Chapter 3
It had already been a few weeks into Miles settling into college life, he thought he’d be used to the workload by now, especially with how heavy his workload at his high school was. Way more than average, according to Gwen. But more often than not, he found himself working late at night, and he felt constantly tired throughout the day. It was a different type of exhaustion that came from constantly making art related works that always had to be full of deep meaning, and Miles doesn’t hate it, it’s just not what he’s used to.
Miles was on his 3rd day of working on a specific assignment he’d gotten, he was on his second or third energy drink, and he was running on 6 hours of sleep throughout those three days. And really, he wanted to laugh and say that it was completely his fault for constantly caffeinating his body, but at the same time, he wasn’t planning on sleeping much anyway, insomnia tends to do that. So he took to caffeinated drinks as a way to keep his brain from becoming full mush. Really, he doesn’t know if that’s how it works, but it’s helping him get through this, so he continued on.
The dark circles that tended to show up under Miles’ eyes around exam times in high school were already back in full force, thought he had learned long ago about this wonderful thing called “Makeup”, specifically “concealer”, and he thanked the lord each day that he was able to find the perfect shade that covered his dark circles up quite easily.
It was actually Gwen who’d gotten him into makeup, they were going to a concert of one of her favorite indie bands, and she insisted they dress up as a way to have fun, to celebrate the end of their first round of exams. He had reluctantly agreed, dressed up, and gone with her. Whilst the band wasn’t much to speak of, he felt confident with the bit of eyeliner she’d put on him.
Gwen was currently making her way to Miles’ dorm, after a few days of not seeing him, and to invite him to a concert. Like back in the good old days, except things would play out a bit differently.
Miles heard faint knocking over his music but paid no mind to it, already having gotten used to his neighbors. Instantly having new people over. But the knocking persisted, and a faint “Miles!” Could be heard, so he stood up from his desk, groaning as his back cracked after being hunched over for so long. Walking over to the door, he opened it, only to be assaulted by Gwen, who was on the phone with someone, presumably Pavitr, she quickly said
“I found him,” before hanging up.
“Where have you been Miles? we’ve been texting the group chat and you haven’t answered a single one of our messages,” Gwen inspected him closely before walking into his dorm and room, much to Miles’ dismay.
“ ‘ve been busy ‘s all,” he slurred his words slightly, rubbing his blurry eyes clear, and Twen stared at him unimpressed.
“Your room is a fucking mess, and you are you, Jesus!” She rushed him into the bathroom to go take a shower, but left the door slightly ajar so she could talk to him in the meantime.
“So, I was hoping you could take a break from whatever soul sucking project you’re doing to go to a show tonight?”
“Yeah? What kind of show?”masked Miles, he wasn’t intending on going, but figured he’d humor her for a bit.
“Well, a concert, there’s going to be like three bands playing there, but one of the bands is mine so..I wanted you to come? Pav is really excited for you to come, and you haven’t met Hobie yet, so we figured this would be a good moment, after the show that is,” she rushed through her words, really, Gwen also wanted Miles to come because she’d missed hanging out with him in the last few days. And call her attached, but Miles was her best friend in high school, whilst she was there at least, she got him, and wanted to mend their relationship, even if Miles said it was fine.
“Alright, I’ll go,” Miles sighed in defeat, he didn’t want to go, but this seemed to be really important to her, and besides, maybe taking a break would be good for him.
“Yay! I’ll text Pav to let him know then! By the way, it's soon, so if you want to go together, you gotta get ready now!” Miles laughed and hummed in acknowledgment, as she couldn't see him.
Coming out of the shower, he went into the bathroom looking for an outfit, before turning to Gwen to help him out, Wh gladly rummaging through his closet for the perfect outfit. He quickly put it on, before doing his makeup.
Gwen was impressed with the boy’s skill, as he’d decided to do a full look, of course, back when she and him were in high school, he’d only occasionally do the eyeliner thing after being pushed into it by her, but it made her happy to see her friend fully expressing himself, as the uniforms at their school didn’t allow for that.
