As I'm writing the next few chapters, just know that I recently came back from my winter exam season in my second year. With that, I have a great understanding of exam season so a lot of parts in the next few chapters are based on true stories. Not all of them will be used since we have a lot of exam seasons to have fun with.

As I'm publishing this chapter, I submitted my last paper but I still have to do online exams during quarantine. Some classes got their exams cancelled but I just had to be in the four courses that decided to do online exams.

Year One: You Want Some?

Atlantic Residence - 8:57 AM

Everyone was slowly filtering back from Thanksgiving. From the dorm's common kitchen, Angela and Orchid would watch a girl come up and out of the elevator with either a bag thrown over their shoulder or a suitcase rolling by their side. They would either be on the phone, calling the family they just saw because they miss them already and need to check in to say they came back safely. Or they would be relieved to be back on campus after a horrible holiday.

"I find it weird to understand how people hate their families," Orchid states.

"Me too," Angela says. "But what can we do?"

"Bake."

Angela smiles, pointing her spatula at Orchid. Some batter drips onto the counter but it makes them smile. "Exactly."

With the return from Thanksgiving came exam season. Those who disliked their families couldn't decide which version of hell was better. At least the Academy kept them busy with tasks they were somewhat interested and they were surrounded by tolerable people.

At least for kids in Operations, they could sit back compared to the other programs. A lot of their training classes don't consist of a final exam. Those courses use their top three best test marks and times per section combined for a final mark. Although the lecture-based classes have final papers and exams depending on the course.

All they really have to focus on is passing their written aviation test to get their permit. Without it, they can't take next term's class where they start flying simulations followed by the real bird.

But at least their floor of Atlantic Residence can enjoy the mini apple pies Angela and Orchid are baking. There's a fresh batch resting on the living room table, another in the oven, and a last one on a serving tray on the counter. Nobody complained and their RA thanked them. Some girls took a handful before going on their way to cry about what they have to do in the upcoming weeks till Christmas break. Angela and Orchid have their assignments and tests to worry about but baking is stress-relieving. And Angela was so happy to find a fellow baker who wanted to join her.

Xavier walks out of the elevator and is greeted by the warm scent of apple pie. It brings him back home and reminds him of his Thanksgiving. It's a bonus that Angela's there to help paint the picture, but a disturbance when she and Orchid are waving him over. He has that feeling in his bones that he's not only going to be offered pie. So much for being his besties. He should've stayed at Hudson.

"Orchid needs advice," Angela says.

Xavier thinks that over for a bit as he takes a seat across from them and the pies. Maybe if he eats one, he won't have to answer but his two besties stare at him.

"So Brody and I were texting," Orchid explains. "I got drunk over Thanksgiving and he was drunk here with some other classmates who didn't go home for whatever reason. Anyways, we were drunk and flirting, but now he ghosted me."

"I taught her that term," Angela says proudly.

"Did you say anything to cause that?" Xavier asks.

"What makes you think I said something?" Orchid questions, crossing her arms.

Xavier blinks. He's approached treacherous territory and stuck his foot in. He glances at Angela and she's shaking her head at him. Stand down. Shut up. Eat a pie. But Orchid smiles at him. He's safe to proceed but doesn't want to anymore.

"Show him the conversation," Angela says.

"No, thank you," Xavier says. He doesn't want or need to read their flirting, especially if it happened under the influence. Not only will it ruin his appetite but he's not a communication expert.

"I read it and it's fine. At least, for the first few text bubbles."

Xavier's eyes widen, especially when Angela and Orchid start laughing. Forget staying in his dorm, he should've stayed home. In Brooklyn.

"You're in a relationship," Xavier tells his twin.

Angela scoffs. "As if James would ghost me."

"Has your prize hen ever ghosted you?" Orchid asks him.

Xavier pauses and Angela clears her throat. Orchid isn't sure or aware of what she said. In her defence, it's a genuine question that happens to have an answer he doesn't like. One of his worst memories was when Britney disappeared, especially since he was the last person who saw her. He didn't only ghost him, she ghosted everyone. Does now count as being ghosted? No, he doesn't think it does. He honestly isn't sure.

"Yup," Xavier states.

Now, Orchid senses the tension. "So, are your roommates back already?"

"He's coming this afternoon," Xavier responds.

"Merida said tonight or maybe tomorrow," Angela adds.

-o-

Noakes Library - 10:15 AM

Xavier walks into the Operations' library. He stops at the entrance and scans the area. Students are cramming for whatever exams or papers they have. It's not as tense as he heard Sci-Tech or Communications currently is. He's been told to avoid those parts of campus until next term. Xavier has taken note of that because Daniel was freaking out in their group chat. But now, Xavier is looking for Brody. He isn't sure what to say to him because, although he doesn't understand the extent of wingman duties, he knows that this isn't a part of it. The things he does for his besties.

"I was looking for you."

