Spider-Byte: Multiversal Madness

Chapter 14: Miguel O'Hara

The boss was waiting for them.

Miles? Couldn't be happier to be there. Every room they entered, Miles just had to give commentary on how cool he thought the place was. Even in the boring, minimalistic dimly-lit room they were currently in.

The hum of the Spider-Society pulsed faintly through the walls. Distant chatter, footsteps, the metallic hiss of doors sliding open and closed. But in the hallway where Gwen and Melody walked ahead of the boys, it was quiet, heavy.

Gwen glanced at Melody. Melody kept her head straight as she walked, but her brown eyes told no story as she scratched her wrist. Gwen knew she had to speak up. "Melo," she said softly, her voice carrying that mix of concern and hesitation. "You okay?" The two words Melody dreaded the most.

Melody, startled, quickly shook her head, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I...uh...yeah. I'm great." "You don't have to lie to me, you know." Melody's throat tightened. She kept her gaze forward, her voice dead. "Truly, I'm fine."

She contemplated telling Gwen everything: the situation with Miles, the fact that she can't even go home, and the weird feelings she's been getting about the Spider-Society. But something inside warned her not to. Gwen would probably just smooth it over, make excuses, make her feel even dumber.

Gwen gave a slight chuckle, "Heh, you're just like her, y'know." "Who?" "My Melo," Gwen said quietly. Her eyes softened, gaze drifting somewhere far away. "She was strong. Independent. A total pain in the ass..."

Both girls laughed. A little something to ease the tension.

"...and someone who sat with her feelings alone too much," Gwen finished, her smile fading. "If she didn't speak in time, or if someone pushed her too far...she'd lash out." Melody's chest burned. "Why are you telling me this, Gwen? Why now?" Gwen's expression softened, almost pleading. "Because I know you're hurting. I can feel it." Melody's hands curled into fists. She shook her head. "Again, I'm fine."

"You need to talk to someone," Gwen pushed. "It's okay to be vulnerable-"

"Vulnerable?" Melody cut her off, her voice trembling between anger and despair. "I've tried that. Time and time again, I've let myself be vulnerable with people I care about... and every single time, it ends with me being treated like I'm worth nothing."

Gwen held her breath, her eyes flickering with fear. She didn't know if to go closer to Melody for comfort, or stay far from her and drop it. She sighed. "You can trust me, Melo," Gwen whispered.

Melody finally met her eyes, raw and burning. "Can I?"

Silence.

Gwen's lips parted like she wanted to say more but she didn't. Could she? If she did, she would be lying, anyway. Instead, she turned, walking ahead.

The immediate silence and distance between the two girls told Melody everything she needed to know. She couldn't wait to get out of here.

Meanwhile, Hobie confronted Miles. "Why do you wanna be a part of this stuff?" "So I can hang out with my friends," Miles said, as if it was supposed to be obvious. "Bruv, you have Melody, that's enough, innit?" Miles looked at Melody who was in front of him and sighed. 'Of course she is. I just can't tell her. It's better this way, instead of getting rejected and never speaking to her again.'

Hobie decided to change the topic. "I bet you have a nice set up, nice parents-" "I mean they're fine but...we had a fight. But..." Miles paused and sighed, fiddling with the box of food he held, "...they just want the best for me." Hobie chuckled, "This a bloody shame."