This summer (in the story), we're going on many vacations. Unlike me who, as of July 2021, has recently come out of lockdown and lost basically her summer. I will be living vicariously.
Present me who's publishing this chapter has a quiz and midterm back-to-back.
Intersession: From Jersey to Mannheim
Hudson Residence - 9:14 AM
Merida turns at the sound of someone entering her dorm. She left the door open since everyone was packing, saying their goodbyes and leaving, and she didn't mind the white noise of items being shuffled or bags rolling down the halls combined with hugs and farewells. Some of her neighbours shot her a goodbye on their way out. It wasn't until Victoria walked into her room that Merida stopped packing her bags.
Only Victoria would be dressed up during their move-out week. Most girls Merida's seen would only wear whatever clean(-ish) comfort clothes they had if not pyjamas. A lot of them have long rides home. But Victoria? Black skinny jeans, loose and flowing dark brown tee tucked in the front with a long silver pendant and clean grey sneakers. Her silver hair is tousled in soft waves, popping against her dark eye shadow and maroon lipstick. Merida? Ripped crop top she's had since freshman year in high school, low-waist navy sweats, and neon green socks.
Victoria's eyes wince as she takes a seat at the empty desk in the dorm that used to be Angela's before she packed and left. Merida guesses the light caught by her navel piercing nearly blinded Victoria.
"I see Angela left," Victoria comments, looking at the empty half of the room. Most of the dorm is vacant minus a pile of clothes Merida is currently shoving in a bag.
"She and Xavier went home on the first day we were dismissed," Merida says. She remembers the late nights Angela spent packing while Merida was cramming for her stupid exams that had to be on the last day possible.
"You didn't do the same?"
"My parents wanted to pick me up. They're driving down with James' parents and then we're going back in my car." Merida zips up her back and shoves it on the floor so she could sit on Angela's former now bare bunk. "What about you?"
"I didn't buy a ticket home yet," Victoria admits.
Merida glances at her. "I don't think a full flight is your problem since I doubt people are taking a vacation in Sokovia. You know residence will kick you out by the end of the week."
"At the end of the week, I'm heading to Mannheim for a twelve-week summer program to get a German credit. I shipped most of my stuff home and only kept whatever I'm bringing to Germany." Victoria leans forwards in her chair. "Come with me. It's only $5000 and they're still accepting applicants."
Merida laughs loudly. "It's $5000!"
"I know! It's a steal!" Victoria rolls her eyes when Merida scoffs. "Look, the Academy is covering the tuition for the program so we're only paying for board, a deposit, trips, food, flights there and back-"
"I don't have that cash."
Victoria doesn't falter. "I do."
Merida pauses before realizing what Victoria's offering. "I'm not taking your money."
"You're not. I'm giving it to the Academy on your behalf. You will never touch it."
"Victoria, no."
Victoria groans, leaning back in Angela's old desk chair. "I don't want to go alone."
"I don't care."
"Okay, I told the coordinator of the trip that you're a double-Avenger spawn, another one's goddaughter, and Fury's goddaughter. It's not that they didn't care. It wouldn't give you a discount code."
Merida balls up one of her shirts and whips it at Victoria. "The fuck is wrong with you?"
"A lot of things." Victoria swats the shirt away. "Look, I also called your parents on their way here and they said yes. They actually paid me back although I tried to refuse their money."
Merida blinks. "How did you get their numbers?"
Victoria doesn't answer but throws the shirt back. A grin teases her dark lips. "Star-Spangled Godfather and Pirate Godfather also agreed, and wondered why I called them and how I got their numbers."
"Yeah, why did you?"
"I want you to come. You never know ahead of time what something's really going to be like."
"It's lederhosen."
Victoria nods. "Lederhosen and sausage but a whole German credit which means fewer Communications classes for you next year."
Merida's body automatically smiles, back straightening in joy. "I'll go pack my bags."
"You already are."
"For home, moron. Go sign me up for lederhosen."
-o-
A Few Days Later - Mannheim, Germany - 7:29 AM
Merida squints her eyes through her aviators as the morning sun blares on her. Even through her shades, she knows the glamorous Victoria could see her scowl as she forces her hood off. Merida's curls fly against the chilly breeze and, somehow, Victoria's silver locks stay in place against her shoulders. The two of them stand on Mannheim's bricked pathways of the town, watching the fountain in the middle with the rest of the students in the same language immersion program as them.
Neither Merida nor Victoria were really listening to their tour guide giving them a rundown on the next twelve weeks, despite the directions in German. They caught that Mannheim in an innovative city known for popular inventions commonly used today. Blah, blah. They were taking pictures of each other in the beautiful colourful city with lots of trees and flowers, red-roofed buildings and houses.
They caught up with the rest of the group as they entered their school. It was an old brick building with dark wooden walls, fancy chandeliers on the high ceilings, and old-styled carpeting. It smelled musty with a faint lemon cleaner scent lingering in the air. At the end of the main foyer and past the student service desk was a grand staircase.
"Nobody smiles in Germany," their tour guide points out as they pass other students studying in the lounge. An array of serious faces glued to screens, textbooks, or even with other people in conversation.
"Ah, just like home," Victoria comments, making Merida grin.
"I know jet lag's a bitch but there's only one way to get over it. Get on a schedule!"
"Sounds like Angela," Merida mutters to Victoria.
"Take a shower, take a nap - you got two hours to catch up!"
"Definitely Angela," Merida confirms. "Just like home."
Victoria turns to Merida with a cocked brow. "Do you consider Angela a home?"
"She's my best friend and I've lived with her for the past three years."
Victoria doesn't respond but only smiles to herself. Merida won't directly say yes or no but her answer is more than enough for Victoria.
The two follow the other students up the stairs, stopping in front of their dorm once pointed to them. Their bags are already inside and they know the first day of their program is mostly to unpack, meet the others, and get over jet lag. (They got that information before wandering from the tour and taking pictures in the city.)
"Having a partner who's an excellent problem solver strikes me as a good plan in a foreign land," their guide continues. "You'll need a partner for the next few weeks so buddy up."
Merida and Victoria don't look at each other to high-five. As if they would bother joining someone else.
-o-
Group Chat - Clint and His Redheads
Members: Clint, Merida, Natasha
[Merida sends a photo of herself and Victoria in matching lederhosen. Both girls are smiling in the photos. They're possibly - most definitely - allegedly - drunk.]
Merida: Victoria sent that. Not me.
Clint: I'm gonna go talk to Iyu for telling you to get a German boyfriend.
Merida: Oh so NOW you're concerned.
Clint: If you come back with a German boy, I'm going after Iyu.
Merida: Not the German boyfriend?
Clint: Jury's still out. Maybe I'll like him.
Natasha: Your father's being dramatic, as usual. He misses you.
Clint: I haven't seen her in a while and now she's in Germany getting a boyfriend.
Merida: I('m) not getting a boyfriend — ever. Miss(ing) the point of this trip. You should still go after Iyu. Both Victoria and I would appreciate it.
Natasha: Message received ;)
Merida: From a spy's child to her spy parents.
Speaking of, I have a special Easter egg planned for the end of this story. I'm very excited about it.