14
For the past 10 days, Adrianna had stayed in the room which had become hers she never came out since she went in, she didn’t speak to any of them, and she didn’t eat the food that was left at her door Friday said she had snacks so she wasn’t starving everyone was still worried. Coulson’s team had left on day 2; they all stopped to tell the girl goodbye but she didn’t answer.
“Someone’s gotta drag her out of that room sooner or later. I mean how many snacks can the kid have? She’s gotta eat a real meal.” Sam was currently cooking breakfast Steve knew how to cook breakfast but when it came to actual food he lacked the seasoning which went for everyone on the team except for Natasha and Wanda when they cooked they added flavor but their cooking skills were few.
“Fri, how many snacks does the kid have?” Tony didn’t see the big deal. The girl hadn’t passed out from dehydration or anything and she wasn’t starving plus she was not their responsibility she would only stay here for a while until Fury found a suitable arrangement for her and Fury worked fast so she would only be here a week tops.
“A lot it seems sir.”
“See she fine.’’
Sam rolled his eyes and looked at Natasha as she was reading one of the books he had recommended to her,” Natasha?” She hummed but she didn’t look up from her book. Sam knew she was worried about Adrianna but was acting like she didn’t care because of the things said 7 days ago,” Go get her.” Sam walked to the fridge where he got the eggs when he noticed their fridge was empty mainly because barely anyone remembered to go grocery shopping or ask Friday to order some.
“Why do I have to go get her? Ask Steve.” Sam turned and gave Natasha a look out of everyone Steve took what Adrianna and her friends said to heart he was constantly running or in the gym hitting a punching bag it was kinda funny to see Captain America in his feelings over a child's opinion,” You were the one to first talk to her and she lives on your floor. Go get her.” Natasha stared at him for a second before getting up and walking out of the kitchen.
“And get Wanda too!” Sam yelled when he heard the elevator door open. Wanda was coming out of her shell painfully slowly but Sam couldn’t blame her. They hadn’t talked or barely acknowledged her presence for months and now they were and she probably still thought they hated her and thought it better to not cause much trouble. Sam hoped that one day they’ll all be more comfortable around each other and be more of a family to Wanda and each other.
When Natasha got back to her floor it was silent like it usually was even since Adrianna arrived it almost felt like she only lived by herself again but then she'll hear the rustling of sheets, or the sound of Wanda's door opening and know that she wasn’t alone there were other people here too they just lived as isolated as she did.
Natasha first went to Wanda’s door. She knew the girl was probably up; she heard her waking up before she went upstairs,” Wanda Sam’s making breakfast, it 's almost finished. You should go upstairs.” Natasha heard shuffling coming from the other side of the door and knew Wanda would be out in a minute,” Adrianna?” Natasha knocked but as usual, she didn’t get an answer,” Friday unlock the door.” Natasha instructed AI and the sound of the locking unlocking made Natasha wonder if Adrianna had asked Friday to lock it or if she found some way to reach the doorknob.
“Thanks, Friday.”
“Your welcome Ms. Romanoff.”
Instead of finding Adrianna sprawled out on her bed, the room was empty with Lila’s old clothes some being on the floor, some still on the bed, a couple of half-filled water and juice bottles littering the floor, and the nightstand, the trash can was filled to the brim, the bathroom door was open, bed was unmade completely there wasn’t one side of the bed that didn’t look slept on, the closet door was halfway open with one of Adrianna’s bag in the way.
“Adrianna? If you’re hiding, come out.” When Natasha didn’t hear anything except for Wanda’s bedroom door opening behind her she immediately looked under the bed but found it empty, and so were the closet and the bathroom,” Friday where’s Adrianna?” Natasha saw Wanda standing at the threshold, brows frowned in worry,” She left early this morning Ms. Romanoff.” A small gasp escaped Wanda’s lips,” What do you mean she left? Why didn’t you alert us of her leaving?” Natasha asked the AIs as she went to Adrianna’s bags in the closet to see if one of them was missing but they were all there Adrianna was the only one missing.
“There is no protocol that says I should inform you of Ms. Santos's disappearance.” Friday answered and Natasha could’ve sworn she was sassing her,” Why didn’t you tell me she wasn’t in the room when I came looking for her?” The least the damn AI could’ve done was tell her Adrianna wasn’t in her room then she could’ve spent the last 4 minutes looking for her,” Because you never asked if she was in the room or not.” Friday was definitely sassing her and this wasn’t the first time either.
