JENNA HATED HOW she was feeling — she hated that she was being this bitter, unhappy creature filled with frustration and agony. She was supposed to be happy for her friends, proud of them for achieving their dreams, but instead, she could only cry as she stormed away from them and rushed to her room, where she locked the door and buried her tear-stained face against the pillows on her bed. It felt borderline childish, but she supposed that was what it felt like to have your heart broken. She had felt misery before — when her father died, but this was different. Back then, she had lost her family. This time, she was losing someone she loved in a much different way.

When she eventually found the strength to do so, Jenna picked up her phone and dialed the one person who could help her with this — her mother. Magdeline was always there for her, she was one constant in her life, even when she was losing someone she thought would be constant. She knew life worked in mysterious ways, and things changed all the time, but that didn't stop her from hating those changes and what they did to her, which was why she was already holding the phone against her ear and waiting for her mother to answer so she could pour her heart out.

"Jenna? Hi, sweetheart!", Maggie answered with her gentle voice, her words feeling like the warm hug Jenna was in a dire need of.

"Hi, mom. How are you?", she cleared her throat then, insisting on being polite although broken — she didn't want to call just to sob through the phone and make it all about her. It had been a while since her mother had visited and the two had caught up on things, and as Jenna listened to her calm voice through the phone, she realized just how much she was missing Magdeline.

"I'm doing okay, darling. But I can tell you are not, so tell me, what is it? Has something happened?", her mother could instantly hear it in Jenna's voice, and smiling carefully, the blonde couldn't help but appreciate the mother's instinct that Maggie had as well — the ability to always worry for her children just the right amount, and tell whenever something was wrong.

Clutching the pillow on her lap, Jenna nodded whilst biting down on her bottom lip to stop the tears from running down her cheeks again. "He's leaving. They're both leaving. Fitz and Simmons— they're graduating early. They're going to be agents", she explained, falling apart despite her attempt to avoid doing so. "What do I do, mom?", Jenna sobbed, her eyes closing as her shaky hand held the phone against her ear, and she begged for her mother's help. The usually genius, brilliant girl was clueless in that moment, completely lost and swimming in waters far too deep for her.

She could hear her mother's sympathetic, sad sigh on the other side of the line. "I'm sorry, Jenna. My advice is that you try to be happy for them, no matter how much it hurts. Take all the fun out of the time you still have left. Cherish those moments. It'll be okay, darling, trust me. It doesn't have to be the end, just one chapter of your lives closing", Magdeline guided, and nodding her head, Jenna licked her wobbling lips, which caused her to taste the salty tears on them. "Appreciate what you have left. If you just close off in your room, you'll regret it afterwards. They are still there. Don't let that pass by", her mother continued.

And she was right. Jenna was supposed to be happy for them, she needed to get a grip and focus on the positive — it wasn't over yet. They still had time, and she was going to make the most of it.

—————

FAR TOO SOON, the day of the ceremony had already arrived, and the final week that Jenna had with Fitz and Simmons had flashed by their eyes. They had had lovely days together, and they had seen the victims of their prank react to their room, which had made Jenna laugh, but now, she was forced to remember what was about to happen. Whilst the week that was nearing its end had been wonderful, it didn't remove the longing she already felt in her heart — however, even if her heart broke at the realization that it was the day of goodbyes, she wanted to show her support. They were her best friends, after all, and even if seeing them in the knowledge that it was their last day together hurt, it wasn't like she couldn't take part in the ceremony.

It was a special occasion, arranged just for the two, the most brilliant minds of the academy. Jenna was right there in third place, almost matching up to their intelligence, but clearly, she wasn't meant to leave with them. Instead, she was seated in the front row, next to Magdeline, Evan and Jane, all of which had come to the academy to celebrate Fitz and Simmons' success, and support their sister in the hard time she was facing.

"I am proud to call Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons students of this academy. Even more so to thank them for their impeccable work, hand them these certificates and wish them good luck, whatever future may bring. You are both exceptional students and people in general, and S.H.I.E.L.D is lucky to have you", Anne Weaver, the director of the academy, presented her youngest, brightest stars in front of the lecture hall, in which they were all seated. As Fitz and Simmons shook hands with Anne and accepted their certificates for completing the Academy of Science and Technology, the entire audience erupted into cheers and applause.

Despite the sadness that had swallowed Jenna whole in the past week, she felt pure pride and joy for her friends as she clapped her hands together and smiled at the two. They had come far, and for sure, they had earned this. They were, just as Anne Weaver had said, exceptional people, and Jenna was glad to see them succeed, even if it had to be without her by their side. She hated the idea of having to say goodbye, but she was beyond happy to say congratulations.

After the ceremony, people left the lecture hall and Jenna's family did the same, tugging Simmons along with them to give Fitz and Jenna a moment alone. She was rather nervous to stand there, silently and awkwardly tugging on the hem of her skirt, whilst Fitz stood a few feet away from her, equally devoid of words, but a happy smile on his lips.

