Feliz Cumpleaños
Roses.
It smelt like apple cinnamon. He would know, it was one of his favorite smells. It filled his nose and head giving him a sense of calm. Miles no longer seemed to be off put by being in a white endless void. Everything was alright.
“Feliz cumpleaños a ti..”
Miles’s ears perked up at the soft gentle voice singing. It sounded as if the singing was done up close to his ears. It was so soothing and clear. “Feliz cumpleaños a ti…”
Slowly the teenager turned around. At first he didn’t see anything but before he knew it the whole scenery changed around him. He was suddenly in some room he’s never seen before-a nursery. It was dark, night time by the looks of it. The room was painted a shade of light blue with what Miles could make out as clouds painted on it. The room was pretty spaced out, a rocking chair to one corner and a changing table in another. The carpet beneath him was soft, softer than his in his room. The windows were all closed but still had the moons light sneaking in. A crib laid front in center in the room, above it a mobile with what looked like planets on it. However the dim lighting made it impossible to tell for sure.
Other than the what’s painted on the walls, very few pictures were hung. But for some reason he couldn’t seem make out what was actually painted on it despite the face he was looking straight at him. It looked like a blur to him.
Miles blinked, the once empty room he was standing in suddenly had a woman in front of the crib staring down inside. From what he could tell, she had curly dark brown hair and olive colored skin. He couldn’t see her face completely since she was facing away from him.
“Happy birthday to you…..”
The voice began to fade, as if it was miles away from him. Despite being only a few steps away. Miles tried to take a step closer towards the voice but a sudden burst of flames burned a barrier between the woman and him. The heat pricked his skin, causing him to step backwards. Miles watched the ever burning fire that blazed in front of him spread through the room.
Then the woman stopped singing. Smoke clouded the room as a spine tingling laugher flooded the room.
“Hey lady!” Miles tried to call out. “Run! The room is on fire!” The woman didn’t seem to hear him. She stayed still, looking over at whatever was inside the crib. The teen tried to find an exit as smoke started to cloud his lungs. He looked behind himself to see a large black door.
Miles began to cough by the time he looked back at the woman. Something inside him wanted the woman to listen and run with him, while another wanted to run from the bright flames encasing the nursery.
“Miss! You have to run!” When the woman didn’t respond a gnawing feeling in his gut left him staring at the woman. He couldn’t just leave her in here to burn! He had to help this woman!
Miles took one last glance at the door before taking a step back. Once he took that step, the door dissolved right before him into nothing leaving him trapped as well.
Miles fully turned around towards the woman before assessing the situation. Nearly the whole room was encased in flames except for the back wall where the crib and woman were near. He glanced at the flame barrier before taking a deep breath of the smoky air. He knew what he had to do but it didn’t mean he liked it. Miles covered his mouth, stepped back towards the wall behind him, and steadied himself.
He didn’t have much time to rethink before his legs took off running towards the rampaging flames. Everything felt as if it was happening in slow motion as he threw his body up to jump over the flames. However mid jump the room around him crumpled, fading into nothing. Miles looked at the woman, wide eyed in horror, to see her slowly begin to turn towards him as if she finally heard him.
Before he could get a good look at her face, Miles was consumed by the dark abyss beneath him.
Miles woke with a gasp.
He sat up and looked around his room while trying desperately to catch his breath. He was back inside his room, no longer falling.
Miles wiped the beading sweat off his forehead, trying to calm himself. His shirt was stained with his sweat and his blanket was discarded on the ground. He must’ve thrown it off during his….dream.
He looked at his bedside table to look at his phone. He picked it up and turned it on, checking the time. It was nearly one in the morning. He sighed, throwing his phone back on the table.
Miles couldn’t believe he had the dream again.
Why now? The last time he had it he was merely five! It’s been seven years since he had that dream! Now he was twelve! Wait. Miles looked at the calendar hung on his wall. The date was circled. ‘MY BIRTHDAY’ it said in bright red letters written marker. He was thirteen now.
That didn’t make him feel much better.
“Calm down Miles, it’s probably nothing. Just go back to bed. Hopefully no more dreaming,” Miles told himself. He began to lay down after picking back up his blanket and tucked himself back in.
Miles woke up to the fresh smell of McDonald’s breakfast platter. He recognized that artificial food smell anywhere. The teen pushed himself up from bed, standing up and stretching. His body felt heavy. He blamed it on his horrible sleep. After having the stupid dream-nope he wasn’t even gonna think about it!
Miles walked towards the door, opening it and walking out in his pjs. He walked into the bathroom first, brushing his teeth and using the toilet, before making his way into the living room/kitchen. As his nose detected, a bag of McDonald’s laid on the table. However what he didn’t know was his dad was actually sitting at the table drinking coffee while reading the newspaper wearing normal clothing. Which was probably more shocking than the actual breakfast. Was he in an alternative dimension? His dad almost looks like a normal functioning human being! The background kinda ruined the normal look since it was a mess with burnt food and random food smeared everywhere. Maybe this is a clone and his real dad is trapped in some weird bad guys basement torturing them with all his bad jokes.
