Welcome to Year Two! I know it may have been a week for you, but I'm writing this right after I finished the previous chapter (and a small break to work on a paper). But I'm excited because I'm in my sophomore year (basically junior by the time this gets published since Brody just got introduced in the published chapters, as of when I'm writing this. Now when I'm publishing this, I'm halfway through planning Year Three).

This chapter has a slightly different format but it introduces a new person to the mix.

Year Two: The Outsider's Perspective

Edison Residence - 4:22 AM

First day of sophomore year and he didn't sleep a wink last night.

He arrived on campus yesterday, unpacked in his new dorm, met his new roommate, and memorized his academic timetable for the year. Like most people on campus. For some reason, he feels more nervous than before school started last year. It made no sense. This was a point where he should be more comfortable with a university lifestyle. He has a goddamn Ph.D. in software engineering and he's scared by not recognizing any of his professor's names.

So he didn't sleep that night. He attempted to race the Earth's rotation but fell into a black hole for an hour. When he woke up, he was wide-awake to the point where he couldn't go back to sleep. Might as well get to the busted coffee machine before anyone else does!

The moment he steps out of the room, he doesn't know how, but the fatigue hits him like a meteorite. He starts yawning but the drive to go back to sleep has left the atmosphere. Where did these space puns come from? He must be that tired.

He makes his way into the kitchen and sees someone waiting in front of the coffee machine. Dammit. Someone beat him here. The longer he looks, he notices that it couldn't be anyone from his floor because it's a girl. A hot one at that.

When the coffee machine beeps - a busted machine that now seems to work - she picks up a brewing cup and turns around. As he watches her move, her brown hair flies around her shoulder. A perfectly manicured hand wraps around a fresh, steaming cup and its handle. When he looks up from her designer outfit, he sees a perfect smile lined with rosy lips and bright round eyes. And he's in his old pyjamas: a worn-out Iron Man tee and matching patterned pants with dark circles under his eyes and a bedhead.

When reality returns to its normal speed, he recognizes her but is too tired to react.

It's Emily Stark. Daughter of Tony Stark, Iron Man, an Avenger. His unattainable crush. A goddess within these walls. Here. At the Academy. On his floor. In front of a coffee machine that was fixed by her presence.

"Here," Emily Stark says, handing him the fresh cup of coffee she made.

"Thanks…" He responds, hesitantly taking the cup.

Emily Stark smiles at him with her perfectly painted lips as she grabs her purse from the counter. "Anytime."

Where are his manners? "Wait, you should have this. I'll make my own cup."

"Pass. I have a flight in thirty minutes and an introductory exam across the ocean in six hours counting the time difference and distance from the airport to campus. You look like you need it more than I do."

He can't argue with that because she looks like the goddess she is and he seems to have crawled out of the black hole he fell into. He blows on the cup to cool it down before taking a quick sip. Wow. The coffee even tastes better because of her presence...and he doesn't even like coffee.

"Anyways…" Emily Stark mutters. "I must be off. It was nice meeting you…?"

It takes him a minute to realize that Emily Stark was waiting for him to introduce himself. How embarrassing, but that eyebrow raise of hers was enticing.

"Keith," he says.

Emily Stark smiles again. "Nice meeting you Keith. I love your pyjamas."

Keith nods as he takes another sip of the delicious coffee. Her heels click against the floor, stopping in front of the elevator. Then, Keith remembers…

"Good luck on your exam!" He calls out to her.

-o-

Sci-Tech Lecture Room - 8:20 AM

After Keith finished his coffee, he stayed in his residence building. There were some pre-class readings he was skimming over so they were fresh in his mind by the time he got to class. It's second-year: syllabus day doesn't exist anymore. Just pretend to read the two pages and continue your life, try to hand in assignments on time (but that's wishful thinking.) He already read them on the plane ride here from back home. When the time came, he got to class early enough to find a good seat aka the one closest to the outlets and the door.

He glances at people walking in. Some people he recognizes from last year's classes, residence, the library, or just around campus. Damn. Some people really did change over the summer. He didn't.

And then he sees Daniel Banner and James Pym walk in. Oh, boy…

Daniel Banner has already created a stir at SHIELD Academy. He's conspicuously brilliant and likes to work his ass off. For one thing, he was already thinking of future dissertations (or, at least, that's what he's heard. Based on what he knows about Daniel, he believes it.) Another rumour he heard was that whenever Daniel gets a perfect score on a paper, his average goes down. Somehow. Word had also spread that one of the Sci-Tech board members claimed he was the most gifted Ph.D. candidate they'd ever encountered since being on the board. As much as Keith wants to believe that - he's shared classes with Daniel and the boy was undoubtedly a genius - but maybe Daniel was their favourite because he was the first to present his thesis. Therefore they had nothing else to compare it to. Keith didn't even try on his dissertation. He did it well enough to get into second year and still be better than the majority of his classmates.

