the strongest avenger (2)

seventy seven

I'm pretty positive that I stared at that wall the whole night. Maybe I fell asleep with my eyes open, but I didn't move.

Not when there were knocks on my door or when my kimoyo beads chirped with messages or calls.

It's like my life is constantly turning upside down. And it shouldn't be that big of a deal, me falling for James.

But it is. Because Pete and I deserve to be happy, we deserve this chance to be together. But the universe just keeps sending curveballs at us.

I startle slightly as there's another knock on the door to my room. About an hour ago Nat had knocked, asking to see me, but I told her to go away.

The knocking continues to go on, but Im not going to get up.

But then I hear the door creak, whoever it is just waltzed right in. Rude.

I look up as a tall form enters my bathroom, Steve staring down at me.

"I'm not in the mood for one of your lectures." I croak out.

"Have you been there all night?"

"Yeah."

"Tal..."

"No lectures."

"Then talk to me." He crosses his arms and leans against the sink.

"Im sick. Go away."

"You don't get sick. You literally told me that you cannot get sick."

"Oh fuck you. Just leave me alone." I look away from him and stare down at my toes peeking out from the stilettos that I'm still wearing from last night.

"We are not doing this today. You promised me that you wouldn't shut down." Steve crouches down next to me.

"I don't care. I feel like the world is ending."

"It's not."

"To me it is." I huff and pull my knees to ny chest.

Steve lets out a sigh and then swiftly slides his arms under me, lifting me into the air while I squeak at the sudden movement.

He carries me into my bedroom and carefully places me onto the edge of the bed, then kneels so he's on the floor. Steve takes my feet and undoes the clasps to my shoes, sliding them off.

"Do you wanna undress yourself, or do you want me to do it?"

Having no shame and no emotion, I lift my arms up, watching as he nears me and grabs the hem of my tank top, pulling it up over my head. Steve turns and grabs a tshirt from my drawer and then throws it at me.

I pull it on and then stand up, my hips popping at the movement as I take my pants off and then change into a pair of shorts.

I plop onto my bed and cross my legs, gesturing for Steve to sit.

"Talk to me Talia." He says while sitting opposite.

"Sacred circle?"

"Like old times." He lets out a chuckle.

"Say it."

He sighs. "Sacred circle."

"Okay...I think Im in love with your best friend." I watch as Steve's mouth drops open and his eyes bug from his face.

His mouth closes and then opens again. "I...definitely did not think that was what you were going to say."

"Sorry."

He looks shocked, and I'm not surprised because I'm shocked myself.

"Is uh, is that all? There's more right?"