It's the first day of classes for Mei at the University of Toronto. At the Lee residence, she gets jolted by her alarm early in the morning, and is further awakened by the smell of Ming's cooking.

"Ouwoaaaaaah" groaned Mei as she proceeded to sit by her bedside, stretch her arms, rub her eyes, and put on her glasses. She then put on her bunny slippers and marched towards the bathroom to freshen up.

As Ming was cooking the usual daily porridge for breakfast, Jin was skimming through the newspaper for the day's news.

"Meimei, breakfast is ready!" called Ming as she plated the porridge and laid it on the table. As Jin was about to reach out for a donut from the box, she cut him off with,

"Hey, no sugar, I said!"

To which Jin retorted with,

"Then no groceries for you later!", he laughed.

"But at least I know how to drive, genius!" Ming cackled.

Then, Mei left the bathroom, rubbing her wet hands on her clothes and proceeded to the table where she'd be having breakfast. She then had a conversation with her parents.

"Ready for your first day of school, Meimei?!" asked Ming smilingly as she ate her porridge, then Mei answered,

"Oh, absolutely! I'm just a bit nervous, though."

"Hmm, separation anxiety?" asked Jin quizzically.

"Kind of, dad. I mean, it's my first day of school with the besties incomplete. I'm grateful, though, that Abby remains a schoolmate." replied Mei as she also took a scoop out of her porridge.

"That's okay, Mei. You handled Miriam studying grades 5 to 7 in Sault Ste. Marie, this'll be quite easy for you.", smiled Ming. "Easy in the sense that we now have the Internet, and things will be much easier between you and the rest of your gang.", she added.

"Right, mom!" smiled Mei as she continued to eat her porridge.

The Lees now finished their breakfast, and it was time to go to school. For the first time, Mei now wears a dark blue scrub suit, a uniform prescribed by the school she'll be attending. She would be donning that outfit for the next 2 years, alongside Abby.

"Bye mom, bye dad!" Mei waved as she was about to walk out the door. Ming then called out,

"Don't forget your water!"

"Oh shoot, gotcha right there. Thanks again, mom!" Mei then proceeded to hug her parents one by one, and walked out the door.

"Don't forget my Tim's!" Jin laughed.

"I SAID NO SUGAR, JIN HONEY!" Ming screamed and laughed too.

"You'll get your Tim's donuts, dad. As promised." Mei smiled, looking back at her father who continued to read his newspaper.

"Thanks, sweetie! You take care, okay?" Jin said smilingly.

"You too, mother and father!"

Mei then proceeded to walk out the residence, and into the temple courtyard where Mr. Gao, already 75, was practising Kung Fu, but still has got strength, even by an ounce. Apparently, it was due to his mostly healthy lifestyle that contributed to him still being able even in his mid 70s.

"Morning, Mr. Gao!" Mei greeted, marching towards the front door.

"Take care, Lee! Have fun on your first day of college!" Mr. Gao replied smilingly as he continued practising Kung Fu.

Mei then walked for her usual route to the streetcar stop, and she then went,

"I'm Meilin Lee, and ever since I turned 18, I've still been doing my own thing, twenty four-seven, three sixty five!", then she added,

"But now, I'm a Nursing student and I'll be donning this scrub suit for the next 2 years, but then, my longtime crush would be studying 4 years starting 2008, and-" she paused and thought to herself suddenly.

"Wait, did I just say "longtime crush"?!" muttered Mei at the thought of Tyler. Sure, she'd be studying for only 2 years at the U of T as her programme states so, and Tyler would be finally joining the RMC by Summer the following year. She'd be working already by then, and he'd still be completing his first year in the service academy as he prepares to become a sworn member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Then, she blushed at that thought, only for panda ears to suddenly pop. Not wanting her tail to pop out, too, Mei then distracted herself heavily by thinking of her besties. However, thinking of her besties also came with a sad flashback that was pretty vivid.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

The day before, Mei and Abby joined the Wexlers in sending Miriam off to Germany at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Tyler was supposed to come along, but he was at work fixing cars . He wanted to do something productive in his life whilst waiting for his first day at the RMC, so he took up a part-time job at an auto shop near his place.

