Get Schooled

Chapter Three: Drama

"Hello, students. My name is Mrs. Hill, and I'm your drama teacher. Later this year we'll be doing a large-scale production including the entirety of the school. You will decide what the production's about, then we'll do what you suggest. So, I'll arrange you into groups and you guys mingle and see what you come up with." Mrs. Hill explains.

Steve's group was Tony, Bruce, Nat, Clint, a boy named Thor, Bucky, and Alex Pierce.

"Superheroes." Bucky says firmly and several murmurs of agreement echo around the group, except for Alex.

They all agreed that Steve should be the big hero called Captain America, because he loved America. Clint was a sharpshooter with a bow, his hero name was Hawkeye; Nat was going to be Black Widow, her favorite spider; Thor was going to be a lightning god because of his name; Tony was going to be a genius billionaire playboy philanthropist, called Iron Man. Bruce was going to be a scientist, with a dark side. He would turn into a giant rage monster whenever he became angry; he was called the Hulk.

Alex grudgingly agreed to be a villain, the leader of Hydra. Only because he got to pick on Bucky for the role. Bucky was going to be a bad good guy; at least that's his story. It was complicated and sad. He was going to be a victim of Hydra, treated like a soulless weapon; a front, a toy, a machine.

This boy with dark skin and black hair was going to be a runner, and a superhero; called Falcon, he liked it. The boy's name was Sam. Wanda and Pietro were to be supers as well; Scarlet witch (Wanda, because she loved magic and the color scarlet), Pietro was Quicksilver (because he was proud of his speed, and silver was his favorite color). There were quite a few superheroes, and a few villains. All of Hydra were themselves; just more evil, more heartless. But not by much.

After class, Steve, Bucky and Sam all walk out of the drama room together. Soon Bruce, Nat, Thor, Tony, and Clint all join them; chatting in general about everything. For Steve, it felt good to be included into a group, it was a first for sure. At his old school in Brooklyn nobody really liked him, he wasn't as strong and was easily beat up. But he got better, he trained and now he's stronger, and braver by far.

The Hydra gang start walking near them Bucky's face darkens.

"I'll see you guys later, okay?" Bucky states before walking off on his own, Hydra follow him. Steve frowns, wondering what's going on.

"Where are they going?" Steve questions, just in case one of the others might know.

"Don't know. James always tells us to leave him be and not to follow him when he leaves with Hydra. I'm guessing he gets his smokes off of them." Sam huffs, crossing his arms across his chest. He hated Hydra so much, and he just wants to be there for Bucky, his friend.

Their last class comes around, and Bucky still hadn't shown up. So Steve was quiet all class, he didn't recognize when the teacher called his name.

"Hmm?" Steve snaps to attention, to see an annoyed looking Mr. Fury glaring at him, tapping his foot on the floor.

"Seeing as you were formerly occupied, Mr. Rogers, would you now care to tell us the laws of Budapest?" Mr. Fury asks and Steve stares at him blankly.

"I don't know." Steve says blankly, he hadn't been listening; he had been wondering about Bucky, hoping he didn't get himself into any trouble. Clint's hand shoots up into the air and he answers the question, class resumes as normal.

After school, Steve walks home alone to the orphanage that he lived in. The blonde makes his way up the creaky wooden stairs and enters his dimly lit room. Posters from the forties during World War Two were plastered over the walls, sketchbooks were piled everywhere along with art supplies, and his model airplanes hung from the ceiling. One of them was broken on the floor, a mess of black plastic.

He hears a knock on his door and opens it, finding Nat standing there.

"Hey, Nat." Steve says, frowning slightly. He hadn't told anyone where he lived, so she shouldn't have been able to find him.

"Hi, Steve. Before you ask, you were easy to follow. I saw you turn down that street, and this is the only thing down here." She explains. Steve nods and lets her into his room, as it was the polite thing to do. She looks around, smirking when she sees all the model planes.

"So, how can I help you?" Steve asks, cocking his head curiously. She seats herself on his bed, decorated red, white and blue.

"I figured there were things you ought to know about James." She says.

Steve arches an eyebrow, he figured there was something but he thought Bucky would tell him, not Nat.

"Shouldn't he tell me these things?" Steve asks and Nat sighs distantly, gazing around his room. Thinking of somewhere to start talking.

"Maybe. I don't even know where to start. Most of what's happened to him isn't good news. I can't tell you all of it, though, he'll tell you in due time." Nat muses, running a hand through her red hair.

"Well, I've got nothing else to do but listen." Steve states, leaning back in his chair by his desk laden with homework. He folds his arms across his muscular chest and watches Nat expectantly. This was going to be interesting, he could already tell.