Lucky Me

Back To the Grind

Lucy's POV

It had been a long ass day. I wrapped my pony tail around my finger before securing it in a high messy bun on my head. I cracked my neck. The sweat on my skin made my shirt stick to my back. I sighed, reluctantly getting out of my car at the gas station. I'd just finished my second week at work since I'd gotten back home from Boston and my muscles were feeling it since I'd started the first shift.

Groot had missed me (of course) and I was so happy to get back to him. I'd spent extra time in the tank with him, having more talks with visitors about him and working on his target training for his meal times. By the time I was heading home after my shifts I was exhausted. I'd plod into the house, grab some food and sit on the couch to catch up on a little tv before grabbing a quick shower and then falling into bed. It was the same routine after each shift. I was completely spent but I was happy.

Anyway, it was the end of the week for me, Friday 20th August to be exact. Hence the hot, sticky Lucy that I was right now. The temperatures in Scottsdale were a balmy 95 this week, and I had been glad to be in the reptile enclosures instead of the butterfly houses. It just got way too hot in there for my liking. My days off this week fell nicely on a weekend, so I had a few nice little things planned.

"Excuse me" a voice entered my consciousness, snapping me out of my happy little daze. The sun glaring down at me had my brow furrowed as I fought to shield my eyes- I'd left my sunglasses in the house again. "uh, hi" I tried to smile. "you okay there?" I asked, as she looked at me with slight suspicion. "Um, yeah...." she said, chewing her lip, glancing down to her feet briefly. "a-are you Lucy?" she asked, looking back up at me, cocking her head to one side. I frowned lightly but nodded, "who's askin?" I asked her playfully. "do you, um, are you dating Chris Evans?" the young girl asked. I was shocked, I admit. Never did I ever thing someone would stop me to ask me this. "well, um..." I fumbled, having no idea what the hell to say. I mean, Chris and I had never had a conversation about this happening. I guess it should have been addressed, particularly with everything that had been happening. I mean, I had ended up shutting down my instagram and creating a new private one because of all the trolls. Anyway, I realised I'd been staring at the girl and hadn't actually responded yet. Although that didn't seem to matter since she had begun waffling. "I mean, he is like such a kind, generous man. He is such a good actor too" she blushed, smiling like a lovestruck teenager, actually she probably was. "I loved him as Johnny Storm- like, the first time I saw that movie-"

"were you even old enough to go to the movies when that came out?" I asked her with a raised brow. She stopped for a second in thought, "no," she sighed simply. "I was like 2" she waved it off and I blinked hard. Now I felt old... "anyway, like, I'm a huge fan of his, he's just an all round great guy it seems" she nodded, trailing off a bit. Everything in me wanted to feel weirded out by this experience but she seemed sweet- especially when she said, "and I think you're awesome too" she smiled at me with rosy cheeks. "like, us real fans just want Chris to be happy- you don't deserve all the crap that some people are saying about you" she stated, inwardly I cringed at the thought. "I know I don't know you, or really know Chris all that much, but" she sighed a determined breath, "you seem so brave and strong to ignore all the bullies. Because that's what they are. And I think you're pretty. Like really pretty and if you make Chris happy then that's all that matters" she beamed a smile, letting out another sharp breath and she nodded her head. I couldn't help but grin at her words, feeling strangely touched by the unexpected intrusion into my day. "well thank you" I laughed a little, "that really means a lot." I added, "and I will certainly tell Chris what you said" I added, making her whole face light up. "that's awesome" she beamed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "so um, I'll let you get back to filling your car with gas" she laughed shyly, looking to her feet. "thank you" I grinned, watching her nod again before shuffling away, her black converse high tops scuffing through the gravel underneath them. "oh!" she called, turning back like she had just remembered something. I looked up at the mystery girl and she waved, "Groot is awesome by the way!" she grinned, making me laugh at the sudden comment. "he really is!" I laughed, waving at her before she turned on her heel once more and disappeared to whence she came.