╔══════════════════╗

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING
ii. DONUT SHOP DISASTER

╚══════════════════╝

  IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL for humans to be constantly thinking. Whether it's about what's for dinner or what they got on a big test, humans can't help always thinking. Even when they don't realize it, their brains are always in motion, never stopping until death. For the majority of humans, there's always something that's always on their mind, no matter what the circumstances are. When you look at someone across the room from you, what do you think they're thinking about? Chances are, they're thinking the same way about you.

   For Riley, she couldn't stop thinking about this ridiculous mission Tony shoved into her lap. Of all the things she'd done, of all the things she'd been forced into, this was easily the most ridiculous, not to mention offensive. Part of her couldn't believe he dared to adopt her for such a stupid reason, but another, more rational part of her could.

   It was that same rational part of her brain that made her stomach turn with nerves. There was no reason for her to be nervous. She'd fought HYDRA before, and that was ten times more dangerous than this could ever be. She was a perfectionist when it came to her craft, and while this one didn't feel much of one, it was still a mission. It was detrimental that she succeeded. Whatever it took.

   Despite having graduated at a high school level at 10-years-old, courtesy of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s training, she'd never been to a real school before. As she headed for the bus stop that would drag her to Midtown High, she wondered how much of it would be like the movies.

   Slung over one of her shoulders was a backpack, her phone pressed up against her ear as she listened to Tony Stark babble. "I can't believe I'm sending my baby to school for the first time! I'm so ecstatic to finally get rid of you!" Tony humorously chirped, causing Riley to audibly scoff.

   "I'm only doing this because you gave me a new suit and you're forcing me against my will," Riley unhappily grumbled, just barely louder than the hustle and bustle of Midtown, New York. She nearly cursed rather loudly when someone carelessly bumped into her, spitting just a bit of his coffee on her in the process. Spinning around, she shouted, "Watch where you're going!"

   The dark-skinned man glanced back at her, thrusting his middle finger into the sky. Riley sneered at him before returning to her conversation. "I could be doing so many things instead of this, you know," she pointed out. "For example, real missions. How'd you even get Ross to clear this?"

   "Aw, come on, Tink," Tony encouraged, almost belittlingly. "Maybe you'll like going to school instead of going on cool missions." A pause. "No, even I wouldn't enjoy that. Huh, how did I manage to pull this off?"

   As she crossed the street alongside a crowd of civilians, Riley returned, "Exactly! What I think we should do is just cancel this stupid project and—"

   Her gaze darted to something she'd seen straight out of her training in the near distance. Black clothes, masks, guns, duffle bags. Naturally, because Riley never got a break, it appeared someone was moronic enough to rob a local donut shop at six in the morning. In broad daylight, too! These criminals were getting sloppier and sloppier these days.

   She was sure she'd have to deal with Ross later, but it wasn't like she was going to ignore a moron's attempt at a robbery. He'd get over it sooner or later if she kept it brief.

   "Yeah, I have to go," Riley said, cutting into whatever Tony had been saying. She pushed the red button on her phone's screen, shoved the device into her back pocket, and headed into a nearby alleyway.

   Carelessly throwing her new backpack on the ground, Riley turned her attention to the silver cuffs on her wrists. To any other person, they'd think she had a rather particular taste in jewelry; however, what they didn't know was that these cuffs were official Stark prototypes.

   Nanotechnology, as he called it, was something Tony had been experimenting with lately. With a little bit of convincing (otherwise known as "You owe me for doing your dirty work, asshole!"), Riley was allowed to test it out via a brand new suit.

   When she pushed the button on her bracelets, her suit spread across her body like another layer of skin. She whistled in awe as her famous white suit almost swallowed her regular clothes. Why was Tony keeping this from her for so long? Asshole.

   Turning invisible, the superhero known as Valor made her way across the street in the direction of the donut shop. Now that she was much closer, she could see that there were three crooks inside rather than just one.

   "Look, lady, just hand us your money and no one has to get hurt," the ringleader of the trio spat. The donut shop was packed with customers of all ages, but right now, the leader was targeting the cashier. "I won't ask again! You have three seconds! Three... Two..."

   "One!" Riley finished, creating a forcefield before the quivering cashier. As the gunshot rang, the woman was protected, safe.

   Valor lunged, swinging her fist at his cheek. While he recoiled, she grabbed his arm and pointed it upward as he tried to shoot her. She skidded back when he blindly elbowed her in the face. She grunted, turning visible again.

   "Isn't that a fuckin' Avenger?" one of the criminals bellowed.

   "Yeah, dipshit!" yelled Valor. She turned herself invisible once more, creating a forcefield in front of her as they shot at her. The glass windows behind her were shattered. She just barely managed to create a forcefield around the customers who had been near the falling shards.

   Then, the teenager somersaulted toward the second henchman, who had been attempting to escape. She swung her leg, kicking him in the jaw as hard as she could and pushing him onto the floor, unconscious. Making herself visible once more, she was about to grab the gun before anyone else could get to it, but she was stopped by something latching onto the weapon. The substance, almost like rubber, pulled the weapon away from her reach.

   Baffled, Valor glanced upward to see Spider-Man holding the weapon. Her eyes widened behind her mask. Why the hell was Peter Parker helping her fight off random criminals instead of being at school?

   "Hiya! It's nice to see ya again, Miss Valor!" Spider-Man exclaimed.

   Valor cringed as he accidentally pulled the trigger on the gun, firing a hole into the donuts. "Seriously? Maybe shoot the bad guys instead of the donuts?"

   A forcefield blocked the exit before the other two henchmen could flee. The civilians parted as she darted toward them, ducking when they tried to hit her. She grabbed one's arm in a swift movement, throwing him into his buddy, who Spider-Man had been fighting for her. Riley couldn't help her relieved sigh when Peter managed to restrain them with his webs.

   Valor shot him a look from behind her mask. She wondered if he could sense her irritation by his almost unhelpful appearance. "I had that," she told him. "I didn't need your help."

   "I know, I know! But... I just... I just fought bad guys with freakin' Valor!" Spider-Man squealed. He deepened his voice as he said, "Uh, I mean... that was cool." He cleared his throat. "I'm Spider-Man."

   It should be known that Valor wasn't the biggest fan of Spider-Man. She thought he was immature, childish. Sure, he had heart, good intentions, and kickass powers, as a hero should, but she thought he wasn't ready for this world. She wondered why Tony chose him out of all the heroes in the world to help out during the war caused by the Accords.

   "I know. We've met already," Valor reminded him as the NYPD finally showed up. "Look, just 'cause we fought together in Berlin doesn't make you an Avenger, alright? You're not exempt from your responsibilities, so just... stay out of trouble and go to school. Got it?"

   He perked up. "Wait, you remember me? That is so—!"

   "Bye, Bug-Boy!" interrupted Valor before turning invisible and fleeing the scene without being able to be tracked.

   Riley returned to the alley she had tossed her backpack in and removed her suit by pressing the button on her suit once more. She leaned against the wall, an exasperated sigh escaping her as she ran a hand through her messy hair.

   "Great," she muttered to herself. "Not only do I smell like decaf coffee, but the kid I'm babysitting is more of a klutz than a superhero. Just... Just great."