Graffiti Girl | MILES MORALES

ix

𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀. Miles feels free when he finally gets the hang of shooting artificial webs and swinging from building to building. As he whips through the air between tall buildings, Taryn watches from the roof of the school.

Swinging from buildings in his own super hero suit is a feeling Miles can't even describe. He can't stop smiling.

"Hey Taryn, watch this!" Miles calls as he swings past Taryn on the roof, as if her eyes weren't already on him.

Miles flings himself into the sky and does a flip midair.

Taryn claps and whistles. "Impressive!"

He shoots a web at a nearby building and swings over to the school roof. His landing is a bit rough and he stumbles, but he keeps his feet under him.

Taryn slips off of the edge she was sitting on and steps over to Miles as he takes off the mask. His eyes are wide and bright.

"Did you see that!?" Miles exclaims animatedly.

Taryn laughs. "Yes, I did see that. You're like a real superhero."

Miles grins, but then it falters when the weight of being a superhero dawns on him. He has to fight bad guys. His dad and the rest of the Brooklyn police force are going to hate him.

Taryn frowns at Miles's shift in mood again and punches his shoulder lightly. His eyes lift from the ground to meet hers.

"What are you thinking about?" She asks lightly.

"It's just. . ." Miles sighs and steps over to the edge, sliding down to lean against the concrete. "I don't think I'd make a good superhero."

Taryn follows Miles and sits beside him. She leans her head back against the ledge and studies Miles.

"Can I be real with you for a second?"

Miles glances at her, unsure of what she's going to say next. She never fails to do something unpredictable. "'Course."

"I don't think you're perfect for the job," Taryn says, and before Miles can even feel offended, she continues, "But I think superheroes have to be flawed. If they weren't, then where would their drive be? They'd have nothing to fight for." She pauses. Then, she burps.

Miles crinkles his noise and turns away. "Gross, what did you eat? Onions and asparagus?" He fans the air away.

Taryn lets out a laugh. "I'm sorry that I had a little extra air in my stomach. It's a basic human function."

"Yeah, but it smells gross."

Taryn shrugs. The two sit in a moment of silence until she breaks it with a random thought.

"So have you told your uncle yet?"

Miles scratches his jaw. "Actually, I don't think I'm going to tell him, or anyone else. Isn't the point of being a superhero saving people and keeping the ones you care about safe? The only way I can do that is by making sure my identity is a secret."

Taryn nods. Then, she asks, "Since I'm the only one who knows your identity can I be your sidekick?"

Miles looks at her incredulously. "No?"