Shield

Two

     Izzie didn't stop running until she felt pain in her ribs. Thankfully it took her just close enough to her next needed destination. Jitters. New and improved of course. The second time? She wasn't too sure which grand re-opening had passed but she was happy to see it none the less. It's menus still honoured the city hero's and oddly even few of the villains. Nothing like advertising for profit.

She let out a winded breath and put her hands to her knees trying to regulate her breathing before heading inside for her meeting. She was normally a runner anyway but after facing a meta who can control fire and being thrown against a wall she wasn't exactly ready for a mile run with no slowing down. Shifting to leaning against the brick wall she took a moment to compose herself.

She couldn't actually believe she actually stepped up. She wanted to be mad at herself but she couldn't at the same time. Feeling a pull in two directions she put her hands to her forehead. She wondered why she didn't just stay in the abandoned house. She knew something was off about the day. She put her hand on the handle to leave the house and had that rush of doubt about the first day back in her home city and felt like it was going to be bad day. She put it to self sabotage. Izzie knew she just had to act normal.
     Izzie gave her self a few minutes before looking to her watch. It was time for her meet the owner. She looked down at her arm again taking a closer inspection to assess the damage. Her jacket was burnt to a crisp the whole arm already starting to separated from the vest of the jacket. The shirt underneath was thankfully short  so it left only her skin still left untouched. He gripped it hard enough that a bruise was obviously forming but no injury as a result of fire. Izzie couldn't walk in with a half burnt shirt so she decided to go for her only other option on hand. A two sizes two big Pink-Floyd t-shirt in her backpack. She tucked in the front and readjusted her hair into a messy bun to make it look on purpose. Taking a moment to remind herself of all her fake information she continued on.
     Izzie played with her fingers while standing in line. It was a nervous habit that always came with every memory of her loved ones. She remembered entering the shop as a pre-teen and walking in with her parents to order her first cup of coffee from her parents favourite place.
     Izzie often scolded herself with a snarky comment of how If her younger self only knew what a couple more years would have looked for her. Those small comments helped keep her unwanted emotions in check.
     No one could guess she had just faced a crazy meta and been left with nothing but some charred clothes. Thankfully the thought of starting her job so she could stop squatting in run down houses freezing her butt was a pretty good motivation. Her new start is exciting but risky. She paid someone very well to get her a new identity but that doesn't mean there's no chance of getting caught. The bank teller took it all no problem. Izzie has it all set she just needs money. So, here she is.

A new life.

Izzie walked in and went straight to the barista at the counter, saying she had an interview. She watched the Barista leave for a minute and then return with a man around his late forty's come out in an apron just like the rest of the staff.

"Tegan, Hi. I'm Mike. Jenny has told me a lot about you."

"All good things I hope. And thank you for this,"

"Anything for my favorite niece. She's hard to not listen to or say no too and I think she's onto me." Izzie nodded agreeing with him. Jenny had a gift for getting anything she wants. Izzie followed answering all questions. She kept her calm. She kept to her story she's been practicing. She knew she was passing his expectations. She wasn't ashamed to say she studied everything. She found plenty of sources on coffee and drinks alike.

Reaching the end of the meeting, given rundown of the job and store before congratulating her. He then gave her an apron and told her to be back bright and early next Saturday after he finishes her paperwork. One week and she would start work and everything will change. She'll officially be Tegan Hodges. She knew eventually she would stop squatting and get her own place so for now Time had to be on her side. So should luck even though it had never been before so why would it start now? She just kept it in her mind that it had to be. So far so good. The day is already starting to recover.