I thought this chapter came out last week.

Intersession: Ph.D. Candidate Pym

Science and Technology's Academic Advising Wing - 14:44 PM

James could've gone home days ago. He finished his exams and won't present a dissertation he doesn't have, but the latter is one of the reasons why he's still on campus. When the Academy saw that he didn't sign up for a presentation, they emailed him. It was either a reminder or to book an appointment with academic advising to explain his situation. The earliest appointment with an advisor was a few days after his last exam so he had no choice. He could've gone home for those days but didn't want to drive there only to come back.

That's why he's sitting on a hard couch in the middle of an administrative hallway. He sees other students sitting spaced out, faces glued to their phones and headphones in their ears. James wonders why they're here. This wing is specifically for Sci-Tech students, which he claimed as his home program since that's where he's living in residence. Maybe they're about to give an excuse for not having a Ph.D. like him or they're being responsible and doing a degree check.

"James Pym."

His head perks at the sound of his name but he isn't sure which door it came from. As he looks around, every other student points. James mutters a thanks as he walks over. How did they know when they can't see or hear?

James walks into the office and closes the door behind him. He takes a seat and his advisor looks at him with an expectant smile. Oh, she knows why he's here and he's smiling nervously.

"Hi," James greets, clearing his throat.

"Hi," his advisor, Agent Saunders, responds. She looks strict so James starts mentally planning his plea and appeal if the first plan fails. "So, James, let's cut the fluff and get to the point. You know that you need your express Ph.D. to continue onto second year."

"I know."

"So, where is it?"

"In the works." Lie. "It's just that I've been extremely stressed and preoccupied with my Operations' classes." Lie. "You know them with all the running and lifting. It's tiring and straining and I had to get an aviation license." Not a lie.

Agent Saunders nods. "I'm aware. I've been in your position before."

"You've bridged two programs?"

"Yes." She laughs a little, sitting back in her seat. Agent Saunders sighs nostalgically. "But Communications and Sci-Tech, which is the most common combination. I must admit that when I read your student profile, I had to double-check. It's remarkable that you're surviving in the 98th percentile for both programs."

98th? That's impressive for not going or sleeping in a lot of his classes. If James was anywhere else, he would be screaming for joy. If he did that now, he would be asked to leave campus and not come back next year. The thing about James is that people underestimate him. Aside from that being based on how he presents himself, he has the energy of a well-mannered toddler. He's always on his toes, doing only the things he wants, and should be supervised. But then he comes out in the 98th percentile in both of his programs. The problem with him is that he isn't serious enough to realize that he's an expert in a dozen different fields.

He had loads of time to finish a dissertation. Hell, with his amazing charisma and charm, he would've gotten the degree at a record time.

"I'll tell you what we'll do," Agent Saunders says, typing on her keyboard. "I will give you special permission to continue only because of your remarkable transcript."

James smiles gratefully. "Thank you, Agent Saunders."

"But for the record, I'll need to note your field of research." She eyes him, waiting for a response.

James stares at her deadpanned. He didn't have an idea let alone a field of research. But he has to have something since he said his dissertation was in the works. It's not like he has a lot of time to think. The first thing that comes to mind is his dad. Oh, his father will be disappointed in him.

"Quantum entanglement," James responds with fake confidence that sounds believable enough.

Agent Saunders raises a brow. She must know that quantum entanglement is a tricky field to explore since it theoretically can't stay put. Maybe she's reasoning that the difficulty combined with his bridging is why he's here today. Wow. Bless his dad's life work. Maybe his dad will be proud of him now.

"How much quantum entanglement do you know?" Agent Saunders asks.

"Enough to survive a conversation with my dad," James responds. "I think he invented it."

She stops typing at that bizarre part. She doesn't question it and James doesn't correct himself because he genuinely believes his father invented it. If someone told him differently, he'll declare his entire life a lie. James can think back to his bedtime stories where his dad would read him his journal articles about spooky physics. And the stories always worked since James was asleep by the abstract. Worked on his mom as well. But, sure, he could do his dissertation on quantum entanglement if he ever gets around to actually working on it.

"James, you'll also need a language credit to graduate," Agent Saunders says.

"Does talking to ants count?" James asks.

She doesn't question it but shakes her head.

"Okay, it's with an EMP but only I can understand it," James attempts to argue. "I won the genetic lottery that way by understanding the frequencies, I guess. Again, I think my dad invented that."

"The EMP or the genetic lottery?" She smiles.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it's both."

"So, your language credit…?"

"Maybe Spanish. I already know enough Spanish to absolutely bullshit random sentences."

