Neighbours (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Five

Lia

She had her first friend date at five, meeting a girl named Willow for dinner. Lia was incredibly nervous but Marie had insured her that she would be fine, she had to be. Lucas was coming round at eight with Mcdonalds and she knew it would make her feel better to see a familiar face.

"Okay, I'm going. Are you sure I'll be okay?" Marie laughed, she knew Lia had some issues with self confidence and making friends but it was good for her to get out there a little more.

"I promise you'll be fine, enjoy yourself Li." Lia nodded, hugging Marie before grabbing her bag and leaving.

No matter what anyone said to her right now she was incredibly nervous. Willow seemed like a normal girl, she had short red hair and liked eyeliner but Lia liked that about her. She was different to anyone she had spent time with and different was needed. It worked with Lucas.

It took Lia four subway stops to arrive at the stop she needed for the pizza place they were meeting at and she got there at 5 to five. Good timing. Instead of waiting at a table she went straight to the bathroom, peeing and cleaning herself up a little bit. She still felt incredibly nervous but it was worth it for the possibility of a friend. When she existed the bathroom she caught sight of who she assumed was Willow and slowly made her way over.

"Come on Lia, we can do this." She whispered to herself as she approached the red head, gently tapping her on the shoulder.

"Lia! Hi!" Willow embraced her in a tight hug which Lia awkwardly reciprocated, she always hated physical contact unless it was for sex.

"Hi." Lia pulled away and smiled, sliding into the booth opposite Willow. Willow's hair was longer than it was on the picture but in a way it looked better, she had on fishnet tights, doc martin's and a leather skirt with a band tee.

"Sorry I know I'm a lot, I'm super nervous." The pair both laughed a little. At least Lia wasn't alone in feeling nervous, this was all extremely new to her.

"Me too, honestly I was worried you were going to he this sixty year old man."

"I mean I totally am, I just have a good wrinkle cream." Lia snorted, laughing a little too hard at Willow's joke which only encouraged the laughing from them both.

They laughed for most of the time they were together, only stopping to eat or take a sip of their drink which was very quickly interrupted by more laughter.

"It's nice to have a friend." Willow smiled at Lia, speaking rather timidly. It was clear that Willow did not know many people either and it made Lia feel slightly better that she wasn't in this alone, even if that did sound awful.

"Agreed. We should do this again." The pair swapped numbers and said their goodbyes, leaving Lia thankful that she finally had someone. She definitely needed to get a cat.

The subway ride home was quiet, nothing much bothering Lia or catching her eye. It was peaceful for a change. The station at Lia's apartment was also quiet which should have felt weird but she was kind of used to this. New York did sleep at some points. Due to the bad weather during the day the short walk back to her flat was darker than normal which freaked her out a little, even though nothing bad had ever happened before. Something in the air felt off to her, there was something about the quiet that was eerie.