James Pym didn't even have to try or, if he did, he hid it inside the cups of his prestigious hot steamed latte and iced mocha he has in his hands. Did he even study? Why does he have two coffees at different temperatures? They're likely from the newly blessed coffee machine on their floor. Last year, Keith remembers that James's outfits alternated from an Operations' training uniform, a sweater vest and jeans, or sometimes a combination of the uniform with a sweater vest on top. It bothers Keith how he could pull off that stupid outfit. He never even brought a bag to class. He'd only have his phone and stupid smirk to charm their profs. It irritated Keith in ways he can't explain without his brain exploding.

"This was the worst weekend of my life," James tells Daniel. They stop before heading deeper into the class, standing nearby Keith's spot. "I came to campus last Friday for a party and it was the worst party I've ever been to. I got so drunk that I somehow pulled a hamstring. I have my pre-class lab report due in three hours but I was too blackout drunk to start. Still haven't started it, though. I think I'm hungover. I have to go run laps later today but I'm skipping...not to write the report but I know that you want me to. There was a girl at the party who looked like one of my high school hookups and, thank god, she wasn't."

"She doesn't even go to this school," Daniel tells him. He looks done with James's shit, which, same. "None of your former hookups do."

"I know! It's amazing."

Keith can't help but eavesdrop. Not only are they right there but James talks so loud that the whole class probably heard him. As entertaining as that weekend sounds, definitely more fun than his, it was too early for this and James. Now's never a good time for James, if he's thinking honestly.

Then, the worst happens to Keith: James looks at him with a bright grin.

"Hi, Keith Loughty!" James exclaims, handing Daniel one of his coffees just to wave at him like a child.

Keith fakes a smile back, really wondering why James was talking to him. They were lab partners for one class, not friends. Keith is more surprised that James remembers him and his stupid Hi Keith gimmick. And James had to add his last name, didn't he?

"What are you doing?" Daniel asks James.

James shrugs, taking back his other coffee. "I don't know, to be honest. Just going through the motions till graduation."

Both Daniel and Keith give James the same strange face when James takes a sip from his hot coffee followed by the cold one.

"You know," James tells them when he sees their faces, "changing the palette's temperature alters the neurons in a way that increases focus."

Again, too early for this and him.

They look over at the door and see the professor walking in.

"Let's go find a seat," Daniel says to James, walking ahead.

Before James follows, he looks at Keith with a perky grin. "Bye, Keith Loughty!"

-o-

Cafeteria - 11:02 AM

Keith got a small sandwich to eat before his next class. Before he takes a seat, he spots James entering the cafeteria. Oh god, he hopes he doesn't spot him. Thankfully, James doesn't, but that's only because James is with his girlfriend, Operations babe, Angela Rogers. They're likely having a lunch date on the first day of class. Cute, right? Right?

Of-fucking-course.

Keith watches as Angela peels the wrapper off a muffin, takes a bite, and closes her eyes in pure delight. James stifles a laugh. It's weird how they could get such joy from delicious yet normally average cafeteria food. Maybe they're constantly craving calories from those Operations classes and their endless physical exertion. But they can eat anything and still look amazing. Not fair.

"This is very un-vegan of me," Angela says as James pays for the muffin. "Is this muffin even vegan?"

"It said vegan," James responds as they walk out towards the sitting area. They don't find a place to sit but just stand close to each other. Like a PDA couple but Keith begs that they don't kiss because he really wants to eat this sandwich. "The reason vegan food is called impossible is because it shouldn't exist."

Angela glares at him in a way that looks like a smile. She hands him the rest of the muffin and he laughs to himself as he finishes it off.

And, of course, can't complete James's douche appearance without his girl-next-door girlfriend. Angela Rogers: perky, blonde, beautiful, athletic, vegan. What else is there to say? She's the whole package and more. He heard that she was a former ballerina, baker, gymnast, pageant queen, violinist, head cheerleader, and babysitter. Keith has to give her credit, though, because from her eyes, having a boyfriend seems great because it'll give her someone to gossip to and James won't tell anyone because he wouldn't even be listening. He always seems to shut off his ears and open his eyes wider just to check her out. But can he blame him? It's Angela Rogers.

"I finally understand why my dad likes ants," James states. "They're so orderly and purposeful."

Keith isn't surprised that James said something as odd as that. Frankly, nobody ever is. Everyone loves James because they don't take him seriously. Keith's unsure if James wants to be the hero of his story because he's really the comic relief. He and Angela stand in a spotlight, casting a shadow over all the inferiors, including himself.

"You know who I want to sleep with?" A random girl asks her friend as they walk by Keith.

"Who?" The friend questions.

"Xavier Rogers."

"Right?! Me too! Traditionalism is hot and I heard that he was saving it for marriage."

"I guess I'll just wait for him to propose."

They walk away with their smoothies, cackling like harmonious ravens. Keith shudders at that sound.

