I still remember the moment I came up with this idea. I was leaving summer school a year ago. I was standing at the bus stop and, for some reason, this idea came to me.

Also, because I have around fifty chapters banked, I'll be doing weekly updates on Wednesdays until further notice.

Year One: The Pym-Banner Talk

Darwin Library - 10:24 AM

James walks through the library, weaving through studying students. He makes his way to the back corner where he sees Daniel occupying a table made for four (not an uncommon sight here since everyone wanted to be alone). Daniel looks up from his work as James sits across from him, moving some papers to the side although he doesn't need the space.

"I have the perfect distraction for you amid recent events," James says, referring to the engagement leak. He sits in the chair diagonal from Daniel.

Sci-Tech wasn't as enthusiastic about Emily Stark's engagement now compared to when it was first announced. Occasionally, it would be heard in conversation. People would have their theories and conspiracies, especially when a tabloid released a new striking and bullshit headline. All Daniel wanted to say was that it's an engagement, not the moon landing. It wasn't that difficult to understand but he's the mysterious fiancé so he isn't on the same page as them. He's the question mark in the headline. But if James has the perfect distraction, he's interested.

"What is it?" Daniel asks.

"We can work on a project we have due later."

Daniel raises a brow. "What project?"

"It was assigned last term. I partnered us up."

No bells. "What class?"

"Molecular compounds and structures."

"What the presentation?"

"We have to teach chapter 36."

"What's chapter 36?"

James shrugs. Daniel groans as he slides everything in front of him away. Of course, James doesn't know. He doesn't even have the textbook. He takes out a fresh notepad and starts sharpening a pencil. James, on the other, leans back in his chair and starts texting. Probably Angela, based on that smile. James puts his phone face down on the table to refocus on Daniel.

"You could've told me about this assignment earlier," Daniel says.

"I did tell you earlier," James responds. "Now is earlier."

"When's it due?"

"In six hours."

Daniel's pencil breaks mid-fragment. "James!"

Everyone shushes Daniel since they're in a library and James almost falls out of his chair. How did James not expect him to freak out? When Daniel expected earlier, he was hoping that a week would be the smallest amount of time. But that's his mistake since it's James and not anyone else. What definition of small did he expect from the boy who can change sizes?

"We don't have time," Daniel whispers.

"We have six hours."

"That's not enough for an entire chapter that we have to teach ourselves first."

"I did the 12-minute run in 5 minutes."

"That's not how that works."

"Yeah, my prof said the same thing. Anyways, let's get started. We're wasting time."

-o-

Operations Training Room - 11:33 AM

Angela and Merida sit next to each other in the second half of Introduction to Aviation. The first term consisted of learning the rules and etiquette of the sky, managing the basics of the flying vessels, and learning the controls. They wrote their written exams during the winter exam term, earned their flying permits, and were now allowed to learn to fly the real bird. At least, not yet.

Unlike cars, quinjets and standard jets, there were so many more buttons and knobs. They were all around, even sometimes in hologram form on the windows if necessary. But this was no issue for Angela and Merida. They can turn knobs, press buttons, pull levers, and flick switches. No problem. The only issue was their manicures from Britney's birthday that they still have. Despite their gel nails being more durable, their hands were almost rendered useless due to the length about their nail.

As of now, they're using fake control panels for the basic flying vehicles from sitting in desks.

"I don't get how Emily functions in these," Merida comments, tapping her green nails against the wheel.

"Me neither," Angela responds. "Maybe the same method used for wearing heels."

"Exactly." Merida perks up a little with an idea. "Wanna have a bet?"

"No."

"Come on, you didn't even hear it."

"I don't have to." She's known Merida for eighteen years so she's aware of the kinds of bets that they've done. In terms of odds, Merida has a higher success rate compared to the rest of them.

Merida turns her chair to the side to face Angela as their professor shadows some other students. "Look, we both live a hard life in Operations. And our lives will be even harder with these stupid nails."

"What's your point?" Angela questions, starting to show interest.

"Last one to keep all ten nails on wins."

"You're on."

Angela holds out a hand and Merida firmly grips it. They feel the tips of their nails lightly poking each other.

-o-

Sci-Tech Lecture Hall - 16:44 PM

It felt like the longest six hours until their time was up. Daniel and James read the chapter, which was over fifty pages, condensed it as much as they could. And, from their summary, they taught themselves the material. Electronegativity and bond polarity. Easy stuff. The hard part was creating a cohesive presentation that didn't look like they prepared it six hours prior.

The moment they stepped into class, their professor gestured them to the front while he took a seat in the front row. James and Daniel smile at him before standing beside the board, waiting for everyone to filter in first.

"I'm not qualified to teach, but I know more about this than them," James says, waving towards the class.

"It's fine," Daniel responds. "Everyone has different subsets of knowledge."

-o-

Thirty-six minutes later and the boys reach the end of the chapter. Truth be told, they didn't have enough time to make a proper ending but James said in advance that he would wing it and Daniel trusted him since James knew how to make a lasting impression unlike him. Daniel's just glad that this presentation is over. He feels that it went well, almost as if he's glad that he didn't waste weeks stressing over it. No wonder people do things at the last minute.

"Thanks for coming to The Pym-Banner Talk," James concludes.

Daniel wants to facepalm. Was that really going to be their ending? Apparently. James smiles proudly to everyone and Daniel has to stop him from bowing. The class stares at them for a few seconds before slowly growing into applause. The boys look at their professor who finishes writing his final comments before standing up and collecting his papers.

"The quality of what you both said is good," the professor tells them. "Your quantity is a tad excessive."

"I said that about the textbook," James responds.

"I wrote the textbook."

James clears his throat and can feel Daniel wanted to facepalm. He laughs awkwardly, backing up to let Daniel take control of the situation. He's likely going to say a lot of more stupid things.

"You know, you babble when you're nervous," Daniel points out.

James nods. "It was a learning experience that involved all of us as a class. We were on an even playing field so we could learn together. What's that called?"

"Experiential learning."

"That!"

"And sometimes people need excessive words. Rephrasing helps with retention."

"Exactly."

The professor nods, smiling brightly at them. "Again. Your quality is good, quantity is excessive."

Chapter 36 is this chapter. I did that on purpose.

And out of all the classes I've taken, two of my textbooks have been written by my prof.