Study Buddies -miles morales

ii

The stillness of night draped over Visions Academy, casting the campus in deep shadows and a ghostly silence. Streetlights flickered in the distance, their dull glow barely reaching the corners where Miles and (Y.name) moved. She followed him hesitantly, casting cautious glances at the darkened windows above. The air was crisp, tingling with a mixture of nerves and thrill that made her heart pound a little harder with each step. She tugged at Miles’s sleeve, whispering, “Are you sure about this? We could get in serious trouble.”

He turned, flashing her a cocky smile that seemed to shimmer in the low light. “Relax,” he whispered, his voice smooth and confident. “I’ve done this a million times. We’re practically ghosts.” He winked, waving her on with a playful grin.

But just as he said it, a narrow beam of light cut through the darkness, washing over the space where they’d just been. (Y.name)’s eyes widened, her instincts kicking in. Before he could process it, she grabbed him, pulling him back into the shadows behind the cold brick wall of the building. Miles stumbled slightly, feeling her press him firmly against the wall. Her hand came up, soft but certain, covering his mouth before he could make a sound. They stood there, breaths locked in their chests as the guard’s flashlight swept the area. She felt the rise and fall of his breathing under her palm, steadying herself against the chill of the night and the pounding of her own pulse.

The guard paused, the beam of his flashlight grazing their hiding spot. Miles’s gaze drifted from the light to (Y.name), who was focused entirely on the guard, her brows knit in intense concentration. But his own heart skipped at the realization of how close she was, her face inches from his, her hand still warm against his mouth. Her breath tickled his cheek, her eyes sharp and steady even in the dim light. He wanted to grin, to tease her about how this was probably more daring than anything she’d ever done, but for once, words failed him.

Finally, the guard sighed, shaking his head as if deciding it wasn’t worth his time, and turned, the flashlight beam trailing after him. Only when the guard’s footsteps faded into the distance did (Y.name) let her hand fall away, giving Miles a skeptical look as she took a step back.

“Easy, huh?” she murmured, her lips twitching with a hint of sarcasm.

Miles cleared his throat, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of her warmth. He plastered on a smug grin, stuffing his hands in his pockets as if he hadn’t just been caught off guard. “What can I say?” he whispered, flashing a cocky smile. “I’ve got it covered.” He started off again, glancing over his shoulder to make sure she was following, his pace slower than usual as they finally slipped out of the school gate and onto the street.

Brooklyn lay stretched before them, the streets quiet and blanketed in a familiar haze of distant neon and the occasional hum of a passing car. Graffiti-streaked walls, speckled with years of stories, loomed in the shadows, and the soft rumble of the city seemed to form a heartbeat around them. The two wove through the sidewalks with a rhythm of their own, the city’s pulse guiding them as Miles led her through narrow alleys and quiet corners. (Y.name) glanced around, taking in the vibrancy hidden within the nighttime stillness, finding a strange comfort in it.

As they passed a street vendor who leaned against his cart, half-dozing, the man perked up at the sight of Miles, grinning warmly. “Ey, Miles! You out late tonight,” he called with a knowing chuckle, reaching for a paper-wrapped snack and tossing it to him.

Miles grinned, passing the snack to (Y.name), who caught it, raising an eyebrow as she took a bite. “Do you know everyone in this part of Brooklyn?” she teased, savoring the salty-sweetness.

He shrugged, a faint, almost melancholic smile tugging at his lips. “Nah. Just the good spots. My uncle… he used to take me here.” His words came softer, his gaze dipping down. (Y.name)’s expression softened, and she nudged him gently, her shoulder brushing his, a wordless reminder that she was there.

The faint sadness in his eyes faded, replaced with a slight smile. He continued down the street, leading her toward his apartment block, his steps growing slower as they entered the building. Her gaze fell upon a large portrait outside, capturing the sharp lines of a man’s face—a strong jaw, intense eyes, and an easy smile. (Y.name) glanced at Miles, tilting her head.

“That’s him,” Miles murmured, his voice carrying a quiet reverence. “My uncle Aaron.”

They slipped into his room, the space instantly making (Y.name) feel as if she’d entered Miles’s world. His walls were covered in sketches, photos, little glimpses into his life and personality. He moved toward the window, peering out into the night, his fingers grazing the glass as if hoping to catch one last glimpse of the portrait. (Y.name) watched him for a moment, understanding the unspoken sorrow. She stepped closer, reaching out to intertwine their pinkies with a soft, reassuring smile.

Miles glanced down at their hands, his face softening. “I miss him… a lot, even if…” Miles hesitated, searching for words. “Even if he made some mistakes. He taught me so much, you know? About art, about graffiti… seeing the world for what it really is, about doing what you love.”

(Y.name) took a breath, piecing together his words, her heart aching as she finally understood. She met his gaze, offering a small, empathetic smile. “He’s in a better place now,” she said softly. “And I know he’d be proud of you.”

Miles looked at her, feeling the warmth of her words settle in his chest. Gently, he leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes for a moment. Talking about Uncle Aaron felt natural, his memories spilling out like he was sharing a piece of himself with her. He told her about Aaron’s art, his philosophy, his passion for street culture—the way he’d always wanted Miles to see the world beyond boundaries. The two sat there, lost in each other’s words, the city’s hum fading into the background.

Neither of them noticed the figure standing quietly in the doorway.