Chapter Text
INT. S.H.I.E.L.D. ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – DAY (FLASHBACK)
A bustling hallway of late-teen/early-twenties students. Two young teenagers stand in conversation.
SUPER: S.H.I.E.L.D. ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY — 8 YEARS AGO
JEMMA SIMMONS, 16, English, extends her hand. Her brown hair is up in a ponytail. She’s a bright-eyed student with a fascination and intrigue for all things science.
SIMMONS
Jemma Simmons, biochemist.
LEOPOLD FITZ, 16, Scottish, takes it. His dirty blond, curly hair is messy atop his head. He’s socially awkward and nervous with a tendency to ramble.
FITZ
Leopold Fitz, engineer. Hm. You’re English.
SIMMONS
(offended)
And what exactly is that supposed to mean?
FITZ
(floundering)
Uh. Nothing. I just – nothing. Just. Everyone here seems to be American.
SIMMONS
How old are you?
FITZ
16. Youngest out of the cohort. Wait, how old are you?
SIMMONS
Also 16. When’s your birthday?
FITZ
19th of August.
SIMMONS
Ha! 11th of September! I win!
She pumps her fist. Fitz grumbles.
FITZ
It’s only 23 days. It’s not a competition.
Jemma grins.
SIMMONS
Oh, it’s so on.
Fitz looks nervous.
FITZ
Uh. What? No. Wh-why are we competing?
SIMMONS
There’s two of us. Only one of us can be top of the class.
FITZ
Oh, you’re so English.
SIMMONS
(teasing)
That doesn’t even mean anything, Leopold.
Fitz’s face hardens. He visibly dislikes hearing his full name.
FITZ
Don’t call me that.
Jemma winces.
SIMMONS
Oh. Sorry, I didn’t know. Uh, Leo?
Fitz’s face doesn’t change.
FITZ
No. Just. Just Fitz.
Jemma looks apologetic. He doesn’t elaborate.
SIMMONS
Sorry. Again. Fitz.
They look at each other for a beat. Simmons opens her mouth to say something else but is interrupted.
SFX : BELL RINGING
The two’s eyes widen and they run past each other in opposite directions without another word.
(END FLASHBACK)