"Fractured Trust"

Miles walked out of the school courtyard, lost in thought, as he pondered his next move. The warm sun on his skin did little to lift his spirits, and the weight of his responsibilities as Spider-Man felt heavier with each step. He had been avoiding his fellow Spider-People for weeks, unsure of how to face them after the chaos that had erupted in the multiverse. As he turned a corner, he noticed a familiar figure leaning against a nearby wall, eyeing him with a mix of concern and curiosity. Hobart "Hobie" Brown, the Spider-Man from a parallel universe, was known for his sharp instincts and no-nonsense attitude. Miles had always considered Hobie a friend, but lately, he'd been avoiding him, too. Hobie pushed off the wall and approached Miles, his eyes scanning the teenager's face. "Hey, kid. I've been trying to reach you for weeks. What's going on?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of worry. Miles forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just been busy with school, Hobie. You know how it is." Hobie raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Busy with school? That's not what I'm talking about, Miles. I'm talking about the Spider-Verse. The multiverse. What's going on with you?" Miles shrugged, trying to brush off the question. "I don't know what you're talking about, Hobie. I'm just trying to focus on my studies right now." Hobie snorted, his eyes narrowing. "Save it, kid. I know you're not buying what I'm selling, and I'm not buying what you're selling either. You're hiding something, and I aim to find out what it is." Miles felt a twinge of guilt, knowing that Hobie wasn't buying his lies. But he couldn't let his friend see the truth – that he was struggling to cope with the pressure of being Spider-Man, that he felt abandoned by the other Spider-People, and that he was starting to doubt his own abilities. As they walked through the streets, Hobie continued to probe Miles, trying to get him to open up. But Miles kept up the charade, spinning a web of half-truths and lies. He knew Hobie could see right through him, but he couldn't help himself. He was desperate to keep his friend at arm's length, to protect himself from the possibility of being hurt again. Hobie sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Miles, listen to me. I know you're not okay. I can see it in your eyes. You're not fooling anyone, least of all me. If you need help, if you need to talk, I'm here for you. But you need to be honest with me, and with yourself." Miles nodded, trying to appear receptive, but his mind was already racing ahead, planning his next move. He knew he couldn't keep up this charade forever, but for now, it was necessary. He needed time to figure out what was going on, to find a way to reclaim his identity as Spider-Man, and to rediscover his purpose. As they parted ways, Hobie placed a hand on Miles' shoulder. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, kid. You're not alone in this, even if it feels like it." Miles smiled, feeling a pang of gratitude towards his friend. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to trust Hobie, to let him in. But for now, he was stuck in this web of lies, unsure of how to escape.