Miriam had finished checking in her luggage for her flight across the pond, then she and the gang, plus her parents, decided to have coffee.

"Let's have coffee, shall we?!" invited Miriam.

"Sure, Mir, but I guess I'll just have a muffin." replied her dad.

"You two can come along. Join us, let's go!" her mother invited, looking at Mei and Abby

They then went for coffee and snacks at the coffee shop at the departures hall. Mei ordered a medium-sized French Roast, while Miriam had a large strawberry milkshake. Abby simply opted for chocolate chip muffins, and her parents opted for carrot cakes and chocolate chip muffins.

Miriam was reading her German phrasebook and Abby was looking intently.

"Hmm, what's that you're reading?" asked Abby intently.

"Oh, it's my German phrasebook! It will come in handy as I'll be spending the next 4 years there.", Miriam replied.

"That's good, so at least you'll have the basics when you begin learning the language in school!" Mei smiled. "How many languages do you know right now besides English and slight French?", she added.

"Oh, let's count…" Miriam pondered. Then she said, "English, slight French, and slight German".

"Wonderful! Er, I mean… Wunderbar!" Mei chuckled, sipping on her French Roast. She then added "I know English, French, and Portuguese, and now I'm starting to learn my native Cantonese and Mandarin."

Miriam's parents and the girls' eyes widened. "You polyglot, how cool!" exclaimed Mrs. Wexler.

"Wait, did you just mention…. Portuguese?" Mr. Wexler asked intently.

"Yes, Mr. Wexler! My dad's family lived under Portuguese rule in Macau and moved here before World War II. Mom's family, meanwhile, originated in Hong Kong. Shortly after British rule started, they moved here to Canada." replied Mei, giving brief information about her family's origins.

"So… Does your dad speak Portuguese? Or any family member?" Abby asked.

"Well, Dad sadly doesn't speak any besides Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, but my grandparents and great-grandparents spoke it fluently!" Mei replied.

"And how did you learn Portuguese, then?" Abby quizzically asked.

"I learned it myself, honestly. It's a bit easy to pick up once you've mastered French." replied Mei. "Besides, I have a few surviving elders who speak the language, so it was pretty easy!", she added.

Everyone at the round table looked at Mei like "Woaaaah".

Abby then pointed to Miriam's collar on her polo shirt, which bore a Canadian flag pin on the left collar.

"And why is a Canadian flag on your collar?" she asked.

"Ugh, gosh." Miriam rolled her eyes. "It's because I DON'T like to be mistaken for an American when overseas!", she laughed.

They all laughed.

The Wexlers and the two girls then continued to chit-chat around the round table and it was time for Miriam to leave for the boarding lounge of the airport. As Canada does not stamp passports for departing international passengers, she simply has to go through security, then into the duty-free section.

The girls then formed a circle and huddled. It wasn't yet sinking into Mei's mind that Miriam would be leaving for Germany at the very moment, but she knew that day would come.

"You know, girlfriend… Thank you so much. For literally everything." Miriam said softly to Mei, slowly starting to cry but she was keeping it in, or at least trying her best.

"I'll forever miss you, YOUR SWEETNESS AND LOVE!" Abby said then screamed, in her usual chaotic demeanour. She also started to become sad.

They all became sad. Mei was trying her best not to cry, though, as she fears she might panda in the airport.

She couldn't handle it, but she was still trying her best. Then, her panda ears popped.

"Mei, not here, please…But I'll miss you!" Miriam said, wiping a tear from her eye before leaving for airport security.

"Don't worry, I won't, I swear!" Mei laughed, also wiping a tear from her eye. Abby, however, had waterfall eyes and proceeded to hug Miriam tightly. Mei followed suit.

