The Recruits

Chapter 1 - I'm not a hero

I jolted awake when I heard a loud, irritating noise right next to me. Looking left and right in confusion, I realized it was my alarm going off, telling me it was time to get out off my very comfortable bed. I let out a loud groan in frustration before I sat up, my feet dangling over the edge of the bed. Minutes, which only felt like seconds, passed, before I found the strength and motivation to actually get on my feet and walk out of my room and into the kitchen. One thing I needed desperately in the morning was coffee. I poured myself a cup of the black gold and took a big sip, almost moaning at the taste.

Now that I've had my coffee, I can finally think clearly and introduce myself. My name is Ashtyn Andrews. I am 24 years old and I've just lost my job. Great news, right? I used to work as a waitress in a little café down the street along with my childhood best friend Sydney, who also just lost her job. The café was closed, since apparently they found some kind of bacteria in the food which is apparently dangerous if you get too much of it into your body. No one died or anything but the local Health Center still decided to close the café. Maybe it was for the best, I've never liked working there anyway. It just never felt right.

Sydney and I have been best friends since we were little kids. We grew up together, since our parents lived right next to each other and were kinda friends. We've always been really close and we still are. Sydney has a 'little' brother called Benjamin, but we just call him Benji. They are actually fraternal twins, but Sydney is 5 minutes older than him and she likes to rub it in his face as often as she possibly can.

I would really like to tell you more about me and my life, but I have to get going. Sydney is picking me up in like 15 minutes and I still have to get ready. After finishing my coffee, I basically ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. My hair is very long and very curly. Two things that really don't go well together. Every morning it seems like I'm in a war with my hair. This morning is no different. It takes me about 10 minutes to get all these knots out of my hair and to make me look presentable. I look at myself in the mirror and smile. I don't look that bad actually.

I jumped when I heard a honk, coming from outside my apartment building. I rolled my eyes. Typical Sydney. No patience. I quickly made my way out of the bathroom and into my bedroom to get dressed. Nothing fancy, just some casual everyday clothes. I put on my boots and coat, grabbed my phone and keys and walked out of the door, making sure to lock it. As soon as I opened the door of my apartment building I saw my blonde bestfriend sitting in her dark blue SUV, fixing her hair. I couldn't help but smile at that. Sydney wasn't as tall as me, but she was definitely taller than the average girls our age. She had dirty blonde hair which really made her green eyes shine and pop out. I walked over to the car and got into the passenger seat. "Hey Syd." I greeted with a smile as I looked over at her. "What's up, Girl?" Sydney greeted back with a smile, matching mine. "Ready for our shopping trip?" I asked her playfully, wriggling my eyebrows. We decided to go to the mall to shop for some new winter clothes. She let out a laugh before nodding her head. "Of course I am. I'm always ready." She said, before winking at me. She started the engine and pulled out of the driveway.

We headed downtown to get to the mall. While driving, Sydney ranted about how stupid and childish her brother was and bla bla bla. Honestly, I've heard her complaining to me about her brother at least a thousand times, it was almost like a broken record. I didn't listen to her anymore, to be honest. I stared out of the window when a billboard caught my attention. It was an advertisement for the new Avengers Academy. Apparently S.H.I.E.L.D needed new superheroes. This academy was by invitation only and everybody wanted to be a part of it. Well, everybody but me. I'm not a hero and I will never be. Also, I find it kinda creepy that they secretly watch your every step before they decided whether or not you would be eligible to be a superhero. I rolled my eyes and scoffed before turning my attention back to Sydney and away from the billboard. She was still talking about her brother and I let out a silent sigh.

Thankfully, we pulled up in front of the mall and the next sound that escaped my lips is a sigh of relief. I got out of the car as quickly as I could and ignored the curious look that Sydney was sending my way. "What's the hurry?" She asked after she got out of the car as well. I just shrugged my shoulders in response before I started walking towards the mall. Sydney frowned but didn't respond before she started following me. We were mostly window shopping as we walked through the mall, though I did get a thing or two. I stopped in my tracks when we walked by an electronics store. There were TVs in the window, showing the commercial of the Avengers Academy. I rolled my eyes and started walking again. This shit was freaking everywhere.

After spending most of the day at the mall, Sydney and I were on our way home. We drove in silence this time, which was rather suspicious but I was too tired to actually care. After about 5 minutes, Sydney opened her mouth to say something. "Do you ever think about what would happen if we get chosen? You know for the Avengers Academy? How our lifes would change?" She asked in a gentle tone. I looked at her, trying to figure out whether or not she was joking, but her face was dead serious. Her usually soft features were hard and stern. It almost scared me. I shook my head in response to her question. "No. It never crossed my mind." I admitted honestly. "Why?" She asked shortly, not taking her eyes off the road. "Because I know for a fact that they would never recruit me." I told her. "What makes you say that?" She asked, finally looking at me. "Because I'm not special. I'm not a hero and I'll never be." I answered in a low voice. Sydney frowned at my statement and shook her head. "You're more special than you think." She mumbled, probably thinking I didn't hear that but I did. It was my turn to frown now. "What?" I asked. Her eyes went wide and she cleared her throat awkwardly. "Nothing. Forget I said anything." She said. I wanted to protest but decided against it. I just let it go.

Getting chosen for the Avengers Academy was a big deal. Once you're in, there's no way out. You have to leave your old life behind and become an Avenger for the rest of your life. Maybe that's another reason why I'm not interested in any of this. I don't wanna leave my family, my friends, my life. I don't think I could handle it. I have to admit that my life isn't the best, but I wouldn't change it. At least I think I wouldn't.

I decided to just shake those thoughts off. There are already enough things I have to worry about, I don't need to make it worse. We drove the rest of the way back to my house in silence, which I was thankful for. When Sydney pulled up in front of my apartment complex, I mumbled a short 'Bye', before leaving the car and rushing into the house. If Sydney was acting weird, then so was I. I made my way up the stairs to the second floor, and walked towards my apartment. As I got closer to the door I noticed something odd. My door was ajar. I gulped and a cold shiver ran down my spine. I slowed my step and carefully opened the door and walked into my apartment, praying that whoever broke in here, was not here anymore.

Looking around my apartment, I didn't see anyone. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I let out a sigh of relief. No one broke in. Everything was alright. But, why was the door ajar? I could've sworn I locked it in the morning. Maybe I am going crazy. I shook my head and closed my eyes, before taking a deep breath. "It's all good." I whispered to myself, before turning around towards the kitchen. A sharp squeal escaped my lips, when I saw a middle-aged man, sit at my kitchen table. He looked at me with stern eyes before he spoke. "Good evening Miss Andrews. I'm Agent Carter from S.H.I.E.L.D and I am here to recruit you for the Avengers Academy."