I couldn't be happier that this chapter starts 2021 off for us.

Year Two: Best Friends

Atlantic Residence - 13:26 PM

"Have you seen my jacket?" Angela asks as she shuffles through her closet. All she sees in her closet are her sweatshirts and joggers, not the windbreaker she wants. Did she wear it home over the break and leave it there? Or maybe Merida borrowed it one day and forgot to give it back (or never intended to return it). Despite their very different styles, some common articles of clothing like a basic tee got tossed back and forth between their wardrobes.

"Just wear this," Merida says.

Angela turns around and sees Merida holding one of her many leather jackets. The one in her hands is simple and oversized, going down past Angela's waist. Even the sleeves cover her hands up to half her thumbs. She can't imagine Merida wearing this since she's smaller. This jacket would engulf her.

"You're lending me one of your leather jackets?" Angela asks to make sure she isn't dreaming.

"Yes," Merida says, gesturing for her to take it.

"I've known you for twenty years and you wouldn't even let me touch your leather jackets."

"That's an exaggeration."

"Still."

"Just take it." Merida forces it in Angela's arms. "You can keep it since it's vegan leather and the one I dislike the second most."

"Fine." Angela puts it on and looks at the mirror, adjusting it. She has to admit that her smile came naturally it looks nice with her light pink romper and tan knee-high boots. "Are you sure you want me to keep it?"

"Take the fucking jacket."

Angela bites down on her smile. "If you insist."

Besides, true best friends always keep the worst one.

-o-

Sci-Tech Lecture Room - 15:10 PM

Merida: You have to transfer here. Angela is a mess and now owns one of my leather jackets, I'm in the midst of finding Daniel in the country of nerds who worship you and profs who want to adopt him, Xavier is ... idfk but probably somewhere being a golden boy, and James is, well, idfc.

Merida sent that message to Emily a few hours ago and the only response she just got was a smiley face. Useless. Emily could just stay in Italy if that's how she's going to act in a time of perpetual crisis. Merida did tell Emily that she will handle this situation. At least, she thinks she did. She isn't sure what she said this morning let alone months ago.

Now, Merida's sitting in the centre back of a lecture hall. The letter B is written in the corner of the room which means that the kids whose last names start with B will be called on to participate and disgraced if they're absent. Now, she just has to wait for Daniel Banner to be called on so that she can spot him. It surprised her that he didn't spot her because of the red curls and Operations training uniform but maybe she's good at blending in with the nerds and geeks. God, she hates that. Why did Daniel have to look like half the kids in this room?

"Barton, you're not in this class."

And she spoke too soon. Merida waves at the prof that she has for kinesiology and not on-field medicinal strategies. All eyes turn to her and they look annoyed. Rude. She spots Daniel since he's the one to the side of the room who facepalms. To be fair, her getting called on fits since the letter B is on the board, and at least she didn't get kicked out.

After the boring class, Merida's the first one to stand up since she didn't bring anything except her phone to pass the time. She walks down the stairs and stops right beside Daniel.

"What are you doing here?" Daniel asks her.

Merida wasn't expecting that response. "Excuse you, we're friends. We went from being zip code neighbours to locker neighbours to barely seeing each other because you're in this boring class."

Daniel cracks a smile. "Your point?"

"We're going to have some fun."

"I hate when you say that."

"I know."

-o-

Operations Lecture Room - 15:50 PM

Non-verbals are communication without words. Body language. How you dress, act, and react are telling. When undercover, non-verbals are top top indicators and a dead giveaway. Be comfortable. Play the role. Be forgettable. The bigger the crowd, the less that people care for quick changes.

James looks up from his seat and everything freezes when he sees Angela walk in wearing a leather jacket. Wow. That's a look he never expected but is in love with. Wow. She doesn't even look at him which is good for his sake because he's staring. And then it hits him. Her oversized jacket, the dress, the boots, the hair. She's dressed like Buffy Summers. The second place spot on his list of all-time loves (Carrie Bradshaw being first and a reigning champion. James knew he loved Angela when she sat through all the shows with him, dressed up like Buffy for a Halloween party they attended senior year, and that she was happy being third on the list).

