The Number One Rule

Chapter Four

As if she had never felt the emotion of nervousness in her life, she flowed through the crowd of friends, acquaintances, and strangers like she was the Queen of England. For all Bucky knew, she had gotten lessons from the Queen herself while she was over there. That's how good she was at acting at least.

She didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or tense at the crowds of people taking up the backyard. Although, some people were good at masking.

"She's having fun," Steve smiled while at the grill. They had just made a ton of burgers and hot dogs and the whole party scarfed them down just as fast as they were made. Now the blonde was cleaning and putting a few things away to help make clean up easier. "Both of them are," he nodded to his mom who was laughing with some old family friends.

"Told ya there was nothing to worry about," Bucky nudged him with his elbow before taking a swig of the beer in his other hand. "Y/N's a full on adult now, and your mom has been getting better each year. You gotta give them some credit."

"Yeah, but I can't help but worry sometimes."

"You mean all the time?"

"Hey, give me some credit," Steve dished back with a smirk.

"You're right. You're right," Bucky relented.

"I think it helps that Becca has been by her side for most of it. Those two kept up with each other the whole time she was over there, and she's giving her a little support," Steve noted, looking as Y/N and Becca laughed with a group of old friends from high school.

"You gotta remember though. This was Y/N's scene in highschool, and well, probably overseas," Bucky pointed out. "She was involved in everything under the sun and one of the most social people I know. Girl could make a clam open up with just a few words."

"Yeah, she took all the social genes. Didn't even give me a pinch," Steve laughed, grabbing a sip of his drink before closing the grill.

"Eh, you've gotten better. Now prepubescent Steve, I can't say the same for," Bucky joked.

Looking around he saw a few people leaving and saying their goodbyes. There were still at least 20 people or so there. So it hadn't fizzled out dramatically, but a majority of the older to middle aged crowd had left.

After helping Steve move a few things inside and put up the grill, he saw Y/N excuse herself from a group and go back in. This was the first time he had seen her go back in all day, but who knew? Could have been a bathroom break.

__________

Y/N had snuck off to the front porch. There were a few people inside and she didn't want to be rude and pass through them to her bedroom. Plus, she needed some air, but air not surrounded by people.

Sure it had been a fun day so far, but sometimes your social tank gets depleted and you need a break from the crowd.

Leaning on the banister that opened up the stairs to their front patio, she took a deep breath.

She loved this spot. It wasn't a wrap around porch considering the houses in the suburb they lived in was one that was more vertical than it was horizontal. It did however have railings on the front of the house, and the only entrance and exit was the stairs leading up to the door.

She used to come sit there or hide out there when she was stressed, or just needed the fresh air. Sure she had the balcony outside her room for the same occasions, but up there she felt like she was a princess trapped in a castle at points. Sitting on those steps felt like a start to an escape. At any second she could just take off down the street and flee the little house for a while. Run until her lungs shrivel and beg for air. Turn a corner and venture off to a new part of town.