“Inform the rest of the team Adrianna is missing. Did she leave the compound grounds or is she still near the compound?” Natasha pushed past Wanda. She was silently still standing at the threshold of Adrianna’s bedroom,” Did she run away?” Wamda asked, following behind Natasha as she got into the elevator,” I don’t know.” Natasha knew she spoke a little harsher than necessary.
When they got back to the kitchen Steve and Maria had joined as well. Maria was on her tablet looking at surveillance to see when Adrianna had left,” How didn’t you hear her leaving?” Was the first thing Sam asked when he saw her,” Maybe because she left when I wasn’t there Wilson or else I would’ve prevented her from leaving.”
Maria sighed as she put the tablet on the table.” She avoided all the cameras she must’ve left more than once and we’ve never noticed.” That was just great. They had all thought Adrianna was sulking in her room because the kid was having some type of crisis after learning about her “death” but she was probably most likely playing all of them.
“Ms. Santos is on her way up.”
“Fantastic, she saves us the trouble of having to go look for her.”
The sound of the elevator doors opening and Adrianna’s footsteps made everyone relax a little bit. The kid wasn’t lost or dead and they could scream at her as soon as they saw her in sight,” Where the hell have you been?!” Tony was the first one yelling even though he had been acting like he didn’t care,” I went to Mcdonalds.” Adrianna waved their cup of a frappe,” You can’t just leave the building without a chaperone. You're 7 now, not 14.” Sam interjected, waving his hands around as he said it.
“I know that. But none of you even noticed so who’s fault is that?”
“We thought you were grieving! Instead, you were sneaking out! I am so disappointed in you.” Tony picked up his tablet and coffee and angrily left the dining room. Adrianna stared back at him confused,” Let's eat.” Sam clapped his hands after a minute of silence fell over everyone,” Yeah I can’t stay. I’ll take it to go.” Maria said leaning over the counter as she watched Sam plate her food, she turned her head and saw Wanda help Adrianna into the booster seat that they changed out for the high chair.
“Here you go.” Sam put the plate in front of Maria,” Thank you.” Maria told Sam as she took the napkin-covered fork and knife,” And I’ll be taking that.” Maria grabbed the frappe from Adrianna mid-way in the air as she was about to take a sip,” Hey! I brought that with my own money!” Adrianna tried to run after Maria but Sam held her down on the chair,” I’m doing you a favor! Coffee makes you short!”
“No, it doesn’t! Thief!” Adrianna tried to throw an orange in Maria's direction. It didn't go too far mainly because Sam tried to take it out of her hand and due to the distance from the kitchen/dining room to the elevator it didn’t land anywhere near Maria,” You’ll be thanking me!” Maria waved the frappe happily as the elevator doors closed.
“You like milk?” Adrianna put on a face of disgust by Natasha's question,”Drinking plain milk is white people shit, it also means you're a demon because plain milk is nasty unless you're eating cereal.” Sam placed a cup of apple juice infront of Adrianna,” Milk is good for you.” Sam patted the top of Adriannas hair instantly getting his hair smacked away,”Did you not learn not to play with black women's hair.” Adrianna looked at Sam, his shoulder shaking with unreleased laughter.
Adrianna spoke no more as food was handed out and everyone started eating,”Can we go shopping? I've been living in the same outfits for the past week.” Adrianna looked at Natasha and she nodded. Tony had spoken about that along with Fury and Maria,” We’re going today get you a couple clothes, along with Wanda she never went shopping since she got here.” Wanda put her head down in embarrassment; she hadn’t said anything about living through the same outfits because she didn’t wish to be a burden.
“Who’s paying?” Adrianan knew none of them were getting paid, at least in the universe she had been watching unravel for years,” Tony, me, Shield.” Natasha answered but Adrianna scrunched her nose,” Is that not good enough for you?” Sam asked when he saw the expression Adrianna wore,” No. But aren’t you all broke since you don’t get paid?” Adrianna watched as Sam almost choked on his own juice by his question,” We get paid. The Avengers was a government funded project. Our shield that's currently being run by Maria pays us and we get an allowance from Tony.” Adrianna nodded and wondered how many things were different in this universe then it was to the one she watched countless of times.
“So eat up, we have so much shopping to do.” Adrianna had a lot to do and she just hoped she could get it done while she could.