Finishing up his look, miles looked up at Gwen from his pallet mirror,
“How’d I do?” He asked, and Gwen couldn’t help but squeal slightly with a grin, before snapping a picture of him.
“You look so cute Miles, I’m sending this to Pav, I’m so jealous, you gotta teach me how to do my eyes like that!” She grinned, and Miles smiled back, before Swatting his friend's arm.
They headed out to the venue, and though Gwen wanted to take Miles backstage with her, it was opening time soon, so things were going to be too chaotic for them to hang out properly.
Bidding his friend goodbye, Miles made his way to the front of the stage, with a few people who’d also just started arriving. The venture slowly started filling up, and Miles felt his excitement grow to see his friends perform. He texted the group chat “good luck you guys ! :)” and Pavitr responded with an enthusiastic GIF before Miles put his phone back in his pocket. Soon the lights dimmed and the show began.
“How’s everyone doin’ tonight?” A deep voice with a cockney accent asked, and the crowd responded eagerly, the lights flashing on the person speaking, and Miles felt himself become breathless. The boy had beautiful wicks that almost made Miles feel jealous, he’d been growing out his own hair over the last few years, and it was finally long enough for the braids he’d done before leaving home, perhaps he could try the look sometime, thought he didn’t think it would look as cool on him as it did on the guitarist. Scanning the rest of the boy, Mike couldn't help but feel blown away at how cool this guy was, a ripped crop top under a spiked battle vest, some patched on torn black skinny jeans, and combat boots. Miles would kill to have even a sliver of confidence that the punk held himself with.
“I’m Hobie, tha’s the legendary Gwen Stacy, and this’ Pav, the resident golden retriever,” Gwen laughed and Pav grinned and threw his hair back slightly at the crowd, causing the, absolutely lose their minds.
“Our bands called Spider-slayers and this is our first song!” Immediately Hobie began to shred on his sticker bombed guitar, soon joined by Pavitr followed by Gwen.
The music was electric, and Miles soon found himself yelling and cheering along with the crowd, and halfway during the third song, a pit opened up, and Miles found himself in it, laughing and screaming along with everyone else. He was starstruck by the band's skill, he knew Gwen played the drums, and must be good, but he hadn’t ever heard her play live, only practice videos she showed him during their lunch breaks. He’d been impressed then, but he was absolutely mesmerized now. He could feel the beat of the drums and the melodic bass in his bones, and the energy that Hobie provided with his vocals and guitar was amazing. He’d caught himself staring a little too much at the other several times, before diverting his attention to feeling and being in the moment, seeing his friends play their hearts out.
Once the show was over, he headed out to the front of the venue, waiting on the sidewalk, and looking at his phone for any messages from Gwen or Pav. He didn’t get any but was soon ambushed by Pavitr, who jumped on his back to hug him, causing him to stumble back, Pav cackling, like the absolute gremlin he was. Gwen and Hobie were behind Pav, still walking up to the two, seemingly wrapped up in their own conversation.
“Miles! I’m so happy you came! How was the show? I was amazing, I know, but I would love to hear it from you,” Pav let go of Miles before posing dramatically.
“You WERE amazing Pav, you fucking killed it out there, that bass solo was fucking sick, I loved every moment of y’all’s show!” Miles grinned, turning to look behind Pavitr to see Gwen, who smiled at him, and he decided payback was owed, and tackled Gwen, who laughed, managing to completely fall onto the floor, the two of them looking like absolutely idiots.
“Gwen, your boy Hobie was fucking right when he called you a legend, you fucking rocked, man! I remember you were good back then, but holy shit, it’s different seeing you live,” he laughed and gwen grinned at her friend before pulling him and herself back up, introducing Miles to the third member of the band.
