Red White and Blue

Chapter 1: Stark Expo

Before we start, I'd like to give credit to my friend, capsicle_stan for helping me plan this out. Middle and surname, plot, subplots, backstory and the greater majority of Alice's personality, quirks, and the great majority of every detail came from my pal's brilliant mind! So thank you so much, buddy!
And to everyone reading, go check out capsicle_stan's page and all the stories written there!
~~~
A bell jingles as I open the door. I sigh as I walk up to the bar, sitting on my stool. Sure, it wasn't technically mine, but anyone else who frequences the place damn knows it's the truth.

The hot bartender, Oscar leaned up against the counter across from me. He looked up from the glass he was cleaning and a smile spread across his face, "Hey, Angel, how's it been?"

I laugh, "I need my drink first, sugar," I tell him. "Then you can hear all about it."

"Anything for you, Ali," He turns and then gets to work.

I rest my arms on the bar, then twist to look back to the door. No sign of Bucky yet. He's supposed to pick me up to go dancing with Steve and some gals he's picked out as dates for them both. I'm joining a bit last minute thanks to the damn ammunition factory blowing up. Thankfully, nobody died this time.

I hear a drink slide up to me, "So, Alice, what happened?" Oscar asks, leaning down to be eye level with me, "You look pretty shaken up over it."

I nod, "I went to work today and the damn place was gone," I sip my whiskey, "Nothing but rubble left."

He sucks in a breath, "Well, I'm glad you weren't in it. I'm sure your folks are happy you're safe too. Do they know yet?"

"My father was disappointed, he said he's lost hope marryin' me off now," I roll my eyes, "My ma was real happy I'm alright. Haven't seen the boys to tell them yet. I'm waiting for Buck to come get me now."

Oscar nods, "Right, forgot 'bout your old man being such a piece of work,"

I shrug, "On me, really," I say sarcastically, "I should've known better than comin' out a girl. That house is a damn boys club. Probably written in my ma's womb." I scoff into my drink after the last line before slamming the drink back.

"I'll pour you another. All on the house today, okay, Angel?"

I laugh, "You're the angel, ya hot son of a bitch!"

He turns and winks at me, "This is why you get so much on the house. Don't tell the boss, though," He says as he slides me a drink.

I give him a single, slow nod, raising the drink to my lips, "To the grave," I promise before taking a sip.

"That's my girl,"

~

I felt my doll get ripped from my hand and I looked up to see Herbert holding her. He threw her on the ground and stomped on her.

"Hey!" I yell.

"My dad says dolls are for stupid babies," He says.

"Is that why you took it?" I ask, crossing my arms, "Because you are a stupid baby! Haha!"

He shoves me, so I shove back harder. We shove and push until I'm sitting on him and smacking him in the face. Then some sickly-looking blond sack of bones comes up and starts kicking him.

"Don't hit girls!" The little thing yells between kicks.

Herbert is crying under us, but we don't stop. We had a point to prove, this angry kid and I. I feel a hand grab the back of my shirt and see the same happen to the other boy.