LENNOX OPENED HER EYES, TRYING TO WAKE UP as a rush of warm air washed into the room. The bell on Jinx's collar rang wildly as he jumped onto the bed to say good morning to the half-awake teen.

As Jinx nosed his way under the blanket, Lenny gave him a rub on his head and spoke groggily, "Mornin' cutie."

She laid there petting the cat that was now purring next to her for about 5 minutes when the door opened up more, it was Bren already dressed for work, "Breakfast is almost done, kid. Wake up now."

Sitting up, Jinx got a headstart on Lenny as he followed Brenda into the other room, undoubtedly ready to get his breakfast for the morning. There were two things that the cat was always excited about: his food and Lennox getting home for the night.

As Lenny got up and made her way to her dresser, she regretted her decision from the night before that resulted in her laying in bed and watching YouTube instead of laying out her clothes and everything else for the day ahead

•

"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?" Brenda asked as she removed her tan coat from the hook by the front door. This would be Lennox's first time doing this on her own and even if it was only for a few hours, it still left a pit of worry in the aunt's chest.

Lennox sat at the counter, clearly disregarding the older woman's, in her opinion, over-worrying, as she clipped some hair out of her face, "Yeah, I'll be good."

"Remember what we talked about?" Bren looked through her purse as she asked the question.

"Call if I need anything and, uh- we're meeting up for lunch at a place to be determined by you." Lenny rested her forearms on the cool counter as the pair grew silent.

Brenda let out a long sigh before chuckling, "Have fun and be safe. I'll see you for lunch."

The teen laughed along as she stood up to go to the fridge, "Text me when you get to work."

The Slater's exchanged 'I love you's as they parted for the morning.

••

Lennox weaved her way up the stairs, clearly prepared for the early lunch rush as she exited the Houston street station and started her trek to Clover's Bakery. The morning had been consistently warm and Lenny was thankful for that as she only wore a light sweater.

It was only a few more minutes of walking for her to make it to Clovers. It wasn't very busy but it had a few patrons. "Slater!" There was a car door slam as the girl was addressed, "you're on time!"

Lennox replied with a laugh as she picked up her pace, "only for you, Thompson. Can I put these in your car?" She held up two reusable shopping bags, clearly filled with clothes.

"Sure thing," Flash opened the passenger door for her as she approached, "busy morning?"

Lennox shut the silver car door and shrugged "Eh, not really, could've easily just shopped around for another hour or so."

They started walking to the entranceway and Flash clicked the lock button and a small horn beeped before he replied, "Maybe if there's time after this you can show me some good stores. Nobody is expecting me home right away."

Lenny hummed in response as they entered the small bakery. The seating seemed to match the outside, a wash of yellow. "What are you thinking of ordering?"

Once they got their food the pair sat at a table next to a window so they could enjoy the sun, carefully setting down their drinks that were filled to the brim. Lenny ordered a hot tea and an almond croissant, Flash on the other hand got a hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich.

Forty minutes had passed as they made small talk and ate their food. Lennox was grateful for the boy sitting opposite her, he made a day that was usually pretty rough for her an enjoyable one in just an hour.

Flash was also glad to hang out with Lenny, their paths often crossed in school or at parties but never in a casual way; it was also a nice excuse to get out of his house for the day. The Thompson home was huge, bright, and admittedly pretty lonely. That was the main reason Flash always insisted on hosting parties or even study groups, it distracted him from the late nights from his father and the seemingly constant business trips of his mother's.

"So," he started, taking the last sip of his hot chocolate, "Spider-Man?"

Lenny let out a dramatic sigh, "I knew what you were gonna ask I'm just surprised that it took this long. What about him?

"What's he like? Is he cool? Like-"

"He's nice, he tries to tell us jokes but they're pretty lame sometimes. He's a good guy though."

The next question was interrupted by a loud beeping coming from Lennox's bag. Recognizing the sound as her power tracker she was provided with from Tony, she muttered to herself, "shit."

"What's wrong?"

Looking into the backpack and reading the HUD, it spelled out in bright, bold letters: EMERGENCY REPORTED .2 miles away. "My aunt left her device in my bag, I should bring it over to her."

Flash stood up along with her, watching as she slipped the device into her jacket pocket, "do you need a ride?"

Making their way to the door, Lenny waved to the baristas in response, "it's just down the road, I'll be fine." As they got back into the warm air, Lennox swung the bag onto her back, "can you hold onto my bags? I can drop by later and grab them."

"Yeah, sure. But-"

Lenny was already hurrying down the road, "You're the best, Thompson! I'll text you!"

Once she was further down the road, out of Flash's line of sight, Lennox ducked down between a pair of buildings and slipped the gauntlet over her wrist, and tied a bandana over the lower half of her face. There was no way she was approaching the emergency area without her identity concealed.

A few minutes later, she arrived at a dark building, tall doors and large windows at the top, with a small knock on the wood she asked, "Is everything alright in there?" Hearing shuffling inside but no answer, she waited, hoping someone was coming to the door.

People were passing by slowly, taking glances at the building, making Lenny anxious. It was weird that no one else seemed to be too concerned about the apparent crash that happened here not too long ago, so she knocked again.

Nothing again, "I'm coming in."

As she started her portal, a different portal started to open at her feet, it was hot and spinning. Quickly holding her hand out and bringing it back in as a clenched fist, Lennox's world turned indigo as forced her way thru the door and inside the large building. Vision coming back to normal, she found herself in front of a pair of men, one was in monk-esque robes and the other she recognized as Doctor Banner.