I have started revamping the current chapters of PNG and I'm having so much fun with it...and I'm updating PNG tomorrow with a new chapter!

Intersession: Cadet Barton

Demo Weapons Storage - SHIELD Academy - 12:01 PM

Merida got stuck with a work-study at The Academy. Lucky Angela got to go to Washington. Lucky Brody got to go to Australia. She would often hang with other students confined at the Academy for a variety of reasons: some are doing work-studies like her (all envious of everyone who got cooler locations like Angela and Brody), alumni stopping by for their own reasons, finishing their dissertations or doing a summer course. Merida heard that a lot of kids got to go abroad and she's even more peeved that she's stuck here. What did she ever do to deserve this?

During her free time, she tried to get into Weight Class A for next year with a series of placement tests. She wasn't the only one there and not the only one who failed. Comforting. Merida didn't know how but bit her tongue when she wanted to argue back. She has a feeling that she actually passed but got told she failed, but who is she to argue? Next year, she'll still be in Weight Class B again. Lucky James gets to enjoy her company next year.

At least her work-study has more interesting assignments than Angela. She wasn't fetching coffee, escorting people or transferring calls; she got to help organize the demo weapons as one of her responsibilities. It wasn't as cool as she thought it'd be. The demos were nothing like the real things, obviously, but this is an amazing opportunity. Freshies like her didn't even get to touch the demos.

Maybe a position in the Academy wasn't that bad since the worst part is dealing with the agents in charge of cadets like her.

"And once you're finished here, you can head on over to the library to help return material back on the shelves."

Merida fake smiles. "Yes, sir."

She said so passive-aggressively that she meant yes, idiot. If she was his coffee-fetching intern, she'd spit in his drink.

The only benefit of being in the library is that there are so many hiding places and she can climb ladders. She didn't go there much during the year since she preferred being in the quiet isolation of her dorm, but maybe she'll reconsider for next year. But not in Operations' library because it's crap. She heard that Communications' library had a café.

-o-

Days Later - Off to the Sea Spa - 18:33 PM

On any other day, Merida would've scowled and rejected James's presence. Now, she's only scowling. She would never admit this out loud but she's glad that James is still on campus because it means she has a friend she can see in person. Yes, James is her friend, she sometimes has to remind herself because it's James.

"Wow, you must be lonely to do this with me," James says.

Merida glares at him. "You were stupid enough to book an appointment when your girlfriend's out of the state."

"Maybe I booked this for us."

"Fuck off."

"You fuck off first."

"I hope you drown in that mud bath."

James is her friend. James is her friend. James is her friend.

She looks away from him and continues relaxing in her mud bath. James is in a tub next to her. He bought passes in advance for a spa couples spa day with Angela. He got them so long ago that when the day came, she was in Washington and he forgot. To avoid wasting the passes, Merida accompanied him. At first, she wanted to refuse because it was James but this is the best spa in all of New Jersey with high quality complimentary champagne and crunchy cucumbers. And it's a moment away from school. This is great. She has a warm towel wrapped around her head and everything.

It was a day of relaxation, ironically, with the one person who irritates her the most. It's an odd balance.

"I didn't think she would take a work-study," James explains. "Or that it would be far away. I thought it would be here."

"She's Angela Rogers. Of course she'd go to the Triskelion."

"And Merida Barton gets stuck in that hell."

"Precisely. Keep the demons at bay." She smiles a little. "Why are you still here? Didn't your exams end a week ago?"

"Academic advising appointment," James responds.

"Shit…" Merida mutters. "Anything bad?"

James shakes his head. This isn't even a time where Merida would wish something bad happened to him. "Just planning ahead for next year."

"You mean give an excuse for your lack of an express doctorate so you could be here next year."

"Pretty much." He glances at her. "I thought you'd be cheering at the chance of me leaving."

"Hasn't happened yet."

Merida laughs when James grabs a fistful of cucumbers and throws them at her. She launches the rest of her champagne at him. They stare at each other with full smiles as they go back to relaxing in their mud baths.

-o-

[20:59 PM]

Group Chat - Xavier's Besties
Members: Merida, Brody, Ashton, Orchid

Merida: Who started this chat and why does it exist?

Orchid: I did and it's something we all need.

[moments later]

Orchid: So, what's up?

Ashton: I'm reading all your messages with your accent.

