Keep On Steppin'

5

Bucky is twelve and
Is having a crisis

The middle school he goes to
Makes him wear a uniform
The teachers slap his hands with rulers and
Steve has bruises on his palms.

"You should listen to the teacher more."

"C'mon, Buck," Steve has braces and he
Winces. "Don't be so stiff."

"Says the one with the metal in his mouth."

"Hey!"

Laughter and Bucky runs.
Steve follows and they chase each other
Down the sidewalk until Steve calls for
Him to stop.

"Wait... Buck... Bucky..." He wheezes. Bucky
Stops so quickly and turns around so
Quickly
That his bag that is on his shoulder slaps his
Side.

Steve has his hands on his knees and
He pushes down on his inhaler as
He sucks in some of the mist.

Bucky walks back over.
"You should really stop chasing me." Bucky says.

"Then you should stop giving me a reason to."

Bucky is twelve and he is having
A crisis.

Does he really need Steve?
All those purple marks on his hands
And those scarred lips
From spare slaps from
School ground kids.

Bucky clenches his hands.

Steve needs him more than
Bucky needs Steve,
He tells himself.

I'm could survive on my own.