Neighbours (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Four

Lia

"I don't know Marie, I think I need to move. I can't cope with this lack of sleep much longer." Lia complained most days to Marie but she didn't mind listening. Lia was like the daughter she could never have.

"He's just gotten himself back out into the world Li, anyone else might not be as understanding as you." There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice that caused Lia to roll her eyes. She knew she was right but Lia just wanted to sleep a full night.

"Maybe I could book a hotel room for a night and have a nice sleep." Marie laughed, placing more cakes into the front display area.

"I pay you too much if you can afford a hotel room in New York." She had a point. Lia most definitely could not afford a hotel room, maybe somewhere dark and dingey.

She didn't struggle for money but she didn't have much to spare. Lia had always enjoyed the finer things in life while living at home but when she cut off her controlling parents she sold everything to pay for her flights. She flew overnight and only took what she needed, she knew they would be happier with their perfect little girl Ivy. Sure, she still spoke to her mother occasionally but her father now flat out refused to speak to her because of what she did. It was sad but she knew she was better off on her own.

The bell to the cafe dinged, alerting Lia that someone had come in. Her thoughts came to a halt and she decided she could have her mental dilemma later as Marie had gone out the back to get some more cake.

"Hi, welcome to Marie's. What can I get you?" Lia looked up at the man who had walked in, seeing James staring back at her. She smiled, trying not to stare at him too much. The attraction she had to him was not normal.

"Hi Lia. Can I have a coffee please?" She nodded and began making it as silence fell over the pair. Marie had went to come out but when she caught sight of James she decided to wait, giving the two a chance to speak. "I just wanted to say thank you."

"What for?" Lia was stirring the milk into the coffee, concentrating a little too hard on not burning herself to listen to him.

"For Pickett." A smile fell upon her lips, he had kept the name for the plant.

"It's no problem really." Lia carried over the coffee to the front, smiling at James. "That's $2.75."

James nodded, fishing the money out of his wallet. He handed it over and as Lia got the change she couldn't help but notice it looked as if he wanted to say something else. He was chewing the inside of his lip, his kissable lip.

Fuck sake Lia, concentrate.

"That's your change." Lia handed it over, placing it into his gloves hand. She instantly couldn't help but feel bad, having to cover something so obvious up must be an awful feeling. "Is there something else James?"

James looked down at the floor at Lia's teasing tone, she was trying to lighten the mood a little and make him feel more comfortable. There was no indication that it was working but he did seem like the type to keep his cards close to his chest.

"Nothing, thanks for the coffee Jones." He turned on his heel and left before Lia got the chance to speak up again, causing her to groan. Marie appeared from behind the curtain to the back, sniggering to herself.

"It's not funny!" Lia cried out, feeling frustrated with the situation. Why couldn't he just speak his mind? Is it truly that hard?

"He obviously finds you attractive Li, he's sought out your place of work and come in to buy a coffee. I don't think coffee affects super soldiers." Lia chewed her lip in response, trying to contemplate if he could find her attractive. No, definitely not.

"There's no way Marie. I don't want to think about it, give me stuff to do instead."

"Suit yourself, don't say I didn't warn you."

Lia rolled her eyes, there was no way that her annoying neighbour found her attractive. He was a 100 odd year old ex-assassin. Now, Lia liked older men sometimes but even this was far stretched for her.

—

The shift flew by but she was absolutely exhausted so she grabbed some chinese food on the way home. As she climbed the stairs she had The Cab blasting through her headphones, deciding that tonight she was finishing "The Ruining of You". Getting back into reading might've been the best thing she had ever done for herself.

She unlocked the door to her apartment, slouching in to an empty place as usual. Maybe she did need some friends. Surely there's some kind of tinder for friends? While her head span with loneliness she dished out her food, piling her plate as high as she was able before settling down at the table. Lia scrapped back her blonde waist length hair atop of her head, trying her best to keep it out of her food. It would end up everywhere regardless. She set up her kindle and began reading, shoving as much food as possible into her mouth. No one was here to judge her and she loved it.

After eating she got changed and wiped her mouth, peeing and brushing her teeth before climbing into bed with her book. She had not put it down since she came home and didn't plan on it either. She was unsure how much time passed before she received a text from Lucas.

From: Lucas
You busy tonight?

To: Lucas
yes, new book. not in the mood, tomorrow?

He replied almost instantly. He was obviously needy. She couldn't decide if she liked it or not but the sex was good and that was all that mattered right now.

From: Lucas
Sure, I'll come by at 8

To: Lucas
bring maccies

She placed her phone on do not disturb after that, settling back into her book. Although, she couldn't help but think about Marie's theory. Did James like her? Could Lia like James? Nope. Lia had a strict no relationship rule, especially right now. It had only been a year since she moved away from her parents and she could not have extra attachment hanging over her head right now. This is why Lucas is good, he comes with food and no other strings attached. It's a perfect situation, despite the loneliness. Lia had her books though and that softened the blow but due to her not bothering with social media anymore she did get extremely bored.

Finishing her chapter she set down the book and picked up her phone, swiping away Lucas' random text and opening the app store to find a friend tinder. She didn't care how pathetic it was, there had to be someone in New York that she could get along with. The app she found was just called "friend tinder" and as silly as it sounded she downloaded the app.

The profile details were simple, her favourite song, favourite movie, favourite artist/ band. When she was finished setting up her bio she added a few
selfies so that people knew she wasn't a total weirdo and shut down the phone, deciding to sleep at 10pm so that she could actually get some sleep before James woke her up screaming again.