Strix -SLOWLY UPDATING-

TWELVE

December 10th

   I hold the bracelet in my hands reminded of the promise I broke. I reacted the way I did only because i'd didn't want to be killed.....even if we would have escaped they gave trackers on us, we would have both died.

I was just scared of what would happen if he found out, of course he'd probably....touch me again....it's been happening ever since I was a kid. I guess I was grateful for that part of being in New York.

As soon as my mission is over though I guess I'm going back. Hopefully it's not that bad, STRIX will have rules the world at that point, he can't possibly still want me to be his little toy. He's have a whole world of girls.....but those girls are also vulnerable....

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on my door. "Come in," I look up and slide the bracelet under the covers.

Natasha slowly opens the door peeking her head in. "Hey Natalia,"

I feel my face heat up as I see her opening my door. "Oh hey..." I reply.

"Tony's throwing a party tonight. We were wondering, if you'd like to join us." She says sincerely. I was a bit shocked at me being invited to a big party like this.

I've been to 3 parties, none of which I was invited to of course. Just a stealth undercover mission as always. Parties aren't really my thing though. If it's for a mission I prefer getting in, do my job, and get out. I've never actually had a chance to enjoy myself at a party.

"What's the occasion? Or does Tony just randomly throw parties." I joke a bit trying to ease the tension between us.

Natasha smiles and chuckled for a moment, "one, Tony definitely throws parties randomly and for any reason, and two....it's my birthday party."

Birthday party? Definitely never been to one of those before. I contemplate going. Not because I don't want to, I just....this weird feeling around Natasha nowadays....

"Oh I didn't know it was your birthday." I say a bit shocked.

She leans on the doorway frame. "Yeah, last week it was. I try not to make a big deal out of it, Tony on the other hand has other plans of course. " Natasha chuckles shaking her head.

I lightly chuckle as well. "I'll think about it....but parties aren't really my thing."

"Honestly same." Natasha agrees with my comment.

Crazy how we have a lot in common....it's weird...

Later that day Wanda offers to take me dress shopping. So I walk downstairs wearing ripped jeans and a crop top, my hair in a slick back ponytail. Might as well blend in since this is what all the teenagers wear these days. Natasha, Wanda, and another woman Maria Hill decide to take me dress shopping for an outfit for the party since I didn't have anything to wear.

I was fine wearing something casual but Wanda insisted on me getting a fancy dress. "Ready?" Maria turns to me.

I nod. "Mhm," We all walk outside the 4 of us to Wanda's car, which was a red Buick. I sit in the backseat with Maria as Natasha sits up front with Wanda.

The car ride to the mall was pretty silent. At least I think, I wasn't really paying attention to what anyone said as I was in my own world looking out the window.

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"Ooo try this on!" Wanda brings a silver dress over to me.

I glance at the dress and hold it up to me. "No thanks....it's too....too....just....no."  I shake my head.

It was a pretty dress, I just....don't like it.

We move onto the next store. I still didn't find anything. We go to 5 different stores, and even stop by the food court to grab some lunch.

Then, I see it. The dress in the window.

"This one...." I say breathlessly.

My eyes drawn to the red dress on display, it's perfect, absolutely perfect.

I walked into the store with the other girls trailing close behind. "The dress. I want that one." I demand pointing to the display.

Maria's eyes widened at my attitude. "She means, could we see the dress on display?" She corrects me in a nice way putting her hand on my shoulder.

I brush her hand off my shoulder. I don't like being touched.

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Little did I know this was the night everything would have been revealed.

I walk around the bustling birthday party filled with music, dance, and drinks. I spot Natasha from the corner of my eye walking in. She was gorgeous....I mean obviously she's pretty, I mean this in a friendly way and I don't like her in fact I hate her.

She looks my direction as our eyes meet. Her eyes were sparkling in the light...

Aaaand then she walks over.

"Hey, you look nice." She compliments with a smile. "The dress you picked out suits you."

I try to hide my smile. "Oh thank you, you look hot too- I mean gorgeous!! I mean pretty!!" Way to go Y/N. Top spy for STRIX and this woman fucks you up.

She chuckled a bit at me being so flustered. "Well, thank you for the compliments. You wanna grab a drink?" Natasha asks motioning over to the bar.

Drinks? Alcohol? FINALLY.

We make our way over to the bar and a man greets us. "Hey ladies, what can I get for ya tonight?"

"Do you have any non-alcoholic beverages? She's a minor," Natasha says putting a hand on my shoulder.

What.

The.

Fuck.

Can I cry?

Wait is she touching me?

I glance over out of the corner of my eye seeing Natasha's hand on my shoulder. Okay this isn't so bad, she can touch me I guess. It's sort of comforting.

He starts reading off what they offer for alcohol free drinks.

"I'll just take a water." I cut him off mid sentence.

He nods and pours a glass of water on ice with a mint leaf and lemon held a toothpick on top. I thank him for the drink then I tell Natasha I'd be right back.

As the bartender prepares her drink I sneak away to behind the counter. While the man is distracted I take a bottle of vodka, pour out the water and replace it with straight alcohol.

"I'm back, sorry I took so long." I say knowing I didn't take that long.

"Oh it's no problem," she says. Then he hands her the drink and we walk off together.

We start a conversation as we mingle around the room, when I hear someone talking.

"I don't trust that Natalia girl still, something's off about her." Steve whispers.

I listen closely to his conversation with Wanda and Maria.

Maria shrugs. "I did notice she doesn't like being touched, but I mean a lot of people don't so we can't really go off of that."

"Fine do you want me to see what's all the fuss about?" Wanda speaks up.

Natasha nudges me. "Hey have you been paying attention to what I was saying?" She asks with a chuckle.

"Huh? No sorry-"