“Uh...dad?” Peter looked up from his newspaper and at Miles who was standing in the middle of the room with a confused expression on his face. “Well look who decided to join us! If it isn’t the birthday boy himself!”
“What-“
“Look I brought you breakfast! Ignore everything else. A raccoon broke in while you were asleep and tried to cook. Made a mess. Had to kick him out.” Miles snorted. Of course. He should’ve known. He walked towards the table and peaked into the bag to see a typical breakfast platter with hash browns, pancakes, sausage, and what looked like eggs that had been squished together like clay. Wasn’t exactly what he had in mind for breakfast but he wasn’t not gonna eat it.
“Thanks dad.”
“No problem Miles.”
Miles sat down to eat starting off with the best part of the whole platter, the hashbrowns. He just liked anything potatoes, and hash browns were no acception. “Woah don’t choke. Don’t need you dying on your birthday. What would people think when I say my kid died from eating hash browns too quickly?” Miles swallowed the food in his mouth before looking at his father. “At least I’d go out eating my favorite food. What happens after doesn’t really matter,” He stated. “Though I’d say they wouldn’t be surprised. Have you seen yourself eat a hamburger?”
“Ouch.” Miles smiled. “Have you gotten sassier in the last 24 hours or is it just me?” The teen let out a small laugh. How he missed conversations like this.
“Maybe I did. A lot can change in 24 hours.”
Miles went on to finish his food before he was ambushed by another surprise. His father led him into the living room before handing him a colourful poorly wrapped box. It looked as if it had been ran over and thrown off a steep cliff. He raised his brow, gazing into his father’s eyes waiting for an explanation.
“The people at the mall charged ten extra dollars to wrap gifts.” Miles nodded in understanding. He probably would’ve done the same in his father situation and kept those ten dollars.
The teen teared through the wrapping quickly, throwing it onto the ground, then moving to open the box underneath. Inside was a brand new hardcover sketch book along with a pack of copic markers. Just when the young teen was about to roast his father about the poor wrapping the cocky man had to make him feel like a total jerk.
“Dad...you didn’t have to-“
“Of course I did. You’ve been wanting a new sketchbook after losing yours and markers. Did you know these marker things are the most popular thing around the artist community? Crazy.” Miles probably looked like a idiot with his gaping mouth. He couldn’t help it. The teen knew how pricey these markers could be. He’s checked everywhere trying to find cheap ones! He could barely imagine how much his father spent on these!
“Dad I can’t take these!” It felt like he was holding some godly brick of gold in his hand. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at it incase his stare would damage the product. “You could’ve used the money for groceries or-“
Miles was cut off by his dad stating, “Don’t worry. The place I got them from owed me after I stopped a robbery. So I got a pretty good deal.” The thirteen year old let out a relief breath. Now he felt a bit better about being given these insanely expensive markers. “Plus you’ve been a good kid this year. I mean with everything that happened..,” The was a brief pause as his father’s face tightened, “you deserve this.”
His father took a deep breath before plastering on a smile for him. “Plus now you use this at your new school!” The mention of his new school made the teenager tense. He had totally forgotten about it.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“See! Now just try not to lose it like you did the last one. We don’t need some sailor across the sea finding your sketchbook floating away.”
“It was one time! It’s not like I wanted to lose my sketchbook in the water while on field trip in a boat! It was windy that day and the boat was shaking!” Miles glared at his father who burst out laughing. The stern look on his face didn’t last long seeing as other people laughing was his greatest weakness. Against his will, the teen let out a muffled laugh. He cursed himself for letting his dad win.
Despite his loss, he felt happy that his dad was up and laughing. Strange but good. He knew how rough the past couple years has been on the older man, and the struggles he went through. Sure his father put up facade that he was alright but Miles knew better. So it felt good to hear the familiar wholehearted laugh. It’s like he had his old dad back even if it was for a moment.
“Seeing as my son proves to be a clumsy reck I hereby forbid you for going on boats with your sketchbook.”
“Great. Whatever will I do?” His time was flat and full of all the sarcasm he could muster. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You always seem to.”
Miles smiled.
For a day where he’s supposed to have a crisis about growing old, it was turning out pretty alright.
“Thanks for meeting with me Miles.”
He shouldn’t be here.
The thought was stuck in Miles mind like a peice of gum, his gaze was focused on the frozen treat in front of him. He sat at a table right outside a small frozen yogurt shop. His body was tense with worry.
“I know it’s been a while since we’ve spoken...but I’ve missed you Miles. I just want to maybe catch up?” His Aunt Mary Jane asked.
The teen tried to avoid looking into the redheads downhearted baby blue eyes.
Miles felt wrong being there. He told his father he was gonna go hang out with a friend. He was betraying his father’s trust for simply being in the same vicinity as his aunt.
However on the other hand, he was glad to see his aunt. He missed her deeply. He missed everything about her from the sound of her voice to the smell of her perfume. The redhead had practically been the only mother figure to him his whole life.
