Mar-Vell College (Valkarol)

Einstein on drugs

Shit! Shit! Shit! Carol screamed internally as she rushed across campus through the mad rush of other late students who were a lot more chill than she was. It was her second day and she was already late to a class. Her favourite class: art.

Carol burst through the class room door dramatically. A few heads turned her way with questionable looks on their faces but most people were still trying to find a good seat. Somewhere they could go on their phones without being seen.

Carol scanned the room and instantly saw her. Valkyrie was stood at the front of the room talking to a couple of girls. She turned around and met Carol's gaze and smiled. God her smile. Carol thought as she took a step towards Valkyrie.

"Everyone grab a seat!" A man boomed from outside the classroom. He hurried in and after taking one look at him Carol couldn't help but stiffle a laugh. He looked like Einstein on drugs.

Carol looked towards Valkyrie to see if she had the same reaction but she was already seated at the end of a row. The seats next to her taken. Carol felt her heart sink a little. Valkyrie was the only one she knew and for a split second she thought it would mean spending more time to get to know her.

A hand suddenly grabbed Carol roughly. She turned to them to protest but when she met their eyes she fell silent.

"Hey, remember me?" Em gleamed. It wasn't a question.

"I-" Carol started.

"Sit with me." She beckoned as she sat down promptly on an old stool.

"Thanks but I can-" Carol didn't finish because Em dragged her down by her arm and planted her firmly in the seat next to her.

"Of course you can. Besides, I wanna get to know you." She said leaning her head on her hand, facing towards Carol. Luckily she was saved by Mr Einstein who called her name.

She scrambled out of her seat and across the room towards him, relieved to be away from Em.

"Carol?" He asked.

"Yes, sir."

"My names Mr Kartez. Welcome to Ma-Vell." He announced.

"Thanks."

"Do you have an art equipment?"

"Yes."

"You're already doing better than most people in this class." He smiled warmly.

"What about your portfolio?"

"My old college said they would transfer it in a week or so." Kartez nodded his head slowly not seeming too convinced.

"A week? A month? Who knows how long it'll take them. Luckily for you you can live without it for a bit. But the longer you are without it the harder your life'll be." Carol nodded her head understandably. "But I'll try help you as much as I can." He said warmly. He was supportive and seemed like a nice guy.

"Thank you." Carol said gratefully and reluctantly went back to her cursed seat. As she went over Valkyrie mouthed "What are you doing?" But Carol simply shrugged as she sat down next to Em. She honestly had no idea what she was doing next to the only person Valkyrie had warned her against being with.

"What did Kartez want?" Em asked intrusivly.

"Just some stuff about my old college." Carol said, looking anywhere but at Em. 

"So where were you before?" Carol started to feel uncomfortable.

"Massachusetts."

"Why did you move?" Now Carol felt extremely uncomfortable.

"I... just did." She said desperately trying to search for the right words without saying too much. It was the last thing she wanted to talk about.

"Alright class, welcome back." Kartez greeted. He went on to explain the new project they would all be working on for the next few weeks but Carol's mind was else where. She tried not to but everytime she looked over at Valkyrie she seemed pissed off. It was a long lesson.

***

Carol and Valkyrie trudged back to their dorm room in an awkward silence. Carol had tried to tell Valkyrie about how she thought Kartez looked like a madman but Valkyrie had made it clear she wasn't in a talkative mood. 

"Wanna go to a party off campus tonight?" Valkyrie suddenly asked as she unlocked the door to their dorm.

"Um..." She started. Parties weren't really Carol's thing. In truth she hated cramped rooms with blaring music. A small group of friends doing Karaoke was more her crowd. But if Valkyrie was going to be there it could be fun. "Yeah, I'd love to." Carol smiled happily. Even though she could only see a glimpse of her face Carol was sure she saw Valkyrie smile too. Maybe she wasn't that mad.

"Do you think Em will be there?" Carol asked without thinking. Valkyrie kicked open the door and turned to face her sharply. Shit. Wrong thing to say.

"Do you want her to be there?" Valkyrie scowled.

"No! God no! She's the last person I want to be there." Carol said desperately. Valkyrie studied her face for a long moment and nodded.

"You looked really uncomfortable next to her in art." Valkyrie said quietly.

"Well I'd of rather of sat next to you that's for sure."

"Yeah?" Valkyrie smiled.

"Yeah. You're the only one I knew in there." Valkyrie face seemed to drop slightly before she sat down on her bed.

"Right."