Welcome to Vision’s Academy
When Miles awoke on Monday morning he was instantly greeted with a sore body. His whole body ached. Though most notably the worst aching part was his arms and the sore feeling led all the way down to his fingertips. When he sat up, he was hit with a sense of dizziness. Great. Of course he had to be sick on his first day of school.
Miles shook his head.
First day was already off to a rough start. Go figure.
The teen got up, spent the most of his morning trying to get ready for the day. He took occasional breaks to color in his brand new sketchbook. Though it wasn’t until he heard his father yelling at him to hurry did he rush out his door with his suitcase and backpack. He ran into the kitchen, picking out a finest looking apple, and made his way to the door where his dad was waiting for him.
“You want a ride?” Miles shook his head. In no way would be driven to school in his father’s old banged up moped. It’s a miracle that it was even able to be put back together. “Your loss.”
Miles was gonna walk out the door and start his walk to hell, aka Vision’s Academy, when his father suddenly grabbed his shoulder pulling him into a tight hug. His eyes wide, caught completely off guard.
“Uh dad-“ His father pulled back and gave him a smile. “Remember to call or text me every night. Be safe. Always have your phone with you and on. Don’t stay out too late and please make sure somebody knows where you are if you do go out-“
“Dad. I can handle myself. I’ve got...,” Miles looked around making sure the coast was clear before saying in a hush tone, “spider powers too.” He pretended to thwip his wrists. “I know. Just please be careful.” He nodded. That would probably be an easy promise seeing as he has no interest in doing anything that would remotely hurt himself. Contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t share the same need for living the high life like his father. He just wants to be a normal kid that happens to have powers.
“Alright. I’ll see you Friday evening. Love you Miles.”
“Love you too dad.”
Arriving at his new school was probably the most nerve wracking thing he’s experienced. He couldn’t help but feel subconscious on everything about himself. For instance, despite them all wearing uniform he felt like they were judging his clothes. Maybe they weren’t happy he was wearing the uniform or maybe it’s his mind making him think that. Was this what social anxiety like? Everyone seemed like they fit, hanging with their own cliques and groups. They were like sharks waiting for small little fishes like him to tear apart. This feeling was completely new to him. At his old school he was practically friends with everyone or at least on somewhat good terms. They all shared some form of mutual respect for each other and always welcome new incomers. He couldn’t count how many times he’s told students on their first day on school at Brooklyn Middle to not be nervous and that they’d get use to it here.
How the tides have turned.
Where was a Miles when you need him?
Miles walked up the stairs and walked through the entrance. Maybe he’s being overdramatic and overthinking things. For all he knew the people could be really nice and he’s making them out to be horrible students. He should probably try talking to some people, make small talk like he would in his old school whenever it was awkward or if he meets somebody new. Despite his father being horrible at it when he’s not wearing the red and blue spandex suit, Miles was surprisingly good at socializing. Probably why people liked him.
“Hey good morning. How you doing...short weekend huh?” To Miles disappointment he didn’t get a response so he turned to another kid and said, “oh my gosh this is so embarrassing but we’re wearing the same jacket!” The kid gave him a strange look before walking past him clearly unamused. Miles felt discouraged after the failed attempts at making small talk. Maybe he wasn’t as good as he thought.
So much for making friends.
“Hey!” Miles whipped his head around to see a student was referring to him. Hopeful, he responded with, “Yeah?”
“Your shoe is untied.”
“Yeah, I’m aware…..It’s a choice.”
Miles felt his shoulders drop before he continued to walk. As his father would say anytime anybody wouldn’t laugh at his jokes ‘They all must have sticks up their butts’.
Turns out Vision Academy wasn’t what he thought it was. It was way worse. Classes were rough. He’d found himself constantly being left in the dust. He was last to everything. It was a strange feeling. He wasn’t used to being last. At Brooklyn Middle he was usually the first. Though that may have been because nobody there really cared but still.
The amount of work given in a day was enough to drive any kid insane! He already had a butload of homework and quizzes to study for! It was insane! However not as insane as breaks in between periods to get to the next class. Everyone was rushing to head to class while he had to run through the halls dodging students while holding his textbooks trying to navigate his way around to find his classroom. For most of his classes he managed to make it on time by a landslide until one. That moment when he barged into class a sweaty mess would probably forever haunt him. His teacher looked extremely unimpressed as she paused the film the class was watching.
“You’re late.”
The lights flicker on revealing Miles standing in the middle of the classroom. He could feel the heat rush to his cheeks as he tried to play it off cool. “Einstein said time was relative, right? Maybe I’m not late. Maybe you guys are early!” Miles joke was met with an uncomfortable amount of silence. He felt embarrassment rush through his body like waterslide.
Suddenly there was a small titter from within the crowd of students. Everyone turned to look at the person who laughed. It was a pale female with blond hair and large blue eyes. She had a piercing on her eyebrow and freckles scattered across her face.
“Sorry. It was just sooo quiet.” Ms. Calleros, the teacher, looked back at Miles before saying, “Would you like to keep standing there or do you want to sit down?”
