8 – Semi-Normal Life – September 1, 2011
Aspen looked down at her schedule wondering just what she thought she was doing. The college campus loomed up before her swarming with cheery students who were either much younger than her or looked like they at least had some idea of what they were doing. Somehow Fury had managed to get her out of most of her prerequisites and into the more advanced science classes. When she'd told Jemma that she was going to college, her friend had enthusiastically recommended SHIELD's Academy of Science and Technology, but Aspen had decided she wanted to attend a college not affiliated with SHIELD. It was a new start, and as she walked into the science building for her first class, she realized that part of the reason she was so nervous was that this seemed to good to be true. Her whole life she had just wanted to study science and now she was here at Columbia University, a college freshman. Clint had wanted to drive her to her first day but had been called away on a mission. He'd sent her text from wherever he currently was wishing her good luck and telling her not to 'outsmart the other kids.' She smiled at that. She'd probably make a fool out of herself if anything.
She found her classroom and slipped in. She was a half an hour early so she pulled out her tablet and checked her e-mail. Her aunt had been corresponding with her on a fairly regular basis and had even surprised her by sending her a box of her parents' things including the photos she had left in her apartment. There was also her dad's old camera and her mom's lab coat and goggles. The file she'd once stolen from SHIELD was also in the box. She thought about giving it back, but Clint had made it sound like SHIELD had already taken it from someone, so she was keeping it as a memento of her first meeting with him.
The other students started to arrive, and a woman with grey hair sat next to her with a smile. "I'm Ann," she said, holding out a surprisingly smooth hand.
"Aspen."
"Are you a junior?" she asked.
"Freshman actually. I skipped a few of the basic classes," Aspen said, feeling self-conscious.
"My, you must be smart if you're starting off in this class."
Actually the readings so far for Intermediate Astrophysics had been a bit dry. Aspen had acquired her textbooks early and already had a head start in most of them. She'd also gotten everything she could find on her parents' work surprised to find that they had published a lot of science journals. She wondered why she'd never thought to look before. She supposed the constant negative response her aunt had anytime her parents were mentioned had discouraged her from going out to find information on them.
"I guess we'll find out," Aspen said in reply to Ann's comment.
The classroom filled up and the professor walked in. He set his briefcase down on the front counter and turned to face them. "Two atoms bump into each other. One says, 'I've lost an electron.' 'Are you sure?' the other asks. The first one replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'"
Aspen chuckled along with a few of the other students. The professor looked around at the class. "Only a few of you laughing. My, we have some work to do." That relieved tension a little. Some of the other students laughed, making Aspen feel a little less silly. "I'm Professor Stewart Donovan, but you can call me Stew or Professor Stew. Extra credit if you actually find out my favorite kind of stew is. Today we're going to jump right into it. I hope you brought a notebook or laptop because you're going to be taking notes." There was a shuffling as everyone got a notebook or computer out. Aspen flipped her notebook open and poised her pen, ready to write.
"Can anyone give me a basic definition of astrophysics?" the professor asked.
"The branch of astronomy that deals with the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies using the laws and theories of physics to interpret astronomical observations," a student in the back called out.
"Good, you did the reading." More laughter. "Basically we're going to be learning about the universe and what exactly it does, how it came about, what else might be out there. The universe is vast. There's a lot of cover. You should have gotten a basic overview of it in Beginning Astrophysics, but now we're going to take that to the next level. What makes the universe tick? Is there a possibility of other life forms out there?"
The lesson proved to be extremely interesting. Aspen understood everything Professor Stew spoke about which was a relief. She'd been afraid that her very informal science training would keep her from understanding the more advanced curriculum but her work in the science lab in Phoenix had helped.
The professor held Aspen back as she made to leave the room after class was over. "Miss Tolvar, am I mistaken in thinking you are related to the famous Ava and Gregor Tolvar?"
"No. They're my parents," she said.
"I was so sorry to hear of the explosion," Professor Stew said.
Aspen kicked herself for referring to her parents in the present tense. She had gotten used to the idea of them still being alive in the last few months since her aunt had broken the news to her. "Thank you. I was only three when it happened, but I know what wonderful people they were. Did you know them personally?"
"We went to university together actually. We were good friends for a time, but then we got busy with our degrees and real life, and I'm afraid we lost contact. I was thrilled when I saw your name on the roster. I'll expect great things of you, Miss Tolvar."
"I hope I can live up to their brilliance," Aspen said.
