𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝚋𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚢 𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚜

inner turmoil

July- Noah Cyrus

Cara's eyes shot open as soon as the first clap of thunder came through the night sky. Her room was pitch black, and the only light was coming from her window, where street lights sat below the building. Cara wrapped her red quilt around her shoulders tightly, pulling the white comforter up and pulling a pillow over her ears.

The padding did little to block out the sounds of the storm. Every time another booming sound of thunder came from outside, she jumped. You could barely tell there was a girl under the blankets with how curled up she was. She hugged her knees under her blanket.

An hour passed before she couldn't take it anymore. Slowly, she pulled the comforter back and wrapped the quilt around her and padded to the door. She moved quietly through the apartment, walking to the kitchen. Cara filled a teapot with water before turning on the burner and curling into a dining chair. She lit a candle on the table to give the room some light. Cara picked at her nail until the water was hot enough to pour into a mug, putting a tea bag in her mug and walking to a chair in the living room. She took a seat pulling a book off the shelf and in her lap. Cara was careful not to wake Bucky, who was buried under a large blanket on the couch, his hair being the only thing she could see.

Time passed quickly as Cara immersed herself in her book, distracting her from the outside noise, but one particularly bright strike of lightning brought her attention away from the words, letting her hear the turmoil outside once again. The angry thunder rolled in and spooked her, making her jump in her seat and squeal. Cara slapped a hand over her mouth with wide eyes, hoping she didn't wake Bucky, but she felt relieved when he didn't make a sound. Cara just looked back to her book with her hand on her forehead, hair falling from the braids.

"Cara?" The girl flinched at the noise but let out a breath when she realized it was just Bucky, who had sat up from his previous position. His hair fell into his eyes that held a confused expression.

Before she could speak, the sky spoke for her again, and she flinched at the storm. Bucky, who was oblivious to her fears, was extremely concerned and he jumped up to kneel in front of the chair, giving him a perfect view of her watery eyes that refused to meet his. Cara refused to look him in the eyes, biting her lip and picking at her nail once again. "Cara look at me."

Cara lifted her head and met Bucky's worried gaze. He placed both of his hands on her shoulders, his sweater rolling up slightly. He furrowed his brows, examining her face.

"What happened?" All Cara could think about was how their bodies were mere inches from each other. She couldn't explain how she was feeling, and when she opened her mouth, no words came out. When the storm picked back up, her head whipped in the direction of the kitchen window. Bucky finally understood.

"Why don't you sit on the couch with me?" Cara just slowly nodded, letting Bucky guide her to the couch, where she hugged her knees to her chest in her quilt. Bucky sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her, trying to provide any comfort he could. His hand moved up and down her arm. Hesitantly, Cara leaned into his side, leaning her head back into his sweater, her body moving slightly towards him. Bucky tensed for a second before smiling at the blonde in his arms. He moved his other arm to his knee, relaxing into the couch. The girl was still shaking, but she had calmed down a considerable amount more than when he saw her in the chair.

"Why don't you like the storms?" Bucky spoke gently next to her head, resting his chin on her hair. She was silent for a moment.

"I got stuck in one when I was little." Her voice was barely audible, even when she was right next to him. Bucky hummed in understanding.

"I used to be scared of the dark." Cara smiled at the idea of Bucky being scared of the dark. Bucky could feel her smile on his side, causing him to smile. "I remember when we were both young I would sneak into my sister's room and sleep on her floor whenever it was too dark and I didn't want to be alone."

"I didn't know you had a sister." Cara picked at her nail again.

"I uh, I haven't talked to her in a while." Bucky coughed a little. Cara could tell she was a sensitive subject.

"I have a sister and a brother." She tried to change the subject.

"Older or younger?"

"Younger. My sister Dorothy is 9 and my brother Darren is 7."

"Do you miss them?" Bucky swallowed after he asked her, and Cara took a second to respond.

"I do, but I needed to get out of Charlotte. I wanted away from everybody and a way to be independent." Bucky took a breath in.

"I always dreamt of being in the pictures," Cara smiled widely at the thought. "Or singing. I like to sing."

"Are you any good?" Bucky was intrigued.

"Not sure. Only Jane and Dorothy had heard me sing." Cara let herself really relax into Bucky, her legs moving closer to him and her upper body fused into his side.

"I want to hear you sing sometime." Caroline hummed quietly, not opening her eyes. A few moments later, her breathing had slowed and her body was leaning fully onto Bucky. He smiled slightly looking down at her, and let his eyes close.

"Goodnight, Doll." Bucky kissed her head and leaned head back, taking a deep breath and relaxing.

Steve stood frozen in the doorway of his room, looking at his best friend and his cousin practically conjoined at the hip, sleeping soundly on the couch. Bucky was laying on his back with Cara lying directly on top of him, the left side of her face lying on his chest and his arm on her lower back. Instead of intervening, Steve just shook his head and got ready for the day.

When Cara woke up, she was greeted by a piece of toast sitting on the coffee table, along with a cup of tea and a note. When she turned to look at Bucky, all she found was a pillow. Cara picked up the note, lifting her body from the couch.

I tried to make you breakfast, but it didn't really

work. Unfortunately I have to go look for a job

to tide me over until my next deployment.

I hope you feel better doll. - Bucky

Cara smiled as she read the note, happy he thought of her. Cara had nothing to do for the day, so she thought it would be a good idea to get some groceries. The tea was cold from how long it was sitting out and the toast was burnt, but it was still a kind gesture.

Changing into a pair of jeans, Cara looked for a top to wear, but nothing looked right. Biting her lip, she weighed the pros and cons of snagging Bucky's black cashmere sweater that was laying in the living room. Feeling bold, she pulled the sweater over her head and let it fall down. It was a little big, but it felt more comfortable than anything else she owned. Finally, she slipped on a pair of boots before letting her hair fall natural for the day and spraying her perfume.

The air outside was crisp from the storm. The heat wave had finally broken. Walking to the general store Steve worked at, she planned to ask Steve what store would have the best groceries. The bell on the door rang as she walked in, but instead of being greeted by Steve, she was greeted by Bucky behind the counter.

"Hey Doll."