-o-

The Next Day - Pym Penthouse - 10:17 AM

James decided to go home the next day since he had a spa day with Merida since she was around and Angela was in Washington. Contrary to whatever Merida might say, they both had a great time (maybe he did more than her). They got back to campus late and he didn't want to make the drive. Also, he didn't pack so he did that, shrank his bags, and fell asleep. He was surprised that he woke up early. It must be because he was excited to leave.

When he arrived home, his parents were just waking up. They thought they were hallucinating because no way James would come home before noon. He wakes up at noon. It took James five minutes for his parents to process that he was really there and his mother exploded in a scream before hugging him tightly. James looked at his father for help when he could no longer breathe so Hank had to pry her off before he could hug him. Softer.

"Come in, come in," Janet says, scurrying over to the kitchen and making her boys follow. "Sit down and I'll get you something to eat."

"We heard that Daniel got his Ph.D.," Hank says excitedly as they walk into the kitchen. As Janet prepares some espresso, they sit down at the kitchen island. "How about you?"

James smiles meekly. "I got an extension."

Hank nods. James knows he isn't mad because he saw that coming. If he really got his Ph.D., he would've called them and they would've cried on the phone. He isn't ashamed of not having one but he had to say it to his father's face. Family humiliation at its finest.

"I owe Fury money that I'm taking out of your inheritance," Hank tells James, "but at least you passed the comprehensive exam."

James starts eating a piece of French toast his mother just handed him. "Actually, I aced it."

Hank has a double-take as Janet turns away from the stove (which she really shouldn't leave unattended). James continues eating, pretending not to thrive from their surprised faces. He said that so casually that he has to play that part. They're more shocked about that since Daniel didn't even ace it.

Hank puts a hand on James's shoulder and clears his throat. " … I'm half proud of you."

James nods to himself proudly. He'll take that win since his father also didn't ace it.

"Hank!" Janet exclaims, turning back to the stove before the penthouse burns down.

"What?" Hank questions. "It's insane that they expect high school graduates to come up with a full dissertation in order to continue. It's supposed to take years of research, field explorations, graduate classes, debates with colleagues - not two semesters on Adderall!"

Janet turns around, dropping the spatula on the ground. She somehow looked angry, concerned, and worried all at once. "James, you didn't take Adderall, did you?!"

"No, not at all," James responds, calming her down. He looks at Hank. "And, Dad, feel free to complain about The Academy. Oh wait, you already have."

Hank glares at him.

"Hank, our son just came home and that's what you have to say?" Janet questions rhetorically.

Hank opens his arms to prove a point. "What else is there to say? I know what he was doing - partying, only going to class when he had to, sleeping, and Angela was there too."

James almost chokes on his food. His father must be onto him.

Janet turns away from the stove and frowns at her husband. "Hank!"

"What?" Hank asks. "I went to college and I told you at the start not to expect much from him. I kept my expectations low so I could be proud."

"You were only half proud."

Hank sighs, looking at James who's grinning. He knows his son so well. "I'm three-quarters proud of you."

"That's all I need," James responds.

"Why not the full hundred?" Janet asks.

"Because I know he hasn't even started his dissertation," Hank replies.

James nods. "He's right but if the school asks, it's in the works."

-o-

[11:31 AM]

Emily: What are you doing today?

James: I had no plans so my mom dragged me to go shopping with her.

Emily: Or you had no plans so you decided to drag yourself to go shopping with your mom.

[no response for a moment]

James: Way to attack me like that.

Emily: I would never do that to a Momma's Boy.

-o-

Weeks Later - Washington Apartment - 11:46 AM

James wakes up hugging a pillow. He takes a few minutes to adjust because he has no idea where he is. The pillows smell like lavender. He might be jet-lagged. He's having weird memories of sugar that he could've sworn he dreamt. And there's his girlfriend getting dressed by the closet. Now he remembers. James yawns as he sits up in Angela's bed. Since he had nothing to do back in New York and missed his girlfriend, he decided to pay her a surprise visit while she was doing her work-study.

It feels better to be with her like this. He missed spending an entire year with her only to have her leave for the summer. There's only so much you could do over the phone.

"Hey," Angela says as she finishes putting on her shirt. "I have to be at the Triskelion in about ten minutes. You could visit me during my lunch break, pick me up after my shift, or both."

"I'll see," James replies, stretching his arms above his head. He rests the pillow on his lap. "I might just go back to sleep and catch you later."

Angela nods as she fastens her badge onto her chest. "Sounds good, but if you decide to remain awake, then what are you going to do all day?"

James thinks for a moment before shrugging.

If I'm being honest, out of all the intersession chapters, James resembles my summer post-first year the most. I didn't do anything commendable. A part of me believed that I wasted the four months I got. I stayed on campus for summer school and at home to write and revamp my fanfics. I also got special permission for courses (that I deserved). (Publishing me here. I ended up revamping PNG and will revamp another story at the end of the summer so those are my plans).