The lights flickered off. Miles quickly, and slightly awkwardly, made his way to his desk keeping his head low. Once he sat down he tried to pay attention to the rolling tape they were watching while regretting his life.
“I liked your joke.”
Miles looked at the blonde girl in surprise. “Really?”
The girl looked back at him saying, “I mean, it wasn’t funny, that’s why I laughed. But it was smart, so I liked it.” The teen was taken back at the sheer honesty. He was intrigued to say the least. He shifted his body so he was turned towards the other student.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you before--“
“Shhh!” Miles quickly turned his body around, facing the front as his teacher walked past his desk. The teen waits a few moments before glancing back at the blonde teen. She seemed focused on the film so he backed off. However he couldn’t help but feel curious.
Very curious.
Day one at Vision Academy officially done.
Miles walked back to his dorm room in defeat. He was completely worn out. All energy drained from his body like an orange. He was practically dragging himself down the hall. He just wished to be in bed to sleep off whatever aching feeling he had.
Probably just a cold. You’ll get over it.
Miles fished his key out of his backpacks pocket and put it in the door knob, pushing it open. The sight that greeted him on the other side left the teen speechless.
“Oh my god-“
“Miles?!”
“Ganke?!” Miles dropped his bag in the doorway and walked towards his best friend with his mouth gaping. Ganke had looked so different from what he remembered it was insane. He had normal hair, eyes, glasses, but he noticeably was a bit more slimer. He was dressed in the usual uniform except he wore a beanie, which was strange since when they were younger the other boy hated beanies. However what confirmed that this other teen was his childhood best friend was the fact the room was littered with Spider-Man comics. Ganke had always had a strong love for Spider-Man. When he accidentally discovered that Miles’s dad was the infamous web-slinger and that he too shared his powers his friend was over the moon ecstatic. He had to practically force the other boy to keep it a secret.
“Dude what are you doing here?! I thought you moved away!” Miles exclaimed. All his stress diminish as soon as he began to talk. “I did! We moved back a year ago!” The two began to do their secret handshake while smiling like a pair of dorks.
“Man, am I happy to see you!”
“Same! I was so worried I’d be stuck with some bigot for a roommate!” Finally something was going right in his life. Seeing Ganke was a surprise but it was a surprise he needed or else he’d go insane.
“Man my mom is gonna flip when she finds out my roommate is my old best friend from my childhood!” Miles snorted. “Is your dad-” His friend didn’t even need to finish that question since he already knew what he was gonna ask. By the state of the room he had a pretty good idea. “Yes. My dad is still doing the whole superhero thing,” Miles answered with a knowing smirk. “Are you his sidekick now?!” The teen shook his head. Having a side gig as hero wasn’t something he planned to do ever. He wanted to live the normal life among the people. His dad was probably happy about that.
“Man if I could do what you can do I’d totally be Spider-Man’s sidekick!”
“I know Ganke. You told me that multiple times when you found out I had powers.” Miles remembered how much his best friend would gush about his powers. It would be non stop talking for hours until either the day was over or until Miles had enough and would force a change of topic. “Miles,” Ganke’s tone turned serious, “ I’m really happy to see you. I mean it. SIdekick or not.”
Miles snorted and smiled. He playfully pushed his friend while saying, “I know man. I’m not only happy to see you but I’m also happy we’re roommates.” Ganke returned the smile. “However! This isn’t like the last time we shared a room! You don’t get to leave your stuff everywhere! I don’t need to find another lizard while searching through all your junk trying to find my own junk.”
“Hey! That was one time!”
“No it wasn’t!”
“Fine. It only happened three times!”
Miles sighed and shook his head. This is gonna be a long school year.
Everyone in the dormitory was fast asleep. Nothing could be heard but the faint snores of students as they dreamed. Not a single soul was awake. Miles was fast asleep, his limbs scattered in different directions on the bed, his blanket barely covering him, his sheets a mess. His body began to toss and turn as the teen clutched onto his sheets.
“He’s perfect.” Miles was standing alone in a living room. He wasn’t sure how he had gotten there, he didn’t recognize anything. The room was the size of a small classroom, littered with obscure photos and furniture. “He’s gonna be amazing someday honey. I just know it.” Miles turned his head to see man and a woman sitting on the couch holding a child. The woman was smiling down at the baby, her eyes shining with love. He recognized her from his dreams. Only she wasn’t dressed in a pair of scrubs, she was wearing normal civilian clothing. Next to her was a man he didn’t recognize. He’s never seen him in any dreams before. He was a buff man, kinda tall too. He was darker than the woman and wore a grey t-shirt with pajama pants. Judging by what he’s seen, he’d say the two were in a relationship. A couple with a baby. Miles’s tried to get a look at the baby but it’s face was covered by the blanket. He took a few steps closer trying to get a better looking point. However once he got a look inside he didn’t see a chubby baby face like he’d expect. In its place was a mirror. It was cracked on the edges and dirty but he could make out his own reflection. Before he could say, think, or do anything else he was falling into the dark again.
Then Miles woke up.