“Miles, this is Hobie, Hobie this is Miles,” she looked between the two, Hobie nodded at Miles, who gave him a small wave, being slightly, if not completely in awe of the boy. Hobie looked at the boy up and down with a slight smirk before grabbing the boy by the shoulder and leaning against him. Miles I’m response, tensed up slightly and the unfamiliar touch.
“So, you’re the Miles Gwendy’s been ranting and raving ‘bout,” he smirked again, looking at Gwen Who was rolling her eyes, and Miles laughed,
“I guess so! Anyway you were fucking awesome man! Your voice is sick as shit dude, and your stage presence? Fenomenal! You looked so cool up there on stage,” Miles smiled shyly at Hobie, his own enthusiasm betraying how nervous he felt around the taller boy. Pav and Gwen were both giving each other a knowing look.
“Awe thanks luv, by the way, I Love your makeup, looks fuckin’ metal,” Miles felt his face get a bit warm, but he laughs it off with a quick thanks, and before it can get too awkward, Pavitr directs them to a food stand.
The four around eating and chatting casually, before finishing up and heading back to the dorms. They stop by Miles’ room so he can quickly grab a sketchbook, much to Gwens’ dismay, but soon after they End up in Gwen’s dorm.
Pavitr and Gwen end up in a competitive game of smash bros, and the two end up bickering nonstop as Miles and Hobie watch.
“So, what’re you in for, Miles?” Hobie asked with a serious face, before breaking into a slight huff of a laugh, and Miles laughed a bit as well, causing Hobie’s heart to skip a beat at the beautiful boy’s expression. Still though, he played it cool, after all, he barely knew him.it didn’t matter if he thought Miles was one of, if not the most beautiful person in the world.
“Well, I’m going to an art college for,, you know, arts?” He laughed again, before answering.
“Nah but for real though, I do visual arts, graffiti, painting, makeup, anything that’s putting color on a blank canvas,” he smiled as he wrote some notes in his sketchbook, before continuing to doodle.
“What about you, Hobie?” Miles looked up from his sketchbook to see Hobie staring at him, and the older boy shrugged awkwardly.
“I’m here to tear down the schooling system brick by brick,” he grinned, before sighing,
“I’m actually just an art history nerd,, not in the “oh Michaels Angelo and da Vinci this”, more of a political art history sort of interest. I like to know why things happen, how they happen, and to know the correct way of deconstructing arguments and fighting wars through art,” it was clear hobbie was passionate on the subject and that made Miles smile, as he was once again reminded how awesome it was to be around like minded young adults such as himself.
“How are you can you Possibly be cooler now in person than on stage,” Miles whispered to himself, though Hobie heard him and asked,
“Wha’s that luv? I didn’t quite hear you,” the taller boy grinned and Miles buried his face in his sketchbook with a groan.
“Dios mío Miles,this is why we fucking sleep and have good schedules, you’d actually have a fucking filter if you just, slept,” he was muttering to himself and Hobie couldn’t help but laugh quietly at the boys misery.
“Awe is it time for Miles to go to sleep? You know I think it is, especially if you’re talking to yourself in the third person, unless you’re into that normally, but something tells me you’re way past your bedtime,” He teased the boy, and Miles groaned even more, but lifted his head up from his book t ask sarcastically,
“Really? What gave it away?” He tried to look deadpan whilst asking the question, but Hobie was busy trying not to crack a smile, causing a smile of his own to appear.
“You’re not wrong man, this whole time Gwen’s been trying to get me out of the house so I could break from working on shit, she knows I struggle with sleep, I think she figured at some point I’d just drop dead on her couch or something,” he paused, yawning, “which I mean, she’s not entirely wrong for that, but- hey p, would you look at that! They’ve fallen asleep,” Miles pointed to Pavitr wand Gwen, both asleep on the floor with their controllers abandoned to the side, he then turned to look at Hobie, who looked at him, before a grin creeped its way up his face.
“You don’t happen to have a sharpie on ya, would ya luv?”