"I'm sure you will," he said. "See you next time."
The rest of Aspen's classes were not quite as interesting. She nearly fell asleep in the lower level biology class she'd been forced to take. She didn't bother taking notes in her chemistry class. She already knew everything the professor told them. At the end of the day, she got into her Audi and drove back to her apartment. She already had a paper to write and a few theories to read up on in her books. She put on some music and lay back on her couch, textbook poised on her legs. Her phone rang from the table, and she picked up, tucking it under her chin and against her shoulder as she opened her textbook.
"About time," she said.
"You know I can't call you while I'm on missions," Clint told her over the line.
"But you can text?"
"How did the first day of school go?"
"Are you still on a mission?"
"Just got back."
"It went pretty well. Some of the classes are going to be a repetitive bore though."
"So, you'll ace them."
"Where are you?"
"I just got out of a meeting with Fury."
"Feeling up to some pool tonight?"
"Don't you have homework you should be working on or something?" he asked.
"I can do it in like five minutes. Come on. I've been practicing my shots."
"Fine. I'll pick you up in ten."
Aspen hung up, marking the place in her textbook and stacking it with her others. Clint pulled onto the street in front of her apartment five minutes later, and she ran down to meet him, sliding into the passenger's side. "Good to see you!" she said, giving him a one-armed hug.
"I did actually miss you," he said, giving her a sly grin.
"Did Natasha go with you?" she asked.
"Yeah. She says 'hi.'" He pulled away from the curb. "So, what are your professors like?"
"One actually went to university with my parents," Aspen said excitedly. "They fell out of contact, but it was so neat finding a connection to them. Several of my professors actually assigned their books as reading. I've read them all already of course."
"Of course." Clint still had that sly smile on his face.
"What?"
"You're not going to be one of those know-it-alls now are you?" he asked.
"Yeah because you're so modest about your archery skills."
"When am I immodest about that?"
"When you were teaching me last month. You said that I reloaded slower than an armless sloth."
"I didn't say that." He threw her a look.
"You're such a liar. Any word about ARTIFACT?" she asked. The last few months had been spent trying to weed out any stragglers from the organization. She hadn't done any actual fieldwork, but she had helped out at SHIELD headquarters. So far they had found a few outlying facilities. They'd tried Iceland but had drawn up blank.
"Only a few rumors. Natasha and I took down a group that was trying to smuggle some items out of the country. Fury wants you to take a look at them next time you come into work."
"Alright. I'll come in Friday afternoon."
"So how is this semi-normal life thing going for you?" Clint asked. He'd taken to calling her life that.
"It's only day one," she told him, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, but you've been sweating this whole first day of college thing for how many months now?"
"It's a big deal!"
"I never said it wasn't. I just hope it balances out well."
"It will. SHIELD is just my super secret part-time job now."
"Right."
They reached the bar where they had started a tradition of playing pool. Aspen had been practicing while Clint was gone. It had been Natasha's idea actually. The redhead had learned about their little tradition and made the suggestion that she practice on the side. From the look on Clint's face, it had paid off. As she sunk three balls at once, Clint moaned. Aspen did a little victory dance, laughing.
"What happened?" he asked. "You used to be so easy to beat."
"Maybe you're getting too old for this," she told him.
"Oh really?" he asked, sinking four balls. "Game on."
It felt good to let loose a little like this. She'd been so tense over starting college the last few weeks that she'd even started having nightmares about coming to class late with only one shoe. It was ridiculous to be nervous over something as normal as school after what she'd been through.
Aspen surprised herself by winning the game. "You've been practicing a lot," Clint accused, but he was grinning. Aspen wasn't sure if he'd let her win or not, but she was going to enjoy it.
"When do I have time for that?" she asked. "You're just a sore loser."
...
Aspen was settling into college life perfectly. She was always the first to raise her hand in class and soon made a name for herself in the science department. When registration time came for next semester, several of her teachers wrote her recommendations to place her in higher classes. November passed quickly and suddenly it was the end of the semester and the weather had chilled considerably. Between homework and her work for SHIELD, Aspen had been plenty busy. She wasn't complaining though. She was really happy for the first time in a long time. She had a purpose, and she was doing what she had wanted to do for so long. No one was threatening her, no one was trying to manipulate her. That December would change a lot of things for her though. Her trust would be tested and the choices she made would change the future for better or for worse. As the snow began to fall, the universe had a plan of its own.