He can't sit in this lecture knowing that Angela is nearby wearing that jacket and looking like The Slayer. He can't handle it. He lucked out when he got Angela who happened to resemble Carrie and Buffy but now? Now she was likely using that to her advantage to screw with him and it wasn't fair. He didn't have those cards to play with.

James gets up, grabs his things, and heads to the door. He should go back to his dorm and rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. All seven seasons.

"Where are you going?" The prof asks.

James doesn't even care anymore. "To take a cold shower."

The prof doesn't stop him as James runs out of there. They look at Angela who shrugs with the biggest grin possible. Angela turns to head to her seat, impressed that she did that. She slides in next to Orchid who is impressed by the exchange she just witnessed.

"I should try that," Orchid mutters. "You think Merida can lend me one of her cow-killer jackets?"

"It took me twenty years to get this," Angela says, referring to the jacket she's currently wearing.

"At that rate, I might as well get my own."

Angela nods. "Hey, you going to Agent Flynn's class later?"

"I mean, I should. Why?"

"Can you send me the notes?"

Orchid smiles. "Alright, doll, I'll go for you."

-o-

Atlantic Residence - 17:14 PM

After class ended, Angela headed back to her dorm. Merida wasn't here which is good but also means Angela has to get out of here before she gets back. It'll save her the explaining she doesn't want to do. Merida will connect the dots if she bothers. Angela figures she doesn't need anything since already she has clothes and toiletries there. She packs her laptop, chargers, and even keep Merida's jacket. Angela goes into her desk and takes out her car keys. Oh boy, she'll be driving. She should tell Xavier that she's taking the car but he'll notice when the car's gone.

She has to get going if she wants to beat traffic and get there by at least midnight.

A woman's strength isn't just as much she can handle before she breaks. It's also how much she can handle once she's broken.

-o-

Academy Courtyard - 17:26 PM

Hot damn … did she have to dress like Buffy after they broke up? It's like she's trying to kill him which, honestly, won't be the worst way to go. Some of his favourite episodes and dreams played out like that.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" One of his professors asks.

James looks back unsure of where he's supposed to be. Was it his class? Couldn't be since he's here. He likely has class now but he doesn't care. Every class he goes to, he feels attacked to literally gets attacked. Life isn't fair.

"My adolescent hormones and broken heart have rendered me too emotionally fragile to be fired at right now," James responds.

The prof doesn't look amused. Out of all the bullshit excuses they've heard over the years from the many students they've taught, James's excuse was the dumbest but the most real one. "Look, Pym, I couldn't care less about your adolescent hormone issues or your broken heart but I will tell you this: no one will date a man who can't even be in the same building as his ex. Get over yourself."

James nods, standing. "You're absolutely right, sir."

Those are the words James needed. Forget moping, forget his incomplete dissertation, forget Angela and her Buffy aesthetic (actually, that last one can stay). It's time to fix the problem before it gets worse. It's time for James to call on his best forces. If there's a group of people who can help him with his breakup, who better to ask than people he's dumped or has been dumped by (mostly the former) before? James takes out his phone and scrolls through his contacts, compiling the best ladies he can assemble and puts them all in one group chat.

God, he'll regret this which means it'll be worth it.

Group Chat - Exes Anonymous
Members: James, Five Anonymous People

James: I know we haven't talked since Prep but I didn't know who to turn to.

[no response]

James: If any of you are available to fly down to New Jersey, even for just the weekend or a single day, I will pay for everything. Best flight, best hotel room, your room service, everything. I know you all have busy lives all over the country, but it'll just be for a day or a weekend at most.

[no response]

James: I fucked up badly.

[Five people are typing…]

I started Buffy a week or two ago and had to reference it.

I'm so excited about the chapters that this one hinted at.