Maya Stark

Chapter 82: Reminiscing

Sarah's house was cute. I liked it. It was surrounded by water, which made sense since it was on the docs.

Sam led me inside the house, telling me to be quiet first because of his nephews. I liked the house, but it was dark, and I couldn't totally see everything. He laid the shield against the wall and led me to the kitchen. A woman, who I assumed was Sam's sister, was wiping off the counter. She looked up when we came in and Sam gave her a hug. I hung back in the doorway and wrapped my arms around my body trying to make myself smaller.

Sam turns to me. 'Maya, this is my sister Sarah. Sarah, meet Maya Stark.'

'Hi,' I say, quietly, not exactly sure what to say.

'Hi Maya, nice to finally meet you,' Sarah said. 'Sam, why don't you get her situated? You both look exhausted. I hope the couch is okay.'

'Oh yeah, it's better than an airplane so...' I shrug and she nods.

'Come on,' Sam said.

He leads me to the living room where he told me to wait. He comes back a couple minutes later with a pillow, blanket, and a change of clothes.

'Now, I know the sweater is Natasha's and the shirt is Tony's,' I grimace but he ignores it, 'but you should wash them. I'll throw them in right now and you can wear them tomorrow.'

He looked at me questioningly. He didn't want to overstep. I know I didn't have to if I didn't want to.

'Yeah, that's a good idea,' I said, smiling slightly.

'There's a bathroom with a shower down the hall, first door to your right,' he said. 'But be mindful of your head.'

I smile and nod as I take the clothes. 'Thank you, Sam. You don't have to do any of this.'

'It's the least I can do, Maya,' he said.

I smile again and then I go to the bathroom. I shower quickly, careful to clean my cut and rebandage it. Then I changed into the pair of shorts and the random t-shirt Sam gave me. I look in the mirror and run my hands through my way too long hair. I wonder, again, how I would look if I cut it. I walk out of the bathroom and see Sam getting a glass of water in the kitchen.

'Would you think it's insane if I tell you I want to cut my hair?' I ask, leaning on the counter.

He looks at me with raised eyebrows. 'Is this an impulsive thought.'

'I've wanted to do if for a month or two, but Pepper always convinces me not to. I don't know, I think it'll make me feel better. To get it out of the way.' I shrug.

Sam considers it for a moment before grabbing scissors from a drawer. He starts walking out of the kitchen and I follow quickly. He motions for me to wait when we get to the bottom of the stair. He comes back with Sarah behind him. We all quietly walk out to the porch, where there was enough light to see, and Sam moves a chair to the middle.

'If you sit down, then you're serious.' He gave me a stern look.

I look at the shield through the window and determination surges through me. I sit down confidently and Sam nods.

'How short?' she asks.

I think for a second. 'To my shoulders.'

It doesn't take long to cut it. As she goes around, making sure it's even, I felt lighter and lighter. I watch the hair fall to the ground and something opens inside of me again. It was the same feeling I felt whenever I worked in the lab with him. Happiness? Maybe a little hope. Hope that everything would be okay. And maybe it would be. Or maybe I'll just mess everything up again.