Escaping Maximoff

Let You Break My Heart Again

It had been a slow day in the supermarket, even slower than usual, mainly because it was some important town celebration or something. We had far too many of those, so I had lost count. Sam had practically fallen asleep on the floor next to me, and I had decided to pull a chair up to the counter so I could sit and draw. Art had the same calming effect that reading had, except unlike with books I was in charge of what happened. My mind kept drifting to last night, regret and fear present in my thoughts when I was reminded of how I ran away. I wondered if, had I stayed, the Witch would never have plagued my mind again.

I sighed and dropped the pencil, figuring that not even drawing could help clear my head. I sat back in the chair, listening to the music blasting from the small radio on the counter. The soft melody reminded me of the songs my mum used to play for me before she and my father left. The first week I stayed here with my aunt I hadn't stopped crying until she played me music like this, reminding me of the nights I'd spent with my mum just lying in the garden and looking up at the stars. She was with them now, and I was stuck down here wondering if they were still alive. It wasn't fair, but I had come to accept their decision. I couldn't have even imagined a life where I didn't live on that mountain with Sam, my aunt, my cousins, and all the amazing people I had met in that small village. It was my home now. I had found new music.

I changed the channel on the radio so a more upbeat song was playing, waking up the half-asleep teenage boy on the floor next to me in the process.

"Good afternoon sleeping beauty," I joked, laughing at the tired expression on his face, eyes blinking ferociously to wake himself up. He sat up more so that his back was flat against the counter as he checked the time on his phone.

"We still have an hour left before our shift ends," he said with a groan, slamming his phone on the floor in defeat. We both knew it was going to be a long hour.

In an attempt to cheer the blond up, I riffled through my bag to retrieve a half-smushed Mars bar, which I subsequently threw at him. I took the grin on his face as a sign of success as I stood up and moved the chair away, joining Sam on the floor.

"Was your aunt mad at how late you were last night?" He asked after finishing the chocolate in record time. I shook my head; the image of my aunt asleep on the sofa, tucked safely under a blanket, made me smile.

"No, she wasn't awake when I got home."

"Probably best she didn't know," Sam said. I nodded in agreement, Julie worried too much about me. "Is she going to be selling her famous shortbread at the market later?"

"Yeah. She's forcing the twins to help her this year." The blond laughed at my words, knowing full well that my cousins would not be very happy about being stuck at the stall all day.

"We should go say hi after our shift," Sam suggested mischievously. I nodded in agreement, desperate to tantalise Ryan and Tristan like they had done to me last year. Oh how the tables had turned.

The bell rung, making both me and Sam shoot up with incredible speed, leaning against the counter as though we hadn't just been caught relaxing on our shift.

"Were you two asleep back there?" Victoria asked, laughing at our disheveled state. I looked at Sam with mischief in my eyes; he glared back at me, telling me not to say anything.

"Yeah, we have a bed back here and everything," I joked, meeting the brunettes gaze again. She smiled back at me. I was more than happy to see her again, but I was slightly confused why she'd want to miss the celebrations to come to the supermarket.

"When does your shift end?" She came to rest on the other side of the counter, tilting her head as she waited for my response.

"Now actually," Sam answered for me. I turned to him in surprise, wondering where that hour had suddenly disappeared to. Sam discretely poked me in the ribs to get me to turn my attention back to Victoria, who was waiting expectantly for me to confirm the boy's words.

"Uh yeah."

"Well if you're free would you like to go around the markets with me?" She bit her lip, almost nervous as she anticipated my answer. As if I would've said anything except yes. I nodded enthusiastically in reply and she let out a small sigh of relief at my eagerness.

We walked to the door together and I looked back at Sam who was smirking at me. I rolled my eyes and left the shop, grateful for his kindness but scared by his eagerness to help.

The streets outside were lined with stalls and colourful decorations, the shining sun making the atmosphere even more welcoming. We walked down the road, shoulders brushing together as we admired the crafts and fragrant desserts on display. "I saw your drawing, it's beautiful." She looked down to meet my eyes, a faint blush spreading on her cheeks when her fingers grazed against mine.

"Thank you," I replied sincerely, enjoying not being the flustered one for once.

"Do you draw a lot?" She asked, still holding my gaze despite her slightly flushed face.

"Yeah, mostly when I'm inspired though," I said, breaking eye contact to scan the stalls for my aunt.

"What inspired you today?" Victoria bumped my arm slightly, asking as though she didn't already know the answer. I shrugged in response, not quite ready to give up that information yet, regardless of the smug twinkle in her eyes.

"What about you, do you like any kinds of art?" I was desperate to know more about the mysterious brunette.

She guided us over to a book stall and replied with a shrug, "I play guitar."

My mouth opened comically in shock. I loved music more than anything in the world, and I wished I had enough talent to actually create it.

"Don't look at me like that," She giggled, pausing from holding a book to push my chin back up with a finger, brushing against my lips in the process. "Maybe I'll play for you sometime."

"You better," I said, lowering my voice 'threateningly' as I studied a novel of my own. Victoria Steinfeld playing guitar was something that I would have done anything to see.

The brunette took the book from my hand, paying for it along with her own before turning to me and saying, "Only if you show me some of your artwork." I nodded in agreement; it was a deal.

The rest of the day was incredible. I loved every second I spent with her, except perhaps the visible teasing from my cousins when we eventually found them. Julie couldn't help but wear the biggest grin on her face as she watched Victoria take my hand and lead me away to a stall that sold flowers. I think she was happy that I had finally expanded my group of friends. Our time together had almost made me forget completely about Maximoff; I hadn't even thought about her until I saw a little girl holding a crocheted witch.

That image was stuck in my head as I tried to fall asleep later that night. I groaned and shoved a pillow over my face, desperately trying to banish the thought of my entire town being destroyed. I knew I couldn't keep ignoring the Witch's presence, doing so was putting everyone at risk. I decided to finally put an end to everything. I grabbed my favourite hoodie out of my closet, climbed out of my window Paxton-style and jumped onto the soft grass, making my way across the garden.

"Don't forget to use a condom," a voice called out quietly after me. I stopped in my tracks, turning to see the grinning face of my annoying cousin Ryan from his bedroom window. Shaking my head, I walked away, maintaining a fast pace until I stood outside the creepy looking cottage again.

I pulled my coat tighter around my shivering body. I wasn't sure whether it was nerves or the cold air, but my hands wouldn't stop shaking. The same thoughts from the night before ran through my head, the same doubts preventing me from stepping forward and knocking on the blue door. I wondered whether I was making the right choice; I still didn't have a clue what I was going to say to the ex-Avenger, I just knew I had to put an end to whatever sinister plan she had. The fate of everyone I cared about rested on my incredibly weak shoulders.

The sound of the door opening interrupted my thoughts, and I held my breath as a voice called out to me.

"Are you coming in, or are you just going to stand outside my house all night?"