Things had happened so quickly, it was unbelievable. Jenna couldn't understand how study nights in the library, or the party in the boiler room had transformed into a tearful goodbye as he graduated and she was forced to stay behind. And more importantly, she didn't understand why she was forced to be separated from this flawless, blue-eyed Scottish boy for whom she had undeniably fallen for.

"I am happy for you, you know", Jenna finally broke the silence in the room, a smile tugging on her lips when she looked up at Fitz, who took a step closer to her and mirrored the fond expression. "You said you wanted to be an agent, an engineer, and it's finally happening. You did it, Fitz. I couldn't be more proud of you", she nodded, truth to her words, despite everything. He was achieving his dreams — how could she not be happy for him, proud of how far he had come?

Nodding as well, Fitz stepped closer while his hand went into the pocket of his soft, warm cardigan and his shoulders lifted in a quick, casual shrug. "Thank you. But also, I'm sorry. I want to become an agent, but at the same time, I want to stay with you. It seems impossible, I know, but I got you something...", he muttered, almost nervous even if he was the successful, smart student graduating from the academy, earlier than anyone else before. But in that moment, Jenna remembered just why she had grown so fond of him — he didn't let the intelligence get to his head. He was still like any other person, yet at the same time, he was exceptional.

He was caring, down to earth, and occasionally, shy. But always a lovable dork. And a true gentleman — Jenna was convinced of that when Fitz pulled out a silver necklace, simple but beautiful, which was just her style. In the middle of the chain, hung a pendant in the shape of an aries — Jenna's zodiac sign. For most, it probably didn't even resemble the horoscope, but the blonde could instantly see the simple, silver head of an aries even if it was without eyes or clear outlines. Nonetheless, it was beautiful, and it reminded Jenna of the night they had spent on the rooftop, watching the starts and talking about their zodiac signs and how compatible they were.

"I suppose, now, you'll always have me with you. Even if I, uh, I'm not physically there, you can wear this and— well, if you want, of course. I think you'd look beautiful with it— I mean, you always look—", he stammered, holding the necklace in his hand and looking between it and Jenna nervously, but instead of ruining the whole moment like he feared, he was making it memorable.

With a fond smile twisting on her lips, Jenna decided that she shouldn't waste any more time. They had come this far, they had gotten to know each other, and here they were — about to be separated, about to close one chapter of their lives. And although she could not predict the end of their story, nor see whether it would be a happy one or not, she could decide how this part would end for them. And with that in mind, she then leaped towards Fitz and pressed both hands flat against his soft cheeks, catching the boy by utter shock and surprise.

But he didn't pull away, and when Jenna gently but confidently pushed her lips against his, the surprise in him began to transform into pure amazement. He was frozen for a second, unsure what to do, and before he could move in any way, Jenna had already let go. It was short but sweet, and both of them ended up smiling as she leaned back from her tiptoes and rocked on her feet awkwardly. Frankly, Fitz was dumbfounded — the taste of Jenna's lip balm still lingered on his numb lips and his eyes were blown wide with astonishment and love, as his heart raced in his chest and an army of butterflies made backflips in his stomach.

"What was that for?", he eventually inquired, his voice weak and confirming that he was struggling to get over the fact that Jenna actually kissed him. That was what he had secretly dreamed of for a while now — in fact, merely the sight of her had made his palms sweat and his legs go weak ever since he first saw her. And there he was now, feeling like the luckiest boy in the whole world.

"That was... because I really like you, Fitz. Because you're such a sweetheart and I'm going to miss you like crazy. And, in case we never see each oher again", she chuckled sadly, but nonetheless, there was a smile on her lips as she lowered her gaze and shrugged.

Shaking his head, Fitz wrapped his arms around Jenna and squeezed the girl tightly. "We will. We will see each other again, I promise. I'll make sure of that", he reassured whilst holding Jenna in his arms, and as her smile gained a shade of happiness to it, Jenna nodded in agreement and answered to the hug before resting her head against his chest. It felt good, and safe, to stand there and get lost in his embrace. "Come on, let me put the necklace on you", Fitz continued after a while, and turning around, Jenna lifted her blonde hair to make it easier for the boy.

She was going to miss him, but at least she could think back to these moments and cling onto the hope that one day, they would be reunited. And they would. Fitz wasn't wrong — they were going to see each other again, all of them, Jemma too.

It was just going to be in another time, another universe.

»»»

awww )': my poor children

okay, this feels kinda rushed (??) but that's how life works, you know. it sucks and it's terrible and big changes are scary but IT HAPPENS AND YOU CAN'T FIGHT IT. which is why they're already being separated from one another 😭😭😭

okay, tomorrow i will publish the epilogue for this part — even though i'm not sure if you're supposed to do that?? but it'll be like a nice ending for this half of the book, before i kick off part two. (: