I have finished my first paper in quarantine so that is why this chapter is up. Two more to go.

Someone special appears in the end. I think I hinted at her first appearing in a different chapter but plans change. Besides, it now foreshadows something exciting for year three.

Year One: Seven Figures

Camp SHIELD - 11:42 AM

"Don't you have class now?" Angela asks James when she sees him in the recreation centre.

James stares at his girlfriend with a blank face. Did he have a class now? He isn't sure because he doesn't know what day it is. All of Camp SHIELD was a blur to him and he was just going through the motions. Especially when he had to do physical activity. The only classes he knew he had to go to were the ones with Daniel because he would get dragged. For his other classes, he wasn't sure.

All he knows is that Camp SHIELD is almost over. He already has his bag packed.

Orchid approaches them with an apple in her hand. "Class ended early because the concrete floor was drenched in sweat. Apparently, it was dangerous."

James nods. "Yeah, that."

Angela glares at James. She knows he wasn't even there. But maybe James was smart enough to predict a class cancellation. She wouldn't be surprised if that's the case but now James looks pleased that he didn't waste his time going to class.

"What's up, Orchid?" Angela asks.

"Xavier told me to come to you for advice," Orchid responds. "He told me that this wasn't his territory."

"What couldn't be his territory more than wingman duties?"

"So I hooked up with Brody and it was beyond amazing - I could tell you all about it later - but I told him I was seeing other people because that's what girls in my cabin said to do. Apparently, it makes you look more desirable and casual. You know, no strings attached. But he didn't say if he was seeing anyone!"

"Guys don't do that," James says before Angela glares at him. "Or so I've heard."

" … now I know why Xavier had no advice," Angela responds.

As if her brother knew anything about romantic relationships outside of Britney. Sometimes she wonders why all the boys in her life were idiots, even Daniel on the rare occasion and especially Apollo whenever he breathes. If she had to pick, Imanu's the smartest.

Orchid groans as she sits down next to James. "I think I fucked up."

"At least you fucked Brody first," James responds.

"James!" Angela exclaims.

"What?"

"You have a point but not now."

James looks at Orchid. "Look, just hook up again. Once you become exclusive in that sense, if that's even what you both want, then you can try for something serious. Does he even want something serious?"

Orchid shrugs.

"Do you want something serious?" Angela asks.

Orchid shrugs again.

-o-

Milan, Italy - 19:30 PM

The sun sets over the small corner shop café. A light breeze brushes over patrons who sit outside with their evening coffee and company. In the corner table to herself, she wears sunglasses to block the evening rays from hitting her eyes. It also keeps her incognito because her photos already been taken around the country. Her espresso is now cold, lipstick printed on the rim of the cup, and pastry half-eaten but she answers her ringing cell phone with a grin.

"Hello, Fury."

Fury: Emily Stark.

Emily crosses one leg over the other as she leans back in her chair. She picks up her pastry and takes another bite, flicking off the few crumbs that land on her jacket with her perfect nails.

"How are you?"

Fury: Finally, you answer your damn phone.

Emily laughs. "I've been busy."

Fury: The headlines say different.

Emily can't argue that. Every morning, she would wake up with a news alert of a sighting of her in Italy. People thrived from seeing her after spending years living a seemingly normal teenage high school life. She missed those days because she was with her friends and they didn't treat her like Emily Stark. She was just Emily Stark. But now there are headlines of where she is at every hour and who she was with. Whether she was sightseeing, shopping or walking around town, she smiled at cameras. As flattering as every picture is with the reminder of what she did and wore the day before, she misses the privacy. But she's flattered that Fury is keeping up with her. She didn't think he spared a thought on her since she didn't attend the Academy.

"Ha," Emily states as a laugh. "So, what's happening in SHIELD or the Academy that you've been calling me for?" Because why else would he be calling?

Fury: The Administration of the Academy wants to know your plans for your unused scholarship and Apollo's and Britney's.

Emily raises a brow. Of course, he didn't want to catch up with her. It was for business purposes. Since Emily, Apollo, and Britney didn't use their scholarships, Emily chose to handle them (with the latter two's blessings, of course). Truth be told, she still wasn't sure what to do with them. Aside from her own, Apollo and Britney gave her free will for theirs. Emily wanted to do something that they would've done and she isn't even sure about that. (Because buying the Academy Pop-Tarts isn't the smartest thing to do.)

She misses everyone. Stupid Camp SHIELD and their lack of service.

"I'm thinking about it," Emily responds.

Fury: Well, think faster. I thought you were smarter.

"I'm on a gap year."

Fury: I know. The Academy's impatient because you have a million dollars from them at your fingertips across the ocean.

And she looks down at her perfect manicure. "It's only seven figures."

Fury: Says the billionaire.

Emily smiles at her power over them. "They could call me directly."

Fury: It took me two months to call you.

"And I only answered because it was you and I'm not doing anything. If they call, I'm not picking up. Do they have my number?"

Fury: Don't think so. They would have to get it from me.

"You wouldn't give it to them, would you? Claim it as classified because it might as well be."

Fury: I'll keep deferring their calls. If they bother me, I'll bother them back by not doing anything.

"And to think your goddaughter never had an influence on you."

Fury: Please.

"Speaking of bothering the Academy, if they keep nagging you for my number, make them beg for it."

Fury: Whatever you say. But just so I don't stay awake thinking about it, when do you think you'll have a plan?

Emily shrugs although she knows Fury can't see her. "Third year."

I've mentioned this before because it's true: I miss Emily Stark.

Like Camp SHIELD, days in quarantine have been a blur ... and Emily is in Italy. Ignoring that, I hope you all keep safe and healthy.