"Always take care, and may all of your dreams be fulfilled, Engineer Wexler!" Mei whispered into Miriam's ear.

"I hope you would make new friends with your tenderness in Germany, Mir!" Abby wailed chaotically.

They all laughed together and proceeded to lay their hands together and do their signature wiggle. "4*Town forever, habibi?!" said a slightly teary-eyed Mei.

"4*Town FOR-EVA!" Miriam exclaimed, and so did Abby.

Miriam then posed for a groupie with her instant film camera with her parents and the two girls. A familiar face then came walking by.

It was Simmons, the now former Toronto Police Service sergeant who responded to Pandapocalypse 2002.

Mei waved to her and approached her.

"Uhm hi, Grace! Still remember me?" asked Mei.

"You girls having a pic together, eh? Who's deparing?!" replied Grace as she approached them.

"Not in the TPS anymore, maam?" asked Miriam. "By the way, I'm the one leaving!", she added.

"Oh yeah, girl, I transferred to CBSA in 2005. It's my second year here. I've just come from my break and will be back to my station now downstairs." Grace replied. "Where are you headed to?", she asked intently.

"To Germany, maam. I'm studying there and will be back after my graduation!" she smiled.

"Swell! Mind if I take a picture of you all as a group with your camera, uhm what's your name again?" Grace then asked Miriam for her name. She then showed her passport and gave her camera.

"Hmm…" as she scanned through the information page of her passport. "Hi, Miriam!", she greeted, smilingly.

"Ooh, a film cam!" she said. She then made the group compress and took three shots. One for Miriam, one for her parents, and one for Mei.

"Thanks, maam!" smiled Miriam. She was then told by Grace,

"The name's Grace, my dear. Have a safe flight, your flight will be boarding soon!"

"Thanks, Grace!" Miriam replied then Grace returned to her station in the arrivals hall.

She then proceeded to give her parents, then Abby & Mei, a hug.

"Keep in touch always, okay?! I'll call your aunt in Stuttgart to come tend to you once you get there!" said her mother.

"Will do, mother!" Miriam replied.

She then dashed off into the secure zone of the airport with her parents and the two girls waiting outside, looking into the security area until she was fully out of sight.

"Now, it's just the two of us, I guess?" sighed Mei.

"4 years will be pretty fast, don't worry!" replied Abby optimistically.

Back to the next day

"Thankfully, I didn't panda at that sad flashback from yesterday", sighed Mei to herself.

Before she knew it, she had already arrived at school. At the same time, Abby, also in her scrub suit, had also left the tram coming from the opposite direction, and the two greeted each other with their handshake.

"Annyeong, haes-sal!" (Hello, sunshine!), Abby greeted in Korean.

"E olá também, habibi!" (And hello too, habibi!) Mei greeted back in Portuguese. She then added, "Bom para ir, ou tu está nervosa, amiga?" (You good to go, or are you nervous, amiga?)

Abby gave her a playful smack to the shoulder upon hearing incomprehensible Portuguese.

"Dude, I don't understand what the fuck you're saying!" Abby laughed.

"Oh, what I said next was "Are you good to go, or are you nervous, amiga?!"", Mei laughed and then they both laughed.

"Uhm, manh-i tteolligin hajiman gwaenchanh-eun geos gat-ayo.", Abby replied in Korean. Mei didn't pick that up, so she also playfully smacked her in the arm.

"Oh so you wanna play, huh?!" Mei laughed.

They then both shared a laugh and proceeded to enter the building. It was a huge place, full of unfamiliar people, who were all in scrub suits.

"What's your schedule?" Mei asked.

"My class begins at 10. And you?" Abby replied.

"Uhm," Mei paused, then looked at her schedule. She only had 5 minutes remaining before 9 AM, and she had to go to her classroom. "Mine begins in 5, see you around!"

