Spiderverse: A Miles Morales AU

Jason noticed Miles had stop walking with him and was locked in staring at Gwen, he rushed down to him.

"Hold your horses, pal," Jason said, breaking the spell. "It's way too early for that. That's Gwen Stacy you're staring at."

He leaned in closer, his tone turning serious.

"Yeah, she's pretty, but you need to stop ogling her if you don't want to get in trouble with Harry Osborn. Trust me, that guy doesn't mess around. He'll literally tear you apart and make your life miserable in this school. So, my first piece of advice for you is to steer clear of Gwen."

Jason's words hung in the air, a mix of caution and warning. Miles heart sank a little, realizing that what felt like a magical moment was fraught with complications. He glanced back at Gwen, who was laughing with her friends, her smile still bright.

"Are you serious?" he asked, trying to process the reality of the situation. "I had no idea."

Jason nodded, his expression serious.

"Yeah, it's a jungle here. Harry's got a reputation for being protective. You don't want to be on his radar. There are plenty of other girls around who won't come with all that drama."

Miles felt a mix of disappointment and determination.

"Guess I'll have to keep my distance, then," he replied, though a part of him wasn't quite ready to let go of the idea of getting to know Gwen.

Jason clapped him on the shoulder, lightening the mood.

"Good call! Focus on making friends first. Trust me, it's way less complicated that way. Plus, I've got your back if you ever need help navigating this place."

As they walked away from the table, the new student couldn't shake the image of Gwen's smile from his mind, but he knew Jason had a point.

It was Miles' second day at school, walking alone with his headphones on, music pulsing through his ears. The hallways were bustling with students, but he felt like he was in his own little world. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Startled, he turned to see Jason, who looked a bit out of breath.

"Hey! I've been calling your name! That headphone must've been cranked up too loud," Jason said, trying to catch his breath after running to catch up with Miles.

Miles pulled one headphone out, a sheepish smile creeping onto his face. "Sorry about that! I didn't hear you. What's up?"

Jason grinned, shaking his head. "No worries!  I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out for a bit. I thought we could check out the courtyard and grab some lunch. I hear they've got some new stuff on the menu today."

Miles nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "That sounds great! I could use a break from wandering around on my own."

As they walked side by side, Jason continued chatting, animatedly recounting stories about the school, the teachers, and the best places to grab food.  Miles found himself relaxing, enjoying the company.

"So, have you met anyone interesting yet?" Jason asked, glancing at him curiously.

"Not really," Miles admitted. "Just a couple of people in my classes, but nothing too memorable."

Jason smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, you definitely need to meet more people. Trust me, you'll find some cool friends around here. Just stay away from Harry Osborn if you can help it."

Miles raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?..."

Jason chuckled. "Let's just say he's got a bit of a reputation.

"Have you seen that tall building with the big sign that says Oscorp?" Jason asked, "That's owned by his dad. He's the third wealthiest man in New York."

Miles raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "No way! I've heard of Oscorp. What's it like?"

Jason shrugged, a playful smirk on his face. "Well, when I was ten, my dad told me they had real aliens there. I couldn't tell if he was serious or just messing with me because, you know, there's no such thing as aliens. But with all the crazy stuff that happens in this city, who knows?"

"Wait how did your dad know about that...!?''

"My dad is a scientist. He actually works at Oscorp. He's always talking about the cutting-edge research they're doing. I guess that's how I ended up hearing all these crazy stories."

"Seriously? That's awesome!" Jason exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "What kind of work does he do there?"

"He's in biotech," Jason explained, feeling a bit proud. "He develops new ways to use technology to help people. Sometimes I wonder if he's involved in anything as out-there as aliens!

Miles chuckled, imagining the fantastical stories Jason might have heard as a kid. "That's wild! So Harry's dad is Norman Osborn?"

"Yeah, And he co-founded Osborn Industries with this brilliant guy, Professor Mendel Stromm. They started out specializing in chemical manufacturing, and it eventually evolved into what we know as Oscorp. They're big in research and development, especially in robotics and even aviation."

 "Must be cool to have a parent like that." Said Miles.

Jason nodded, "It is, but it can also be a lot of pressure. People expect a lot when your family is in the spotlight like that. But hey, What about you?..

"Well, my dad's job isn't as exciting," Miles admitted, rolling his eyes playfully. "He's a journalist working with The New York Times. We moved down here after he got the job. It's a pretty big deal to him, but sometimes I feel like it's just a lot of writing and not much action."

Jason nodded, intrigued. "That's still cool! Journalists get to cover interesting stories and meet a lot of people, right?"

"Yeah, but it can be a grind," Miles said, shrugging. "He's always working on some deadline or chasing after leads. Sometimes I feel like I barely see him."

"I get that," Jason replied, reflecting on how busy his own dad could be. "But it must be interesting to hear about the stories he covers. Does he ever share any wild ones?"

"Sometimes," Miles said, a smile creeping back. "He's told me about covering protests and even some wild political scandals. I guess it has its moments, but I still think my dad's job could use a little more excitement—maybe some alien encounters!"

They both laughed, the conversation flowing easily between them.

As they continued talking, Miles felt the weight of his own world lift just a little, grateful for Jason's company and the chance to share a laugh amidst the complexities of school life.

"Don't worry about Harry! Let's focus on enjoying lunch first,"  Jason said, his words slightly muffled as he chewed on a mouthful of food.

Miles couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.  "You really know how to make eating look like a competitive sport," he teased.

Jason grinned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Hey, food is serious business!

"Just don't choke on it", said Miles with a smirk on his face.

They walked up to the basketball court, where a group of kids was playing a heated game on one side of the court. while others gathered nearby, chatting and enjoying the sun. Miles noticed a basketball lying on the ground and felt a sudden urge to give it a try.

He dropped his bag on the ground and picked up the ball and bounced it a few times, surprised at how natural it felt in his hands. With a confident stance, he dribbled a couple of times and took a shot at the hoop. The ball sailed through the air, swishing cleanly through the net with a satisfying "wham!"

"Wow! Nice shot!" Jason exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.

Encouraged, Miles took a deep breath and launched another shot. It went in effortlessly. And then another. And another. Before he knew it, he had sunk four baskets in a row without missing a single one.

"Man, I didn't know you could play basketball so well!" Jason said, grinning. "You should definitely try out for the team!"

Miles had actually been part of a basketball team at his old school, which explained why he handled the ball so effortlessly. He had spent countless hours practicing and playing games, so the skills felt second nature to him.

As he sank another shot, he couldn't help but feel a rush of nostalgia. Basketball had always been a source of joy for him, a way to escape and connect with friends.

"Seriously, man, you should think about joining," Jason encouraged, still beaming from the impressive shots. "It would be awesome to have you on the team!"

Miles considered Jason's words. "I appreciate it! I used to play back at my old school, but I'm still getting used to everything here. I guess I'm just not sure if I want to jump into something so soon."

Jason nodded, understanding. "That makes sense. Just remember, you're not alone in this. I can help if you decide to go for it."

Miles smiled, grateful for Jason's support. "Thanks, man. I'll definitely think about it. It would be nice to get back into it."

As they continued to watch the game, Miles felt a sense of belonging begin to take root. Maybe joining the basketball team wouldn't just be about the game, it could also be about making new friends and feeling more at home in this new school.