As Jack's daughter, your life was filled with mystery and blood. Not because you father was abusive, but because of his job. He came home soaked in blood almost everyday. The weird part is, rarely any of it was his.
My name is Y/N. I am the first and probably only child of Jack Dalton. He belongs to a group call the Phoenix Organization. Dad is rarely ever home, because his job is 24/7.Because of this, I am home alone quite often. I am not allowed to go out of the house much, probably because I'm 20,(about to turn 21 tomorrow) yes I know, pathetic that the fact I still live with my dad, but after an incident a couple years ago, he doesn't want me to get almost killed again. I don't have many friends and am kind of a loner. I instead make friends in books. I kind of like having friendships or relationships, in a way, to fictional characters. It decreases the chance of getting my heart broken. I have run out of books to read at this point and have been begging dad to get me more.
Today is my birthday, and dad is running late. The phone rings and I look to see who exactly thinks they're so important. Dad, why the hell is he calling me. I press the talk button and put the cold screen against my ear.
"I'm coming the pick you up. We're going out for your birthday."
He hangs up not really giving me a chance to argue. A few moment later Dad opens the door smiling like an idiot.
"May I help you. Why are you so happy?"
"Can I not be happy."
"You just came home from work. You normally look like the Grinch."
"No I'm happy, My baby girl is 21." He smiles hugging me.
I push him off and study him for a second.
"So where are we going on this 'Birthday road trip'?"
"The office, they want to meet you. I know you'll like them."
I agree and jump in the car. As I'm sitting in the passenger seat, I notice three large bags in the back tied shut. I don't want to ask, as I'm scared of the answer.
"Can you tell me about them before I meet them, so I have some idea of what they like and what I'll have to explain when I meet them?"
"Who do you want to hear about first."
"Mac"
"Angus Macgyver. The science nerd. Can make anything out of anything."
"Riley"
"Riley Davis. Our tech nerd. Good at hacking anything. I wouldn't give her your phone number until you're positive she likes you."
"Scary. Ok, Bozer."
"Our prosthetics master. I personally would go to him to any costume, of any sort."
"Fucking AWESOME. Ok and Director Webber."
"That's something you'll have to figure out by yourself. Just watch the sass."
We pull up to a modern looking building. We both jump out of the car, walk through the door, and up a thousand stairs.
"Oh my gosh. This place is awesome. So many computers."
Dad laughs and walks into a room whose windows are covered in white blinds. He tells me to wait outside. He's in the room for about a minute, until he sticks his head out.
"Y/N" Dad screams from inside the room
"Yeah?" I reply
"You can come in now." Dad says
Oh dear god here we go. I slowly walk into the room and see what looks like a party. Banners and streamers hung around the room, snacks spread out in bowls across a wooden coffee table in the center of the room, and, yet, they managed to incorporate some of my favorite books and authors, Harry Potter, Star Wars, among other things.
"Do you like it?"
"YES," I scream, "every nerd's dream, I love it."
"I like her." A younger woman says, who turns out to be Riley.
"Oh I should introduce you to everyone!" Dad blurts out of nowhere.
"Well yeah, unless you want me to spend three hours with a bunch of strangers."
He introduces me to everyone, they all seem so nice.
"Basically you're looking at a bunch of nerds." Macgyver says.
"My people!" I yell and throw my arms into the air. They all laugh and I smile. I think I can get used to this.
"Well, what do we do now?" Riley asks.
"A competition to see how can make a working light bulb first." Mac says loudly.
"NO" everyone replies in unison.
"And working circuit?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"You're on." Mac says.
About ten minutes later I'm almost done with mine.
"Done." I scream as I set my bulb and circuit on the table as the light flicks on.
"Dammit." Mac says throwing almost done one in the table next to mine.
"Y/N I think you're the first one to ever beat Mac in a science competition, ever." Bozer says.
"Should I feel special then?" I ask.
"Extremely." Mac adds.
"But you were so close." I say picking up his and replacing mine with it.
"All you had to do was connect this wire with the battery and plug this in the this notch on the side of the light bulb." I say as I do each step, making the light turn on.
"You're incredibly smart Y/N."
"Thank you Mac. Can't you tell I spend way to much time by myself."
"Yes we know."
"Thanks dad."
"No problem love"
We spend about another two hours fooling around. Playing video games, talking, being stupid, the normal for me. Mac pulls me out of the crowd.
"How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"The lightbulb, how did you do that so fast?"
"Let's just say, thanks."
"What do you mean thanks?"
"Dad talks about you all the time and how good at science you are; I used some of your own knowledge against you. So, thanks, a lot."
"You're welcome?" Mac says, more like a question.
He pulls me into a hug. I kind of like him, he's sweet, understanding, and excepts me.
"When will we meet your friends, Y/N?" Bozer asks.
"Read a book." I respond.
Bozer looks confused.
"Let me explain, I don't have many, if any, friends, I would much rather prefer reading, I like to make emotional relationships with characters, which the exact reason why I've only had one boyfriend. I like to keep it this way, it decreases my chance of getting my heart broken by anybody."
They all looked very shocked.
"Why fictional characters, and not real people?" Riley questions.
"Because, it's easier to relate and easier to form bonds with people from around the world, different backgrounds, families, nationalities, genders, sexualities, and languages. It gives you diversity. It's easier to travel the world, meet new people, and learn different cultures, reading also gives you a more broad imagination, reading can make one dream the impossible, it can lead to new inventions, and questions that nobody ever thought of, it's amazing what you can accomplish by doing something as simple as reading."
That statement created an awkward silence. It lasted a couple minutes. Mac and Riley open their mouths to talk, but nothing comes out. They stand there with their mouths open for the entirety of it.
"As long as you've been alive, I've never heard you talk like that." Dad whispers.
"Sorry" I laugh.
The rest of the night consisted of talking and laughing.
I can't thank my father enough for introducing me to these people.
Oh and about the bags in the car, guess who has a restock of books now.
A/N
Kind of cringy I know, but I hope you like it. I am currently trying to figure out what to do about next week, bc I'm going on vacation. I'm going to upload every Monday and I'll be gone and I don't know if I'll have WIFI, we'll see. Any way, I hope you guys like this chapter and I'll probably see you all next week. Bye.
-Jordan