(As I'm writing this chapter, in terms of chapters that are already out, people are just ending first term of year one. In terms of planning, I'm already in year three. It's crazy. By the time I publish this chapter, I imagine I'm already writing year three.)

Now I'm wondering when I wrote this chapter since, going back to my prediction, I'm halfway through writing year three.

Year Two: Works-in-Progress

Academy Courtyard - 12:09 PM

James once told everyone that a wise woman, Carrie Bradshaw, once said that in love, there's a fine line between pleasure and pain. Many believe that a painless relationship isn't worth it because there was no growth. Pain could be growth but what's the difference between growing pains and emotional pain? How does one know when they've had enough?

They can't. Being single should be a time to work on oneself. Xavier considers himself to be a work-in-progress. If that's the case, then Angela knew she wouldn't make it since Xavier won't. Maybe James dumped her so he could work on himself.

Angela looks over Xavier's arm as he zooms in on his exam schedule. She alternatively looks at his screen and her own, seeing which exam times they share. Xavier does the same so that they can plan the best time for them to leave for Christmas break. Lucky for them, they shared the majority of their classes (thank you, Weight Class A) so they didn't have to worry about waiting more than a day for the other twin.

"We have stuff at home," Angela says as she turns her phone off. "Do we really need to bring anything?"

Xavier hesitates. Is he really going to waste time packing a bag? "I'd have to check my dorm first."

"Me too."

They stare at each other blankly for a moment. They don't need to say it aloud to know that they're going to end up packing a bag.

-o-

Atlantic Residence - 12:52 PM

After getting a text from their RA, Merida knocks on her door when she has the time. Almost immediately, Raquelle opens the door and welcomes Merida inside. Merida closes the door behind her, looking around and seeing the bare bones of the room. The bed was stripped, desk and closet empty, and walls bare. Everything was packed away in suitcases and boxes while some items were scattered on the floor. Merida takes a peek at what's there and it's mostly miscellaneous room decorations like a lava lamp, shoe racks, or textbooks. All the useless items she's not bringing along. Merida can't blame her since that fake succulent is hideous. Who would have that in the first place?

"A lot of those are already claimed by other girls on our floor," Raquelle explains, pointing at the mess on the floor. "Orchid claimed the remainder on my meal card since I'm not taking the credit which, honestly, I didn't think the farm girl had some mad bargaining skills. If you're looking for something for your dorm, I've been inside of your room during inspections and nothing here suits your style or even Angela's. Speaking of, Angela called my flat-iron but I don't think you'd like that."

"Raquelle," Merida says, "you really don't have to give me anything. I proofread your assignment, I didn't give you a kidney."

"You couldn't give me a kidney since we're not the same blood type or have compatible ones."

Merida nods although she can't help but wonder what Raquelle's blood type is and how she knows hers. Does that knowledge come with being an RA?

"I'm fluent in Russian," Merida says.

"I know. That's why I asked you to proofread."

Merida doesn't bother trying to pick an argument. If she gets something small and likely useless like a jar she wouldn't complain. It's the thought that counts and at least Merida was on her mind.

"Anyways," Raquelle continues, "I have something I hid specifically for you since I can't take it with me and I needed that Russian elective to go on this trip."

"What is it?"

Merida waits as Raquelle kneels in front of one of her backpacks. She unzips the front pocket and shuffle around it. Merida takes a step closer to try and take a peek but stops when Raquelle pulls it out and turns around. Right before Merida's eyes, she sees Raquelle handing her a clear sandwich bag of three joints. Merida's mouth makes a circle as she stares at it with wonder. She's never taken that before but she's tried cigarettes in detention. Besides, it's college and she's not buying it herself from a sketchy source. It's her RA. It's fine.

But most important, it's college. It's full of fun times and regrets.

"Is this someone's contraband or your own?" Merida says as she accepts the gift.

"People's contraband is my own." Raquelle smiles. "But if you get caught with that, I'm throwing you under the bus."

Merida puts the bag in her pocket. "Noted."

-o-

Sci-Tech Laboratory - 14:11 PM

During a break halfway through their lab experiment, James overheard the classmates around him discussing their exams and upcoming Christmas break so he and Daniel decided to check theirs. He was more focused on when his final deadlines for all his outstanding papers and assignments. He should start those and hand them in earlier so he could leave earlier. James doesn't have to worry about his Operations physicals since he somehow already has the top marks he needs. As he scans the dates, he drops his phone on the lab bench, cheering to himself.

"What happened to you?" Daniel asks, looking up from his phone after looking up his own exam schedule.

"All my exams and deadlines are the first week of the exam period!" James exclaims.

Daniel looks at James, making sure he heard him right. The classmates who overheard are looking at him as if he's insane because nobody wants everything crammed in one week. Maybe it's the lab coat and goggles he's wearing that have this effect. He's becoming a mad scientist.

"I can leave sooner," James says happily, starting to dance happily.

Daniel nods, smiling once he realizes the real reason behind that glee. "You just don't want to see Angela."

James stops dancing, feeling personally attacked by that accusation. "Way to ruin my mood."

"It's been nearly two months. You've seen her many times already and you're cordial."

"It feels like she's going to make me a noose out of a cord."

"You're being dramatic."

James gasps, holding a hand to his heart as he looks at Daniel, horrified. "How dare you?"