"Okay, see ya! I'll just hang in the library." Abby said, then left in another direction, heading for the library.

On the other side of town, Tyler's dad was teaching him how to march, after a 30-minute workout session. He was holding a swagger stick under his shoulder, and he taught foot drills to his son.

"Stand at…. EASE!" his dad commanded. Another command was then issued.

"Atten…..SHUN!"

Tyler then stood at attention, stomping his left foot and put his heels together in line, with feet turned out to form an angle of 30 degrees, shoulders level and square to the front, arms hanging as straight as his natural bend will allow, with elbows and wrists touching the body, wrists straight, and fingers aligned, touching the palm of the hand, head erect, eyes steady, and looking straight to the front.

"Stomach in, chest out, and give me a TIGER look! Be snappy." His dad commanded then gave a slight beating to the torso.

"Okay. Now, we'll be marching again." Mr. Baker (who was an army Captain) announced. As he was about to command Tyler, he then went

"But dad, I'm hungry!" and Mr. Baker quickly retorted with,

"I'M NOT YOUR FATHER, I'M YOUR COMMANDING OFFICER, CADET BAKER!" Then he quickly sighed and whispered to his ear, "5 more minutes and we're having snacks."

He proceeded back into position and,

"Riiiiiiight…. TURN!" Mr. Baker commanded.

Tyler then shifted to facing right with his right foot shifting to the right and left foot stomping on the other side.

"Now, for the fun part.", Mr. Baker said. He cleared his throat and then commanded,

"By the left, quick march!"

Tyler then marched with his left foot moving first and right arm swinging forward in a 90-degree angle. As he marched, his arms also swung alternately in 90-degree angles, a marching style inherited from the British, which is used in most other Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia.

His dad also marched with him, with his right arm swinging and following from behind. After marching for 30 seconds, he then commanded,

"SQUAAAAD - HALT!" and they both stopped, right foot stomping.

He then dismissed Tyler and the two of them went back to normal.

"How was it, son?" Mr. Baker asked intently, smiling at him. Tyler then responded,

"It was cool, I mean, the physical activities I've had in basketball kind of prepared me for this, but I still have to work on discipline!" he replied, wiping sweat from his face and arms with a towel.

"You can do it! More marching tomorrow, okay?" Mr. Baker said.

"Aye aye, sir!" Tyler chuckled. Then, Mr. Baker quickly went,

"Aye-aye? I thought you're joining the Air Force!" Mr. Baker said puzzlingly, then he chuckled.

"I'm still torn between Air Command or Maritime Command, dad. I mean, it was because I was listening to and marching to Heart of Oak last night in the basement!" Tyler said.

Mr. Baker then gave out a soft chuckle and he went,

"You know, Tyler, let's just get us a snack. After all, you're my best buddy. Tomorrow, we'll march in the basement."

They then went inside the house to have some snacks and Tyler freshened up to report to the auto shop that he was working part-time in another part of town.

Back in school, Mei and Abby had finished their first and second periods, and will be now having lunch.

"Any good place to eat in?" Abby asked. "I think I'm gonna black out, I'm HUNGRY!" she then said rowdily.

"Yeah, me too! Let's head outside, but when's your next class?"

"My next is at 1 pm,.then my last ends at 4. And you?" Abby said.

"My last is at 3", Mei said. "I'm kinda craving for Mexican now, what about you?", she asked.

"Same, let's go to that stall over there!"

Then, the two girls went off to a Mexican food cart that was selling burritos. They ordered one for themselves and had lunch, then returned to their classes after killing time in the library afterwards.

To be continued

A/N: So yeah, I might be posting Chapter 3 a little bit later as I'm currently preoccupied with stuff happening at home and with life, but I'll try my best to come up with the next few chapters!

I'm planning this to be a 10-chapter story (or perhaps beyond). In fact, I already have my ideas laid out. Thank you for reading and stay tuned! :)