Of course, it's Xavier Rogers. Xavier Rogers, the classic all-American boy-next-door. It makes sense that he's Angela's twin considering that she's such a girl-next-door. All the girls here fawn over him, even the ones not in his program, probably because he looks like a douche but, shockingly, isn't one. Keith isn't sure he fully believes that but that's what people say. And there's something about handsome looks and abs that Keith doesn't want to delve into since he, personally, can't relate.

But Angela heard that conversation as well and her disgusted face makes Keith laugh. But he holds it in so he doesn't draw their attention. As if they'd look at him anyways. James is laughing and Keith doesn't want to admit that he'd use that moment as projection.

"What was that about?" Xavier asks, approaching his twin and her boyfriend. Of course, he shows up about now.

"Nothing," Angela and James say in sync. And they're one of those couples.

Xavier glares at them, mostly at James. Keith can relate to that.

-o-

Academy Courtyard - 15:40 PM

Between classes, Keith sits on a bench in the courtyard. He scrolls through his phone, waiting for time to pass until his next class. If only he brought his headphones. He could walk back to Edison and get them but then it'd be time to get to class so there was no point. Instead, he can enjoy the sound of people walking by him, friends catching up on their summers and whatnot. Or ignore them.

Nothing catches his attention until someone sits down on the other end of his bench. He looks over and it's Merida Barton, talking on the phone with her backpack thrown in the space between them. She has a leg crossed over the other, the leg on the bottom shaking as she waits for a response from her phone call. Merida Barton is the girl who wants people to believe she's seen some shit but it's really just bullshit. He can't help and stare at her because she's wearing a leather jacket and leather boots with too many zippers. Who needs all those fucking zippers?

"But, Mom, I'm desperate," Merida says on the phone.

Keith doesn't mean to eavesdrop but Merida's right there. She's like James: they talk too loud.

"Can't you just use express mail?" Merida asks. "Or drive here? I'll send you the money."

Keith glances and sees Merida waiting for a response. Eventually, she groans which likely meant no express mail or a drive.

"No, I'm not going to ask around!" Merida exclaims. Her legs are now uncrossed and feet flat on the ground. "What if they don't have the kind I like? It's not like anyone would want to share it, especially with me. Can you put Dad on the phone?"

Merida's silent as she waits for her dad to get on the line.

"It's not borrowing, Dad," Merida says through gritted teeth. "I can't give it back once I'm done with it."

She cranes her head back, almost rolling her eyes as her father chatters.

"And if I do that, I'll need a military-grade rope," Merida states.

Keith turns to look at her horrified. She doesn't notice because, why would she? If she saw him, she would've probably left to have that conversation somewhere else. Or at least lowered her tone.

"No, I'm not going to ask one of my profs for rope!" Merida says more annoyed this time.

Merida glances in his direction and Keith's eyes widen and heart stops in a second. He immediately turns to go back to looking at his phone. He hopes that she doesn't see or care about him, especially with the mention of a possible military-grade rope. He continues watching Merida through his peripheral vision and she seems to have moved on from him.

"Fine," Merida says, putting her backpack on one shoulder and getting up. "I'll just go into town and find some wild curly-haired shampoo myself."

Keith looks at her again. Only Merida Barton can make getting shampoo sound like a drug deal and a murder in a few sentences. He watches her leave, hearing her curse about New Jersey's strangeness.

-o-

Sci-Tech Laboratory - 16:53 PM

Keith will admit that maybe he's a little harsh on that group. He knows their names, not their backstories. He sees their pearly smiles, not whatever pain they may feel. He'll maybe catch their bruises from a training session but not any emotional scars. He can read lips but not their minds. He won't pretend that he likes them if he didn't like them. He'll tolerate and be civil because there's a difference between being adults and being fakes. It's like high school all over again but switch punches for PhDs. What people think of others actually tells them more about himself … whatever. As if he would ever find himself fraternizing with them.

What a wild first day for him. It started with Emily Stark - wait. Wait a fucking minute. Emily Stark was there. In his residence. On his floor. Fixed the coffee machine and gave him a cup.

He couldn't have dreamt that. It was too real. Too real seeming to have been a dream.

"Oh my fucking god," Keith mutters mid-lecture.

"What is it?" Daniel, who's sitting right next to him, whispers.

"Dude, you won't believe it."

"Believe what?"

"Emily Stark fixed our coffee machine."

Daniel opens his mouth but pauses, thinking about what to say. It must be that shocking to him as well. " … huh?"

"And she loved my pyjamas."

" … huh."

Allow me to introduce Keith Loughty, our fourth rando!

The snippet about the two coffees happened. I was sitting in class and some kid walked in with a hot coffee and a cold one for himself. I didn't ask since I didn't know him, but it was pretty iconic.

This chapter was me roasting my children and I was both laughing and crying for them. Thanks, Keith. I honestly love this chapter. It's one of my favourites.