Miles didn’t know the full extent of what happened between his dad and his aunt them. Aunt May had been very vague when she tried to explain to him all that time ago. From what he got from the conversation, his aunt and father had a messy break up and needed space. A lot of it apparently since they’ve been apart for a whole year. Both parties pulled away, cutting off all connection between each other. Neither seemed mad at each other however, a more of an melancholy air surrounded them and their situation.
However it didn’t make up for the sadness he and his father felt when his Aunt left. Things had changed.
“How’s school?” Aunt MJ asked in attempt to ignite a conversation.
“I’m starting a new school on Monday,” Miles muttered with a hint of bitterness towards the topic. The subject of his new school left his stomach in knots.
“Oh really? What school?” The teen had wished his Aunt would let the subject of school go. It wasn’t something he really wanted to think about.
“Visions Academy.” The teen’s sour tone didn’t go unnoticed by his aunt. “Let me guess, you’re not a big fan of this school?” Mile’s raised his eyes to greet his aunts for the first since arriving.
“No. I want to go back to my old school with all my friends,” Miles confessed, his tone low-spirited. He hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until now when he let it go. Changing schools was probably the worst thing to have happened to him. Which was saying something. He missed his old friends and hangouts. Heck he even missed his teachers! He missed their easy assignments and old jokes that would become a living meme among his peers. He had practically grew up with everyone at Brooklyn Middle, they all were practically family in some weird way.
“Have you told your father?”
“Yes but he’s the one who wanted me to go there.” Miles fought hard against going to this new school. He’d argue that they were elitist and that he rather be amoung the people. It led to many late night arguments which would always end with him backing down. Mostly because he knew he wouldn’t get anywhere by yelling at eachother.
“I’m sorry. I know your father only wants what’s best for you,” His Aunt told him. Her smile was reminiscent of earlier years when she witness firsthand Peter’s large caring heart. However Miles scoffed at that saying, “Yeah right. It feels more like he’s trying to get rid of me.”
“Miles!” The smaller boy jumped at the sudden raise of tone. “Your father would never try to get rid of you! He loves you! He’s rather take on the sinister six with nothing but his bare fists than try to get rid of you!” Miles sighed. Deep down he knew his aunt was right. His father would throw hands with every single superpowered villain if they even breath in his direction. It was comforting yet terrifying.
“I’m sorry Aunt MJ. I didn’t mean that,” Miles apologized. MJ sighed. “I know Miles,” His Aunt leaned forward, “Your father may not always be right and may make many mistakes, but that will never change the fact that he loves you.”
Miles took a deep breath. He really hadn’t counted on getting emotional while secretly meeting his aunt in front of a frozen yogurt shop but here he was.
“I missed you Aunt MJ,” He whispered.
“I missed my little spider kid too.” MJ gave him a soft caring smile. How Miles had missed his aunts smile. It always made him feel better. “You can come home ya know? I’m sure dad will really like that. He misses you too. I’m sure you guys can work it out.” It was a sad attempt at trying to repair their broken family but it was all he got in the moment.
“I wish things were that easy Miles.”
“Me too.”
There was a long sorrowful silence that fell upon the two. Neither party knew what to say.
Miles started at the dropping sun, his eyes misty probably from allergies.
Yeah totally allergies.
Wait. Did spider people like him get allergies? Miles shook the thoughts away, forcing himself to stay on task. Though he made a mental note to ask about that later.
“I should get home before dad thinks the goblin kidnapped me or something.” His Aunt looked up looking slightly disappointed. She quickly shook the mournful frown from her face, forcing a smile for him. It was painfully obvious she didn’t want him and the feeling was mutual.
Miles started getting up from his chair when his aunt suddenly blurted out, “Oh wait! I almost forgot! Your gift!” His aunt fumbled around in her purse before pulling out a unexpectedly large perfectly wrapped gift. Before he could possibly ask how that large gift could fit inside here normal sized looking purse his Aunt spoke again. “I know it’s kinda weird but I thought maybe you’d find something fun to do with this.”
Miles took a moment to admire the red and black wrapping paper, it was a pleasing aesthetic, before opening the gift.
“It’s uh….spy kit?”
“Yeah! I thought you might enjoy testing out all the...you don’t like it do you? Dammit. I knew I should’ve gotten the chemistry kit.” Miles shook his head. “No! It’s great! I love it!” His Aunt looked at him completely unconvinced.
“I swear Aunt May it’s great! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome sweetheart,” His Aunt pulled him into a side hug before planting two kisses on both his cheeks. “Alright. Make sure to be safe walking home and please,” Miles looked his Aunt in the eyes, “take care of your father. For the sake of both of our sanity.”
The teenager nodded. “I promise.” His Aunt looked grateful.
“Goodbye Aunt MJ.”
“Bye Miles. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
With that said Miles begin his journey home with his new spy kit. He was barely ten minutes into his walk when he felt somebody shove past him, bumping his shoulder. He could make barley make out the form of a tall individual rushing past him. He didn’t get a good look at the person's face but he wasn’t that upset.
It was New York after all. Nobody cared about anything unless it directly affected themselves. It was what they were known for.
So instead of thinking too much into it, Miles decided to keep walking.