Growing Up S.H.I.E.L.D.

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Starting is always the hardest. Not just starting a story, but starting anything. Because if you're new to it, you have to figure things out as you go. It's rough. Especially when you've already started something and then you're forced to do something else and you have to restart completely. And when that happens several times. . . Well you get the idea.

My name is Ciara Walsh. I'm 14 years old and somehow I became a Shield agent.

—**—

Today is the big day. Today is the day I die. No, not literally. It'll probably just feel like dying. Well, maybe. Anyway, I'm currently sitting and waiting for someone to pick me up and take me somewhere to meet up with the Shield team I just got placed on. By the way, I probably shouldn't say anything bad about the people I work for, but Shield is horrible about telling people things. I literally figured out I would be on this team half an hour ago. And in that half hour, I had to pack up all of my belongings —not that I had much— and book it over to the main building of Shield Academy. Thanks for the heads up Shield.

Now supposedly someone is going to pick me up because I'm not legally allowed to drive yet. Not that Shield cares. I wonder if I'll have to figure out the mystery meeting place all by my self because Shield forgot to tell me.

I wish I had a phone because then at least I could play a game while waiting. Waiting is boring. I have no clue what to expect —because Shield likes surprises— and now I'm left here with nothing to do which gives me the free time to think about all the things that could —and probably will, knowing Shield— go wrong.

Oh wait, now there's a guy coming towards me. He's got short brown hair and a vaguely amused smirk on his face. Huh.

"Are you Ciara Walsh?" asked the man.

I nodded. The man extended a hand for me to shake. I took it.

"I'm Agent Phil Coulson. You've been selected for a specialized team of agents, but I'm assuming you already knew that," said the man.

I nodded again.

"You don't talk much do you?"

I shrugged.

"Do you have all your stuff with you?"

I nodded and stood up, pulling the black Shield duffel bag over my shoulder.

"Let's get going then."

Agent Coulson led me out of the building and to a bright red, old-looking car. The car itself looked brand new, but the design was old.

"This is Lola," said Coulson.

I nodded once to acknowledge that I'd heard him. Coulson opened the door of the passenger side and gestured for me to get in. I nodded again in thanks. I'm really hoping he can figure out what I'm trying to say without me actually having to speak. It's not that I can't speak, I just don't want to. I could if I wanted to. Mhm definitely.

The car ride was quiet. Coulson didn't ask me any questions, which I mentally thanked him for. I'm pretty sure he wanted to though.

—**—

We arrived at an airplane hanger with a giant plane in it. Coulson drove Lola straight up into the plane on its open ramp, into the open spot. I got out of the car, shouldering my duffel bag once again. Coulson stepped out as a man walked up to us.