Xavier looks behind him and sees Brody just walking in. And now he forgot the plan he never had. Xavier thinks that he could wing this but he still isn't sure what he's winging. Fuck everything involving winging things and being a wingman.

"Hey," Xavier greets. Screw it. He's not going to waste time in an awkward moment he can avoid. "So -"

"Are you and Orchid seeing each other?" Brody asks.

Xavier hesitates because he didn't think Brody would ask anything let alone that. What did he just ask? Instead, he clears his throat and hopes he's not turning red. Brody looks unfazed, almost as if he zoned out mid-conversation. Or maybe he's planning to kill him. Again, he should've stayed home.

"Nope," Xavier states. "No, not at all. We keep a platonic distance. She's all yours."

Brody raises a brow. "What?"

"I'm not seeing her," Xavier rephrases. Should've said that the first time.

Brody smiles, clapping Xavier. "Thanks, mate."

"Anytime...mate."

-o-

Darwin Library - 10:38 AM

Everyone's stressed. Nobody knows what day is. Walking through the dorms and even the libraries were full of all-nighters, panic attacks, and crying.

Nobody could've afforded to stay home.

Daniel's seen and learned a lot about Adderall. Thirty percent of university students use it, it's a good treatment for ADHD. Once it takes effect in an hour, it increases serotonin and dopamine by focusing on energy and decreasing distraction. It's close to meth and even thinking you took it could increase your test results. Daniel can't help but come to the conclusion that maybe his peers wouldn't be stressed if they put the time they spent reading about Adderall on their textbooks. Priorities.

If there's one thing he's stressed about, it's the comprehensive exam for his Ph.D. If he fails that, he won't get his Ph.D. And if he doesn't get his Ph.D., he can't go into second year.

He's surprised he hasn't cried or screamed into the void. Or asked for Adderall. Maybe if he's desperate...nope.

"How are you so relaxed?" Daniel asks James.

Beside him, James has his feet up on the table. He leans back in his chair with his AirPods in, dreaming. How was he sleeping now when he was the only one in the dorm who slept through the night? How is he not tired? James was in the same state he was the beginning of the year: calm. And to think that this boy was in Operations as well.

"Y'all are wasting your time and energy by freaking out," James explains after taking out an AirPod. "I'm conserving my resources and saving them for the big days."

Daniel hates it when he's right … and when he goes back to sleep.

-o-

Wakanda's Royal Training Room - 14:26 PM

Iqadi slams against the wall again. She's hit her head so many times that she's lost count. Her head spins. As she turns to try and focus on something, everything blurs in a way that there would be a trail following like a tail. Even her own limbs have the same effect. But she stops to focus on her breathing and look at her hand. Once it becomes a solid object, her suit pixilates away and she sees her flesh. Soon, the entire suit disappears with it.

She's still in a tank top and shorts that are now drenched. She still hasn't caught her breath. She isn't sure if her double vision is still there and she doesn't want to test that theory.

The lab finished a prototype of her Black Panther suit that was meant to absorb kinetic energy with her weather manipulation. So she sparred a few rounds to test it out, called a few winds, and allowed the power to build inside the fabric. Once it was ready to be released, it would take over her. It was something she wasn't used to experiencing: failure. For her entire life, she's always been powerful and excelled at everything. But this was new to her and she doesn't like it.

Every time she tried, she got beat up from the kinetic power. Iqadi never gives up but she chose to once she started seeing double of everything. She has to put her health first although she wants to conquer her suit. She's going to wear and use it in the future so what use was it if she couldn't wear it? What kind of ruler will she be? At first, she wanted to blame the lab and demand for modifications. But there was nothing wrong with the suit. It passed all the simulations. There was something wrong with her.

After she showered and put on some fresh clothes, she decided to call it a day. Maybe it'll be fine tomorrow. Or the day after.

When she enters her room, she sees Imanu there. Someone probably told him that she had a bad day in the training room and he came here to comfort her. She didn't want anyone to know for the sake of her pride. Iqadi knows that he had a busy day too. He was learning more about his present and future royal responsibilities, most of them involving being loyal to her and Wakanda. Apparently, he was learning everything in a week that she got to learn over a year.

"I wasn't prepared for any of that," Iqadi mutters.

"Darling, you were only there for a few hours," Imanu reassures, rubbing her arm. "It's training. You will get better at it."

"Was all my training for nothing?" Iqadi wonders. Maybe a possible undiagnosed concussion is doing the talking.

"You trained to adapt to failure. It would've been way worse if you didn't have any training."

"But I'm not used to being thrown around by something I'm supposed to live up to."

"I am."

Iqadi stops for a second and smiles a little. Her husband is going through the same thing as her but debatably worse. "I'd switch with you but you're learning my upbringing."

Funny enough, this chapter is around the same length as the essay I just submitted (less than a hundred words shorter). You can tell which one I enjoyed writing.