Avengers: The Recruits (On Hold)

Chapter 21

  Hey everyone, I'm baaack! Please read the author's note at the end of the chapter, thx😘 Happy reading!
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  May...
   Quickly, I jump out of the SUV, that brought me back to the tower from school, and run into the building, leaving Allie and Darin behind. Putting my skills to good use, I swerve in and out of the foot traffic within the huge lobby as I make my way to the elevator.
"Come on, come on," I plead as I press the up arrow numerous times. Ding, a soft chime comes from the elevator farthest to me on the left. Without wasting any time I quickly jog over and stand in front of the still closed doors. The doors slowly open, releasing a group of business men and women. Tapping my foot, I impatiently wait for the people to get out.
Three minutes later, I stand alone in the elevator, tapping my foot as I wait for it to reach the hospital floor. Catching a glimpse of my messy hair in the mirror like doors, I carefully smooth down the fly aways. I then tug on the bottom of my shirt to straighten it out. Wait, I stop myself suddenly as I take notice of black straps on each shoulder, I still have my backpack on (I'm finally able to wear it properly thanks to the surgeries that fixed my arm). I'll be fine, I tell myself reassuringly.
   After what seemed like forever, I finally made it onto the hospital floor. I nervously tug on my backpack straps as I begin making my way to his room. A lump begins forming in my throat as I spot his door down the hall. It will be okay. Just talk about school or other simple things, I remind myself.
   I stop myself from knocking on the door, leaving my knuckles hovering over the wood. Just remember that his parents will be watching from the other room, just in case things get out of hand...so don't talk about things too personal. I gulp down my fear and then knock three times on the door.
   "Come in," he says.
   I reluctantly place my hand onto the metal handle, fear holding me back, and suddenly I open the door. I walk in and close it behind myself, and after turning around, I find Victor laying in his hospital bed flipping through the tv channels.
   "Hey," I say while shoving my hands in my pockets as I gain his attention.
   "Hey," he says questioningly.
   "Um," I clear my throat "mind if I sit down?"
   He shakes his head no. I then slide my backpack off and sit in a black chair, while placing my bag against one of the legs of the seat. I fold my hands together in my lap and ask carefully "do you...remember me?"
   "You're Harley,right?" He replies with a question.
   I laugh slightly and say "yeah."
   "We went to school together?" He asks.
   "Yeah, kind of," I respond. "What else do you remember?"
   "Ummm," he begins thinking as I turn my gaze away from him. "We trained together, for the Avengers' JV team," he jokes.
   "Yep," I chuckle slightly, even though a pang of sadness hit my chest "we're like the baby Avengers."
   He gives a short laugh and then begins to turn his attention back to the tv screen, 'we're like the baby Avengers'? What the heck Harley, that wasn't funny at all. I mentally grimace at my lame joke.
   I scratch my head, and then lean back into the seat as I awkwardly look at my reflection in the one way glass. This is awkward.
   "What are you trying to find?" I ask suddenly as I take note of his constant clicking of the remote.
   "I don't even know," he huffs "something fun I guess."
"Go to channel 73," I suggest "you tend to watch SpongeBob when you're bored."
He quickly finds the channel and begins watching an episode. I relax a little in the chair and watch the show with him. About five minutes later he abruptly asks "why are you here?"
I scrunch my eyebrows together at his sudden question, but I respond "I wanted to see you."
"Yeah, but," he proceeds "why are you really here?"
I lean forward and prop my elbows on my thighs as I clasp my hands together. "I wanted to see if I could help you," I begin "because I care about you."
He suddenly averts his attention from the show and looks at me with bewilderment plastered on his face. "But I tried to kill you," he adds with a surprised tone.
"That wasn't you," I reply. "You weren't the one trying to kill me; it was the sick work of Hydra."
I look up and lock eyes with him, showing him that I actually meant what I said. He furrows his brows even deeper in confusion as he turns his gaze slowly away from mine. The room falls silent as he stares straight ahead at the mirror, getting lost in thought I guess.
Knock, knock
I turn my head to the door, due to the light knocks, "come in."
   Shortly after that Darin pops his head into the room, "hey guys."
   I nod my head in a "what's up" motion and Victor replies "hey bro."
   My thoughts jumble over each other as I watch the two begin a handshake. He remembers Darin, but not our relationship? Don't be like that, he and Darin go way back, I quickly tell myself as I try to keep a straight face. However, with my heart feeling as if it is being clawed at, I struggle, so I just settle for one of my thinking faces. As the two between a conversation, I quietly stand up and pull on my backpack.
   "Where ya going Harley?" Darin asks as I stop myself from walking to the door.
   I turn around to find him with an eyebrow raised and Victor looking vacantly at me. "I want to see the others before I start homework," I answer. Turning my gaze back to Victor, I say with a smile "it was good seeing you."
   "Likewise," he replies.
   As I begin making my way back into the hall I hear Victor ask "was she a friend of mine?" before I shut the door. My smile quickly disappears as I lean against a wall. A shaky sigh leaves my mouth as I run a hand through my hair, he barely remembers me. The sound of footsteps approaching makes me look up and find an agent heading in my direction. The agent is looking at some paperwork in her hands as a few loose light brown hairs fall into her face. Daniels, her I.D. reads as she walks past me and into the viewing room that is connected to Victor's room.
   I sigh again as I lean my head against the wall. Hopefully Alex will remember me, I tell myself before I slump off the wall and make my way to her room.