mine already are just by looking at ‘em. Dang, how much of these can you eat?” Miles leaned over to get a view of the seller preparing the sweet snack to a customer first in line.
“Probably the whole bag alone. But, I wanna try them with you.” Margo looked at him and gave a soft smile. She wanted to use this opportunity to get to know the dude more, that’s the whole purpose why she came towards him anyways. “Annnnnnnnnd, I couldn’t pass up your offer.” Margo closed her eyes and smirked knowingly.
Miles huffed and laughed breathlessly, “You’re so sickening. So, what’s up? How’ve you… been?” He tried to make light conversation, something he despised doing back at home. The environment here felt more welcoming though. What was in the air?
Margo’s face grew brighter and glinted a deeper shade of cerulean blue and royal purple.
“I’ve been great, the whole ‘spider-in-the-chair’ thing is pretty good. Miguel’s not on my case and Jess is letting me come up with baby names. Life’s lifing, school and home… I say otherwise.” Margo recounted but then nodded.
“I get it, it’s good you have an escape.” Miles agreed, “It lets you get away from it all.”
It sounded like he spoke from a personal experience. He didn’t necessarily have a bad home environment, but his neighborhood definitely was not a good environment. Constant violence, arguing and yelling gets old.
“Oh yeah yea for sure, my parents can’t stop going at it for like 5 minutes max. That’s why I would rather be here. With you guys.” Margo admitted before stepping up to the seller.
Miles just stood there in shock. Repeating the words in his head, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of heartache. She preferred to be with them, even himself. Why him?
Wasn’t he a villain to them? The ole big bad Prowler that was Spider-Man’s sworn enemy?
The lesser than of the two Morales’?
The gloomy and bitter Miles who seemed to have better priorities?
Miles G. spiraled deeper and deeper, trapped in the quicksand of dread. He wanted to go home, he wanted to be with his mom and uncle, he wanted his dad—
“-lo… Milo? You want anything else? Hey, what’s wrong?” Margo asked him gently, grabbing his hand.
This made him fully aware that he was still in line, and brought him back to his senses. Miles looked back up, taking note of the seller’s bored look and the increasing line behind them.
“My fault, I appreciate it.” He muttered in embarrassment, and he threw down a ten. 42 gratefully took the bag of the dessert from the vendor while pulling Margo away from the stand.
Margo looked at him in worry, but allowed him to take her away without causing another scene.
“What’s on your mind, tell me.” It sounded more like a demand rather than a question, but she didn’t want him to feel so sullen after they just had a light conversation. Did she do something wrong?
“It’s nothin’, let’s see if these are genuinely good or you just gassed them up.” He led her to a small bench from the shops across the street. In his perspective, the markets were so congregated together like a giant landmark. It was really a united area of a wonderful community, Miles’ eyes glimmered with amusement. He wished he could savor this moment and put it on a canvas, something he hadn’t done in a while.
However, it came short-lived when a pixelated web-like arm (?) slung in his lap to snatch the bag of syrupy delights. “Nah, tell me what’s up. We were cooling in the line and now you’re brushing something off that caused you trouble.” Margo narrowed her eyes, but looked at him carefully.
“ ‘M fine, give me the bag back.”
“No.”
“Margo.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not playing with you right now.”
“We not playing!”
“Dame, ahora.”
“I only took Spanish 1..”
Miles sucked his teeth and looked away. Here goes nothing.
“Did you actually want to hang out with me today?”
Margo busted out laughing and snorted as she looked at Milo dead in his face. He held a bewildered and confused expression.
“Milo, what are you even saying? I approached you!” She looked at him incredulously and couldn’t help giggling. “I know good and well that’s not what you were thinking about.”
Miles turned away. He couldn’t help it since so many people let him down.
“Guess what?” Margo gently turned his chin back to her direction.
He felt his heart skip a beat and voice caught in his throat. “What?” Milo whispered.
Margo looked at him with half-lidded eyes until she put a piece of jalebi in his mouth. Due to the lack of announcement, he quickly felt the burst of flavors rush into his mouth.
It was gooey and so juicy. He couldn’t help but melt into the honey-like sweet. The crisp is what actually set him off, a small crunch that warmed his cheeks.
“It’s good ain’t it.” Margo laughed.
“Okay maybe you’re onto something.”
“Aren’t I always?” Margo happily put a piece in her mouth. “Y’know…we like having you around. I like having you around. Don’t second guess or worry.”
“Besides, I’m not going anywhere.” Margo stretched her arm and pulled him in closer.
Milo felt that this moment was more saccharine than the snack.
He could keep wanting more and more of this.