Ashton: This is like Weight Class B but swap James for Brody.

Merida: As it should be.

Merida: Also, what's with the name of this chat?

Ashton: Where is Brody?

Orchid: This name is the epitome of who we are as people.

Merida: I hate it.

Orchid: Then join Weight Class A with Brody.

Ashton: What time is it in Australia now, maybe he's asleep.

Merida: I did the placement test with some other people to try and get into Weight Class A but failed.

Orchid: HOW DARE YOU TRY AND ABANDON US WITHOUT WARNING US?!

Merida: YOU JUST TOLD ME TO JOIN IT!

Brody: Lassie, you're lucky to not be in Weight Class A.

Ashton: There's Brody!

Merida: Why?

Orchid: Because B for Barton.

Brody: I love the Rogers twins, believe me, but it's hard to be in a physical class with them. They're the best of the best. Our profs question if they're even qualified to mark them. Spoiler alert, they're not. Our entire class is in a shadow the twins don't even know they're casting and they don't notice because they're so humble but oblivious. Especially Xavier on that last part.

Orchid: B for Brody.

Brody: In all honestly, I'm scared for third year when we have to spar each other. Angela and Xavier would kill me.

[chat goes quiet for a moment]

Orchid: B for Bless Xavier.

Ashton: Dude you live with tarantulas and wombats and a lot of other scary animals roaming the streets...and you're scared of Angela and Xavier?

Brody: I'd rather wrestle a kangaroo than Angela. I could probably take on Xavier.

Merida: Oh, I would love to see that. I should've gone into Weight Class A.

Orchid: B for Buchanan, Xavier's middle name.

Merida: Why do you know that?

Orchid: Because we're besties.

Orchid: B for Besties.

[Merida sends a photo of Xavier as a child for the others to fawn over]

Brody: There's our lord and saviour.

-o-

A Month Later - Manhattan Suburbs - 9:12 AM

A month into her work-study and she finally gets a to go home for Memorial Day weekend. Since the Academy will be closed the following Monday, she gets to go home. The drive back was the time of her life since she could finally get a break from that dreaded school. Merida had to weave down some different neighbourhood roads because of construction but she's in such a good mood that it doesn't bother her.

Looking ahead, Merida sees Apollo and Britney's old house. But what's there? The sale sign is gone and now there's a moving truck in the driveway. Boxes are being unloaded as small children ride their bikes up and down the driveway.

Merida pulls over to the side of the road across the street. She peers over and turns off her engine to stare. The situation across the street will be too busy to notice her. No, that's not right. Nobody but Apollo's family should live there. It's only been a year. It would've been better if they moved in at any point when she wasn't driving by.

Something in the corner of her eye catches her attention. She turns and sees Daniel on the sidewalk. He hasn't seen her yet but she watches him stop just nearby Apollo's house. He wears the same expression of no, this shouldn't be happening. What is this? When he sees Merida's car, she unlocks the door as he walks over. The two of them stare at each other for a moment, unsure how to start a conversation about that sight.

"My neighbours said someone was moving in here and I just had to see it for myself." Daniel turns and looks over at the house again. "I still don't believe it."

"I don't like it," Merida says, peeking over Daniel's shoulder.

"Neither do I. This was our zip code."

"The Suburban Manhattan Squad."

"I miss that group chat."

"I'm now a part of one where we worship Xavier."

Daniel faces her. "What?"

"It's only been a year and everything's getting weirder." She isn't bringing up having a spa day with James but, given James's chatting abilities, everyone already knows. The weirdest part was that she enjoyed that day.

"How was your work-study?"

Merida starts the engine. She doesn't want to be here anymore. "Fine."

-o-

After dropping Daniel off back at his house, Merida finally makes it back to her place. She parks in the driveway and leaves her bag in the car because she sees her parents waiting for her on the front porch. When she steps out of the car, her parents stand up. Merida pauses and her heart swells as a smile appears on her face.

She doesn't hesitate to run up those steps and hug them tightly. If there was one thing that hasn't changed in a year, it's her parents.

For the iconic trilogy of Merida, Daniel, Apollo, and Britney, I have included the chapters below. They were new for the revamps and I had so much fun with them.

Britney's Counterparts - Chapters 272-274: The Suburban Manhattan Squad Parts One-Three